Yes, I am still alive

I know, I know I should have called or sent a text or let someone know where I was.  I'm sorry.  I know the cost of a phonecall is a small price to pay for your peace of mind.  I won't do it again.  I wasn't in a ditch somewhere, or in the hospital.  I hadn't been kidnapped, nor had I run away to join the circus.  No, honest to God.  I just had a few lazy days.  Shocking, isn't it.  Ah don't be like that now, come on.  It was nothing to do with you, I swear.  I was a bit tired and then there was the heat and sure you know yourself, I'm no good to anyone in that heat, so I had a bit of the old foggy brain syndrome and nothing was computing in there.  I thought about baking.  I willed myself to bake.  I flicked through various books and drooled over the scrummy pictures.  I lay like a star fish on my bed staring at the ceiling thinking of all sorts of gorgeous concoctions, real and imagined.  I even stood in the kitchen, poised and ready to start, but alas my brain would not allow it.  It wanted time to do nothing, sit and ponder, look at the pretty flowers, eat chocolate and drink ice cold drinks.  It wanted to lie in bed and dream wondrous dreams full of far off destinations, dazzling jewels, luxurious clothes, lotions and potions that hold the key to eternal youth, and a kitchen with all the storage and work top space it's buddy the heart desires.  I had no choice but to indulge it and without instruction my limbs were unable to move in such a way that would produce a cake of scrumptious proportions. 

I am back now and am ready to bake once more.  I have a teeny problem though, I have so many cakes I want to bake and devour I don't quite know where to start.  I will come to a decision soon, and you lovely people will be the very first to know.  I promise.

x

My Dad

As it is Father's Day today I thought it appropriate to dedicate a post to my dad.  Daddy's are great, aren't they?  Mine is no exception to the rule.  In fact, I think he is the best in the business. 

He is a quiet man, who loves the comfort of his own home.  He meets his brother and friends on a Sunday afternoon for a drink, his tipple of choice is a pint of Smithwicks with a Guiness head and after a few of them he loves a Gin and Tonic with lots of ice and a slice.  The rest of the week he can be found at home, sitting in his back garden on a sunny day developing a tan to rival George Hamilton, and in his living room in the evening watching movies with his surround sound at full blast so that the whole house rocks. 

He has the sharpest sense of humour and also the filthiest, a trait I am ashamed to say I have inherited from him (I am a lady the majority of the time).  He knows lots about lots so is a great go to guy when you need an answer or an explantion for something.  He is the worlds biggest Frank Sinatra fan and has a voice to rival him, he used to sing in a band when he was younger you know.  He is the vainest 71 year old I know, he insists on dieting so as not to put on weight, he lashes the Nuxe oil in his hair when he is going out and is always a dapper little fecker in his suit and matching shirt, tie, handkerchief and cufflinks.

When we were younger he was the only man when you had an ouwie, he would sort it out in an instant.  If we happened to be in trouble for what ever reason and doing some 'time out' in our bedroom he would come home from work give us some money and send us off to the shop for a treat.  This did not go down well with my mam.  He lived qietly in a house with 4 women and didn't complain much (note the use of the word much, he can be a moany old shite when he wants to be), but he loves all of his girls relentlessly and since he lost his best pal he took on the role of both mother and father and has excelled. 

He is always there for us three, quietly in the background ready to step up when we need it.  He does all of the little jobs we ask him to and never complains that they are an inconvenience to him.  He buys us little treats on his trips to town and on a Saturday when we descend on his house we go to the shop and as he picks up sweets for his grandchildren he also pops something onto the counter for his three grown up girls.  He throws us a few bob every now and then for a nice lunch or to treat ourselves to something and when we go on holiday we get some money for a few drinks while we are away.  You see no matter what he is doing his grilies three are always in his thoughts.

