tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45677330971743750002011-08-26T17:23:29.139+01:00Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.comBlogger491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-36537674688888434372011-05-27T00:01:00.003+01:002011-05-27T13:22:58.774+01:00

The May 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Emma of CookCraftGrow and Jenny of Purple House Dirt. They chose to challenge everyone to make a Chocolate Marquise. The inspiration for this recipe comes from a dessert they prepared at a restaurant in Seattle. The original recipe was HUGE and served a lot more people than my one person household could ever feed, so I made a 1/4 recipe

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-51313109819356645302011-05-04T20:09:00.001+01:002011-05-05T08:13:37.369+01:00

The April 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Evelyne of the blog Cheap Ethnic Eatz. Evelyne chose to challenge everyone to make a maple mousse in an edible container. Prizes are being awarded to the most creative edible container and filling, so vote on your favorite from April 27th to May 27th at http://thedaringkitchen.com! This was certainly an experimental challenge for me,

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-29013863796266937152011-05-04T19:43:00.001+01:002011-05-05T08:12:51.922+01:00

The March 2011 Daring Baker’s Challenge was hosted by Ria of Ria’s Collection and Jamie of Life’s a Feast. Ria and Jamie challenged The Daring Bakers to bake a yeasted Meringue Coffee Cake.  I was so excited about this, until I realised that "Coffee" cake referred to cake to have at coffee break time, and not cake with coffee flavour! But as it turns out, it was quite delicious! Beware, this

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-34747138972638111212011-05-04T19:09:00.001+01:002011-05-05T08:12:11.144+01:00

The February 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mallory from A Sofa in the Kitchen. She chose to challenge everyone to make Panna Cotta from a Giada De Laurentiis recipe and Nestle Florentine Cookies. Ingredients : Maple Panna Cotta 240 ml whole milk7 g unflavored powdered gelatin 720 ml heavy/double cream 80 ml maple flavoured golden syrup 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Pecans for

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-65028343881530795232011-04-10T04:47:00.003+01:002011-04-10T04:47:04.849+01:00

... and lately I seem to only be picking out the ones I dislike! Apologies for the complete lack of posting lately, but this will be fixed soon :) Coming up this month, I have 2 completed Daring Bakers challenges to post about (February's Panna Cotta & Florentines and March's Yeasted Meringue Coffee Cake), as well as this months challenge (my lips are sealed!) my version of a cake known as

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-44249659789455181292011-01-28T12:31:00.000Z2011-04-19T16:09:01.884+01:00

So I'm finally back on the Daring Bakers trail, and what an amazing challenge to come back to! Blog Checking Lines : The January 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Astheroshe of the blog accro. She chose to challenge everyone to make a Biscuit Joconde Imprime to wrap around an Entremets dessert. The Biscuit Joconde Imprime is a patterned, thin sponge intended to wrap around a

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-26870062872840999082010-11-27T00:23:00.003Z2011-01-28T12:36:30.791Z

A friend of mine has been talking about Blondies for a few days, and after not being able to get the idea out of my head, and needed to try it for myself! Ingredients: 1 cup packed brown sugar 117g room temperature butter 1 cup self raising flour (or 1 cup plain flour + 1 tsp baking powder + 1 tsp baking soda) 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract Optional - 1/3 cup of stir ins (chocolate chips,

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-25642004258043741722010-11-26T23:17:00.001Z2011-01-28T12:38:40.215Z

For some reason, I got it into my head that I wanted to make Hollandaise. So using the ever faithful Alton Brown's recipe from the Good Eats episode Hittin' The Sauce from Season 8, I dived in, perhaps to my detriment. I think I would like to master all of the "Mother Sauces", but I think I've had enough of them for another few months.   Ingredients : 4 small egg yolks 1 tbsp water 1/4 tsp

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-54904056946694452702010-09-17T18:12:00.001+01:002010-09-17T18:12:15.539+01:00

So my BFF’s birthday was coming up and I had no idea what to get for her. Then, one night, at 3am, whilst not being able to sleep, it came to me! Cake!!! But not just any cake, oh no, a cake that would be her, would speak volumes about her, and would be instantly recognisable as hers! Of course, when I awoke, I had forgotten half of the elements, but over the next 2 days I came up with 2 designs

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-53295373466557622422010-09-17T18:06:00.001+01:002010-09-17T18:06:44.623+01:00

Having seen fondant icing used on many a cake decorating show, and hearing the many, many ways in which it could go wrong, I was terrified! But I was determined to at least give it a go, and shockingly it worked out okay! Ingredients 2lb Icing Sugar (1 3/4 lb for chocolate + 1/4 lb cocoa) 1/4 cup Water 1 tbsp Unflavoured Gelatine 1/2 cup Liquid Glucose 1 1/2 tbsp Glycerine 1 tsp Vanilla

