One down!

Under the warm shade of the maple trees, with a cool breeze blowing at a near by park, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I got completely acquainted with 100 Years of Solitude, aka, I finished it!

What did I think about it? With all its randomness, and diving all over the place, jumping from one character to another the book is refreshing. I enjoyed the characters, although slightly sad, their portrayal was very vivid and they were very human. The complexity of the relationships was very well woven with the simplicity of the characters and although I found the book very funny at times, there was a cloud of sadness that hung throughout. Definitely recommend it!

Moving away from the sadness to some gastric wonders, since I had more time tonight, I decided to do a little baking. Enter fig bread. Now I know North Americans are not very familiar with it -- my husband had never tried it -- and its a more Mediterranean/warm climate fruit but when ripe it is very delicious. So for those who can find the fruit at the local grocer, here is a recipe sure to tickle your taste buds:

- 3 eggs

- 2.5 cups agave (You can use sugar too but the agave makes it a healthier version)

- 2 cups figs mashed

- 3/4 cup olive oil

- 3 cups wheat flour (All purpose flour works too)

- 2 tsp baking soda

- 1/2 tsp cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp butter milk (I didn't have any so I used a little milk (2%) and added some water to it)

- 1 cup pecans

Mash the figs and add all the other ingredients (except pecans). Use a hand mixer to mix everything. Fold in pecans and throw it in a loaf pan. Let it sit in the oven for 60 minutes at 350. 

Tomorrow I start Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison.