surviving the sun: Let them eat cake........!!!

surviving the sun: Let them eat cake........!!!: "Tuesday 12 th July ........Well, A few days have past since I last sat down and found the time to complete my blog, with two boy..."

Let them eat cake........!!!

Tuesday 12 th  July........Well, A few days  have past since I  last sat  down  and  found the  time to complete  my  blog, with  two  boys in the house  I seem to be   always running them somewhere or  to meet up with someone
.  The last few  days  have  beeen  very, very   hot  and   ''muggy''  or  ''clammy''as  my dad  would say ! The  best  place to be  is  in the pool, This weekend  my  youngest  boy...Miguel..was  invited  to  a  classmates  birthday party,   it  didn't  start  until   seven o'clock   ,  but  by  midnight their  pool  was  still   full of children.
It  was  a  lovely evening, the  children  all  splashing around happily in the pool  and the parents  relaxing, enjoying  a    moonlit  supper   amongst friends.
   I  made  a  birthday  cake  for  the  birthday  girl,   last  year  I  made her a  doll cake,  but  she  is  absolutely   crazy for  SpongeBob,so  I  had  a  go  at  making    a  SpongeBob cake,  it  came out  quite  well.

To  make   the    cake   I  used  a   25 x 30 cm   rectangular baking tin, which I  greased and lined  before I started.
I  made a basic  cake  mix,  which is the weight of the eggs,in  margarine,self-raining flour and sugar.
The size tin  I used   needed a  5 egg  mixture,  when weighed  with shells on they  totalled 11 oz...

So  here   the  ingredientsI used  for  a  25 x 30 cm tin
                                                    5  eggs
                                                   11 oz, butter or margarine
                                                   11 oz, sugar
                                                   11 oz, self raining flour
                                                   1  tablespoon of milk
                                                   1 teaspoon of vanilla essence

1/ Firstly,  Preheat the oven  to  around....180' C/350'F ,

Then   whisk together the  margarine(or butter) and the sugar 

2/ Then add  the  eggs, one at a time  followed  by  a   spoon of  flour  , so   the  mixture  doesn't seperate, whisking after each egg,  then add  the  rest of the flour, milk and vanilla essence   and  whisk all  together, until   pale and creamy.

3/ Place the mixture into your prepared cake tin,making sure you level out into all corners of the tin,

4/Place into the oven, cook  for  approx,  20  minutes  OR  until is  risen, golden brown  and  a  knife inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

5/ Take  out  of  oven, and  leave  cool on a wire  rack

6/While the cake is cooling, cut a piece of paper the size of  your  cake tin  and  from this cut out  the body shapes  for your  Spongebob.

7/When cool   lay  the  paper shapes on top of the cake,(you can  use pins to keep them in place  if needed,  but  remember to remove them !)  Then   begin  cutting the cake into  the  shapes,  i   cut out  a   body, arms  and   legs.  Any   cake   that   has been  cut off,  place  to one side  .

8/ Assemble the cake pieces onto a board,if you havent a cake board    use  a  piece of  board covered in tinfoil sellotaped underneath, so it doesn't move.
9/ Begin to decorate. It is  a   bit  fiddly  and   took me  just  under 2 hours to complete.

For  the decoration  you  will need :-  ready to roll icing,(approx half   small packet)
                                                            Food colourings, black, blue, red  and yellow.
                                                            1 tablespoon of cocoa
                                        buttercream, ( 150-200g  butter and icing sugar  creamed together)



10/ First I   cut  all the  white shapes  that I  needed from the   ready made icing.... shirt front, collars, sleeves, different  sized circles for the eyes, mouth & teeth, tie  and   socks.
11/Paint   2  circles with  blue food colouring, and paint the tie with red food colouring, The mouth needed  a  red  tongue, and   the rest painted in black then the teeth added when dry.
when painting these     dont  be  too  heavy  with the  colouring or they won't dry out  properly.
12/ Make up the buttercream, keeping  a    quarter of this  to one side,  adding   yellow  colouring to the  rest  until it is the desired  colour.
13/ Add some cocoa  powder to the remaining   buttercream,  mixing together well.
14/Begin  to assemble your  SpongeBob.

