How to sterilise jars

My method for sterilising jars is quite easy and takes about the same time as a batch of jam does to prepare. Alternative methods include washing the jars and lids in an otherwise-empty dishwasher, or using sterilising tablets (the kind you would use for a baby's bottle).

Here's how I do it:

Wash the jars and lids in hot soapy water and rinse in hot water. 

Stand the jars upside-down on a rack set on a baking sheet (I use the grill tray from my oven). Put the jars in an oven heated at 100C for at least 10 minutes (they can be left in there longer). 

Put the lids in a clean saucepan. Pour boiling water over the lids, add a dash of vinegar, and let them simmer away on the hob for at least 10 minutes. The vinegar stops any residue forming on them.

When the jam/chutney is ready and still hot, use oven gloves to help you fill the jars using a jam funnel, and then put the lids straight away. Use caution and avoid burns!

Great British Bake Off 2013

Well, everyone, the Bake Off is over, for this year at least. What fun! It's been a source of escapism, frustration and inspiration for me and, judging by the online furore, for lots of others as well.

The final, alas, was sadly disappointing. I felt that none of the three bakers really shone as the clear winner. Frances's wedding cake was beautiful, but her pretzels were disastrous. Ruby's pie was a clear favourite, but her wedding cake wasn't finished. Kimberley's pretzels were good, but her wedding cake looked a mess. Not that I can really judge - I certainly wouldn't be able to produce a three-tier wedding cake in only six hours!

What I love about the Bake Off is that it takes something so simple that so many people do and makes it into a form of light-hearted yet competitive entertainment for the masses. I don't think many TV shows achieve that. Everyone knows it's a bit of fun, but everyone takes it so seriously! Is it a British thing to do that? Oh and I love Mel and Sue. Whoever got them on board as the hosts was a genius.

The bakers had to tackle so many different types of baking, some of which I've never even contemplated. Bread and cakes were only the beginning - there were biscuits, meringues, pies, and patisseries too. It's inspired me, though. I may well be getting my bake on in the coming weeks. Although now I'm not running any more (too cold and dark now that the clocks have gone back, boo), I can't exactly excuse myself for eating all the pies. Ahem.

A bientot!

Laura x

A (half) marathon effort

Hi everyone!

It's breezy and blustery here today and it feels as if autumn is finally getting going. Quite a change from the weekend just gone, when we were on the beach in sunny Bournemouth! After months of training, half marathon day had arrived! The many, many runs that had taken place over the summer finally paid off for both me and my dad. We both finished, we were both very happy with our times, and we both had sore legs the day after! Actually, today is the first day that I can walk up and down stairs normally again!

It was a brilliant day. Two non-sporty people running 13.1 miles in less than 2.5 hours! I was so proud of both of us! 

I couldn't have done this run without Nick's amazing support in staying at home while I went running three times a week. In the end, he says he's been inspired and wants to do something similar. A marathon maybe?!

Here are some photos of the day!

All smiles before...

and after!

Bunting and buttercream - Sophie's second 1st birthday party

Hi everyone!

We had a lovely family gathering at the weekend for Sophie's second 1st birthday party. The birthday girl was very happy and good the whole time, though I think she was a little overwhelmed by all the attention. She certainly slept well that night!

Having two birthday parties was a necessity for us, as our home is not large enough for a lot of people, and I didn't want to miss out on celebrating with the friends that Sophie and I have made this year. The first birthday party involved babies crawling everywhere; the second was a bit more sophisticated! We had afternoon tea with champagne. The room was decorated with bunting and there was a lot of buttercream!

Sophie's first birthday afternoon tea party
Finger sandwiches
Birthday cake
Rose macarons
Scones, clotted cream and jam
Chocolate cupcakes
Fruit and crisps

The birthday cake was an iced lemon madeira sponge, and in keeping with the bunting theme I decorated with little sugar flags, and some simple sugar flowers. I made the cake in advance and froze it, iced it two days before and decorated it the evening before. It worked well! I was really pleased with how the cake turned out.

My macarons were flavoured with rose water and rose extract. I had to add way more than the recipe asked for to get the floral flavour. I'm still practising my macaron technique. I saw some on the Great British Bake Off the day after and felt how inferior mine were! They tasted good though.

I didn't take many photos at the party because I was busy encouraging everyone to eat (the British can be so reticent about going up to a buffet, even when they're hungry!) and enjoying the champagne. And admiring my little girl. She's grown up so fast.

Congratulations Sophie on turning one. Thank you for all that you are. We love you and we are so proud and thankful to be your parents.

Sophie's first 1st birthday party

This week, my baby girl turned one! How did the year go so quickly? I feel as if I blinked and missed it. It's been a truly wonderful year. We're so thankful for our sweet darling Sophie.

We celebrated on her birthday with a little tea, cake and Pimms' party with some of her baby friends and their mums and dads. It was chaotic! So many little people crawling around on our living room floor with toys everywhere! So much fun!

I made vanilla cupcakes in advance, froze them and then defrosted the day before and iced them with vanilla buttercream and pink sprinkles. The other party food was a simple all-in-one chocolate sponge cake with buttercream filling, baby snacks, fruit, and limoncello macarons, also prepared in advance and stored in the freezer. I'm still practising my macaron technique! And for drinks we had iced tea, fruit juice, and Pimms' with lemonade. I was happy I had done so much in advance, thanks to my lovely husband who looked after Sophie while I baked!

Here are some snaps from the day.

Happy birthday Sophie!

Proud mummy...

...and papa!

Pink!

Buttercream everywhere! Cupcakes, chocolate sponge
and macarons

Baby line-up

Enjoying the packaging more than the present

Oh my!
(NB. It's actually cream cheese on her face, though her papa
did let her eat a cupcake while I wasn't looking!)