Category: Cooking

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GARDEN AND COOKING

Long range forecast is looking a bit chilly so no rush to plant tomatoes, last year was 3 March but I think wait and see what the weather is like then. Just toms, cucumbers and chillies and maybe red peppers this year? I might move my avocado plants to the greenhouse once it gets warmer and see if we can get just one!

Cooking – I think a Cornish Saffron Cake and a Simnel Cake for Easter?

Before that is pancake day! Can I get beyond brown sugar and lemon juice – probably not, yet again I will not even try!

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SATURDAY 28 JAN 23

Rather chilly again – but no frost, but grey. O made some more baguettes and all have gone already. I will make more tomorrow. I am still unsure about the dough being so wet, but they are turning out good despite not following the recipe!

Apple tree largely done, but need another go at it next week and the fuchsia next to it. Then onto tidying up the raspberries and around the greenhouse. It should be warmer next week, maybe 10C by Friday! With possibly some rain tomorrow and Tuesday (both 50% chance). I might have a go at a lemon drizzle cake tomorrow, or a new recipe for a lemon surprise cake.

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RECIPES

I might try the lemon surprise pudding from Felicity Cloake in todays Guardian, although it looks bit of a faff! More from Felicity here

Then some recipes of my own! Olives, garlic, chilli, avocado spread? Possibly with anchovies? Mustard? People in the shop will. not like as they are anti-fish! But spread on a warm freshly baked baguette – my mouth is watering. I think everything finely chopped with parsley or basil?

Making soup at the moment with what ever is in the fridge , leeks, spring onions, garlic, plus lima beans, tin tomatoes and either marmite or soy sauce. And some rosemary and thyme.

Lasagne in this weather is a must! Then Melissa Thompson veg one for latter in the week when I will make the lasagne sheets myself.

Lemon drizzle cake

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LEMON POPCORN

I liked it and Aaron did get a bit addicted although he thought it too lemony! Recipe was 50g popcorn 1tbsp brown sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. So less lemon and more cinnamon next time. Sweetness was good.

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CHEESE BISCUITS

  • 150 g strong cheddar cheese
  • 100 g plain flour
  • 50 g butter I use unsalted
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 egg yolk

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Grate the cheese using the finest cheese grater setting.
  • Put the flour and butter into a food processor and blend just until it has formed a breadcrumb consistency. Then add in the cheese, egg yolk and paprika. Alternatively use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour and then stir in the cheese, egg and paprika.
  • Knead a little with your hands to form an even dough and then wrap in cling film and refrigerate to rest for an hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 180C
  • Sprinkle flour on the work surface and roll out the dough until it is about 2mm thick. Cut out circles with a pastry cutter and place them on a baking tray lined with baking parchment.
  • Bake them in the oven at for 10 minutes. They will puff up a bit. Turn them over and press them down then continue to bake for another 5 minutes.
  •  Cool them on a wire rack.

I might add garlic and basil?

Or this recipe looks good!

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BREADSTICKS

A recipe which I will try later. They are in the oven – I added sage and rosemary and some parmesan and some salt and coarse ground pepper. We will see. I also sprayed them which might make them crispier? Who knows!

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BAGUETTES

This recipe for Baguettes is bit of a faff so I hope they come out ok. Recipe says preparation time is 30 minutes! First make the poolish (10 minutes) then leave overnight, then knead for at least 10 minutes, then leave for 90 minutes, then then roll out, then cook for 20 minutes! But is raining all day so why not!