Four years ago Team Pretty Bake was conceived; a collaboration of kitchen shenanigans between friends and what for me personally was a means of distraction from a rather unbearable situation. Much has changed since those humble beginnings, and while Miss Rose has moved off to focus on other things, I have tipped the seesaw from those early days of weakness to finding strength and positivity in life moving forward...
Read MoreYoung broads
There's so much to love about spring - the longer days, the blossoms that promise summer fruits and, of course, the veritable bounty of fresh produce suddenly appearing at market stalls. Among those that I look forward to most are asparagus and broad beans...
Read MoreIt begins
While I should probably issue a *spoiler alert* I think it's fair to say that when it comes to the TPB festive hamper we've never strayed far from the traditional, so you had to expect there'd be Christmas cakes coming sooner or later...
Read MoreA quick biscuit
Spring is such an exciting time be in the kitchen, but with this month's running calendar rapidly filling up it seems October's going to be pretty quiet for TPB. However, while there's unlikely to be much baking, what with weekends away and planning for Christmas (yes, already *egad!*), one thing's for sure - there's always enough time for biscuits...
Read MoreSpring green
I love spring. As the days lengthen and the birds begin to wake a little earlier I find myself revelling in the colourful sprays of spring bulbs and sun-kissed afternoons heady with the perfume of blossoms and freshly cut grass. Memories from my younger days come flooding back and I get that child-like sense of anticipation for once again being allowed to go and play outdoors...
Read MoreC is for cookie
In the long list of things that I enjoy cooking I'd have to say that biscuits are right up there when it comes to the ultimate baked treat. A small indulgence, they're infinitely adaptable, can be thrown together and baked within minutes, and offer that perfect combination of a crisp edge and chewy centre that, fresh from the oven, is both comforting and immensely satisfying...
Read MoreButtermilk
I hadn't planned on cooking anything special this week, but when the offer came to use up some fabulous Victorian produce the temptation was too much to resist. For some time I've been meaning to make my own ricotta...
Read MoreStudded dough
Baking during winter is a challenge. While there's that romantic notion of kneading away as the wood fire crackles and the rain tumbles down, the realities of a day job and a cold, inner-city flat mean that I don't get to delight in such fancies as nearly as often as I would like. But the desire is always there, and with a few similarly-themed posts suddenly hitting my to-do list it was time fordough with bits...
Read MoreCelebrating bacon
With other commitments necessitating some time away it's a rather belated celebration, but apparently yesterday was International Bacon Day, and I'm certainly not going to argue with that...
Read MoreWinter blues
It can't have been that long ago that I was getting excited about the prospect of long nights, stews and slow roasts. But now, after a few months of short cold days, I find myself pining for sunshine and warmth, and all the beautiful spring produce that comes with it. But with days as drab and dreary as this I get the impression that winter is not done yet, and there seems nothing for it than to hold up, pop the kettle on and get baking...
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