White Easter Cake.

There is time for one more Easter recipe before we get back into the work routine. You will forgive a short post, I am sure, as I am at the beach for a few days and it is too lovely (and I am too lazy) to spend too much time at the computer.

I give you an Easter cake from an Australian WW II book that was the source of a blog recipe a few weeks ago. It is The Truth and Daily Mirror Cookery Book (1943) edited by medical doctor, Phyllis Cilento. The Cilentos were a well-known medical family in Brisbane, and Dr (Lady) Phyllis Cilento was the mother of screen actor Diane Cilento. You can see an old photo of the house that the family lived in, at Your Brisbane: Past and Present, the blog of my friend the foto fanatic.

White Easter Cake

Two cups sugar, 1 cup dessicated coconut, 2 tablespoons arrowroot (blended with just enough milk to form a paste), whites 2 eggs, 5 drops essence (ratafia or almond), and 5 drops lemon essence.
Beat whites until light and frothy; add sugar (castor sugar is best, but plain sugar will do); then smoothed arrowroot, coconut, essence, and a pinch of salt. Beat well; pour into a well-greased shallow tin, and bake 25 minutes. (N.B no baking powder is required if it is well beaten)
FROSTING: Boil 1 small cup sugar with one tablespoon water, juice ½ orange, and pinch citric acid. When clear beat up white of 1 egg and essence desired, and add to sugar syrup. Whip again until frothy. Pour over cake when cold, and adorn top with a circle of coarse shredded coconut, and in centre Easter chicken, etc.

Quotation for the Day.

My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.
Dave Barry.