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-68914837624795633522010-09-17T17:51:00.001+01:002010-09-17T17:51:41.430+01:00

I needed a cake recipe that would hold up under the weight of the fondant, that would be able to be carved into shape, but also taste good :) after some searching online, found a Chocolate Mud Cake recipe that would work. I made two cakes, the one shown below, which became the base, and a smaller but thicker one for carving the shapes.  Ingredients 200g Chocolate 250g Unsalted Butter 1 1/3

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-9421428976503462532010-09-17T17:25:00.001+01:002010-09-17T17:25:44.500+01:00

So a buttercream was needed to adhere the cake and fondant, and chocolate seemed like the perfect option! This recipe is straightforward and delicious! The recipe below is enough for a 20cm / 8 inch round cake, I made 2.5 times the recipe to be sure I didn’t run out!   Ingredients 50g Butter 3 tbsp Cream 1 tsp Vanilla 50g Chocolate 225g Icing Sugar Method 01. Put all ingredients

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-41769587915997238772010-09-17T17:00:00.001+01:002010-09-17T17:00:41.918+01:00

My hopes for the cake were at a 10, my expectations of how I’d do were at a 2, and I think the outcome was about a 6 :)So everything is set and ready to go, and I’m praying that it all comes together as planned… The base layer (the carving layer was twice as thick and just slightly smaller) Made up 3 batches of fondant in total, one pink (above), one white and one chocolate. The chocolate

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-9638051825554671622009-10-30T18:26:00.009Z2010-12-02T02:01:20.746Z

The 2009 October Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to us by Ami S. She chose macarons from Claudia Fleming’s The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern as the challenge recipe.Ingredients :45g icing sugar38g ground almonds5g granulated sugar59g egg whitesMethod :01. Preheat the oven to 93 degrees Celsius02. Combine icing sugar and ground almonds.03. Beat the egg whites to a soft peak.04.

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-12592876325839419892009-09-27T01:33:00.002+01:002010-12-02T02:01:20.747Z

The September 2009 Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Steph of A Whisk and a Spoon. She chose the French treat, Vols-au-Vent based on the Puff Pastry recipe by Michel Richard from the cookbook Baking With Julia by Dorie Greenspan.Ingredients :2-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour1-1/4 cups cake flour1 tsp. salt300 ml ice water454 g very cold unsalted butterMethod :01. Measure out flour.02.

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-57065848206468248632009-09-20T12:11:00.002+01:002009-09-20T12:13:46.087+01:00

Well it's been a long summer, but I'm back.Things to look forward to in the next month or so...- The latest Daring Bakers challenge- Previous Daring Bakers challenges, including Dobos Torte, Bakewell Tart, Strudel, Mallows and Milan Cookies- New weight watcher friendly recipesSee you on the 27th!Em

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-20596409804932429992009-06-29T16:50:00.002+01:002009-06-29T16:52:17.920+01:00

I've taken a break from Daring Bakers and Daring Cooks, life has been a bit hectic.Of course that didn't stop me from having a major cook-fest a few days ago, making a lasagne, a chili, a curry and some soup in one go. :)Anyways, I'll be back in September with more awesome recipes, with step by step pictures :DEmma

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-81150671074042111422009-04-27T00:01:00.001+01:002011-04-19T16:09:01.885+01:00

I'm not usually a fan of baked cheesecakes, I prefer the non-baked set-by-geletin kind, but I'm not one to avoid a challenge either. Unfortunately my timing in making this months challenge was a critical failure, since I went back to Weight Watchers 2 days before I made it! This meant that the cheesecakes were given to work and house mates to feast on.And now, the formalities :The April 2009

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-42487375295172515302009-04-22T14:45:00.004+01:002009-04-22T19:42:06.638+01:00

So after seeing an episode of Good Eats on chilli, I knew I wanted to try it out. However, it was not without problems. For one, I don't yet own a pressure cooker, or even a pot with a tight fitting lid. The other problem was that I vastly underestimated the amount of chile and chile powder that I needed, and so it was not hot at all... A baby could have eaten it, it was so mild. But, spiciness

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-48704636428593288482009-04-17T20:14:00.005+01:002009-04-22T14:52:34.544+01:00

