Saturday Snippets (6)

Have you ever read the side effects on the medication you happen to be taking?  It would be lovely to have 'nice' side effects.  All my medication has 'horrid' side effects.  I am very thankful at times for my sense of humour when trying to swallow them all.

Working in the kitchen the other day I realised what a dangerous place it could be.  Funny how it never occurred to me before.  Most of these are years old and very well used in food preparation.  Note the chopping boards.  Mostly purchased in eastern Europe.  Hmmm.  Do they know something that we don't know here in the UK?!

And I hope you see my French jam spoon.  Yes, I thought that would make you sit up and take notice.  Very good for stirring large quantities of jam so that you don't burn yourself.  

The other two spoons are of normal 'cake mixing' size.  So you can just imagine the 'burn' that jam spoon is capable of when used discerningly!

This recipe is totally non-fattening of course!  Now would I tell a fib?!!!!

Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding

This needs to be prepared at least 24 (and preferably 48) hours in advance!  Serve in small portions because it is very rich!

9 slices, each a quarter inch (5mm) thick, good quality white bread, 1 day old, taken from a large loaf

5oz (150g) dark continental chocolate with 75% cocoa solids

15 fl oz (425ml) whipping cream

4 tbspns dark rum

4oz (110g) caster sugar

3oz (75g) butter

A good pinch of cinnamon

3 large free range eggs

To serve:  Double cream, well chilled

You will also need a shallow ovenproof dish 7 x 9 ins (18 x 23 cms) base x 2ins (5 cms) deep, lightly buttered.

1   Begin by removing the crusts from the slices of bread, which should leave you with approx. 9 x 4 in (10 cm) squares.  So now cut each slice into 4 triangles.  Next place the chocolate, whipping cream, rum, sugar, butter and cinnamon in a bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, being careful not to let the bowl touch the water, then wait until the butter and chocolate have melted and the sugar has completely dissolved.  (If you are careful you can do this in your microwave - I do!)  Next remove the bowl from the heat and give it a really good stir to amalgamate all the ingredients.

2  Now in a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and then pour the chocolate mixture over them and whisk again very thoroughly to blend them together.

3   Then spoon about a half inch layer of the chocolate mixture into the base of the dish and arrange half the bread triangles over the chocolate in overlapping rows.  Now pour half the remaining chocolate mixture all over the bread as evenly as possible then arrange the rest of the triangles over that, finishing off with a layer of chocolate.  Use a fork to press the bread gently down so that it gets covered very evenly with the liquid as it cools.

4   Cover the dish with clingfilm and allow to stand at room temperature for 2 hours before transferring it to the f ridge for a minimum of 24 (but preferably 48) hours before cooking.  When you're ready to cook the pudding, pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4, 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).  Remove the clingfilm and bake in the oven on a high shelf for 30-35 minutes, by which time the top will be crunchy and the inside soft and squidgey.  Leave it to stand for 10 minutes before serving with well-chilled double cream poured over.

Saturday is the time for laundry and general cleaning duties.  Mostly I don't mind, but the untidiness gremlin seems to follow me around and by evening I sometimes wonder whether it was all worth it.  I tried to print the following out but ended up having to join two bits together, but I liked the joke so much (and identified with it) that I have included it regardless.  Hope you like it.

There is nothing like 'rose tinted spectacles'.  I am as guilty as anyone else of wearing them from time to time.  It's also weird how conversations I have with Starman, about seemingly insignificant things, have a habit of turning themselves around and biting me on the bum.

I soooo wish I hadn't drawn his attention to his horoscope yesterday, because it has gone to his head.  Ever had that 'bum tingling' sensation?  

And now I must finish.  His HOHiness is on the prowl and is making suggestions I had better not ignore.  See what I mean?  

I think I may have woken up a sleeping tiger.  Any more sage advice for a blonde airhead please Bas?!!!

And that's all for now folks...   oh help...!