Saturday 24 September 2011

The perfect scone and a fish finger sandwich..


My blog has been very neglected these past few weeks and i may have to become a budget baker from now on and live off baked beans and fish fingers.. I am eventually, and very happily a university student!

I would love it if anyone could suggest any tasty, student and vegetarian meals and i will be sure to cook and post the best one! In the mean time i am just going to get used to my new surroundings and my new kitchen, which needs a lot of cleaning!  I still have a few reviews to post and recipes too (oopsie).




I was in Cornwall a few weeks ago and happened to eat a lot of cream teas, unsuprisingly! Even though we are quickly decending into the horrible cold depths of winter i thought i would still share with you my favourite scone recipe and some pictures of the delicious cream teas i tasted in Cornwall!








The best scones, from How to be a Domestic Goddess
Makes 12

500g plain flour
2 tsp bicarb of soda
4.5 tsp cream of tartar
50g cold butter, diced
25g trex
300ml full fat milk
1 free range egg, beaten

6.5 inch cutter, 1 baking tray and none stick lining paper



Into a large bowl sift the flour, cream of tartar and bicarb then rub in the butter and trex until the mix resembles damp sand. Add the milk in one go then mix very very briefly. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until a dough is formed. Roll it out to a 3cm thickness then stamp out as many scones as possible, you may have to re-roll to get 12. Put on a baking tray and brush the tops with beaten egg. Put in a preheated oven and cook for 10-12 minutes on 220 degrees until risen and golden.

Eat straight away with clotted cream and jam and fresh berries, yummy!


Tuesday 6 September 2011

Strawberries & Cream Chocolate Birthday Cake!

I've been far too busy to even think about blogging recently, my life seems to be so hectic that i literally have a huge back log of posts that i can't find the time to finish. Despite my lack a time i wanted to share what i made for my mums birthday- somthing simple yet impressive and delicious at the same time.

In case you are thinking i've said this alot recently then you're right, i will try make more time in future!!
I have a few review posts coming up, including Nigella Lawson and Prince Charles' favourite place to eat in Cornwall and Rick Steins tapas bar and seafood restaurant (yes i went on a gastonomic tour of Cornwall-it wasn't as good as it sounds)

Anyway i hope you enjoy the birthday cake recipe as much as my mum did!

Recipe adapted from Jamie Oliver



Chocolate Cake:

you will need 2 x 20.5cm cake tins
145g flour
35g cocoa powder
1.5 tsp baking powder
170g caster sugar
3 free-range eggs
50g good quality dark chocolate
2 tbsp milk

Heat the milk and chocolate in a bowl above some gently simmering water and stir, once melted leave aside to cool.
Add all the other ingredients into a bowl and mix until completely incorperated. Add the cooled chocolate then mix again. Divide between two lined cake tins and put in a preheated oven at 170 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Filling:

150ml double cream
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 tsp caster sugar
handful of flaked almonds
punnet of strawberries, washed and halved

Whip the cream then add the sugar and vanilla. Spread over the cooled cake base then sprinkle with flaked almonds and the strawberries.

Chocolate Icing:

50g dark chocolate
50ml double cream
20g unsalted butter
30g icing sugar

Put all the ingredients in a pan above simmering water and heat until melted and smooth. Leave to cool until slighty thickened then pour over the cake!

Enjoy