The past few months have seen us very short of eggs. For the first time in about six years we resorted to buying them. The very dark days this winter with all the rain, combined with the demise of Esme have been the cause. Previous hens have laid a few eggs throughout the winter, but this has not been the case with the bluebell girls and elderly Lorna only manages about three eggs every two weeks. A brief burst from Tiffany a couple of weeks ago allowed us to have a few lunches involving poached or boiled eggs, but alas she has stopped laying again. As for Anna – nada. At this rate we are going to have to consider increasing the flock – eggs had become a really important component of our diet and their absence also means no cake!
The new residents* are impressed!
It was with great joy, therefore, that we accepted a gift of four eggs from Kate the other day. Now, you might feel that four eggs is rather stingy. But, what if I tell you they are goose eggs? Each one weighs about 165g – nearly 6oz! For comparison I weighed one of Lorna’s eggs and that came in at 70g – less than 2.5oz. I don’t often get to cook with goose eggs, but my experience is that they make deliciously light cakes… and so I used two of them to make a huge chocolate-orange cake, with chocolate-orange butter cream and a chocolate ganache topping.
So, if any of you are passing in the next day or so… call in for the most delicious cake, made with an ingredient that most people will never get the chance to use.
Quick before the critters get it!
-oOo-
* There has been a bit of an invasion: two mousevaarks – Iolanthe and Arnoldo – and Tali, a molevaark**.
**It’s amazing what some people do with old socks!
The Snail of Happiness 
katechiconi
/ February 14, 2016Goose eggs are yummy, loads of flavour simply boiled, too! That cake looks really tasty. What a pity I’m (a) too far away and (b) not able to eat it anyway!
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Pat
/ February 14, 2016Hmmm… Wonder what a flight over the pole would cost?
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Pat
/ February 14, 2016Just looked up the price of goose eggs. I can’t even afford those! 😦
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2016Yup, I don’t think I would every buy them!
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anne54
/ February 15, 2016I hope the girls get back into their groove soon. When you buy them from the shops, as I do, you forget that they are seasonal. Another natural rhythm that we have lost. But you have not lost the art of cake making. It looks fantastic!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2016It’s been very strange to have shop-bought eggs. Mostly I have just been avoiding making things that need them, so I think in total I’ve only bought about 2 dozen, but it would be lovely to have lots from our own girls again.
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davidprosser
/ February 15, 2016I wasn’t sure your new residents were impressed. I thought they actually looked a bit startled in case they were asked to supply the need. That could bring tears to the eyes of most ‘Vaarks’.
The goose eggs look tremendous but even better is the use you put them to.I do wish you were on a direct bus route from here……..
xxx Massive Hugs Jan xxx
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2016I’d pop a bit in the post, but I think it might be a bit stale by the time it got to you!
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KerryCan
/ February 15, 2016If I could figure out a way to get to your table, fast, before that cake is gone, I’d be there! It looks terrific–I love chocolate and orange and ganache. Yum.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2016There’s still some left!
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crawcraftsbeasties
/ February 15, 2016Oh WOWEE, look at that cake! The Beasties and I are checking out ferry times as we speak! 😀
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Lori Fontanes
/ February 15, 2016They are huge! BTW, our ducks lay pretty big eggs, too. Occasionally one even approaches goose size. Enjoy your gifts!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2016I’m wondering about getting a couple of ducks… Indian Runners have always appealed!
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Lori Fontanes
/ February 15, 2016I know, ever since “Babe”! I can see a bit of the Runner heritage in my Buff Orpingtons from time to time. Please let me know if you have any questions that you think I can help on!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2016Thank you!
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urbanoveralls
/ February 15, 2016The cake looks divine! Well done. And here is hoping that your flock resumes laying.
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