Cooks' Corner

[Maggi Young]

Okay, perhaps  not exactly "cooking" but edible creativity should be recognised........

A train has never looked so good

This amazing creation - which stretches for an incredible 34 metres - has just broken the world record for the longest structure to be made entirely out of chocolate.

Constructed using 1,285 kg of the finest Belgian chocolate, stretching for 34 metres and taking 784 hours to make , this intricately detailed model  train was created by Maltese master chocolatier Andrew Farrugia for the Belgian company, Belcolade to clebrate Brussels Chocolate Week   

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2235317/Andrew-Farrugia-Incredible-34-metre-train-thats-entirely-CHOCOLATE.html

[Lesley Cox]

I put on weight just looking at it Maggi!

I have no pic available but I'm sure there's something somewhere on YouTube, a cake was made for Prince Charles' birthday, his 64th, which he celebrated here in NZ last Wednesday, with 64 specially invited guests whose birthday was the same day. The cake was, in fact, 64 small cakes, arranged in an 8 x 8 square, and each one decorated with some particular NZ item or "icon" (a badly over-used word). One was the Buzzy Bee which Prince William played with on his first NZ visit when he was just months old. Another, a pair of rugby boots, a kiwi, etc etc and all beautifully crafted in icing. The little cakes were distributed to the guests.

[Maggi Young]

Found this, with a picture of the little cakes....
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7947142/Prince-Charles-celebrates-birthday-in-Wellington

[Anthony Darby]

The Royal visit seems to have been a success. Sharing his birthday party with Kiwis born on the same day over the past 100 years was a big hit.

[ArnoldT]

Here's the result of the Medlar conversation.  Thanks to all who made suggestions.

Now I have to explain to everyone what a Medlar is.

[ronm]

Here's the result of the Medlar conversation.  Thanks to all who made suggestions.

Now I have to explain to everyone what a Medlar is.

That does look good Arnold, 

[Lesley Cox]

Well go on then. Explain. In words of not more than two syllables.

[ronm]

As its Cooks Corner, ... maybe in not more than two syllabubs,  . mmmmmmmmmmm!!

[Anthony Darby]

Kids have to take food to Club Tennis tonight, so I have been given the task of making a lolly cake! No cooking involved, which is good!
115g butter (marg)
½ tin of condensed milk (mmmm, what to do with the other half? )
1 packet of malt biscuits
1 packet of Eskimo or fruit puff lollies

Melt butter with condensed milk in microwave.
Crush malt biscuits into fine powder.
Cut each lolly into 3 pieces.
Add crushed biscuits and lollies to the melted butter/condensed mixture.
Stir well to combine.
Shape into a log by rolling in grease proof paper - it doesn't look good at this stage.
Roll in desiccated coconut.
Place in fridge to set.
Cut into slices.

[ChrisD]

Gooey Chocolate Orange Cake.

Hi everyone, I have been asked for this recipe again and as it has been modified slightly thought I would repost it.....

Chocolate Orange Cake

Butter Icing

Zest of 2 oranges
3oz Flora
9oz icing sugar

Sponge

12oz Butter
6oz Plain Flour
6oz Wholemeal flour (plain)
12oz soft brown sugar
6eggs
3 teaspoons baking powder
Mix well then add...
Handful of chocolate drops
Juice of half an orange and mix to give a runny cake mix.
Immediately transfer to two greased baking trays (9 inch) and cook (170C for approx 30 mins). Do not overcook this cake is best slightly stodgy in the middle.
I usually add juice of the second orange (or some brandy!) as a drizzle when the two halves are cooling or have cooled.


Topping

6 oz Dark Chocolate (Bournville)
3 oz milk Chocolate
2 oz flora
Melt in waterbath.

I usually make the icing and the sponges one evening, allow to cool overnight. Then assemble, melt and pour on the topping in the morning.

Enjoy!!!!

Chris

[ArnoldT]

Can someone tell me what Flora is.  I googled it and it's an after care for tattoos!

[ranunculus]

A UK brand of light margarine, Arnold.

I suspect your aftercare for tattoos might be better for you. 

[ChrisD]

Sorry Arnold - yes margarine. Seems to be good for butter icing as doesnt set as hard as butter. (Also an appropriate name for a plants forum  )

Chris.

[jomowi]

Here's the result of the Medlar conversation.  Thanks to all who made suggestions.

Now I have to explain to everyone what a Medlar is.

Arnold - When did you harvest your medlars and how long did the bletting process take, or did you leave them on the tree until the frost did the job for you?  I have access to medlars and intend to make jelly but have never done so before.  I have trawled the web for recipes and tips and there are so many variants on offer.  Guess it is too soon yet anyway, but I want to be as well informed as possible in the hope of achieving success first time around.   

[meanie]

Time to revive this or start another? Please move if you think fit.

A really simple recipe (if you can call it a recipe) for rushed evenings after work.

Tricolore Tagliatelle (Tagliatelle with tomato "sauce");

You can use two different oils depending on taste/mood,
A splash of olive oil, or the oil that you sweated out of some cubed chorizo.
About 8 cherry toms per person.
A pinch of salt, sugar and a splash of either balsamic, cider or white wine vinegar.
A pinch of onion seeds (or mustard seeds).
Cracked black pepper to taste if desired.

Cut the tomatoes into quarters and add to the oil with the other ingredients. If the toms are a little out of season/second rate just add a wee bit more salt, sugar and vinegar. Turn the water on to boil for the pasta whilst you sweat the rest down over a gentle heat. If it seems to dry add a conservative splash of water.
When the pasta is ready turn the heat off on the sauce, which should now be just so, and crumble in some chalky cheese (Wensleydale etc.). Remember, it's not a cheese sauce, it's just there for a contrast of flavour (and to complete the tricolore). If you're using the chorizo oil add the cubed chorizo to the mix now too. Drain the pasta and fold in to the sauce. Top with chopped watercress.

Really obscenely quick and simple. Very good with the Waitrose Basil Tagliatelle. Some nice fresh bread and butter on the table too if you're a pig like me!