Hotel Chocolat Turkish Delight

Recently I witnessed a distressing Twitter debate.  It seems, a lot of you twitterati don't like turkish delight?!  I know, I can't believe it either!  Ever since the White Witch enchanted young Edmund with some of the magical rose scented candy in the land of Narnia I was a girl obsessed.  So here it is, I'm begging you, give turkish delight a chance.  I bet, if you let it, it can enchant you too :)

Need some more persuading?  Well how about this, the lovely folk at Hotel Chocolat have given me a stunningly beautiful wooden box filled with my favorite turkish delight to give away to one of you lucky people!  Interested?  Read on, dear follower.

Leave a comment on this post to let the world know you're either pro turkish delight (yay) or against (boo).  The winner will be announced on Friday 30th December!

Don't forget to check out Hotel Chocolat's gorgeous Christmas range, it's not too late for some last minute deliciousness!

Stay tuned for what I have planned for this mouth watering box of sweeties in the next few days, it's going to make the perfect Christmas gift for a rose loving vodka drinker ;)

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Coconut Macarons

Why hello again, it's been a while hasn't it?  If you follow me on Twitter you'll understand my lengthy absence from blogging, Kris and I just made the leap into home ownership.  Hurray!  The journey has been maddening, stressful and, in places, downright miserable but all of that now seems like a distant memory.  Well, if you ignore the fact I've been without a fridge freezer for three weeks of course. 

I'd love to say that these delicious macarons were the first sweet treat to christen my brand new kitchen but alas, 500 cupcakes have adorned the counter tops since we moved in. No rest for the wicked, or so they say. 

I've been on a bit of a coconut kick recently, I just can't get enough of the fresh flavour and satisfying crunch.  I experimented with some coconut ice cupcakes for Pet Lamb last week and decided to try out some macarons with the left over coconut.  Lets just say, the decision paid off!

Sadly the pied didn't form correctly.  I put this down to the fact my baking sheet was too big for my new oven so had to bake the macarons with the door more than slightly ajar.  Time to buy some new cookie sheets if you ask me ;)

Coconut Macarons

Ingredients:

3 large egg whites

2tbsp caster sugar

150g of icing sugar

40g dessicated coconut

60g ground almonds

Method:

Preheat oven to 150C fan and line a baking sheet with baking parchment.

Whisk the egg whites with an electric whisk until soft peaks appear.  While still whisking, pour in the caster sugar and continue to mix until sugar dissolves and the meringue is thick and glossy.

Add the icing sugar, almonds and coconut in two batches, folding the dry mix into the meringue between additions.  Try not to over mix, about 50 turns of the spoon should do it.

Transfer macaron mix into a piping bag fitted with a large, circular nozzle.  Pipe out circles of batter onto the lined tray about 1.5" in diameter leaving 2" between each macaron.  Drop the baking tray on the counter twice to flatten out the macarons and leave for fifteen minutes to form a skin.

Place macarons into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.  Once cooled sandwich the macaron halves together using your favorite filling, I used buttercream flavoured with coconut essence.  Why not try lemon or raspberry?

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11/11/11

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

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Laura Ashley - Top of the Tea Shops

Today I'll be guest posting over at the wonderful new blog for one of my favorite shops, Laura Ashley!  Check it out for my top tips on places to grab a cuppa in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Laura Ashley - Top of the Tea Shops

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Happy Halloween

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday!  Sadly it isn't as appreciated or celebrated much in this country but every year my closest friends and I get together and do something spooky to celebrate.  Last year we were in Florida getting chased around a theme park by zombies with chainsaws, this year we decided to throw a costume party followed by some ghost hunting in the wind swept wilds of Northumberland while listening to Night Owls.  Unfortunately I didn't get around to taking any snaps of the decorated house or the spread I put on but I thought I'd share a few of my favorite party goers costumes with you.

Myself and Kris as a Day of the Dead Bride and Marty McFly

Sweeney Todd & Bambi's Mam

Miss Argentina & Steve Jobs

Kick Ass & Baby Doll

Katy Perry & Zombie Farmer Ryan

The Riddler & Undead Ghoul

 
 I hope you all had a fabulous Halloween.  Did you get into the spirit and dress as something ghoulish?  I sure hope so!

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