Yummy Sunday

Short and sweet post today. Sorry if you are on a diet.

This weekend we saw both Mothers Day and a family birthday. So obviously food of the sweet variety was required. We saw off a burger and chip feast before these. Good old strawberry trifle and a butterscotch and fudge sponge cake. So full now I cannot possible eat again for oh at least an hour.

Vegetable Cake Subterfuge Update

I had to just drop in a quick update to my last post about  the yummy cakes from Harry Eastwood's Chocolate Heartbreak book of cakes where they all contain a vegetable.  I know it sounds odd, but read the post to see what I mean, if you didn't already.
We are on 3 positives out of 3 on the recipes and 4 out of 4 on the hubby eating them and not detecting the hidden veg. I made the fruit cake twice, its so yummy.  This weekend, I made Orange Squash Cupcakes.  This sounds like they have cordial in them, but in actual fact its butternut squash that gives the squash factor. However, there is more than a passing resemblance in taste of the finished confection of orange squash, so its twofold. There is a link to the book in the original post, but here is a photo (sorry no cake stand loveliness this time) of mine.

A Good Cake Book to tell you about and its gluten free

I am a bit of a sucker for both books and cakes and was delighted to recieve this book from my daughter for Christmas. I had put it on my wishlist as I was quite interested in the health factor or if, given all the recipes contain some "vegetables". Yes, I havent gone mad, I did say vegetables.  Things such as sweet potato, pumpkin and carrot to name but a few. What I hadnt realised was that all the recipes used rice flour, so perfect for me on my gluten free diet.  I have never let wheat flour in a recipe stop me and can usually adapt, but these have been intended that way and so far, work perfectly.
 Whilst looking through this book, my husband declared it sounded awful and certainly wasnt going to eat anything from that book. Well, he tells me he never reads my blog so we will find out because I am going to tell you, he has eaten enthusiastically 2 cakes made from these recipes. He hasnt a clue they contain non conventional ingredients and I am not going to tell him. Because its good for him. If he knew, he would refuse to try them so just goes to prove how good the recipes are. 
The first was Coffee & Walnut Courage Cake, here it is before we nommed it.

 Next, I tried "Beach and a Blanket Fruit Cake"
Now it has to be said, it should have cherries and blanched almonds as well as raisins, but I didnt have any. In line with the authors approval of maverick behaviour, I had to substitute butternut squash with sweet potato, but it still was the yummiest thing I have made for ages and the raisins did not sink!!!! If you cook gluten free, you will know how impossible this is.

Now , are you intruiged? Yes? Good. The book is called "Red Velvet Chocolate Heartache" and is written by Harry Eastwood.

The above link is for the lovely glam hardback which I have. Also available to pre-order in paperback, but I have to say the difference in price makes the hardback by far nicer.  Next on my "to bake" list is the Red Velvet Cake with, you guessed it, beetroot!!!!. Will keep you posted. Also, lets see if my hubby does sneak a read and refuses to eat cake ever again on the grounds I definitely cant be trusted. If he doesnt, my secret is safe. Also, brother-in-law, if you tell on me I shall never speak to you again. You know who you are.

Flying Apron Baking Book

Click here to find it on Amazon

I had my birthday last week and  one of my gifts was The Gluten Free & Vegan Baking Book.  I am not vegan but definitely gluten free so was delighted with this.  Now, it has to said before I go any further, if you are in the UK like myself, some of the ingredients are a bit alien.  More about that in a bit.  The concepts used in this book are also somewhat different to the norm.  It is a delightful book. I can honestly say, I have never had my nose in a cook book for so long. I just cant leave it alone.  Never have I read all the forewords and blurb at the back before, but this one I definitely have.  It is going to take some experimentation, but I shall not be defeated.  I have had a couple of failures, but know what is wrong with one, if not the other.  I have had a good outcome with today's recipe and the look of glee on my taste tester sons face summed it up for me.  Any recipe book that can produce a cookie that is much healthier and still makes him smile like that has to be good.

These photos are of the Chocolate Chip Cookies I made from the book.  I have to tell you, I did not use rice milk because I am not vegan, but ordinary semi skimmed.  Also the chocolate was not dairy free etc but none of these things I think would affect the finished result.  Also, you may notice I made some,  double chocolate ones too.  After the plain ones went in I added about an ounce of cocoa and about 2 tablespoons of water as cocoa really dries mixtures out.  This I am pleased to report was also a success but not in the book.
Some ingredients that are called something else in the UK

Garbanzo bean flour  = Gram flour, made from chick peas, like we use for bhajis.  I cant call it gram flour any more now. Garbanzo is such a good word!

