Cupcake Week

Cupcakes are the baking trend of the moment. From weddings to children’s birthday parties, everyone is making cupcakes – I know I am!

I have been into my cupcake baking for a while now, and I am starting to get a bit of a reputation (mainly for my aptly named signature cakes). My cakes are so popular that I have been asked to bake for a friend’s birthday party.

Now, you have to understand that I have never HAD to bake before. I volunteer my services because I love baking and no one quite knows what they are going to get because I happen to bake whatever I am in the mood for. Somehow this takes away the pressure of the cakes having to be perfect.

However, the ‘commissioning’ of my cupcake service makes me somewhat edgy. Not because I am scared of baking for an event, but because I don’t want to let my friend down.

In preparation for the party cakes, I have been trawling through cupcake recipes to find different flavours of cupcake, and lets just say it’s been an eye-opener. So to help you, my fellow cakey bakers, I am going to post cupcake recipes everyday for a week. Ergo, Cupcake Week is born.

See you Monday through to Sunday for a different cupcake everyday.

Sarah

FoodBuzz

We are now on FoodBuzz as Chichester Cookshop. I only made the account this afternoon so it is looking a bit bare, but I will build it up over time and there will be lots for you to look at hopefully.

FoodBuzz is an online community for foodie people that want to share recipes and restaurant reviews and generally love all things culinary.

So, make your profile and add some bits. Then browse the databases and you need never be stuck for recipe inspiration ever again.

Don’t forget to buzz us and add us as your friend.

Sarah

Feeling Festive...

I've taken this recipe for Mulled Wine from Nigela Lawson’s Christmas Recipes. Enjoy this perfect beverage for Christmas time with steaming mince pies as a festive treat.

Mulled Wine

Taken from...
How to Be a Domestic Goddess

1 bottle red wine
60ml (4 tablespoons) dark rum
125ml Earl Grey tea
1 tablespoon dark muscovado sugar
1 orange, quartered, each quarter stuck with 1 clove
1 star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon honey

Put all the ingredients in a saucepan, bring almost to the boil, but before the aromatic wine actually boils, turn down to the lowest possible heat and keep it warm as you ladle it into any nearby glass.

VARIATION
If you need to make mulled wine that isn't really mulled wine because you have to provide drink that's non-alcoholic (as I had to do for the Christmas fair at my daughter's school last year) then you can substitute a bottle of red grape juice for the wine, half a bottle of rum flavouring (I'm sorry) for the rum.

To make your Mulled Wine try using the new Flameware range by Nigella Lawson herself. For also cooking casseroles or stews, the versatile and elegant shape of this product allows you to take it straight from the oven to the table.

'Taste' magazine. Autumn edition...

‘Taste’ magazine, the autumn edition, ‘for people who love local food’. This magazine includes a range of mouth-watering recipes, tips on gardening and organic growing and preparation and cooking advice giving you everything you need to know this season. West Sussex seasonal magazine informs you on the best diners, cafes and markets around your area. In addition, with the ‘dates for your diary section’ you will always be up to date with what’s happening locally in your town or village.

Here are the details to get your subscription to Taste…

Tel: 01243 756842
Fax: 01243 777266
Email: taste@westsussex.gov.uk
Website: www.westsussex.gov.uk/tastewestsussex

Enjoy the wonders of West Sussex captured in Taste magazine.


Phoebe

101 Cookbooks

Describing itself as a Cookery Journal, the 101 Cookbooks blog is a database of recipes designed to encourage the reader to cook a variety of dishes, rather then the same old familiars.

Focusing on healthy vegetarian recipes and whole, natural ingredients the website really is a culinary inspiration. Why not sign up and get the recipes straight to your email inbox.

Sarah