Let's Make Christmas at Fabulous Fortnums!

On Friday I took part in an inspiring and fabulous food blogger's event at the iconic London shop Fortnum & Mason . It has been in Piccadilly since 1707, is the official grocer to the Royal household and is still a magical place to visit at any time - but particularly at Christmas, when the decorations are especially amazing and totally OTT...

this one is a view of the stairwell - I took it from the fourth floor....

The afternoon was organised by this wonderful woman...

Vanessa Kimbell . You may remember that I went to the launch of her recipe book, Prepped, back in June. She has ignited a campaign, via her blog and Twitter, to make this Christmas a largely handmade one...a wonderful idea in these difficult financial times - but not just for that reason. There is something so special about receiving a gift that someone you love has taken the time & trouble to make just for you! You can read all about (& join in with!) Vanessa's idea, and the details behind Friday's event on her blog.
I was quite apprehensive when I arrived at 3pm...making my way up the stairs to the top floor and trying to spot my fellow bloggers! I knew that a couple of people I'd met before would probably be going but, apart from that, the afternoon was largely an unknown quantity! We were each given a number for our entries/gifts and went into the beautiful private room that was ours for the next 3 hours. There were four tables for the different categories of presents...so I headed to place my offering amongst the others on the (heaving) baking one! Then time to get a cup of tea...
The Fortnum's colours are duck egg blue, gold & white....gorgeous. And the table set with goodies looked beautiful too...

love the silver sugar tongs...

the proper tea urns...

I avoided the chocolate and had my first mince pie of the season!
It was wonderful to find and chat with fellow tweeters & bloggers (we all wore labels with our Twitter & blog names) and get to know more about them....quite an experience! I also spent time looking at what everyone else had brought with them. The standard was incredibly high, and I found the level of creativity and effort involved quite moving...

I brought a little box of Clove Shortbread Snowflakes...

(I'll post the recipe nearer to Christmas) and Toasted Pecan Salted Caramel Brownie Cups (which I forgot to photograph...they were decorated with a gilded pecan & gold edible glitter!) I wrapped it all in cellophane and tied with seasonal ribbons..

When I saw the other entries, I knew that I wouldn't win - but I'm proud to say that I made it to the judge's tasting table!!
Ah, the judge. The fantabulous baker du jour - Dan Lepard. Author of one of my favourite new books on all things baking (reviewed a few posts back) Short & Sweet. Columnist and expert. Probably the highlight of the day was meeting and (later) chatting to Dan. He took the judging process extremely seriously and it all took quite some time...

But finally, the categories were judged and the prizes awarded. Many congratulations to the very worthy winners:
Urvashi for her Blackberry Curd
Jayne for her Damson Slivovitz
Snejana for her Mincemeat Pops and finally....
Claire who won not only best baked goods for her amaretti biscuits....but also Best in Show!! Many congratulations to her...I don't think I've ever seen anyone so shocked and delighted at winning!

Afterwards, several of us headed off for a well-earned glass of wine and more chatter...and some great gossip!
 I stayed in London overnight and after a quick breakfast yesterday morning at my local Nordic Bakery...

I headed off into the warm sunshine to do a little Christmas shopping. I couldn't resist taking a photo of the Christmas windows at Liberty...

always stunning!
Many thanks to Vanessa for arranging such a wonderful time for us all....I have the feeling that it's the first of many as it was so successful! But in the meantime, why not think about making at least some of your gifts this year? It can be nervewracking, but it's also fabulous fun...

Wishing you a wonderful week....mine is all set to be extra, extra special! More soon....xx

Breakfasts & feeding the monsters....

The past week has been a strange one....I've had to find a new rhythm to my days since I stopped supplying the Coffee Tree...and also something new to blog about here! Almost all of my day to day baking at the moment comprises trays and trays of brownies...and while these taste & look delicious, they're not the most interesting of subjects to photograph or to talk about!

So for the moment I'll head back into more personal food territory, and see where that takes me. I'm beginning with breakfast!
Paul is someone who really needs breakfast. By that I mean that he just doesn't have a good start to his day if he doesn't eat properly. I, on the other hand, have to force myself to eat anything - it just doesn't feel natural at all. Perhaps that's the legacy of such an early start to my working day - I'd just rather get up and get out and get going!
But there's no doubt that I feel better when I do have something...and so I'm trying to train myself to be better at cooking for both of us first thing. I try and vary things every day...and we both like different meals. Paul adores a grilled kipper (especially on Sunday mornings) with brown bread & butter...I love yoghurt, especially gooseberry or rhubarb. This morning he had no time to sit and eat so I got the frying pan out...

and cooked some dry-cured outdoor bred unsmoked back bacon (very important to get GOOD bacon from as happy-as-possible-in-the-circumstances pigs, I think) and made him a bacon sandwich to go...

