Monday 27 August 2012

Bank Holidays, Bakewell Cake and the Bake Off Book


Firstly it is a bank holiday, so naturally baking is in order. Cricket teas called on Saturday and one cake that made it onto the list was a Cherry Bakewell Cake. It was a refreshing change not to laden a sponge with butter icing and chocolate. I am now looking to bake more cakes, fruit based and traditional. This Bakewell cake was a lovely combination of lemony glace icing, sweet almond and rich cherry jam. The recipe from GoodFood makes the perfect afternoon tea cake, it should be compulsory to attach a cup of tea to each slice.

Sunday 26 August 2012

A new found love

Its clichés and proably wont be believed when I say I have found a new love in running. A few months ago I read a blog that stated they actually enjoyed running and now it was a routine part of their daily lives. I did not believe them, no one can actually like running,  BUT,  it is true!

Great British Battenberg

One of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday is to bake for a cricket tea, there could not be a more perfect combination of homemade cakes, (sometimes) sunny  Sunday afternoons, the great British game and to tie it all up, its a tradition. A tradition I am all too happy to continue.  To bake sweet and savory, to really conjure up a glorified picnic and watch two teams devour the tea in less than five minutes is strangely rewarding.

Its like being back at school...


In June I was lucky enough to attend a Leiths cookery course as it was a present for my 21st birthday. After much time deciding the course I should actually go on (the course book is far too long and far too appealing) learning how to make bread was selected. In my eyes to be a real baker, I must at least be able to attempt a good white loaf and it was a challenge and I love a good challenge. I was overly excited when I boarded the train to London. However, it didn’t dawn on me I would know no one and what if everyone was better than me!