I have just finished a baking marathon of lots of Christmas Muffins, Mince Pies, mini mince pies and some christmas pudding truffles that I volunteered to bake for the Alison Curtis Show outside broadcast tonight.
It takes place in Whelans in Dublin in about 2.5 hours and I am only beside myself with the nerves.
I always do this. Volunteer for something and then get sick with nerves in case everyone thinks I am a looper who can't actually bake.
Hopefully, the pretty sugar dusting will make like fairy dust and make it all better!!!!
Will let you know how it goes, and also will post some photos tomorrow. The week seems to be getting away from me this week. We have no TV in the house which I though would be good for getting things done. Only the list of things to do has grown out of control and it is christmas next week!!! EEK!!!
Deep breaths will help surely! I suppose getting dressed before I go out will also help. On that note..... bye now!!
Orls xx
check out the show on http://www.todayfm.com/ and click on the Alison Curtis link. Listen live and see can you hear people eating???
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Pies or Muffins?
Or both?
Mince meat is something that I never liked as a child. And I don't mean mince meat as in beef or lamb or anything like that. I mean the mince pies that were always in our house at christmas time and rolled out (along with the shortbread and pudding) when anyone came into the house. "Sure you know you want one with a cup of tea, it is christmas after all"
However, thanks to a lovely lady that I work with I had a million (maybe a slight exaggeration) apples and had to do something with them. So I made a few bits and pieces such as spicy apple cake, and some apple sponge cake (that my granny used to call Rush'n'mush...don't ask)
This year, after the success of the experimental amoutn I made, I decided to produce a mass of Mince meat, for the pies!
I use the Hettie Potter's Suet Free Mincemeat recipe from Nigella's Domestic Goddess book.
I substitute freshly pressed apple juice instead of the dry-cider, and the finished product has a very fresh and crisp sweet taste to it. This makes about 2kg.
250g soft, dark sugar
250ml medium dry-cider
1kg cooking apples, peeled and quartered
half tsp mixed spice
half tsp ground cinnamon
250g currants
250g raising
75g natural coloured glacé cherries, roughly chopped
75g blanched almonds, finely chopped
rind and juice of half a lemon
90ml brandy
4 x 500g preserving or old jam jars, or one 2kg kilner jar.
In a large, heavy based saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the cider (or apple juice if you wish) overe a gentle heat. Roughly chop the apples and add them to the saucepan.
Then add the other ingredients except the brandy, and simmer for about 30 mins or until everything looks pulpy. This time varies on your cooker and pan!
Take off the heat and when cooled a little stir in the brandy.
Spoon in to sterilized jars*
*to sterilize jars, scrub well in warm soapy water. Rince them well and let them dry off in a cool oven (140c/gas mark 1). Put your product into the jars when they are still warm, so leave them in the oven until you are ready to use!)
This mince meat is really lovely and isn't overpowering at all. I have already got about 20 pies in the freezer and plan to spend the weekend making more!!!!
And I found a scrummy recipe for Mincemeat Muffins, which I will also tackle with vigour. Mr.C, isn't the greatest fan of all things mincemeaty or puddingy but he has told me that he will happily be the tester for anything I want an opinion on... I'm sure!
I will post photos as well as recipes of the new recipes I have and will let you know how they turn out!
Orls
xx
PS Happy Birthday to my other dude Paddy. I was away for his big day last week and I can't believe that he is already 7!!!! Lemony men making their way to you this weekend buddy!!!
:)
Mince meat is something that I never liked as a child. And I don't mean mince meat as in beef or lamb or anything like that. I mean the mince pies that were always in our house at christmas time and rolled out (along with the shortbread and pudding) when anyone came into the house. "Sure you know you want one with a cup of tea, it is christmas after all"
However, thanks to a lovely lady that I work with I had a million (maybe a slight exaggeration) apples and had to do something with them. So I made a few bits and pieces such as spicy apple cake, and some apple sponge cake (that my granny used to call Rush'n'mush...don't ask)
This year, after the success of the experimental amoutn I made, I decided to produce a mass of Mince meat, for the pies!
I use the Hettie Potter's Suet Free Mincemeat recipe from Nigella's Domestic Goddess book.
I substitute freshly pressed apple juice instead of the dry-cider, and the finished product has a very fresh and crisp sweet taste to it. This makes about 2kg.
