Sylvie's Seasonal things

[Sylvia]

I need another major topic.

I miss writing them! So, darlings, here is one. Everyday (hopefully) I'll write something lovely for you all to read.

As some of you know I am an avid cook, dancer, sewer, and various other things.

So you're sure to find something that will interest you in here someday.

~Inspiration from Hito, so a big thankyou to him~

[Sylvia]

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It's October!
Lots of things happen in october, halloween, autumn for a start - proper autumn. Nights get colder, days get shorter. So naturally I'll start posting things for halloween and such now, because I like to plan in advance.

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It's 19 days till halloween (gasp) but I won't go on about that just yet - I've got alot of october left, I need to space out ideas - so I'll do what I think is best for now.

October isn't too late for garden parties - it's the best time, as although it is cold it's an excuse for all sorts of yummy delights - more of which I'll go on with this week.
To start with the actual party seems the best idea - and especially if you're younger, this is a great idea to get your friends round (or if you weren't allowed trick or treating like me *sniff*) then it can be really fun.

Now, I don't want to sound like I'm talking to little kids but I always used to go to a friends house when I was 13, 14 and she'd have a little campfire in the back - we made candle holders out of bottles and jars and made a gorgeous chocolate fudge brownie (which I'll tell on friday). You might not be allowed a campfire depending on where you live but you can certainly have a sleepover outside in the garden!

And no, no tents at all, just string, blankets and elbow grease It's great fun and we always had fun making tents and all sorts of things.

So, one of the recipes we made was cinnamon toffee bread - simple and easy, and always kept you warm...sneak it out into your homemade tent for extra laughs

You will need...

2 (mild) - 4 (strong) big pinches of cinnamon
a pinch of salt
a pound (500g) of plain flour
a handful (about 100g) of caster sugar
and if you can't get a hold of anything else, a sachet of dried fast action yeast should work.
half a pint (250-300ml) of warmish milk
and a blob of butter (40g) melted

Now, the recipe will be posted up tomorrow, because I have to head to bed.

Goodnight darlings! xx

[_nadztar_]

wow. u wrote HEAPZ!

[Dr Frook]

yay the duck is writing again...

wot wot? U guys do things for halloween in the UK???

I thought the US was the only place that cared about it.

hope to see that this become a regular ducky post...

[Sylvia]

Yes, it will be a regular ducky post.

And we always, always do things for halloween - quite differently, but the base is still there.

To the cinnamon toffee bread! (and I forgot to add more sugar that you keep aside for the toffee bit)

1. Get all your flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and yeast and mix it all around until it all looks about the same colour. With little cinnamon speckles maybe.
2. Now for the trickier part - mix the flour and butter in, little by little until it's all thoroughly mixed in.
3. Once you're done, it should be alright to take it out the bowl and knead it for about 10 minutes or so - until it's really doughy.
4. Now cut it into long thick strips, and you can plait it like hair, or really just stick it back together - as long as it is reasonably rectangular shaped, for cooking times.
5.Cover it with clingfilm (put a little bit of oil on to stop it sticking) and put it in your airing cupboard or somewhere warm for a little bit, until it's twice as big as before.
6. Take the clingfilm off and popp it in a PREHEATED oven at 200°C, 400°F or...gas mark 6, I believe. Cook it like that for about 20 minutes or so, then turn the oven down to 180°C,350°F, gas mark 4.
7.While it's cooking, make the "Toffee" by melting the rest of the caster sugar in boiling water (be careful) about 4 tablespoons!
8. You'll know the bread is done when you tap it, and it sound hollow. As quickly as you can take it out and cover in the toffee stuff.

It's lovely with butter!

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[Zados]

I'll try that one when im in my new kitchen :3

[Dr Frook]

I'll try that one when im in my new kitchen :3

have u posted pics of your new house, zooks?

[Zados]

I'll try that one when im in my new kitchen :3

have u posted pics of your new house, zooks?

only the first one thats now out for rent
ill post new ones later

[Sylvia]

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I'm sorry, but it's another one of my recipes again...it's easy to get ideas, but putting pen to paper is difficult!

So, here it is.

~~ Sylvie's homemade hot chocolate ~~

It's easy and basic - and it makes a great present when wrapped in a nice jar.

Before I start, if you want to make lots of variations you can keep them in an airtight tub until needed. No need to put how long they keep for, in my house it's all gone in a week

For the powder:
- Some GOOD QUALITY cocoa powder - UNSWEETENED - the best you can get, really. 30g makes 4 servings, so double it to get 8, and so on..
- About 100g of white sugar. Can be variated with brown, in some cases.
- A pinch of salt
- Anything you would like to add! Vanilla, cinnamon, chilli powder is great - coffee essence, peppermint flavouring...I could go on forever. Add to taste, I don't measure, I pour in what I want

To make it:

- 900ml of full fat milk - or a pint and 7/8 or something - enough for four mugs, alright?
- Some whipped up cream - not squirty, that kills it. Whip up your own, you lazy scoundrels.

To cook it!

- Get a hob on a lowish heat and put your milk in a saucepan, and heat till hot - but whatever you do, don't let it boil!
- Spoon in the mix slowly, whisking until you get tiny bubbles forming on top of your milky chocolate mud pie mess. Keep making sure that milk isn't boiling, but keep it hot.
- Keep whisking until it's an even colour all the way through, and it's smooth.
- Put a spoon of cream in the bottom of your mug (latte glasses look fancy if you have guests) and then pour your hot chocolate on top. Another spoon of cream if you're feeling naughty.

Top with chocolate or vanilla powder!

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[Sylvia]

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Tips on whipping cream:

Pour it in a bowl, whisk it until it's stiff and makes peaks.

You can add a drop of colouring for colourful cream - it looks very fancy!

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