Delicious Wiener Schnitzel

Well dreaming of winter is about all I can do here at the moment in Melbourne, Australia. We have been experiencing a heatwave of over 33 degrees each day for about 5 days in a row... yesterday was even 36 degrees, which I suppose some might find delightful, but I chose to spend it in lovely air conditioning. Salvation is nigh with 23 degrees next Monday, which I can not wait for!

Mostly I am looking out for a cooler day so I can go to Starbucks and buy a Gingerbread latte. Yum!!! They make me so happy!!! It is like a big mug of Christmas deliciousness, topped with cream and Cinnamon. Gingerbread latte's were one of the things that convinced me to get up and go to work on a cold, dark, rainy morning in London.

Actually I do make these at home myself so I will pop the recipe up in a week or two when Geoff gets back from overseas for work, and can take the photo for me. I'll also be posting up an actual gingerbread recipe... despite my constant chatter about my love for gingerbreads I have yet to post one, so it is about time. I did consider making a gingerbread house, but I am not sure how that will go in 35 degree heat... I fear it might colapse.

I am also getting very excited about our trip to Europe which is now only about 4 weeks away. I can't wait to see Paris for the first time and to catch up with my wonderful friends Marlene and Andy in Vienna. We have already arranged to meet at the Christmas Markets for a mug of glühwein our first night there. I am also quite excited about picking up my clothes, 90% of which are still living in Marlen and Andy's basement from when I came to Australia for a 6 week holiday in July 2007 and ended up staying for quite a while longer...

Lastly, I am very excited at the prospect of hopefully having handed in my thesis by this time next month (depending on what my supervisor says on the 25th of this month). Still quite a bit of work to do though...

But anyway, on with the recipe for today, a delicious wiener schnitzel (Vienna Schnitzel). This was one of my favourite things to eat when I lived in beautiful Vienna.

Schnitzel is the perfect meal on a cold winter's night, and is incredibly delicious when combined with a little lemon and served with salad or potatoes.

You will need:
(Serves 4)

• 4 veal, chicken or pork fillets
• 2 eggs
• milk
• breadcrumbs
• oil
• 1 lemon

If you have not been able to buy already thin schnitzel fillets then flatten your meat using a meat mallet or any other hard object, such as a rolling pin.

Whisk the 2 eggs together in a bowl with a small amount of milk and a pinch of salt.

Cover one plate in breadcrumbs and another in flour.

Coat the schnitzel fillets in flour and then dip them into the bowl containing the egg mixture, making sure the entire schnitzel is covered.

Finally cover the schnitzel in the breadcrumbs and put aside on a plate while you finish the others.

Heat some oil in a pan, enough to cover the bottom of the pan and cook the schnitzels in batches until they are golden drown. You may wish to dab access oil off using paper towels.

Serve on a plate with a slice of lemon and a green salad or even potato salad.

Enjoy! (Hopefully with a glass of wine and family/good friends)

Apple Pie

Apple pie is simple to bake and delicious to eat. There are many different ways of creating the ultimate apple pie. I seem to end up with a variant every time. This recipe approximates how the last one was made.

Ingredients

• 800g stewed apple (tinned pie apple is okay)
• 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 pinch of ground cloves
• 250g unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 370g plain flour
• 1 pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons water

Mix the apple, brown sugar, cinnamon & cloves together in a bowl. Leave to sit in the refrigerator for an hour or two for the flavours to combine.

Sift the flour into a bowl and mix in the butter & salt. Add the water and stir until a consistent texture. Don't worry if it feels a bit damp.

Place the pastry dough into the refrigerator for 30min. This lets the dough firm enough to use.

Separate dough into two large chunks. Use one to line the bottom and sides of a medium sized cake tin.

Fill the cake tin with the apple mixture.

Spread the remaining dough over the top of the apple mixture. Baste with some milk. Make a few cuts in the middle of the lid to allow the apple to breathe while cooking.

Bake for 45 minutes in at 180 degrees.

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream (or both!).