Cooking with me - Apple rings

In Switzerland we have a series of cookery books called Betty Bossi. Betty Bossi does not exist, but if she did her family would have a cake for every day of the year. Betty Bossi also makes baking utensils and sells them with success. Her latest development is a form for baking apple fritters. The trouble with fritters is that the kitchen gets full of oily smells and the preparaton can get a bit messy. Here is how Betty Bossi does it. First of all you have to have the special form for baking. I ordered one a couple of weeks ago and now it has arrived. Here are the ingredients for the apple rings (all in metric):

1 3/3 dl milk
2 Tablespoons of butter, to be melted and cooled off
1 egg yellow
70 grammes Flour
A pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla sugar
1 small spoon backing powder
1 egg white - stiffly beaten
2-3 apples
3 tablespoons cinnamon sugar (cinnamon powder mixed with sugar)

Here are the ingredients surrounding the form I got.

I have now put all the ingredients together in the blue bowl with the exception of the egg white (which has been beaten stiff in the white jug) and the apples. I mix all the ingredients together with the electric mixer.

I then add the beaten egg white and fold it into the mixture with the spatula.

The mixture is quite thick. I then leave it for 30 minutes to settle. I then take my apples, peel them, core them and cut them in rings about 8 mm thick.

The apple rings are then placed in the special oven form.

Then I pour enough of the cake mixture into each ring form to cover the apple rings until it is used up.

I then put the mixture in the cake form in the over preheated to 200° C and leave them to bake for 20 minutes.

Then remove the cakes from the form and turn them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. You can eat them warm or cold. On the recipe it is recommended to eat them with a vanilla sauce, but they taste just as good without. There is something in England called custard and that would go with them just as well.

MULTIPLY Creative Challenge #24: A Desperate Voice

“Hello, Hello – is anyone out there. Speak to me, you must be there.”

Mazzz was near giving up. Trying to find other beings was difficult. Perhaps there was no-one there. He was trying to make contact through the radio with colonialists that had landed on this planet a year before, but received no answer. His spacecraft had landed on this planet two days ago. He and his crew had disembarked the ship and started exploring, but they found nothing, everything was just empty. There was no sign of vegetation. However part of the crew had already left the ship to explore the surroundings.

“Let us return to our home planet” said Rozzz, the engineer. “There is just nothing here, no population or animals, everything is so barren and empty. Our earlier colonists seems to have disappeared.”
Mazzz was not going to give up so quickly. He was sure there must be some sort of civilisation. He remembered it was not the first space ship to visit this planet. Every year ships had visited, to return again after a while.
“We might have landed in the wrong place Rozzz. Our instruments on the ship registered movement on this planet and certain gasses in the atmosphere to prove that a civilisation exists. After all we are not the first of our species to arrive here.”
It was then that they heard a desperate cry for help.
“Did you hear that Mazzz?” Rozzz asked
“Yes, although it seems to be coming from far away. We will proceed in the direction of the voice. It sounded as if it was one of our people calling. Our search troop may have met with a problem.”

Mazzz and Rozzz started to march in the direction of the noise they heard. They climbed a small hill and found that there was vegetation behind the hill. A green bush was growing. Looking further they saw more plants and bushes. They decided that the ship had landed in a deserted part of this world, instead of where there was life. They were now concerned as the sound of the voice calling for help was getting nearer.

“Please help me” it called and as Mazzz and Rozzz walked further they saw where the noise was coming from.

There was a huge creature with eight legs hanging in a maze of threads. It was even producing more threads itself from its mouth. One of the crew had caught himself in this construction. The other members of the space ship travellers were gathered together looking up at their unfortunate colleague who was trying to free himself. Mazzz had heard of such creatures before and knew they were the most dangerous species in this world. Mazzz and Rozzz were a bit unsure what to do. If they tried to free their colleague, they too would be trapped and if they sent members of the crew to help, the result would be the same. There was just no way to help. Mazzz and Rozzz flew over to their colleagues to see if together they would find a solution. It was then that the sky on this strange planet became very dark and a loud noise could be heard in the distance. The crew became worried. Mazzz told his beings to hide behind the bush where the creature’s construction was and wait to see what would happen. It was then that water drops came spilling out of the cloud onto the ground, covering the bush and the brave crew.
“Colleagues take cover where you can” called Mazzz “this strange planet is pouring water out of the sky and the drops are very large.”
“But Mazzz, look” said Rozzz the drops are tearing holes in the creature’s formation and our colleague has been able to fly out of the web.”
“Thank goodness for that – crew gather together, we will proceed further on this planet. We must be careful where we tread."