15/ I  used yellow  buttercream for his body and arms, I  cut a small circle of    the left over cake  and covered with  buttercream for his nose, and   chocolate buttercream for his   trousers.

The   shoes  were  a  bit  tricky,  I  used  black   glace icing(icing sugar,  drops of water  and  colour   )

and slowly built up the  colour. stick together   the parts  using  buttercream  as  a  'glue', layer the  eyes, using a small ball of white   on top.

16/ Using a small   coloured  squeezy tube of   brown  coloured  icing  I  added the details, his  eye lashes, belt and outlined his featured and arms.

17/The final result  was  very  well recieved  by the birthday girl  and well worth the time  making it.

This  basic  cake mix  can  make   loads  of  different   styles of cake,  you just need  a   little imagination and a lot of time. !!

A doll cake I  made last year.

A  racing car track one,  The boys love this  !!

The  same   basic  mixture,  can be reduced, the weight of two eggs in  fat,flour and sugar  woul  make     12-18   fairy cakes, ideal for decorating.

                           I made these for    my sons French teacher who was leaving the school.

          And  these  were  made  for  a  party as an alternative to  a  large cake,
much easier for   sharing,   no plates needed, much less    mess!!
I  hope  some of my   ideas  will inspire  you  to  have a go and   bake !!

surviving the sun: Using up your crop of apples...

surviving the sun: Using up your crop of apples...: "Thursday 7th July ....... San.Fermin. I don't know if you have managed to see it live on tv or even participated in it, but this is..."

Using up your crop of apples...

Thursday 7th  July.......San.Fermin.
I  don't know if you  have managed to see it  live on tv  or  even participated in it, but  this  is the popular week of 'Bull Running' In Pamplona, Spain.The  hoards of people that all travel to Pamplona to take part in this  annual event are   noticeable  by  their  ''uniforms'', all in white  with a red neckercheif. We  get   Spanish  television so  get  to see  it  every  morning, It still amazes me after living here all these years,   why  on  earth  the  crowds   that  gather in Pamplona  put theirselves at risk all in the name of tradition. I tend to watch it  from behind a cushion,  you know inevitably  someone will get hurt.
Well today as promised is another  bunch of recipes, this time using  apples which  you may be fortunate  enough to have growing  in your garden.

Apples can be used  in many different ways, from   a nice crisp apple   to eat on the go  to  a traditional favourite of apple pie and custard.

I am going to start off with one  of  my  childrens favourites...

Toffee Apples

This recipe is to make 7

you will need:-  7  wooden skewers or sticks

7  medium size dessert apples

3/4 Lb demerara sugar (375g)

1 & 1/2  oz  butter(38g)

1 teaspoon  of vinegar

3 fl oz water (88ml)

1 tablespoon of golden syrup

1/ First, insert a  skewere firmly into the core of each apple.

2/Heat the   remaining ingredients in a   heavy based saucepan,until the sugar has dissolved, bring to the boil for 5 minutes,WITHOUT stirring until a little of the mixture dropped into cold water , forms a hard ball.

3/Brush the sides of the pan with a brush dipped in water occasionally  during boiling, this  helps to prevent crystals forming.

4/Remove from the heat and dip the pan immediately into cold water to stop the cooking.

5/Tilt the pan slightly and dip the apples one at a time into the mixture.

6/Lift out and twirl over the pan once or twice until evenly coated.

7/ Place on an oiled baking sheet until the toffee has hardened.

