Hasn't the sunshine been a real blessing - so exciting to go out without a coat for the first time I always think (doesn't take much to please me!). The Early Shift is still a great place to be on Friday mornings between 8:30 - 10:30... it's so nice to be seeing new people come pretty much every week and just as fabulous to see some of our more long-standing regulars propping up the counter too! It's a pleasure to serve you in this way and we hope you keep coming! Please tell us if there's something you don't like (unless it's Jo's cakes, as she can't really help that - mine on the other hand are always perfect, I know that *cough*)...
On the subject of cakes, last week saw the return of Courgette and Lime and I was pleased Jo wasn't there while she went to her son's assembly because she didn't see me cleaning out the lime curd pot with my finger - mmmmmmmmmmm! Recipe posted below - go on, give them a go! It's so satisfying to make your own! We also had Guinness and Chocolate cakes to commemorate St Paddy's Day which was the previous day - originally a Nigella recipe (Feast) made into a big cake, but we discovered it downsizes pretty well! I am currently poring over my NEW Hummingbird book (which is possibly the most inspiring recipe book I've ever seen!) to see what this week's offering might be - there is only 1 true muffin recipe therein (I don't count the savoury ones because as Miranda says "don't you think life is disappointing enough without savoury muffins?". Not that we do think life is disappointing, on the contrary, however, we do like Miranda!) however there are cupcakes galore and lots more recipes to give inspiration and ideas!... any requests?!
PS - now I've finally worked out how to put photos on the blog, you shoudl be warned!...
Finally, it's very exciting to let you know that we've arranged to go and have lunch again (it's what ladies do after all!) - we've gone for Friday 8th April which will be the last day of term for some and we'll go to The Duke of Cumberland again - 2 main courses for £10! Nice food too! Put it in your diary and we'll arrange detail nearer the time (there may be a surprise or two to come)...
Happy Baking and see you on Friday...
Courgette & Lime Muffins
Cake:
250g courgettes (about 1 large one) coarsely grated
2 eggs
125ml vegetable oil
150g caster sugar
225g self-raising flour
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp baking powder
Filling:
50g butter
2 or 3 limes
150g sugar (or use less sugar to make it more tangy!)
4 eggs
Icing:
200g cream cheese
100g icing sugar
Juice and zest of 1 lime
Place grated courgette in a sieve to remove excess moisture.
Put eggs, oil and sugar in a bowl and beat until creamy. Add flour, bicarb and baking powder and beat until well combined. Add grated courgettes. Add paper cases to a 12 cup muffin pan and divide mixture between them and bake for about 25 mins, until firm. Cool completely.
For the curd filling – melt the butter in the microwave in a medium sized bowl. Grate the lime zest into the bowl, juice the limes into the bowl and add the sugar and eggs. Whisk until well combined. Microwave on high for about 5 mins, opening the door after every 45 secs or so to beat well (otherwise it’ll just be a big lime omelette/scrambled egg!). Towards the end of the time it will thicken up noticeably. It can be put in a jar and stored in the fridge for 2 or 3 weeks as there will be some curd left over (can easily make half this quantity if preferred).
For the icing – beat cream cheese until smooth, add icing sugar and beat until combined, then add lime juice and zest and mix well.
To assemble cakes – hollow a small piece out of the top of each cake and fill the hole with lime curd, and top with a generous dollop of icing!
