” Baking makes me focus. On weighing the sugar. On sieving the flour. I find it calming and rewarding because, in fairness, it is sort of magic – you start off with all this disparate stuff, such as butter and eggs, and what you end up with is so totally different. And also delicious “… Marian Keyes
Author: Treeca
My hubby wanted a fruit cake, I wanted a chocolate cake. I looked in the cupboard and did not have enough fruit for a fruit cake so decided on a compromise and bake a chocolate fruit cake instead. It turned out rather nice so I thought I’d share the recipe with you. Ingredients 175g Softened Butter or Margarine 175g Caster Sugar 3 Eggs (yolks mixed until yellow and whites whisked until light and fluffy) 140g Self Raising Flour (sieved) 85g Dried Mixed Fruit ½ tsp Baking Powder ½ tsp Vanilla Essence 100ml Milk 4 tablespoons Cocoa Powder (sieved) 50g Chocolate…
The Tea Leaf Company have a delightful tea shop in Brighton, which stocks loose leaf tea, which is cultivated with a respect for tradition and people. They partnered with a family tea garden in Nagaland, North East India, to ensure just that. Their traditional growing methods mean no nasty chemicals end up in the ground and every leaf is hand-picked and rolled with a love and care that’s reflected in the way they treat their workers. Some of their uniquely named teas are – HIDE & SEEK BREAKFAST TEA.. NAGALAND BLACK TEA, HAND ROLLED SINGLE ESTATE Whats with Hide & Seek…
Edenbridge Galleries in Kent is hosting a tea-themed selling exhibition on the 7th-8th May, 2016 . Homes & Antiques say it will be a fantastic chance to buy rare tea caddies, caddy spoons and elegant porcelain.A local tea merchant will be available on Saturday to talk on the fascinating history of tea. There will also be a pop up 18th century tea room with Edenbridge’s own blend of tea. Edinbridge Galleries is situated on the Kent/Surrey borders and offers a unique concept in the world of antiques and fine art.
Just love this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt on Tea ‘ A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water’… Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (/ˈɛlᵻnɔːr ˈroʊzəvɛlt/; October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962) was an American politician, diplomat, and activist.[1] She was the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, holding the post from March 1933 to April 1945 during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms in office,[1] and served as United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1945 to 1952.[2][3] President Harry S.…
I found these unique edible favours on Wedding and Wedding Flowers website and just had to share them with you. Using lovely vintage tea cups these fab cupcakes are made by Sweetness Boutique who are based in London. Cupcakes come in a range of flavours and can be finished with buttercream piping or extravagantly decorated. You can choose existing designs from their gallery or they can create bespoke wedding cupcakes as well individual wedding cupcake favours. Their wedding cakes are absolutely stunning as well. Sweetness is run by pastry chef Roma Finlinson, specialising in cakes with exquisite sugar flowers and bouquets.…
This new BBC 2 series starts tonight at 8pm. In episode one Tom Kerridge welcomes three teams of pastry chefs to the first heat of this contest. They are challenged to make more than 100 perfect miniature pastries in three hours for judges Benoit Blin, Cherish Finden and Claire Clark to inspect and taste. Contestants must then reinvent the apple crumble as a showpiece dessert, complete with a towering edible sculpture. The three judges – all famous patissiers even if they’re not household names – are fierce. Presented with tray upon tray of exquisite and innovative miniature patisseries in the first…
A Good Vintage Supper Club is a vintage inspired pop-up restaurant serving up a local and seasonal menu on mismatched crockery and vintage tableware. A Good Vintage Supper Club, held in the welcoming 18th Century cottage of head vintage monger Darly Bowen runs on the second Friday of every month . The supper costs £35.00 per head and includes a welcome drink, canapés, a three course meal, coffee and petit fours. A local and seasonal menu is served on mismatched crockery and vintage tableware. Twelve guests are seated around tables and chairs from a variety of eras to create a…
It all started with this cream and black one which was a piece of fabric I found in the ‘fabric ends’ bag for £1 – it just fitted the cushion I had for the bedroom (which is all cream and black) and I had enough braid left from my previous projects, to put it down each side. My sewing machine broke down making this first one but I decided to just make them by hand instead, and the second one I made was another piece of fabric from the same ‘fabric ends’ bag again for £1. I decided to…
Twinings have launched some new blends of tea for 2016. I will cover their new selection packs on this post and write about the others on another post. STEAMED GREEN TEAS SELECTION – 20 ENVELOPES – £2.69 This box has four favourite green teas in one fabulous box – pick and mix the flavours to suit every moment, mood and time of the day. They all sound wonderful and would certainly make a change from just a simple green tea. 5 x Simply Pure Steamed Green Tea – gentle and refreshing 5 x Steamed Green Tea Velvet Jasmine – aromatic…
Yesterday I went with a friend for afternoon tea at King Arthur at Lakeside in it’s 1871 Bar & Brasserie in Nottingham. This beautiful Grade 11 Listed Victorian pumping station was first erected between 1870 and 1873. The imposing building is set in 5.5 acres of landscaped grounds, which include a picturesque ornamental lake, with island, boardwalk and fountain. After being seen to our table we enjoyed a glass of Prosecco then our afternoon tea arrived which consisted of a selection of sandwiches, scone cream and jam and some lovely cakes and a pot of tea with milk served in the…
I just couldn’t resist downloading this book,The Minimalist Cleaning Method I mean I am sure we are ALL house proud (defo me) but anything that would do it quicker is a must for me. This book is brilliant it has lists on minimalist cleaning supplies, how to protect your home from dirt and cleaning recipes for all the the following – Spray cleaners Bucket cleaners Furniture polish Powdered cleansers Liquid soaps Drain cleaners Toilet bowl cleaners Air fresheners Laundry supplies Dishwashing liquid Personal care recipes Insect control solutions If you are tired of the old inefficient, expensive ways of cleaning…
Made By Hand Online is the brainchild of two friends from Devon who have brought together a whole community of makers to promote the Craft industry, and sell high quality craft directly to the public – online. They both share a deep interest and respect for the making community and felt frustrated by how hard it is to buy good quality handmade products not because they dont exist but because for some reason theyre not accessible to the public in the same way as the mass-produced. Their value is often misrepresented online and this makes it hard for customers…
Bessie’s Tea Parlour Broadstairs on Albion Street has that little touch of nostalgia in the lovely seaside town of Broadstairs. You will enjoy their homebaked cakes, fresh sandwiches and much more. Their £12.50 afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches and home made cakes, a sweet scone, clotted cream and jam and a pot of tea, mmmmmmm… They say ‘It’s a great place to catch up with friends for a natter or perhaps celebrate a special occasion with all the loveliness of an afternoon tea served on pretty vintage china. If you would like to learn or share a new skill or…
I just had to share this deeeelicious pudding that I had while away in Kent for the weekend. At the bottom of the cup is chocolate and vanilla ice cream followed by a layer of whipped cream then marshmallows then covered in hot chocolate with more hot chocolate in a jug to add if you wanted it. It not only tasted divine it looked divine. I enjoyed it so much that I had it for my sweet on both nights at the Village Hotel in Maidstone in their Verve Grill Restaurant. I thought the way it was presented was also…