Author Archives: swimmingjenny

About swimmingjenny

I'm new to blogging. I love the idea of keeping an online diary about my life in London. I like the idea that similarly minded people can peep into my life and find things to laugh about and nod in agreement (or not). I've lived in London for 21 years and come from Melbourne. This blog increasingly is becoming a diary of my growing baking interests. I've made a deal with myself to bake a loaf of bread every week and so for the last 2 months I have. I love to cook especially for friends. I have my own inner city allotment just 5 mins cycle away at King Henry's Walk and try to subsist in Summer. Please feel free to comment; I love to engage.

Food in Barcelona

Just had the best coffee and bread yet in Barcelona. Non- UHT milk, flavoursome coffee and wonderful croissant and jamon sandwich. Also visited a wonderful Italian food shop selling everything from cheeses to pasta, from chocolate and parmigiana. Mike has … Continue reading

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Eating with friends before Christmas

Sausages baked in the oven doused in good quality red wine make a delicious wholesome meal. Delicious sausages from my local Canonbury butcher;apple and pork and duck and apricot. I served them with a mash of carrot,potato and swede, seasoned … Continue reading

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Busy baking night pre Christmas

Very busy and really enjoyable night of baking. chocolate truffles a la Nigel Slater from the Observer with a hazelnut variation, my first focaccia thanks to Mr Hollywood and pate sucree for tomorrow night’s apple tart a la Ms Lawson!! … Continue reading

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My weekly bread

Olive bread tonight. Bread’s just flour (strong white and mixed grain this time), dried yeast, olive oil, salt and olives of course.I think my best yet, just the right amount of oven time and moisture. Left it to rise a … Continue reading

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Apple Normandy and more bread

Spent a lovely day with friends celebrating Christmas and food. Last night I made this loaf and flavoured it with caraway seeds. I think next time I’ll try rye flour and make it taste really German. It took far too … Continue reading

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December 15th Classical Duet Concert

All welcome to our duet concert at Lauderdale House on December 15th at 7.30. Phillida, David and I are preparing a sumptuous feast of music from Purcell to Quilter. There will be wine and homemade edible christmas fare available before … Continue reading

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Wholemeal loaf

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My first wholemeal loaf this afternoon and it seems to have been quite successful as per the picture. I used a combination of wholemeal flour and granary. I added a little more water on account of the flour. Baked it … Continue reading

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Spent a lovely half hour paddling around in this refurbished pool in clifton, Bristol. It’s beautifully done with luxurious individual showers, sauna, beauty suite and a restaurant overlooking the pool with very reasonably priced delicious food.  That’s it; food and … Continue reading

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My weekly loaf

Make Olive bread today. Strong white flour, mixed grain, dried yeast, salt, olive oil and black olives. Kneading them in turned the flour a dark grey colour, very pleasant really. Came out of the oven at just the right time … Continue reading

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Walnut Farl

My latest bread baking effort. There’s something so therapeutic about making your own loaf. This loaf is my best to date as it’s moist, not too salty but still flavoursome. Added too much flour on the top to make the … Continue reading

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