250g soft, dark sugar
250ml medium dry-cider
1kg cooking apples, peeled and quartered
half tsp mixed spice
half tsp ground cinnamon
250g currants
250g raising
75g natural coloured glacé cherries, roughly chopped
75g blanched almonds, finely chopped
rind and juice of half a lemon
90ml brandy
4 x 500g preserving or old jam jars, or one 2kg kilner jar.
In a large, heavy based saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the cider (or apple juice if you wish) overe a gentle heat. Roughly chop the apples and add them to the saucepan.
Then add the other ingredients except the brandy, and simmer for about 30 mins or until everything looks pulpy. This time varies on your cooker and pan!
Take off the heat and when cooled a little stir in the brandy.
Spoon in to sterilized jars*
*to sterilize jars, scrub well in warm soapy water. Rince them well and let them dry off in a cool oven (140c/gas mark 1). Put your product into the jars when they are still warm, so leave them in the oven until you are ready to use!)
This mince meat is really lovely and isn't overpowering at all. I have already got about 20 pies in the freezer and plan to spend the weekend making more!!!!
And I found a scrummy recipe for Mincemeat Muffins, which I will also tackle with vigour. Mr.C, isn't the greatest fan of all things mincemeaty or puddingy but he has told me that he will happily be the tester for anything I want an opinion on... I'm sure!
I will post photos as well as recipes of the new recipes I have and will let you know how they turn out!
Orls
xx
PS Happy Birthday to my other dude Paddy. I was away for his big day last week and I can't believe that he is already 7!!!! Lemony men making their way to you this weekend buddy!!!
:)
The city that never sleeps, but always eats!!!
I have had that song going through my mind for the last week and a bit. Last wednesday Mr. C and I went to the city that never sleeps, New York, New York.
And it was amazing.
After what was a fairly horrid flight and airplane experience, we arrived in the city at about 8pm US time. We settled into the hotel (http://www.marrakechhotelnyc.com/) and went for food.
We settled on a little mexican place called Mama Mexico for two reasons. The first was because it was right beside the hotel. The other was because they had a mariachi band! A real life mariachi band!!!!
I also discovered that their guac was the best I had ever had! And they made it at the table. A little senor, with a huge tray, with lots of avocodos, cilantro, garlic and choppend onions and tomoatoes. All I can say is I would have eaten there every day given the chance.
Thursday started very early as I was on Irish time and was in bits!!!! Then we headed off for a wander and found ourselves at Katz's Deli at around Lunch time. Covenient eh??? This is where that scene in When Harry Met Sally was filmed. We felt the need to have a Pastrami Sandwich that was about 6 inches thick, which was amazing.http://www.flickr.com/photos/orlak/3101202482/in/photostream/
It was quickly followed by a corned beef sambo! Which was also pretty awesome!
Come dinner time we settled on a fairly small but equally amazing restaurant called Sura Thai Kitchen, which was also by the hotel. Tiny but amazing. And, for the love of god, only $52. Which is about €37.50. For 2 starters, mains and 2 beers!
Anyway, the shining star of the entire trip (apart from spending time with my lovely bloke) was the experience on Saturday night. Mr C and I, and his cousin and wife ate in the amazing Babbo in Greenwich Village. Mario Batali is a genius and if I met him I am not sure that I would shake his hand or kiss him!!!!
Amazing food and wine, the highlight of which was the Fennel Dusted Sweetbreads for my Secondi. I never in my life thought that I would eat sweetbreads but, they are one of the signature dishes.
It took me 2 hours of pressing the redial button on my phone to get a reservation and you can only call a month in advance to the calendar date, but it was so so worth it! (http://www.babbonyc.com/)
Some of the pictures of the trip are at www.flickr.com/orlak Check them out and let me know what you think,
Orls
xxx
And it was amazing.
After what was a fairly horrid flight and airplane experience, we arrived in the city at about 8pm US time. We settled into the hotel (http://www.marrakechhotelnyc.com/) and went for food.
We settled on a little mexican place called Mama Mexico for two reasons. The first was because it was right beside the hotel. The other was because they had a mariachi band! A real life mariachi band!!!!
I also discovered that their guac was the best I had ever had! And they made it at the table. A little senor, with a huge tray, with lots of avocodos, cilantro, garlic and choppend onions and tomoatoes. All I can say is I would have eaten there every day given the chance.
Thursday started very early as I was on Irish time and was in bits!!!! Then we headed off for a wander and found ourselves at Katz's Deli at around Lunch time. Covenient eh??? This is where that scene in When Harry Met Sally was filmed. We felt the need to have a Pastrami Sandwich that was about 6 inches thick, which was amazing.http://www.flickr.com/photos/orlak/3101202482/in/photostream/
It was quickly followed by a corned beef sambo! Which was also pretty awesome!
