Mastering the Buttercream

So, for my cousin’s girls christening I was asked if I might like to make some cupcakes. Of course, I jumped at the chance and I stuck to neutral chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. I didn’t think this was the time to experiement with alcohol or beetroot based cupcakes.

However, I misread the message from my cousin when she said eighty people were coming and I made near to seventy cupcakes. Then I saw the shock on her face when I arrived with, not just one plate, lots of armfuls of cupcakes. As it turns out, she had told me that about eighty people were coming so just bring one (yes one..) plate of cupcakes as other people were making deserts too. Umm.. I managed to find some space on the tables and was delighted when there was only six left at the end of the day. Yet, I don’t think some of the parents would have been quite as delighted as a few children, who I had spotted with my cupcakes an hour before, became very hyper. Maybe I put too much sugar in them?

It was a great day for all the family and the girls looked beautiful. I was also pleased that I have finally made proper buttercream and not a mixture of gloopy icing! I also got to make the other half’s lovely mum her birthday cupcakes at the same time. Perfect!

Vanilla Cupcakes and Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients
240g plain flour (add cocoa)
280g caster sugar
3 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
80g unsalted butter at room temperature
240ml milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (leave out for chocolate)

Frosting

250g icing sugar sifted
80g unsalted butter at room temperature
25ml milk
A couple of drops of vanilla extract (leave out for chocolate and add cocoa)

1. Line muffin tray with paper cases and preheat oven to 180C.

2. Cream the sugar and butter then mix in the flour, baking powder and salt until combined.

3. Gradually pour in half the milk.

4. Beat the eggs, vanilla and remaining milk together in a separate bowl and then pour into the flour mixture and continue mixing for a couple of minutes until the mixture is smooth.

5. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases but only fill them two thirds full. Bake in the oven for 25 mins or until slightly golden and then cool on a wire rack.

6. Beat the icing sugar and butter together until well mixed.

7. In a separate bowl combine the milk, vanilla extract , then add to the butter mixture gradually. Continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

8. Decorate the cupcakes with the frosting once cool.

 

Sleepover = Sleepy Head

So, I have been really busy recently as I have found a second job that has seen me submerge myself into a life of being a telephone customer advisor. Interesting, to say the least. I also managed to re-acquaint myself with some English traditions. This included a spot of afternoon tea with mini sandwiches, cakes and scones served on a two tiered rack.

Very posh and it was a complete accidental buy. We were just going for a coffee and the waitress twisted our arms into buying not one, but two of these afternoon teas. It would have been rude to say no! This was followed by an evening watching Children in Need. It was a great show and I was inspired by lots of various activities including one mammoth bike ride by a certain tele personality.

So in between both jobs I was spoilt by my godfather to a gorgeous Persian meal at Pomegranate. He even held all the doors open for me! Maybe I should get him to train Luke? However, my godfather is certainly a gentleman and extremely good company. I had a vegetable casserole with saffron rice after sampling ‘Osh‘, which was an incredible mixture of lentils and herbs in a fantastic soup form. I then returned home and back to working. It does indeed appear that there is no rest for the wicked and I wouldn’t mind but the most wicked thing I have done recently is getting Marmite into the butter during an accident with a piece of toast.

It was then back to my baking roots and an evening of cupcake making for a sleepover the next evening (please see my baking page).

Yes, I’m nearly twenty-four and I am going to a sleepover with some old school friends. It’s almost like we are all still teenagers! However, this time there will be wine involved. Plenty I’m sure. I just had one more day to get through of work and then I was free. Well, for a few hours at least. I packed my dad off to Ireland with a bag of cupcakes and dog biscuits

Under strict instructions to try to not to get the two mixed up. Then it was off to the sleepover.

There was indeed wine involved and I was rather excited when my friend appeared displaying a plate of bruschetta and smoked salmon pasta.

What was even better was being cooked for as I appear to have added ‘private cook for parents’ to my resume. It was delectable and not exactly quite like the school sleepovers of wraps and minstrels, it was far nicer. However, I had trundled in with a mammoth bag of DVD’s for us to watch when my friend informed me she did not have a DVD player. I have now made a mental note to always ask that question before going round to somebody’s house with an armful of DVDs as a DVD player appears to be a very crucial element. Yet, who needs DVDs when you have great company and we stayed up chatting for most of the evening and catching up on everyone’s dramas.They even liked my cupcakes so it was a success all round.  I did pay a smidgen for the wine the next day as I had to get up early to go to work but that was a sacrifice I was willing to have made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I quietly nursed a small hangover at work. I suppose that is the downside of grown-up sleepovers. I don’t ever remember hot chocolates and soft drinks from my school sleepovers giving me an aching head the next day.