In recent years he has been blessed with three grandchildren by my two sisters and while his love for his daughters overflows, the love and pride he has for his grandaughter and his two grandsons is a whole other story.  You can see it oozing from him when he is in their company.  They are like the elixir of life for him.  He might moan about the standard aches and pains of any 71 year old when we talk to him on the phone, but put him in a room with these three little people and he has the energy and agility of a 21 year old.  He rolls around on the floor, runs, jumps up and down and throws them around as if they were light as feather rag dolls laughing and roaring with fun.

So there you have it, a glimpse of the man I call dad.  He is truly wonderful and we are all blessed that he is ours.  Happy Father's Day dad, you are most definitely the best in the business, your the boss!

As I have said, my dad goes out for a little drink on a Sunday afternoon, and has done so since forever.  When we were little we would enjoy our Sunday roast and then dad would make us up a delicious dessert.  I haven't had it for years but can still taste it.  It was the simplest thing in the world but was a firm favourite on a Sunday in our house, so in honour of my dad I am going to treat myself to a coke float.  What treats did your dad make for you when you were little?

Coke Float

1 tall glass
1 generous scoop of vanilla or raspberry ripple ice cream
Coca Cola

1.  Place the ice cream in the bottom of the glass.
2.  Pour the coca cola over to fill the glass.
3.  Enjoy!

Apologies for the photo quality that follows but the blazing afternoon sun does not make for clear close up photos and the shade of my parasol wasn't much better.

Lemon Curd (GF)

The weather has been glorious this week in Dublin and so I have been pushing heavy chocolatey recipes to the back of my mind in favour of zesty, fruity flavours perfect for the sun.  (Although I might sneak in a light chocolate something or other at the end of the week.)  Anyhoo, having enjoyed the delicious pineapple and mint concotion I made the other day I decided something similarly fresh and zesty would be very welcome while temperatures remain in the high teens.  I wanted something quick and easy to make that I can keep in the fridge to whip up simple desserts while the sun keeps us company.  This hit the spot perfectly, it was made in 15 mins and only required one pot so there was minimal washing up required.  Serve with scones, pancakes, ginger cake, meringue, mix into some icecream, smear on some brioche or biccies.  The possibilities are endless. Enjoy.

Lemon Curd
Makes 3 x 1lb/350ml Capacity Jars

Grated Zest & Juice of 4 large, juicy Lemons
4 Large Eggs
12oz/350g Caster Sugar
8oz/225g Unsalted Butter, at room temp and cut into small pieces
1 Heaped tbsp Cornflour

1.  In a medium sized saucepan whisk the eggs with a balloon whisk.
2.  Add the rest of the ingredients and place over a medium heat.
3.  Use the balloon whisk to whisk continuosly until the mixture thickens.
4.  Turn the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for a further minute, continue to whisk.
5.  Remove from the heat and immediately pour into the hot sterilised jars.*
6.  Cover with waxed discs (you can buy these in baking supply stores but if you don't have any use some greaseproof paper), seal while still hot and allow to cool before labelling.

7.  Store in a cool place and this will keep for weeks.

* Wash the jars in hot water and then dry out in an oven at 100°C/212°F/Gas Mark 1/4 for 15 mins, fill and seal while hot to create a sterile vacuum seal.  Alternatively wash on a hot cycle in the dishwasher without detergent.

I halved the above recipe without a problem and used 1 jar, I did mean to fill the jar with water and measure it's capacity but forgot in my excitement and only remembered after I had sterilised it.  I was too lazy and impatient to sterilize the far again so didn't take the measurement, sorry.  I am going to give this jar to my dad as part of his Fathers day presents as I know he will love it, so I will make another half quantity of the above recipe to live in my fridge for a few weeks.

Mint Pineapple (GF)

I paid a visit to my local supermarket yesterday afternoon to pick up some ingredients for dinner.  When I walked in the door a gaggle of pineapples all bunched together on display caught my attention, so I decided to give one of them a home.  Donal Skehan had put thoughts of a scrummy chicken and broccoli pasta dish with creamy sauce into my head for dinner and I thought a nice light sweet treat would be perfect afterwards.  I had spotted a recipe for pineapple with mint a while back and as the weather was so fabulously sunny I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try it out.

