September 2009 – Lauren Gemmell

When I heard this month that we would be making our own puff pastry, I was worried. Normally when I need puff pastry I by block and roll it out (or sometimes even buy the pre-rolled versions) it’s so quick and easy. My knowledge of puff pastry was that it would be quite difficult – I don’t have a great track record with pastry at all.

However this is the whole reason as to why I signed up with the Daring Bakers to force me to try what I would never have bothered with before. This doesn’t mean however that I haven’t put this challenge off to the very last minute.

The September 2009 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Steph of A Whisk and a Spoon. She chose the French treat, Vols-au-Vent based on the Puff Pastry recipe by Michel Richard from the cookbook Baking With Julia by Dorie Greenspan.

Spiced Apple Sauce

By lauren

On 26th September 2009

In Cakes and Desserts

Mmmm smells like Fall.

Better Bolognese Sauce

By lauren

On 24th September 2009

In Dinner

Sometimes you want to expend a little more effort to make something just that little bit special. A couple of weeks ago I talked about the average Bolognese, the recipe that I turn to when I need something quick, simple and that I’ll enjoy. This however is not quick or simple, but the taste makes it well worth the effort and the wait.

Over the past week and a half I have done no cooking, baking, re-heating what-so-ever, I have barely even stepped a foot in a kitchen! I got back from holiday and spent a couple of days feeling decidedly unwell, so it was a bunch of takeaways and frozen pizzas in this household! Yesterday was the first time I was starting to feel anything like cooking, and I wanted to make something special for The Other Half, to show how much I appreciated him looking after me.

Spinach Curry

By lauren

On 15th September 2009

In Dinner

This recipe I made with leftover curry sauce from yesterday’s Daring Cooks Indian Dosas. I went on about this curry sauce so much yesterday I won’t go into raptures again. But wow – you need to try this!

Indian Dosas – Daring Cooks

By lauren

On 14th September 2009

In Dinner

This month is my first Daring Cooks, and I am so glad that I signed up. Indian food is one of my all time favourites, and a regular dish in our household, so I’ve never needed an excuse to try a new recipe. Dosa’s are essentially Indian savoury pancakes, filled with a spicy chickpea and vegetable mixture and topped off with a curry sauce.

This month’s Daring Cooks challenge came from Debyi from Healthy Vegan Kitchen with a recipe from Refresh: Contemporary Vegan Recipes. The challenge was to create a truly vegan meal.

Chilli Con Carne

By lauren

On 9th September 2009

In Dinner

In my last post I was talking about simple comfort autumnal food like Spaghetti Bolognese. While it’s not very sexy to talk about as a foodie, Spag Bol is a dish that I always come back to and make over and over again. Chilli Con Carne is another such dish.

My version of Chilli Con Carne doesn’t really come from a recipe book or website, it’s just something that has evolved from the way my Dad made it. Like the Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe this starts with basic mince. The time consuming bit is slowly cooking the mince, but this can be made in huge quantities and frozen or refrigerated, meaning you can make quick week night meals.

A turning point – Spaghetti Bolognese

By lauren

On 6th September 2009

In Dinner

I guess everyone writes about this meal on their blog, or maybe no one does because it’s just too common place. I don’t want to blog this because I believe that my recipe is better than anyone else’s, or because mine is somehow different to the average Bolognese. I want to write it because this is the average Bolognese.

Coconut Cupcakes

By lauren

On 1st September 2009

In Cakes and Desserts

This blog post is part 2 in a possibly never ending series where I try to find a cupcake frosting I like. I have already tried buttercream filling in my Butterfly Cakes so due to Amanda’s of Amanda’s Cookin’ suggestion my next attempt is to try a cream cheese filling.

Lauren Gemmell

Food, Fitness, and Technology

Month: September 2009

Spiced Apple and Custard Vols-au-Vent : Daring Bakers

Spiced Apple Sauce

Better Bolognese Sauce

Spinach Curry

Indian Dosas – Daring Cooks

Chilli Con Carne

A turning point – Spaghetti Bolognese

Coconut Cupcakes

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