And so our brave pioneers continued on their way. It was then that Rozzz started sniffing in the air.
“I can smell food Mazzz. Men come here and sniff the air, something delicious is nearby.”
It was then that they saw a glass bottle laying on its side.
“It seems that the smell is coming from the bottle” said Mazzz. “We need a volunteer to enter the bottle.”
“I will go” said one of the crew members and all stood watching as he flew into the entrance of the bottle. It was then that he remained still and started to taste the sticky contents of the bottle. He left the bottle and came to the other members.
“Reporting back Mazzz” he said “the contents of the bottle are ideal, I would suggest that we take a rest and enjoy a meal from this bottle on the planet.”
Mazzz decided to have a taste and found that this food was ideal so the crew of the ship had their meal on the sticky contents of the bottle. The crew did not realise there were letters on the side of the bottle. A large “C” and “o”, “c”, “a” and others, but our beings could not read of course.

Eventually night fell and they gathered together and slept protected by the leaves of a plant that was growing near bye. Mazzz had decided they would continue to explore the next day as this planet seemed to offer more than they first thought. He also intended to tell his crew to keep clear of creatures that had threads on their mouths.

The next morning they were awakened by a bright light coming from the sun on the planet. As soon as the crew were ready they decided to continue on their way.
“Rozzz I think we would move a lot faster by flying”
“You are right Mazzz” and so our group of brave beings made their way by flight. On the planet where they came from all of the inhabitants were equipped with wings.

After a while they came to a halt and landed on an upright object which they could easily climb, their feet being able to stick to vertical surfaces.
“Follow me colleagues” said Mazzz “I can smell something appetising to eat” and sure enough there was an opening on the way up and Mazzz flew through the opening.
“After me” he said and the crew flew behind Mazzz. They landed on something sticky once again. Sticky and red.

“Joey eat your breakfast” said his mother
“I don’t want to, look what’s sitting on my bread and jam. A fly!”

and Joey’s mother took a fly swatter and brought it down with a crash onto the fly. Mazzz was instantly killed, the other flies flew away and Rozzz eventually lead them back to their ship.

They decided it was time to go home again. They postponed their next visit until a year later in the Summer months. It was just one of the facts of a fly’s life that there were victims now and again, especially when they settled on food belonging to the human inhabitants of the planet.

Creative Challenge #24: A Desperate Voice

Autumn Holidays

The photos on this blog are scanned photos as at this time the digital camera was not yet invented. That is why the quality is not so good.

Many years ago (around 1985 to be more exact) we regularly went for a week's holiday somewhere in Switzerland in Autumn. We lived in the town and wanted to get away from things a bit. It is quite a custom to go to the Italian part of Switzerland in Autumn. The weather is mild, lots of sun, and they have a few lakes. The dark blue bit is the kanton of Tessin, the Italian part of Switzerland. We travelled from Solothurn with the car and even the journey was a small adventure. We packed the two boys in the car, then being about 8 years and 13 and made our way. The trouble with Switzerland is when you drive anywhere there are mountains in between. Either you drive over them or through them. Going to the Tessin we had to get through the Gotthard range of mountains, quite high and wide. In 1984 the road tunnel did not yet exist but the train tunnel and that was the one we mainly chose. We drove onto the train on special platforms and then we had a twenty minute train ride through the Gotthard tunnel. It was also a rest for Mr. Swiss as the complete journey was about three hours on the road. It was also possible to drive over the Gotthard. Here is a photo of the original road known as the Tremolo. It is no longer in use as in the meanwhile a motorway has been built. I went over it once when I was a teenager in a coach. It was quite an experience.

There are quite a few hairpin bends there. Anyhow after the journey we arrived at our lodgings. Mostly we rented an appartment in a place called Brissago which was about a ten minute drive from the Italian border and situated overlooking the Lake of Locarno. In the Tessin there are quite a lot of Lakes, but the main ones are the Lake of Locarno and the Lake of Lugano. The Lugano side is also very nice, but Lugano is more the business center and shopping centre. Locarno is more beautiful scenery and old buildings.

This is a view taken over the Lake from our appartment in Brissago. We mainly went walking in the area. Along the top of the mountains at the side of the lake you had a wonderful view and there was a sort of scenic path. We usually walked from the village of Brissago, through Ronco and arrived at Ascona, which is one of the bigger tourist towns on the Lake.



The vegetation in the area is also completely different to the rest of Switzerland. Palm trees grow wild and the gardens are full of flowers that you usually have to cultivate in a garden. The Tessiner people even say the palm trees can be a bother as they grow wild in the gardens and even get in the way. Here is me in on one of the paths along the banks of the lake.