Come dinner time we settled on a fairly small but equally amazing restaurant called Sura Thai Kitchen, which was also by the hotel. Tiny but amazing. And, for the love of god, only $52. Which is about €37.50. For 2 starters, mains and 2 beers!
Anyway, the shining star of the entire trip (apart from spending time with my lovely bloke) was the experience on Saturday night. Mr C and I, and his cousin and wife ate in the amazing Babbo in Greenwich Village. Mario Batali is a genius and if I met him I am not sure that I would shake his hand or kiss him!!!!
Amazing food and wine, the highlight of which was the Fennel Dusted Sweetbreads for my Secondi. I never in my life thought that I would eat sweetbreads but, they are one of the signature dishes.
It took me 2 hours of pressing the redial button on my phone to get a reservation and you can only call a month in advance to the calendar date, but it was so so worth it! (http://www.babbonyc.com/)
Some of the pictures of the trip are at www.flickr.com/orlak Check them out and let me know what you think,
Orls
xxx
Friday, November 28, 2008
They do run run run, they do run run
Well it seems that at the moment other people run, and I don't!
I did the Dublin City Marathon just over a month ago and I had a blast.
I always wanted to do one before I was 30 and I succeeded.
However, now I have the running/marathon bug and I want to keep training and running more.
BUT, I have sinusitis, and It has been getting me down recently meaning that I can't run properly, as I can't breathe properly!
However, I am hoping to get it all sorted out in the next month or so and then on the 26th January, I can start my 18 week training programme.... EEK!!!!
In the mean time, I wander round a few sites that help me decide where I am going to run when I am back.
www.mapmyrun.com - allows you to see how far you have run, or plan your runs and distances. It works all over the world!
www.irishrunner.com - gives you ideas of irish running in general
www.irishfit.com - lots of training programmes, and a chat forum about running in Ireland
www.connemarathon.com - the most scenic, prettiest and loveliest course in the country. Half, full and Ultra Marathon. Watch out for the "Hell of the West"
http://adidasdublinmarathon.ie/ - this was my goal. I achieved it and can't help visit the site. Honestly, one of the friendliest runs I have ever done. Crowds are amazing.
http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/ - this is my next goal. 2 marathons before I am 30 is the next on the list!
I hope that you enjoy these sites. If you have any that you would like to share with me, please do!
Orls xx
I did the Dublin City Marathon just over a month ago and I had a blast.
I always wanted to do one before I was 30 and I succeeded.
However, now I have the running/marathon bug and I want to keep training and running more.
BUT, I have sinusitis, and It has been getting me down recently meaning that I can't run properly, as I can't breathe properly!
However, I am hoping to get it all sorted out in the next month or so and then on the 26th January, I can start my 18 week training programme.... EEK!!!!
In the mean time, I wander round a few sites that help me decide where I am going to run when I am back.
www.mapmyrun.com - allows you to see how far you have run, or plan your runs and distances. It works all over the world!
www.irishrunner.com - gives you ideas of irish running in general
www.irishfit.com - lots of training programmes, and a chat forum about running in Ireland
www.connemarathon.com - the most scenic, prettiest and loveliest course in the country. Half, full and Ultra Marathon. Watch out for the "Hell of the West"
http://adidasdublinmarathon.ie/ - this was my goal. I achieved it and can't help visit the site. Honestly, one of the friendliest runs I have ever done. Crowds are amazing.
http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/ - this is my next goal. 2 marathons before I am 30 is the next on the list!
I hope that you enjoy these sites. If you have any that you would like to share with me, please do!
Orls xx
How to turn an okay day, into a GREAT day!
Last Sunday was a cold, winters day in Dublin City and even though it was the last day of the weekend, it was a lovely day.
The main reason was because I could spend the day with my lovely other, and often better half, Billiam! Billiam is a musician and he is in the process of recording his second album. His website is www.bcoleman.com, check him out.
The other thing that made my day was the aquiring of these babies here!!!!
Cutting a long story short, I didn't think that I would get hold of them. But I did, And I am very very happy!!!
Yay!
The main reason was because I could spend the day with my lovely other, and often better half, Billiam! Billiam is a musician and he is in the process of recording his second album. His website is www.bcoleman.com, check him out.
The other thing that made my day was the aquiring of these babies here!!!!Cutting a long story short, I didn't think that I would get hold of them. But I did, And I am very very happy!!!
