Easy Waffles from Jamie Oliver

I wish I could say that I just magically knew how to make waffles from scratch, but I don't. Like most people I had to look it up. I mean someone somewhere in time must have said lets mix flour, egg, and milk together and heat it up in a pan or griddle or waffle maker or whatever they used way back in the day and magically made waffles.

However, when it comes down to the simple things, like waffles, they have generally been done before. That's why I have borrowed Jamie Oliver's recipe - which probably wasn't his recipe to begin with either to be fair. But in today's world of copyright and people owning things I will give him credit here as it was his website I found the recipe I use to make waffles.

Since picking up a waffle maker for only £5 (marked down) I have been making waffles for my girls and I for breakfast and dessert. I hadn't thought of sharing it on the blog because I hadn't changed the recipe up at all and toppings are subjective to individual taste.

Then I thought well people are missing out on this super easy waffle recipe to then top with whatever they want! I mean they might find it on Jamie Oliver's site like I did, but if they are like me they are skeptical of how it might turn out and as I have made this about a dozen times now I can say yes this is a good waffle recipe.

Easy Waffles

150g self rising flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
1 large egg
240ml milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Mix the dry ingredients together. Then beat the egg in a separate bowl before adding it, in about three parts, to the dry ingredients. Then slowly add the milk beating until smooth between each addition until it's perfectly smooth. Then following the instructions on your waffle maker make waffles!
I usually get about 6 -8 waffles out of the batter.

*I wish Jamie Oliver was paying me to say or to share this, but he's not. If you'd like to visit his site the recipe is here. The amazing lovely lady at Moose Maple Butter sent me a tub of the butter to try out and it's amazing on waffles. Thought it was worth a shout out on here! I met her at Food Blogger Connect a few years back now and received a tub from her there and made these delicious Maple Butter Bars! All opinions are my own and if you want further information see my contact/policy page above!

Pavlov's Dog, Reading Berkshire {restaurant review}

It seems like it's all happening this summer. I haven't been invited to check out a new restaurant in ages and then in the last 4 months I have been to 4 new places and 2 including this place that have changed up their menu!

Stepping in Pavlov's Dog was like stepping back into my college days. It has a fresh fun vibe from the minute you walk in the door. The bar is all lit up and there is a pool table and in the 'quieter' area where we sat there was a Nintendo Gameboy with Mario Kart set up!

We ordered our drinks. I just gotta say I'm in love with these new tin can cocktails I love apple and had to start with the Canny Smith Apple. It is Ciroc Apple, Sourz Apple, lime juice all mixed in a Tango Apple can topped with fizzy apple belts. Which were very sour by the way. Alyssia, isn't a big drinker, I think I'm a bad influence as I convinced her to try a cocktail. She went with the Dr. Meister which is Jägermeister and lime mixed in a Dr Pepper can and topped with cola bottles.

While we waited for our drinks we couldn't resist having a race on Mario Kart! Alyssia of course beat me over and over as she is our gamer!

Having always loved a good plate of nachos I couldn't resist trying the Nachos Grande - topped with chilli con carne, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, jalapeños, and nacho cheese sauce all the best things you could ask for on top of nachos!

We also had to try the Chicken Wings which were great on their own, but even better with the variety of dipping sauces buffalo, blue cheese, mango and lime, chilli zing with sesame seeds, peanut butter, and chilli jam with sesame seeds. If you are a fan of chicken wings then you need to visit on a Wednesday.

Wednesday night are wing night from 5pm and you get them for 25p a piece. They also have a contest that if you can eat 50 wings (£12.50) as fast as you can you get your score on a board, a t-shirt that says Lord of the Wings, and a reward card topped up with rewards.

Finding myself at another pub I can't turn down a good burger! I couldn't resist the New York Bagel Burger which of course is a burger served on a bagel, with cheese, bacon, pulled cured boneless beef rib, sliced gherkins and mustard. It was so big it was really hard to eat, but was a great burger!

My partner in crime also choose a burger the All New Dirty Burger which is topped with cheese, bacon, southern-fried chicken fillet, pulled pork, BBQ sauce and gherkins; which Alyssia asked for on the side so I could have them!

