Chicken or as we call it in Greek Kotòpoulo is one of the most common and widespread domestic birds. In 2003 it was estimated to exist about 24 billion birds worldwide. That means that if at anytime these cute and somewhat silly birds somehow acquire a higher intelligence it is most definite that they will overpower us.
It was believed that chicken was domesticated in India, but newer evidence shows that its domestication has already started some 10.000 years ago in Vietnam. From India the bird traveled to Persia, Lidia and around 9-8 century B.C. came also to Greece.
In ancient Greece Night and Ether gave birth to a silver egg obviously the moon. From this egg god Eros was born and he arranged chaos in the skies and Gaia down to earth.
In Finnish mythology the whole world was created from the eruption of a wild duck’s egg. Sky was the upper level of the egg that was supported by a column at the north pole.
In Chinese mythology again the world was created by an egg which opened in half and the sky and earth were formed. The egg was floating in the space and had both yin and yang powers. After centuries of incubation the first creature came to life.
In all ancient eastern religions, eggs were symbols of creation, rebirth and rejuvenation. Because of its connection with birth and life egg has been considered a symbol of prosperity and fertility. Peasants in central Europe rubbed an egg on their plough to have a good yield. In France back in the old days the bride used to break an egg at the entrance of her new home to have prosperity and many children.
In the mid of 15th century A.C. hen’s egg became the most consumed one against all the other eggs. During 18th century Louis XV who adored eggs a la coque and meringue had built a huge pen in the Versailles and chickens were free to go about anywhere and bore many eggs that were used for the needs of the palace.
Peter Carl Fabergé, created 54 eggs completely different one to another from gold, crystal and porcelain. After the revolution the communist government exiled Fabergé. He went to Losagne and lived there until he died.
Eggs have been an integral part of cooking and baking for centuries. Meringues, pastries, creams, breakfast delicacies and cakes owe their beauty partly on the eggs. A cake is always welcomed in my family and because most of the times I make something chocolatey for my son and me, I have decided to go with a vanilla cake to make my husband happy since he is not so much fond of chocolate. This cake was delicious and can be the base to make so many experiments and create other types more complicated.
- 400 gr. / 14 oz. sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 70 gr. / 2.5 oz. corn oil
- 240 gr. / 8.5 oz. All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 60 gr. / 2 oz. butter
- 230 gr. / 8 oz. milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- About ½ cup of chocolate chips or cut a chocolate bar in pieces
- Preheat oven to 160°C / 325°F.
- Lightly grease a 23cm X 33cm / 9 in. x 13 in. pan.
- Beat the eggs and sugar until they're fluffy and pale, about 2 minutes with your mixer.
- Pour in the corn oil.
- Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the egg batter, beating just enough to combine.
- In a small pot set over medium heat, bring the butter and milk just to a boil.
- Add the vanilla.
- Slowly pour the hot milk mixture to the cake batter, mixing until everything is incorporated. Scrape the bowl, and mix briefly, just until smooth.
- Pour the batter into pan.
- Add the chocolate chips or the chocolate pieces.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a rack to cool.
- 400 γρ. Ζάχαρη
- 4 μεγάλα αυγά
- 70 γρ. καλαμποκέλαιο
- 240 γρ. Αλεύρι για όλες τις χρήσεις
- 1 κ.γ. αλάτι
- 2 κ.γ. μπέικιν πάουντερ
- 60 γρ. Βούτυρο
- 230 γρ. γάλα
- 2 κ.γ. εκχύλισμα βανίλιας
- ½ φλ. Κομματάκια σοκολάτας ή σπάστε μια μπάρα σοκολάτας σε τετράγωνα κομμάτια
- Προθερμαίνoυμε τον φούρνο στους 160°C.
- Βουτυρώνουμε ελαφρά ένα ταψί με διαστάσεις 23 cm X 33 cm.
- Χτυπάμε τα αυγά και τη ζάχαρη μέχρι να αφρατέψουν, περίπου 2 λεπτά με το μίξερ.
- Ρίχνουμε το καλαμποκέλαιο και συνεχίζουμε το χτύπημα.
- Προσθέτουμε το αλεύρι, το αλάτι και το μπέικιν πάουντερ στο μίγμα, χτυπώντας ώστε να ενσωματωθούν.
- Σε μια μικρή κατσαρόλα σε μέτρια φωτιά, φέρνουμε το βούτυρο και το γάλα σε βρασμό.
- Προσθέτουμε τη βανίλια.
- Προσθέτουμε και τα κομματάκια σοκολάτας.
- Αργά ρίχνουμε το γάλα στο μείγμα του κέικ, ανακατεύοντας μέχρι να ενσωματωθούν. Ξύνουμε το μπολ και ανακατεύουμε λίγο μέχρι να γίνει λείο.
- Ρίχνουμε το μίγμα στο ταψί.
- Ψήνουμε το κέικ για 40 έως 45 λεπτά, μέχρι να βγει καθαρή μια οδοντογλυφίδα στο κέντρο.
- Βγάζουμε το κέικ από το φούρνο και το τοποθετούμε σε μία σχάρα για να κρυώσει.