Monthly Munch: June 2015

This was the month that I went back to work!  It was a little unexpected, but a job came up at a local family-run business called Bluebells Dairy, so I am now spending three days a week helping them to make ice cream.  Which means that Graham is now officially a stay-at-home Dad; or as he calls it, enjoying his retirement.

It is also the month that Theo learned to walk.  That's him, see, disappearing into the distance.  Oh yes.  Don't take your eyes off him for a moment, or you're in trrrouble!

Toby

King Toby (of the holy knees)

 - won 1st prize in the children's section of the Findern bake-off!

"Toby's Chocolate Cake"

- wanted to picket the judges of said bake-off.  He made a sign which said "1st prize for Toby or 2nd prize for Toby or 3rd prize for Toby".  We didn't let him put it on a stick and wave it outside the venue.

- gets a little annoyed with Theo now he's more mobile: "Everything I try to do, Theo's there!" but really enjoys making him giggle, too.

- was really good when the car broke down at Tesco and we had to wait ages for the AA to rescue us.  He enjoyed riding in the van while our car was towed.

Quotes:
"I think I'd be good at being a fireman, because I like getting wet with a hose."

This coat was designed for a giant fireman!

One morning when I came down for breakfast: "Uh-oh, here comes trouble!"

Theo

- has gone from a wobbly start to practically running in just a few weeks.

- can bust out some great dance moves!

At the Findern Preschool Tea Dance

- gets super-static hair on the trampoline.

Bzzzzt!

- points and says, "ah-plah" every time he sees an aeroplane, and makes a pretty good attempt at "tractor" too.

- goes "zhzhzhzhzh" as he pushes toy cars around.  Guess who he picked that one up from?

Thankful for:

- 1st prize in the bake-off for me too!  To be honest I think almost every entry got some kind of prize, but we were pretty happy with our firsts.

- a £90 rebate on our electricity bill - obviously those solar panels are doing their job up there.

-lots of home-grown strawberries.

Recipe of the Month: Lacy Lemon Tart

Here it is - the prize-winning recipe!  You'll need one very large lemon or a couple of regular sized ones.


Base:
40g caster sugar
80g butter
120g plain flour
1/2 tsp lemon zest

Topping:
3 eggs
170g caster sugar
1 tbsp lemon zest
120ml lemon juice
2 tbsp plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder

For the base, rub the butter into the flour, then stir in the sugar and lemon zest.  Or whizz briefly in a food processor.  Tip into a 9-inch round springform tin, and pat down firmly and evenly.  Bake at 170°C for 15 minutes until just lightly coloured.  Turn the oven down to 160°C.

Whisk the eggs and sugar together.  Add the lemon zest and juice and whisk in, then stir in the flour and baking powder.  Or, again, stick it all in the food processor.  Pour over the baked base, and bake in the slightly cooler oven for about 25 minutes, until just set in the middle.

If you like, decorate with royal icing.  If not, just sprinkle some sifted icing sugar over.  Bonus points for using a doily to get a lacy pattern.  Store in the fridge.