Monday Catch Up: Planning my Halloween Bakes

I had such an epic weekend. I finally dragged Rob to watch Box Trolls, which is definitely worth a watch as the story is quite different and really original. No spoilers, but totally watch it. If not for the great Laika animation style. I love all of the Laika films, in fact, I'm dressing up as one of them for Halloween. That's all I'm revealing for now...

So I'm still planning my Halloween bakes. I definitely want to use some bits that I bought at the Cake and Bake Show. But that will be posted on Wednesday, because I've been neglecting Baking Basics 101 lately.

Blog wise-I'm planning to pick it back up soon, but for now, I've got some ideas... Also, I'm hoping to write more recipes that expand the baking and sweet world as well soon. Also I'm thinking of writing restaurant reviews too. I'm publishing a dummy one that I wrote in the summer and I've been itching to publish. Stay tuned for that.

I'm thinking of joining a gym because ever since my holiday in August, I've been getting super lazy >.< and I defos need to get my lazy butt off the sofa and into a treadmill. Not that I'm a good example of gym bunny. I don't like the concept of gym but it keeps you fit and I guess it beats having a treadmill in a cramped flat.

I'm also happy to say that Humpy the Slug has moved on to another house or maybe he found a lovely slipper to settle down with and make sluggy-slipper babies with. So that shoe humper is gone!

I hope you all have a great start to the week!

Fat Friday #11 Sweetcorn Cream Dessert with a Caramel Ice-Cream and Popcorn Brittle

Week 11, who have thought it? This weeks Fat Friday is quite an unusual dessert. Its a sweetcorn cream which is almost like a pannacotta like dessert. Its based on gastronomy type of thinking and its got an interesting taste. Want to try it yourself? The recipe is below!

 Recipe: Makes 4 (plus extra ice cream and popcorn brittle) (Recipe kindly provided by my pastry tutor)

For the Caramel Popcorn Ice-cream

• 50ml sunflower oil
• 30g pop corn kernels
• 300ml milk
• 200ml double cream
• 5 egg yolks
• 75g sugar
• 2 teaspoons of liquid glucose
• 30g unsalted butter
• Salt

For the sweetcorn cream

• 400g sweetcorn, cooked and cut from the cob
• 400ml milk
• 250ml double cream
• 4 egg yolks
• 50g sugar
• 2 ½ leaves of gelatine

Popcorn Brittle

• 200g sugar
• 25ml water
• 100g double cream
• 100g butter
• 300g freshly popped pop corn

Equipment:

• Saucepan with a lid
• Sieve
• Whisk
• Bowl x 3
• Sugar thermometer
• Ice cream machine
• Knife
• Baking sheet lined with 4 Chef circle moulds lined with cling film at the bottom
• Blender
• Silicone matt

For the ice cream

1. Heat the oil in a pan and add the popcorn. When it starts popping shake the saucepan constantly until the kernels are cooked. 

2. Place the milk, cream and popcorn in a pan and bring to a gentle simmer. Gently bring to the boil again. Take off the heat and leave to infuse for 2 hours.
3. Strain through a sieve, pushing hard to get most of the liquid goes through. Bring to a boil again.
4. Whisk the eggs, sugar and glucose until pale and creamy. Pour half the popcorn liquid onto the eggs whisking to combine. Pour this back into the saucepan.
5. Stir the liquid until it reaches 84c on the sugar thermometer, whisk in the butter, salt and strain through a sieve. Leave to cool and place in an ice cream machine.

For the sweetcorn cream

1. Place the sweetcorn, milk and cream in a large pan and bring to the boil.
2. Simmer for 3 minutes then transfer to a blender and liquidize. 3. Soak the gelatine in cold water.
4.Whisk the yolks and sugar until pale. 5. Add half of the liquidized sweetcorn to the creamed yolks and whisk until combined.
6. Return the mixture to the saucepan and heat for about 1 minute. Meanwhile squeeze the water out of the gelatine.
7. Remove from the heat, add the gelatine and mix.
8. Pass through a fine sieve into a bowl. Allow to rest to allow the bubbles to rise.
9.  Put in the moulds and refrigerate until set.

Popcorn Brittle

1. Put the water and sugar in a pan, allow to boil until the colour changes from clear to a golden brown. Don’t be tempted to stir.
2. Mix in the popcorn to evenly coat.
3. Tip onto a silicone matt and allow the brittle to set.
4. When set break up into small pieces. Store in an airtight container.

To serve:

1. Carefully unmold the sweetcorn cream onto a plate. 2. Arrange the popcorn around the sweetcorn cream.
3. Drizzle the caramel artfully and scoop a little of the caramel ice cream on the top.

Have a great weekend! Happy Baking!
 

Penny's Top Ten Tips #8 Living with the Other Half

Its that time of week again. TOP TIP TIME! Since me and Rob have finally moved in and we've settled down, it makes sense that we should do some hints on living with the other half.

