Tag: baking tips

LIFE TALES: California dreaming…

by granebakes

And it really was! My cousin and her husband had lived there for many years, and were now well established in the Hotel and Restaurant business. They had recently acquired a stunning cliff-top restaurant right on the coastal road. Highway One is spectacular, hugging most of the the California coastline for 656 miles. The main theme was chef’s grilling swordfish, steaks, chicken and ribs on a huge, brick, open-style barbeque cooker. Looking to increase trade at lunchtimes to a wider customer base I was to produce – guess what – quiches and homemade soups!  Clam chowder became a favourite alongside my own carrot and coriander soup.

Highway 1

Living with the family in their stunning home in nearby Pebble Beach, driving to work by the ocean, Barbara Streisand on the radio – what kind of a job was that?! 

I was gathering tips on; cooking a good lasagne; on blanching spare ribs in boiling water before marinating and slow roasting; the same with squid, blanch first to prevent the rubbery texture, dry well then dip in flour and quickly deep fry – YUM! 

Salads and dressings all made from fresh local produce were amazing. One thousand ways with garlic – grown in vast prairie-like fields – practically unheard of or at least not used enough here in the UK. All useful stuff, expanding my ever growing repertoire.  

Another English couple owned a tea shop in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea. They were looking for a cook to produce English style baking, scones, cakes and yes, quiches! So, three mornings a week (stretching to 3pm!), I baked in this quaint cricket-themed caff called The Sticky Wicket. The baking – or rather the preparation – became a feature. Absolutely no-one made pastry from scratch, or scones. Standing there rubbing fat into flour, another demonstrating role was born! 

Around the corner was another restaurant. Owned by Clint Eastwood, he was known to pop into the Sticky Wicket for coffee and one of my handmade scones and a chat. He was also a customer at Rocky Point (the cliff-top eatery), being very friendly with my cousins. It was a very busy life but so rewarding; and again, I learned a lot. 

But, all good things must come to an end. It was time for me to head back to Sheffield.

BAKING TIPS: Social Distancing – Bakes for when staying home. Part 1.

by granebakes

What a strange, scary-sad time we are experiencing, unlike any other period I have known.  Having an interest in food and cooking is keeping me sane. Flour is in short supply – although I usually keep a good stock (which is dwindling) – an appreciated Mother’s Day gift of 2 large bags was very welcome. Over Easter I was trawling my old recipes – an unusual Simnel cake using chocolate is a tasty treat!  

You will need a deep 8” (20cm) cake tin with a loose base or a springform tin, greased and lined. Set the oven to gas 4 (160 fan). 

Ingredients: 

  • 8oz raisins – soaked in (enough to cover) a sweet sherry, wine or amaretto liquor is good 
  • 8oz butter – a block, softened 
  • 8oz golden/caster sugar 
  • 4 large eggs – beaten 
  • 9oz plain flour 
  • 2oz coco powder 
  • 1 level teaspoon baking powder 
  • 1 level teaspoon bicarbonate soda 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 
  • 1 small carton plain yogurt or soured cream 
  • 1 packet of block marzipan (to cover the finished cake) plus an extra block to form eleven small balls (apostles!) to decorate 
  • 1 bar plain chocolate to melt over the marzipan 

Method 

  1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl 
  1. Beat together the butter and sugar in a separate bowl 
  1. Slowly add the egg and vanilla essence to the butter and sugar 
  1. Fold in the dry mix 
  1. Add the fruit with the liquid, yogurt/soured cream 
  1. If the mixture is still a little stiff, add a drop of milk 
  1. Transfer to the tin and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes 
  1. Test the centre with a metal skewer, it should come out clean (if not put back into oven cover top with greaseproof paper and give it another 10 minutes) 
  1. Once cooked, leave to cool 
  1. Brush the top of the cake with warm Jam (to stick the marzipan) 
  1. Dust surface of the table and rolling pin with icing sugar and coco powder to prevent sticking 
  1. Roll out the marzipan (if it’s difficult put it in the microwave for 10 seconds) and lay over the cake 
  1. Make 11 balls of marzipan and roll them in the coco and icing sugar 
  1. When the cake is covered in jam – then marzipan – melt the chocolate with a knob of butter and pour over the cake, place the balls around the edge  

Vegans, have you discovered the alternative to egg whites?

Aquafaba! Yes, this magic liquid comes from draining your chickpeas! It does take longer to whisk – but reasonable results are obtained. A large stand mixer works best and you can leave it running whilst getting on with preparation. A hand (electric) whisk does the job as well, although you need to stand for around 10 minutes – perhaps the aquafaba in some tins is more watery. 

Before you venture into proper meringues, maybe you would like to try this simple version.

Macaroon biscuits. 

  • Aquafaba from chickpeas thoroughly whisked until fairly stiff 
  • 4oz caster sugar 
  • 1 teaspoon corn flour  
  • 2oz ground almonds 
  • 4oz desiccated coconut 

Method 

  1. Put the oven to gas 4 (fan 160-170) 
  1. Mix together the dry ingredients 
  1. Gently fold into the whisked aquafaba (make sure the dry mix is well incorporated) 
  1. Have ready 2 baking sheets lightly greased and covered with baking paper or rice paper 
  1. Place a dessert spoon full of mix – widely spaced – onto baking sheets. Flatten slightly with the back of the spoon (dipped in water to prevent sticking) 
  1. Bake for 20-30 minutes until firm (not brown) 

I’ll sign off this section – asking you all to stay positive – keep in touch with family and friends… from a distance! Live from week to week, this will pass.  

Love to you all, Gran E 

I’d love to see if you trial this recipe. Send me your pictures – I’m @gran.e.bakes on Instagram.