Fava bean flour = broad bean flour (I haven't found that here yet)

Canola Oil  = rapeseed oil which is usually listed as vegetable oil here ( look on the back).  That said, I believe sunflower would be fine too.

Stevia = this is a plant based sweetener, also hard to find her.  Research suggest that a similar plant based sweetener called zylitol or xlitol would be a good substitute.  Both warn against using too much, as it can cause a laxative effect in large amounts.

Baking soda.  You prob know this one, but that's bicarbonate of soda, just in case.

That's what I found so far. Will update this list as I go along.

Goodbye Summer. Hello Autumn

So, the summer hols have come to another end.  As you may know, I work in a school for my day job so I, like lots of gleeful children, get 6 glorious week off in the summer.  Now, its has to be said that the weather hasn't been fabulous but its been ok, and,  if  I am honest, I am not that bothered.  Its just nice to have time for walking, fruit picking, gardening, knitting, sewing and cooking.  Phew! how do I get time to work at all?  I do a lot of these things during term time too but just more of it in the hols. 

There is always a degree of catching up with jobs like painting  the deck and trips to the recycling centre with LOADS of weeds. I even tidied the undersink cupboard!  This is an achievement for me.

My newest passion is jam!!!  Who knew it was that easy? Who knew I would become addicted?  I have not actually bought a jar of the stuff in a whole year.  We started off with just bramble last autumn. Then rhubarb and vanilla earlier in the year when the rhubarb was reduced loads in waitrose. Same in early summer when the strawbs were going for a song.  Recently I have gone on a foraging rampage and we have apple and blackberry jam and raspberry (foraged from my own garden) and blackberry jelly.  I have even considered picking hawthorn berries for jelly as I read they are perfectly fine.

So, here is what is left of my jam cupboard she says proudly. Needless to say,  I have nommed quite a lot and various family members have made off with a jar or two. I need to get some of those pretty tops going on really.  Chutney is the next project for half term. I have a fab recipe for Christmas. I may share if you are all very nice to me.

Don't worry, there has been sewing and knitting.  I have a couple of Halloween collectibles to show off next time and have even made a lovely Christmas bear with a bit of a panda look about her. Because that IS creeping up I am afraid. Think its about 15 and a half weeks or thereabouts. 

Summer Baking!

Today we had family round for lunch.  Not trusting the weather enough for a barbeque I rustled up chicken, quiche and chick pea burgers with a load of yummy salad.

But the reason I have blogged this fact is, infact, more about the pud.  Inspired by The Great British Bake Off and wanting to make up for the fact that my gluten freeness precluded me (and my poor family) from Tea at Reids` Palace whilst in Madeira.  I made some yummy mini chocolate eclairs and mini butterscotch sponges, all gluten free of course.  I am really quite pleased with the baking, if not the rather hasty pictures taken with my phone before the hungry rellies tucked in.

Happy Birthday Mango!

Today Miss Mango my beloved kitty turns 1 year old!  By lovely co-incidence, my son also turns 14 on the same day.  There shall be cake and kitty treats

Happy Fathers Day

To my Dad, my husband and all fathers everywhere.  My gift for the person you cannot but gifts for!  They are impossible aren`t they?  One jar of homemade rhubarb and vanilla jam and these goodies!  Red Velvet with vanilla buttercream, topped off with fresh strawberries.  Glad he shared them out!

Told you I would find a use for that cake stand I did not need

The Gluten Free Scone recipe was a Success

Following on from the cheese scone recipe a few posts ago. I am glad to say, the principle worked for sweet too.  Here`s the recipe.

8oz Glutafin Select Multipurpose Mix (this is the one I have used and will update if it works with another)


1 teaspoon xantham gum

2 teaspoons Baking powder

pinch salt (omit this if you only have salted butter)

2oz unsalted butter

About half a 284ml tub buttermilk

Approx 2ox sultanas

1ox caster sugar.



1. Sift flour, xantham, baking powder, and salt .

2. Rub in the butter until breadcrumb like.

3.Gently mix in the sugar and sultanas.

Now carefully add enough buttermilk to make a soft but not too sticky dough. Knead a little until smoothish.

When baking normal scones it is ill advised to knead the dough very much as it makes the dough tight, but the gluten free mix does benefit from a little kneading.

4. I personally never use a rolling pin for scones. At this point, I gently press out to about 3 quarters of an inch thick and cut out with cutters.

