Curry Crumb Fish and 2nd Blog Birthday Giveaway

Curry Crumb Fish

Since 2013

So I’ve been blogging for two years. TWO WHOLE YEARS. That’s kinda crazy when you think about it. I don’t know where the time has gone. I remember setting up my domain and doing my first few posts, taking photos with my iphone as I didn’t have a suitable camera. Things have improved since then. Both from a writing point of you and visual point of view. I’ve met some pretty awesome people through my blog, and I’m also fairly certain it’s helped me with my career (check out an interview I had on that very subject across at PrettyGreenTea).

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Caramel Filled Cookies

Caramel Filled Cookies

As a few of you know from the past, I sometimes send out boxes of my bakes. These started because of a depressed friend needing a cheer up last year and have been erratic since then, usually for a similar reason or for the prize of a giveaway. Since the start of the year I have however been sending at least one out a month. I’ve a list of people who have asked about them, and if you want to get on it, give me a shout. My priorities are however; Friends that need cheering up, a special occasion, a commission (coming to that) and then if none of those have been met I start on the list!

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Chicago 2014 – Part 1

John Hancock Building - Chicago

So in September 2014 I went to Chicago. I blogged about how I almost missed it after sleeping through my alarm, and promised further updates. Unfortunately, due to the move down to London almost instantly afterwards, I ran out of time. I did however, keep a diary for the majority of the trip, which I can dip into when I want. There will be more to come over the next few days, and possibly some food talk.

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27 before 28

Isle of Mull - Loch Na Keal

Today is my 27th Birthday. Oh eck. I’m leaving behind that period known as your “mid twenties” which when you’re younger looks so full of hope and joy (it’s a lie, avoid them at all costs) and moving on in to the “late twenties” tag. Where the pressure to “settle down” and “get your life together” steps up. Well, that doesn’t look like it’s happening any time soon, so pass the gin and cake. In the meantime I’m going to set myself some targets. These will be in the form of 28 things to do before I turn 28. I have done similar before (over on Tumblr though, this time I’m going to properly do it on here and track them). I’ve already got some general goals for 2015, but these are more “do such and such” sorts of things.

1. Climb a new Munro

I’ve climbed Ben More (on the Isle of Mull) twice now, and I was supposed to climb Ben Cruachan last year for WaterAid (it fell through). I have an itching to climb as many of these as possible, so it has to happen.

Loch Na Keal 08

2. Get my bakes stocked somewhere

I’ve a couple of things in mind here and hope I can get the ball rolling.

3. Go on a walk/hike challenge.

Something properly long, for instance 30 miles plus. I want to properly challenge myself. (this may be sorted at the start of May)

Treshnish 12

4. Do a sponsored event for charity.

Someone find me a 10k or something. I want something to aim for and work towards.

5. Send out a Cake Care Package once a month.

This is already well under way. I’ve already got a couple planned in for March and I’m aiming to keep them going. If you want one, drop me an email. I’ve got an every growing list. It has priorities (I send it to people that are down more than I do just for the sake of it).

6. Try 5 completely new foods.

Last year I ate a few completely new things. Not talking dishes, but items of food that I previously couldn’t bring myself to eat. I am historically a picky eater, so this is all about me trying to improve how I eat. I mean last year I discovered a love for radishes, kale and quinoa, who knew?

7. Go bouldering/climbing.

This is one I’ve wanted to do for a long time now. There’s a climbing place near my office but it just comes down to confidence, or a lack of it.

8. Read 5 new books by 5 new Authors

I have a habit of getting stuck on an author and re-reading them again and again (See: Weel of Time Saga – Robert Jordan or anything by JRR Tolkien). Suggestions please.

9. Make my own alcohol.

This is either going to be beer, gin or wine. I really want to try my hand at it and have for a while. (Without even knowing I was writing this my fucking amazing friends clubbed together and got me tickets to the Ginstitute in London)

East London Liquor (16 of 26)

10. Get a penpal.

I like writing letters. Wanna volunteer, tweet me or email me.

11. Get my first tattoo.

Sorry if you’re reading this Mum & Dad. I’ve had the concept decided on for ages and have a couple of artists in mind (it just comes down to money).

12. Have a driving lesson

I started learning when I was 17, as most people did. Then one day, my driving instructor just didn’t show up. I never got back in the swing of it, but I need to, or various reasons.

13. Try and do a Video Recipe (Vlog)

We will see with this one. I’d need the equipment and a more stable living situation.