We always seem to choose burgers, but there are other things to eat like ribs, chicken, fish & chips, and mac & cheese. You can even get a burger topped with macaroni and cheese... back to the burgers. They also serve breakfast and have great lunch deals!!

We had another cocktail and played another game of Mario Kart while we decided on desserts! I stuck with the tin can cocktails and went for the Pina Can-lada which is Malibu, Havana Club 3-year-old rum, and mixed in a can of Lilt topped with pineapple cubes. Alyssia stuck with a classic Sex on the Beach all these cocktails did not help us with our game. Although it didn't help that we decided to play the rainbow road!

I was stuffed and hadn't planned on eating a dessert, but Alyssia insisted on a pancake stack from the breakfast menu - pancakes stacked with Nutella, chocolate, and maple syrup. Knowing that their warm mini churros are something to try we gave them a go. They are filled with a caramel-cream and come with a chocolate dipping sauce.

Tuesday nights are churro nights and just like the wings are only 25p a churro. Unlike the wings there isn't a competition with the churros, I think that would probably be more of a disaster if people were trying to eat 50 churros as fast as they could. I wouldn't want to see that, however I may have to stop in on a Tuesday night as that's a great deal! Plus they have a Nintendo Game Cube.

Overall Alyssia and I had a great night! We have been to so many places, like I said, over the last few months and this was by far one of the more fun and tasty nights! Be sure to check them out sometime and have a look at their website for all their going ons!

The Pavlov's Dog

21-23 St. Marys Butts

Reading

RG1 2LN

Now Closed

*My friend Alyssia from AlyssiaRose {lifestyle blog} was invited to Pavlov's Dog to review it and she invited me along as her guest and it's just a bonus that I am a blogger as well! I was not asked to review and all opinions are my own for further information please visit my contact/policy page above.

Wrap it Up!! - Reading, Berkshire {restaurant review} NOW CLOSED

An article written at the end of 2015 says that Reading is growing faster then London. 

It stated that: Reading is expected to out perform most of the country in terms of growth in the coming years. A recent economic forecast by EY Economics for Business, a part of Ernst & Young which provides analysis for businesses says Reading will grow faster than London in the next three years.

In the next three years ... it's only the second year and this town has had some big changes. There have been big store openings (Ikea) and lots of improvements (rail station). There are these big changes and then there are the little ones like the many restaurant openings I have been invited to in the past 6 months! 

Tucked a way in a quieter part of town on Duke Street opened an alternative solution to the common question of what to have for lunch today?  

Wrap it Up! opened up earlier this year and I had an opportunity to stop in when I was wondering around town one day!

It wasn't hard for me to decide which wrap to try... I mean come on I am an American so I had to try the American smokey: slow cooked pulled beef brisket filled with Boston beans, crunchy gherkin slaw, grated Monterey Jack cheese, and crispy onions. 

The best thing about wraps is that it is literally your lunch (breakfast or dinner) wrapped up in one soft tortilla! The American one had it all for me, well seasoned beef brisket with the the softness of beef and the crunchy slaw it satisfied taste and texture! No extra sauce was needed, if you know me I like my dips and sauces, but this needed nothing else! 

The menu is full of creative and great sounding wraps! I can't wait to visit again and try something new, although I did love this wrap and would be tempted to get it again! They also have breakfast wraps and cater for offices - visit them or the website for more information! 

via

There is no denying that Reading is growing and I am all for that if it means more great places to get a bite to eat! If you have a day wondering around town like I did or need an all-in-one lunch for a quick lunch break why not give them a visit? If you do or already have let me know which wrap I should try next in the comments below! 

CLOSED
Wrap it Up! 

Unit 1 10-14 Duke Street

Reading

RG1 4RU

UPDATE - I made a second visit to Wrap it Up! and ordered the new Greek Koto and was not disappointed! The best thing about these wraps is they have everything you need in one wrap and the flavor combinations are amazing!! I will be visiting again!!

*I was asked to visit and provided with a voucher to try a wrap of my choice, no other compensation was given - all opinions are my own please see my content/policy page for more information. 

Muesli Muffins - Breakfast Time!

Breakfast is pretty much my favorite meal of the day, but it’s my least favorite to cook. It’s the whole waking up getting ready and then like dude I have to cook something I just want food ready for me to eat so I can eat and go.

