Friday 18 September 2015

Five on Friday - From my kitchen

Five on Friday? More like Five every fortnight! I had all good intentions of a post last Friday, then before I knew it, it was the weekend... Six on Saturday anyone? But one thing led to another and a whole week passed. My teaching has started again this week so there has been sewing of samples and preparation done, my Italian classes have started again and I'm painfully aware of how much I have forgotten over the summer despite a holiday in Italy,  plus I'm in the thick of rehearsals for a play to take place next month... So as you can see lots going on, some of which I may tell you about in due course. But all the time I continue to bake and cook with a passion, no matter how busy I am. So today a taste of a few of the things to come out of my kitchen recently.

1. A fig and pear frangipane tart


Inspired by the frangipane tarts on the Great British Bake Off and by some good figs from the market, I made this tart, combining various recipes and tweaking here and there. It was good... But with only two of us here it meant dessert all week which was not so good. Well, it was but you get my drift!

2. Chocolate and salted caramel torte


Gill, who doesn't really enjoy cooking, often sends me recipes. And of course, I can't resist trying them. Do you think she has an ulterior motive as one of my chief testers?  This was meant to be one big torte but I made twelve little ones. Again, they were good, but to be fair, I did manage to give half of these away although it still meant several more days of dessert. At least we had finished the frangipane tart!

3. Biscotti


More apricot and fig biscotti, most of which were given away as gifts. There is a limit to how much cake or biscuits I can eat. Recipe here if you missed it.

4. An Ottolenghi inspired lunch


After our visit to Ottolenghi's in Spitlefields last week, I was inspired to get out my copy of Plenty and cook a broccoli and Gorgonzola pie plus various salads when my eldest came for lunch. See I can do savoury too! Fortunately it is the type of food that tastes just as good the next day... and the next... and even the next. Delicious though it all was, it was good to have macaroni cheese yesterday!

5. Bouquet cookies.


Yesterday, a piece of fiddly baking, recipe from The Pink Whisk... Cookies for the village show tomorrow. I decided to up my game for my entries for the home crafts section in the show. So if you will excuse me I'm off to perfect my Victoria sponge, bake a batch of six rolls and see if I can improve on my scones! I'll let you know how I get on!

Linking up with Amy for Five on Friday

23 comments:

  1. I'm so impressed. I wonder if you live close to me! What stunning creations, you should apply for the Great British Bake Off yourself, I'm sure you would do brilliantly. Have a good week. Karen x

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  2. Wow they all look scrummy! The cookies in particular are stunning. You've made me hungry :)

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  3. I am impressed, some truly wonderful creations. Good luck with the show.

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  4. Ciao, I too go to Italian classes, and wonder how much I will remember when we go back to class next week. All those yummy cakes and biscuits, now I want to make them but I am on a diet count down to Christmas but I drooled over the photos!

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  5. They all look very yummy. Good luck with the show x

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  6. Everything looks perfect to me - good luck for the village show. I am just in awe and very envious of your energy. I suppose I might have had some a long time ago!

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  7. They all look so scrumptious - I don't know how you find the time!! The cookies are sure to win tomorrow.
    Perhaps some tips on time management in a future post? x

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  8. Everything looks so delicious! I think you should sign up for the next Bake-Off! xx

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  9. Ooh! All so pretty, you are sure to get a prize for those biscuits! X

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  10. OK, this is possible my favourite post. I want to try everything here!!!! Great photography of each one and what a great selection. Thanks for sharing x

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  11. Wow, that's some really great baking, I think maybe you should be on the bake off!
    I love the look of the Fig and Pear tart.
    Have a great weekendX

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  12. Oh YUM! They all look divine! And speaking of scones, do you have a good basic recipe? Is it on your blog? I wasn't impressed with the last one I tried and I need a new one to try. We can't get scones around here and I'm going to need a scone fix soon -- I can feel it coming on LOL!!!

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  13. Oh my gosh my mouth is watering! Everything looks so lovely and tasty!!! I wonder how those treats would fair in a trip across the pond to New Hampshire, lol!
    Hugs and enjoy the weekend!
    Beth P

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  14. Ooooohh they all look delicious and would like to try all the recipes but I don't think my cookery skills are up to it! Good luck with the show and have a wonderful weekend.

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  15. Oh my gosh, you should be a contestant in the British Bake Off! These all look amazing. I'm watching season four right now on PBS and its my favorite show. I hope they bring season six for our viewing. Enjoy your weekend.

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  16. I feel quite full looking at your post. And a little in awe of your baking skills. Perhaps I should try the biscotti recipe. We brought a bottle of Vin Santo back from italy & it needs a little something to go with it.

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  17. The cookies are beautiful! I hope that you do well at the show!!!! The salted caramel desserts look delicious too and everything else of course. I hope that the teaching doesn't get too too hectic too quickly! Thank you for joining Five on Friday. I hope that you have a great weekend!!! Sorry to be late visiting, we have been away and just got back today. xx

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  18. Gina, every one of these creations looks so delicious...I do envy those lucky enough to actually taste them.

    If our NYC temp will just drop another 10 degrees or so (F) I might be tempted to preheat the oven and begin some baking myself.

    I also really like the look of the savory dishes. I will have a look at Plenty. Brocoli is just now beginning to appear in the farmers market.

    Happy Weekend. xo

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  19. As you attested to in my profile, you are quite the baker. Such yummy food... you have quite a knack for that.

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  20. Oh wow everything looks so yummy, I'm so impressed! have a great weekend. :)

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  21. Oh my gosh! I can never let my family read your blog with all these baking delights!! They would divorce and disown me and be off to your doorstep to beg you to take them in. It's time to open the dessert shop in your house Gina ;)
    Wendy

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  22. It all looks beautiful. Be sure that your sponge is not too spongy this year!

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  23. Everything looks wonderful - and I am to confirm to Amy, that the Salted Caramel Torte tasted every bit as delicious as they look. Aren't I the lucky one!

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