We were really pleased to be asked to put on a spread for some good friends this week and they took some piccis of the food …. it looked rather splendid and we proudly present the buffet ….
Black Olive Gougeres stuffed with Feta and Green Olive
Salmon, Dill & Lemon Roules
Chorizo & Pepper Tortilla
Ginger Brulee Tarts
Parmesan & Coastal Biscuits with Basil Cream & Crispy Prosciutto
Eat me ….. it was cold, wet & miserable …. but the lovely people kept comin’ & eatin’ – Bekki & I like people who like food – if you’re as obssessed as us you’re our kind of peeps …. favourite quote of the day …. “you are just messing with our minds”. Thank you!
Bex and I marched off to Lyme Bay Auctions last week – in Bekki’s polo as we knew we weren’t going to buy anything ….. yeah right! We arrived after our usual ‘have you got any idea where we’re going question?’. It wouldn’t be a proper day out if Bekki and I didn’t get lost at least once! We only had to ask directions 3 times …. the roadside collection service peeps had no idea, the delivery driver had no idea and the ‘I don’t suppose there’s any point asking this lot at the bus stop’ people gave us sound directions! Note to self: ask the most unlikely person when seeking direction in your life.
Well, the auction was a little mine of kleptomania and baking-mad loveliness. Pots, pans, pizza shovels, crockery, tea towels, stainless steel ‘I wish we had a big kitchen’ units. So we trawled round with our catalogue looking rather grown up we thought! Up the stairs ….. round the corner ….. and then our eyes fell on this beautiful beast – big & strong, clean, shiny and that was it ….. we were in love!
In order to discuss the object of our desire we had to take to the car – shivering with cold in an auction room somewhat hampers creative thinking – to discuss the likelihood of our being able to afford the little beauty & where the hell we were gonna put it if we succeeded in buying it!
After much deliberation we decided that we couldn’t possibly afford her & carried on bidding on a couple of bit part players and then …… the bidding started …. we didn’t join in …… she sold! OUCH! ….. and we COULD HAVE had her …… AND there were 3 more ….. AND ….. we went back to the car to discuss taking up the option to have her ….. THEN ….. we got the Trout on the case to check her out on the Internet at home to aid our decision …. AND yes, dear readers, we GOT HER!!
Needless to say we couldn’t bring her home so we went off to River Cottage Canteen to soothe our nerves (and warm up) over lunch – Bekki had a crab risotto and I had a chick pea stew – brrrrrains need to food and warmth to function!
The only issue then was how to get the little darlin’ home …. simples!
I swear that there I was griddlin’ me crumpets (or trumpets as the man in my life calls ‘em), on Saturday evening, and I realised some thievin’ varmint had been in my kitchen whilst me back was turned and stole the holes – see crumpet definition : crumpet (crumpets plural )1 n-count Crumpets are round, flat pieces of a substance like bread or batter with small holes in them. I looked for Bekki as it may have been a case of crumpet envy but nope it weren’t her …. The muffins however …. big lovely fluffiness which I road tested by dunking in Heinz Tomato Soup. This led to a debate, between Bex and I, whilst at Weymouth Farmers’ Market today about Heinz spaghetti (yes), spaghetti hoops or alphabet (Bekki yes, me no), tinned ravioli (wrong), macaroni cheese (Bekki favouring the slightly cheesy feet effect, myself an emphatic NO!). Heinz sandwich spread (why not?), Spam (yes/no) and you can probably see how the conversation continued … we agreed however that there was nothing wrong with a bit of ‘gypsy’ comfort eating. Anyway, the crumpets tasted good and were teasing me by hiding their bubbles under the camouflage that was a crust – hurrah!
Crumpet recipe follows:
450g plain flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, 7 g dried active yeast, 300ml each of tepid water and milk.
Mix up the dry ingredients, bung in the liquid, beat to a smooth batter. Leave to rest (it will be exhausted after all that beating), covered in cling, in a warm place for an hour when it should be bubbly!! Place oiled non stick cooking rings (fried egg moulds are good for this or plain pastry cutters) on a lightly oiled griddle (or a frying pan would do it) and put over a medium heat. Once hot, beat the batter and pour in the hot rings (about 2/3rds full) and you should get a sizzle. These take a while to cook (up to 10 minutes). When they are ‘set’ and look slightly dry, whip them out of the rings and turn and brown on the top for a few minutes. Hey presto…. crumpets …. hopefully with holes! L
Well last weekend saw Bekki & I cowering in the Boat That Rocks restaurant whilst taking it in turns to run out and serve customers. Was convinced it couldn’t get colder – WRONG!!!
I have probably never been so cold and oh my lordie this weekend is destined to be every bit as cold – hurrah! I have just made chilli hot chocolate for tomorrow and will be making rice pudding for the old flask for the Chrsitmas Market at Sherborne – am sincerely hoping that weather won’t lead to cancellation as we loved the market last year.
CHILLI HOT CHOCOLATE
milk (about a pint & a half), a dollop of cream, handful dried chillis, a big old spoonful of cocoa and about 200g chocolate. Bung the milk and cream and chillis in a pan and bring to a gentle boil. Turn off the heat and leave to steep for as long as you can. Strain off the chillis and add chocolate and cocoa and bring to a gentle boil. I added another dollop of hot chilli powder but that’s just to keep Bex the chilli fiend happy. I don’t add sugar but that’s a personal preference but add as much or as little as you like! Drink & enjoy
Just add chocolate - but make it hot!!!
Book keeping by Lizzie & Bekki
This is how we did book keeping BEFORE we met the accountant! We met with the main man today and have been told how we SHOULD do it. We have agreed to try harder ….. and stick to baking!!!!
My magimix is dead! I phoned Bekki for counselling as she is the only person who could TRULY understand the loss of one of my best friends – my magimix has been with me for 5 years – a present from my man’s lovely mum. The little darlin’ has worked its socks off and today it has gone feet up and is no more…. I am inconsolable……