These muffins are easy to throw together and take like 15 minutes to bake. So, maybe not quick quick but it’s less faff, as they say in England. (Faff is taking your time and messing about.)

With these you get up mix them up, put them in the oven and then go get dressed and other morning rituals by the time you’re down with that they are ready!

Not all muffins are created equal. I’m not going to go on about how muffins can be healthy because lets face it some muffins are just cupcakes without frosting.

These ones, however, have a mix of white and wholemeal flour and only 75g of sugar divided by the amount of muffins. It’s quite low compared to other muffins. Of course you’ll have to look at the sugar in your choice of muesli and raisins and include that too, but it’s probably going to be minimal.

Not only are they easy to make, but they taste great too. Eat them warm out of the oven or the next day with a blast in the microwave!

Muesli Muffins

50g self-raising flour
75g wholemeal flour
2 tsp baking powder
100g, muesli of your choice
50g sultanas
75g light muscovado sugar
100ml sunflower oil
1 egg
150ml milk

Heat the oven to 200C and line the cupcake/muffin tin with 9 paper liners.
Sift both of the flours into a mixing bowl and mix in the baking powder, muesli, sultanas, and sugar.
In a jug mix the oil, egg, and milk.
Pour the wet into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined.
Divide into the paper cases and bake for 15 minutes.
Serve immediately with butter and coffee!

notes: adapted from Felicity Barnum-Bobb's 100 Magnificent Muffins & Scones - currently out of print but a few used copies available on amazon.

August Break 2015 (Day 1 and 2)

When I first started my blog I found a lot of inspiration from a popular lifestyle blogger, Susannah Conway. She runs many e-courses and I think her blog is beautiful.

Back in the day she announced that she was going to take a month off blogging. A sort of sabbatical to refresh and regroup. Having only been blogging for a few months and not really feeling the need for a break I struggled to join in, but it was something I wanted to be a part of so I took part.

I have every year, except for last year when I was physically cut off from the internet world at my parents house, that I joined in. This year having had the inevitable happen I think it's a great time to relax and regroup my blogging ideas.

The August Break doesn't mean you aren't blogging, but where the words are minimal and pictures take over. Pictures apparently are worth a thousand words? There will still be lots of sweet stuff, but also a little bit more about myself as I share my interpretations the suggested themes.

For more information check out The August Break page, it's a very relaxed challenge and if you never read Susannah's blog check it out here.

Day one is always breakfast and as I am a day behind here are my day one and two!

As I have mentioned before in a Five on Friday post I work crazy early hours. I struggle to eat a proper breakfast before I go in settling for a piece of fruit and water. It means I want something as soon as I get in and nothing is easier then eggs on toast! Plus a little hot sauce never goes amiss when getting the day started for the second time!

When I think of air I think of the sky, wind, and flying. If I could choose a superpower it would be flying. To be able to go wherever you wanted when you wanted would be awesome. Even if I couldn't fly like a bird I would be cool with a suit like Iron Man's!

The Pastry Challenge June Round-Up! {Breakfast}

Last month I asked for you to share your breakfast pastries with Jen and I for our Pastry Challenge. We started the challenge because we both felt out pastry skills could use some work or improving. Mine definitely did and do! I struggled with my pastry this month it just didn’t turn out how I wanted. I, of course, am my own worst critic and perhaps they were okay. So, even if you’ve tried out a pastry and it didn’t turn out how you expected please still enter it, we’re all in this together! 

Breakfast pastries are the best way to start out the morning! Here are a handful of great recipes to try out at home! 

I don’t know what goes on in Angela’s kitchen, but if she’s making Gin & Tonic Cronuts I want in! These look amazing and must taste amazing too! If you like these she has some more great recipes over on her blog Patisserie Makes Perfect! 

These All-Day Breakfast Bites from Cakeyboi literally could be eaten All-Day! I know I would! If you found yourself having to serve a lot of people breakfast, I think these would be the way to go! So, simple and it has everything you’d want in one bite! 

Quiche for breakfast makes perfect sense, it’s eggs (which we all associate with breakfast) and whatever takes your fancy. Why not start your day right with Bellau Kitchen’s Oven roasted Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Quiche with gluten-free pastry! 