This weather is getting me down, it's been freezing here for the last week or so. So I decided to cheer (and warm) myself up with a mild curry.Ingredients :1 onion, chopped1 clove garlic, chopped finely1/4cm green chili, chopped finely1 tsp chili powder1 tbsp mild curry powder1 1/2 cup chicken stock1/2 cup double cream2 chicken breasts, diced1 carrot, diced5 mushrooms, diced2cm slice of butternut

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-8000828913726522472009-03-27T22:00:00.004Z2010-11-24T22:17:37.142Z

Welcome to this months Daring Baker challenge. Unfortunately I've had to split it into 5 (yes, 5) posts, so that I wouldn't end up with one huge post :) This was a long, hard process, so beware if you intend to undertake it, and take not of the 4th post where I'll let you know what I thought of the overall result. And now, the formalities : The March 2009 challenge is hosted by Mary of Beans and

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-78363194213571739292009-03-27T21:59:00.003Z2009-04-22T14:52:17.933+01:00

I never knew how difficult it was to make pasta, until this challenge forced me to give it a go. I actually attempted three pastas, the other two were a total disaster, and so here is the one I used in the final recipe.Part 2 : PastaIngredients :450g (1lb) 00 flour4 medium sized eggspinch saltMethod :01. Put the flour in a large bowl, and make a well in it.02. Crack the eggs into the middle of

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-78876136223218349342009-03-27T21:58:00.002Z2009-04-22T14:52:17.933+01:00

Welcome to part 3 of 5 :) For this part of the challenge I took on some of the extra ingredients from the challenge recipe, although as you'll see in the verdict, I think I'll stick to my usual ragu next time...Ingredients :300g minced pork300g minced lamb300g minced beef100g smoked pancetta, chopped finely100g parma ham, chopped finely200g mushrooms, chopped finely1 red onion, chopped finely1

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-9067408189280878132009-03-27T21:57:00.002Z2009-04-22T14:52:17.934+01:00

And finally, after about 9 hours of hard work, I get to the assembly of the lasagne. :)Ingredients :1 batch Bechamel as in post 11 batch Pasta as in part 2 (the original recipe called to use pre cooked pasta, however I don't usually pre boil, so I decided to go with just the dried one)1 batch Ragu as in part 32 cups of grated mozzarellaMethod :01. Spread 2 tablespoons of bechamel across the

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-62082888434568941782009-03-27T21:56:00.003Z2009-04-22T14:52:17.934+01:00

So here are the less successful attempts at pasta making, using spinach in one (the original challenge pasta), and one with carrot/butternut squash. It seems a little pointless to offer up the recipes, since they didn't work. However, they were made in much the same way as regular pasta, but with some flour and some egg substituted as vegetable.It all started out so promising...But in the end I

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-84330676233346813572009-03-01T19:20:00.003Z2009-03-27T16:10:09.708Z

So for the second part of this month's challenge, I decided to go with a recipe for Vanilla ice cream by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, as found here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/realvanillaicecream_14294.shtmlUnfortunately, this was an unmitigated disaster for the most part. The recipe called for a light sugar syrup to be whisked slowly into beaten egg yolks... However, either I

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-81752804377374688442009-03-01T18:51:00.006Z2009-03-27T16:10:09.708Z

As usual, lets' get the formalities out of the way, and then on to the recipe :The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE's blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef.We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.The Challenge :-Use the following cake recipe-Serve with homemade ice

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-46424783209647431082009-01-30T20:03:00.006Z2009-03-27T16:10:09.709Z

First let's get the important info out of the way...This month's challenge is brought to us by Karen of Bake My Day and Zorra of 1x umruehren bitte aka Kochtopf. They have chosen Tuiles from The Chocolate Book by Angélique Schmeink and Nougatine and Chocolate Tuiles from Michel Roux.The Challenge :What we would like you to do is:- use one of the batters given,- shape it either prior (using a

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-63487155486159028612009-01-18T22:00:00.002Z2009-01-21T22:02:25.444Z

Pointless soup?! Well only in the Weight Watchers sense :) This soup has no points and makes a great filler for no cost to my diet. :DIngredients :2 beef stock cubes1 litre water1 tsp curry powder1/4 tsp parsley1/4 tsp thyme1/4 tsp salt1/4 tsp pepper1 onion3 cloves garlic2 carrots2 large slices turnip2 heads baby cauliflower2 heads baby broccoliMethod :01. Chop and weigh out all ingredients.02.