Mint Pineapple
Serves 4

1 Ripe Pineapple
4 Heaped tbsp Caster Sugar
1 Handful Fresh Mint

1.  Cut the pineapple into rounds. 
2.  Take each slice and trim off the skin. 
3.  Cut into halves and then quarters. 
4.  Remove the harder core area from each quarter piece. 
5.  Cut each quarter in half again.  Arrange the pieces on one large serving dish or individual plates.
6.  Place the caster sugar into a pestle and mortar.
7.  Roughly chop the mint and add to the pestle and mortar.
8.  Pound the sugar and mint in the pestle and mortar for approximately 1 minute, the sugar will change colour and a delicious aroma will be released.
9.  Sprinkle the mint sugar over the pineapple and enjoy.

This is really delicious, light and refreshing.  It would make an ideal dessert to round off a heavy or a spicy meal and would be perfect on hot summer days or nights.  This would also be a lovely day time snack as it would feel like a treat without any of the guilt of being calorie laden (imagine how lovely it would be to open your lunch box in work and find this inside).  It could also be served with natural yoghurt, greek yoghurt or creme fraiche.

Jamie Oliver's Party Cake

When I met Mr Boo the only reason for him to enter a kitchen was in order for someone else to hand him a lovingly cooked meal. Now I love to cook and deem great pleasure from cooking for those that I love but didn’t exactly want to spend everyday for the rest of my life cooking for someone who would not be able to return the favour every now and then. Mr Boo occasionally made murmurings along the lines that he wouldn’t mind possessing the skills to enable him to knock together a tasty dish from time to time. Then Jamie Oliver broke onto the scene and all of my prayers were answered. This little Cockney sparrow with all of his ‘pukka’ food only served to heighten Mr Boos eagerness to learn.

I could have kissed him, but there was a plane journey involved and I was spoken for, as was he so I didn’t. Anyhoo, when Mr Boo’s birthday rolled around I decided to get him Mr Oliver’s book as one of his little presents. He was delighted and wasted no time in getting himself into the kitchen and knocking out some very tasty dishes. Now, we didn’t have instant success, not by any means. I do remember one very bad night when I took a forkful of something WAY to salty but politely smiled and continued eating so as not to offend his efforts. Approximately 4 forkfuls later I had to make a mad dash for the loo where I was violently ill. I apologised, he apologised. “It was just a little to salty”, says I. “That’ll most probably be the anchovies”, says he. “How many did you put in”, I enquired. “Just the one jar” he replied. Yep that’ll do it I thought to myself before suggesting next time he trust the recipe and just put in the two fillets as specified.

Once we got that initial teething period out of the way we were flying and it became quite the tradition that of a Friday if his mam and dad popped out in the evening that he would cook a lovely romantic 3-course meal for me, complete with candles and soppy music. I loved those evenings. Something else he would do regularly but has not done in the last few years was to make me Jamie Oliver’s Party Cake and arrive at my door with it. It didn’t have to be a special occasion, just any random Friday or Saturday he might turn up outside my house in his bottle green Punto and produce this delicious chocolate concoction from his backseat all for me, because he loved me and because I love chocolate. That remains for me one of my favourite things he has ever done for me. All of that time, and love baked into a cake for me to eat and carry inside me. I don’t think a chocolate cake ever tasted so good.

As I have said he hasn’t made that cake for me for as long as I can remember. We are married and live together now so he shows his love in different ways. He might occasionally clean the kitchen, he buys pretty plants and plants them in the back garden for me to find when I have time to stop and smell the roses, he paints that room that I have been hinting about decorating and when I come home and decide I don’t like the colour he paints it a second time and only complains a little, when I hear a noise in the middle of the night he gets up from his sleep to investigate and returns with the news that all is well with the world and I can return to slumber. He does these ordinary mundane things and many more that show me he loves me every day, but he doesn’t bake me chocolate cakes that ooze cream and strawberries as you bite into them anymore. So, I have decided that I will bake him a chocolate cake that oozes cream and strawberries as you bite into it, because you know, I love him to, and I want to bake that into a cake for him to eat and carry around inside of him.

