BBC Good Food Show: Summer LIVE

 

ERMAGHERD. For two long months- since I purchased the tickets- I have been excited about this day! I enjoyed the Winter Good Food Show so much my cousin Abbie and I, along with 2 of my friends, decided that  another trip to the NEC for a celebration of everything delicious, and TV chef like was necessary.

BUT GUESS WHAT?!!?!? We got to see my ultimate all time favourite Foody Celeb, The One, The Only, Mary Berry…. Not only did we get to see her and the winner of The Great British Bake Off 2012, John Waite in the Super theatre. Oh no! I got to actually MEET her at a book signing! I tell you, I have not been this excited in a LONG time!I felt like a kid at Christmas driving along the M6 this morning! And come 10am we were in our Super theatre seats waiting for Mary and John to come on stage.

She demonstrated her deliciously fruity sounding recipe of Whole Orange Cake with Orange Mascarpone Icing for the riveted audience, and trust me, from how moorish it looked on the big screen, this will be attempted by myself in the near future, so watch this space! Whereas John demonstrated a more savoury, cheesy, oniony flatbready creation.

Following this, Mary and John had a short interview with Lotte Duncan with questions derived from the audience. And then the excitement…A book signing, with Mary Berry herself! Oh yes! A semi conversation with the Queen of Cake! By conversation I generally mean I said “I think you are wonderful.” Smooth as always. Either way, I ended up with my newly signed M.B. Cookbook, and was full of the joys of Spring! And yes, yes that is John Whaite but for only £3.50 I could be my own M.B . Best £3.50 I have ever spent. Even if it was an incredibly surreal experience for everyone involved. Lol….I honestly did not spend the entire day being some kind of crazy stalker. For the most part, my chums and I investigated, explored and enjoyed all of the gastronomical delights that the show had to offer!

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The Brownie Bar VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Brownie Bar is a small company run by two Entrepraneurs Rachael and Sarah and is based in Northern England. They “bake a delicious selection of gorgeously gooey rich chocolate brownies and white chocolate blondies in a variety of flavours” which is taken from their <website>. And I tell you, those brownies are simply to DIE for! My choices from the vast selection this time consisted of, Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondie and a Nutella, a Malteser, and a Salted Caramel Brownie.

So when I got home, my parents and I cut each delectable into thirds, and we tasted and devoured each morsel. Some of the flavours were more detectable than others, and I admit that I was not a fan of the Salted Caramel Brownie, as it as too salty (stupid statement), but I genuinely do not think that I have eaten a nicer Brownie dessert in a long time. If they were closer to me I would DEFINATELY persist to eat my body weight in brownies on a regular basis! Cost: reasonable! £7.50 for 4! They also sell a very intriguing caramel sauce accompaniment, as well as a very clever “Make your own Brownie” in a Kilner Jar! Check out their website for yourself!!

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Fudge Kitchen VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Fudge Kitchen was born in 1983 and they now have 7 stores all across the UK. These dashing and charming gents worked their hardest to entertain and entice the punters to their fudge stall, and 2 members of my group both succumbed to their charm and bought some of their delicious fudge. I can honestly say, out of all the fudge stalls there, and trust me, there were a fair few! I found this stalls fudge the nicest texture, and the samples I tried all had delicious flavours. Just a snippet of the flavours on offer are; Eton Mess, Maple Walnut, Mississipppi Mud Pie, Lemon Meringue and Dairy Free to name but a few! Clickity click on this linkity link to find out more about this quirky and traditional company.

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Some more tasty treats… VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Here is our loot and bounty for the day. And what a wonderful day we had! For a full list of stalls and trades who have sold their wears this weekend, see the Good Food Show Website. I would recommend this show to any dedicated foody, or even those that just like to go for the free nibbles, alcohol and atmosphere!

All images are Copyright of Amy Fellowes 14/06/13 unless stated otherwise.

All Lemon-y, and Sponge-y and Pudding-y

 

When: 27/4/13

Background: I came home for the weekend. En route, Tesco was visited and pudding for that night’s dinner was bought!

What: Lemon Sponge Pudding(s)

Where: From Tesco

How Much?: £1 for 2!!!!

