Category: Baking

AYOP Update 

AYOP, Baking, Cooking, Knitting

I feel like I did an outstanding job of wasting my time yesterday. I finished my Mud Season top. I blocked it. It still hasn’t dried, so I will take a photo next week. I then spent the rest of the day unable to decide what to work on. I spent most of the day flipping through my cross-stitch patterns and linen, without picking a pattern to work on. I did manage to make a pot of gumbo, and I baked a banana & choc chip bread.

I did pick up an old WIP and managed to knit a few rows while my bread was baking.

The pattern is Sophie Shawl by Petite Knits. The yarn is Madelinetosh Vintage in the Black Sea colourway. I’m not sure if it will stay in my current rotation. I love the colour, but I’m not feeling it at the moment. I’m hoping that I’ll be more productive this week.

Currently watching: Just Sew Sherrie flosstube

Weekend

Baking, Weekend

Although I finished knitting a pair of socks on the weekend I feel like I have very little to show for my weekend. We took our first trip to Phillip Island. This is a trip I would recommend taking on a weekday or maybe when the weather isn’t in the mid-thirties. I’m unsure how many extra people were on the Island due to the World Superbikes. As much as I was overwhelmed by the amount of people and traffic I would go back. I’d love to see the island in the winter.

On Sunday we received some much-needed rain. And unwanted wind. We were lucky that we didn’t lose our power. Something that seems to happen quite a lot here when we have strong winds. And while still in the baking mood, I made an Apple Custard cake. I originally found it on Instagram, but the recipe is from the NZ Woman’s Weekly website. It is a simple yet delicious cake. As well as serving it cold it would be perfect as a dessert with ice cream or custard.

Currently watching – Shetland Series 9

Apple & Date Loaf

Baking

Today has brought the coolest and wettest day we’ve had here in a few months. We currently have a “feels like” temperature of 4.4 degrees and we have lost power twice in the last 24 hours. Monkey (the cat) is currently in bed asleep with the electric blanket on and I have just baked an Apple & Date loaf (Lumberjack) and I have curry simmering on the stove.

Apple & Date Loaf

  • 2 green apples, peeled & diced
  • 1 cup of dates, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 100g butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1/2 cup self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Method

  • Step 1 Combine apples, dates, baking soda and boiling water. Cover and stand for 10 minutes.
  • Step 2 Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix well. Stir through apple mixture with flours and baking powder.
  • Step 3 Place mixture into a greased and lined cake tin. Bake in a moderate oven at 180 degrees for 45- 50 minutes.

Currently Reading – The Good Wife of Bath by Karn Brooks