Mini chocolate fudge cakes - the result

Just like Strictly, the results of Saturday's performance was revealed today, Sunday. Having failed to find sugared violets at Hell on Earth (aka Tesco Colney Hatch) I managed to find a suitable alternative at Sainsbury's Muswell Hill. And this is how the cakes turned out.

Mini chocolate fudge cakes

Tomorrow les parents and the Earls are coming for lunch. So I've been baking fudge cakes for dessert. Packed with bars of dark chocolate these little numbers are gluten free as well. So we'll see how they turn out tomorrow.

Halloween cupcakes

Any excuse for a bake-off! As it is All Hallows Eve tomorrow, I have baked some carrot cupcakes. I will be taking some into work tomorrow. But I took some up to St Albans this morning on a flying visit to the Crazy Gang.

No, I didn't fly up on my broomstick.

The weather has turned, and so I have I...

Back to red.

Last night DBFB and I watched the Celeb BB Eviction. For professional reasons! And for only the second time this week I managed to get home early enough to prep dinner. Steak with peppercorn sauce with little roast potatoes and tenderstem broccoli.

With the steak we drank the Dogajola Toscano Rosso IGT 2009, Carpineto, 13%. From Greve in Chianti this 'super-Tuscan' is made with 70% Sangiovese and 30% other varieties (including Cabernet) which varies from vintage to vintage.

Colour is deep garnet and on the palate is a very bold fruity mix of blackberries, dark cherries, pepper and the kind of spices you find in a Moroccan lamb dish. It was superb with the steak and worked really well with the flavours of the sauce.

Roll on autumn!

Thursday night, is gin night!

Yesterday I finally finished the giant bottle of Hendrick's Gin. So tonight was the unveiling of the gin DBFB bought for me in Suffolk: Adnam's First Rate Gin. I tried it in Southwold back in April and tasted it without mixer or ice (reminiscent of the tastings from my WSET Advanced). I thought it was very clean for a gin but couldn't remember much else except I liked it.

Opening it tonight, I got lemons and an underlying spice from the nose. Taste wise, it is still very clean, lemon sherbets and the spice is still there. I want to say cardamon and there is something a little licoricey. But I'm not sure...

It is exceptionally good. Thursday night might not be the only gin night.

Panic! Running low on white wine...

So a trip to Majestic was desperately needed. I spent a little over £150 on 18 bottles of wine (some white, some red, some rose and one fizz).

Whilst there I picked up a couple bottles of Gavi di Gavi 2010 La Toledana (see earlier post) for £7.99, and being a fan of the native Italian grapes spotted this Fiano, in another unusual shaped bottle.

The Fiano Fremendo 2010 Sannio DOC, 13.5%, £6.99 for two bottles.


I sometimes find Pinot Grigio too sharp and bland. So it was nice to have this approachable, easy drinking white. Pale gold in colour, it initially had lemons and a hint of floral on the nose. A day later, after refridgeration, it is more like pink grapefruit. It has fresh crispness on the palate, with honeysuckle. Possibly not as much acidity as I'd like, but that means it can easily be drunk on its own.

And the wine complemented the salmon, mascarpone and leek parcels we had for dinner.

Worth it for £6.99. And yes, I was a sucker for the sleek, modern label.

Craving red wine in summer

Despite the hot weather, I have been favouring red wine (as well as my usual summer tipple, rose). Not heavy red, but drinkable Merlot. Yes Merlot. You heard me.

No Merlot in the house though. So, this weekend, Mr A and I enjoyed a bottle of Spanish red from the cellar (cupboard under the stairs). Most reds I have in there are 13.5-14.5% which is far too boozy for summer. However we found this little number.

Castillo De Calatrava Gran Reserva 2001, made from Tempranillo 12.5% from the central region of La Mancha £9.99 from Sainsbury's. It has won a commendation at the International Wine Challenge 2009.

On the nose it is red fruits, tiny whiff of figs and the hint of something heavy and floral. And on the palate sour cherries. We drank this with chorizo and cheeses - works v well with strong cheddar, which brings out the hidden sweetness in the wine.

Love it!