things i'm making/have made

Last week I made Anzac biscuits. I had to explain a million times what these are because it’s an Australian/NZ thing. These are biscuits/cookies that were first made in WW1 to send to Australian and NZ troops who were collectively known as ANZACS (Australian and NZ army corps). They’re made from nonperishable things like golden syrup, coconut, oats, flour and butter so they would withstand the long journey to where the troops were stationed. We antipodeans have Anzac day on the 25^th of April to remember the troops who died in Gallipoli. It’s common for kids to study this in high school, and the “Anzac spirit” is a big deal for Australians. For some reason, this particular day, when the troops landed at Gallipoli, is remembered as when our national identity was founded. I think because it was the first major thing we did as separate from the Empire. Anyway I’m not very patriotic, but it felt more special making these and telling everybody about it.

I have started crocheting again, spent Saturday morning in bed crocheting and watching Stepmom (tearjerker starring Julia Roberts & Susan Sarandon). I’m making a hat even though, as somebody at work told me yesterday, we’re going into summer. Feel like in England we can wear hats all year round due to unpredictable and generally mild temperatures. I will upload a picture and pattern at some point I guess, it’s my favourite hat pattern and it’s super super easy and pretty.

Aaaaand last night I made hummingbird cupcakes for my manager at my internship’s birthday this weekend. Hummingbird cake usually has pineapple and banana in but for some reason in my mind I figured it would be better with peach or perhaps I made one ages ago with peach.. so I decided to substitute that instead of pineapple which I don’t like very much to be honest. I used this recipe and this one as inspiration. I just used SR flour because in particular recipes I think it’s legit to skip the plain flour and baking powder/bicarb/baking soda game, and I used walnuts instead of pecans because they are cheaper. By the way, if you ever need to cross reference recipes, I would definitely recommend using tastespotting. The best website for inspiration/ideas/food porn. Something I noticed about hummingbird cake is that although it's apparently a "southern" food, nobody really knows where it originates from. MYSTERY CAKE. It's really good anyway.

food things

just a few small links to prove that I am not going to give up on this blog again.

I don't remember how but I stumbled upon this amazing amazing company, Bompas & Parr, who are jelly mongers. I feel really happy that's a true thing. I wish I could have seen this neon jelly chamber, seems so legit

The next food thing I really want to do/that I might do this weekend is go to Maltby Street Market. If only to get more Bea's of Bloomsbury cupcakes..

In 'making news' over easter I mad my own hot cross buns, for which I basically followed this recipe - the only one I could find which sensibly suggested soaking the fruit in tea. I soaked my raisins in chai tea and also added a bit of the tea to the milk/yeast mixture because I didn't have any spices. That turned out well, although they could have been more spicy probably. I was pleased how they turned out. I had been telling everybody prior to Easter that I was going to make satanic buns and do like antichrist symbols on them. All the deliciousness of Easter, yet no religion!! That only partially worked..

 
Yesterday I made a pretty nice crumble featuring leftover pears, strawberries and apple from a dinner my flatmate made earlier in the week. I find with crumbles they're mostly an intuitive thing, you never really need a recipe as such. I think the crumble mix itself works best in terms of a ratio, like 1 butters to 3 flour or something. You know it's okay if, when you grab a handful, you can press it together and then obviously crumble it onto your fruit. I made the custard too thick though. Sigh. It made me want a vanilla slice. But I am going to get my share of Australian treats this week, I have plans to make Anzac day. Also am wondering if I'm allowed to give myself a public holiday on Wednesday.

In other Australian biscuit news, a girl at work gave me a penguin which is EXACTLY like a tim tam. Really made my day.

I am also determined to get a baking-based job. Not sure how to do this apart from plying the local cupcake shop and Blackbird Bakery with macarons or something..