and just tuck in
My first attempt at making an apple strudel.
I have a cooking apple tree in my back garden, and although I love apple crumble I wanted to make something different with them.
I had some ready-made puff pastry in the fridge and it seemed only right to give a go at making strudel.
Most recipes use filo pastry, but this actually worked quite well, although I would like to give my next attempt a go with filo to see the difference.
A little long overdue- this was actually made for a summer BBQ- which as you can all see has now long gone!
This was my first attempt at trifle making, it was a request from one of my friends. Took me quite a while to make as I would complete one layer and leave it half a day- so it felt like it dragged on a little bit! But you do need time for the layers to set.
I’ve really enjoyed that past couple of weeks, being at some of the venues and also watching the Olympics on the TV. London really has done us proud and everyone’s mood has been lifted. I’m not sure what I will do with myself while waiting for the Paralympics (oh yes, maybe some baking!). Last weekend in the spirit of the Games and to support Team GB I baked these Olympic inspired cupcakes, with a white chocolate and raspberry filling.
This post doesn’t have a recipe sadly as my friend Hannah made these and it’s a secret recipe. She did tell me the ingredients however- dark chocolate, sugar, butter and a bit of flour.
They tasted amazing- so rich and this size of pot was almost too much. They had the perfect consistency, light and spongy on the outside, and oozing melted chocolate in the middle. I may have to steal the recipe from her when she’s sleeping…
My Saturday mornings normally consist of lazing around the house, making myself a fry up and watching cookery programmes on tv. This week was a little different. I met up with friends at the Open Kitchen in Hoxton for a bread making workshop.
I’ve not made much bread recently as I have some great Turkish shops around me with really yummy fresh bread, but I want to make more of my own to add to my baking repertoire.
I was recently watching the Hairy bakers bakation, and as always, I want to cook what they are cooking. They were in Slovakia and made a bread and butter pudding with fruit on the top- a traditional dish over there. I love bread and butter pudding and had a big craving after watching this so thought I would give it a go.
I often use the ready-made pastry if I’m trying to make a pie quickly, but home-made pastry is by far more yummy.
If you want to make your own pastry follow this recipe, make sure you have cold hands (something I never have so have to have about a hundred windows open while I’m cooking) and put on an apron.
These quantities are perfect for pie making, so just reduce or increase the amounts depending on what you are baking. If you want the pastry to be more buttery, just add a little more butter.
Abandon Spoon! 