Baking, whisking and simmering

It has been a productive morning in the kitchen here at Bespoke British Baking. Having not baked for a couple of weeks, I had withdrawal symptoms, so made up for it by knocking up a selection of goodies this morning!

I have started with making some chicken stock, this is something I always plan to make after cooking a roast, but never actually get around to it. It couldn’t be easier, simply throw the chicken carcass, bones etc... all into a big pan, add an onion, carrot leek (and any other old looking veg lurking at the bottom of the fridge). Add cold water and bring to the boil. Then simmer for several hours. I am planning on a chicken risotto for supper this evening, so the stock will really add depth and flavor.

I then got the mixer out to make some Viennese Finger biscuits. I am off out to lunch today, so thought I would take a small batch with me, additionally I am spending tomorrow decorating an orphanage for the charity I work with, so I thought some biscuits will be much needed for tea breaks! These are super easy to make and take no time at all and are a perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee.

I was then left with four egg whites from the biscuit recipe, so thought I would try out my new Kenwood mixer on making some meringues – it does boast that it can mix up to 16 egg whites at once! As anticipated, the mixer worked a treat and saved a lot of arm muscle through beating by hand! These are now in the oven, I have set the timer so they can finish cooking whilst I am out... so fingers crossed I have followed the instructions correctly!

All in all as successful and busy start to the week, my commute to the kitchen is much improved on what I was used to in London.

Viennese Fingers (makes approx. 20)

100g softened, unsalted butter

40g icing sugar

2 egg yolks

1.5tsp vanilla essence

125g all purpose flour

100g cooking chocolate, chopped

30g butter (for icing)

Preheat oven to 180degs and line two baking trays with baking paper.

Cream the butter and icing sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually add the egg yolks and the vanilla and mix thoroughly. Sift in the flour and using a flat bladed knife, mix until combined and the mixture is smooth.

Place the mixture into a piping (icing) bag fitted with a fluted 1cm nozzle and pipe the mixture into wavy 6cm lengths on the baking sheets.

Bake biscuits for 12 minutes or until golden brown and then place on a wire rack to cool.

For the icing, place the chocolate and butter in a bowl and place in a microwave for 30 second intervals until melted, keep an eye on the chocolate so it doesn’t burn, mixing it regularly. Dip half the biscuits into the chocolate and set back on the baking sheets to set and cool.

Store in an airtight container for up to two/three days.

Gifts from the West (England)

We recently looked after a friend’s dog as they took a trip back to the UK. Billie the black Labrador staffy mix was a pleasure to look after, we had been contemplating getting a dog of our own and this was the perfect trial run! All the walking and picking up poo helped us realise that we don’t really want to have a dog whilst living in a flat without a garden. She was also a great way to meet other people (who have dogs).This might sound little strange, but moving to a new country makes ‘friends’ a little on the rare side. We do socialise with colleagues (some of whom have become friends), but other than this social circles can be a little on the small side. I have been advised that having kids are a good way to meet people, but in the absence of children, Billie did a great job!

Billie has since gone back home and by means of a thank you, her owners kindly bought us back some goodies from the UK. It doesn’t get much better than gifts from the UK... they are normally food based and receiving them makes me very excited! We were very kindly given some delicious red wine, but more importantly, we (I) was given some baking powder and some cake sprinkles! I am now eager to bake my next batch of cupcakes... and Billie is very welcome to stay again!

We have received other food parcels from UK from visiting relatives, contents of which included; tea bags, Branston Pickle and Baked Beans (all standard requirements). Tabasco and a bizarre selection of dried herbs, a selection of seeds so I can grown fresh herbs (more to follow on this), cupcake cases, fajitas mix and of course bacon, sausages and cheddar cheese!! I am sure the requests will grow more bizarre the longer we out here and it is requested that all guests keep 10kg of luggage space free as I will be providing a shopping list ;-)

If you cant bake it, buy it!

I woke up yesterday morning with a bizarre craving for a Hot Cross Bun. Under normal circumstances (ie: when in the UK) I am partial a toasted Hot Cross Bun with melted butter, however, up until this point I wasn't even missing these Easter treats.

Realising that I wasn't going to be able to pop to Marks and Spencer to buy a packet, I went online and found a recipe so I could make a batch. Much to my delight, I could get all the ingredients locally... so off I went!

After plenty of kneading, knocking back and proving I had a delicious batch of Hot Cross Buns! It was definitely worth the wait and I think they tasted even better than normal. It was at this point I realised that we are not going to have to miss much about the UK in terms of food as I have a Kenwood Mixer, various blenders, a good selection of cook books and plenty of time to be able to make and bake things I wouldn't normally in the UK. How exciting!