Hello ma'lovelys, todays post is going to be about cooking! I had a down moment during the week as my numbers of followers had gone down, and had no comments on my last two posts. So I had thoughts about not carrying on with my blog, because nobody was interested. However I tweeted about it, and some lovely ladies Kirsty, Melissa and Ellie encouraged me and told me not to give up - which was really sweet of them. Ellie also gave me inspiration to do more posts about cooking as its great for people our age to learn recipes for the future.
Todays cookery lesson - Spaghetti Carbonara & Focaccia Bread!
We'll start with the Focaccia Bread. Grab a mixing bowl and add warm water, sugar and yeast and mix with a spoon.
Measurements I used:
1/4 pint of warm water
Tsp of sugar
Tbsp of yeast
Leave the bowl in a warm area for it to rise. While that is happening, in another bowl add self raising flour, salt and lard (or oil). Using your fingers gentle rub in the lard to the flour.
Measurements I used:
650g self raising flour
Tsp salt
25g lard
Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture, add a drop more water and a splash of oil and stir in circular motions.
WARNING - next bit is messy!
Sprinkle flour onto a work surface and tip out the dough.
Start working the dough by using the kneading technique.
Kneading technique.
Pull, stretch, fold, push.
The dough should form into a rounded shape; place this back in the bowl with oiled cling film on top, and place back in warm area for 10 mins.
After letting the dough prove, take it out onto the floured work surface again and knead a few times., After the kneading use a rolling pin to roll it out into a rounded square.
Place it onto a floured tray and use your finger tips to make slight holes all over the dough.
Add a bit of rosemary to each hole and then sweep some oil over the top.
Put it into the oven at 230 degrees and cook for 15 - 20 mins (until golden brown).
When it is ready, take it out. Add another sweep of oil all over and add a sprinkle of sea salt.
Now for Spaghetti Carbonara .
Add water and a pinch of salt into a saucepan and boil.
Prepare the meat. Cook bacon if that's what your using, for mine I just used some cold cooked ham.
Add spaghetti to the saucepan of boiling water, and let it simmer until al dente (or soft which ever you prefer).
While that is cooking add 2 eggs and 1 egg yolk into a bowl, and whisk.
Add a drop of cream and some cheese and mix this all together.
Drain the spaghetti into a strainer and pour the Carbonara sauce into the saucepan.
Add the meat and stir through, then add the spaghetti back in and stir again.
Pour into a serving bowl or directly into bowls and top it off with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.
So there we go ma'lovelys, hope you enjoyed learning to cook with me :)
Feel free to leave a comment!
Thanks again to the wonderful Ellie, Kirsty and Melissa!
Love Char_Beyy xxx
