Week 5 - Beignets soufflés

I literally have no idea what these things are. Anyways, warning - this was choux pastry - anyone who knows me or this blog well knows previous history with choux has not been the best. (The 'tricolour eclair' reality looked like soggy batter with mysterious white overly runny translucid liquid on it - strangely not quite what I was going for).

On a side note, I have had a bit of a nightmare with broken washing machine for a week, a migraine and my sisters birthday, a hangover (yes migraine and hangovers are initially hard to tell apart!) - and a vendetta against choux, so the odds were stacked against me.

The Prep
So I was not quite prepared. I decided to make these at 10pm on a Sunday - just when I started, realised I only had 1 instead of 4 eggs (So did the rational thing - no I didn't stop - ridiculous - no, I make a quarter of the batter and persevered into the night.

The Bake
I mean, I was not committed to the cause. I don't have a deep-fat fryer, so with a quarter of the mixture I tried to make the balls. Now this is hard - you need to hold them together - not only is this quite hot, oil is spitting at you, a lot of smoke was produced and I have stressed housemates flapping over the fire -alarm over me. Not quite the idilic baking environment I look for, if anything I blame the housemates.


The Result 
Honestly they are grim, I didn't proceed further. Mainly because I haven't had much time, and the other reason I don't care too. They are basically like onion bhajis, without the onion in, and not crispy. So everything bad about onion bhaji. Basically oil soaked/ bunt/ swirls of batter. Maybe one day I will try then again - or maybe I should make onion bhaji's instead.  All in all, not sure what Prue was going for.


Taste
1/10 (even I couldn't bring myself to eat them, and I am usually very lenient in my sympathy eating for my own failed bakes)

Appearance
2/10 (Maybe one looked ok)

Texture
1/10 (all oil)

Average = 1.3

No filter can save this sad lot.

Week 4- Maids of Honours

Maid of Honour for a Maid of Honour! Question is which am I going to be more successful at.. only time shall tell!

The Prep
The ingredient list wasn't bad - nothing too rouge or niche! At last. Although, didn't have baking beans or cutters - so had to improvise with rice and a gin glass. Lavish I know!


The Bake
Now I would say they look relatively simple, however there were a lot of different components and if this was timed I would probably have nothing to present - so all is well I didn't have to have a breakdown on national TV -but instead pansy around my Kitchen for 5 hours wondering where the tine had gone.

I actually really enjoyed the process - a lot of firsts. Never made curd - so simple! Milk and vinegar, but it really does look gross.. it curdles - and it all makes sense now. Made lemon curd, different thing also very simple! And rough puff, haven't done in a long time.


The Result 
I was really happy with them actually, they tasted better than they looked. And considering everyone's on the actual bake off was probably just as poor I felt chuffed (although I did have endless time and the recipe - but hey ho). And I did get some rave reviews, which for the first time I agreed! I brought them into the office and became very popular, it was nice to give something I was actually quite proud of. I know what I am bringing to my next review meeting.


Taste
9/10

Appearance
Looked a bit crap, not even at all 5/10

Texture
7/10 - nice flaky pastry. I was chuffed

Average = 7

Bread Week - Veggie Burgers?

An Unusual bake this week! Veggie burgers are the first thing I would think for bread week, but back to basics which I enjoy. Particularly due to my lack of experience with bread! A hard thing to master.

The Prep
To be fair the ingredient list was very minimal which was a dream! Bread is basic in the respect.

The Bake
I do have a love/hate relationship with bread, it takes time and can't be rushed. This goes against all of my natural instincts, I am horrifically impatient and like to keep busy so the long waiting times are a bit of an inconvenience to say the least. However, I do respect that good things take time, and enjoy the aspect of getting back to tradition - no electronics, no bread makers, no distractions - you need to slow down and wait.

The Result 
I was pretty happy with the outcome. They were probably a little on the crumbly side and slightly flatter than I imagined- but not bad for a first attempt. The burgers themselves were also really nice - although not sure I am ready to give up my meat filled friends totally just yet!

They roughly took 5 hours, so

Taste
8/10 - I have actually never thought much into a burger bun, but I haven't actually tasted one quite like these. I have been snacking on plain buns all week. Trust me, they are good!

Appearance
A bit flat but I could live with it 7/10

Texture
5/10 - marginally too dry but hey ho

Average = 6.6

Week 2 -The figless - fig roll

Why hello again my fellow friends! The millions of you out there that read this loyally will be very pleased to here that I am back! I know, the long awaited return of my amateur baking. 

A return of the trials and tribulations of my baking life is really what this country needs right now. 

SO let the bake along begin. Yes, I am aware I am a week late.. but I actually always miss week one, so I guess it basically a tradition. 

This week's technical - it was a humble and very under-rated fig roll. I am going to be honest I did want something more 'showstopping' for my mighty return, however, fig rolls it was. I dusted the surfaces and I was ready to get back into my much loved hobby I have so heavily neglected, after all these missed occasions - I was back!

.... Sadly - I failed at huddle one. I couldn't find any figs in my local Co-op - this seemed rather crucial component to a fig roll, like a bacon roll with no bacon (not ideal). So I had to compromise with apricot and prunes which was probably the next best thing. - Yes I know! I can hear all my friend yelling at me, I am notorious for using many a substitute then being baffled by the unrecognisable result from what it should look like in the pictures. Alas, co-op's unpretentious range of dried fruit stock is to blame. 

To be fair, fig rolls definitely eased me in gently. They were surprisingly simple, I know, you wouldn't think it from the rather rustic look in the pictures - but if I can do them, anyone can.  The dough was probably a bit too crumbly but they tasted pretty good. And fun fact, actually go very nicely with a cheese board. Would recommend. 

So the verdict from my very unbiased testers. 

• Texture 7, appearance 8 and taste 9
• 'My verdict texture 4, appearance 5, taste 6. - with an overall result average of 5 

.. take that how you wish - lets bring on week 3!