Bagels for Everyone!

Who doesn't love a good bagel? 

You won't see me turning my nose up at these!! I had a burst of bagel-ing inspiration a few weeks ago when I went into my local shop and saw the sad, meagre, spindly things called bagels staring up at me from the shelf. They looked so pathetic! 'How hard can it be to make a good bagel' I thought. So I came home totally revved up. When I looked online, there weren't too many different bagel recipes floating around. They were all pretty much a derivative of the same basic recipe. So I sheeped it and went with the crowd. 

I found this great recipe over at The Galley Gourmet and within a few hours, had these lovely little things!! If you love bagels and want a fun, quick and simple recipe, give these a go! There is seriously nothing more satisfying than taking your own, freshly baked bagels out of oven and smothering them in cream cheese!! This is what I did:

             
After you make the dough and let it rise, you shape the little rotund beauties and let them puff up again. Then, the fun part! You let them have a float in a bagel jacuzzi, for about 60 seconds on each side. Apparently, the longer they boil away, the chewier the crust becomes. That's just a special little tip I'm giving to you...we're pretty gosh darn nice here at Pinnies and Poppy Seeds :)








They don't take very long to bake. Obviously, ovens vary, and in my oven, 20 minutes was too long. I only needed about 15 minutes. But I recommend you just keep an eye on them and when they turn that beautiful eat-me-now golden brown, take em out! (And yes, that is a wok. Don't judge.)

Now go get yourself a good glob of shmear and have yourself a fabulous breakfast!

Happy Baking! 

xx

Get Your Own Banana Bread! (I've eaten all of mine!!)

How could you not love something devoted solely to testing cakes!? Honestly, this is one of my favourite little gadgets (if you can even call it a gadget!). I love baking, love trying out recipes I grew up eating. This banana bread is one of those recipes that just makes me smile. I remember bananas in our kitchen that looked like they'd been painted black, or thrown into the singed charcoal of a fire...something no one would eat or touch! And then somehow, they were transformed into the most delicious, moist, moreish bready-cake.

I have been making banana bread for many years and have come up with my own, extra super delicious, recipe. To me, the things that push this over the top are incredibly, unbelievably dark and smushy bananas (no yellow!!), using brown sugar instead of plain castor sugar (even a molasses sugar would be excellent!), and adding the slightest bit of nutmeg and cinnamon.




The last time I made this, I had a few one slice (because ladies aren't greedy!), put it in a tupper, and then proceeded to eat the entire loaf without sharing any with the Handsome Hunter! I'm a terrible wife.

...but I don't regret it...

IT WAS DELICIOUS!

Do you have a recipe that you remember fondly from growing up?? Have you tried to make it your own? Let me know what you've been baking/cookin' up!


Happy Baking!
xx

Among the Porcupines

It was (and still is) one of the greatest, most honest love stories I have ever read. I found it in an antiquarian book shop hidden away on a rambling, cobbled street somewhere near the beautiful Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh many, many years ago. I've passed that shop a few times since picking it up and smile every time I see it. It was written by Carol Matthau, wife of the great Walter Matthau. Valentine's Day always makes me think of that book and the steadfastness of great, big love. There is a line from that book that remains burned into my memory, the words so clearly marked in my brain. And I believe them so much. Especially when I look at my husband, and I know how lucky I am to have found him

'People grow, people change, people become different, I said to myself. I went to him. He was still a man who could quietly tell you the world. '

::Among the Porcupines:: by Carol Matthau

On that note, hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Over at the Hunter abode, we were pretty low key as someone, no names, has contracted MAN FLU and went to bed earlier than a 2 year old. That's ok, I still managed to have quite the romantic dinner and dessert with my (other) main squeeze, Izzy. So, in the spirit of love, hearts, chocolate, and all things red and pink, I want to unveil Pinnies and Poppy Seeds in it's new home!! Drumroll pleassssse....

Nadia, from Thinking Chocolate is my fairy godmother, my penny in the wishing well. She has graciously let me hunker down in her shop to make my little buttery creations and I could not be more grateful. We are getting things organised and I'm looking forward to my first day in the shop!

As it was Valentine's Day, we combined our efforts to make some pretty awesome cookies. Here are a few pictures to show you where I'll be working and what these hunks o' love looked like!

Nadia decorated some small, all butter shortbread hearts with chocolate, drizzles of white chocolate, double dipped in luxurious, velvety chocolate and topped with fun, bright sprinkles to give the shortbread a kick!

I made some big lollipop heart shaped double chocolate chip shortbread which Nadia decorated with a coating of extra delicious chocolate and a piping of white chocolate for contrast. They were the perfect gift to show that special someone you care :)

And if that isn't enough chocolate for you, take a look at some of Nadia's incredible creations!! You can buy boxes with a mixture of your favourite flavours. Take a look!

     

This is going to be quite a busy month, and I'm so happy to say that I should be up and running in the Stockbridge Market by March 11th. Watch our Edinburgh!