Joanna over at The Keen Cook gave us a pastry recipe and a couple of different ways to use it! I hope one day I find that recipe that just works right every time and it seems like she may have!? Check out her Danish Pastries and find out how she used up her leftover pastry! 

When I think of Croissants, I think of many breakfasts while traveling through Europe. They are great with butter, deli meats, and jam! A simple yet delicious breakfast pastry that should be savoured at every opportunity! 

Bear Claws were my pastry of choice. As I mentioned above they didn’t quite turn out how I expected or wanted, but I posted them anyway. They probably needed to rise more or maybe I over rolled or kneaded. Or perhaps I left it in the fridge too long. Know matter what I did I do need to try making them again. It’s the whole point of this challenge! 

For July Jen’s asking for any Quick Pastry recipes. Ones that you can just throw together and ta-da dinner or breakfast or snack! It’s basically really hot and no one wants to be in the kitchen for long so get your pastry out and quickly make something to share with us! 

Breakfast Pastries #thepastrychallenge June Link-Up

Well another month has come and gone and it’s been three since Jen and I started the pastry challenge! Last month the theme was picnics and even though the weather has been touch and go we’ve had some gorgeous days to get out for a picnic!

Jen’s round up is up now! So, go check out the amazing entries over on Jen’s Food!

This month’s theme is breakfast and/or brunch. I’m thinking croissants, Danishes, pinwheels, rolls and delicious excuses to eat dessert for breakfast. Of course that’s the sweet tooth talking over here on my side, but any of those things can be made savory by breakfast staples like bacon, sausage, egg, cheese, and the list goes on! 

So, please join us this month in creating and sharing some delicious, mouth-watering breakfast pastries!

source 

Rules/Guidelines are as follows:

First bake a pastry that fits the theme. 

Second blog about it! Be sure to link back to both myself Lisa at www(.)unitedcakedom(.)com and Jen at www(.)jensfood(.)co(.)uk.

If you tweet use the hashtag #thepastryhcallenge and be sure to include us @unitedcakedom & @jensfood1 we like and retweet any we see!

Please feel free to use the image below in your post as a way to help spread the word. I will be adding the entries to the official Pastry Challenge Pinterest board that you can follow here!

Lastly link it up below, following the instructions on the widget/gadget below.

A few reminders we are looking for new or re-posted posts following the instructions above. Feel free to enter more then one entry. Also if you have a few minutes check out the entry before yours and leave a comment! Any questions please feel free to contact either Jen or myself! We look forward to seeing all your amazing pastry creations!

Oh and one more thing if you're linking up to this blogging challenge why not link up to Maison Cupcake and Made with Pink's Breakfast Club challenge? 

An InLinkz Link-up

Blueberry Muffins, perfect

“Perfect!” I say whenever something goes right and when it goes wrong; either with real sincerity and other times dripping with sarcasm.

It’s amazing how the tone in which we say something changes the meaning of the word.

If I were to say “blueberry muffins” with a disgusted voice you’d know that I don’t really like them.

And if I say “BLUEBERRY MUFFINS!” with real enthusiasm you’d then get the impression that I had an unstable obsession with them.

But if I say “Blueberry muffins, perfect” in a relaxed content way, you will then understand that blueberry muffins make me happy.

"Blueberry muffins, perfect" - Is exactly what I said as I burnt my fingers and tongue on a muffin fresh out of the oven. 

They were soft, fruity, and delicious. The sour cream really cuts the sweetness of the blueberry making it a perfect combination.

I think most people expect muffins to be bigger on top, but that's not always the case. If you want more of a muffin top you can fill them up a bit more, just don't over fill. 

They made an easy breakfast and a great afternoon treat. Served with coffee, of course! Now that’s perfect.

Blueberry Muffins:

200g plain flour

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 tsp baking powder

100g golden caster sugar

pinch of salt

75g butter, melted

200ml sour cream

1 large egg

200g frozen blueberries

Pre-heat the oven to 200C. Line your muffin tin with paper cases. Combine the dry ingredients into a medium bowl by whisking them together. Mix the slightly cooled melted butter, sour cream, and egg together. It will curdle if the butter is too hot. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix until just combined. Fold in the blueberries I used my ice cream scoop to scoop the batter into the muffin cases, but if you don’t have one just spoon them into the cases. Bake for 15-20 minutes until a skewer comes out clean. They will have a slight tan color and should spring back when gently pressed. Enjoy with whipped cream, melted butter, or as is!

