Practice makes fruit cake
As anyone who watched a frenzied Bake Off final will testify, there’s nothing like a bit of pressure or healthy competition to bring your baking right up to scratch. Take the WI Centenary Fruit Cake Competition. It’s giving members the chance to share their treasured fruit cake recipes nationally in order to win the chance […]
Spiced Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting
Yesterday was the first Saturday I have been at home for a while so after a lazy morning pottering around I decided to bake Spiced Apple Cake. The smell whilst it was cooking was divine and festive so I thought it apt to share on the first day of December (apologies for the instagram but […]
Kathy and her Fabulous Garden
We recently had the pleasure of visiting Kathy in Derbyshire, who kindly agreed to be involved in our project. Her chosen recipe hails from her mother who baked simple treasures in austere times and collated them all in a handwritten book which was passed down to Kathy. After a short interview over a cuppa with […]
Anne Garnish and her Crab Apple Jelly
The newest profile addition to our project is Anne Garnish. Just yesterday afternoon, Anne welcomed Jessie and I into her cosy kitchen whilst she rustled up her Crab Apple Jelly best-seller. The smell was divine and incredibly homely after our mini road trip up north this weekend. We chatted and photographed whilst she methodically prepared […]
The WI Diamond Jubilee Cookbook
When I told my Nan about this project on my last visit to the Midlands she rummaged around in her cupboard to produce the WI Diamond Jubilee Cookbook for me. Released in 1975 it is a compendium of recipes handpicked by Bee Nilson from 35 cookery books all of which had been compiled by members […]
Cake or death?
One of the great things about this project is the variety of members we come across. Take Carla Valentine. A member of Shoreditch Sisters WI in east London since 2011, her unique slant on death-themed cake marries one of her all-time loves of baking with her fascinating day job as Technical Assistant Curator at Barts […]
Raspberry Bakewell Cake
Sunday baking is my new obsession and in particular at the moment I am enjoying making childhood classics with a twist. Growing up, I adored Cherry Bakewell tarts so when I found a recipe to make a Raspberry Bakewell cake I couldn’t resist. Happily it tasted just like I remember (minus pastry of course) and […]
Autumn jam
There’s a storm brewing. It’s a good a reason as any to batten down the hatches, fish out your biggest saucepan and get jamming. From this Saturday you can put your best jar of strawberry jam, boozy jelly or a classic Plum and Mulled Wine preserve forward for the Denman Jam Festival that takes place […]
My grandma
Last night I indulged in a ready-made chicken pie for one. I was tired and hungry. It was latticed and tasty. But not a patch on the home-made pastry that my Grandma, Sylvia (pictured with me above), used to make on a weekly basis when I was growing up, filled with fresh stewed beef […]
Post Power Pump Bake Off Party
Last night Jessie and I went to a Power Pump class at our local gym. It was my first time and it may well be my last as I can barely move today. Just lifting my arms to type is hurting my biceps, triceps and a whole load of other muscles I apparently ‘pumped’ without […]