Better late than never!

My baby brother turned 19 yesterday and I finally finished his cake today :) The main theme for it was paint balling, hope you like it!

x

Canadian Buttermilk Pancakes

The following recipe is from Delia Smiths 'Complete How to Cook' book, the photos and instructions are my own :)
Note: I nearly always work in ounces (oz) because thats what my mums always used and the weights my scales orignally came with. So I can't confirm that the grams version will work out exactly the same, consistency wise, but it should do.

Equiptment:

• 1 x large bowl
• Sieve
• 2 x jugs (you can use 1 but i find it easier with 2)
• Mug (for eggs)
• Electric Whisk
• Large Tablespoon
• Balloon Whisk

Ingrediants:
5oz (150g plain flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
4 fl oz (120ml) buttermilk
3 fl oz (75ml) cold water
3 large eggs
1-2 oz lard (I find oil works fine)

To serve:
Lots of maple syrup, or whatever topping you prefer

Method

If you want to eat them all yourself but don't want to cook and eat at the same time preheat the oven to 50 degrees (c) and place a deep baking tray on the middle shelf.

1. Sieve the flour, baking powder and salt into your bowl
2. Make a 'well' in the middle (i.e. make a small hole using a wooden spoon to achieve the below)

    3.   Whisk together the buttermilk and water in a jug until combined

    4.   Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture very slowly (about 2 tablespoons at a time) and

          whisk with the electric whisk. You need to whisk it until the buttermilk mixture is completely

          combined before adding the next lot.

          This is mine about halfway through:

           And this is what it will eventually turn into:

     5.   Crack the eggs into your mug (fish out any bits of shell) and beat them with a fork until the yolk is
           broken and streaked through the white.
     6.   Slowly add the eggs to the pancake mixture (in about 4 portions is fine)
     7.   Pour the mixture into your measuring jug ready to cook

     8.   Add a little bit of oil to your frying pan (about 2 tablespoons) and heat until nice and hot
     9.   Using a large tablespoon (dessert spoon) spoon aproximately 3 pancakes into the frying pan - 1
           dessert spoon of mixture per pancake

     10.   Once the tops of the pancakes have darkened to a solid colour (see rear pancake compared
             to near two in the picture below) flip them one at a time

    11.   Once the pancakes are flipped they'll rise up and the edges will go crinkly - don't worry this is

            normal. As you fry more you'll need to add extra oil, only add a little bit each time (just enough to

            coat the base of the frying pan).

     12.   Either serve the pancakes as threes, remebering to put your topping between each one or put them
             in the baking tray to keep them warm. Once finished stack them on a plate (again don't forget the
             topping between each one) then eat!

One last thing.......

my lovely scales :). Sorry couldn't resist showing them off!

x





Forgot this one!!

Completely forgot to post this one!

This is a large scrabble tile cake that I made Katrina for her birthday :) though i think my brother ate most of it......

x

Dragon Cake

Another cake made :) This one was for my sisters 20th birthday. Sorry for the picture quality, I'll re-take it on a white background when I get home if it hasn't been eaten. The design was from the 'Planet Cakes - Cupcakes' book that I got for Christmas.

Thanks for looking :)

Trudi