What are you baking this week?

[Amber]

I will taste it tomorrow when it cold and dusted.

Do you need any help?

[aero280]

Thanks for the offer, but I think that we will manage...

[Stokey Sue]

Turkish Delight is notoriously difficult, be interested to see if you crack it
A local firm, Politi, made the very best, apparently the secret was that because Jewish they didn't use gelatine, only starch, even more difficult than the usual gelatine + starch version but a lovely texture if you get it right. They stopped making it about 50 years ago, but I remember it well from childhood Christmas treats.

[aero280]

The recipe I’m using is gelatine free. But I know I have it wrong in that I started the cornflour far too soon and it was cold by the time the syrup went in. I used the recommended saucepan size but it was too small and I had to get it to temperature on a slow boil to stop it boiling over. Conversely the cornflour mix was in too big a pan, and when it stiffened right up, it wouldn’t cover the bottom once stirred, so I had to guess that it was done. Then it went cold. The mix is a bit grainy as a result.

The final mix has cooled overnight. I will be trying it later.

[aero280]

Well, we've tried the Turkish Delight. It's not good. It's edible, but that's about it.

It hasn't set, it's still a paste and too wet. It's been dusted and a few seconds later the moisture comes through the dusting.

It can't be cut into cubes, it's too soggy. In the end I rolled the bits into balls and dusted them.

And, it's is far too sweet. Beyond the sweetness of some American desserts that I have made. Surprising as it claims to be a BBC Food recipe.

I will have to try a different recipe if I do it again.

[Suffs]

Spanokopita … based on the recipe in The Hairy Bikers’
Perfect Pies, but with spring cabbage, wild rocket and dill with the spinach.

I’ll wrap it in foil when it’s cooled and it’ll live in the fridge until Friday ,.. a simple supper with a tomato, cucumber and mint salad after we’ve been out for the day with our visiting friend.

[Earthmaiden]

Looks lovely!

[KeenCook]

Suffs, it looks wonderful

[aero280]

Mmmm! Tasty.

I have just done a run of my staples. A focaccia and a modified strudel. We are engulfed in blackberries, so instead of the traditional(ish) strudel, but made with puff pastry, I made a blackberry and apple one. It tasted OK, but the filling was very wet and the pastry is a bit soggy.

[Cheezy_Jazzy]

I have made scones today and baked my Christmas cake.

[Pepper Pig]

Perhaps you should try this Aero. https://www.nigella.com/recipes/blackbe ... e_20240901

[Earthmaiden]

I have made scones today and baked my Christmas cake.

Is this our first Christmas cake of the year? Will it be 'fed' regularly?

[aero280]

I have some polenta somewhere. But it will have to wait until later in the month.

[slimpersoninside]

Perhaps you should try this Aero. https://www.nigella.com/recipes/blackbe ... e_20240901

Oooh, that looks good PP. I would probably substitute blueberries for the blackberries as I prefer them, too many pips!

[Cheezy_Jazzy]

I have made scones today and baked my Christmas cake.

Is this our first Christmas cake of the year? Will it be 'fed' regularly?

Yes it will be fed regularly between now and Christmas.

[Badger's Mate]

I ought to think about soaking my fruit.

[Amber]

This will be my 50th year of baking Christmas cakes.

It’s often hard to buy royal icing sugar, so this week I bought six packs while it was in stock in asda. I need to check if that’s enough.

[Cheezy_Jazzy]

I was going to an event on Saturday so I made Melting Moments and was in the process of making Crunchies when the Kenwood decided to take a smoking break! Luckily the mixture was sufficiently mixed, so I ended up baking the Crunchies yesterday. J says he can fix the Kenwood but if all else fails I have a spare one which belonged to my Gran.

[KeenCook]

Now we have DS2 with us for a while, I've got an excuse to do more baking!

Banana and walnut muffins yesterday, to use up an old black banana, today blueberry ones. I wonder what I'll do tomorrow?

We've also got a gingerbread in the tin, that we're getting through quite fast, but not so fast that we are missing out on how it gets better, day by day! (Thank you again, Suelle )

[scullion]

two sourdough loaves - and a tray of brownies with the residual oven heat.