He likes his sandwich on untoasted wholemeal bread, buttered on both sides, with the bacon cooked but NOT crispy! Very particular, my husband....
I had a bowl of porridge - my absolute favourite thing on a cold, dark November morning...

made with water, not milk...sprinkled with cinnamon, seasalt flakes and just a soupcon of real Canadian maple syrup. I'm quite particular myself, come to think of it! Absolutely delicious. I also have to have at least one cup of (real) coffee...in one of my favourite mugs...

See a pattern emerging there? There aren't many Mozart mugs, but between my Mum and I, I think we must have most of them. And it makes me so happy to drink my coffee from one...it doesn't feel right any other way. It's the little things like this that help to start my day in the right frame of mind, I've found!
Fridays at this time of year are also feeding time. For my Christmas cakes that is...
They are all baked and ready for the Christmas Farmer's Market and other orders...and sit, tightly wrapped in double layers of clingfilm and foil, at the back of a cool dark cupboard awaiting the time when they'll be dressed in their icing finery nearer to the Big Day! But for now, every Friday they are unwrapped and fed with either brandy or rum (according to the fruits they contain)

this keeps them beautifully moist and ensures that they taste gorgeous on the Christmas tea table. Of course, I do make some with no alcohol too - but these are the biggest sellers by far. They do have their personalities, it seems to me, as they sit and glower in their cupboard...the small and squat ones, the bigger taller ones....cakes are like my babies, as you can see!

I'm just eating a wonderful bowl of soup, made with the help of my youngest nephew William yesterday. Carrot, cumin & fresh pear. The pear was his idea - inspired, it is absolutely delicious. We cooks should listen to three year olds more often!

I'd love to know what your favourite breakfast is...leave me a comment and let me know? Thanks so much for reading and have a wonsderful weekend xoxo

The first morning of a new life!

So that's that! After 8 years and 3 owners...the Coffee Tree has once again changed hands, but the new people have decided to go on without me. They have their own plans and ideas. A new broom! I wish them every good thing....but I can't pretend that the past week hasn't been a strange one!
For the final few days, I thought I'd deliver some old favourites from the past...cakes that have been requested and loved many times...

like good old Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins...

and Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake....
In the middle of the week I also had the Farmer's Market - it was half-term too, and I thought the Hallowe'en theme was appropriate!

and if you read my last post, Robin's banana date cake sold out by lunchtime!

Then it was back to thinking of the Coffee Tree's final days. There was a farewell drinks party on Friday evening at the shop, full of everyone I knew...so many sweet comments and people who's lives I've shared a little of over the years. I was given cards & presents...a beautiful white orchid...I shed a few tears.

And Saturday dawned - a beautiful, sunshine day. I was up early as usual, as I wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for my final delivery - the most popular items of all, really:

Victoria Sponge Cake (with non-traditional decoration...but I couldn't resist!)

 

my famous cheddar scones....(pictured on their stand at the shop)

and finally...I wanted something fun, so I made these vanilla cupcakes...

that said it all in as many ways as I could think of!  I popped in a few times that day- some customers who had moved away made a special journey back to say goodbye, so I had coffee and a chat with old friends. And then it was time to really say goodbye, with a hug and a few sobs! Thanks to Sue & Barry, Roy & Sandra for being such fabulous, loyal customers. We've shared so much over the years - while supplying them I've got married, had a heart attack, two nephews have been born...we've all been through good times and bad together and supported each other through everything. I wish them all a happy & fulfilled retirement!

Monday morning - today felt very strange, will continue to feel so for a while yet, I think. I have been so programmed into always thinking of the next thing to bake for them, searching for new ideas to try out, planning my work day around them. The only customers who never gave me an order - I always just baked what I thought (hoped) would be right...and, thankfully, it usually was! A great freedom, but also a great responsibility in that arrangement.

