Sunday, February 21, 2016

Torta Soffice di Mele {Light Apple Cake}

Hello everyone! Just when I thought I was returning to my blog...my world have seemed to have fallen off a large cliff, and it was not so easy to climb back. Since the first week of last October of 2015, everything have seemed to change...sudden death of my beloved older sister Anna (Aniko) in Cleveland...who I have blogged about one year ago...my weird and bizarre (at home) accident, ripping my upper arm open...(due to falling over my simple little Pilates chair in the middle of the night...goes to show you that if you can't see to go to the bathroom...have a 'night light'...which I do have but did not turn on! (some of those exercise equipment do have sharp edges that can actually, certainly injure you. Got rid of it after having it next to my bed for six years!
Spending two weeks in the hospital, due to allergies to 3 different antibiotics did not help either for the wound to heal, instead...making it worst for infections. I ended up having to be hooked up to a wound vacuum machine, at the hospital, and using a smaller version of it at home...having a nurse come out every day to change bandage! So, October and November of last year was the worst 2 months of my life...I must admit honestly. December was slightly better, and I went back to my beloved home town re-visiting my family and painfully missing my dear sister Aniko who has left this world but her presence is forever there at the house, and in our hearts!
It seems like I have abandoned my blog...which actually I did, in a sense that I did not even want to peak in to see what's going on; not just with my blog, but with others' as well! I owe all of you friends, and followers a huge apology...not visiting, and commenting on your beautiful blogs. To make things worst...I have lost nearly 100 followers, not blaming them for leaving because I was a 'no show'...simple as that! Since then, my photos have show up regularly and 'thrift' blogs...yet, another 'food and thrift' blog...taking away from entering into my blog...which is totally different. I tried to change the name, but will have to really start all over, perhaps and have my own domain?! which will co-host it, not worth the hassle! Besides the familiar name I decided to chose close to the 'food' name is taken by another blogger some time ago...so I will remain with the same title that I chose close to 6 years ago, and that's ...that!
I made this Italian apple cake last September, and was going to post it, and I did not get a chance. Photos are not the best, taken with my cell phone camera, but then again...I was not anticipating to want to post about it, so I did not bother taking better pictures with my camera...and of course, cloudy and dreary day did not help either...although, the sun does peak out just about every day here in S. Florida, even if for an hour or less which is really nice! The cake is light, buttery, and so very moist and delicious!
Since the last few months, I have been quite active on Facebook, keeping up with some of my food blogger friends, and old and new friends, as well. As for family, not so active...for some reason, they don't want to associate with their own...due to 'exposure', I guess, not wanting the world to know 'who belongs to whom'?! My daughter never, ever posts anything about me, and has told me, she wants to keep her Facebook page, and friends private...knowing that her friends know who her family, i.e. (mom) is...I suppose it's better this way!

Now, I have totally gotten off the subject about the Light Apple Cake! I made this amazing cake withe the fresh apples, at my sister's house when I was there last October, and I was so thrilled that she absolutely loved it, and wrote down the recipe...but sadly she passed away one week later!

Torta Soffice Di Mele{Light Apple Cake}
2 1/2 cups flour
2/3 sugar
3 eggs
2/3 melted, unsalted butter
grated zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
1/3 cup milk
3 apples (golden delicious or granny smith work well)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except the apples. Mix until smooth batter is formed.
Butter and flour a 9″ spring form pan. Pour in the batter. Peal and core apples, then slice thinly and arrange in a circle pattern on top of batter. Apples may sink slightly into the batter.
Bake the cake until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove room oven and let cake cool slightly on wire rack. Remove the pan sides and slip the cake onto a serving plate. Serve at room temperature.
The only addition I made, I added 1 teaspoon baking soda, juice of 1 lemon as well, 1 tteaspoon cinnamon powder ( for me, cinnamon goes well with apples, and it's a must have. I also changed it to 1/2 cup of cup of milk, for softer texture!