Party Cake

I have made a couple of alterations to the original recipe.  I omitted some flaked almonds and doubled the quantity of strawberries in favour of half strawberries and half raspberries, well it is National Strawberry Week after all.

3-rounded tbsp Cocoa Powder
200g/7oz Caster Sugar
200g/7oz Butter
3 Large Eggs, preferably free-range
200g/7oz Self-Raising Flour, sifted
1 rounded tsp Baking Powder
200ml/7floz Double Cream
2 large handfuls Strawberries, hulled and chopped

Chocolate Topping:
100g/3 ¾ oz Butter
100g/3 ¾ oz best quality Plain Chocolate
100g/3 ¾ oz Icing Sugar
3tbsp Milk

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4.

2. Line the bases of 2 x 20cm/8” cake tins with greased greaseproof paper.

3. Mix the cocoa powder with 4tbsp of boiling water until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, beat the sugar and butter until fluffy, add the cocoa mixture, eggs, flour and baking powder.

5. Mix well and divide between the baking tins.

6. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes (a skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean when cooked).

7. Allow to cool then remove from the tins.

8. Melt the chocolate topping ingredients in a bowl over some lightly simmering water. Stir until blended well and allow to cool.

9. Whip the double cream to soft peaks and sweeten with a little sugar to taste.

10. To assemble the cake, remove the greaseproof paper from both sponges.

11. Spread the cream over one of the sponges, and then sprinkle the strawberries on top.

12. Sandwich the second sponge on top and press down.

13. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to smooth if off and drizzle over your chocolate topping.

14. Allow the chocolate topping to firm up slightly before getting stuck in.

Flora Womens Mini Marathon 2010

A few weeks ago I thought it would a good 'get fit' incentive to sign up for this years Flora Women's Mini Marathon.  All well and good until my asthmatic lungs thought they would do all in their power to thwart any such plans.  Did I let them, did I heck!  So on Monday, with the rain pouring from the heavens (seriously God, would you not just give us a little break here) I jostled for position with 39,999 other ladies and waited to embark on the 10k trek that lay ahead.  OK, OK so it wasn't exactly a trek but it is a fair distance to jolk (I did a little walking and a little jogging so am trying a new word out, roll with me) as I have already said in the pissings of rain, sans rain coat, with approx 10,000 aul wans in front of you enjoying a little stroll and a good aul natter.

But jolk I did, all the way to the finish line.  A little sore, completely drenched, but with a wonderful sense of achievement.  The marathon route was a sea of charity t-shirts.  Every lady wore her heart on her chest, back, sleeve and ass.  You name it; it was emblazoned with a charities name or a loved ones photo.  It was a little emotional at times to pass someone with a photo of the loved one no longer with them printed on their attire.  More than that though it was wonderful to see such joy and enthusiasm at the opportunity to do something positive from something devastating.  I didn't just jolk 10k on Monday, I became part of a wonderful sisterhood of inspiring and wonderful ladies, all laughing into the face of negative experiences and raising money in the hopes of saving others from them in the future.

I jolked in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation as did many others on the day, and there were far too many charities represented on the day for me to even begin to mention all of them here.  If you participated on the day congratulations, you have made a difference to someone else's life.  If you sponsored a mini marathoner, thank you, you have made a difference to someone else's life.  If you stood along the course route and filled paper cups with water, stood near a barrier to ensure no one went the wrong way, were on stand by to give first aid, clapped as weary people walked or jogged by, thank you, you have made a difference to someone else's life.  If you were one of the firemen who stood outside Donnybrook fire station with a rather large hose and soaked me, thank you, you made my day.

Here's my medal and race number, just in case there are any doubters out there.

Also, a big thank you to my gorgeous husband, my dad, my two sisters, their hubands and their children, all of who stood in the rain until well and truly soaked to give me a big cheer as I whizzed (I did, honest) past them just before the finish line.  Mwah!

