FoodLovers Britain
Just another WordPress.com weblogArchive for October, 2008
Recipe of the Month – Somerset Apple Cake
This October we’ve been championing British apples. So naturally our recipe of the month is apple based.
Recipe for Somerset Apple Cake
Ingredients:
1lb (450g) cooking apples
Salted water to keep apple slices white
12 oz (350g) self raising flour
2 tsp baking powder
12 oz (350g) caster sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp almond essence
8 oz (225g) melted butter
Flaked almonds
Caster sugar to sprinkle
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease and base line a 12 x 9 in (30 x 23 cm) roasting tin with greaseproof paper. Peel, core and thinly slice the apples into lightly salted water.
Measure flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl. Beat eggs together with almond essence and stir into the flour with the melted butter. Mix well then spread half mixture into the tin. Arrange the apple slices over the top of the mixture, then cover with remaining mixture (don’t worry if apples show through a bit). Sprinkle generously with almond flakes.
Bake for about 1 1/4 hours or until the cake is golden, firm to touch and slightly shrunk from the sides. Leave to cool. Turn cake out, sprinkle with castor sugar and cut into generous chunks.
Can be served cold or warm with custard or cream.
For more scrumptious recipes check out the FoodLovers Britain recipe pages.
What’s On – Apple Festivals
We have three apple-related events to draw to your attention this weekend – all taking place on Saturday 11 October and Sunday 12 October 2008.
First up we have the Waterperry Apple Weekend, close to Wheatley, Oxfordshire. Get your mystery apples identified by the professionals at the Apple Weekend at Waterperry Gardens. They grow over 50 varieties themselves, and are offering orchard tours and advice on growing apples as part of the festivities.
Next, we have Apple Affair, at West Dean Gardens, Chichester, West Sussex. West Dean’s walled Victorian kitchen garden grows over 100 varieties of apples, all of which will be on display and featuring in the various apple-based food and drink goodies on sale during the weekend.
Finally, we have the The Big Apple festival in and around Much Marcle, Herefordshire. This is one of the biggest apple celebrations in the country. Tour the villages around Much Marcle – the main events will be centred around the Grand Barn in Hellens – for apple tastings, apple trails, cider tastings, apple ID, orchard walks and much more.
For more foody events happening around the UK this October see our Food Events page.
Top Ten Sandwich Fillings
We found a list of the top ten most popular sandwich fillings.
At FLB our top sandwich is probably a traditional cheese and pickle using chunky white bloomer bread.
cheese
It’s important to use a good, local cheese in thick slices, just a little butter, and preferably a handmade piccalilli or other pickle. If none at hand, then shame on you! – try a search on our foody database for a FoodLovers Approved preserves and pickle producer – however, Branston’s remains one of the best of the mass produced and we admit to using it ourselves now and then.
Cut into two halves, serve with a glass of perry or cider and switch on The Archers for added authenticity.
Junk Food Feasting is Doubly Dangerous
A tale from the dark side. Not only is eating junk food hazardous to your health, it’s also a hazard to your wallet.
This cautionary tale is taken from the The Sun newspaper via the Herald Sun.
“A FAST-food fiend is outraged after being slapped with a £150 fine for staying too long in a KFC carpark in Britain while she and a mate gorged on a huge meal.
Natalie Jackson – who eats KFC three times a week – has vowed never to go back after she was hit with the fine as she and a friend chowed down on 14 pieces of chicken, six packets of chips and large soft drinks, The Sun reports.
Jackson, a trainee nurse, and her mate spent an hour and a half eating their way through the 5,456-calorie meal.
But days later Jackson was outraged to receive a fine in the mail for staying too long in the KFC car park, which has a 75-minute limit…. more