Our last 'selfie'...together, one week later
on Oct. 7th, 2015
she collapsed and 'died'!
I made the Torta Soffice di Mele the second time a month later in Cleveland, for my sister, and I do think it turned out better than the first time. I added the sliced apples in half of the batter, and added the remaining sliced apples on the top, and also sprinkled it with a mixture of cinnamon, and sugar. The additional added ingredients made it lighter, and not like a pound cake batter, which is also good, but I prefer a light cake. Pound cake is...pound cake, but this recipe is supposed to be a (Light) version, which the title says so, therefore I had to adjust it. Not every recipe is 'true'...so you have to make it 'tried and true'

I did miss all of you dear blogger friends, and I will try my best to keep blogging, which is a good 'therapy'...and NOT to be occupied with thoughts of sadness...life has to continue, which is proper to say, and most importantly we all have families and loved ones that need us here, right now. Everything in it's earthly, and heavenly order must be decided and done to the best to our ability, and... capability. Heavenly matters are, and will be decided by a 'higher power' at the right time when it is decided by God!
Love, and Peace,
Elisabeth

23 comments:

Patty Magyar said...

Trying again! So sorry about your sister and your accident! You have been through so much!
Take care...my thoughts are with you! So glad you are back. Have fun with it and don't put pressure on yourself! Blog whenever you want to!

~~louise~~ said...

Dear Elisabeth,
I am so sorry to hear about your beloved sister. I can't even imagine your pain.

I'm sorry to hear you went through so much pain last year. I don't know Elisabeth, for some reason last year was a terrible year for so many people. I, for one, am glad it's over!

I wouldn't worry too much about the blog name. You're probably better off keeping the name you've had for 6 years. One day, when you're up to it, you might want to get your own domain name which can be hosted by blogger. It isn't too difficult but does take a clear mind:)

Your Apple Cake looks lovely, Elisabeth. Thank you so much for shairng the recipe...As Patty said, don't put pressure on yourself. When you need blogging therapy, we are here:)

Take care Elisabeth...

Zoe said...

Hi Elisabeth,

I'm so sorry to hear all the bad things that happened to you and your sister. I hope that 2016 is a new beginning for you, knowing too that your sis has found a new life somewhere.

As for your experience of losing followers, I think you are not alone. I have been active in my blogging and still losing followers and so I gave up GFC totally. I think it has something to do with Google... Nothing to do with us :p Not to worry too about your blog name... There are lots of similar blogs and domain (and copycat) everywhere. Nothing we can do about it :p

I hope that you are feeling better now :) Please take care.

Zoe

Joyful said...

Nice to read from you again Elizabeth. I'm sorry you've been feeling so poorly but I hope you are now close to feeling much better. I think you just leave your blog name as it is and once you comment on other blogs here and there you will be "found" once again. (I have been known to delete blogs that aren't active because most of the bloggers never return it seems. So I am glad to "see" you). This is a delicious cake you are showing. Would you know, I've been craving an apple cake the last day or two and thinking of making one. I featured one on my blog a few years ago (I don't bake so much these days) and here you are featuring one to prompt me to make it, lol.

I understand what your daughter says about Facebook. Would you believe I'm not on FB? If I eventually get on it I won't be posting as my real self (though I know you're supposed to). I have too many relatives on there, lol.

Angie Schneider said...

Dear Elisabeth, I am so very sorry to hear what had happened in your life :-(( and at the same time, glad to see things are getting better and you come back to blogsphere. The apple cake looks splendid and I like this lighter version.

Nancy Potumuthu said...

Dear Elisabeth, I'm so sorry to hear of your beloved sister's passing. Hoping and praying that 2016 brings happier times and that your wounds heal,leaving you with smiles instead of tears.

Velva said...

Welcome back Elisabeth! What a year 2015 was for you. I think 2016 will be a much better year :-)
You shouldn't stress about your blog. Life happens.

Your apple cake looks delicious. A perfect companion to a really good cup of coffee.

Velva

Elisabeth Foodandthrift said...

