Figgy Pudding Muffins

You got me - two recipes in a week! 
Well this one has been done before, so check out the recipe for May 2011, or just look at the 'figs' section to find it.
It's one of my all time favourites so well worth doing again and reminding you all how delicious they are.
I've not even taken a photo of them yet, as they are still in the oven, so you'll have to make do with the photo below of my scarecrow that has finally made it into my garden this springtime.

Happy Baking.

Vive la Francais

This week I have mostly been teaching the Frenchies to bake Chocolate Muffins! 
And a lot of fun we had too.

A Step Too Far

I have discovered the limits of my culinary expertise - I just attempted to make pizza dough.

"Easy" says everyone I ever asked, but it was all lies. 

Easy is not the word I would use to explain the mess and desecration of the kitchen that just took place while I tried to knead dough and turn it into a recognizable pizza shape. In the end I turned the holey mess into a Calzone, in the hope that the filling wouldn't all slide off and burn. 

Next time I come over all 'Jamie Oliver' I'll have a word with myself and stick to ready-mades, or wait til a warm day and give myself a lot longer to sort out the uncooperative dough! 

And because it was so terrible, I'll leave you with a quirky photo to take our minds off the disaster that was tea time chez moi.

Liverpool through a puddle

'Another Place'

Well I have been very lax at writing the blog lately - sorry folks!

But what with selling my house, packing, not selling my house, unpacking, there has been little time to bake. Instead I found time to visit my brother and take even more photos. This time I got to use his camera, a lot nicer than my old one, and had to test it out to the max. 

We ended up visiting the Antony Gormley statues on Crosby beach, Liverpool. 

The 'exhibition' is called 'Another Place', and it was certainly felt like no where else with these dozens of life sized slime covered and encrusted casts of the artist himself set into the beach at different places, eventually being revealed as the tide went out. It was a beautiful beach, with amazing clouds, a wonderful sunset, and fabulous reflections. 

No wonder I took so many photos - these are just a few of my favourites.

Too busy to bake?

What is life coming to? I seem to be too busy to bake!!

Shocking I know, but I suppose that's what happens when you sell your house, then have to find another one, then start packing for the move, then find out it's not quite as sold as you'd once thought - never mind.

It's now half term, so I guess I'll just get the baking cupboard open again and make myself a little something to take my mind off all the boxes and bubble wrap.

Here's a little photo of the sunrise for you - 

It's the only photo I have managed to take for over a month - what is wrong with me? No baking, and no photography - I think I need a holiday to remedy all this unusual behaviour.

Norwegian Adventure: Part 7

...I am indebted to my hosts for sharing their Christmas with me and welcoming me in so kindly, and treating me so well, and making me eat bread at every opportunity, and for not making me eat the fish!
Thank you mør Kari, Erik, Magnhilde, and of course Inger.

...This was one special Christmas (thanks to Holly, Tim, Jack and Clare), never to be forgotten, i just can't believe I have to go back to work on Monday - but the day isn't over yet despite the darkness of the hour.

...p.s. I met a Troll on the way home from the mountain at a place that has a 'Minister for fun' appointed every year.

...I've just heard on the weather that there is a chance we might just see the northern lights from here, I intend spending my last night looking out of the window, or standing on a hill just in case - I just need the rain to go away and the clouds to clear up. Why would it rain today, it's been clear skies till now!

We got home safely, but it was a very long day, so now to sorting photos and getting the house back to normal after Christmas, should just manage it before work on Monday.

Norwegian Adventure: Part 6

...Wishing you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR xx

A happy new year from Norway, yes I beat you, we did it already - and may I say that's the first time in my life I've ever stood, with my friends, in a field, in my long johns, at midnight, with a glass of champagne in my hand, celebrating with fireworks resounding around the lake, yet not a moose to be seen!!

...In the morning I have to pack and catch a train for an hour and a half to the airport, then fly home and return to middle England armed with a huge suitcase and many happy memories and photos to go with them.