What was Good: HOT, LEMON, SPONGE, PUDDING. What is not good about that sentence? I of course use the word sentence loosely. It was so tangy, yet sweet, and the sponge was so soft and bouncy! Sponge pudding, as I am sure you are aware, is one of my favourite things, and when you combine the deliciousness of Lemon sauce with sponge pudding and Cornish vanilla ice cream. It was always going to be a winner. And when it only takes one minute in the microwave, I didn’t even have to wait that long!

What was Bad: Nothing…. We all really really enjoyed the puddings. Except that I wish there was more of it!

Would I Have It Again: Yes. These sweet little pots of delight will be gracing my shopping basket again in the future for sure!

Waffle-O-Meter:

Pudding is what it is all about

 

I know I have been more than useless in posting blogs as of late. It has been a little tricky! But BOY I have enjoyed some delicious treats recently! I still find I turn to pudding in times of stress! Because that feeling of a warm, comforting ball of happiness in your tummy is a very life affirming experience! Over exaggerating? Never!

THIS is a Cherry, Chocolate and Red Velvet cupcake. It was bittersweet, and soft, yet substantial, with a beautiful cherry flavour!

My friend Nikki made these, and quite frankly, I would happily eat them again!!!

Red velvet has really hit the pudding scene (if such a thing exists) lately, and I would be quite excited to try out the recipe myself!

ERMAGHERD! This was possibly the most deliciously decadent and stupendous Sticky Toffee Pudding known to man on this good earth.

We bought it from Lidl. YES! Lidl! So not only was it incredibly cheap and cheerful. It was outstandingly delicious.

As me and my mother and father were sat eating this there was a hush of content silence within the room. An unspoken rule that this pudding requires out full, undivided attention. The treacle was thick and sticky, and the cake soft and moist. When served hot with vanilla ice cream, what more could you possibly need in life?

Picture this. King’s Heath’s very first Yum Yum Market. Set up in the centre of King’s Heath, Birmingham. An array of food stalls selling their goods, with queues across the square despite the weather. I saw a stall, this stall stood out to me immediately and grabbed my attention. Fresh Belgian Waffle!!!! OH WOW! So yes, I did queue for around 20 mins. And yes they did give me a waiting time for my waffle of a further 20mins (this extended to nearer 40…) BUT I was so so excited for my ‘Half n Half’ Chocolate Cinnamon and Chocolate Brownie Belgian Waffle. If you remember my last German Market Belgian Waffle experience was simply divine, so needless to say my expectation was high.

Sadly I was disappointed. It was a bit stodgy, and as my friend Nikki said, I probably didn't give it long enough to “settle” lol. But if the queue were shorter, waiting time was less, then I would probably still return! The clawing seduction of pudding will always attract my attention!!!

DUN DUN DUN!!!! The return of the 5 Waffle pudding! And yes, another waffle. AND YES, It is the Frankie and Bennie’s Waffle for the very beginning.

I want to say it was as good as I remember. It was not. In fact it looked and tasted like a different pudding all together! Still a good 4 waffles obtained for this desserty goodness!

Certainly less disappointing than my King’s Heath Waffle Drama!

 

 

I DIDN’T EVEN BUY ANYTHING FROM THIS SHOP! BUT IT SOLD PUDDING! AND IT IS A SHOP CALLED “FANNY’S”!!!!!!!!!!

Considering how much I enjoyed writing my pudding blog before, and how successful it was, I really hope that this will be the start of my second wind of pudding blogs! After all, I am still in love with all things Pudding. And I would like to express this to my lovely and very loyal readers!!

Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding with Nutella®

 

Date: 14/12/12

Background: Basically, because I cannot get back to Rugby for Christmas Day, my parents decided to come up to Brum to visit, and to deliver and return presents for extended family, friends and loved ones. I cooked them a yummy Roast Chicken Dinner, and to accompany it, a very Winter Warming dessert. The general principle is from the delightful Mary Berry, but the additions and adjustments are my own .

