Chicken and Egg - Janice Cole [42]
Bake the cake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean and the top is deep golden brown and springs back when gently pressed. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a thin knife or spatula around the sides of the cake and invert onto a large serving plate. Cool for 20 minutes, and serve warm or at room temperature.
NOTES
To peel peaches, plunge them into a large pot of boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds, or just until the skins are loose. Cool in a bowl of ice water. Using a small knife, gently peel.
To bring the eggs to room temperature quickly, put them in a bowl of very hot tap water and let sit for about 10 minutes.
SERVES 8
TOPPING
Nonstick cooking spray
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut up
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon ground allspice
2 large peaches (about 1 pound), peeled (see Note) and sliced ¾ inch thick
1 cup fresh raspberries
CAKE
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, preferably bleached
¾ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon almond extract
2 eggs, at room temperature (see Note)
½ cup buttermilk
LOOK—I’M FLYING!
My chickens get this surprised look every time their wings synchronize and they gain loft. It’s like they can’t believe they’re in the air. Yes, chickens can fly. The smaller and lighter they are, the farther they can travel, which is why small bantams are the best fliers of all. Granted, most chickens don’t fly well and they don’t fly far, but they can glide over a low fence if the grass looks greener on the other side. And it always does. For the best protection, build your fences high enough to keep the chickens in.
To ground your high fliers, one wing tip can be clipped to keep the bird off balance. This procedure, if done correctly, is like clipping fingernails. The wing tip will grow back after molting. But talk to an expert or get hold of detailed photos before attempting it yourself. If you cut too far, you will sever part of the wing, not only hurting the bird but permanently damaging the wing.
RUN, CHICKEN, RUN
As much as they love their coop, chickens can’t wait to go outside in the morning. For their safety, provide them with a run, which is a secure outdoor area. It’s at least as important as the coop itself. The bigger the run, the happier everyone will be. If you have a fenced area with lots of cover by way of bushes, trees, and plants, you may be able to let them run free in your backyard. If your yard is open, or if you are a gardener and need to keep the chickens away from most areas in the yard, you will need a separate place for the chickens to roam.
The run needs to be fenced on the sides and from above to protect your birds from aerial predators. The side fencing should go below the ground by at least 6 inches, and then out at a 90-degree angle to deter digging predators. Chicken wire is not recommended, as the holes are actually too big. Weasels or small rodents can slip through the chicken wire. Use hardware cloth instead; it’s a tight screening material that’s stiff and resistant to almost all wild intruders.
If possible, provide different levels for your birds to use in the run, and roosting branches of varying diameters to exercise their feet. If you live in a wet or snowy climate, the run should have a portion that is covered to offer your flock protection from the elements. In the summer, the birds should have ample shade.
CHAPTER FIVE
Late Summer
Thwack!