*They can be   wrapped  in sellophane  to give  as  gifts  to  youg  visitors ! *

  A  variation on the traditional apple pie  is   :-

 Upside  Down Apple Tart

You will need :- 8 oz (225g) puff pastry,(bought or home made)

6 cooking pples

lemon juice

3oz (75g) caster sugar

1 oz (25g) unsalted butter

pinch of cinnamon

1/....Firstly, Roll out the pastry on a floured board and cut a  10'' (25cm)  circle, then place this in the fridge.

2/...Peel and core the apples,then cut into eighths.Sprinkle with lemon juice,(to stop from going brown),

3/...Pour the sugar over the base of a 9'' (23cms) cake tin and dot with butter.

4...Preheat the oven to 220'C/425'F/gas mark 7

5/...Arrange the apples in the base of the tin, add the  cinnamon.

6/...Place the pastry circle over the apples tucking in any surplus in around the edge of the tin. 

7/...Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked.

8/...Leave to cool in the tin a few minutes, then place a serving plate over the tin and invert.

9/...Serve warm or cold, with cream, ice cream or custard.

                                                                       Apple Sauce

You will need:-  1 Lb cooking Apples

1 oz unsalted butter

caster sugar (optional)

1/ ..Peel, Core and slice the apples.

2/.. Place them in a pan with 2-3 tablespoons of water and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes.

3/... Rub the cooked apples through a sieve or put them in a liquidiser to make a puree.

4/ ...Stir in the butter and season if required with the sugar.

5/.. Serve with roast pork,goose, grilled sausages or bacon.

Apple and Walnut Salad

You will need:- small   lettuce

6 stalks of celery

3 large eating apples

3oz (75g) chopped   walnuts

1/4 (150ml) mayonaise

5 tablespoons  fresh double  cream or soured cream

1 tablespoon of vinegar

juice of 1 medium lemon

1/...Firstly, wash lettuce leaves and shake dry.

2/... Tear into  bite-size pieces and use to cover base of serving dish.

3/...Cut celery into thin slices and put into bowl.

4/...Peel and core 2 apples and cut into thin slices,add to celery, together with the  chopped nuts  and mix well.

5/...Combine the mayonaise with cream and vinegar.

6/.. Pour over apple mixture and toss together until all ingredients are thickly coated.

7/...Arrange over the lettuce.

8/...Cut third apple,unpeeled into  thin slices.

9/...Dip into lemon juice to prevent browning , then arrange on  top  of salad.

10/...Serve and enjoy !

Baked Apples with Syrup and lemon

you will need:- 4  cooking apples (or bramleys)

1 level tablespoon  golden  syrup

1/2 level teaspoon  finely grated lemon rind

3 tablespoons of warm water

1/...Firstly wash and dry the apples,then remove cores  2/3 of the way  down each.

2/...With a sharp knife,score a line around each apple about a third of the way down from the top.

3/...Stand the apples in a heatproof dish.

4/...Mix syrup and lemon rind together,then spoon equal amounts into the apple cavaties.

5/...Top each one with a knob of butter,then pour the warm water into the dish.

6/...Bake in a moderate oven for 45 minutes-1 hour, until apples puff up and are tender.

7/...Baste at least twice while the apples are cooking.

8/... Serve with cream,yogurt or custard.

I  hope   That  you  will  try  one, if not all of these recipes, Apples are  very   good  for you..........After all....

''An apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away!!''

Reported Health Benefits of Apple :

1. Apple is a rich source of flavonoid and polyphenols both are powerful antioxidant.
2. Study shown that by eating 100g of apple can give an antioxidant effect that equal to taking about 1,500mg of vitamin C.
3. Apple contain a large amount of minerals and vitamins that can strengthen the blood.
4. Apple contain malic acid and tartaric acid, that can help prevent disturbances of the liver and digestion.
5. Apple cider vinegar when used as beverage can help to prevent the formation of kidney stone.
6. The skin of Apple contain pectin that can help remove toxic substances from the system by supplying galacturonic acid. Pectin helps prevent protein matter in the intestine from spoiling.
7. Eating an apple daily can reduce cholesteral.