5. Now pop on a baking sheet (I love silicone for this as it never sticks). Glaze the top with a light coat of the buttermilk .
 
Bake for about 15 mins at 200 degrees centigrade until risen and golden brown.  These were so soft and springy, I was in seventh heaven.
 

Gluten free Cheese scone Recipe.

Of late, we have been having homemade soups for lunch on Sundays. Preferring our roast in the evening.
This week we had Golden Ham & Vegetable.  To accompany, I made some cracking (if I say so myself) cheese scones.  I have always had trouble with gluten free scones. My regular ones are usually just as scones should be, but the GF ones end up more like rock cakes no matter what I try. So for the benefit of any other struggling gluten free cooks and myself when I cannot remember what the heck I did, i am going to share my recipe.  I am sorry but I don't do grams at home so its ounces.

8oz  Glutafin Select Multipurpose Mix  (this is the one I have used and will update if it works with another)
1 teaspoon xantham gum
2 teaspoons Baking powder
pinch salt  (omit this if you only have salted butter)
pinch cayenne pepper
2oz unsalted butter
About half a 284ml tub buttermilk
Approx 2ox grated mature cheddar cheese.

1. Sift flour, xantham, baking powder, salt and cayenne.
2. Rub in the butter until breadcrumb like.
3.Gently mix in the cheese, leaving a little for the tops.
Now carefully add enough buttermilk to make a soft but not too sticky dough. Knead a little until smoothish.
When baking normal scones it is ill advised to knead the dough very much as it makes the dough tight, but the gluten free mix does benefit from a little kneading.
4. I personally never use a rolling pin for scones. At this point, I gently press out to about 3 quarters of an inch thick and cut out with cutters.
5. Now pop on a baking sheet  (I love silicone for this as it never sticks). Glaze the top with  a light coat of the buttermilk and then sprinkle with a little cheese for a nice cheesey crust.

6. Bake at 200 degrees  centigrade for about 15 mins until risen (hopefully this wasn't a one off or I will look daft) and browned.

Let me know if you try it. I am going to see if this principle works on fruit ones this week, so watch this space.

Oh Dear, I have Been at it Again!

So despite the fact I said I would sit on my hands regarding crockery and the like and not go near ebay. I lied! I realised my 3 duos needed plates. Well they could not be upstaged by the trios at the other end of the sideboard. So I found a sweet deal on these white Colclough teaplates which pull together the pink one and its black companions. You will see that I have been baking again too. These came out nice despite being simple sponge and royal icing. I could not resist playing with decoration even if they are just for us to nibble.

Gluten free and vegan but definitely tasty Red Velvet Cupcakes

As you know, I love to bake cupcakes.  It has for some time been a dilemma for me when my dear daughter comes to visit because she eats vegan but loves cake.  So last week I had a search around for vegan cupcake recipes.  Several problems cropped up. The first being that they were all US recipes that called for cups as measurements.  Now this is odd because I didn't have anything accurate for measuring that. Then as if by magic, I had a birthday last week and my work colleague got me these measuring cups as a gift. Timely or what!

The next thing is its a double whammy for us because I have to eat gluten free. Sheesh!

However, I found a recipe. The first batch was less desirable, so I tweaked the recipe and the results were very pleasing. Those raspberries just keep on coming.

This is what I used. You will need measuring cups for this. I know mine came from Waitrose but i guess you can get them other places.

Gluten Free & Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes

.75 cup gluten free flour-I used glutafin  This has a bit of raising agent so if you use a plain one, up the baking powder by another teaspoon.
.
1tsp baking powder

1tbs cocoa

1.5 tbs veg oil

.5 cup sugar, maybe less, bit sweet I used unrefined caster

.5 cup water

1.5 tsp cider vinegar (if you dont need gluten free you can use white malt vinegar)

.5 tsp vanilla essence
.5 tsp strawb food colour. you can add a bit of red colour too if it does not look red enough.
 

I made 9 in bun cases. Just mixed it all thoroughly in the food mixer and put in cases.  Baked at 180degrees centigrade. My oven took around 18 mins but do check them as our ovens all vary.



For the frosting,

this is in ounces as that's how I work I am afraid.

6oz icing sugar

2oz vegetable based margarine

1oz white veg fat. I prefer Trex

Dash of vanilla extract and a little water if needed.

This mix gives nice flavour which is not too sickly IMO.  Just beat it all together until its nice a fluffy and soft enough to pipe.  The raspberries and cake stand are not obligatory but they do look kinda nice

New Cups and New Cupcakes, Everything stops for tea.