Chocolate Macarons (GF)

Ever since Laduree set up camp inside the door of Brown Thomas I have been a little obsessed.  I have seen and heard of macarons many times before but not since coming face to glass with them have they been paid a second, third, fourth thought.  I still have not yet managed to purchase any.  This strange thing happens every time I walk through the doors and see them there all lined up, little pastel bundles of gorgeousness.  My brain ends up in a tizzy, not knowing which ones to choose and then all flustered I walk past into the beauty hall to buy myself another blusher or similar to calm my nerves. 

I have also been stalking them online, researching recipes and reading about all of the pitfalls that come with making them at home.  Some recipes and websites actually really turned me off attempting them at home but I persevered and found a recipe with no warnings of fatalities or other such atrocities just an easy breezy approach.  How difficult could it be so?

I tried the recipe yesterday and while they weren't a complete success in that they didn't have 'feet' and they didn't rise quite as much as I would have liked, they were completely yum and had the most delicious consistency.  The shell was not crisp, but not soft, kind of chewy but not a bad chewy.  Obviously I have no idea how to describe them properly other than to say 'feet' or no 'feet' they were totally scrumptious and devoured in no time. (I actually made myself feel a little sick because I ate too many)

If you fancy trying them out the recipe is below, let me know how you get on if you do try them.  I will make them again and update this post if and when I perfect them!

Chocolate Macarons

3 Egg Whites
2tbsp Caster Sugar
200g Icing Sugar
120g Ground Almonds
3tbsp Cocoa Powder

Chocolate Hazelnut Spread to sandwich the macarons together

1.   Preheat the oven to 130C/
2.   Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.
3.   In a bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
4.   Beat in the caster sugar.
5.   Fold in the sifted icing sugar, ground almonds and cocoa powder.
6.   Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm plain tube.
7.   Pipe 30 small (approx. 3cm diameter) macaroons onto the lined baking trays.  Tap the baking trays on the work surface to spread the macaroons slightly.
8.   Lightly dust with cocoa powder and allow to sit for 15-20 mins to allow a skin to form on them.
9.   Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 mins.
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for approx 5 mins before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
11. Once completely cooled spread some chocolate hazelnut spread onto them and sandwich two together.

Notes:

If you happen to be daydreaming when you are separating your eggs and forget that this is in fact what you are doing and throw the whole egg into the bowl, if the yolk remains intact simply use its shell to scoop it out without ruining your whites.  The shell makes this task much easier than a spoon.

If they come out of the oven and they have not risen sufficiently or do not have feet, DO NOT bin them, they will be perfectly delicious so enjoy them.

To fill your piping bag:
Place the nozzle into a tall glass and fold the ends back over the top of the glass.  This will give you a wider opening than if you simply spread it over your hand and as you fill the bag it will be easier to control it and stop it slipping from your hand.  If you are proficient at filling piping bags ignore me completely.

When the Moon Hits Your Eye, Like A Big Pizza Pie...Part Deux

If you read my original pizza post earlier in the week you will know that I planned a follow up.  I like a thin and crispy pizza base so have been rolling my yeast free base to a thickness of 5mm, which has been yum.  Last Sunday I visited the new Saturday and Sunday market at the O2 in Dublin.  Having strolled around and purchased some culinary delights for the store cupboard Mr. Boo and I decided it was time for a little bite to eat.  We were undecided between calamari and pizza from Dick and Dave's.  As we couldn't decide the only option was one of each.  We joined the pizza line and queued and queued and queued and then we queued a little more.  This had to be a good sign right?  The pizza must be good if so many people wanted some. 

While we were queueing I had my little eagle eyes on red alert watching all that was going on behind the counter.  The guy making up the pizzas was pulling small balls from a large mound of soft white dough.  I verbalised to Mr Boo that I wondered what sort of a dough base these professionals were using and he swiftly pointed to a rather large sign heralding the use of sourdough bases.  OK, so my eyes were having a bit of an off day. 

