Kenwood capers



A dismal scene

I had been meaning to post for ages and then all hell seemed to break out last week when my beloved Kenwood Chef mixer of 27 years devoted service broke whilst making the daily bread...I had bought this dream machine back in 1984 and it had been touch and go if I could afford it back in those days. I had to convince myself that it was worth the money and I was right at the time.  Imagine my horror when it broke, because I can't do without it.

How did the local paper get in there?

So after researching the latest models I came up with the one above. They have not changed the design very much because it is so well made.  I did opt to buy the one with the glass liquidiser this time as I intended to keep the old acrylic one anyway as a backup and for DH who always makes soups with loads of turmeric in them and they stain so......The only real difference is that this model has a larger motor than my previous one and also does not have a medium speed attachment outlet, but I never used that anyway so I don't suppose it matters. I do use the top fast outlet for the liquidiser and sometimes the slow front outlet for a cream maker.

It's quite heavy

I have another attachment which peels potatoes but had never really bothered with it, but as I was playing with my new toy all last week I decided to give it a go. Hey it peels potatoes and leaves them as roughly rounded shapes. Next I popped them into my trusty Remoska and the result 40 minutes later was what you see below. I hasten to add that DH was away in Scotland in his tent doing 6 remote hills (I could not go as my foot is not completely healed yet) so I unfortunately had to eat all of these myself ;-)

These were simplicity itself

Meanwhile I have been resisting the temptation to try and make a cake so far but I think it will be soon.......

Progress on the project

I did manage to do some sewing earlier in the week before I was given all sorts of printing jobs to do this weekend and I still have one left to do later today, Sunday. I never seem to be off the computer nowadays but its usually work related. So getting back to the point of this posting, this is a photo of the work in progress so that I can keep a record of it. I am not sure if the colours are being represented well though because I think they are showing up as too bright on the screen. Anyway, they are supposed to be more restful so now you know. 

Speaking of which I decided also to take at turn at being 'Domestic Goddess' over lunch today, meaning I not only cooked some spicy lentil soup but made mini cheese scones to go with it. Again I am not sure if these shots are perfect.

You will note that I use my Remoska instead of an oven nearly all the time if I can as it saves loads of electricity and is fun and quick too. Anyway, they seemed to be enjoyed over lunch and Bella had some small pieces spread with Lurpak. She is really a fussy eater for a Border Terrier as she insists on small morsels to tempt her as opposed to being a wolf.....The good thing about me doing lunch though is that DH gets to do the dinner tonight....ha ha.  His spag has really improved recently since I had the glut of tomatoes because he started to skin the toms and use them instead of passata and the difference is amazing, you should try it.  I did make some notes of the recipe (his own) last week so I might post it here later.  Meanwhile, I think it might be an idea to give Bella a walk into town to buy some more paper for the printing I have still to do today. I know its Sunday, but that does not mean a thing in this house, it still counts as a work day.

Vicky's Boiled Cake Recipe

My friend Vicky was in Booth's yesterday and promised me a recipe, like a good sport she cycled round to the house today and popped it through the letter box.  I am having a day removing wallpaper from the ceiling, so to relieve the monotony (also the pain in the neck) I decided to make the cake as an experiment for you dear readers. 

So may I present the cake:-

This is Vicky's recipe

4oz margarine or butter  ( I used Rachel's organic unsalted)
4oz Soft brown sugar
12 oz Mixed fruit
1 Tblspoon water

Place in a saucepan and bring to the "boil" gently to melt the butter and plump up the fruit.
Remove from the heat and cool slightly, then add:-

2 eggs, lightly beaten
8oz SR flour (I sifted mine)  (plus cinnamon or mixed spices optional)
¼ pint water

Mix well, put into a lined 7 inch cake tin.
Bake Gas 3 for 1½ hours  (I placed mine in my Remoska and baked for 1 hour and 20 minutes.)
She notes that you need to cover with foil for the first 45 minutes then remove it if you have a fast/fan oven.
I covered mine with a tinfoil plate as the Remoska cooks from the top and can burn cakes easily.

You can also prick the cake all over when cool and add spoonfuls of your favourite tipple.
Vicky says she often freezes hers, I don't have a freezer, just a small compartment above the fridge, so I can't try that for you.  However the finished cake looks ok and I shall try it on DH later.......