I love Google Doodles!

I honestly believe that this is a genius idea and a wonderful practice. Besides the popular holidays, celebrated worldwide, the Doodles also include anniversaries, celebrations and customs which are not so common and famous, sometimes typical only for a specific location.

I google every day. I google dozens of times a day. Who doesn’t? And when I see a new Doodle, I can’t help to check it out. It makes me curious and wakes my desire to learn something new, to read about something I never would have thought otherwise.

Does it come to you naturally to say “Hey, the polonium is such an interesting chemical element, lets read about the person who discovered it!”? It doesn’t to me. But the Doodles make me do it. And I’m grateful, because I read about persons, places, subjects, that are not a part of my every day life, but played an important role in transforming the world into the place we see today, and definitely deserve acknowledgement. So, check out the Doodle now and then, it is usually worth the time.

For example, the other day was the 106th birthday of Simone de Beauvoir. It would have never occurred to me to read about her. I knew her name and the fact that she was a French writer, and that was it. Today I found out that she had quiet a life. She was strong and bold, very smart, a woman who was not afraid to have a different opinion and to defend it. I haven’t read her works, and I don’t know if I share her views, but I respect her for being brave and innovative. And maybe I would have never understood that, if Google hasn’t drawn my attention to that magnificent lady.

Another fabulous lady that I know is my mother. Unfortunately there isn’t a Wikipedia article about her, yet, but today I will introduce her with her apple cake. This simple dessert was one of my favorite growing up. Mainly because of the apples, and the walnuts, and the wonderful composition they make.

I made the recipe in a muffin pan and added some caramel sauce, just to make it a little up to date and fancier, but the truth is, that is doesn’t really need it. A simple sheet cake is just as good. And it’s very easy.

Apple and walnut muffins

Makes 12 large muffins/

• 1 cup /100grams/ of walnuts;
• 2 cups /~300 grams/ of apples, peel and shredded – 2 large Granny Smith;
• ½ a teaspoon cinnamon;
• 3 large eggs;
• 1 cup /200 grams/ of sugar;
• 2 cups /260 grams/ of all purpose flour;
• 1 teaspoon /4 grams/ of baking powder;
• 3 tablespoons /50 grams/ of neutral oil, like sunflower oil;
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract;

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Butter or line with paper liners a muffin pan
3. Chop the walnuts coarsely. Mix with shredded apples and the cinnamon and set aside.
4. Mix the eggs with the sugar at medium-high speed until pale.
5. Sift the flour with the baking powder.
6. Add the flour and oil to the eggs mixture and fold into the batter.
7. Add the apples and vanilla, and mix thoroughly until everything is combined.
8. Divide the batter between the muffin holders and bake for 20 – 25 minute or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out with only few crumbs.

Salted caramel

• ½ a cup /100 grams/ of sugar;
• 1 ½ tablespoons of water;
• ½ a cup of cream;
• 1 tablespoon of butter;
• 1 teaspoon of salt;

1. Place the sugar and water in a heavy sauce pan and heat without stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture starts to darken.
2.  Remove from the heat and carefully mix the cream stirring until incorporated.
3. Add the butter and salt leave to cool slightly.
4. When the sauce cools, but before it becomes too thick, decorate the muffins.