The food in this part of Switzerland is naturally Italian style and excellent. As we were always there in Autumn it was the so-called hunting season and the menus at the restaurants were mainly game from the area. One of our favourite excursions was to the Borromean islands to be found in the Italian part of the Lake of Locarno. There are two islands in the middle of the lake. There is a small village on the island and a wonderful palace which I think was built by the family Borromeo, a rich family in the middle ages. You arrive at the islands by boat. Here is a view of the palace.

Another excursion we often made was to the town of Luino, just down the lake in Italy. They have a famous market each week, mostly a tourist thing, but you can buy all sorts of Italian specialities there. Usually the opportunity was taken to get a leather coat or jacket, as they were quite reasonable, although I am not sure about their quality. I did buy one, but on the ship on the way back the customs made their inspections and it cost a little bit more after paying the valued added tax on it.

The holiday soon came to an end and we had to return through the Gotthard mountains. It seems that once we actually did drive over the Gotthard mountain and here is a photo of my husband and oldest son at the top of the pass.

MULTIPLY Pictures to Words: Reflections Week 6: The Bridge

Jack Bruckman climbed into the cabin of his Locomotive. He felt a little bit sad. Although he was now old enough to be retired, he just loved his job. It was a family thing. His grandfather Hermann Bruckman came to the States at the beginning of the 20^th century from Germany with the family and helped to build the railway. He was even sadder as it was many years ago that grandfather Hermann drew his last breath and he was now laying at peace in the local cemetery. Grandad Hermann told him a lot about the early days.

“You know Jack, when I arrived in the States there was no railway like today. The main cities were connected and there were even stations in the smaller towns, but the folks had to wait until the train arrived; there was no regular service for the small towns. Just take a look at the local River and see the iron bridge connecting the two sides. I helped to build that bridge and if it wasn’t for that bridge I would never had met your grandma.”

And then Hermann would tell him the story of their meeting.

“There I was, a young man in my prime, but just about speaking enough of the language to order a beer. They organised a canteen at the camp where we workers were staying. We came from all over the world. The locals did not like us, they said we were taking the work away from them, but that just wasn’t true. There was enough work for everyone, but the Americans had their farms and professions like being doctors and lawyers. They just left us emigrants to get on with the handwork at that time.

So where was I? (granddad tended to drift off the subject now and again). Ah yes, the canteen, well there was a very pretty young lady helping to serve out the food and drink at midday. She was the prettiest little thing I had every seen and she always had a smile for us men. I had the feeling she had a special smile for me, so I took my courage in my hands one day. There was a dance at the local town at the time and I asked.

“Miss, my name is Hermann Bruckmann and I was wondering, if you haven’t got anything else to do on Saturday evening, if you would accompany me to the dance.”
“Well, I will have to think that over. I sure don’t have anything going, and if my dad says it’s ok, I would be pleased to come with you. I will tell you tomorrow.” She told me her name was Amy Rogers.

Well you can imagine Jack how a young man like me was just happy to know she was willing and it seemed her dad said yes, as the next day she told me everything was fine and I could meet her in town. She didn’t tell me that she had kept it from Pa Rogers about me being one of the emigrants. That wasn’t too bad, but her three brothers were at the dance as well. Cutting a long story short, we had a little fight. No-one really won the fight. There were three of them against me but I held my man. We all had our cuts and bruises, but it seems the brothers found I was a good fighting man and I was invited to dinner the next Sunday after a week. I sure was a bit nervous, but it was a good family. They had a farm and knew what hard work meant. The Rogers family were known as being an honest upright family in the area and the father of the family even worked on the railroad himself as one of the American pioneers in the business. So that was how your grandpa met his wife and your grandmother, bless her departed soul, was the most wonderful woman I ever met.

“I remember grandma” said Jack “She used to make the best apple pie I have ever eaten” and that was how Jack got to know a bit of family history. Jack’s father was the first locomotive driver in the family and Jack followed in his father’s footsteps.

Although he was now approaching retirement, he still had a week before his last day’s work. The railroad had aged with time, and a lot was being rebuilt. The old iron bridge was being replaced by a new bridge had already been built further down the river. Next week it was going to be used for the first time. No longer in iron, but in the modern concrete with a designer form that won some sort of architect’s competition. It was not that Jack did not appreciate the modern buildings, but he just hung onto the old iron bridge. Soon the train was filled with its passengers travelling to the next largest town. It was a two hour journey, but that did not bother Jack. All being well, he would be at his destination by lunch time and after lunch speeding back home in the locomotive again.

He loved this route. After an hour he would be approaching the old iron bridge, the one that his grandfather’s hands helped to build. As he neared, the bridge, mist descended upon the railway from the river. This was nothing out of the ordinary. It was autumn and the cold nights were a cause for the heavy morning mists. Visibility was almost down to zero but he knew the way. Every rivet and wooden plank was etched in his mind. Suddenly he was surprised; he saw a red signal light on the tracks just before entering the bridge. He pulled the breaks on the train, but felt a bit uncertain. In his complete life as locomotive driver this had never happened. He then saw a figure approaching, walking along the tracks. It was still misty but the figure was swinging an old petroleum lamp in his hand.

