As Promised

Although autumn officially arrived on September 23rd,

here on the island, it has only been spotted a few times.

If you look closely, you could probably catch a glimpse 

of it here and there, among the still summer scenery.

On occasion, you may even taste it. Sweet or savoury, 
fall flavours seem to be infused with seasonings of 
sentiment and nostalgia, that keep smiles simmering,
long after the dinner dishes are washed and put away.

It's a transitional time, when summer brights mingle with
muddy ochres, creating a canvas of colourful chit-chat.

For my garden, here in pastoral Crete, autumn brought a
second bloom of scented, white stars, promising more
from the fruity bulbs of summer, and before winter's debut. 

And speaking of promises...

Ingredients:

For the cake:
5 eggs, separated
1 1/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp brandy or cognac,
dissolved in I tbsp baking powder
Zest of one lemon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup fine semolina 
1 cup chopped walnuts

For the syrup:
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup water
1 piece of lemon peel
1 small stick cinnamon

Directions: 

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour a 9 x 12 rectangular

 baking pan or a similarly sized round pan.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, 

beat egg whites until stiff. Fold in sugar. 

Add yolks, (softly beaten), and the remaining cake

 ingredients and mix until just incorporated.

Pour batter into pan and bake for 45 minutes, or until 

toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

 When cake is almost cool, remove from pan and

prepare the syrup. Place ingredients in a medium saucepan 

and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for 2 minutes. 

Remove from heat. Remove cinnamon stick and 

lemon peel and carefully pour syrup over cake.

Enjoy!!

Thanks for visiting,
and Happy October!

xo

Poppy

  Sharing at: 
Home & Garden Thursday, Artsy-Fartsy Link Party,
Create It Thursday, Worthwhile Wednesday, Wow Us Wednesdays, 
What's It Wednesday, Brag About It,  Treasure Box Tuesday,
Tweak It Tuesday, Inspire Me Tuesday, Tuesdays at Our Home,
The Scoop, Be Inspired Features & Link Party, Sunday's Best,
Make it Pretty Monday, The Art of Home-Making Mondays,
Inspiration Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Inspire Me Monday,

The Inspiration Gallery, Say G'Day Saturday, Saturday Sparks,

Feathered Nest Friday, Show & Tell Friday, Home Sweet Home,

Flaunt it Friday, Simple & Sweet Fridays, Friendship Friday,