SPONGE - SOUP. . . . . . for

Winter has just gone; unfortunately I got a common cold, and it is very unpleasant.  All the symptoms are a nuisance, from having temperature, headache, sore throat to bad coughs, the whole well-being disappeared and almost unbelievable that you will ever get better.  It has been three weeks since, and the fact that an antibiotic was prescribed for me, it must be needed, I never get sick, am in good health most of the time.

A dash of Grand Marnier for the fruits

sliced watermelon, rockmelon, pineapples
a segment of oranges, sliced strawberries are

Feeling tired, thirsty and lacking in appetite are among the discomfort that I have.  The hot drink helps, so does a cold drink. Sweets and fresh fruits are excellent to have, in fact, that is the food that I can eat quickly right now.  It got me thinking about how about a sponge cake with a lot of fruits.  Is it the right diet for me right now?  I know that I long for fresh fruits and sweet flavour.

Fresh fruits are always here in the bowl, ready to cut up.
When you are not well, eat what you like and what you can enjoy.

Fresh Fruits with Sweet Sponge Cake

The Sponge Cake

I was fit enough to bake sponges, it's good to be busy for me, especially I was by myself for at least a couple of hours, as Rayner was seeing his specialist.  I checked the pantry, and I had the ingredients, only I was aware that the sugar was not sufficient for the cake, but I could do it, and I believe the sponges will work.

I did my preparation without any expectation of a  perfect result, but I know that I will have the cake.

Now I am sharing the recipe of this 'hand on sponge' cake,  which I dedicated to all who wish to have a treat while feeling not too well, sponge cake with lots and lots of fresh fruits.  Extra yoghurt to serve is recommended, instead of cream.

Fresh Fruits and Plain Yogurt To Serve the Sponge

Sponge Cake with Lots of Fresh Fruits

Sponge Cake for the Sick

(measurements are only for this cake, you may find that it is not very conventional)

Ingredients

1 cup mixed self-rising flour, corn flour and custard Powder, approximately one-third of each.

2 teaspoons cream of tartar and ½ bicarbonate soda add in the flour mixtures

(Sift these ingredients a few times thoroughly)

5 small eggs

½ cup caster sugar

Method

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C a fan forced

Line and butter two baking tins

Beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy about 11 minutes or even more

Fold and stir in the sifted flour mixture, and do it gently (use a metal spoon)

(I could not find mine, I use a plastic spatula)

Divide the mixture into two, pour it in the prepared baking tin

Bake in the preheated oven for 11-12 minutes (it worked in my oven)

Take them out and leave in the tins for 6 minutes

Turn them out and cool in a cooling tray and keep them away from draft.

Note: I had to wait for the oven to be ready for the next baking, as another cooking was still in progress, so I parked the sponge for about 7 minutes.  The sponge baked beautifully.

I managed to take pictures for you of the steps in the making for the sponges.

The Preparation 

Sugar and eggs - ready to beat for 10 minutes

In the meantime, sift the dry ingredients at least three times.  Do it thoroughly

Beating the eggs and sugar until thick and fluffy

Two 20 cm round tins, lined and buttered.

Cake mixture on the tin

Freshly baked sponges

The cake mixture sitting in a tin and ready to bake

Cooking sponges on a cooling tray

For two weeks  I have not been able to taste and enjoy food, but this morning I wished to have something sweet with lots, and lots of fresh fruits.  This is the reason how the sponge for the 'sick 'was born.  It may not be a perfect sponge, though, but I am happy enough.

The Sponge Cake

We enjoyed the cake, and it was not bad, the sponge was not dry, and the fruits celebrate the sponge, it's so fresh, and the plain yoghurt was the perfect garnish.

More liquids, more drinks, more fresh vegetables.  Soups for the Sick, soups for the remedy for  'illness, ' chicken soup, as our mums told us, yes they are right, but other soup can be good too.  I simply love vegetables soup cooked in their own juice and water added for the broth, they are light and fresh.

SS  -  Soup for the Sick

The clear soup is excellent for the common cold, you don't need meat stock or chicken, but fresh vegetable is a must.  Cauliflower soup with thyme.  Thyme is a herb which is excellent to help and reduce the cough, you could have it in your tea, add some sprige of the fresh thyme in a cup, add hot boiling water, let it steep for a few minutes before you drink it.

A very tender and soft cauliflower soup, spiced with cracked white pepper and fresh herbs is delicious. Cut the cauliflower in wedges, braise until tender over low heat (to keep their shape), add lots of water and season well.  Serve hot with fresh herbs.  
The soft cauliflower melts in the mouth, and the fresh broth brings the flavour to it.

Cauliflower Wedges in Clear Broth.

Other soup with crunchy texture is clear broth with bean shoots and fresh herbs, it brings me back to my childhood that similar soup is always served in my parents' home, but they added some spinach.

We all experience flu, common cold and the feeling of weariness, and the help of remedies is a lot of rest, eating healthy food, fresh fruits and also to have plenty of liquid. 

It is OK to have a treat now and then.
Have fun to try the sponge recipe and happy baking.



To Mel, Jane and Susan, the soups are excellent for the daily meal, good for you and the family.  Keep well girls. xx





I will be back with Javanese cooking, stay tuned.
Until Next Post
Susy