  

Question(s): What words do you use often with different meanings (please only indicate rude words)? Do you prefer fruity or decadent muffins? Please leave a comment below or let me know on Twitter or Facebook!

I am not a morning person: my weekend morning routine

As a mother of 2 young girls aged 6 and 4 my days of sleeping in are gone. However, lately they are old enough to take themselves downstairs and play for an hour or so. Which means I get to sleep in until 8. 8:30 if I’m lucky!

It’s around 8 that they come up tummy’s rumbling that they ask me to get out of bed so they can have breakfast.

I am not a morning person. I wish I could tell you I get out of bed fresh as a daisy and cook us a big breakfast.

But then I’d be a liar.

Our breakfast on a weekend morning usually consists of store bought pastries, crumpets, toast, or cereal. Minimal effort for my-not-so-awake-self.

Sometimes once I have woken up I will then cook up a full English brekki as a brunch or by the time I get around to it lunch!

I think timing is the key to a great full English breakfast. If you time it right everything will be hot and cooked all at the same time. It also means you aren’t staggering feeding times!

The other thing I get asked for are pancakes or French toast both pretty easy to make!

Weekends are for relaxing and I never make morning plans so I can enjoy my weekend mornings!  

notes: This post was written for Blog Everyday in May. #BEDM

Day 1: The Sweeter Side of Life: What my blog is all about
Day 2: My Fav 5 United Cakedom Posts

What’s for Dinner? Lunch? Breakfast? {a note to my readers}

In the past any time I ever posted anything savory it didn't get a lot of love from my readers. So, I learned to stick to the sweet stuff. I do feel more challenged by baking and desserts then I do everyday cooking.

That isn't because it actually is more challenging, but because I am my family’s cook. I cook everyday day, 3 times a day. Cookbooks were my first love, a love that is founded on necessity. I didn't know the first thing about cooking, besides Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (the blue box blues) and scrambled eggs.

So, I taught myself by reading cookbooks. I then discovered that I loved reading about food and where it comes from and then trying all the foods I read about. Then I got the baking bug and hence the blog started.

I’m getting to the point, I promise!

Recently I have been starting to swing back to cooking more then baking. Our dinners started to get very same-y and we needed to change it up a bit. So, (now finally at the point) I’m going to start adding in some of the meals I making for my family and the titles will start with “What’s for …” and I will insert dinner, lunch, or breakfast.

It’s also the question I get asked a lot. That and when will dinner/lunch/breakfast be ready??

Here are my first couple of posts: 

Old El Paso

Udi's Gluten Free Ancient Grain Crisp(y) Chicken

I hope you enjoy the addition of some of my family’s meals on here. I'd love to hear what you think? Please leave me a comment below or on facebook or twitter! 

Memory Triggering Cherry Oatmeal Bars

My sister, Janet, and I always have conversations about memory. It seems to be that mine is a bit better then hers and we wonder why? What makes me remember things that she doesn't or things she does that she wouldn't have expected me too?

In my opinion it has a lot to do with triggers. The obvious trigger being someone bringing up a memory "hey remember...." and the second obvious would be photos. But there are a lot of triggers in our senses.

When my husband came to visit me in the early days he brought Davidoff Cool Water, his choice of scent at the time. Every time I catch a whiff of it now I am automatically overwhelmed with the memories of that time we spent together in the early days of our story. Music and even books trigger a similar reaction.

I was looking for a bar to take along on a picnic and for no particular reason I grabbed my Fat Witch Brownie book by Patricia Helding. After opening the book I was transported back to when it was one of five baking books and I had yet to start my blog and I was still just dipping into the whole baking thing. It's hard to put into words how I felt as it was a realization of how far I've come. How much I have learned. How big my book collection has grown ... scary. I bet my husband is glad it's not a shoe obsession,  though it hasn't been cheap, shoes are way more spendy!

Anyhow, Janet and I will probably never know why my memory seems to trigger easier? Maybe I just dwell on the past more then she does? Maybe it's because I spent most of my childhood observing more then participating? Either way now any time I make or even look at these Cherry Oatmeal Bars, I will be transported back to a sunny day spent with my youngest daughter and long for the days when she was still little.