 

The best-laid schemes o’ mice an ‘men (and women) Gang aft agley

After a successful night devouring Indy’s downtown we all decided to try to get up early and have a road trip to Kentucky. Not quite sure why but it seemed like a surprisingly good idea and there is actually a variety things to do there that doesn’t just involve eating Kentucky Fried Chicken, even though that had its own appeal. That plan, although it was formulated with the best intentions, failed miserably. We eventually met up around nine ish (am) to head into Indy in search of food for the others. I thought I was pleased I had already had breakfast until I got there. My word had I missed out and made Luke miss out too. We had visited Hoaglin, which is well-known for its fantastic breakfasts. I am going to go on a fast next weekend in order to be able to have breakfast here. The portions were huge and I enviously eyed Dan’s Mass Ave; Faye’s Biscuits and Gravy; Roanne’s Bagel and Jacks food (here my memory fails me).

I was consoled a little bit by my Mocha but it didn’t look half as yummy as everyone’s breakfasts. I have made a mental note to be less organised next Sunday at breakfast time. If only to avoid Luke’s puppy-dog eye expression, mixed with resentment, at having to sit through a fantastic breakfast and only be able to drink an orange juice due to having been force-fed toast earlier on.

 

We continued our unsuccessful streak as we excitedly made our way to the Eiteljorg museum to find out more about the Native Americans. Alas, that knowledge remains unknown to us as the museum did not open for another hour. Next attempt was to go to the cinema. This turned into a mini debacle as we attempted to find a film which would suit seven different personalities and the majority of which were over-tired from the previous night as well as possibly suffering a slight wine-head feeling. Finally, much to the amusement of the box office man, Faye and I went to see The Help and the others went to see Horrible Bosses. I really enjoyed the film, although I still prefer the book. We then tried to find the others afterwards and promptly left them to dive into a few shops. Faye was victorious in Old Navy and we returned to find the others being talked to by a policeman. As it turns out they had been reported for looking suspicious whilst they were sat in two cars waiting for us to return. They had also been moving these cars around and who knows what else. I dread to think of the hand brake turns and power slides that had been conducted to arouse suspicion. However, the policeman apparently said they didn’t look suspicious to him (good job he doesn’t know them!) and left.

We retreated back to Riley and went our separate ways. I had to have an emergency sugar snack as I had turned into a grouch like creature and then Luke attempted to cheer me up with a take away from Bazbeaux. I devoured a 12 inch cheese-free pizza to myself, whoops. There goes all the effort spent at bootcamp! We then relaxed in the jacuzzi and sauna before bed. It is a hard life but never fear because I am coping remarkably well don’t you think?

I awoke and got ready to return to Dinosphere. Unusual for a Monday but I had to swap my shift round. After nearly gaining a permanently crooked arm by holding onto a pole on the bus because there were no seats I got off at my stop. Then with a nice wave from the bus driver, which made me feel like I had just been dropped outside of primary school for my first day, I made my way into the museum. It’s funny how calming I find being stood at the Dinosphere entrance ramp, holding a puppet crocodile and staring at the Supercor. Well the latter still scares me but I have been assured they do not exist anymore and it is just a skeleton, even if I do keep expecting it to start walking around. I have mentally plotted my escape in case this happens. I also got to do a bit of sifting with some dinosaur bones and show children how to complete the task as well. Although some problems arose when they asked me to identify what they had found. I’m not exactly an expert yet but classifying ones I wasn’t sure about as a rock or coal seemed to work with the children. Not too sure about the parents but I think they were just happy their children were sat down being quiet for a few minutes.

After my shift Luke picked me up in a car with no petrol that threatened to just stop. Brilliant. I can’t understand how anyone can drive with a tank only a quarter full let alone near empty. I have a fear of breaking down somewhere completely inappropriate and dangerous, like the middle of roundabout. Luckily we made it to a petrol station and then parted ways for the evening. Luke went to his ‘Manday’ (really) and I went to bootcamp and had a girlie night at Roanne’s flat with Laura (a friend from bootcamp whose husband works for Rolls). It was lovely. We were going to watch True Blood but we didn’t really concentrate on it and ended up talking and eating popcorn instead. It was like being back at school except I was sat in a friend’s house in Indianapolis, which I still find surreal. I then returned home and was slightly smug I had out-stayed Luke for the evening. I took that as a sign that our girl night was much better.

Today has been rather good aswell. The only upsetting thing was I had my final bootcamp class as sacrifices had to be made in order to enjoy our upcoming holiday. The gym is now going to be hell I fear. However, I cheered myself up by going to lunch with Laura and I finally got to eat at Hoaglin. I had a blueberry glazed bbq chicken salad

and we both had to get to-go-boxes as the portions were huge. I wonder if that makes it better value because you can get two meals from one portion? If I keep telling myself that maybe I can eat out more?We had also ventured to The Flying Cupcake Bakery and I brought Luke a rather girlie Pretty In Pink jumbo cupcake. Well, I felt guilty that I had actually been a lady who lunches! I figured that the saying about the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and what says loving girlfriend more than a big, bright pink cupcake? Oh dear.

