I went to France once, for about 4 hours. After University I went to visit my friend living in Ireland and on my way there I spent a week in England to see the sights. I took day trips to Bath and Scotland and saw things I had read about for years. I had a tour booked to go to Paris to see Versailles and the Eiffel tower. I studied history in University and was particularly interest in the French revolution so I was extra excited for my visit to France. So excited in fact that when I missed the 4 am departure of the tour I immediately booked another round trip ticket to Paris. It cost a fortune! I arrived in Paris a scared 20 year old with not even passable French and my epic journey to see the sights ended up featuring the train station, the souvenir shops inside the train station and a frightening walk outside of the train station where I was yelled at. This lead to an email to my family later that day titled “Paris isn’t that great”. Paris is probably amazing but all I can think of now is that I could have eaten a baguette in Paris but I chickened out!
Tag: gbbo
Arlettes – pin wheels of yum!
Arlette, mother of William the Conqueror or delicious cookie. While looking around the internet trying to find out exactly what I was about to bake I stumbled across a list of famous Arlettes but not a lot of cookies. The best I could find was that Arlettes are a variation on the Palmier, another puff pastry cookie. Palmiers are named after palm trees and pigs ears, not things I usually group together. Arlettes just seem to be their own thing, no plant or animal name sake. I did read that Arlettes are sometimes served with icecream, which brings me to my big revelation. The Arlette ice-cream sandwich!! Move over macaron, beat it dark chocolate-esk cookie, make room for the Arlette! I’m on to something here I know it!
Mary’s frosted walnut layer cake
Hello series 6! I’m in the home stretch. In my mind Bake Off ended with the departure of Mary, Mel and Sue so I am working for series 7. Don’t get me wrong I still watched the latest series and I didn’t hate the new hosts but is it really Bake Off without the Mary Berry? Plus what is going on with Paul’s tan? I just can support his blatant disregard for SPF. And with that I am embarking on the last of just 20 technical bakes. Did I say just 20? I have lost my mind. Luckily sanity is not a requirement for baking.
Schichttorte
One thing I love about the Great British Bake Off is it has exposed me to so many desserts for all over Eroupe. At the beginning I thought they would stay close to home with the Victoria Sandwich and Cornish Pasty. But as the series progress I have got to spend time on recipes from France, Sweeden and quite often Germany. I’ve never been lucky enough to visit Germany (beyond a layover in the Munich airport), but based on GBBO it is worth a stop for their desserts alone. Sadly after I post this bake I will never be welcome in Germany again.
A Good Bake 