Feeling a Bit Fed Up? Then Bake

[Oola]

I am feeling a bit fed up this afternoon. More than 2 or 3 weeks of chicken woes, Pattie still clearly not well and possibly very ill, losing Cynthia and spending a whole lot of money on vet bills. Added to this, winter is still hanging around and I'm longing for some warm sunny weather to help lift my spirits.

Sitting in the house this afternoon I've decided I might try and undertake a bit of therapeutic baking. Probably nothing fancy, just a sponge cake. What sort of things do you like to cook or bake for therapy? I might have a bash at doing some basic bread recipes soon.

[Oola]

Maureen's eggs are mounting up, so I think a cake is definitely on the cards.

[eleanor2]

oola i havn't baked for ages.if i'm fed up i make cards.i am wanting to get back to making my healthy wheat free biscuits with peanut butter and molasses.very healthy.

[baab95]

I try and bake every Sunday afternoon, and I find it terribly relaxing. Choc chip cookies, chocolate brownies (do you sense a theme?), puddings, cakes, you name it I'll try and bake it! I love that I can control the quality of the ingredients and that the end product has been made with a whole lot of love and care.

[littlemiss]

i love to bake, addicted to it, especially applecake and lemoncake, problem is, what to do with it all? after giving most of it away i end up scoffing the rest myself

[TIGGYWINKLE]

My therapeutic baking would be some sort of special goodie for me, such as Vanilla Fudge, Pralines, Turkish Delight, Almond Brittle, Biscotti, or some sort of Relish, preserve, or homemade lemonade. Pure indulgence!

[littlemiss]

onion chutney, there's indulgence! mmm, does anyone know of any good onion chutney recipes??? x

[Oola]

Yes I'd love to have an onion chutney recipe too. And how can I stop the onions going a bit chewy?

[sunflower]

My favourite at present is a Victoria sandwich made from our hens' eggs. Love it!

[Oola]

I used to make a buttercream victoria sandwich and take it into work (made with 3 of my hen's own free range eggs!). I was a legend, people from other departments would wander in looking for cake!!!

Also Tiggywinkle, I would LOVE to have a fudge recipe if you could rustle one up for me?

[SummerSkye]

I cheated, didn't bake but made a Tiramisu, which roughly translates from the Italian as "Pick Me Up" .. just what I need.

[TIGGYWINKLE]

Oola, Here is my favourite Fudge Recipe. It is from Darina Allen's book. I prefer a grainey fudge to a waxy fudge. I have just bought cinnamon, cardamon and Rose Essences,in a Polish Foodmarket, and think they would work well with this fugde, instead of Vanilla Essence. Must try them next time. I love making things that are expensive to buy!

VANILLA FUDGE Makes 96 squares.
8 Oz Butter, 1 Lb castor sugar, 1 Tblsp Golden Syrup 1 Tin (400g)Condensed milk, 1 teasp vinegar, 1 teasp Vanilla Essence. (10 x7x7 inch tin)
Melt butter,sugar and syrup in 7 inch saucepan. Simmer for 5 mins. Add milk, bring to boil and simmer for 20 mins stirring all the time.(I read a book with the other hand, but it is worth it) Remove from heat. Beat in vinegar and Vanilla. (You could add nuts here if you wanted to) Pour into oiled tin. When set cut into squares. Enjoy!