Hi Nancy, I've been thinking of you and have been searching for you...got notice from Facebook on a memory from 2yrs ago, that included you re: your amazing Rajma that I made, and wanted to share again...only to find out you no longer have your blog! Please contact me if you'd like on e-mail elisaprega@aol.com! I've been searching for you, and missed you. Thank you for your sweet and kind words! xoxo

scrambledhenfruit said...

I am so sorry about your sister and also about your unfortunate accident. My prayers are for your comfort and healing!

Phong Hong said...

Hello Elisabeth! Firstly, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the loss of your sister. I can understand how hard it must be for you to lose your beloved sister. May she rest in peace. I do hope that you are coping well (you do sound cheerful and positive!) and that your arm has healed. Do take good care of yourself and I hope that you can update your blog as and when you can. You have been missed, my friend! And thank you for coming by my blog. You are always so kind and sweet. God bless you, Elisabeth!

Zsuzsa said...

What a comeback! Good to see you back my friend! And I am so happy you recovered. This is the most beautiful apple cake I have ever seen! Be happy. <3

Elisabeth Foodandthrift said...

Hi Zsuzsa, I'm really glad to be back after such difficult times. Thank you for your kind comment and your compliment on my Apple Cake! xo

Emma said...

Hi Elisabeth! I've often thought of you and wondered how you were going. Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog.

I'm so upset for you that you've had so many difficult challenges to go through. I'm really sorry about your sister, losing loved ones is incredibly difficult. I hope your arm is ok now, that accident sounds just awful.

Here's to a happy, healthy year for you! I'm not on Facebook but am on Instagram and we already follow each other on pinterest so if you're about on either of those, let me know.

And lastly, that cake looks really lovely, it's so tall and the top is so pretty :)

Take care

http://www.asplashofvanilla.com/

Swathi Iyer said...

Welcome back my friend, I would love to see you more active in blog again. Yes I can understand what you gone through. Sorry about your sister, it really difficult.
How is your arm doing now. I am going to tweet this cake, love it.

~ Nee ~ said...

Hi Elizabeth , so very sorry to hear about your dear sister , she will always be with you , you carry your love ones in your heart ... think about the good times you had with here and I bet you will smile .
I have to try this cake it looks so yummy and delicious . I haven't blog much this year , only holidays to let you know I am still here . Not to worry , followers will come and go , the most important thing is to continue doing what you like and I daresay you are good . We know who you are and stay the same . I will be back soon , but I will keep up with your posting . Pinning , thanks for sharing ... Nee :)

Kathy said...

So glad to see you back, Elizabeth! Your cake looks amazing...so moist and perfect! I will definitely try this recipe!
Sending good thoughts your way! So sorry about your sisters passing. Hugs!

Elisabeth Foodandthrift said...

Thank you Kathy, I'm glad to be back on my blog again. In the meantime, I am active on facebook, where I can connect with friends! The apple cake seriously very good! xoxo

Liz Berg said...

I am so glad to see you back, my dear friend!! You've had a lot on your plate---and I'd like to express my most sincere sympathy again for the loss of your sister I love that selfie of you two. What a treasure. And I just made apple bread a couple weeks ago--and love apple in baked goods. Your cake looks scrumptious!!!! xoxo

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Elisabeth Foodandthrift said...

Hi Michelle, thank you for inviting me to join your site, and will consider it, after I checked it out to see what its about!

Dawn Yucuis said...

Wow, it sounds like you went through some terrible things the last few months. I am sorry to hear that you lost your sister, I can't imagine how hard that was. I hope that you are totally healed now from your accident. Hopefully 2016 will be a great year for you! I am happy to see that you are back doing your blogging. The apple cake looks amazing. It is one my family would love.

Elisabeth Foodandthrift said...

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart for your kind, and caring words! I truly appreciate each and every lovely comment, and your words of wisdom, and sharing! Hugs,to all!~ Elisabeth

Citra Kale said...

Oh my dear..my dear.... so long and too many things I should catch up in your life.. deepest condolence to your sister :(
keep on healthy so I can enjoy more of your recipes.. xoxo
http://myhomediaryinturkey.blogspot.com