I think I need a rest!

My eyes were hurting after all I'd seen that so far that weekend (including the below)

so Chazzle and I parted at the tube and I tottered off to Blue Granny's for a soothe on Saturday evening. I had a nice Shepherd's pie for dinner which I now have a spare one of for my school lunches, and a creme brulee. Then I had a hot bubbly bath and an early night.

After a massive lie in the next day, a game of scrabble and plenty of elevenses we had lunch of roast pork, carrots, parnsips, brussel sprouts and mash potato and mini jacket potatoes. In my opinion no meal is complete without two types of potato.

This is a picture of a bit of it in the oven. Granny doesn't approve of my blog as I 'should have better things to do' so I have to be sly with my photography. The bottom dish is rice pudding. it's very easy to make. Place rice and sugar in an ovenproof dish, pour in milk liquid and give it a good stir. Grate whole nutmeg all over the surface and dot butter on top in little flecks. Pop the dish in the oven for 30 minutes then give it a good stir. Then pop the dish back in the oven to cook for another hour. At the end of this time the rice grains will have become swollen, with pools of creamy liquid all around them, and, of course, all that lovely skin!

I'm really tired now so I shall save the rest of my news for tomorrow. Sleep tight easter eggs xxxxxx

Cream of the crop

Went to Blue Granny's on Friday for dinner, a hot bath, a game of scrabble (I won) and a good sleep. I was very tired after my first week of work. Watching Itv3 all day takes it out of you.

For pudding we had cute blackberry fools. Mine was topped with cream. I think you make them with: 2 cups blackberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, 2 cups heavy cream,1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Blend berries, sugar and lemon until smooth, discard seeds by sieving, combine cream and vanilla- whip to stiff peaks, fold berry puree into cream. Put into a cute pot and chill. I'd definitely make them myself if I had the right vessels. I nearly had a second one later on in the evening they were so soothing but I decided it wasn't healthy and instead accidentally polished off all of Granny's Terry's chocolate orange bits.

This is how Granny lays out the breakfast table before she goes to sleep. If I had a table and a tablecloth I would also do that.

Sweet slumber fruitiepies xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pea.S I love you

Mmm just had the aftermath of a toad in the hole with gravy with broc, and sugar snap peas.

Went to Blue Granny's yesterday and she was very sad to note that no one was able to polish off the last helping of toad in the hole so I promised to eat it for lunch today. She packed me off with it wrapped up in a foil tray with a little bottle of the gravy. Tasted as great today as it had yesterday although unfort not followed with scrabble, hot ribeana and crumpets.

She also gave me some daffodils which are lulling me into a very contented false sense of spring.

Inspired by their happy blooms I might make a lemon drizzle cake. I'm going to Sashy's for tea later and i think a few slices would sit nicely.

Method and Recipe: Heat oven to gas 4. Beat together 225 g butter and the same of sugar until pale and creamy, then add 4 eggs, one at a time, slowly mixing through. Sift in 225g flour, then add zest of 1 lemon and combine well. Line a loaf tin (8 x 21cm) with greaseproof paper, then spoon in the mixture and level the top with a spoon. Bake for 45-50 mins until a thin skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. While the cake is cooling in its tin, mix together the juice of the lemon and 85g sugar to make the drizzle. Prick the warm cake all over with a fork, then pour over the drizzle - the juice will sink in and the sugar will form a lovely, crisp topping. Leave in the tin until completely cool, then remove and serve. MMMMmm.

Laters bravehearts xxxxxxxxxxxx

Escape to the country (well, zone 4)

Went to Blue Granny's for the day yesterday. It was a lovely cold, crisp but sunny day and as I walked up to her house from the station I was feeling very happy. She and Grampa live right by Epping Forest which made my walk practically like walking through 'Bambi' compared to being at the Estate.

As soon as I arrived I was seated with a snack. Fruit scone and a mini roll which Granny had purloined from choir. No one else was using it. Granny had been baking so that's why there is flour on the table. First time I've stained within five minutes of arriving somewhere. Was too close to some pastry crumbs. Poor heat tech leggings just attract food.

We spent the day chatting and having a big lunch and various other snacks. We had

toad in the hole for lunch because Granny knows I love it. She puts chopped up tomatoes and mushrooms in the batter with the sausages which was a nice touch.

These are 2 out of 3 of the apple and blackberry pies that Granny had whipped up that morning. She makes the pastry properly and her freezer is always swimming with stewed fruit ready for such occasions. I didn't ask the recipe for my blog because she doesn't use one but I did find a nice Apple and Blackberry pie recipe from Delia that would be a good template for people like me who get a bit unconfident without a strict recipe to keep us in line.

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/pastry/apple-and-blackberry-pie.html

If that seems a bit complicated then stew some fruit (I use stewed because that's what granny always gives me for my freezer and I've got loads). To stew, clean and if necessary peel the fruit. Stew in sufficient water until tender. When almost done add what sugar is needed. Then I'd use ready to roll pastry, roll it out, and line a greased pie dish with it. Put the right amount of fruit in. Roll a lid for it, put it on and pinch the edges together in a nice crinkly pattern with your thumb and finger. Obvs trim any excess off first. Remember to make a steam hole in the centre. I like to make some leaves or hearts with leftover pastry and stick them on the top.

Then brush the top with milk and sprinkle on some sugar before baking for about 30 mins at gas mark 5. Keep checking it till it's golden brown.

Better go to get my breakfast now darlings. Bye for now xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx