I was having a look at You Tube – as you do – I was hoping that there was a clip from STVs The Hour programme of the Scottish author Gordon Ferris, but no such luck. It was Judith (Reader in the Wilderness) who alerted me to his existence, he’s a crime writer and his books are set in Glasgow. I’m going to try them out in the hope that he manages to capture the great character of my birthplace. I read just one book by Denise Mina and I was disappointed with it because she failed completely on the Glasgow front, but maybe that’s only noticeable if you know the city.
Anyway, back to You Tube, I noticed that there are some videos of The Great British Bake Off on it. I never watch any of these reality/competition things, Big Brother and ‘Strictly’ type things just don’t appeal to me. But I must admit that I started watching the Bake Off, well the first one was on in the background when I was on my Netbook and I kind of got dragged in.
At first I was amazed that some of the contestants had been daft enough to bring in shop bought things to add to their celebration cakes. It’s the sort of thing we all do for kids cakes but surely not in a competition! Then I was less than impressed that they all seemed to make their pastry in machines and some of them had never made pastry before. Machine made pastry was not a success. My boys got cookery lessons at school, including hand-made pastry and there was still time for all the academic stuff.
Mind you when they got to the bread making bit I was full of admiration because the couple of times that I’ve tried to bake bread have been disastrous. I couldn’t even have put the results out for the birds because the RSPB would have done me for cruelty! My bread was so heavy the only possible uses for it would have been as doorstops or even anchors.
Anyway if you’re interested in baking, or just looking at food you might like to have a wee keek! They’re starting off with cup/fairy cakes. Kids stuff!
http://youtu.be/pFOU0UIkcv0
On the Gordon Ferris front – all of his books are out in my local library so he’s obviously popular, I might have to put in some requests.
Oh dear, I have to confess to making my pastry in the mixer – my hands are just too hot! I have been enjoying this series immensely!
Verity,
I have a machine too but I think it would be more difficult to make pastry in it, but then I have cold hands, (warm heart)! I hadn’t thought about people in a hot climate, I might use shop bought in that situation! Thanks for the comment.
The only reality I watch is Strictly. But I am hooked by the Bake Off and now addicted. Not good when on a diet! I am really drawn into it and now have to see how they are getting on and wince and clap at what they produce.
It has inspired me to bake more though I could never go on the programme. This coming Tuesday it is Pork Pies! Could be interesting.
Jo,
They are now doing things which I wouldn’t tackle, like the brandy snaps. We only eat them at Christmas and then they’re good old Marks and Sparks. I’m trying not to eat much in the way of cakes but I think I’ll be wielding the wooden spoons tomorrow as one son will be here to help with eating the results.
Whatever happened to the chap who won last year? Last I heard he was unemployed!