I’m trying in my ant-like way to do the things I’m able to do and will sustain to try and use less of earth’s precious resources… so buying less of things which I could make myself without the packaging, and so I know all the ingredients, and reduce waste.
I had yet another go at making hummus, and although it’s quite nice, to be honest, it isn’t as nice as what I can buy… so where am I going wrong? It’s too wet for a start – easy to remedy, add less liquid; it’s feeble in taste and I’ve learned the amount of garlic you add or leave out is crucial. Garlic adjustment is easy, but lack of taste? I can taste the spices I put in but it’s just thin tasting somehow… keep experimenting and I’m sure I will find my preferred recipe!
When I made yoghurt in the past, although it was successful, I realised that the flavour of the bought yoghurt I used as a starter is crucial. Trying to be economical I think I used an ordinary low-price product, so now I’m still buying yoghurt, but different makes to see which I like best. So far it is between Fage and Kri Kri… I really have realised that things being good for you is not enough – whatever it is, exercise, food, drink, whatever, unless you like it as well it’s really difficult to keep doing/eating/drinking it.
Exercise – slightly away from yoghurt, but exercise – I know I should exercise and I’ve tried in the past to go to a gym (expensive failure) go for walks (I make excuses not to go, and have done the walks round here so often…) running – absolutely no chance, swimming – it used to my my passion, my life, now I hate going to noisy pools with music and other people getting in the way (selfish I know!) So what exercise do I do every day almost without fail, sometimes up to an hour at a time – I go on the Wii.
So today I might make a cake for my husband’s art group tomorrow… cheaper than buying one, and I always feel very pleased with myself when I’ve done baking!
Cake…
Orange polenta cake
- 10 oz butter
- 10 oz castor sugar
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 6 oz polenta
- 8 oz plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- zest and juice of 1 orange
- for the glaze – zest and juice of 1 orange and 4 oz caster sugar
- whip butter and sugar together until very light and very pale
- add eggs one at a time, stirring in well
- add all the other ingredients, and mix well
- pour into lined 9” cake tin, level, bake for about 45 mins, 160C° C, 325° F, gas mark 3
- check cake is cooked by inserting a skewer into the middle and check it comes out clean
- take out onto a cooling rack
- pour the juice and sugar for the glaze into a pan and bring to the boil
- simmer for 5 mins, remove from the heat and let it cool
- drizzle the orange glaze over the top of the cooled cake
Lois Elsden 