staying out of chokey

the evil tree gets it
Originally uploaded by etcher67

1) A nice long walk in the sun at 8.30 (No, really: surprisingly pleasant to be up and mobile at that hour).
2) Friendly chaps removing Ugly Fir Trees and rubble. At one point six burly blokes in the back garden. Is this a record?
3) The prospect of a Lovely Plum Tree to replace Ugly Fir Tree.
4) Laying on the bed asleep with my face in the sun. My new favourite mid-afternoon game.
5) The anticipation of a cold glass of wine with salmon marinaded in olive oil lemon and mint, accompanied by beans and courgettes from the garden. Yum!

the cake that refused to go away

Cut and Come Again (with resolutely imperial measurements)

1/2 lb self raising flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 round tsp mixed spice
4oz butter or marge
4oz demerera sugar
30z currants
3oz sultanas
1oz mixed peel
2oz glace cherries, washed and chopped
2 eggs + enough milk to make the liquid up to 1/2 pint
grated rind of an orange (add this to the milk and eggs)
7 inch cake tin

Grease and line the tin (always my job aged about 8). Preheat the oven to gas mark 4 (moderate, or 350 F.) Rub the butter or marge into the flour and other dry ingredients until it looks like breadcrumbs. This is very satisfying but if you are in a hurry I think you're probably allowed to use a mixer these days. Stir in the sugar and the fruit, then add the egg and milk mixture with the orange rind and beat until you have a smooth batter (which is full of fruity lumps, obviously). Pour the mixture into the tin and sprinkle a little more sugar over the top (for the crunch). Cook in the centre of the oven for about 1 hr 20 mins (it's worth checking after an hour if you have a fan oven). Once cooked, remove from the tin and stand on a rack to cool. In other words, have a slice while it's still warm, it'll give you indigestion but it's delicious.

Also:
Cake cooking is generally best accompanied by something on Radio 4. I recommend 'Just a Minute'. Plays are also good, but you'll have to find something else to do in the kitchen after the cake so that you can hear the end. If Radio 4 is unavailable, Radio 2 will do at a pinch but it'd better be Jimmy Young.



Happy cooking!

soup

soup
Originally uploaded by etcher67.

Some days, I crave vegetables. Let's draw a veil over the slice(s) of panettone I ate afterwards though, eh?