That's entertainment

It's been a while, right? Where have I been?
Forgive me for my absence. I've been working on a lot of different things, and unfortunately I let the blog slide. 

On the bright side I have been baking/cooking, and I have been trying a few new things. 

Over the last couple of months I've had friends over for lunch, and it's been a lot of fun. On each occasion I thought it'd be a great idea to make almost everything from scratch. 

I don't know why I'm such a glutton for punishment, because each time I do this I run myself ragged. Personally, I feel you need to make as much yourself. Why invite someone to your home if you're only going to serve them something bought from the supermarket? 

In development

Things are rolling with the market thing and I have a few more under my belt. It's a lot of fun and while I have some solid produce, I need to add something different to my offering. 

The last couple of weekends have been used for development. I've been trying out some new flavours and some bakes I've not done before. Some have worked out well and I'm happy to produce them for my next market. Some were a bit of a car crash. In fact one looked like the aftermath of one. 

Obsessing about cheese

Earlier I admitted to not having much of a sweet tooth. That's still true, but the other week I was obsessed with making cheesecake. It wasn't just any cheesecake. I wanted to make a particularly light, chocolaty, gooey cheesecake.

At work, at home, on the bus, on my bike, I wanted to make a chocolate and caramel cheesecake. I couldn't remember how long it had been since I had made a cheesecake. I hate having to buy a cheesecake. They are always so dense and devoid of anything other than sugar. The base is terrible and mealy. Why commit such crimes against cheesecake? Who would do that? 

Buckets of sugar

I'm not usually one for desserts. I'll happily have a starter or a side and forsake pudding. It's not that I don't like desserts, it just that usually, it's pretty hard to find a worthwhile dish. 

Eating out regularly means I get to taste more than my share of desserts, and well, I'm usually left with a sour taste in my mouth. No. It's not because I ordered the lemon tart. It's that so few restaurants can nail the finale to a meal. 

Half-Desi Samosas

Do you know what makes a fantastic samosa? It's the pastry. It's all in the pastry. 

Samosas live and die by their outer shells, and unfortunately through either convenience or poor taste people are crapping out on the pastry. 

Have you ever eaten a samosa wrapped in filo-pastry? You have? Well that wasn't a samosa. I'm sorry to break it to you like this but there you have it. 

Fill your cake hole

I'm still recovering from the sugar high that was the Cake and Bake Show 2013 at Earls Court.

I went along with my partner in crime Little Miss Shortcake, and I don't think it turned out to be quite what we expected. 

Pretty hollow

I took part in my first fayre/market and I am still exhausted. It was fun but I have a newfound respect for street foodies everywhere.  

Just to fill you in I took part in the Jersey Gardens Summer Fayre, which is a cute annual event near Osterley Park. 

I teamed up with my cousin Little Miss Shortcake to run a foodie stand. She baked and sold her awesome selection of cakes and treats, while I did, well you know what I do; bake a ton of bread.