4 days over due and counting.....
Its a funny feeling having absolutely no control over something that is going to affect me so completely! I'm sure I won't really remember much of this time as soon as babs shows up. So far managing a better balance of keeping occupied without getting exhausted. Check out my Bourbon creams, I'm pretty pleased with how they came out, this was the second attempt the first ones were too thin and also a bit overdone. Next experiment is some more canapes. I also just saw a recipe for bacon jam that I think I have to try. 

The Pepperpot.

Playing the waiting game here, it is limbo indeed. Trying to enjoy it but struggling a little. I treated myself to tea and scone in my current favourite café, acutely aware that time on my own will be very scarce indeed for the next month or two. All my pals that have little bundles of joy are encouraging rest and relaxation but I am just so eager for the next stage and keeping busy at least distracts me. I will be the spa who goes into labour tired just because of diversionary activites…. Planning another baking session, I think I’ll try Bourbon creams from my cookie book. I bought great cutters the last time I was in NY and haven’t got around to using them yet but there is one that is perfect. 

Cumin Scones.

It is getting very near my due date and it's a funny kind of limbo I'm feeling. The tiredness is extreme but I'm trying to keep the apathy at bay. I haven't had the incredible urge to paint a room or tidy manicaly, instead I'm finding it hard to start jobs I might not finish. My great idea for dinner making: " Nigel & Karen"  hasn't got off to a very good start as the very next week nigel went on holidays...! We should be back on track this week. One thing I have been enjoying is catching up with people. I've had a few great lunches in which these scones have featured, the recipe is my Mum's but of course I have changed it a bit. I thoroughly recommend making them they are dead easy and perfect for accompanying a hearty soup. 

Cheese and cumin Scones

2 cups brown flour

1 cup plain flour

1/2 tblsp cumin seeds

5 oz butter

1 tblsp sugar

1 cup buttermilk/milk

1 large egg beaten with 1 tblsp water

1/2-3/4 cup grated cheddar

2 tsp baking powder

Mix dry ingredients except cheese together, rub in the butter, all 2/3 of the cheese. Mix in the buttermilk and all but 1tblsp of the egg. turn out onto a floured surface and cut into rounds. brush tops with egg and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 200 c for about 25 minutes until golden, allow to cool slightly, serve warm with butter. 

They freeze well. Feel free to try different cheeses, the original recipe has 3 cups of cheese but i think they don't need that much.

Even more canapes..

I'm pushing on with my experiments in Canape creation. My latest success is these sweet potato samosas. The pastry recipe was a little on the salty side but otherwise they were delicious I think they need a little mango chutney and possibly some raita for some extra oomp... I really enjoyed making them, it was a little fiddly to start with, but once I got the hang of it it they were quite easy if a little time consuming. 

1st Nigel & Karen.

I'm quite pleased with this new project. Although it's only my first outing I can see the potential for learning and pushing me out of my knee-jerk likes etc. This was an artichoke frittata, I added the cheese it seemed to be asking for it! Next week its a salad. 

New Idea...

I've struggled through this pregnancy a little mainly because it has caused me to lose my appetite. This may seem great to some but it is usually my main drive and inspiration in life, well my work life in any case and I'm quite lost without it. It was worst in the beginning when I had awful morning sickness, I get it back now for short periods, but not with any kind of zest. So I've come up with an idea to combat the food blues. It's not a particularly unique concept but I think it will enable me to eat a little better and learn something new along the way. I am going to use the "Julie and Julia" concept except I'm going to use Nigel Slater's Observer articles as the blue print for the dishes I'll cook. So Nigel and Karen is to be born. I'm going to cheat a bit and only make one of the recipes he gives and yes it is just once a week rather than a recipe a day which I  think was the premise for Julie's blog. I'm aiming to be realistic.... I have the ingredients in for his Artichoke frittatta, I'll keep you posted.

More Canapes...

I have started my maternity leave. I had plans to do lots of recipe testing and business planning but I find I have little drive for anything other than minimal stuff, it's enough to be getting to all the various maternity activities: Ante-natal classes, hospital appointments, aqua aerobics, yoga etc. I'm aware it sounds pretty pathetic but there you have it. I'm still struggling a little from lack of appetite but seem to be managing to put on weight. Ordinarily I'd be shocked by this as I don't feel I'm eating loads, but in the circumstances it can only be good as baby needs it!
I have managed to make a few more canapes and will post up photos. I'm quite pleased with how they are going and am amassing quite a nice collection of recipes. I need to work on some good cold canapes as they are much easier to serve and deliver.