A British Summer?

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

A nice summer's walk with dog….didn't quite go to plan….

It was late afternoon, the sun was shining, it all seemed set for a nice walk with the dog in the Lincolnshire countryside. All began well, it was reasonably warm, so decided to skirt the edge of the field and head towards the woods so that Billy Boy could chase some squirrels.

The nice gentle walk soon turned into a mad dash for cover as an almighty storm came from nowhere. Finding cover in the woods seemed like the best plan, if the rain had started that quickly surely it wouldn't last that long. However, the rain grew heavier and heavier, it grew darker and darker, and staying dry became harder and harder…

It wasn't long before it became impossible to stay dry and a decision was needed as to whether to head home. I was already drenched so the ten minute walk home surely wouldn't make much difference.

I was by now deep in the woods, it was time to make my way home. It took me some time to negotiate various sodden muddy paths and fallen trees to reach the edge of the woods, which meant by the time I finally reached the fields the rain had subsided. I think the cows in the field were quite surprised to see me emerge from the woods….

By the time I had traversed the field and made it back to the ponds and the path that would take me back into town the sun had come out, although it was still raining….

We finally made it back home after nearly 2 hours, rather wet, but we made it….

Are we ever going to get a summer?

Carrot Cupcakes

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

I must first admit to a big error: veering from my initial plan of only using recipes from 'celebrity' chefs.

Today's Carrot Cupcake recipe was taken from one of those dodgy 'Book Club' books that had been left in the staff room at school. May I just say at this point that I did not buy said book, I just stole the recipe. Big mistake.

After a run of reasonably successful baking a failure was always on the cards, although no one could have possibly guessed as to the size of the failure. Let me explain:

  • Carrot Cupcakes did not really taste of carrot.
  • Cakes did not really 'rise'.
  • The cake cases used were muffin cases, therefore making the cakes look even less 'risen'.
  • Icing was a disaster: did not set, in fact it would have worked well as a dipping side dish.

Final outcome was less than impressive, although they did taste ok, if you like carrot cakes that don't really taste of carrot…

And now for something completely different, and rather impressive considering she is only 8 months old, my niece, Grace, can do a fantastic Les Dawson impression…

 

 

Bakewell Tart

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

July's Project rolls on…

The initial plan was Individual iced Bakewell Tarts, although this soon changed to a 'Traditional' Bakewell Tart due to time restraints.

Today we give thanks to Simon Rimmer of 'Something for the Weekend' fame, today's celebrity chef, for his Bakewell Tart recipe. Although, in a Jamie Oliver 30min meal style, I did do a spot of cutting corners. Namely I got some ready made pastry, I am a man after all!

After a few dodgy moments, the Bakewell Tart emerged from the oven a complete success….

Including some very slapdash rustic looking individual tarts….

The Bakewell Tart is being donated to the school's Strawberry Tea afternoon in aid of Cancer Research.

For the full recipe click here.

 

Choc Chip Cookies

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 2 Comments

July's Project, Bakeathon, begins to gain speed. After a successful batch of Brownies last week we move, with thanks to Lorraine Pascale, to Big Yummy Double Choc Chip Cookies.

The cupboard contained most of the ingredients already so a trip to the shop for eggs and Choc chips and we were ready to give it ago:

Now, I don't want to sound big-headed, but these cookies are fantastic. Proper big American cookies, soft in the middle, yet hard on the outside. Delicious. A sample will, of course, be taken into school on Monday for break time.

No link to recipe today because it was stolen straight from the pages of her book, by way of a photograph of the page whilst in WHSmiths…

 

Chocolate Brownies

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 10 Comments

Today sees the beginning of July's Project. The challenge will be to bake at least 10 different things, beginning with Chocolate Brownies. Now to be sure everything I make comes out absolutely fantastic I will be using famous celebrity chef recipes only. That way I have someone to blame!

So today, with the help of Jamie Oliver, we have Chocolate Brownies.

This blog will not be giving you a list of ingredients or a method, you can get them online elsewhere, it will just show my attempts to produce some lovely munchies.

So we began with this…

After 15 min preparation plus 25 min in the oven the lovely aroma of Chocolate filled the house. And as Jamie Oliver would say….bloomin' brilliant brownies….

They taste absolutely bloody beautiful and will be eaten for pudding tonight, with a small selection taken to work tomorrow for breaktime. If you want the full recipe click here.

I have therefore decided the first leg of Bakeathon a complete success!