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-43768634763050250342009-01-10T19:00:00.005Z2009-04-22T14:53:15.663+01:00

My favourite meal from the Chinese takeaway has always been fried rice, and with the new year comes new me, and new diet :) So I present a tasty, and significantly lower fat version of fried rice that you can make at home in less time than it takes for a delivery!Ingredients :1 cup rice (cooked the day before in 2 cups water)2 eggs5 mushrooms3 cloves garlic2 spring onions2 chicken breasts1 tsp

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-69246714063085665562009-01-09T19:04:00.003Z2009-01-09T19:14:47.312Z

Can't believe I almost forgot to finish off the Mince Pies... And here's how...Method :01. Roll 2/3 of the pastry out to about 1/2 cm.02. Cut discs and place in a bun tin.03. Fill with 2 tsp mincemeat.04. Roll the remaining 1/3 pastry to 1/2 cm thick and top the mince pies.05. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 20 mins.Serve hot with ice cream or cold with custard.

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-74639718797170044812008-12-31T00:31:00.020Z2009-03-27T16:10:09.709Z

Well it's that time of the month, the big reveal. I was terrified that I would miss another month, after my caramel failure last month, but fortunately I got my act together the last few days and pulled it off. I warn you now, this is one long post :DThis month's challenge is brought to us by the adventurous Hilda from Saffron and Blueberry and Marion from Il en Faut Peu Pour Etre Heureux.They

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-5974863545865385892008-12-26T17:56:00.005Z2008-12-26T18:11:55.909Z

Well Xmas was a single affair this year, so dinner was simple and easy, just for one.Ingredients :1 chicken6 rashers3 slices stale bread1 clove garlic1 onion100g butter2 tbsp dried sage3 potatoes2 tbsp goose fatMethod :01. Cover the outside of the chicken in rashers.02. Put chicken in oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 2 hours.03. While chicken in cooking, peel and chop potatoes and par boil for 10

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-31472790212764876022008-12-26T17:46:00.003Z2008-12-26T17:56:10.376Z

This is the perfect compliment for the mincemeat I made the other day, however you'll have to wait a few more days to see the completed product. For now, the pastry. :)Ingredients :450g plain flour1 tsp baking powder120g softened butter1 tbsp sugar100ml orange juice1/2 orange zested1 eggMethod :01. Place flour, baking powder, sugar and butter in a food processor.02. Blend until of breadcrumb

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-42575192743051419982008-12-24T18:24:00.003Z2008-12-24T18:40:47.631Z

This recipe should be made over two days, and ideally a few months before xmas so it can mature, but as ever I'm the queen of leaving things to the last minute! This is the first ever pudding I've made, so I'm hoping it'll taste good!Ingredients :150g plain flour1 tsp baking powder150g currants150g sultanas150g raisins125g butter, melted100g dark sugar100g suet3 eggs75g mixed peel75g glace

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-8420159244061269952008-12-24T18:07:00.005Z2008-12-24T18:22:47.982Z

Well you can't make mince pies without mincemeat, and what's the point of home making mince pies if you don't make the mincemeat too? :) So here's a recipe from the Hairy Bikers, tweaked a little to add a bit more spark :)Ingredients :1 lemon, boiled and deseeded1 lime, boiled and deseeded1/2 cooking apple, peeled, cored and chopped100g raisins100g sultanas100g currents100g mixed dried fruit75g

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-67666759665133079572008-12-21T18:06:00.005Z2009-04-22T14:53:15.668+01:00

This is the regular lasagne that I make, usually makes 8 servings. It's partly homemade in that I can't stand jarred Bolognese sauce, and partly cheated since I've never made a white sauce nor pasta. Hopefully this will be rectified in the future, but for now, here's the recipe for an easy and delicious lasagne. :)Ingredients :Bolognese :1/2 onion450g minced beef3 cloves garlic1cm ginger200g

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-64672768640292588072008-12-21T16:19:00.003Z2009-03-27T16:10:43.205Z

Well it's been another quiet month, but I intend to bombard you for the last few days of the month. This month look out for :Homemade Cheats LasagneChristmas CakeChristmas PuddingMincemeatMince PiesChristmas WafflesChristmas dinner for 1Daring Bakers November challenge - Caramel Cake and Homemade CaramelsDaring Bakers December challenge - it's a secret... shhh....:) Enjoy and I'll be back later

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-72587015854889640772008-12-09T18:36:00.000Z2009-03-27T16:10:43.205Z

Ah missed Novembers Daring Baker Challenge, though hoping to make it up this month.Been way too busy to document my cooking in the last while, but hopefully that will pick up soon.

