#151 Strawberries, Pimm’s and white chocolate & mascarpone cream cheesecake
It’s mid-morning Saturday (yesterday by the time you receive this), and I’ve only just sat down to start tapping my thoughts from the week, of which there are many by the way, into the keyboard. I’ve been fannying around with various cake and bread recipes as well as some (actually very lovely) hot-weather-appropriate salads, at the expense of writing. Not because I don’t want to talk to you, I do, but sometimes I get so absorbed with a thing, that all other things are forgotten. Anyway, I’m here now, a little time-pressed - I may need to employ bullet points!!- but here, nonetheless.
Bits and bobs:
A very quick F1 overview because I’m conscious that this isn’t really the content that most of you subscribe for. The race was superb, and the result was the stuff of fairytales - although, Lewis (Hamilton) would have been on the podium too if I’d had my way… maybe a four-way podium because it would be mean to boot anyone off. My shoes and socks are still soggy from the various downpours, and I wasn’t ENTIRELY sure what was going on for the majority of the race because it was CHAOS* - but it really was a fabulous weekend of racing!
*I’ve obviously rewatched it ALL back now, which was doubly exciting, also pausing every time the camera zoomed past the stand we were in, to check I wasn’t caught glamorously scoffing my lunch.
Bits from the weekend... …whilst I had a thoroughly good weekend, I also struggled with some of it this year. Let me be clear, I absolutely acknowledge the privilege it is to be able to go to this event, however, I also want to be totally transparent about how I cope with these things, because all too often, we see smiley happy people having fun and whilst I did enjoy my time, I also found bits hard. The thing is, I am a fan of the sport, not so much the ‘festival’ lots-of-people vibe. I go with my Mum (who also funds it, thanks MUM!) because we’re F1 nerds and like the technicalities, we’re invested in the drivers, we enjoy watching our ‘mates’ (I really feel like the drivers are my pals!! LOL) drive very fast, very skilfully, in their insanely beautiful (works of engineering genius!) cars. However, firstly I really struggle when my routine alters, even slightly, and secondly, in recent years, there seems to have been a shift towards a sort of ‘party’ atmosphere, with lots of activities, and music, and other bits that don’t really suit my easily overwhelmed personality. So, yes, I had a brilliant time watching the actual racing, but I also got in an angsty pickle on more than one occasion, which subsequently made me frustrated because I hate not being able to just chill the eff out and enjoy stuff in the moment, you know? The moral of this story is simply that if you find social/entertainment things a bit tricky, even things you love, if you don’t always feel happy when you do ‘fun things’, I SO get it!!! I believe we should still do these things (within reason, like, don’t do stuff if you really don’t want to), because somehow, it helps shape us, give us experiences, stories to tell etc, but maybe we need to just accept that some of the time it’ll feel a bit difficult, and just ride those moments (easier said than done!).
Oh, one more thing… I firmly believe, after a weekend spent sleeping in a field, that camping (sans Wi-fi)/signal) should be prescribed for all of us, a few days here and there every year would suffice. But I’m telling you now, you will sleep like a baby and feel more zen than you thought possible having detached from the noise of life for a brief period!
My Wimbledon HIGHS (sorry more sport!!): I want one of the strawberry cuddly toys, have you seen them? Some of the post-match interviews have been BRILLIANT (hop over to the Wimbledon Insta to catch some of the best of them!). Tennis has to be the most courteous sport, don’t you think? Just so NICE!! So many acts of kindness and sportsmanship from the players, I think other sports should take note!! Djokovic, his kids, their dance ‘Pumpa’ or ‘pump it up’ - gorgeous!! Iga Świątek’s strawberries, yoghurt and pasta ‘post-match meal’… I’m not convinced but why do I want to try it? The Dimitrov/Sinner match had me on the brink of tears at the end - sport/injury can also be SO CRUEL, but also more delightful sportsmanship from Sinner! Oh and also, not strictly Wimbledon but I stumbled across this brilliant sentiment from Naomi Osaka - give it a read - I believe it applies to us all - make the best of what you have, right now!!
I know a lot of people have some of their best thoughts in the shower… I’ve found I have my eureka moments whilst hoovering the grass - just thought you might like to know when and where my inspiration comes from!
I used to be a yellow flesh peach/nectarine girl, but I’ve transitioned - white flesh all the way from now on - sweeter, juicier, more yum, take note!
I’m into herbs: dill, mint, basil, on everything.