We placed our order with the very friendly guy busy making up boxes in a vain attempt to keep up with demand.  I was instructed by Mr Boo to stay put while he popped behind us to get some Calamari before he collapsed from the hunger (honest to God).  He returned mere moments later proudly clutching a bowl of (rather delicious) calamari and chorizo for us to munch on while we waited (yep, still waiting) for our pizza.  Just as he polished off the last of his starter his name was called and Mr. Boo stepped on small children and grannies to get to it.  We found a little spot at a picnic table and sat down to enjoy it and got plenty of envious looks from people who had opted for alternatives.  As we happily tucked in Mr Boo declared that the sauce wasn't up to much and that mine was so much better. Ah, I really do loves him.  He was right, it was watery and bland.  The base however was light and crispy and just perfect for my taste so I knew that I was onto a winner and would just have to try it out during the week.

Cue reindeersp and her idea for a twizzaparty having seen pizza recipes emerge from more than one Irish Food Blogger over a couple of days.  The idea was for any of the Irish Food Bloggers who wanted to participate to make homemade pizzas and tweet ideas and photos last night.  Perfect, I could try out my new dough and not feel guilty, as I was contractually obliged to do so.  Well, maybe I wasn't exactly contractually obliged but it sounds much better than just eating pizza for the 3rd time in one week because I am a little porker!  The dough was perfect and as if I didn't love him enough already Mr. Boo declared, unprompted, that it was MUCH better than Dick and Dave's as he inhaled slice after slice.  I am a very happy bunny, I have a new favourite pizza base that is so light and yum, and I have a gorgeous man who loves me, and my pizza.  Life is good.

The following is a basic sourdough recipe, which makes one loaf, but if divided into six pieces will make 6 (approx 9") thin and crispy pizzas.

Sourdough Bread

For the sourdough starter:
2tsp dried yeast (1 7g sachet was exactly 2tsp for me)
300ml/10floz water
240g/8&1/2oz Strong White Flour

1.  Sprinkle the dried yeast onto the water and stir until dissolved.
2.  Stir in the flour, cover and leave to ferment for 2 days at room temperature. 
3.  Stir a couple of times a day.

Make the starter in a much bigger bowl than you think you will need, as it will rise as it ferments.  Once the starter is ready you can make the dough.

For the dough:
1tsp Dried Yeast
200ml/7floz Water
60g/20z Rye Flour
300g/10oz Strong White Flour

1.  Sprinkle the dried yeast onto the water and stir until dissolved.
2.  Sieve the flours in to a large bowl and make a well in the centre.
3.  Pour in 250ml/9floz of the starter (reserve the rest for a future loaf) and mix in the flour from the sides.
4.  Stir in the yeast water until you have a sticky dough.
5.  Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic.
6.  Place the dough in a bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm room to rise for 2 hours. (I left mine in the airing cupboard)

7.  Knock back (knead) the risen dough, punching out all of the air, and leave to rest for 15 minutes.
8.  Shape into a round loaf, place on a lightly floured baking tray and cover for 1&1/2 hours to allow it to prove. Alternatively if using as pizza dough at this stage divide the dough into 6 pieces, shape into balls before placing onto the baking sheet and returning to the airing cupboard for 1&1/2 hours.

9.  If baking as a loaf at this stage place into an oven that has been preheated to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7 for 1 hour.  When cooked the loaf should sound hollow when you tap the base.  Leave to cool on a cooling rack.
Alternatively, on a floured surface roll out the individual dough balls to a thickness of 5mm or less.  Place on a floured baking sheet and dress with sauce and toppings of your choice and bake in an oven preheated to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7 for 10 minutes.

This might all seem like a lot of hard work but each of the stages takes between 5 and 10 mins and it was definitely worth it for the results.

Mojito anyone?

This one was just for the lovely Italian Foodie

(Nutella dusted with a little icing sugar)

Other Irish Food Bloggers who participated in the twizzparty are:

Musings of a Med Student (who was responsible for the event, so a big thank you)

Gluttony For Beginners

Babaduck Babbles

Dinner du Jour

I Can Has Cook

Bibliocook

An American In Ireland

Italian Foodie (expert judge on the evening)

Now don't be rude, go on off and say hello to all of these lovely people.