Cherry Oatmeal Bars:
190g/12tbsp unsalted butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of rolling oats
1 cup plain flour
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
75g/about 1/2 cup of dried cherries
handful of chopped cashews (optional)

Grease a 9in baking pan with butter. Preheat the oven to 350C/180F. Melt the butter, brown it to have a nuttier taste, or not. Let it cool before adding in the vanilla.
Combine the oats, flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Make sure there are no lumps before pouring in he melted butter and vanilla mixture and mix well. Fold in the cherries and nuts if using.
Spread the mixture into the prepared pan, using your hands to flatten.
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for an hour before enjoying!

I have a tendency to always over bake oatmeal aka granola bars. I don't know why I'm always worried about under baking them? When ever time I over bake? Anyway even though these were a bit on the brown side they were still tasty! Perfect treats for a picnic and I used the rest for my breakfast the next day, I just poured a little milk over them. Yum!

notes: Now that summer is approaching there will be a lot of picnics to be had so be prepared for a lot of bars and other easy transportable baked goods! - Fat Witch Brownies by Patricia Helding Amazon UK & USA;

The Big Breakfast Oatmeal Chocolate Covered Raisin Cookies!!

Seeing as these are OATMEAL chocolate covered raisin cookies I assume they are prefect for breakfast. I mean I eat oatmeal with raisins for breakfast sometimes? Generally without all the butter and sugar… well usually with sugar. Plus it’s not like I would eat cookies every day for breakfast, there are way too many other breakfast foods I would miss.

Anyway as you recently are aware of my twitter addiction/problem it’s no surprise I saw the idea for these cookies from @SallysBakeBlog on Twitter. Sally tweeted a link to her Thick Oatmeal Raisinet Cookies and I told her what an ingenious idea I thought it was. I also said I was going to have to make them as soon as possible! And I did.

I didn’t use the same recipe from Sally’s blog, instead I used the Oatmeal Cookie recipe from Flour by Joanne Chang and just swapped regular old raisins for chocolate covered ones! Also over here in the UK we don’t get Raisinets so just a bag of regular no brand name chocolate covered raisins were used.

They were probably some of the best Oatmeal Raisin cookies I have ever had. The thing is they are so simple. Cookies are pretty versatile and the only way to make a cookie recipe really special is just by changing what you put into them. I won’t be posting Joanne’s cookie recipe, but David Lebovitz has, the link is in the notes below!

notes: {sally’s baking addiction}; David Lebovitz - Joanne Chang’s Oatmeal Cookies; If you have lived in the UK in 1992-2002 you may recognize the plate and cup (we have the bowl too) from the Channel 4 show The Big Breakfast! Please don’t worry I didn't eat 3 cookies for breakfast… I did share!

Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf!! and {book review}

After making the amazing Sticky Maple-Apple Traybake last weekend from the Great British Bake Off App (previous post), I didn’t miss a beat in saying yes to reviewing a copy of the book The Great British Bake Off: How to Turn Everyday Bakes into Showstoppers.

If you’re a fan of the show, like I am, then you will know that the third challenge of the weekend is called the ‘showstopper.’ A chance for the bakers to show off a bit and maybe save themselves like Ryan did last week with his Key Lime Pie. FYI: the recipe for that pie is included in this book along with other showstoppers from the contestants like Victoria’s Sixpence Cake (the cake with the blackbirds) and James’ Lychee & Raspberry Tart! Plus many more we have yet to see! Some of the recipes are labeled Showstopper Challenge: 1-Easy 2-Takes a Little Time 3-Needs a Little Skill; other recipes are labeled with Best of the Bake Off and Judge’s Technical Challenge. The Technical Challenges are the ones I’m always curious about! No need to worry though because all the directions are there!!

There are many other recipes with no label at all and one of those is the Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf. I couldn’t make up my mind on what to make so my husband picked it! Let’s just say I’m glad Paul Hollywood wasn’t judging me today!! You’ll see why!!

