Baking in heels

2nd Jun 2012

Say Cheese!

I’m not particularly fond of cheese, so it came as a surprise to my family and friends when I decided I was going to make this very cheesy, American Cheesecake. So much of a surprise that my Mum sat in the kitchen the whole time whilst I made it and threw, what seemed like a million cheese-related questions at me. One of them being, ‘Does this mean you’ll be having cheese sandwiches again?’ I know you’ll all be dying to know the answer to that positively bizarre question, so before I continue I can tell you the answer was, ‘No!’

My reasons for baking this cake were, my other half has been subtly dropping hints that I should ‘try’ and make a cheesecake which I had picked up on over six months ago and had chosen to ignore due to my fear of the ghastly product. The other reason being a lot of people ask me if I’d ever do cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting, which seems to be very popular amongst cake lovers. But popular or not my eyes watered at the mere thought of having to create such a thing. Needless to say I thought it was high time I got over my fear of cheese and in doing so I may have possibly been able to get around telling people, ALL people, anyone that will listen that I’m allergic to cheese and will pretty much die if I am within 2inches of it.

It took the cake 24hrs to complete. It took me 30 seconds to realise I might just be able to cook with cheese, but I’ll never try it willingly and will have to enlist others to indulge in some taste testing where cheese is involved.

2nd Jun 2012

American Cheesecake topped with Summer Fruits & White Chocolate.

It’s big, it’s American and it’s one portion of your five a day.

Instructions before eating: Keep repeating the last part and you’ll be able to finish the whole thing, sin-free. Clever eh?

19th May 2012

Crazy about crockery.

I’ve possibly developed one of my most healthy obsessions to date. Collecting crockery has become one of the most satisfying hobbies I’ve acquired yet. It comes hand in hand with baking, and the best part is everything is bought from my local charity shops. So not only do I get to own these beautiful, little gems. I’m also doing my part for charity. I tend to visit the same shops but when I’m on my travels I’ll call into any shop I come across. It’s lovely having a little rummage around, I find myself sitting on the floors of shops separating all sorts of hidden treasures whilst having a natter with shopkeepers, assistants and even customers. I think it’s nice to find something that once belonged to someone else, taking it away and giving it a brand new home. My friends love my collection (which is vastly growing might I add) and often ask me when I’ll be throwing my next tea party, sleepover or business lunch. I highly recommend going into your local charity shop. Let’s face it, who knows what you might find or what interests you might spark up. Either way it’s fun, it’s interesting and you’d be donating to a very good cause.