Before our food arrived, Sian announced that she had been very remiss and not given us a house-warming present when Our Lass and I moved into OTT (which is probably as much our fault as we'd not managed to arrange any sort of soiree to celebrate the event).
A large lime green carrier bag appeared from under the table but, before I could investigate its contents, Sian also produced a folded piece of A4 paper, brandished it in my direction and told me that it was a necessary addition to the gift.
Intriguing!
Carefully unfolding the sheet of paper, I discovered that it was a recipe. And peeking into the bag revealed all the ingredients and cooking utensils needed to carry out the baking instructions. Surprised, possibly in the early stages of 'Bake Off' shock, I heard Sian's voice, as if from afar, telling me that, "You're on Orkney now, you will need to be able to produce a Lemon Drizzle Cake at the drop of a hat."
No pressure!
And so, yesterday afternoon, with the kitchen to myself (save for Test Match Special on the radio), I embarked upon the culinary challenge that is a small stepping stone on the journey towards assimilation into island life.
Firstly, the bag was unpacked to reveal the ingredients and utensils...
Or to put it another way...
Then, following the instructions implicitly, the quantities were weighed out...
I think I like recipes that more or less say "Chuck most of it into a bowl and stir vigorously."
Which brought things to this point...
After 40 minutes in the oven, it was time to add the drizzle (which, pleasingly, was made by chucking the remaining ingredients into another bowl and stirring vigorously!).
And so, after waiting patiently for Our Lass to return from work, the tasting could begin.
My profuse thanks to Sian for the pastoral support and such a constructive gift.
What's that old saying... Give a man a lemon drizzle cake and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to bake a lemon drizzle cake and the sugar rushes just keep on a-comin'.
8 comments:
And did the result past muster with "Our Lass"? Good effort there! more recipes to follow (of the throw into a bowl and whizz variety of course!).
Many thanks, Sian. Apparently I've secured the position of Official Cake Chef de la Maison (a post I've been holding on an informal basis for the last 30 years. I shall have to reciprocate with an incredibly simple festive recipe that involves sherry and double cream :o)
Lightbulb! :)
Aha...Maryland? ;)
"What light bulb?" he said, dimly.
Yeah, Maryland :o)
Uncooked drizzle!!!!!
Delia will be upset!!
Cpt. Sundial
Aye, aye, Cap'n!
This far north the drizzle is rendered inert by the UV radiation leaking through the much thinner ozone layer. Apparently.
I shall share my stupidity with you...
I was sat here wondering how two tomatoes featured in a Lemon Drizzle Cake, (continued to the end of the post; still bemused; returned to the offending photograph; still bemused; enlarge photograph; Ohhh, duh!) before I realised there were in fact eggs! Whoops!
Congratulations on the baking though. It looks good (and England won!).
It's this Orcadian light, Martin, it produces odd effects ;o)
Yep, the cricket team followed the 'recipe' too :o)
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