So last week I told you about the vintage cups and saucers given to me from my Nans collection.  I am still searching for more of the delectable pink ones but I found these two shiny black ones on ebay and to my delight I got a free trio for a predetermined spend.  How nice do they look with the non vintage cakestand?

This is the trio I got free and I have to confess I have just ordered the other two sets they had left as I have become quite smitten with them. This is my little birthday present to myself.  I cant believe that china from around the  1912 -1930 era can still be around. I am going to have to be so careful because I have broken modern china so quickly in the past. thankfully, the dining room is a carpetted sanctuary. They would not stand a chance in my tiled kitchen and all its chaotic mayhem. 

More cakes were produced today.  These are cinnamon raisin with cinnamon maple buttercream. This is all thats left after the boys spotted them.

 These are St.Clements cupcakes.  Orange sponge topped with lemon vanilla buttercream.  I do love anything lemony.  Dear daughter will be sad as they are not vegan.  I have found a recipe or 2 and as I have next week off day job, plan to have a go at those. 

 Lastly, on the teatime theme.  I made my friend a tea cosy at the weekend.  Quite chuffed with it and think I might need one for my kitchen now as mine is a little shabby.  She just text me to say it was a perfect fit.

Do you like Pina Coladas?

Cupcakes that is. You can take them to work and not get in trouble though, unlike the title drink.


Well, retro they are, but I really do. No, BTW I hate getting caught in the rain. I have been trying to make these for a while and the US recipe I had was not very successful so I played around with it and these ones were scrumptious. Not Pina Colada as such, but sounds more exotic that pineapple and coconut. I want a more stands-up-alone buttercream style topping, so I will work on that and then share my recipe. This one tastes sublime, but I think the improved one will be better.

Foraging and Baking

A few weeks ago I picked a load of blackberries just 2 days before the council came along and cut the hedgerow to within an inch of its life. This does annoy me a touch as the wildlife could have benefitted by the absolute load of fruit left and to come. Especially when they have not mown the grass verge outside my property ever in the almost 4 years I have lived here.
Anyhow, my goal was to do something I have never done before, which is odd when you think I cook for a living. This activity? No not abseiling or canoeing, sorry. Its more sedate than that.
I made jam!
I think I may be addicted. What fun it is. There shall be more. In the meantime, here is the fruits (pardon my pun) of my labours. Obviously, this was the perfect excuse for scones.

Pumpkin Patch swap

I entered a swap!
I have only ever done one other previously but thought now was the time and was very excited to find this one at Crafty Helens blog. Delightful blog discovery also I might add.
I love Autumn and have a bit of a spft spot for halloween too so ideal I think. Why not pop along and enter yourself.
Now where is that pumpkin fabric I bought on a whim?

Cupcake Inspiration

Yesterday I visited my sister-in-law for the first time in ages. I said I would bring cake as my gluten freeness is a bit of a pain and its just easier if I bring them. Also, I just love making cupcakes. I said this to my son and he enquired "If you could only make cupcakes or only eat cupcakes, which would you choose?" I said `make` obviously, and I really meant it. I would be far more mortified if they outlawed making them than eating them. Not that they are not yummy, I just love creating more than eating.
I have been totally inspired by this lady`s creations, and went a bit further on the normal. The photography in the dullest of August mornings leaves a bit to be desired. As they were leaving the house, they did not make it onto a nicely staged cake stand (which I do own 2 of actually), which would have improved the whole presentation a lot. Nonetheless, I am kinda chuffed and will be presenting more to bore you with in the future.






This item is possibly the best thing i have bought this year. Pesky flies thwarted.



As a footnote. Finally got my son to try felafel! Hubby wont even entertain the thought but no 1 son is a bit more adventurous. He was ambivalent about chick pea goodness itself but did agree that this was kinda posh for weekday lunching.

Gift basket update

Well, I am still unaware as to whether it made it there in one piece, but am hoping no news is good news.
Remember the bunnies in the last post? Well they went into this gift basket purchased from me via etsy`s `alchemy` custom request system. I have found this a great way to work. You tender for the work and if you do it right you get the gig and make the item completely bespoke for your client. I have loved every project I have taken on from this.
Anyway, this lady's best friend and her family (all from USA) upped sticks and moved to the UK last week. Said client requested a welcome home gift basket for her friend which had UK/USA theme.
I am not going to bore you with all the components and why. Here are some pics of what I put together for her. The bunnies were special gifts for 2 yr old twins.