What are you waiting for???  Go    eat an apple  :)

surviving the sun: Using your crop of plums

surviving the sun: Using your crop of plums: "Tuesday 5th July ....... Living here in Spain we are so lucky to have such a vast supply of fresh fruit on our doorstep! If you..."

Using your crop of plums

Tuesday  5th July.......  Living  here in Spain we are so lucky to  have  such  a  vast  supply   of fresh fruit on our  doorstep!
If  you   dont  have your own trees  the  local markets  are  full  of    well priced  fruits and veg  all   freshly picked locally.I  have  Fig  trees which aren't  quite ready  so   I  will be  looking   for  101  ways to cook a fig  soon !
Today   decided I would  post  some recipes for  plums  ,  and  follow  tommorrow with cooking apples, and  Thursday with the paraguayas.
 Plums can be eaten raw or can be used to make jellies, jams and stews. These can also be used in puddings, cakes, pies and in stuffing.
Here are some other ideas using plums I hope you will like.

 Plum Flan

For this you will need:- 1 Lb (450g) plums
                                      3/4 pint (450ml) double cream
                                       6 oz (175g) white marzipan
                                       2 tablespoons of kirsch
                                      12 '' (30cms) shop bought flan case
                                      2 tablespoons  of runny honey
                                      2 oz pistachio nuts

1/Firstly, quarter and stone the plums
2/Place in  a pan with 4 tablespoons (60ml) of water, cook on a low heat for 10 minutes, or until plums are slightly soft  but still hold their shape.
3/In a food processor  blend together the cream, marzipan and kirsch to form a fairly stiff paste.
4/ Spread this mixture over the base over the flan case.
5/Drain and place the plums onto the mixture, brush with the honey  , then sprinkle the nuts.
6/Enjoy!!

                                      Plums in Wine

You will need:-

1 & 1/2 to 2 lbs plums,

 3oz sugar,

1/2 pint port, (medium dry sherry or madiera wine)

 2 tablespoons flaked almonds

1/Dissolve sugar in 1/2 pint of water and simmer for 10 minutes..

2/stir in the wine and bring the mix to simmering point again.

3/ Remove stalks from the plums,wash and dry,one at a time add to the simmering syrup mix....cover pan with a lid and remove from the heat,leave the plums in the syrup for 10 minutes.

4/Lift out the plums with a perforated utensil,and place in  a serving dish,cover with foil , leave in a warm place.

5/Boil the syrup over a high heat to reduce by around a third and thicken slightly.Then pour over plums.

6/Meanwhile toast the flaked almonds for around 5 minutes in the oven until golden,Scatter over plums and serve at once with cream or icecream .

Plum and cinamon pudding

Crumble topping:-

6 oz (150g) plain flour

3 oz (75g) butter

2 to 3 oz sugar (50-75g)

You will also need:-

2 Ib plums

4 oz demarara sugar

1 teaspoon of cinamon

Wash the plums, then place  into  a pie dish.(remove stone  and half them)

Prepare crumble topping  by, rubbing  butter  and flour  together finely, add sugar then  toss   ingredients together lightly to mix.Save to one side.

Sprinkle the plums  with the sugar and cinamon, then spread the crumble topping.

bake for 30-40 minutes or until the topping  is golden brown.

Plum Cake



225g (8oz) self-raising flour

1 tsp ground cinnamon

100g (3.5oz) baking margarine

50g (2oz) sultanas

50g (2oz) soft brown sugar plus 2 tblsp for sprinkling

2 large eggs

4 tblsp golden syrup

225g (8oz) plums, stoned and chopped

1/Firstly.....Preheat oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3.

2/Grease and line an 8 inch square baking tin.

3/Rub the flour, half the cinnamon and the margarine together.

4/Add the sultanas and 50g (2oz) brown sugar and stir.

5/Beat eggs and syrup together in a separate bowl, add plums, then stir into flour mixture.