Yay!
Orlsxx
The Icing on the Cake!!!
I couldn't just make a cake for James! I had to ice it too! What is a birthday cake without chocolage fudge icing.
I found this amazing recipe and it is easy, and delicious!!!
1 stick butter (113g)
60g. cocoa
80ml milk
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla essence
Melt butter, add cocoa and boil for 1 minute.
Add remaining ingredients bit by bit and beat until smooth. Spread while warm.
I doubled the amount, sliced the cake in half and filled using the same icing.
Remember that when you are using hot liquids with icing sugar, it sets quicker than with cold fluid.
A little regular icing sugar, some hot water, and a piping bag, and this is what the end result was!!!
I found this amazing recipe and it is easy, and delicious!!!
1 stick butter (113g)
60g. cocoa
80ml milk
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla essence
Melt butter, add cocoa and boil for 1 minute.
Add remaining ingredients bit by bit and beat until smooth. Spread while warm.
I doubled the amount, sliced the cake in half and filled using the same icing.
Remember that when you are using hot liquids with icing sugar, it sets quicker than with cold fluid.
A little regular icing sugar, some hot water, and a piping bag, and this is what the end result was!!!
Hope that you had a great day James!!!
Orlsxx
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Guess Who's 5?
My cousin and buddy James is 5 today, and is having a bit of a bash on Saturday. His request was for " Lemon Men", which are lemon shortbread using a cookie cutter that I received for my birthday from Mrs D, a good friend who shares my love of all things baking. (She is actually much more talented than I am. She rocks at Profiteroles!!!)
While I was in Dublin last week, in my favourite kitchen shop, Kitchen Compliments on Chatham Street,(www.kitchencomplements.ie) I found a 5 cookie cutter (above) A perfect accompaniment to Lemon Men!
The recipe for the lemon shortbread is so simple. And is always a hit with everyone who tastes them. They are from Rachel Allens book, Favourite Food for Family.
Preheat your oven to 180C, and have a baking tray or a silicone baking mat ready.
175g Plain Flour, Sifted
50g Caster Sugar
100g Butter, softened and cut in cubes.
Zest of one lemon
Put the flour in a mixing bowl. Add the Zest of the lemon and mix about.
Add the softened butter and using your fingers, rub together until the mix resembles crumbs. Finally, add the sugar and bring the mix together. Do not use any liquid. The more you mix, the more it will come together.
Wrap the dough in cling wrap, and place in the fridge for about 15 mins. When cooled, place on a flat surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten to about a cm thick and using a cutter of your choice, cut your shapes. Place on bakng tray and into hot oven for between 7 -12 mins. You have to watch them carefully as they can turn very brown, and bitter, in the space of a minute!
Take out and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Serve with cups of tea, or strawberries and cream, or at birthday parties!
*As a variation, try to add some orange zest, chocolate chips or cacao nibs instead of lemon zest!
Happy Birthday James! Have a Super Party, and enjoy your Lemon Men!
Love, Orls
xxx
While I was in Dublin last week, in my favourite kitchen shop, Kitchen Compliments on Chatham Street,(www.kitchencomplements.ie) I found a 5 cookie cutter (above) A perfect accompaniment to Lemon Men!
The recipe for the lemon shortbread is so simple. And is always a hit with everyone who tastes them. They are from Rachel Allens book, Favourite Food for Family.
Preheat your oven to 180C, and have a baking tray or a silicone baking mat ready.
175g Plain Flour, Sifted
50g Caster Sugar
100g Butter, softened and cut in cubes.
Zest of one lemon
Put the flour in a mixing bowl. Add the Zest of the lemon and mix about.
Add the softened butter and using your fingers, rub together until the mix resembles crumbs. Finally, add the sugar and bring the mix together. Do not use any liquid. The more you mix, the more it will come together.
Wrap the dough in cling wrap, and place in the fridge for about 15 mins. When cooled, place on a flat surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten to about a cm thick and using a cutter of your choice, cut your shapes. Place on bakng tray and into hot oven for between 7 -12 mins. You have to watch them carefully as they can turn very brown, and bitter, in the space of a minute!
Take out and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Serve with cups of tea, or strawberries and cream, or at birthday parties!
*As a variation, try to add some orange zest, chocolate chips or cacao nibs instead of lemon zest!
Happy Birthday James! Have a Super Party, and enjoy your Lemon Men!
Love, Orls
xxx
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