Lemoncurd Cake

Since I realised I was gluten intolerant, I have made the same cake over and over (a chocolate brownie recipe on the back of the Doves Farm flour), whereas previously I would make lots of varieties of cake.

I think I have been slightly worried if other recipes would turn out. Making a christmas cake with gluten free flour and it being a great success has made me decide, if I see a recipe I fancy trying just go for it! :-)

I don't know why but I always feel I am nurturing my family when I bake, same if I make porridge, pancakes, rice pudding or Sunday roast!! ;-)

So, at weekend I made this gorgeously moist lemoncurd cake, I used bog standard lemon curd for the main body of the recipe, but for the top I used extra special 'Limun' a gift from a friend!

Recipe;
3/4 jar of decent lemoncurd
6oz sugar
6oz soft butter
3 eggs
8oz self raising flour (I used Doves Farm Gluten Free)

Heat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas Mark 3
Line an 8"/20cm cake tin with baking paper

Beat half the lemoncurd with the sugar and butter.
Add the eggs and mix one at a time.
Fold in the flour.
Put into your prepared tin.
Drop the remaining lemoncurd in teaspoons over the surface.

Bake for around 45 minutes, checking for browning half way through and covering if necessary with tin foil.

Cool, put the kettle on, sit yourself down and enjoy!

XX

So Long, Farewell......

Today I watched as my beloved Aga was slowly and carefully dismantled to be taken away – probably to warm the cockles of a new family’s heart!!

Turned off ready to go, our three oven Aga - the tiles behind are from Fired Earth.

We have had Aunty Aga – named by my nephews – as they misheard when I said "On the Aga" or "In the Aga" and she fondly became known as Aunty Aga – she is definitely a she!! She knows so many secrets, sssshhhhh………………

We have loved her and she has been perfect for our home, which originates from 1650. We bought her 14 years ago and she has warmed our hearts and home ever since, despite breaking down on 3 occasions – naughty girl – once in the first year of having her – 2 days before Christmas – oh yessss – and Aga told me they wouldn’t be able to get an engineer out till after the big man in red had been! Can you imagine? All that planning for the first Aga cooked Christmas dinner? This was swiftly sorted when Mr.L got on the phone and a nice engineer was out next day, probably on triple pay or something…

I feel sad and will miss her warmth when I come in to the kitchen on a blustery Autumn or snowy Winter’s day, clothes warming on her ready to change in to. The dog lying with his back against her and I remember when we had an ill chicken in a box at the side of her.

I’ll miss watching Mr.L moving food for friends and family around the different ovens, in his element, often in a Chef’s hat. The best, most moist cakes ever and always exclamations of how tasty the food is and how succulent the meat!!  

I remember when my Son started secondary school and had to write a detailed piece on how to make a slice of toast in Home Economics – “First, lift the left hand side boiling plate lid up” – haha!!

So, why are we saying farewell? When we got her she cost around 28 pounds a month to run, now five times that – that isn't for the heating – our Aga isn't linked to do the heating like some and to change this would cost a fortune.

She has become an extravagance and I feel our money could be better spent, particularly as it is just me & Mr.L at home now. We have a wood burner and central heating and obviously will be using them more than ever, but I feel I can no longer justify paying out so much money every month.

So, now I'm trying to find a range oven to fit the space. I still want a large oven as I love cooking and having friends and family over, but at least I will have the choice of what I'm using when. Below are the last things I baked over the weekend - one of three Christmas cakes and a cherry and coconut traybake, mmmmmm - I can't have any - juice detox!!!

Ok, so now the hunt is on for a new oven quick!!
Any recommendations? Share!
XX

Chocolate Hedgehog Cake

I thought I'd share with you the cake my children would demand for their 

birthdays when they were small. 

They thought I was the most wonderful, clever Mama in the world when I produced it!! 

Aaaahhhh, too cute!

I made this last week for my Son's 21st - and guess what - 

they loved it again and proudly told their partner's what a wonderful, clever Mama I am!! 

The mixture is a basic sponge recipe - just add cocoa powder to a pale brown - 

it will go darker as it bakes as you can see below....bake in a moderate 

oven for 35 minutes until springy to touch.

Butter icing to decorate - again with added cocoa powder :-)

Add 'spikes' using Minstrel's and Button's, shape a nose with the butter icing.

Ta-dah - simples!
XX

Aga Baked Christmas

I love to bake - often when I am stressed I will find myself baking.

Baking for my family, especially their favourite things really makes me feel good, a provider.

As my children are older, I listen to them when they talk about home & what they miss, 

proudly telling friends how great my rice pudding is! ;-)

This year I only made two Christmas Cakes, one for me, one for my Mama & Papa.

Aga baking produces a different cake every year despite using the same recipe, but always the moistest cake ever!

Ingredients from Aldi

Preparing the fruit to soak a few weeks in alcohol ;-)

Eggs, butter, sugar & treacle

Flour & spices

 
Mixed in this - the best EVER!

Ready for the oven....

Final pics to follow - cakes iced last night by 'A'

(STAR)!! XX

'L's lovely girlfriend 'S' also baked some mince pies for me - they are delicious, so rich.

Bit of a cheat with ready made pastry and the most gorgeous jar of mincemeat.

 Egg glazed

 Yummy! Thanks 'S' XXX

Who else has been baking?What do you do to ease stress??XX

52 Weeks of Happy (1/52)

I have discovered a few new blogs recently which I shall add to my side bar sooooooon!

One in particular, Jen at Little Birdie started this blog hop a year ago....

always late to the party - that's me haha! 

She has just posted her 52/52 'Weeks of Happy'.

I so wish I had seen this, I think it is such a marvellous idea. 

Looking back on your week, being in the moment (albeit with a camera!) 

and capturing the little moments that make you happy or smile.

So I am going to curate my four happy moments and simple pleasures 

to share here each week.

• Reading 'In Style' for £2.00 with the gorgeous Drew Barrymore on the cover, whilst enjoying my favourite drink :-) 
• Putting my sumptuously warm velvet throw on the bed ready for colder nights.
• My Daughter leaping off the couch announcing she felt like baking and producing this lovely moist marble cake - YUM!
• Rob Ryan tape for brightening up plain wrapping paper

What simple pleasures have made you smile this week?

XX

Crazy Day

Today was my day off and once again I had a list as long as my arm. But, it has been a thoroughly productive day.

I have tackled the on-line banking, ordered some boots (yes in June!!), booked flights, shopped, bought a present, sent eBay  items I have sold to their new owners, tried a new recipe and baked a cake, whew!

I even had time to meet with 'C' (aka the best friend a girl could wish for) and enjoy a leisurely walk and ginger beer whilst catching up and generally putting the World to rights  ;-)

Below, the new recipe I tried out - fish in breadcrumbs. Cheap, wholesome and tasty using frozen haddock fillets from Aldi, wholemeal bread whizzed into breadcrumbs in the blender and an egg. I also did Nando's PeriPeri sprinkle potato wedges ;-)

Cherry & coconut traybake.

Looked around and most of the kitchen was like this - been like a whirlwind all day!

I bought this lovely slate heart for a friend who is leaving work tomorrow. She loves my gluten free brownies so I put gluten free flour, gluten free chocolate and some pretty bun cases with it and wrapped it in cellophane with a bow. Excuse the surrounding chaos of the picture!

 

I love days where I can tick lots off the 'to do' list!

XX