Category Archives: baking

29.01 finally

29th January 2010

This week has dragged by at a snails pace, always the way when times are tougher. Still, I made it through and for that I am thankful.

Today’s outfit consists of a forgotten about pair of tights and a combination of two of my favourite colours for spring. It’s too cold for wearing outside of the house, but I’m going nowhere, so it doesn’t really matter!

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I also got round to baking a Lemon Madeira cake, requested by my Mum, it may not be the prettiest cake I’ve ever made the even the scent of it that’s currently working it’s way around the house is more than making up for that!

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When it is fully cool I will trim the edges to make it neater I think.
There was enough mixture left over to trying out my silicon cupcake cases. I love these and need more! I only have four right now.

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The recipe came from our oldest cook book, which is one of my favourites! I expect lots of UK people have one of these lurking somewhere in their house.

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Let me know if you want the recipe!

Posted in baking, outfits

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19.12 Baking

18th December 2009

Hello, and happy Friday,
I’m glad I’ve created some excitment for my giveaway…stay tuned for that!

I also wanted to say a great big THANK YOU for the kind words and support regarding my letter to my 16 year old self,
words can’t explain how much that means to me.

It is now ONE WEEK today till Christmas (eek) and having been awake since some un-earthly hour, I found myself at a loose end with an overwhelming urge to bake.

So I did, the first of my holiday baking (still to come, shortbread, puff pastry christmas trees and peppermint creams)
Today I bring to you, Cornish Fairings.
Not typically associated with Christmas, but these cookies are made with ginger and mixed spice and that makes them perfect for this time of year. They come out wonderfully chewy and quite a lot like gingerbread; just much easier to make, I think this recipe took me half an hour from start to finish!

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(why yes, the first tray did overbake a little!)

The recipe I used is from the Christmas edition of the Somerfield Magazine (small UK supermarket chain)
The recipe makes around 18 cookies.

You’ll need:
225g (8oz) Plain Flour
2tsp Baking Powder
2tsp Bircarbonate of Soda
2tsp Ground Mixed Spice (or, if you dont have that, cinnamon)
2tsp Ground Ginger
100g (3.5oz) Butter
100g (3.5oz) Caster Sugar
60ml (4tbsp) Golden Syrup

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 200*c, 400*F, gas mark 6 (you might want to set it lower if you have a fan oven).

2. Sieve together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and spices.

3. Rub in the butter using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, then add the sugar.

4. Pour in the golden syrup. Mix well until you get a fairly stiff consitency (at first mine was a little dry, so I added a touch more syrup)

5. With floured hands, roll the mixture in to about 18 walnut sized balls. Place these on a greased baking tray allowing space for each cookie to spread.

6. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes (mine took just under 10) until golden brown. Leave to cool for a few minutes (until they are hard enough to move) and transfer to a cooling rack.

The cookies will keep in an airtight tin for up to five days.

Enjoy!
xxx

Posted in baking, food

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18.12 tease

17th December 2009

Good Morning lovelies,
in the spirit of Christmas, I’m teaming up with a fabulous cookware site to offer my USA/CANADA readers a fantastic giveaway…
however, before I start the fun, I wanted to build up some suspense (aren’t I so kind?!) by bringing you a little sneak preview of what is in store.

I’m also doing you a HUGE favour, as this site is a real treasure trove for those last minute gift shopping needs!

With everything from funky aprons to Rachel Ray cookware here are my top three picks.

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Sushi apron $19.95

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Owl oven mitt $7.95

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Rachel Ray mini muffin pan (which I could give my right arm for, so cute!) $19.95

Go and have a look at the site,
indulge yourself and see if you can guess which fab product I’ll be giving away.

www.cookware.com

…stay tuned for a review, too.

(UK readers, don’t feel deprived, there will be a UK only giveaway for you asap!)

Also, please check out Red Boots Blog,
she does a fantastic and touching series of letters written by readers to their 16 year old self.
It’s a wonderful idea, and incredibly theraputic to do,
you can see mine here, read others or write/submit your own.

Posted in baking, giveaway

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28.11 yesterdays outfit and some new jewellery

28th November 2009

Hello and Happy Saturday. Hope all is well and you USA readers got some excellent bargains yesterday!
Tis so cold here, I literally cannot get warm. Next year I’m migrating with the birds, I swear.

Anyway, here is what I wore yesterday (today I’m just a mess after working at 7am)

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I was also very productive and made some chocolate chip cookies for the Doctors at my Mum’s work (they don’t look pretty, but went down a storm!)

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And some new jewellery, which as always, is up for sale, and perfect for Christmas/Holiday gifts.
Prices include shipping (worldwide) and I accept paypal. Please e-mail me
adaisychaindream@googlemail.com with any questions, or if you wish to buy!

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Eiffel Tower and heart keyring, £3 UK/£4 overseas
*gone*

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Glass drink me bottle and gold teapot on gold plated 16′ chain, £6.50 UK/£7.50 overseas
*gone*

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Grandfather clock charm (with moving mouse) on 16′ silver plated chain, £5.50 UK/£6.50 overseas

Any purchase comes with a free Christmas card 😉

That’s it for today,
enjoy the weekend and STAY WARM!!!
(or, if it’s Summer for you, stay cool)

Posted in baking, food, jewellery, outfits

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Recipes

22nd August 2009

Here are the recipes for the goodies I made on Thursday, so many people requested them I thought making a post was my best bet!

Oat Cookies
Ingredients:

75g (3 oz) self raising flour
75g (3 oz) porridge oats
75g (3 oz) sugar (I used dark brown sugar but any kind will work)
75g (3 oz) butter
1 tablespoon golden syrup
1 tablespoon milk

I also added 45g M&Ms but I think you could add in any candy or dried fruit/nuts!

Directions:

– Preheat oven to 180 C / Gas mark 4. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
– Sift the flour into a bowl. Mix in rolled oats and sugar.
– Melt butter, syrup and milk in a saucepan and stir until heated through. Add to the premixed dry ingredients. Mix until well combined. Spoon onto a baking tray and shape into rounds.
– Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Leave to cool for 5 minutes before removing from tray.

Rice Krispy Treats
Ingredients:

•100g toffee (individual sweets or a slab) I hope to experiment with varying flavours
•100g butter or margarine
•100g marshmallows
•100g Rice Krispies

Directions:

– Grease a shallow 28x18cm tin with butter or margarine on a paper towel.
If you have a slab of toffee, put it in a plastic bag and break it up with a rolling pin.
– Put the toffee, butter or margarine and marshmallows into a pan. Melt them gently over a low heat, stirring all the time.
– When melted and blended, take the pan off the heat and gently stir in the Rice Krispies.
– Spoon the mixture into the tin and press it gently with the back of a metal spoon. Leave to set then cut into squares.

Have fun trying these out, and taste testing of course!
I hope to do a lot more baking in the near future, I’ve re-discovered how much I love being in the kitchen.

Do you have a favourite recipe? Feel free to share it with me, I’d love to try out some new things!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend

xoxox

Posted in baking, recipes

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