A good summery cake for all

I FORGOT to take a photo of this cake when I finished it but I think the photo I took shows the proof is in the pudding! I made it for my niece's Christening and seemed to go down well.
It is another Olive recipe. That magazine is a winner and I would recommend it for any food lovers.
This time I made a Raspberry and Apricot Ripple cake. It's quite easy to make and I had Tom's help too.

The recipe is:
175g butter
175g golden caster sugar
3 eggs
225g self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 tbsp creme fraiche
1 tsp vanilla extract
250g raspberries
Topping:
500ml whipping cream
200g mascarpone
2 tbsp icing sugar
1 jar apricot jam

The oven goes to 180c/ fan 160C/ gas 4.
I butter and lined a 23cm springform cake tin.
Then you beat together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs in one at a time, and when I do this I always add a tbsp of flour. Then fold in the rest of the flour. Add the baking powder and when it is all mixed in beat in the creme fraiche and vanilla. Fold in the raspberries. I tried not to break the raspberries up too much.
Spoon into the tin and then level. Bake for 50-60minutes. I took it out after 50 minutes and afterwards I wasn't sure if the very middle was cooked but it seemed ok even if it did collapse a bit- I just filled it in with the topping!
Cool in the tin for five then tip out to cool.
For the topping whisk the cream with the mascarpone. Add the icing sugar and then add the apricot jam and swirl it in. I didn't use the whole jar as it was quite apricoty!
The dollop it on the top and it makes a very summery morish cake. Give it a go.

Anyone for tea? And a rather large scone

AS it was Lara’s birthday we went for a very nice Afternoon Tea at the Red Lion in Henley. It was a Groupon offer for £29, so I was a bit worried they would skimp but it was lovely.

The hotel is on the banks of the River Thames in Henley. It is a lovely old hotel with tasteful decor, nice old beams and comfty chairs.

It was really quiet when we arrived and initially had to endure the stares of an old couple who didn’t have any conversation. But once they left it was thoroughly pleasant.

Starting with a glass of very nice bubbly, we then tucked into smoked salmon, tomato and ham sandwiches.

Next was a strawberry jam tart with lots of cream and a shortcrust pastry base. The lemon sponge cake was very nice, as was the fruit cake.

The fruit scones were thick, maybe a little too doughy, but otherwise very good. And with lashing of cream and jam it was incredibly tasty.

It did tip me over the edge and I had to lie in the sun to relax!

This is a good Groupon and I would recommend this hotel.

Phew! Holiday eating out from Porthcawl to the New Forest

I was off work last week and went to Porthcawl with my parents and enjoyed some very good meals! On the Tuesday we went to The Jolly Sailor in Newton, Porthcawl. We sat in the bar area, which was friendly and homely. The landlord told us their emphasis was serving home cook food and told us there may be a slight delay as it is all cooked onsite.

Beef and chorizo pie



Waffle goodness



Both Dad and I went for the chorizo and beef pie, which are provided from a deli in Cardiff. It was served with chips and green beans. The pie was delicious with a peppery crust and plenty of meat in the filling. The chips were crunchy and cooked well and you could tell the green beans were fresh. All very good and very filling! So filling I could only have a bite of mum’s pudding of waffles with toffee sauce and icecream, which was also really nice.

Chicken and ham pie

The next day we went to a National Trust property called Dinefwr House and Castle. I find National Trust restaurants always do good food and this did not disappoint! I had another pie (fatty boom boom) and went for the chicken and ham pie served with new potatoes, carrots and peas. My parents had the lamb version. The peas and carrots tasted like they had just come from the garden as they were so fresh and flavoursome and the pie, as the picture shows, was really thick and tasty.

Calamari

Then the following day I was treated to dinner out again when we went to The Pelican in Her Piety at Ogmore-By-Sea. I would definitely recommend this pub. It had friendly staff, warm decor and a good menu. There is a tapas menu and then they update the specials board regularly of which there are about 15 options.

Cajun chicken

I had calamari for starters, with a garlic dip. It was huge portion and was from the tapas menu. It was a bit pricey (£7.95) for a starter but was very tasty. The squid was a bit tough, but I don’t actually mind this too much although some people won’t like it. Then for the main course I had a huge portion of Cajun chicken marinated in yoghurt and Cajun spices, with thick chips, salad and onion rings. It was such a big portion I really struggled but was really good. Mum had hake, which she loved and dad enjoyed his lamb burger. For starters they had king prawns and sardines- all very good. This is a great pub and the house red is also very nice. I had to go home for a lie down.

Venison burger

Not content with eating out three times in one week Tom and I ate out on the Saturday when we were camping in the New Forest. We stayed at the Ashurst campsite, which has the Forest Inn an easy stroll away. I was quite controlled for once and only had a main course. I went for the venison burger, with homemade chips. Venison makes a good burger. It has a strong flavour but is not overbearing. Tom went for good ol’ fish and chips- also good! The comfortable surroundings made a welcome break from the rain and this pub has a good range of drinks.

Phew! What a week of eating out. Also discovered strawberry and cream mini cupcakes by The Fabulous Bakin’ Boys. These are lush! And easy to pop in your mouth. Nom nom nom. Available from all good supermarkets J