Rick Stein’s baked lemon cheesecake with summer berry compote

This cheesecake has to be the most delicious I have ever made.  I would recommend cooking it the day before and chilling it – the flavour improves with time. Rick Stein’s French Odyssey has some superb recipes in there.  Some …

Beautiful Blogs

As I sit at my desk, I dream of being in my kitchen, or just generally being at home, doing what I do best. Pottering. Cooking. Caring for the hubby.

As 1pm strikes, I quickly phone Andy to exchange work side gossip and words of sweet-nothings. Followed by running back to my desk to write my blog, plan dinner or baking projects, and stare in awe at the following websites.

They are beautiful and I just long to be able to go home and create some of the delights presented. Sometimes I become so inspired, I cannot help but buy kitchen implements or plan a weekly meal plan around what I discover.

I am just so completely jealous of those who can cook and blog, cook and write, and cook some more for a living. As I sit here at work dreaming away, with my back to the window on a beautiful October day (cruel), those of you who cook, write, eat for a living: You don’t know how lucky you are!

(I believe some of these websites are created by those in similar positions to me, but I have included them too as they’re still completely inspirational).

http://www.likemamusedtobake.com/

A blog by Rosanne from Dublin, who is content with baking living in her cosy home.  My kinda girl.  Check out her beautiful baking recipes, full of nostalgia.

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http://www.thepinkwhisk.co.uk/all-about-me

The Pink Whisk, by Clemens – Manic Mummy Baker Extraordinaire! Girly and glam rebelling against a houseful of boys, you’ll know her from the very first series of BBC2′s The Great British Bake Off; the clever girl came second and has since changed her life – even writing her own book.  Buy it here.

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http://knackeredmotherswineclub.blogspot.co.uk/

A blog all about a wife and mum who loves wine.  Fabulous.  She started as a supermarket wine buyer and now runs her own wine business.  Her blog shares her wine knowledge in the hope that other knackered mothers would be interested in what’s in her glass at the end of the day.  I certainly am.

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http://thewishfulhousewife.com

As I read the “about” page, I completley connect with “thewishfulhousewife.”  I, more than know, how she feels.  She also longs to be a “blissful housewife,  passionate cook and writer.”  I can only hope that one day her dream comes true.  But in the meantime, check out her blog, in order to support her goal, and try out some recipes.

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http://blog.maisoncupcake.com/

A fabulous collection of baking recipes.  Connecting to a lovely collection of recipe books (buy them here).

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http://bakedbyiris.wordpress.com

A lovely blog by Iris, “lover of food and beautiful things for the home. Passionate about fuss free baking.”

It features delicious goodies baked by Iris, and she even has an online store for all of her cookie mixes, bakeware items and practical partyware.  Beautiful!

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follow me on twitter @ahumblewife

Nanas!

Here are some cracking recipes for using up those defrosted old bananas: The bananas will turn brown in the freezer, but when defrosted you can peel them to reveal perfectly ripe bananas. Banana Bread – courtesy of Sophie Dahl Ingredients …

National Baking Week – Coffee and Walnut Cake

It’s National Baking Week! So, to kick-off the week, here’s my Coffee and Walnut cake. The secret to this recipe is Delia Smith’s cheeky coffee syrup, which just gives it an extra kick and keeps the cake so, so moist. …

October – Garden Tasks Top Ten

Octobers the month of garden preparation – and I can’t believe how much I’m supposed to be doing.  I thought this gardening lark was supposed to be quite relaxing.  As if!  I probably should have a much longer list than …

Kettle Goulash (Bogracsgulyas)

Budapest – Parliament Building.
Always covered in scaffolding as it’s made with some sort of soap stone that continues to rot due to acid rain. Not once, I have seen it uncovered!

I have particularly fond memories of Hungarian Goulash.  Sitting in cafes in Budapest on crisp October days indulging in meat so tender and lightly spiced with paprika.  The paprika, just perfect for warming you up after a beautiful walk around Budapest’s various parks and sights.

This recipe is a true Goulash recipe from my Hungarian recipe book I picked up in an art museum shop off Heroes Square (Hősök tere) – one of my favourite places to visit in Budapest.

Heroes Square – from: the-budapest-guide.com

Ingredients

• 700g stewing steak, cut into cubes 2cm wide
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 50g lard*
• 0.5tsp paprika
• 2 green peppers, diced
• 1 large tomato, diced
• Salt, to taste
• 800g potatoes, cut into small cubes

Method

1. Saute the onion in lard* until soft.
2. Remove the pot from the heat.
3. Sprinkle the onion with the paprika and add the meat, peppers and tomato. Season.
4. Top up the casserole dish with just enough water to cover the contents.
5. Finally, cover with a lid and simmer on a low heat for 40 minutes (check for seasoning about half way and add a little tomato puree if you wish)
6. Add the potatoes and simmer for another 15minutes or until soft.
7. Serve with nokedli and/of crunchy white bread

*You can use vegetable oil instead of lard. But this is the true recipe, so thought I should be honest!  And it does taste naughtier!