Happy Easter (and some Hot Cross Buns)

I've never been very fond of shop bought Hot Cross Buns.  They promise so much, (warm, gently spiced buns sound soo enticing) but are generally disappointing - flaccid beige affairs with too many soggy sultanas.

This year I decided to take the plunge and bake my own.  I'd been wary of making them because it involves cooking with yeast.  I've always believed this to be very tricky but turns out it's not that hard.  You just have to be patient and give the dough time to rise (or prove as I believe the professionals call it).

So without much further ado.

Ta da!  Here they are...

Absolutely delicious with butter (bang goes the diet!)

We tried fooling around drawing shapes on the second batch.  My attempt at a cat's face on the top right bun was less than successful!

I used this recipe from the BBC Good Food Guide website but with a few alterations of my own.  After reading the user comments I added a lot more spices - 1/2 a teaspoon of ginger; 1/2 a teaspoon of mixed spice; a good sprinkling of nutmeg and doubled the quantity of cinnamon.  Next time I think I'll double those quantities.  The recipe recommends glazing with apricot jam but I didn't have any so I used a mixed of Golden Syrup and water gently heated on the stove.  That worked very well.  I brushed it on whilst the buns were still warm and it really sunk in.

Most importantly though the cooking time says 20 minutes.  I checked after 10 minutes and took them out after 12-14.  I think that if you left them in for the whole 20 minutes, you'd just end up with a tray of inedible cinders.  

Also note that the recipe states 'preparation time 30 mins' and it's only when reading the recipe that you realise there's also 3 hours of proving time involved to let the dough rise.  

Happy Easter everyone!  x

The Rules of Eating Alone

I was out shopping recently when I overheard a thirty something man having the following conversation on his mobile...


"Oh, yes!  Yes, I'd love to come to dinner.


I haven't eaten a proper meal for weeks.  There's something so pathetic about cooking a proper meal when you're on your own.


Usually just toast...  With Marmite..." 


I actually stopped dead in disbelief when I heard this. Needless to say, I completely disagree with him so in honour of that sad, lonely man waiting for his life to start, here are my Rules for Eating Alone.

1. Remember if you are eating alone, this is a special time.  It's your time to reflect on the day and make plans without any distractions.
2. Listen to music.  My favourite is Classic FM.
3. Cook simple, tasty, nutritious food.  Food that you enjoy.  Endless slices of Marmite toast implies a sense of disregard for your own wellbeing.  One of my favourite meals is fresh filled pasta with olive oil and gruyere cheese grated on top.  So simple and easy to prepare but healthy and filling.
4. Sit down at the table and clear things like laptops away.  I love eating at my dining table.  It's in the corner of the living room and I can watch the sunset over the treetops.  I always lay the table properly with a place mat.  Personally I feel that if you eat on your lap in front of the TV, not only will you not appreciate your food, you'll invariably end up overeating because you're distracted.  Never eat standing up over the kitchen sink.
5. Try not to take phone calls whilst you're eating.  There's plenty of time for that later.  

Things that are making me happy today

It's icily cold here in London today and I'm struggling to complete my tax return in time.


Here are a few things that are keeping my spirits up

Daffodils to remind me that spring is just around the corner.

Freshly sliced kiwi fruit.

Good chocolate.

How do you keep your spirits up?  x