...It's been a wonderful time here eating all sorts of delicious things, at all hours of the day, at every house we visited.
The moose has eluded me the entire trip, despite visiting the garden here many times, the scalliwag!!
The snow came and went as the temperature rose and rose, but rarely fell too far.
I have learnt to allow 10 minutes to get into your outdoor clothes every time, and going to the loo with so many layers on is a bit of a nightmare.
I have learnt that ski shoes are slippy.
I have learnt that the Norwegian royal family cry in public, and quite regularly it would seem!
I have learnt that most Norwegians speak English which is quite helpful as my Norwegian is improved only a bit. 
And I mostly learnt that Moose do not like to be photographed by the English!

Here are a few moose facts I discovered over a hot chocolate in Nikkers, Lillerhammer FYI

Norwegian Adventure: Part 5

...Well the day has arrived, and I got up just as it was light, which was a first! It's off to the mountains to don those skis and find out what all the hoo-ha is about with this skiing malarki. So if I miss my flight tomorrow due to an unexpected visit to the local hospital I'm sure the photos will make up for it. thermals on, and onward we go ...

...Well I survived. it was blizzard conditions, lots of laughs, and when Kari (who had banned me) was hiding safely in the car i did the HILL! That's when I fell over and lost a ski! The whole event was captured on instagram for posterity. I think my shoulders will be the worst ache in the morning from tensing up the whole time when I got started.

...No one told me the ski shoes were like ice skates when we went indoors for dinner neither!! The locals were most entertained at the mad Englishwoman with the moose hat on!! But at least I'M ALIVE and still in one piece.

Norwegian Adventure: Part 4

...'Intrepid Explorer' is back from the blizzard filled shopping trip. My soon-to-be grandson has pressies. It's only minus 3 now but the snow is still falling.
Been visiting uncle Hans today, but I'm not allowed to see the pigs - foreigners can't, as i might have swine flu!! How rude! But I got to meet the Norwegian equivalent of Mary Berry, and sample her wares, so I couldn't complain. Thanks Ragnhilde.

...Today it's plus 6, so no long-johns required, but there does seem a storm brewing. the lake is whipping up white water which looks like ice chunks.
tonight we will celebrate the end of 2013 with champagne, courtesy of one of the Harold's, and Eric says i have to drink his share as he is on medication and the hospital doesn't advice him partaking, so I may not see daylight at all tomorrow!!

...Parceled in between snow at either ends 2013 has been a year filled with fun - cats, dogs, surprised expeditions, planned expeditions, gigs, parties, family camp, God's abundant provision above and beyond, laughter, music, hygge. Spending my birthday celebrating Jack and Clare's wedding was such a joy, while keeping that most wonderful of secrets that Holly and Tim are having a baby. And right now I get to end the year sitting in wonderful wooden house, next to the lake in Norway, with snow on the mountains

...If 2014 is anyway near as much fun as 2013 then I will be one happy bunny - and I can imagine that becoming a Granny for the first time will certainly make it a year to remember.
Thanks to all those lovely family and friends who got to share in all that fun along the way, memories and photographs a-plenty.

Norwegian Adventure: Part 3

...There were moose prints on the front garden this morning, he is teasing me and won't show up when I go looking!

...Lamb ribs for tea last night - they call it piinnekjøtt, and it was well tasty, Just needed a bit of mince sauce. Instead we had Lingonberry sauce.
Just got called for the morning walk, it's probably afternoon, but the light will be gone in a couple of hours, so I'd better go moose hunting.

...I, hereby known as 'Intrepid Explorer', have returned from a visit into the mountains to see the cabin. 'Wow' isn't a good enough expression. The snow was knee deep in most places that I went off piste. The skiers were a-plenty. The sunset was awesome. I made my second ever snow-angel and took millions of photos (only a slight exaggeration). and guess what - pizza for tea tonight, my life is complete ...

