Banana kolac

Sometimes when bananas are over ripe and turning almost black, it is not so appetizing to just peel and enjoy. And even though I would love to bake more, both me and Blaž are not huge fans of sweets and cakes. I still like to eat a piece or so, Blaž says, ‘sweets are just backup plans for when you do not have anything else nice’! Therefore, this simple cake using the over ripe bananas was a nice idea. It doesn’t use creams, thus it is more light and good for a quick snack. I always liked this one, and finally learnt from Blaž’s grandma to make it. A simple recipe resulted into this tasty quick snack for the times when one is hungry.

You can print the recipe for your kitchen here: PRINTABLE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

1tbsp margarine

1 egg

180g sugar

1tbsp vanilla sugar

3 very ripe bananas

180g flour

7g baking powder

METHOD:

1.      Peel and slice the bananas. Mash it using a fork.

2.      Soften the margarine a bit using hand blender. Add an egg and blend until fluffy.

3.      Add the sugar and vanilla sugar. Blend until everything is well mixed.

4.      Add the mashed bananas. Blend well.

5.      Slowly add the flour and baking powder while blending continuously. Blend until there is no lump and no flour is visible.

6.      Pour in a heavily greased long baking dish.

7.      Bake at 200°C for 40 minutes.

8.      Take the kolac out. Let it cool a bit and then de-mould. Dust with vanilla sugar powder.

Tarragon cake

Blaž's mother got this simple recipe of cake with tarragon herb from a colleague of hers and we thought it as an interesting idea to try. It is light and non-creamy. The sweet vanilla flavored golden cake studded with tiny green leaves is tempting. The tarragon, delicacy of French cooking, adds a subtle but extraordinary hint of spice and aroma. This complex blend of flavors and aromas is however the yield of a simple recipe. It gives an interesting idea to experiment with herbs in cakes!

INGREDIENTS:

250g flour
200g sugar powder
8g vanilla sugar
8-9g baking powder
100ml oil
100ml milk
5 eggs
1-2 bunch of tarragon

METHOD:

1. Beat egg white until it is stiff and keep in the fridge.
2. Mix egg yolk with sugar powder and vanilla sugar until creamy.
3. Add oil to it and mix.
4. Next add milk and mix.
5. Add flour and mix well.
6. Add chopped tarragon to the mixture.
7. Finally add egg white and gently fold such that it does not drop in volume.
8. Put it in a greased baking dish (round ridged baking dish with hole in middle).
9. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.
10. Check with a needle, and when baked let it cool.
11. Turn it on the serving plate and dust with vanilla sugar powder.