500g strong white bread flour

1 ½ tsp sea salt flakes, crushed

2 tbsp caster sugar

1 x 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast

125ml milk

125ml water

50g unsalted butter

1 large egg, at room temp

for the filling:

50g caster sugar

1 tsp plain flour

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

to finish:

milk, for brushing

small knob of butter

1x900g loaf tin, 26x12.5x7.5cm, greased; baking paper

I added the 125ml water to the list above because I forgot it. Before anyone says it - I did read the recipe thoroughly!! I knew there was something wrong, but I only figured it out when I wrote this post. I had even told myself not to forget the water. But before I start a recipe I get out everything I need according to the list. Then I am usually multi-tasking when I’m baking. Which I was - I was making lunch and attending to the demands of a 2 ½ year-old. I kept adding more milk like is says in step 2 and wondering why it wasn’t coming together right. Anyway….

1. Mix together the flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a large freestanding electric mixer. Stir in the dried yeast.
2. Gently warm the milk with 125ml water until lukewarm and the butter has melted. Remove from the heat. Add the egg and beat with a fork until combined, then add to the flour mixture. Work the ingredients together (use the mixer on the lowest speed) to make a very soft but not sticky dough. If there are any dry crumbs at the base of the bowl, or the dough seems dry and hard to work, add more milk or water a tbsp at a time. I ended up adding a lot of extra milk because of my mistake. If the dough is too sticky add more flour a tbsp at a time.
3. Turn out the dough unto a lightly floured worktop and knead thoroughly for about 10 minutes by hand, or 5 minutes with the dough hook on low speed until dough is silky-smooth and pliable. Return to the bowl and cover with snap on lid or cling film and leave to rise in a warm but not hot place for about an hour until doubled in size. It was here I told myself if it doesn’t rise I would start again. But it rose so I went ahead with it.
4. Meanwhile, prepare your tin. Press a sheet of baking paper into the tin so it hangs over the edge a bit. It makes it easier to remove incase the filling leaks. In a small bowl combine the sugar, flour, and cinnamon and leave to the side.
5. Punch down the risen dough to deflate, then turn out unto a lightly floured worktop and knead for a few seconds. Pat out to a rough rectangle about 2cm thick. Cover lightly with a sheet of cling film and leave to relax for 5 minutes – it will make it easier to roll out.
6. Lightly flour the rolling pin and roll out the dough to a rectangle as wide as the length of your tin and 48cm long. Because of the nature of my dough I couldn’t get it to roll out and so it was not that long and it didn’t roll very well as you can see in the pictures. Brush the dough liberally with milk, then sprinkle over the sugar mixture in an even layer, leaving a 1cm border clear at one short end. Roll up the dough, neatly and tightly, from the other short end and pinch the seam together to seal it firmly.
7. Lift the rolled dough into the tine, gently tucking the ends under to make a neat shape. Slip the tin into a large plastic bag and slightly inflate it so the plastic doesn’t stick to the dough, then tie the ends. (I just used cling film). Leave to rise as before until just doubled in size (don’t let it become to big or it will lose it’s shape). Towards the end of the rising time preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas4.
8. Uncover the dough and brush lightly with milk. Bake for about 35 minutes until a good golden brown and the turned-out loaf sounds hollow when it’s tapped on the underside. If it sounds like a dull ‘thud’ return it to the oven (set straight on the shelf) and bake for a further 5 minutes, then test again.
9. Transfer the turned out loaf to a wire rack and rub the butter over the top to give a glossy finish. Leave until completely cool before slicing. Eat within 5 days, or freeze.

 Even though I forgot a substantial amount of water and added in a lot of milk the loaf and it’s heavy (dense?) it still tastes okay. Maybe I’ll try frying it or make French toast with it? Or something? I love cinnamon so I will probably give this recipe another go sometime!! I’m just glad that my ‘bad’ baking day means I’m just short some flour and sugar and I’m not being kicked off a TV show!!

The book has many tips and tricks in making your baking stand out! I would recommend it to any level of baker because I believe we never stop learning!!

The Great British Bake Off: How to Turn Everyday Bakes intoShowstoppers by Linda Collister

In my last post I talked all about how awesome the Great British Bake Off App is. If you haven't already downloaded it I think you should. It's only 2.99 (available now from the iTunes Store)! You get recipes from this book and the other book Great British Bake Off: How to Bake. Which is a bargain!! Still not convinced check out this preview and other reviews to find out more about it! (link removed as it is no longer available (26/11/17)

It's also available in the USA!