My father hasn't been in the pink of health lately. I took the day off work today to accompany him to the hospital. They've now fixed him up for CT colonography early September.
We got home a little before 3 this afternoon and I made these French-style savoury cakes.
Savoury cakes, or cakes salés are quite the trend in Parisian bakeries. They're quick and easy, perfect for light lunches or picnics, or presented as amuse-bouche to accompany apéritif. They're a great way of using up leftover chicken, beef or cheeses. It's really worth a try. If you prefer individual portions, you can always bake them in mini muffins tins. The original cake salé recipe calls for Gruyère and ham. I used Cheddar and luncheon meat.
Savoury cakes, or cakes salés are quite the trend in Parisian bakeries. They're quick and easy, perfect for light lunches or picnics, or presented as amuse-bouche to accompany apéritif. They're a great way of using up leftover chicken, beef or cheeses. It's really worth a try. If you prefer individual portions, you can always bake them in mini muffins tins. The original cake salé recipe calls for Gruyère and ham. I used Cheddar and luncheon meat.
Adapted from this recipe in nytimes.com
Makes two 16.5cm x 8cm x 7.5cm loaves or
two 18.5cm x 9.5cm x 5cm or
one 20.5cm x 10cm x 5.5cm
In a large bowl, whisk flour with baking powder, salt and pepper.
two 18.5cm x 9.5cm x 5cm or
one 20.5cm x 10cm x 5.5cm
250 grams all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 large eggs
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup olive oil
170 grams (6 ounces) ham or luncheon meat, cut into 1/4" dice
170 grams (6 ounces) Cheddar, coarsely grated, or half coarsely grated and half cut into 1/4" dice
Place a rack in the centre of your oven and preheat the oven at 180 degrees C (350 F). Or, if making mini muffins, position 2 racks in upper third of the oven and heat to 220 degrees C (425 F). Generously brush loaf pans or four x 12 cavity mini muffin pans with butter.
In a medium bowl, lightly whisk eggs, then whisk in milk and olive oil.
Using a spatula, fold wet ingredients into dry until barely mixed. Fold in luncheon meat and cheese.
Scrape batter into loaf pans and smooth top, or using your finger, push a tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup.
Bake loaves until golden and a toothpick inserted in centre comes out with a few crumbs attached, 40 to 50 minutes. Or bake muffins until golden, about 15 minutes, switching pans between racks halfway through.
Transfer to a rack to cool in pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife around edge to release. Turn out loaves onto rack to firm up before slicing, about 30 minutes; using a serrated knife, cut into 1-cm slices, Muffins can be served warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!