What: Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding with Nutella®

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Ingredients:

• 6 Chocolate Chip Brioche buns
• 2 tbsp. Nutella®
• Handful/30g dried mixed fruit
• 2 eggs
• 600mls milk
• Half tsp. Cinnamon
• Butter for greasing
• Ice cream/Cream to serve

Method:

1. Pre heat oven to 200C, Gas Mark 5
2. Grease a 10inch/Equivalent ovenproof dish with butter
3. Slice each Brioche bun horizontally in half
4. Melt the Nutella® in the microwave for 10secs to make it easy to spread
5. Spread a thin layer of Nutella® onto each brioche bun half
6. Layer the bun bases onto the bottom of the dish, Nutella® side up
7. Top the bun bases with the Brioche tops, Nutella® side down, slightly off centre to the bases, so that all gaps to the dish are covered
8. In between the layers and on top, scatter the mixed fruit
9. Mix together the eggs and milk
10. Pour the custard mixture over the Brioche buns
11. Sprinkle the cinnamon of the top of the pudding and leave to stand for at least an hour to allow the bread to soak up some of the custard mixture
12. Cook in the pre-heated oven for 40minutes, or until the pudding is golden on top, and the custard mixture is set completely
13. Serve immediately with cream/ice cream

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What was Good: Oh my days. It was so satisfying and warm! With the weather being anywhere between –4 and 6C, a cockle-warming dessert is just what the metaphorical doctor ordered! I am not normally a massive bread and butter fan, but with the flavour of the warm brioche, and melted Nutella®, oozing throughout the pudding, this was a definite winner for me. Served with the cold ice cream, the hot and cold combo was as always a box ticker in my eyes! The fruit was a bread and butter pudding must have, and because they had had around 2 hours to soak up the custard mixture, they had become plump and juicy. It was also surprisingly light, it was not overly cloy-y and it did not stick to my stomach lining like some traditional puds. I would happily make this dessert again, and I look forward to eating the cold left overs tomorrow!

Enjoyment VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

What was Bad: There is something about the texture of a bread and butter pudding that does not float my boat… But the flavour of this particular confection made it a winner despite this!

Would I Make It Again?: Yes I would!

Waffle-O-Meter:

^Reference:

^{Berry, M (2012) Mary Berry’s Complete Cookbook. 3rd ed. London: Covent Garden Books. P399}

BBC Good Food Show: Winter LIVE!

 

Background:

I went to the Summer good food show in 2008/09 with my Grandparents. So now I am an official money earner as opposed to a stinking student lame-o I jumped on the opportunity to go again! So with my first pay-check I bough myself a ticket to go, and with me came my Grandparents again, as well as my Auntie, Uncle and cousins, Abbie, Tom and Jordan.

What did we do?

We arrived dead on 09:00 for doors opening, and we instantly hit the stalls! Free samples of breads, crackers, cheeses, meat, sausage, wine, spirits and confectionary to name a few! How many miniscule cubes of cheese I ate today is completely unknown… But it was so so nice to be in one place with so many unique, niche and newcomer shops and businesses was really exciting! We got to sample new brands of product, new varieties and often new products entirely! Chocolate wine?! White chocolate whiskey?! Haggis, sea salt and cracked black pepper crisps?! Ever stall posed a new opportunity to taste something very exciting!

Not only were there stalls posing free samples of food and drink, but there were many demonstration stalls, advertising their kitchen utensils, gadgets, ovens, and experiences as well.

The HIGHLIGHT of the day was getting to meet Paul Hollywood! YES! PAUL HOLLYWOOD! He was kind enough to sign my programme, and have his photo taken with me next to the Great British Bake Off theatre. If I had been there when Mary Berry was later that day I may have just passed out.

What did I buy?:

I spend my money on some exciting things. I bought some AMAZING looking brownies from a stall called “The Brownie Bar”, 4 for £6.50 which is probably very expensive, but I will let you know my verdict with a blog post later! I also bought a chocolate panetone (watch this space), a vintage butter knife for my mum, an exciting Seychelles Yellow Curry and some toast-a-bags- cheese sandwiches will forever be easy from now on!

Would I go again?:

I have every intention of going to the Summer AND Winter Good Food Show Live’s in 2013!!

Advice:

• Book early!
• Make sure you get there early because around 12:00-13:00 it got MANICALLY busy and it was actually really quite difficult to move around and go to the different stalls without losing a limb or being nearly trampled.
• Take your own shopping trolley! I do not care how “uncool” they can be, they save your arms when you buy allsorts of goodies and have to carry them round for 5 hours!
• Shop around for the best product at the best price!

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		BBC Good Food Show: Winter VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

All images on this page are Copyright© of Amy Fellowes 01/12/12