I sank down another baking hole this week. I’ve realised it’s an anxiety induced tendency. This week’s trigger has been the Olympics (specifically the athletics), which is ABSURD because I love it but also, I get WAY too invested and thus nervous.
For specific events, I cross all my fingers (if only I could tangle my thumbs into the mix too), and I cross my right leg over my left. On one occasion (a while back), this very formula generated the result I wanted so it stands that it will always work, doesn’t it? (FYI, I’d say it has about a 60% success rate). I digress, the hole, was chocolate cakey -again - and I swear I don’t learn from one time to the next (you may well remember, that I’ve been here before). I don’t have a huge amount to show for my efforts/ ‘research’ in terms of a recipe, although I did make a wicked chocolate flavoured chiffon sponge that vaguely resembled an Aero (more on that another day), and I feel like I’ve learnt quite a bit about chocolate, (cocoa powder in particular), main conclusion, it’s a fickle little devil – I’m sure this is the type of conclusion that all good scientists draw!
Despite the anxiety it’s induced, I’m predictably distraught that the Olympics is drawing to a close today (thank God for the Paralympics!). We’ve witnessed another action-packed week full of emotion, and incredible performances, I’ve never shouted at the TV so much in my life. Athletics is my number one sport, it’s in my blood. It doesn’t always deliver in terms of thrill, but this Games has not disappointed – Keely Hodgkinson, Josh Kerr, Mondo Duplantis, Matt Hudson Smith, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, KJT, Georgia Bell and my friend Laura Muir – IN-CRED-IBLE!! Ahhhhh, I LOVE sport!
On more of a plus side (baking wise), I made some REALLY good buns on Sunday. The concept - inspired by a pastry I saw on Dusty Knuckle bakery’s insta - was an olive oil and honey enriched demi-brioche bun, aromatic with ground fennel seeds and peppered with salty, crumbled feta. On top there were sesame seeds, more grated feta and an extra drizzle of honey – honestly this combo is so good and I’m excited to share the recipe with you next week!
I also finalised my tropical mango and coconut roll cake recipe which you can find below – I’m most excited about the sponge element here, I love it so much – it will be your new favourite roll cake (maybe) – it’s moist, soft, airy, bendy, so GOOD. The coconut cream is also really addictive, and a ripple of mango puree is a wonderful tropical addition – although you could switch this for something jammy like raspberry, cherry or blackberry for a more traditional Swiss roll.
Talking of blackberries – I’ve been doing some rogue blackberry picking, by that I mean randomly snacking on the blackberries I come across whilst I walk Olive. This activity has mostly been accompanied by disadvantages, stick with me…
Firstly, on Tuesday, my desire for a particularly attractive blackberry saw me perilously close to face planting a very spikey, thorny, nettle-ridden hedge - I nearly dragged the dog in with me too, she was less than impressed. Secondly, I managed to tie-dye three sparkly white t-shirts with berry juice… my hands were also a troubling shade of mauve. Thirdly, there was the peril of picking (and eating) an underripe blackberry – the sour ones made my eyes water (it didn’t stop me), and finally, on 3 consecutive days, I was harshly reminded of my greed when I got home – just in time for dinner - and felt sick from all my fruity snacking.
So, on Thursday, I was a sensible adult and took a bag with me to collect a little blackberry bundle. I bought it home like a proper forager and made a lovely blackberry jam-ish* situation. I then stirred it through natural yoghurt which was lovely, and I felt extremely virtuous. Go me.
*(ish because it’s not as sweet and thick as jam, better)
One more thing I want to say this week… there’s a lot of horrible stuff going on in the World right now, and honestly, I don’t know what to say. I will never EVER understand violence, nastiness, prejudice, bullying… it simultaneously terrifies me and breaks my heart when I witness it. I saw Matt Haig share a powerful quote early in the week though and I must say, it gave me a tiny bit of hope – I know it doesn’t make the bad stuff go away, but I’m holding onto it for now…
To be hopeful in bad times is based on the fact that human history is not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand Utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvellous victory.
Howard Zinn
Right, I think that's everything this week.
I’m sending so much love to everyone right now more than ever!
Steph X X X
Mango & coconut roll cake
As I said above, I love the sponge recipe here - I could eat it neat - it’s basically a genoise sponge with a little baking powder for a touch of extra airy-ness. I flavour it with a dash of vanilla here.
The coconut cream is a doddle to prepare - make sure you get coconut cream NOT creamed coconut
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