As he got nearer Jack stuck his head out of the window.
“Is something wrong” he asked
The figure turned towards Jack, although Jack only roughly saw him through the distance. It was the figure of a young man.
“The bridge has a problem. You have to wait here. It’s not safe” said a voice from the distance.
“I don’t understand” answered Jack “it was ok yesterday. What’s the exact problem?”.
The man in the distance spoke.
“Seems that over the many years the bridge has been used, the rivets had got a bit loose and some of the railway tracks are not so certain any more. You can’t drive any further than this point.”

Now Jack had to make a decision. He had never had or even seen a signal in this place before and this man that was giving him the news seemed to be a bit strange. Jack climbed down from the cabin of the locomotive to have a look himself.
“I wouldn’t walk too far out onto the bridge” said the voice “it is not safe any more”, but Jack decided to have a look for himself. The people in the carriages were getting a bit restless and the car attendant, Joe, was already standing at the entrance to the train looking in Jack’s direction with a look as if to say “What’s going on.”
Jack called back to Joe “seems that there is a problem with the bridge – I will have a quick look.”
So Jack walked down the lines towards the bridge. Everything seemed to be fine; he then got to the beginnings of the track over the river and noticed that underfoot the wooden planks were a bit shaky. He put his foot out for the next step and realised that his foot was hanging in the air. Suddenly he felt a tight grip on his shoulders and was pulled back. He turned round but saw no-one there. One thing was obvious the old bridge had seen its last train and was no longer able to take another train and whoever or whatever had gripped him had saved him from falling into the river.

Jack hurried back to the train and spoke to the car attendant, Joe.
“It seems the bridge is broken there is no connection to the other side. A few more yards and the train would have been at the bottom of the river. I have that man a lot to thank for.”
“What man Jack?” answered Joe.
“Didn’t you see him? He came out of the mist waving one of those old paraffin lamps and made me stop the train. He told me there was a problem with the bridge.”
“I thought you were talking to yourself Jack, I didn’t see anyone. I saw you went onto the bridge, but if you say it has collapsed, then it looks like you have saved our lives.”
Then something came to Jack’s mind.
“Well something saved my life as I would have walked on had it not been for someone who pulled me back. We have another problem. The 11.15 train will soon be arriving at the bridge from the other side. We will have to send a report”.

Jack and Joe made their way to the radio set that all trains have in case of emergency.
“Hello central” said Joe. “We have a problem. The old iron bridge has collapsed and someone will have to stop the 11.15 train as it will be driving over soon. Perhaps you can operate the red signal sign to stop it.”
“Ok Jack”, came the answer “but we don’t know what you mean by the red signal. We have not had one of those in the last fifty years. They were all replaced by radio. We will radio the 11.15 to let them know.”

Gradually the mist was disappearing and vision was getting better. Jack now saw what had happened. The tracks on the middle of the bridge had disappeared into the river below. Indeed as Jack was looking two made their way downwards meeting the river with a splash at the bottom. It was then that Jack saw the 11.15 approaching the bridge and was hoping that Central managed to warn them in time. Indeed, with only a few feet to spare the 11.15 came to a halt, all breaks screeching which could be heard for miles around.

Bus transport was organised for the passengers of the trains on both sides of the river and they were transported further down the river to the traffic bridge, Joe joined them in the bus and he was applauded and received with congratulations, after all he was the hero of the day and had saved everyone’s life.

Joe, the car attendant was sitting next to Jack.
“So tell me Jack, who had you seen at that bridge. Admittedly the sight was bad because of the mist, but whoever it was managed to save us all.”
“I don’t know who it was” said Jack “everything seemed to happen so fast. It was a young man that appeared out of the mist and he told me not to drive any further. I think it was him that saved my life by pulling me back just as I wanted to take a step further on the bridge.”

The bus was now pulling away from the bridge and Jack looked back. He could have sworn he saw his grandfather standing in a group of other men dressed similarly in the old railway uniforms all waving as they pulled away but Jack decided to keep that for himself.

A week later the new railway bridge was opened to the public and as a special treat Jack was allowed to sit in the locomotive which was pulling the new train. It was Jack’s last ride in the driver’s cabin of a train, but he decided it was good to end his working life in this way.

A week later he visited his grandfather’s grave. His wife asked him why he said “Thank you grandpa” at the grave, but he pretended he did not hear her.

Pictures to Words: Reflections Week 6: The Bridge