Vietnam 1962-1973

Photo has nothing to do with the day, but we walked past it and stopped to have a look.

We were on our way back from Hanna's pre-birthday dinner. Carefully chosen venue (The Original Pancake Kitchen) turned out to be an old dump, with edible pancakes. Oh well, I had good intentions. No doubt we will never return there.

It is lovely to celebrate Hanna's birthday with family around, it is so much more special. Also it is great to have spies around who will inform that the birthday girl is expecting a cake in the morning, so her absolutely tried mother is sitting and waiting for the Fancy Cake* (another of Nigella's genius inventions) to bake.

Must run, presents won't wrap themselves.

*Fancy Cake
-6 eggs, split yolks & whites
-beat yolks with 200g sugar until pale and creamy
- add grated zest of 1 lemon to yolky cream
- fold in 200g ground almonds
- beat egg whites until stiff and gently fold into the rest, spoonful by spoonful
- bake in 160C for 1 hour in a brioche mould.
Should be good, time will tell.