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-49131154328127003112008-11-06T20:08:00.003Z2008-11-06T20:19:57.958Z

After much searching for a good cookie recipe, I came across this one for Cowboy Cookies at http://austinpie.blogspot.com/2008/11/cowboy-cookies.html . So what are cowboy cookies exactly? Hopefully not the kind of cowboys you get here in Ireland!Ingredients :1 cup butter1 cup demarera sugar1 cup rich dark sugar2 cups self raising flour2 cups oats1/2 cup raisins1/2 cup dark choc chips2 large eggs1

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-60683622857635484302008-10-30T19:58:00.006Z2008-10-30T20:14:14.469Z

Well it's Halloween tomorrow, so I thought I'd try out making braic. I looked at a few recipes and in the end made one up myself to incorporate some of my favourites. This one has a lemony kick to it, is moist and has a bit of crunch to it.Ingredients :400ml tea100g sultanas100g raisins100g currants225g self raising flour200g rich dark brown sugar1 tsp nutmeg50g flaked almonds50g chopped

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-79560934308658854442008-10-29T14:01:00.008Z2008-10-29T18:41:32.842Z

My first Daring Bakers challenge this month, and boy was it challenging! This month's challenge was set by Rosa of http://www.rosas-yummy-yums.blogspot.com/I was expecting a nice cake, some muffins or some such, but was at first terrified at the thought of having to make my own pizza. The biggest challenge was the compulsory tossing of the dough. However, as a new Daring Baker I knew I had to

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-40080830176932032532008-10-29T13:47:00.005Z2008-10-29T18:41:52.613Z

This months Daring Baker challenge was pizza, so of course I had to make a good base sauce. This is roughly the same sauce I use for pasta when I'm in a hurry, and the basic tomato sauce I use for a base in any tomato based dish :)This sauce will keep in the fridge for over a week in an airtight container.Ingredients :1 tin chopped tomatoes1/2 large onion2 - 4 cloves of garlicMethod :1. Fry the

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-48710103872235278422008-10-25T16:04:00.003+01:002008-10-29T18:43:25.779Z

Well, it's been a while since I blogged, but have been so busy with work, college and etc. that I haven't been doing much baking (aside from this month's Daring Bakers challenge, which will be posted at the end of this month).Hopefully I'll be back on form next month, I plan on doing some former DB challenges, a new regular feature called "Cooking for One for a Week", where I'll show how to make

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-15032690330904018772008-09-24T18:53:00.010+01:002008-10-29T18:45:31.591Z

Had a craving for pancakes, had the ingredients on hand and a half hour to spare :) This recipe makes 7 - 8 large pancakes, or enough for 3 - 4 people.Ingredients :400 ml milk2 eggs1 tbsp sugar2 drops vanilla essence200g flourbutter or oil for fryingMethod :1. Place all the ingredients except 100g flour in a mixing bowl.2. Whisk until smooth, the consistency of milk.3. Add in remaining flour, and

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-1636858469963661772008-09-23T16:39:00.012+01:002008-10-29T18:45:05.025Z

Tonight's cooking adventure - dinner for one :) I like to treat myself to a nice meal every now and then, one that requires some work, but is deeply delicious and rewarding. On the menu : Steak burger fried with onion, mushrooms and garlic, individual gratin dauphinois and vegetable mash.Steak burger Fry (serves 2)Ingredients :10 - 15 mushrooms1 small onion3 cloves garlicKnob of unsalted butter2

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-75546192564748295382008-09-17T17:46:00.004+01:002008-09-24T20:54:15.112+01:00

Today's a non-bake baking day :) to make my favourite Irish cheesecake. This is a relatively easy recipe that requires only setting time in the fridge, none of the long hours on a low heat, all of the taste. The texture of this cheesecake is fabulously creamy and smooth.Ingredients :For the base :200g digestive biscuits (14)200g ginger nut biscuits (19)160g unsalted butterFor the topping :450g

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-71818702566214817722008-09-11T17:06:00.014+01:002008-10-29T18:45:20.001Z

So, had the urge to bake today to curb a bad mood, and I love the smell of freshly baked scones (not to mention the taste). Looked around online for a good recipe, and in the end combined a few together to get this one. I liked the fact that I could make them from only ingredients that I already had, and didn't need any that weren't in my cupboards/fridge on a day to day basis. I used golden

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567733097174375000.post-25771812230127843452008-09-02T14:00:00.004+01:002008-10-29T18:43:25.780Z

Hi, I'm Emma, a statistician, a baker, a dieter, and now, a blogger.Mostly I'm interested in food blogging, talking about what I've made, how I made it, how I might have improved or tweaked a recipe to my own personal tastes, and how dieting is affecting my creations. Of course, not forgetting the obligatory pictures of the finished product.So join me as I journey through the world of baking, of

Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03466885829218357651noreply@blogger.com0