Happy Baking!

xx

buttons make the world go round

buttons...

quirky...

colourful.....and just plain fun!

My fantastic mom (who I'm sure you feel is practically your mom because I talk about her in every post) sent me the most awesome bag o'buttons. Not just any bag, but a vintage collection of buttons my grandma collected for Years. Yes, Years, with a capital 'Y'. I think this is a totally grammatically appropriate way to emphasize the many years of button collecting that happened on Madison Street. 

                                                                                                                                           I always need a project. It might be the slight OCD in me, but I feel like if there isn't something to work on, life just isn't worth living! Ok, it's not that bad, but I do love a project. I've started making a banner to have on my  table when I go to market. I feel like Pinnies needs something that's gonna stand out! Something with a little attitude and personality. Like me! Obviously. Sooooooo to bring a little life into the often dreary greys of Edinburgh, I thought lime and fuschia would be perfect! It's still a work in progress, but so far I'm loving the way it looks. Plus, it's just fun to do! Stay tuned to see the finished product!

Happy sewing!

Back in Action!

Happy New Year! That's right, 2012 is going to be a great year. You heard it here first! Hopefully everyone has gotten off to as good a start as I have. I's sure you're wondering what I've been up to...don't lie. You know you think about it all day, every day! Well, today we're doing a little show and tell here at Pinnies and Poppy Seeds. Lucky you! The Handsome Hunter and I lounged about in the big CA over the Holidays, soaking up all the sun we possibly could. And indulging in some very, very delicious cocktails. By the by, how is it that cocktails always taste better when you're sitting in the sun? Scientific research anyone?

Seriously and utterly delicious.








Right, back to the real world! So I've been a very busy (almost) business woman over the last few weeks. First off: it's hard!! Secondly, why can't I have my own business Yoda to guide me along the way? Things would be exponentially easier! Ok, I've moaned enough for one Sunday. I'm done. Moving on to more productive things...Nikon. Yeah, I'm pretty much in the big leagues now with my Nikon D3100 (which I have NO idea how to use!). But I'm making the effort to channel my inner food photographer. I'm building up an arsenal of photos to use when my website finally goes live - yes, LIVE! Soon enough you shall be able to visit the official Pinnies and Poppy Seeds website! So here are some of the pictures, starring none other than my sweet little shortbreads:

All Butter, Cardamom and White Chocolate, Cinnamon and Sugar

Beautiful fabric with texture and colour is a great backdrop for my little gems!









I think it's time for a shout out: Thanks, mom! Honestly, I feel so lucky to have a Mom with such ahhhhhmazing taste. I was like a kid in a candy shop trolling through her drawers, cupboards, and cabinets.

                                                                                                       


Mixing antique with beach chic...

I don't know about you, but I always eat my shortbread off of piano keys. So classy.






So, this was my creative kick, inspired by the California sun and a beautiful house. I'm off to enjoy this beautiful Edinburgh winter day: biting cold and glorious blue skies. I think today should be for the Farmer's Market. My soon to be home.

Until next time, Happy Baking!

I Vote for 48 Hours in a Day!

Yep, if you haven't guessed from my 10 year long absence from posting, things have been just slightly busy here!  I know everyone is busy getting things ready for the holidays, but I like to think that I've been super-humanly busy (sympathy anyone? No? Really?)...Ok, we're all busy...I get it! As much as I'd like to say that I've been a Lady What Lunches over the last 3 weeks (and I have had my fair share of delicious meals!), the truth of the matter is that I've been packing a lot into a little space. First things first: I made a little parcel for a friend of a friend who just had a precious little baby girl. I sent them a box of Cardamom and White Chocolate Shortbread which looked like this:






I also took a break from R&D of Shortbreading (Webster's, pay attention..it is totally and officially a real word!) and decided to make something more seasonal. I came across an amazing blog, Sweetapolita, and her fabulous and decadent looking cinnamon buns caught my eye. Let's be honest, what reeled me in was the nod to Cinnabon. Talk about a junior high throw back! Malls, Claire's accessories, jellies...oh lord. Throw. Back. How could I NOT make these??! And anyway, my leggings haven't really been pushed to the limit in a while. So, I whipped up a batch of heavenly cinnamon and pecan cinnamon buns....mmmmmm

I have officially taken my first step towards starting my business. The amazing folks at Business Gateway hosted, among many things, a business start-up seminar which I attended. It was informative but, above all, it was motivational. I am hoping to get a one-on-one with a business advisor before leaving for the Motherland in a few weeks time. The ball is certainly a'rollin'! After all that serious work, I had a friend from California out to visit...I don't think Edinburgh will ever be the same! We had a great time and were able to head up to Pitlochry for some well deserved relaxation and unwinding.

Can you hear the birds chirping?

Happy baking!!

