The weekly roundup
TV: I’ve reached a stage in the year (ok, life) where I wake up each morning and my driving force for the day is the moment I can sit down and watch 2 hours of TV before bed (10pm on the dot) I know guys, I’m a thrill a minute. MasterChef is my current fix. The skill, creativity and ingenuity of the contestants literally blows my mind; I also love to hear a little about a chef’s history – so often, there is an inspiring story that underpins their passion and skill. Obviously, the finale of Bake off this week was also fabulous (no spoilers here but it’s a goodie) and you can’t beat a bit of ‘I’m a celeb’ action to get you through November/December. Aside from the bizarre thrill we get from watching a bunch of celebs hang out in the jungle, I just adore Ant and Dec, so anything that includes them, I’m into.
I’m ill. It’s not the first time I’ve said that this year which is very disappointing given that I rarely get ill. Up until last weekend, I had been reluctant to admit my weakness, however, F1 driver George Russell revealed that he had been poorly for the past 2 weeks, so I felt I was in good company. I’m coughy and phlegmy, I have a red nose, a sore throat, and leaky eyes. Naturally, I’m reaching for ALL the cliché home remedies to help fix me, with my favourite being the classic hot drink of lemon, ginger & honey, I’ve taken it up a notch with a dash of turmeric and a pinch of black pepper because Google informed me that it would supercharge my recovery. (It also informed me that according to Āyurveda the honey should be added once the drink has cooled slightly as heat negatively affects its profile, so no honey is being harmed in the making of my medicinal drinks.) I’d be very grateful if said lurgy could buzz off now.
Cleaning – I do love a good clean and in my snotty state I decided cleaning was what I wanted to do (I’m shamefully useless at resting, particularly when I feel groggy, counterintuitively, doing stuff seems to make me feel better). So, this week the house got a much-needed once-over. Tragically, my 90-year old (not quite) v.poorly steam cleaner gave up the ghost as I started to clean the floor which caused me much distress and frustration - I just HATE HATE HATE a job half-done. Thankfully Lakeland saved the day, I managed to replace said floor cleaner (I got this one btw - I rate it!!!) and happily completed the job to a very satisfactory standard. The house now smells FRESH, and I feel virtuous. WINNER!
Blue Cheese, all cheese actually – given that it’s now Baltic and dark and GREY, cheese establishes itself as one of the essential food groups for LIFE (I make the rules). It’s salty fatty comforting heaven. So, I’ve been adding it to things willy nilly. Highlights for me this week: blue cheese, roast squash, onion and kale baked frittata, the remaining blue cheese was tossed together with pear, caramelised pecans, beetroot, leaves and an olive oil & balsamic glaze dressing (bread & butter too obvs). Then there were some 3-cheese and cayenne pepper, buttermilk biscuits (layery, cheesy, buttery HEAVEN), oh and I had lasagne reheats (ft extra gratings of cheese) and I spent the week (as I do most weeks) shaving strips of Comté straight from the block as and when I needed a snack. Cheese you’re wonderful, thank you!
Winter baking: there is something about this time of year that gets my baking brain going on overdrive. I just want to make alllll the things. On my list: mince pies (ft homemade mincemeat obvs), gingerbread biscs (or a house…. ooooo a HOUSE!!), parmesan shortbreads, a second attempt at my tiramichoux, pavlova (possibly a roulade?), passion fruit posset (passion fruit obsessed right now), Breton biscuits (those thick, buttery, sablé shortbreads that are TO DIE FOR), speculoos biscuits (basically all the biscuits), truffles, oh and cake (unspecified flavour at present), something with filo pastry (I keep seeing little filo canapé-style tarts that look heavenly, yes please), and of course more bread - I need a vehicle for sandwiches and then something sweet, soft and comforting….
Chocolate Yule Log - of all the bakes at Christmas, the one I distinctly remember from my childhood is a chocolate Yule log. I don’t remember it because I particularly liked it, in fact, I was pretty indifferent (I didn’t like chocolate as a kid, I know something wasn’t right about my child-self) but I remember it being the first thing to disappear at family gatherings. Thankfully, my interest in baking over the past few years has helped me recognise the beauty of a choccy yule log and I hate to toot my own horn but this one really is a belter. The chiffon-style sponge is ultra-supple and bendy so no risk of crack-age, I then stuffed it with boozy cream before nestling it under a blanket of truffly rich ganache. For a bit of crunch, I added some shards of brittle - it’s light (honestly you eat a slice and wonder where it disappeared to), but oh-so comforting, not too sweet. Whether you like a chocolate Yule log or not, I think you should try it. Oh and also, if you don’t like Amaretto, you can use a different tipple to suit your preferences - I reckon Frangelico would work fabulously, you could then switch the almonds for hazelnuts in the brittle - Oh guys, get yourselves in the kitchen now and give this a try!
All that’s left for me to say is, hope you’re all doing ok. Sending love as always.
Steph x x x
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