14. Read 3 classics which I’ve not read before.

I read a couple last year, I want to read a couple this year. Any suggestions on which of the classics are must reads?

15. Take an evening class in something new.

Drawing? Painting? Spinning on my head?

16. Have a “yes” day

I’m a pretty negative person. Having a day where I said yes to everything would possibly kill me.

17. Go clean shaven for a week.

See how the other half live, ya know?

18. Go camping

I love camping. I also haven’t done it properly in years. Festivals do NOT count.

19. Do a minimum of 12 “cooking” posts

I want to mix things up and start doing more meals/cooking on the blog, rather than just baking. I’ve done a few in the past and they are usually quite well received.

CUrry Crumb Cod

20. Increase my “prop” collection

I currently have very little to use for when I’m taking photos etc for the blog. I need to start scouring charity shops etc to try and increase this.

21. Random act of kindness

Do this for a complete stranger. I’m not just talking about something small, or being polite. I mean go the whole hog and really help someone.

22. Re-skin my blog

I’ve been unsure about my theme for a while now and I want to change it, my main bugbear is that there is no proper content on my front page. While that looks good I feel it doesn’t draw people in too much.

23. Network

Since starting this blog it has helped put me in touch with some other wonderful bloggers. This year I want to try and meet a fair few of them.

24. Run

I mainly exercise using my exercise bike. When it gets a bit warmer though I am going to force myself to mix thing up and go out for a couple of runs.

25. Be happier in myself

This is a more broad/vague one. I have… dips… sometimes where I get really low. I want to make a conscious effort this year to try and make myself more happy and do things that make me happy.

26. Live perminently outside my overdraft

The move to London made me take a massive step back in my finances. This year I am determined to tackle that.

27. Watch a WWE PPV without complaining, once.

This may be the hardest one ever.

Triple H anger
Does anyone have any suggestions for more? Do you have your own personal goals?

Lemon Glazed Oven Baked Doughnuts

*Chanting* DOUGHNUTS. DOUGHNUTS. DOUGHNUTS.

Doughnuts are great. I am however scared of deep frying. I just can’t get over the worry that I’ll burn my house down. And then disposing of all that oil? Urrgh. Just before Christmas I bought a Doughnut Oven Bake Baking Tray (this one), and you know what? It’s f****** brilliant. In the run up to Christmas I made a few different types. From standard cinnamon sugar, through to maple glaze with crispy bacon. I didn’t however, get around to blogging any of them. So here we go!

Oven Baked Doughmuts (13 of 36)

Oven Baked Doughmuts (9 of 36)

I passed my probation the day before the Christmas holidays started for me. When you pass your probation, it’s tradition to bring in a selection of Krispy Kreme Donuts for the office. Everyone runs late on it, and I wanted to bake my own. So I’ve decided to bake a selection of different doughnut types. Lemon Glazed, Maple Glazed, and Chocolate Glazed. To keep things tidy I’ll do 2 separate posts with the recipes. Starting with the Lemon Glazed lemon Doughnuts. This recipe is based on this one here.

Oven Baked Doughmuts (17 of 36)

The great thing about oven baked doughnuts, is that they are good for you slightly less bad than normal ones. They don’t take too long and you can satisfy a craving pretty easily.

Oven Baked Doughmuts (28 of 36)

Now, one more time DOUGHNUTS. DOUGHNUTS. DOUGHNUTS.

Oven Baked Donuts
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • **For the Doughnuts**
  • 250g all purpose flour
  • 300g white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 290ml buttermilk (or can use whole milk)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Rind of 1 Lemon, grated
  • ** For the Glaze**
  • Juice of one large lemon
  • 200g (plus) of icing sugar (I won't lie, I just spooned it in until I got it to the thickness I wanted)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (155°C fan assisted) and grease your doughnut tin.
  2. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. Beat the egg with the buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla.
  4. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients, add the lemon rind and mix until just combined.
  5. Divide the mixture in the tin. I did this using an icing bag for neatness, you could easily do it with a spoon too. Fill each ring to about ¾ full. You don't want them rising up and filling the whole in.
  6. Bake for 14-17 minutes, the edges should have started browning and a tooth pick inserted will come out clean.
  7. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack.
  8. While they cool, make the glaze. Beat the lemon juice into the icing sugar until smooth and thick. Once the doughnuts are cool enough, dip them in (I double dip) so the top is coated with the glaze. Allowing to set before serving.