6/Transfer to tin and level surface.

7/Mix rest of brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over top of cake mixture.

8/Cook in centre of oven for 45-50 mins and then test. It should be risen and just firm to the touch when cooked.

9/Cut into squares to eat.

This is nice eaten warm with ice cream or custard,though you can eat it cold too.

***This recipe  Works just as well with apples or  rhubarb***

Easy Plum Jam

You will need:-4 lbs (1.8 kg) plums

                        1 pint (575 ml) water

                         4 lbs (1.8 kg) sugar

1/Firstly, Wash and wipe the plums. Cut in halves.

2/Put into a pan with the water and simmer gently until the fruit is soft.

3/Test for pectin.***(see note below)

4Add the sugar, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

5/Bring to the boil and boil rapidly until the jam sets when tested, removing the stones as they rise to the top.

6/Remove the scum.

7/Pot and seal while still hot.

**If you  have no  wax  discs  a  great  tip is to save the   bags from inside cereal boxes and  cut into circles, these work well,then cover with  plastic and   if you have some pretty material, cut a circle with pinking shears for  that   personal touch,  A  home made lable would transform it into a perfect  gift****

Makes around 6 lbs (2.7 kg) of jam

**some  information regarding PECTIN...

The fruit should be thoroughly softened by simmering to extract the pectin which, when boiled with sugar, will cause the jam to set. If the sugar is added before the fruit is properly cooked, the jam will not set, the skin of the fruit becomes tough and the jam is often a dark colour.

To obtain jam that will set properly, it is necessary to extract the pectin by simmering the fruit and the acid naturally contained in the fruit will assist the pectin extraction.

For fruit that lacks acid and pectin, the deficiency can be made up by:

a/...Mixing the low or medium pectin fruit with a high pectin one, e.g. apple and blackberry.

b/...Adding a pectin stock made from fruits such as apples, gooseberries or redcurrants.

c/...Adding commercially made pectin which is supplied in liquid or, sometimes, powdered, form.

Adding lemon juice or citric acid. ***

Plum Ice cream

 You will need:- 450g ripe plums, stoned and quartered                                                                             125g light muscovado sugar

4 egg yolks 
    125g icing sugar 
    284ml pot double cream

1/...Firstly,Put the plums in a pan with the muscovado sugar and 300ml water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes until the plums are really tender. Press the stewed fruit through a sieve. Chill the purée in the fridge for 20 minutes.
2/...Put the egg yolks and icing sugar in a bowl and stand the bowl over (not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Whisk with electric beaters until the mixture has just warmed through. Take the bowl off the heat and continue whisking until the mix has trebled in volume. Chill in the fridge.
3/...Whip the cream with 2 tbsp iced water until it just holds its shape. Add the plum purée, egg mixture and cream and whisk lightly together. Either churn in an ice-cream maker or pour into a container and freeze for about 1 hour until mushy. Turn into a chilled bowl and whisk vigorously. Return to the container or set in small moulds  and freeze for 2-3 hours until firm.

Here are the  benefits from eating plums....

• Plum is a good source of dietary fibers which can help lower bad cholesterol and help prevent constipation.
• Plums are rich in minerals like phosphorus, copper, manganese, magnesium and potassium.
• Plum is very effective in resolving the symptoms of fatigue. Just 5 to 6 plums in your daily diet can help resolve the symptoms of fatigue in a week. The reason for this is plum has all important minerals, especially certain natural tranquilizers which help to calm the nerves and catalyze natural REM sleep.
• Plum has some phytonutrients that can stop the growth of breast cancer cells.
• Plums help in absorption of iron in the body.

     I  Know what I will be looking for next week in the local

                     market.......yes, PLUMS !!!

surviving the sun: fresh cherry muffins

surviving the sun: fresh cherry muffins: "Monday July 4th ....Well happy Independence day to any American followers out there! Today I went to a local market and bought a ..."