New Toy

Well it's been awhile since I wrote anything for this blog so I thought it was about time I did an update. I've not really had any time of late to do any baking apart from the odd loaf here and there but I had a bit of luck last week, I managed to buy myself a Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer and it has kick started my interest in baking bread again. I have already tried it out on my standard bread recipe and it worked a treat. It's supposed to be folded up and put away when not in use but I can see it being out most of the time.

This is the bad boy out and being used, dough rising nicely

On another note the lovely Tasha (a work colleague) was leaving to have a baby, she asked me to bake a cake, I have to say I'm not a good cake baker but I had a go.

The Art of Presentation

A few weeks ago it was my mum's birthday and we always go out for a meal, this year was no exception. I had planned to take her to Ask in Watford but the weather on the day put paid to that. So an alternative place came to mind, a pub called The Black Horse in Sudbury, it's part of a chain of pub/restaurants that seem so common these days. The service was good, fast and efficient, the meal was okay, mine being slightly overcooked but not inedible, desert however was a different matter, my mother and I both went for the same thing, chocolate mouse with a hot donut. It looked good on paper however the reality of it left a lot to be desired.

Suffice to say I will not be taking any tips from the restaurant on presentation!

Iced Ring

I have always fancied making one of those fruit rings that you used to get in the local baker's when I was a kid and when I was given the Two Hairy Bikers baking book for Christmas I came across their recipe for a Scandinavian Iced Ring. I took the ring to a New Year's eve party and it was gone in minutes, guess I'm not the only one who likes iced cakes.

It came out pretty well, maybe a bit too much cardamon for my taste, next time I'll tone it down a bit.

Inspiration

One of last years holidays was a trip to central Spain taking in Segovia, Salamanca, Toledo and Madrid, a whirlwind tour, it seemed like a month rather than a week. While wondering around these various towns I came across several bakeries and cake shops and not being one to pass up an opportunity to see what  was on offer I couldn't resist having a look. Okay, I know that they are professional bakers and they have all the right equipment, oven, etc. but I can't help but be jealous of what was on offer, a huge array of breads; sourdough,white, black, seeded and in so many different shapes and sizes it was hard to know where to look.

 

Rather than be jealous of all the fine bread and cakes on offer I will take it as inspiration of what can be produced. I have decided to make a speciality bread each weekend starting with Dan Lepard's Black Bread.