Book of Days Tales

Today is the birthday (1916) of Roald Dahl, a British popular author of children’s literature and short stories, a poet, and wartime fighter ace.  His parents were Norwegian immigrants, and his first language was Norwegian even though he was born in Wales.  His most well-known children’s stories include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, The Twits, George’s Marvelous Medicine and Danny, the Champion of the World, many of which were made into popular movies.

In honor of Dahl’s Norwegian heritage combined with the giant peach in one of his stories, here is Norwegian peach cake.         

Ingredients

Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tbsp. sugar

½ tsp. baking powder

¼  tsp. salt

75 gm butter, plus extra for greasing

1 egg, beaten

Filling

4 to 6 fresh peaches, peeled and sliced

½ cup sugar

ground nutmeg

heavy cream

Instructions

Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Add the butter to the flour mixture and chop together with a fork or pastry blender. Add the beaten egg. Work the mix with your fingers into smooth ball.

Chill in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. Grease a 9 inch pie pan, and press the dough into it, pushing evenly down across bottom with the palm of your hand and up sides of pan. Flute the edges. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 375° F/ 190° C.