All Butter, All Delicious

I've been so busy trying to think up interesting and slightly kooky flavours, that I realised I haven't actually made plain, beautiful, all guilt butter shortbread in a long time. Back to my roots, back to the beginning...this cookie is where it all began for me. Luckily, my local grocer stocks plenty of butter to keep me in business. Speaking of business, I may have a little project to do in the next couple of weeks. It's one of the other reasons I wanted to make these sugary jewels. There is an event happening in a few weeks and shortbread is in demand! Woohoo!!! A little practise never hurt anyone, right?

Call it Spring Training (in November) and I'm the pitcher. Plus, I'm wearing the apron I made a few weeks ago...so I know this batch will taste extra yummy :)

Happy baking!

xx

(I'm a) Sewing Machine!

That's right. You heard it here first. Pinnies and Poppy Seeds has officially begun making adorable, chic, bake-tastic pinnies! I felt inspired after perusing the web and feeling super disappointed that I couldn't really find anything I liked. There are tons of people and businesses selling aprons, but..and I mean no disrespect...do they think people don't care how they look in the kitchen?! Or...maybe I'm just a nutter who thinks my kitchen is a catwalk! Oooh goodness me, is it time for a little one-to-one with myself? Surely not! I know there are fabulous women out there aching for cute aprons to make them feel like the true domestic goddesses they really are! So, I've endeavoured to put my sewing machine to work making pinnies that would make Nigella proud! (Does anyone else want to be Nigella Lawson as much as me?).

So, here's my first attempt at the kind of pinnie that I think makes the perfect partner to my little shortbread cookies. What do you think?

Is anyone else goin' to town with their sewing machine?? What are some of the goodies you're making up? Let me know in the comments section!

Want to know what I'm cookin' right now?

Fact: I am a tech failure. Everything I do is basically a close-your-eyes-cross-your-fingers kinda thing! Not the most efficient method by any means, but I get by. So, after my mom kept asking me why she wasn't getting updates of my new posts I set about trying to figure that out. After countless 'help me!''s to Google (and by the way, LOTS of other people are just as clueless as me!!), I think I've managed to figure it out. It's always better to know you're in like company, isn't it?  So, I think I've added the right subscription button so that now you can get updates via email! It's just to the right...go on, take a look...I know you're dying to know exactly what I'm doing the second I do it. So sign up!!!

xx

P.S. If this doesn't actually work...I might cry a little. Then beg someone techy to help me. Fingers crossed!

Bread!

After making about 40 bazillion dozen shortbread cookies in the last month or so, I felt like my foodie morale needed a little bit of a boost. I normally make fresh bread for The Handsome Hunter and me, using a Rachel Allen recipe from her book 'Bake'. I find her recipes really easy to follow and have extremely consistent results. I use her recipe for White Yeast Bread:  

2tsp caster sugar

425ml warm water

2 1/2 tsp dried yeast

750g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting

2 tsp salt

40g butter or 4 tbsp olive oil ( I prefer to use olive oil, I think the flavour really comes through in the bread)

*this will make 2 loaves, or place on a sheet pan if you're having a dinner party to make one large, beautiful free-hand loaf.

Call me lazy, but having kneaded dough by hand as well as in the Kitchen Aid using the dough hook, I don't really find any difference in the end result if you use an electric mixer. However, I do like to start the whole process in a bowl using my hands. This way, you can be sure all the ingredients are incorporated evenly before setting it to knead. Once the dough comes together, I transfer it to my Kitchen Aid and on a medium-low speed, I let it knead itself for about 5-7 min. Depending on how humid/cold/hot the weather is, I stop the mixer and check the dough for it's springiness. If it doesn't seem to bounce back as fervently as it should, I'll pop it back in the mixer or just give it a good whack by hand for another minute or two. Sometimes it's good to finish it off by hand as it's easier to tell when it's done and ready to chill out and rise. 

Cover it up with cling film and set to the side (somewhere not ice cold is always a good option!) and let rise for a few hours, until it has at least doubled in size. tip: I try to make this bread after I've cooked something in the over for dinner. Once the oven has been off for a little while, the residual heat is the perfect place to put this little doughy bowl of love to rise. Of course, if it's to warm to stick your hand in a touch the racks, then it's too hot! 

Once it's biiiiiig and fluffy, poke it a few times if you want...go on, you know you want to!...punch it back and pull it away from the sides of the bowl. Knead it for another few minutes and then let it set to the side while the oven preheats to 220C. Shape the dough however you want. I always just go for a normal tin loaf (it's easier to cut up for sandwiches, toasting, etc. I brush  mine with a little water and sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or just plain rock salt (it looks lovely when it comes out of the oven). Let it rise again until it has doubled in size. by this time, the over should be hot and ready to go! Bake for 15 minutes at 220C and then turn the oven down to 200C for another 25 minutes. 

Get out the butter!!!!!!

In my previous post, I made some almond paste. I got some really good ideas, especially from VIMWAC who suggested Christmas Cake, for ways to use it and I can't wait to try them out! In the meantime, I made a tart from a recipe I found on Two Tarts. I  substituted apples for nectarines because, well, I just did...and it came out pretty darn good if I do say so myself! 

Happy Baking!

xx