Author: Siri

Posted on

Today’s Bake – 9/25/22 – Strawberry N Cream Cake Roll

I finally got around to trying something I’ve wanted to try for awhile, ever since Adelaide and I tried the Pattern Roll Cake on the Sugar Geek website (I love her stuff; her videos are very entertaining). The first time we tried it, Adelaide was the designer and went for the abstract look. I thought the roll cake was on the dry side, so was eager to try this again with a different roll cake recipe. Here is the source for the technique, which is not that difficult: https://sugargeekshow.com/recipe/pattern-roll-cake-recipe/

This time round I chose a recipe from Sally, another source that I love and adore. https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/strawberries-n-cream-cake-roll/. Using the technique above, I came up with the following design. Note that your pattern will only show on one section of the roll. You do need to think about placement when you both make the pattern and roll the cake, making sure the pattern is not on the inside, which it ends up being when you flip the cake onto the towel (you will have to reflip it back).

Things I did differently than Sally’s recipe: For lining the dishtowel prior to rolling the sponge, I only used 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar which was plenty. (Use a dishtowel without nap or raised pattern.) For the strawberry cream cheese filling, I only used 2/3 cup of confectioner’s sugar, rather than 2.5 cups. The finished product is not as sweet (which I like better). I’d rate this a 8 out of 10 with a nice sponge that is not at all dry, a tasty filling not too sweet, and a versatile dessert that is satisfying but not overdoing it. 8-10 servings.

Looking forward to making this again and improving on my patterning! Chocolate sponge roll with white snowflakes sounds interesting…..

Posted on

Find Me Unafraid

What a great story. A story of love, and hope, and character – of ambition and determination and beating all odds. Of helping to save the world.

Well worth a read.

Posted on

Raspberry Curd

Thinking I would make a cake filling, and being midst raspberry season, I tried this curd. While too thin this time around for a cake filling, wow, what an ice cream topper! This kept marvelously in a sealed jar in the fridge for several weeks and was A+ delicious on ice cream – bet it would be amazing on pancakes as well! Be sure to use fresh raspberries! https://bakesbybrownsugar.com/raspberry-curd/ (Photo borrowed from aforementioned website).

Posted on

Tart Cherry Scones

Being part British, I can’t help but love scones, though it’s not something I make that often. I have tried a number of recipes but this one takes the cake, er, the scone! It’s got a great taste (got to like cherry and orange of course), but mostly it’s got that dry but melt in your mouth combination that I find so difficult to achieve. A long chilling time is the key: I’ve done 6-10 hours for mine. https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/cherry-scones/

Posted on

Another Five Star Meal …..

Good evening, this is The Howard Beakman at the Virginia Rescue Center in Locust Dale, enjoying some evening nibbles.

The food here is fancattic. You see, Meowm has become quite the kook. Every day it’s something deluscious. Tonite was the cat’s meow. Rum-tinged whipped cream. Yummmm. No one can say that life in the geeser ward is dull. We’re kared for well. Our needs re locked afta. Lyf s gud. Felin slippy.

An so we snoose.

Posted on

Reporting from ‘The Inside’

Day 1:

I have just arrived at this Rescue place and am not quite sure which way is up, or down, but I know one thing – I’ve been booted out of my last place (guess I was a bit too squeaky) so my number one goal is to find me a new lap – asap.

I see they have a computer.  As soon as these dang guardians give me a moment to myself (they keep saying something about “He needs to get to know us”) I will jump on and post a plea.  The mouse is just waiting to be tapped.

(It wasn’t until about 3:30 am when I got a clear shot – from under the bed to stool to chair to desk to keyboard – whew, all that jumping, up came dinner – and then the gosh darn mouse refused to cooperate.   Better luck tomorrow.)

Day 3:

I’ve had about enough of this, but am doing my best to fool them.  I have to make sure that they don’t suspect my plan of escape.  Some day soon my friends, my chariot will arrive!  But for now – the food is pretty good here.  I find that if I meow constantly I get what I want quicker – so I must continue to do this.  These humans are pretty simple – easy to train, I must say. Life is not that bad.

Day 5:

They’ve wisened up to my computer tactics, so now I just lay on the keyboard every chance I get so they know who’s boss. Much easier to keep an eye on things, plus I’m purrfect level for scritches.

And the biggest news – I finally have privacy my friends – they purchased a hooded litter pan – and I just love it!  No longer can anyone stare at me as I do my business. No idea as to what they were thinking with public toilet space; plus that awful woofer looking ever so interested in my productions. No wonder he has bad breath.

Day 6:

Meowmy heard from the next door neighbors today – I guess they liked the opera I was singing last night.  This is something that I must continue to do because I thinks my singing is beautiful.

Day 7:

It’s been a week. Invitations are already rolling in; I will start interviewing prospective homes very soon. I will know immediately when the right Bean applies – must love the sunshine, taking naps, and have a solid girth so I know the chow is decent.

Reporting from confinement,

TiSan

Photo credit: Amanda Thompson
Posted on

A More Perfect Union

A well, well done book taking place right here in Central Virginia – well written, great characters, good story. Just loved the fact it was set locally as well.

“Inspired by true events, A More Perfect Union is an epic story of love and courage, desperation and determination, and three people whose lives are inescapably entwined…

Henry O’Toole sails to America in 1848 to escape the famine in Ireland, only to face anti-immigrant prejudice. Determined never to starve again, he changes his surname to Taylor and heads south to Virginia, seeking work as a traveling blacksmith on the prosperous plantations.

Torn from her home and sold to Jubilee Plantation, Sarah must navigate its intricate hierarchy. And now an enigmatic blacksmith is promising her not just the world but also her freedom. How could she say no?

Enslaved at Jubilee Plantation, Maple is desperate to return to her husband and daughter. With Sarah’s arrival, she sees her chance to be reunited at last with her family—but at what cost?”