Do you ever eat a thing, a sliver of cheese, a nut, a biscuit, and really take note? Like properly savour the moment and think, WOW, that was a special thing? I did that on Monday - just a couple of thin slices of comté cheese with an oatcake, if you were wondering, and, oh MY! It was SPECIAL, which makes me think; I inhale so much of my food without truly acknowledging what I’m eating, and I really should pay more attention to fully appreciate that yumminess, you know?
Did you see the wonderful article on the BBC last week about 106-year-old, WW2 veteran, Leslie Lemon (superb name), who puts his long life down to eating custard every day? Dunno about you, but I’m absolutely following his lead, custard is now one of my 5-a-day!
Just found a chin hair whilst pondering, mid-type, went to study it in the mirror - literally like a goatee, dread to think how long I’ve been parading that around for!
Oh, and you know I diligently carried out some ‘tan line’ maintenance a few weeks back? Well, I’ve royally let that go again this week, I sat in the sun for about an hour with just my right-hand side exposed and now I’m half lightly golden, half mahogany.
AND… I’m possibly (definitely) entering my ‘mid-life crisis’ era, (note: have been in an early life crisis stage since 16, but this is different…). Have taken to ‘checking’ whether I can still ‘do stuff’… in the past week have wrapped my leg around my head and performed multiple cartwheels. Not sure they’ve been my best life decisions but at least I know I can keep those things on my CV, eh?
This week’s bakes have hit new highs: I bought a jar of Belazu harissa (on offer in Waitrose) and have literally been dolloping it into everything… these swirly buns (pic below) were DIVINE! Also ran at a chocolate Tres Leches recipe test, and yikes, that’s dangerous stuff - milky chocolate overload - wondering if I need to slightly temper the sweetness but I boy do I need to share that with you soon because… oof, it’s good!
Also, many lessons learnt about ULTRA fluffy genoise style cakes made with a portion of potato starch. The fluff-factor is off the scaleeee but with that, a lot of structure is lost, cue some tragic deflating sponges!! I need to fiddle with the idea a bit more, but, what I’m saying is, I’m into the idea of using a portion of potato starch in sponge cakes, ok? I fancy a scone… with cream and jam, of course, should make that happen! Oh and… important stuff, I’m so excited for you to try this week’s ‘bake’ that doesn't require an oven (phew!!), it’s one of my best no-bake creations yet, a perfect way to celebrate the end of Wimbledon, a thoroughly delicious specimen: Strawberries, Pimm’s and white chocolate & mascarpone cream cheesecake, it’s summer food perfection!!
OK, that’s been a lot… sorry for the overload. Also, very ‘all about me’, how are YOU? Tell me your news!
Hope you’ve all had a glorious week,
Sending heaps of love, as always,
Steph X X X
Strawberries, Pimm’s and white chocolate & mascarpone cream cheesecake
In case you hadn’t heard, the weather’s a little spicy here in the UK at the moment (of course you’ve heard because it’s all we go on about!), and whilst I LOVE the warmth, the sun, the happy glowing hum of life when it’s like this, turning on the oven becomes less appealing. Of course, I still live for my kitchen time, it’s my happy place, but I do start to welcome ‘bakes’ that don’t actually requiring baking… more of a melty/mixy/whisky situation. Which makes this week’s recipe perfect hot-weather-‘baking’.
A buttery biscuit base (the perfect ratio of butter, by the way, too much butter makes it too closely packed and hard to cut, I find), nestles beneath a thick, luscious blanket of lightly whipped white chocolate, mascarpone and cream cheese. A splash of lemon juice is crucial to help the mixture coagulate and therefore thicken up nicely following an overnight chill. The result is a smooth velvety cheesecake with a perfectly balanced creamy flavour, not too rich, not too sweet, not cloying; just right! Once set, it’s topped with a layer of strawberry & Pimm’s coulis for the ultimate Wimbledon vibe. I decorated mine with more berries and herby bits. It’s looks like a showstopper, but remains unpretentious, and comes together with minimal stress - such a dream.
My only real note is to ensure that, both the cream cheese and mascarpone really ARE room temperature as stated. When melted white chocolate is added to creamy stuff, it doesn’t LOVE having to face something that is too cold (who can blame it?); it can end up clumping/seizing a bit and will make you lose your mind with worry a touch… this can, from my experience, be resolved with a little hack job (some gentleeee heat) but it’s best if you can mitigate the problem in the first place, so heed my advice when I say room temperature, ok?
Right, I think you have all the info you need, time to get cracking… can’t wait to hear what you think! Happy Baking pals!
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