Afternoon tea at Christmas

Walnut & Pomegranate Cake

We had a birthday in the house. Lovely Taisy hit the 22nd milestone and I baked her a festive cake complete with snowy pomegranates. 

Bar Kick

I thought I'd update you on a couple of fun places I'd been to recently - it's always good to have a recommendation or two. 

A cluster of my food styling friends celebrated Christmas with a visit to Bar Kick in Shoreditch - where we found a lovely, warming, winter atmostphere. Wooden floors, mismatched chairs,  pom pom cocktails and a freezing outside temperature meant we stayed for a little longer than planned. The venue was amazing and I'd go back tomorrow if I didn't feel so sleepie... 

It's feeling Christmasy

Today is a baking presents day. Yum.  

Baby blue cupcakes

Jasper was Christened on Sunday with a cluster of our family and friends who toasted his health & ate baby blue cupcakes complete with sugared feet. My friend Taisy and I wrapped brownies in parchment and tied them in blue raffia so everyone had something to nibble on their journey home. 

Apple Stars

I baked these today; a quick sugar syrup, a cool oven for four hours and simple apple slices become delicate crisps. They would be beautiful balancing on the side of a martini, I think?  

Jelly Cake

 My lovely friend Tori was responsible for the photos of my sister's wedding. She snapped these of the cake all done, finished and wobbling beautifully (and of the very pretty Caroline of course). Oh what a lovely day it was! 

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P.S Have a look at Tori's brilliant blog - 'Wellies and Vogue'

Post Pop Up

Well we did it. A week of laughter, tears and stealthy high fives and Alice & I achieved what we wanted; to serve beautiful food for each one of our guests. Here are a few pictures and a link to a rather lovely review. 

A review from one of our guests

Preparing to pop up...

Alice took these lovely shots on her phone... T minus 24 hours and I'm feeling a bit nervous!

Quince Jelly

I made it! I took three days, one pillowcase, three bags of sugar and my trusted casserole pot but I made  twelve jars of jelly. 

Autumn at the Modern Pantry

 Yesterday I had tea at the Modern Pantry and there was pumpkin judging taking place. The staff had each submitted their own Autuminal creations - look at the one with the fringe!! 

The Ultimate Green & Black's Brownies

It may have been the years spent working at Green & Blacks that made me really appreciate the brownie. There is something about the all-American delight that people can't turn down, something about the fudgey, chocolatey, dense gooey goodness that makes us forget the calorie content and take 'just a little one'. 

These have been baked for a stag do (yes, I am a good wife!). There is eleven of them you see, that are heading west surfing for the weekend and I can't think of anything nicer to eat when you arrive home, showered and warm. I hope those boys appreciate them! 

THE ULTIMATE BROWNIES

Ingredients:

300 g unsalted butter
300 g dark chocolate (minimum 70%, broken into pieces)
5 large eggs
400 g granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
200g plain flour
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Grease a roasting or baking tray. In a bowl (placed on top of a pot of boiling water) melt the butter and chocolate together until thick and creamy
Meanwhile beat together sugar, eggs and vanilla extract until thick and creamy. The mixture should easily coat the back of a spoon.
2. Once the butter-chocolate mixture has melted, remove from stove and beat into the egg mixture Sift the flour and salt together, and add to the wet ingredients. Mix until mixture is well combined.
3. If using, drain morello cherries and fold into the brownie mixture.
4.Pour mixture into the tray and bake for 20 – 30 minutes at 180C. Once finished baking, allow to cool and cut into pieces.

Colour

I hope that your Sunday is as colourful as these x

The Hart & Fuggle

We are running again, so exciting! Alice and I are taking over the coffee workshop company in Clerkenwell for 5 days only. Have a look at the website for a little more information - 

www.thehartandfuggle.com

Lost Gardens of Heligan

We visited Heligan today and were blown away by both their beauty and the terrifying Cornish winds.  The gardens fell into disrepair after the first world war but were rediscovered and restored by Cornwall's hero, Tim Smit. His team worked tirelessly to return the garden to its former glory and now, some ten years later, it bares the most wonderful fruit and vegetables. We happened upon the gardeners picking butternut squash for harvest festival. How gorgeous. 

Norfolk Samphire

For a few lingering days I felt it must still be Summer; there was beautiful samphire available on shop shelves. A throw back to my Norfolk days where you'd discover it poking out of the sandy mud, standing tall and asking to be taken home. A squeeze of lemon juice, deep spread of butter and thick rye bread - that is my supper sorted.