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Half term started this week, and boy do Ellie and I need it. She is shattered, I am exhausted. I had hoped that I would have some lazy mornings but obviously Mr B still has to leave the house at 6.30am and the dog still needs a wee. So they haven’t really happened. I have of course enjoyed not spending nearly two and a half hours a day doing school runs. Not that I have gained those hours of course. Work has been bonkers, blog stuff is backing up, housework has been tackled (ish) and there has been an attempt at more cooking.
Talking of cooking, yesterday I spent the day with a bunch of fellow bloggers at what I think of as my spiritual home: Sage Appliances HQ in Chiswick. We were there to play with their new Pressure Cooker / Slow Cooker / Risotto maker that came out this week (more of that in a future blog post) but couldnt help but play with a few other appliances too. A bread maker, oh how I loved that bread maker (not out until January) and a new “personal blender” called the Sage2Go which is their version of the Nutribullet. The technology behind it is far better than the latter’s and Heston (who tweaks and refines every Sage Appliance before it becomes a Sage Appliance) has paid alot of attention to the mouth feel of the cup, and to how it feels in your hand when you hold the cup. Something I can really appreciate. We all know that tea is better out of a china mug, even if we do have a favourite mug. Did you also know that if you drink hot chocolate from a mug that has an orange interior, it feels smoother in your mouth? Another gem from Heston, that.
The ever wonderful HPMcQ took this pic of me, carefully hiding the fact the breadmaker hasn’t got the Sage branding on it and also the fact I was about to throw the bread down as it was scalding hot. It pretty much summed up the day.
Seven hours on my feet meant that when I got home all we did was collapse with a curry. Seems wrong to spend all day cooking food with incredible appliances (and then a) not eat any as you so busy cooking and chatting; and b) come home and order a take away) but that’s how it is at Barrow Towers sometimes!
Today is all about lunch with my parents and granny (with Caity and Dan coming over too) in a nearby pub (where the Yorkshire puddings are the best you will find south of the Angel of the North) and then collapsing in front of the TV to watch the rugby and the grand prix. I am not a huge rugby fan but I have really enjoyed the games I have seen. We caught the tail end of the match yesterday that saw the All Blacks win, and this afternoon I am rooting for the Australians. Well with a husband called Bruce, I can’t really root for Argentina can I?
Tesco have been running a campaign to #CelebrateTheNations with all sorts of official merchandise on sale, and great recipes from the countries involved to help you eat and drink your way through a game, and around the world. In light of the fact that we are on Team Australia this afternoon I am going to rustle up a batch of Lamingtons and get some Fosters in the fridge. Of course if they make it to the final next week I am going to insist we have a full on barbecue. Tesco sent us a box of goodies, including an inflatable beer cooler, bunting and party poppers so do keep an eye out on Twitter for those this afternoon 🙂
I never knew that lamingtons were so easy to make:
- 1 Madeira cake
- 100g Tesco Finest dark chocolate
- 2sp cocoa
- 00g (3½oz) caster sugar
- 75ml (3fl oz) milk
- 100g (3½oz) desiccated coconut
- Using a sharp, serrated knife, trim the ends, top and base off the cake, then cut into 6 pieces. Put on a plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Break the chocolate into squares and put it in a bowl.
- Put the cocoa, sugar and milk in a small pan and whisk together, then heat until boiling. Immediately pour over the chocolate and stir until it melts.
- Put the coconut in another bowl.
- While the sauce is still hot, take one piece of cake at a time and, using 2 forks, dip it into the sauce and turn until completely covered.
- Transfer to the coconut bowl and using another 2 forks turn the cake in the coconut until it is completely covered. Put on a large plate.
- Repeat with the other pieces of cake, one at a time. Leave for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Clearly the picture above of Lamingtons is not mine, I have used one from Shutterstock, but I WILL be baking a batch this afternoon to share with you for their next match.
And then if the excitement of the rugby wasn’t enough it will be on to the grand prix and maybe seeing Lewis become world champion.
It’s shaping up to be a busy afternoon on the sofa Chez Barrow!
This is a collaborative post
Ooooh, sounds like a lovely afternoon in your house!! We’re on garden tidying duty!
I like the idea of the mouth feel of the cups on the Sage2Go, the main downside of the nutribullet is that the cups aren’t so nice to drink from.
I can’t wait to hear more about the fast, slow pro too!
I’ve never tried the Nutribullet Emma but if you have, you will love the Sage2Go. Not out until January though so I can’t put it on my Christmas wish list! But will definitely keep you updated on the FastSlowPro!
Sounds like a brilliant Sunday at the Barrow residence. It’s cruel to have spent all day Saturday cooking delicious food to not eat any & arrive home feeling exhausted! I can’t wait to read about Sage’s new pressure cooker x