dahl's doughnuts.

When I was younger my dad and I made doughnuts from this recipe book. Now, seeing as I don't live at home any more and haven't got the book with me, I thought I'd go online and search for the recipe; the hardest thing to find- so I got my mum to send me the recipe (and hopefully the book in the post).

For those who don't have the book, this is the recipe for Farmer Bunce's Doughnuts (from Fantastic Mr Fox without the foie gras!!)

Ingredients

100g soft brown sugar
50g unsalted butter
1 egg
450g plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
good pinch of salt
2 tbsp hot water
1/4 tsp vanilla essence
4fl oz milk
vegetable oil for frying
caster sugar for coating

You will also need

2 plain round cutters, one bigger than the other to make wholey doughnuts
cling film

Method

1.Cream butter and sugar.
2.Gradually add the egg.
3.Add the remaining ingredients; the dough should be fairly stiff but smooth.
4.Wrap in clingfilm and fridge for two hours (ideally you could do this overnight, or if you're short of time like I was put it in the freezer).
5.Divide the dough in half and put the remaining half back in the fridge.
6.On a floured surface roll out dough to 1/4 inch and cut out as many doughnuts as possible.
7.While this is happening, heat your oil until it starts to sizzle.
8.Fry in small batches and drain on kitchen paper.
9.Finally, place some caster sugar in a bowl and coat your doughnuts.

And now me and Alex are off out to a friends and we're taking these with us as dessert. Enjoy your Saturday night.

beside the sea.

Yesterday, I had to go on a work trip to Brighton; it was the first time I'd been so to be stuck doing a training day instead of exploring wasn't ideal but me and a couple work friends went to the sea afterwards. We didn't stay long as we had to trek back to London, however, it was nice to go someone new and, lets face it, iconic. I do want to go back but next time I want to plan out what we/I do if we go...I already spotted the crazy golf place-that might just have to happen!

We even went home with the holiday makers essential gift: a stick of rock!!

lets face the music.

Saturday night saw me and Alex head out for an unexpected trip to see our friends dance at a function. We bundled up in their car surrounded by speakers, feathers and glitter and headed off to a really enjoyable evening; not only are they great dancers but they performed at the most extraordinary function: it was for a 70th anniversary for a deaf club/association. To begin with I was very unsure of how it was all going to work (they were teaching the cha-cha as well) but as the time went on I was amazed at these people. It was so interesting for watch them interact with each other and our friends and learn the steps so quickly and successfully. It really was amazing and really bought some grounding to me in particular; we really can take things for granted. Alex and I were able to sit and have a conversation with each other, all the while not taking our eyes off the dancing whereas, these people had to stop entirely what they were doing in order to focus on what was being communicated. I was sceptical at first but it turned out to be a lovely, albeit very late, evening; here are just a few snaps I managed to take.

my week, according to the photos i've taken.

This week has been really mellow, after the manic stress and small patience of my part at work it was nice to have some time to unwind. Most of the week was spent catching up on a lot of sleep but this week I want to get back into a routine. This weekend was a bank holiday and we had friends around for the weekend. Tomorrow I'm off to Brighton; it'll be the first time I've been. I really wanted the first time I went to be for fun and to actually the explore the place, but I'm going for work and it means a very early start. I've been a bit of a lazy blogger this week; but that'll change this week I'm hoping. Hope everyone had a good bank holiday.

weekly wishes

(image via getinthequeue)

# Watch The Time Traveller's Wife.

# Make my kitchen art work.

# Spend quality time with Alex.

# Sort ebay and sell some things.


Weekly wishes #5

# To actually make my art work for the kitchen.
# To do some baking.
# To start reading a new book.

rainy day baking.

So when I went home last week the weather was awful but my dad and I made the most of it and did some baking instead. After watching weekend TV we fancied ago at this recipe here; they may not have looked exactly the same but, my goodness did they taste good. Trust me when I saw you really only need a little slice with your mug of tea.

This is where you need to make sure the caramel is really thick; we thought ours was thick enough and it wasn't and so didn't completely set how it should.

The finished product; like I said tasted so good but you really did need a tiny piece. I plan to remake them but make sure the sauce goes right.

we're going to the zoo.

Okay, so technically I've already gone, but it was lovely nonetheless. I love the zoo so when I went home my parents took me to Paignton Zoo; I used to go all the time when I was younger and it really is a fab zoo. It rained a lot, but we still had a fun time, below are just a few snaps and a little video from our day out.

(music by mumford and sons)

We finished the day by the seafront, sat in the car away from the rain eating fish and chips.