1. There will be surprises-
Good and bad surprises that is. You'll learn that you both have odd habits, that you may be grossed out by, but fear not there will be good surprises too. I learnt that Rob can really cook an amazing pasta bake, which surprised me because I thought he couldn't cook (Sorry darling! I know you can :3)  

2. Bottling up is never a good idea-
We've both learnt that bottling up any comments or feelings is not a good idea. In any situation, just say what you feel, even if it upsets the other person. Its better in the long run to say how you feel rather then bottle it up and snap later.

3. Make date night important-
One day or one evening, just for the two of you. I know its a cliché, but setting aside one day for both of you to escape everyday life and to keep the romance alive.

4. Cherish each moment together-
Rob and I don't spend masses of time together, its not because we can't be bothered but we both work really hard. Its difficult even to work in our date nights. When we eat dinner or just watch TV we really make little moments we spend together count.

5. Learn how to communicate clearly-
If you have something to ask say it in a clear and effective manner to avoid arguments. Example: Rob: "Do you want the last cupcake?"
(I do want the last cupcake) Penny: "Erm... I don't mind..."
Rob: "Ok I eat it *nom*"
Penny: "Ahh!! I wanted that!!"
Rob: "But you didn't say..."

6. Help each other-
Whether its housework or cooking, its a team effort. You really  need to help each other out by not letting one person carry the weight.

7. Be extremely patient-
I'm sure that you and your partner have different personalities. You must have some idea of what their like already (hopefully if you've been dating for a while). Its getting used to seeing them, all the time, 24 hours a day, without a break. It will take time and patience when you move in. Even when the kitchen is left in a state... your partner may not feel that keeping the place tidy is important. You need to calmly say that its not acceptable to left the kitchen in a messy state and it would mean a lot if it was left clean. Rather then blew up over it, be patient and clear.

8. Personal Space-
Just because you live together doesn't mean that have to spend every moment together. You'll need your own time, to do your own thing-to keep you sane! For example, I blog and I bake a lot on my own. Meanwhile, Rob plays video games for some 'me time' (at the moment he's playing Shadow of Mordor, which looks like a pretty epic game). The message is that you'll enjoy each others company more, when you spend time apart. You know the old saying: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder".

9. Get a Hobby!-
While me and Rob do our own thing. When we have an hour to spend together we go to the cinema or we watch a TV series together (Its the Walking Dead at the moment). We've found a hobby together which we means we spend more time together and as a bonus we do something fun together!

10. Leave the frustration outside the front door-
When you leave work, mentally leave it. After a hard day at university, leave it at university and don't bring the frustrations home with you as that frustration can be taken out on your partner.

Monday Catch-Up: Humpy the Slug

I'm still twitching from the sugar rush that I got after visiting the Cake and Bake show and sampling all the treats. I got back from London yesterday and all the trains where messed up so it took ages to get back to Portsmouth, but I made it in the end. I'll be doing a round up post in the next couple of days with a 'haul' of what I purchased along the way. My friend Lucy and I had such a laugh looking at all the products on sale and moonching on all the free samples (we did BUY food as well but well... free samples!!). At one point Lucy got the sugar shakes. We went for a late lunch at Wagamama's and had a great catch up. Thanks Lucy for an awesome day and hope to see for Halloween!

I also want to say that me and Rob have been so involved with the whole mess of moving in, we forgot to thank a single person in sending us a 'New Home' card. We got some beautiful cards from family and friends, we want to say a big thank-you to everyone who put in an effort to write the cards and we both really appreciate it.

Speaking of new homes, our lovely home came with an invisible pet. Its a pet we don't want, its a slug. Yup, a slug. We saw a slime trail one morning in the living room and the damn thing keeps coming back. We cleaned everything from top to bottom of the living room, trying to fathom out where its coming from, as it disappears when we wake up each morning. In fact, we have named him: Humpy the Slug. Why? Because for some bizarre reason, he loves to hump all over Robs slippers. He leaves gross slimy trails all over his slippers. We've had to get slug killer pellets for outside and inside (good thing we don't have pets or kids. They look like blue tic-tacs) to get rid of it. So far its been 2 days without an appearance... for now... I'm so paranoid that Humpy is sick of Robs slippers and lusting after my boots! Keep away from my shoes Humpy! Shoes are for wearing, not for slug sexy time!! 

We've also got Halloween plans on the go! So watch this space!
Have a great week everyone!

Fat Friday #10 Pumpkin and Cheese Muffins

October=Pumpkin Season. That's one of the facts of life. It happens every year. Its just all over the place. Pumpkin all over the place... Its not one to argue with a fun tradition. For this weeks Fat Friday, we're going savoury. These muffins are an acquired taste and are best served from the oven while there still warm :)  Don't forget I'm at the Cake and Bake show tomorrow, I'll tweet as I go!