Anyway...I'm looking forward now, as always (the only way to look!) So much to do and accomplish - I have a book to finish, I'm baking christmas cakes this week, and I have so much to plan and prepare. But I'll always think fondly of my time with The Coffee Tree...and everything it's given me over the years.

I hope you have a wonderful week and a faaaabulously spooky Hallowe'en! xo

A cake for Robin...and ending an era...

One of my favourite things about blogging is the amazing people you 'meet' through it. I have made so many new friends...foodies,restaurateurs, hoteliers, creative whizzes, authors, poets and all round sweethearts! And I was particularly thrilled to find the blog of actor/writer, Francophile & wonderful cook Robin Ellis... Robin has been a hero of mine since he starred in the 1970's drama 'Poldark' which captured my mind and heart when I was about 10 and has stayed there ever since. A fabulous swashbuckling saga of love, shipwrecks, tin-mining & treachery in late 18th century Cornwall....made in the days when TV drama serials developed the storyline properly, over 3 months or so...leaving the viewers with a cliffhanger each week and something to look forward to and anticipate on Sunday evenings. Robin played the male lead, Ross Poldark - a dashing, non-conformist maverick of noble birth. Unforgettable!

He & his wife, Meredith, now live in a beautiful part of south western France where they enjoy a somewhat quieter life! Robin was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 12 years ago and has managed to control his blood sugar levels by changing his diet to a healthy, Mediterranean based one and increasing the amount of exercise he takes. He devises many of his own recipes and recently published a book of them: Delicious Dishes for Diabetics. I have a copy...even though I'm not diabetic, the recipes are suitable for anyone who wants to live a healthier lifestyle and there are some great ideas in there.

Inspired by the book, I have created a no-sugar Banana Date Cake...based on a recipe my Grandfather (who also had type 2) gave me years ago. I've adapted it slightly, and it will be on my Farmer's Market Stall tomorrow. I find that there are more & more people suffering with diabetes...also gluten & wheat allergies. So I try to offer something for them, too, on the stall. Why should anyone miss out on cake?? My youngest nephew, William, adores this - and my sister is happy for him to eat plenty as there are only good things in it!

Banana Date Cake

150g dried, chopped dates

450g very ripe bananas (peeled weight)

2 eggs, beaten

200g spelt or wholewheat flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

100g ground almonds

300ml buttermilk or plain yoghurt

Grease & line a 23cm round tin with baking parchment & preheat oven to 175c

Put the dates in a small bowl or measuring jug & cover with hot water (from the tap is fine) Leave to soak for about 10 mins, then drain and squeeze out the excess water (I use my hands for this!) to leave a thick paste.

Mash the bananas well in a large bowl and stir in the dates, along with the eggs. Fold in the dry ingredients and then finally stir in the buttermilk or yoghurt. Turn into the tin, smooth the top and bake for 45mins-1 hour. It will be a lovely brown on top and pulling away slightly from the sides of the tin when ready. Cool in the tin before turning out. It's even better if you make it the day before you eat it...the banana flavour intensifies and the dates get stickier! It keeps very well for a few days in a tin or wrapped in foil.

This week is bittersweet for me. Saturday will be the last time, after almost 8 years, that I make my daily delivery to The Coffee Tree. The current owners, Barry & Sandra and Sue & Roy have decided to retire...and I shall be leaving with them. I feel sad already! This morning was my last Monday...it has all been such a big part of my life for such a long time. But everything moves on - and change is good. I will miss it, them and the customers (who have become friends) very much, though. Next Monday will feel very strange!

I am delivering Old Favourites this week.. I've had.many requests for cakes & pastries that I've made over the years, so watch for that update next week. I'll still have plenty to occupy my time - including a book to finish!

And there have been some recent creations, of course:

Cinnamon Apple Cakes...filled with creme fraiche and home made apple sauce (from local Bramley apples)

delicious (though I say so myself...)

Plum Cake, with a damson jelly glaze (which looks quite bright in the flash - but it's just pure fruit, honestly!)

and my favourite Florentine Bars....

chewy fruit & nuts in a maple caramel on a shortbread base.....

And finally....my Brownie of the Month on the stall tomorrow will be....

ta daaaa....Peanut Butter Swirl. I used no sugar wholenut peanut butter, which contrasts beautifully with the very chocolatey brownie...and plenty of roasted peanuts too.
It should be a good day on the stall...I hope the weather stays the way it is today - sunny, mild and blustery. Perfect!

Enjoy your week xoxo