Forgive me blogspot, for I have sinned. It's definitely been a fatty week - that's for sure. Let's have a closer look at my sins...
Chocolate devil's food cupcakes
Like the link from confession to the devil?! Ahem, anyway. These were LOVELY and very CHOCOLATEY. Great sponge and the icing was basically a chocolate ganache - altogether very nice, I was sad not to be able to 'pipe' on the icing as I really enjoy that now :p From the 'Eat me' book by the cookie girl (Xanthe Milton). I've read she does cake decorating classes and I may sign up for them! :)
Cherry pies
Altogether now - "she's my cherry pie!" As thats what I had in my head the whole time I was making these little beauties. Thanks and big up to my work friend Fishwick for picking his cherries for me. Doesn't that sound rude? :p Aren't they lovely -I'm used to the dark red cherries we buy in supermarkets but these were peachy/pink and sweet as anything. The pies were delicate and sweet served with custard. More please Fishwick before the season ends!
Chocolate fudge biscuit brownies
'Mmmm - where were these brownies made - heaven? No, Brighton.' (That's a little joke for any Apprentice fans out there :p) These have the best texture a brownie could ask for. If a brownie could talk. Not goey which i hate, (knowing how many eggs/egg yolks go into brownies) and not a cake texture (otherwise you could just make chocolate cake?) Lovely - this recipe is from Lorraine Pascal's latest book where she used Oreo's. I have tried this recipe with them but Oreo's are too expensive to buy for non-special occasions so I opted for the good ole english classic - bourbon biscuits which are A LOT cheaper. And I think these work just as well. My work friend Helen's hubby said that these, and i quote were 'the best brownies he has ever tasted' - an accolade indeed!
Coffee cupcakes
Ok a little bit of cheating here - this isn't a new recipe - its Nigella's cappuccino cupcakes with her coffee icing from her 'coffee ad walnut cake' both tried and tested here on my blog. But they looked, smelt and tasted wonderful. Lovely at Kat's girlie gathering.
Strawberry scones
After our visit to the PYO Roundstone farm i couldn't resist making scones with the fresh and fragrant strawberries. I just melted a bit of strawberry jam and stirred the sliced strawberries into it. Whipped some double cream with vanilla pods and voilà - the perfect scone. ~Drools~
Lemon drizzle cupcakes for Helen
Helen's bday is coming up and I asked what her favourite cake is - Lemon drizzle apparently! Why should I have to wait for her actual birthday though - so I'm making them now for her, as a treat. I followed my aunt Heather's recipe she used for my wedding cakes! (Heather - you were right about the icing, I put a few drops of food colouring and it messed with the consistency - oh well next time). But I did make the lemon syrup and poured that over the cakes when first out of the oven for the 'drizzle' affect. They were summery and refreshing. Decorations were lemon peel cut out in hearts and yellow sugar (made not bought).
This potato salad is a pretty classic dish of mine but one I thought I could share -lucky you (whoever's reading this). Based on one my mum used to make when I was younger and still makes in fact. Dare I say her's always tastes better than mine - i don't know why. So Charlotte potatoes with chives, finely cut spring onions and mint with a bit of Mayo, Dijon mustard and extra virgin olive oil.
'Mmmm - where were these brownies made - heaven? No, Brighton.' (That's a little joke for any Apprentice fans out there :p) These have the best texture a brownie could ask for. If a brownie could talk. Not goey which i hate, (knowing how many eggs/egg yolks go into brownies) and not a cake texture (otherwise you could just make chocolate cake?) Lovely - this recipe is from Lorraine Pascal's latest book where she used Oreo's. I have tried this recipe with them but Oreo's are too expensive to buy for non-special occasions so I opted for the good ole english classic - bourbon biscuits which are A LOT cheaper. And I think these work just as well. My work friend Helen's hubby said that these, and i quote were 'the best brownies he has ever tasted' - an accolade indeed!
Ok a little bit of cheating here - this isn't a new recipe - its Nigella's cappuccino cupcakes with her coffee icing from her 'coffee ad walnut cake' both tried and tested here on my blog. But they looked, smelt and tasted wonderful. Lovely at Kat's girlie gathering.
After our visit to the PYO Roundstone farm i couldn't resist making scones with the fresh and fragrant strawberries. I just melted a bit of strawberry jam and stirred the sliced strawberries into it. Whipped some double cream with vanilla pods and voilà - the perfect scone. ~Drools~
Helen's bday is coming up and I asked what her favourite cake is - Lemon drizzle apparently! Why should I have to wait for her actual birthday though - so I'm making them now for her, as a treat. I followed my aunt Heather's recipe she used for my wedding cakes! (Heather - you were right about the icing, I put a few drops of food colouring and it messed with the consistency - oh well next time). But I did make the lemon syrup and poured that over the cakes when first out of the oven for the 'drizzle' affect. They were summery and refreshing. Decorations were lemon peel cut out in hearts and yellow sugar (made not bought).
By Rachel Allan (http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/573902) and I made this last year but the consistency wasn't as good so I simmered it for an extra hour and the result was perfect. And very popular.
A lovely Saturday morning breakfast - must make again. From Nigella's 'Kitchen' book. 
I've made this twice in a few months! Everyone who's tried it loved it. With a pastry bottom, jam and fresh fruit middle then an almond cake sponge on the top this was lovely, fruity and almost a sweet tartness to it (an oxy moron I hear you cry?) no it''s possible, this was lovely, I must try a plum version in autumn with plum jam - that would be amazing! Or maybe a rhubarb and ginger version....
When I was on my pre-wedding diet I still wanted the occasional treat at the weekend and knowing these weren't unhealthy made me feel better about my diet sin :p Dark chocolate, beetroot and honey instead of sugar - they were great and gluten free so my mother in law could eat them. 