(Penny Note:You'll have some pumpkin puree leftover, so why not make some Spiced Pumpkin Syrup for your coffee?)

Recipe: Makes 12 Pumpkin and Goats Cheese Muffins (Recipe Adapted from Muffins Galore by Catherine Atkinson)

• 300g plain flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 pinch of salt
• 100g goats cheese, diced
• 4 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
• 225g pumpkin puree (I used about half a can of Libby's)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 150ml natural yoghurt

Equipment:

• Bowl
• Jug
• Cupcake Tin filled with 12 muffin cases
• Chopping board
• Knife
• Wooden spoon

1. Preheat the oven to 200c/400f/Gas Mark 6. Line the cupcake tin with muffin cases. 
 2. Mix the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl.

3. Stir in the goats cheese. 

4.Chop 2 tablespoons of the pumpkins seeds, and add to the flour mixture. Put the other 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds aside.

5. In a jug, whisk together the pumpkin puree, yoghurt, eggs and oil.
6. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

7. Spoon the batter into the muffins cases, dividing it easily. Sprinkle the tops with the pumpkin seeds.

8. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and risen.
9. Cool in the tine for 10 minutes and then put on a wire rack. Serve warm with a side salad if you moonching this for lunch.

Penny's Top Ten Tips #7 Convention Going!

Since I'm off to the Cake and Bake show this weekend. I'm doing a Top Ten Tips on Convention Going (If your around on Saturday feel free to say hi if you see me!)

1. Outfit ready yet?-
If its a costume or special outfit make sure you have all the elements to it (including accessories) and that its ready to go on the day. I would advise that your outfit be comfortable since you'll be lining up for stuff and walking around.

2. Get cash out before you go-
Many stalls do offer card payment but I will be that one stall that you want to buy something from will not take card. Get some cash out before you start and it will save the inconvenience.

3. Set a budget-
In saying the above point, set an amount you want to spend. On my first ever convention, I spent over £100 which left me and my bank account reeling for weeks!

4. Grab freebies-
Don't feel guilty, there freebies you take them. Don't feel obliged to buy product if you do not want to.

5. Pick up business cards-
It sounds a little odd but in picking up business cards, you remember a shop or a certain person to contact at a later date. Or if you have a sieve like memory (like me).

6. Go hands free-
The worst thing is when you're at a convention is a massive bag, that's going to become more of a nuisance then a help. Keep your tickets, purse, travel cards and mobile in a small bag around your shoulder to keep you hands free for eating, drinking or fangirling.

7. Travel documents-
My travel card ran out before the Cake and Bake show (2014), so double check that you've got all the travel cards and tickets ready and checked.  

8. Pick up a timetable-
Conventions often give out free timetables to show you what time certain events are. I highly suggest you pick one up, so you don't miss any of the shows.

9. Network-
Conventions are a great way to network with people with similar interests. I always carry little business cards with details of the blog and how to contact me. It saves pen and paper. I must stress that don't give details like your mobile number or address and if you feel uncomfortable giving your details to someone. Then don't. Your gut feeling is often the right one.

10. Approach when appropriate-
There are often celebrities, or (baking) stars (in this case Mich Turner and more!!) and they may have hoards of people following them or maybe they are incognito. Only approach them if they are free, available to talk  and want to chat. Most will love to chat but be aware that there are hundreds of others wanting to get their attention, being considerate doesn't cost anything.

Monday Catch Up: Busy Week Ahead!

Its a late Monday Catch-Up, sorry about that. It's because I've had an extra long to-do list today.
So last week we covered having 10 minutes to myself to relax, I've been working on it. I'm not going to lie, its been maybe 5 minutes tops that I have to myself. I working on it.

I've been gathering bits and pieces for a Halloween party that me and Rob are throwing at the end of the month. I've also been obsessively search Pinterest for pumpkin recipes and fun Halloween food bits to serve. Its that time of year where its: pumpkin, pumpkin, PUMPKIN!!!
You know whenever you host a party, you go over the top, serve too much food and just over do the whole thing. You kind of end up so wacked out before the party even starts. This year we've planned a relaxed, chilled approach to the party, but with added tacky games. This is also the first party that me and Rob are going to host, as a couple, so we'll see how my uber organised powers are when faced with Mr Last Minute.

Also, I'm glad that I'm busy this week because more I get a reward at the end. This weekend I'm off to Earls Court for the Cake and Bake Show. I'm so buzzed for it because I'm going with my equally cake loving friend Lucy. I'm meting her there and we're going to stuff our faces, buy some cake stuff and its going to be amazing. (Last time I spent so much money....) I didn't really blog about the Cake and Bake Show in 2012 because I didn't think readers would be interested. I'm thinking of doing a follow up post on it, but what do you think?
Do you wanna see a Cake and Bake Show 2014 post?