Saturday, October 27, 2012

Outdoor breakfast




This time of the year is unique. I knew that today would be cold and sunny so I planned a very early walk and an outdoor breakfast. I must admit that it wasn't easy getting out of bed. Jakob and I woke up at 06.30, made and packed the breakfast and drove to the beginning of the walk. It was cold and beautiful. A frozen morning.

We walked from Horningsea to Anglesey Abbey following a muddy public footpath. When we arrived to the Lode Mill was time for our breakfast: coffee, scones and some fruit.

   

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Kinfolk


I discovered Kinfolk magazine more than a year ago and I fell in love with it. I've been following it online since then and all I can say is that it's a beauty. Describing it is difficult because is about a lot of things and nothing at the same time. I would say it's about gatherings, moments, food, small pleasures, nature and so on. You can read here its manifesto and watch it.

The magazine is stunning. The articles and the photographies are inspiring. Well...finally I have the latest issue in my hands and the rest in its way (tack älskling!).

By the way, I've taken these pictures today at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Saturday in Cambridgeshire


    Searching the light, the sunshine, the colours and some rest, we've spent saturday morning and afternoon. First, we walked in Wimpole gardens. Later we headed to Granchester and for the very first time we didn't eat scones; we did ate a salad and a quiche. Jakob almost fell sleep after that.

Wanting something sweet, we went to Cambridge city centre and got a chelsea bun at Fitzbillies. Then one more walk along the river Cam. I think I've done enough publicity! Family, Friends... please, come and visit!!


Friday, October 5, 2012

Beetroot cake


In the past I didn't how to use beetroot. With a little help, I started to discover it and finally I'm starting to love it.  I've even baked a cake with beetroot.

Beetroot in a cake? I saw there were a lot of recipes and they seemed pretty attractive. Why not try it? And yes, it's very tasty. Not too sweet, moist and very rewarding for an Autumn day. It has been our little treat on a long evening walk.

Next time I'll make it with chocolate. I've heard it's a fabulous combination.

250 g self-raising flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
150 g soft brown sugar
2 eggs
200 g beetroots, grated
100g sultanas
150 ml vegetable oil

Sift the flour, the baking power and stir in the sugar. Add the sultanas and the grated beetroots. Beat the oil and the eggs together and add it. Combine well.

Spoon the mixture into a greased springform cake and bake in an 160 ºC for 1 hour and fifteen minutes apron.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Pumpkin and spinach pie


I like Autumn flavours. The is my first Autumn in England and I have to say that it has been being full of flavors so far. 

There are plenty of great local vegetables that I love and even some wild mushrooms. I have also started to receive an organic seasonal vegetable box every week. After having had that kind of delivery in Barcelona I missed it. It's a great form to start cooking seasonal and being a bit more creative because you have to cook, sometimes, vegetables that you aren't used to cook.

The pie Jakob made the other day had also bit of Autumn itself.

JAKOB'S RECIPE

Pre-hot the oven to 200 degrees centigrades.

Pastry:
3dl of flour (I use normally a mix of wheat and whole and sometimes 1 dl of rye flour to give it that nice country-side feeling)
125 g of cold butter
3 tablespoon of cold water

Mix in a food processor the butter and the flour until you don't have any big butter pieces left. Add the water and mix it to a pastry quickly. Extend it in the mould and chill it for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile you can do the vegetables. I fried pumpkin and onions and added spinach and fresh herbs. Be creative here: vegetables, cheese, salmon...

After that, make small holes in the pastry with a fork and put it in the oven for 10 minutes or until it looks nice and golden.

Put the vegetables in the mould and add a mix of e/4 eggs and 3dl of milk. Then, 30-40 minutes in the oven  to 200 or when the mix is dry.