CAMPYLOBACTER: Anyone else had it?

[Olly]

Knocks the Daily Mail theory on the head, anyway!

[bluekarin]

Just a bit

 

I think the right person went again, though I thought it might have been Dorret (sp?) I think it was a bit mean of the judges to critise her using a cookie cutter though. Maybe if she iced them they wouldn't have complained?

[chickencam]

It was a surprise but I think that they were right about her having a comfort zone.

I don't see the difference with Dorrit using a frog biscuit stamp or using a ready made round cutter, I think the biggest issue was the lack of flavour in her biscuits and probably simplicity of the dough.

There was such a big switch around this week. Looks like a good series

[Cat tails]

They said about Marie's cookies they looked bland, but the ones of Dorret didn't look any more interesting. She could have at least added some frosting. Also they were green going into the oven and came out in a very unappetising colour.

 

Will see what next week will bring us!

[Olly]

I think the frog biscuits looked pretty horrible as the green colour was lost in the baking and it also seems they didn't taste very good, either! I can sort of see why Paul Hollywood was sniffy about the cutter, it wasn't very original. I feel the challenges are getting more and more elaborate- I'd rather just see something a bit simple, really well executed.

[Grandmashazzie]

So much for the Daily Mail I was surprised that Marie left,just because she seemed so competent.I wish they would do online recipes for each show as it saves searching for them. I am new to baking ( blame the hens ) and am trying to do something from each show. Last week I made first Madeira cake,tasted fine but no crack! This week I think biscotti.

[Cat tails]

I made Earl Grey biscuits yesterday and like them quite a bit! Used a recipe of a previous bake off.

Want to have a go at biscotties too. But first have to decide what flavour!

 

This page shows a few of the recipes of this week.

[Grandmashazzie]

Oh thanks for that Cats Tails. A lot of the recipes call for lots of ingredients, a spoonful of this and that and things you generally never use . I am very basic and though my baking cupboard is bursting there always seems to be something missing. I am not a fan of Earl Grey tea I wonder would Chai tea work as I love it. Most annoyed Twinings has discontinued the version in the pink and black box IMO the Spicy Chai isn't as nice. Luckily I got a lot of boxes online as the shops have run out.

[Cat tails]

Oh know exactly how you feel. One recipe asked for ground rice... Seriously? Why? Something not to be found in Dutch stores...

 

I absolutely love Chai tea and the Voyage Indian Chai from Twinings comes very close to the real deal an Indian friend used to make me. They are impossible to find in Dutch stores (surprise...) The one store that sold it, stopped doing it.

 

I emailed Twinings in the hope they know another store who does sell it.

[Daphne]

I'm not a good baker, but I can tell you one dish which uses ground rice, its really old fashioned, its my Mother's recipe from my childhood, but the ground rice makes a real difference. Its shortbread - and the rice gives it a real crunch. Coupled with the butter its so rich and short, melts in the mouth

 

I once had to visit the Twinings factory for work purposes - I came away with all sorts of goodies

[Cat tails]

I'm not a good baker, but I can tell you one dish which uses ground rice, its really old fashioned, its my Mother's recipe from my childhood, but the ground rice makes a real difference. Its shortbread - and the rice gives it a real crunch. Coupled with the butter its so rich and short, melts in the mouth

 

That explains it! It was a shortbread recipe!

 

I once had to visit the Twinings factory for work purposes - I came away with all sorts of goodies

 

Gosh... I'm jealous now!

[Olly]

I use semolina in shortbread for the same reason, to make it crispy - don't know if that's any easier to find than ground rice? It's also good for coating your roast potatoes in too!

[Grandmashazzie]

Twinings will get back to you Cats Tails. When I emailed they asked for my address and posted some money off coupons. Maybe I will try shortbread I have some semolina,that can be tomorrow's adventure.

[Cat tails]

Looking forward to their reply!

 

If I find myself some semolina, I'll try the shortbread with Earl Grey (or some other tea flavour... Have loads of loose tea mixes)

The biggest downside to baking biscuits: me having to eat them all... I'm still on holiday, so no colleagues to shove them off to!

[Charlottechicken]

Looks like Mary Berry has slipped up and named the next contestant to leave ahead of the show being aired, another one of my favourites gone

[bluekarin]

My friend just mentioned this too, but she didn't say who it was so keep schtm please

[Cat tails]

I think the right person went home. To not practise what you can actually practise is just silly.

[Grandmashazzie]

Totally agree,why would you not practice. Very slapdash. I tried pinwheel biscuits, totally disaster in spite of careful measuring both doughs were very wet,went in fridge and stuck to rolling pin,surface and me despite much flouring. In the end I made balls,flattened them and baked. . . .yuck really tasteless.

[bluekarin]

I think the right person went too. How on earth would you go on a programme and make something for your supposed show stoppers, and not practise! Silly lady. Wasn't Pauls lion amazing though

[mullethunter]

Yeah that lion was amazing

[Cat tails]

Loved the Lion and might give the quick bread a go. I like easy recipes!

[chickencam]

High standard this week and the weakest person went home, I do feel that they were particularly horrible to her though

 

I loved the lion and Ian's flower pot was great too. relatively simple but very well executed and effective.

[Cat tails]

Poor Sandy! I liked her, but I think it was the right decision.

Amazing that Ian managed to make Star Baker AGAIN!

 

And I thought the pop cheese cakes of Nadijah was absolutely amazing!

[chickencam]

Right person went home again, but there are a few others in danger too. I liked Sandy too, she was very much her own person.

Mat pulled a great save out of the bag this week

[Charlottechicken]

The wheat is certainly being sorted from the chaff now! I'm not happy that another of my faves has gone, but it was the right choice.

 

I'm amazed with some of the baking ideas the judges come up with, you do learn a lot watching bake off!