...It's coldest yet. Minus 5, and is now snowing for the first time since I got here. It's just getting dark so I suppose I had better go shopping! And take the camera with me just in case the moose turns up en route. Been testing the local cakes and pastries in every house we've visited. My blog is going to full of non muffins come the new year. Shopping calls ...

Norwegian Adventure: Part 2

...It's the porridge day for the Nisse. It's like a giant rice pudding that you have to have red jammy sauce on, but Inger's mum makes the best strawberry jam, so that may be the topping this year. It's what we'll have for lunch today, with the extended family coming round to share.

...Christmas day breakfast - hot dog sausages in lefse.

...The Christmas pudding ceremony was also held at the Harold party, I chucked a large quantity of cognac on the top before I lit it, and it burnt very well, my dad would have been proud of me, it was the very first time I'd lit the pudding!

...During the night Magnhilde thought we were being burgled, so she had dialed the police before realising it was her brother searching for frozen peas to put on his swollen face (this was nothing to do with the Akevitt, he was too ill to partake).

Norwegian Adventure: Part 1

We have only 6 hours of daylight 9 till 3, but the snow makes it seem light longer.

Today began with the snowy view out of the window of my log cabin bedroom with a real Snow White bed and duck feather duvet. Eggs and cheese for breakfast (I avoided the fish). 
The view from the loo was equally Narnian. 

...The lake can be seen from every window on three sides of the house. Driving, even in snow tyres, was quite challenging, particularly when we went off piste!! We saw a moose; hearts stopped; only to discover it wasn't a moose! 

...Lillehammer was wonderful, cold, snowy, and carol singers in Norwegian, with horse and carts, and Nisse everywhere. Baby shops a plenty. Hot chocolate in Nikkers and lasagne for tea. We have behaved ourselves mostly, except when we tried to get into the church in the middle of a service, we'd forgotten it was Sunday. Not a bad one all in all!

Norwegian Nosh

Normally for Christmas I would have roast turkey, and stuffing, with roast potatoes and parsnips, and of course Yorkshire puddings and gravy. Followed by Christmas pudding, and lots of mince pies with custard. But this Christmas was rather different - very tasty but not very English, naturally!

While I was away I wrote a journal to let my family and friends know that I was alive and well and having an amazing time, so I will let you share my adventure, with a few photos from the hundreds I took, and a couple of recipes thrown in along the way ... then I really should get back to the muffins!

Norwegian Menu

I have just got back from celebrating Christmas and New Year with a wonderful family in the eastern part of Norway. 
I have been offered many tasty treats throughout my stay, and will definitely be making some of the recipes for myself now that I am back. 

I never had a muffin the whole time I was away, but then I have the rest of the year to put that right and share my recipes here.

This was my first breakfast - meatballs on lefse (a kind of crepe/wrap type bread). Never had that for breakfast before, but when in Norway ...

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful 2014.

May your muffins always rise and your smiles never fall.

Happy Christmas

HAPPY CHRISTMAS my multi-national muffin friends. 

 

Advent Calender Day 24

We've made it - our advent calender is complete. 

Here is the final offering of Muffinny goodness, to celebrate the reason for the season. 
The Christmas Muffin - made with mincemeat and brandy and cinnamon and all good things oozing Christmassy flavours. 
Open the tub of these at any time of year and you'll be thinking it's Christmas Day right there and then.

Advent Calender Day 23

The penultimate day of advent.

Today I am tempting you with making Carrot Cake Muffins - just make sure that there is one left for Rudolph tomorrow night.

Advent Calender Day 22

Apricot Cream Muffins.

Hide the cream cheese filling in the middle and throw diced dried apricot chunks into plain muffin batter. Tasty!

Advent Calender Day 21

Today's suggestion for your Advent baking fest is Blueberry and Pomegranate Muffins.  

Very patriot looking whichever end of the plane journey I am at today; England or Norway. 

"God Jule", as I'll have to be saying over there!! 
I suppose I'd better look out for those Nisse.