 

Indiana weekends.

We have been looking forward to this weekend all week. As we do every week, but this one is even more special because it is a long weekend in Indy. This is on account of the ‘Anti-British Day’, or more formerly known as Independence Day. The run-up to the weekend contained one passport incident courtesy of Dan who was in Chicago without his passport, which he needed for an upcoming flight. Turns out, you cannot travel by plane between states in America without one. Luke managed to gain access to his flat, get into his car , retrieve the passport and post it to Dan. Nothing illegal of course, it was all assisted by the janitor. There was also a lot of flour involved, due to my crazy idea to bake numerous loaves of bread (please see Growing, Making and Baking page). So, while a lot of people my age spend money on clothes and drinks I spend mine on flour and baking powder! However , once I had dug my way out of the  flour, with my new cup styled sieve, and dusted myself off I managed to head to the gym and sauna. It’s a hard life but I am struggling through it.

After a quiet night on friday, I started my Saturday morning off by singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to my Nana. It was a little less embarrassing singing it to her answer phone machine, and not directly to her but still, she has sung to me 23 times now so it was about time I returned the favour. We then headed out. Well we tried to and were greeted by a full lift. After a brief chat with its occupants, which started off by the man in the lift saying “Hello, how are you guys doing?” and “Nice weather”, we  waited and managed to get the next lift. I was then told that my outfit was ‘adorable’ by a passing dog walker which was nice as we headed to the farmers market. I was very excited to show Luke the market as he has never been. However, he still has never been as, for some reason, no-one was there. It was a bit eerie. Oh well, this twist of fate led us to a car/ military display near the library.

We even got to ‘drive’ a helicopter!

Just look how happy Luke is at that!. Unfortunately, the parts for the helicopter are made by his rivals but he still looked content. We also got to chat to the pilot who informed us that he thought English beer was better than German. Good compliment to English beer! He also commented that he and his comrades got in trouble in Scotland as there was a pub every five footsteps in the town where they were staying. I can just imagine the carnage. He is also now going to try driving the helicopter in flip-flops just before he retires, thanks to Luke’s footwear. I’m not so sure it is a good idea though.

I managed to drag luke away and we ventured into the library to pick up yet more DVDs. It is better than Blockbusters!. It has also got lots of contraptions for shorter people. Perfect for me!

We then went to the Flying Cupcake Bakery , which was open again . We couldn’t resist and shared a Razamatazz.

It was delicious, gooey, raspberry flavoured chocolate delight with a splodge of pink frosting on the top. It was lush and I am determined to work my way through the entire menu. Not all in one day but over the next few months.This cupcake was a reward for signing up for the Firecraker 6 run on monday. Maybe a little bit pre-emptive me thinks! I shall just have to get another one on Monday for a proper reward or we will actually be running past Yougulatte. Maybe I can be the righteous one this time? Although , it may mess up my overall time.  But it would be worth it, surely.

We explored a bit of Mass Ave in the afternoon and I showed Luke the Dog Bakery. There are more photos on my ‘favourite photos’ page, but this particular one made me laugh out loud. Much to the annoyance of the Sales Advisor. Though I have to admit, it is quite clever.

Luke also made a new friend. He is starting to get lots of new friends on Mass Ave.

I was a bit worried about him when he insisted someone was inside. I had to explain it was a clever recording to fool people. People like him. Bless.

Yet he showed he is actually very clever , later on, when he took me for dinner at the Saffron Cafe.

We were greeted by a man playing a Moroccan guitar type thing , cozy atmosphere, aromatic smells and lots of lovely candle lanterns dotted around the restaurant. Our servers were very friendly, almost overly, but it was nice to see how much they knew about the food. We shared Falafel , even though the server had said to Luke that he bet he would eat all of it!. Then Luke had a melt-in-the-mouth Lamb tajine

and I had a flavoursome couscous dish.

I couldn’t finish mine because it was huge so I got a take out. Luke went on to manage a huge sponge version of cheesecake. I tried a little bit (there is always room for a bit of pudding) and it was lovely and light.

Afterwards, we took our box of couscous

to another bar and sat outside with a drink. It was lovely as , even in the nighttime, you are enveloped in warmth. However, lightning began to strike and we made a dash for it home. I was not going to risk my couscous. It is going to be my dinner today so we had to get it home safely. We got home safely and then I slept peacefully throughout the night. On the other hand, I have just been informed by Luke that he had spent a few hours cowering underneath the duvet as the room was illuminated by lightning and the wind was howling so much he was worried about tornadoes. I have no idea what was in my couscous but I had a wonderful, undisturbed sleep!

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