Tunisian Polenta Gluten Free Citrus Cake

First of all can I just say I've had to purloin this image from a post from Clifton house, sorry not to be able to link to their site but blogger doesn't allow me to create links anymore, in fact it has even stopped me being able to space out my text properly, very naughty. I'm wondering if I might shift my blog to another place, substack maybe? Do any of you use a site that is a bit more flexible for links, small films etc ? Anyhoo, here is the recipe for my Tunisian gluten free citrus cake, (as mentioned in a previous post). Ingredients: 45g polenta, 120g golden caster sugar, 100g ground almonds, 1.5 teaspoon of baking powder, 215 ml olive oil, 4 eggs beaten lightly, finely grated zest of one unwaxed lemon and also same from one orange. For the syrup : 45g sugar, juice of half an orange and half a lemon. Method: 1. Combine polenta, sugar, almonds & baking powder in a mixing bowl. 2. Using wooden spoon beat in oil, eggs & zest. 3. Pour into a greased and lined 20cm cake tin. PLACE IN A COLD OVEN 4.Turn on oven at 190/170 fan, gas mark 5. Bake for 35/40 mins. Test with a skewer to insure cooked through. 6. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes, turn out onto a wire rack to cool. 7. Meanwhile make syrup. Simmer sugar & citrus juices for around 5 minutes. Stirring to dissolve sugar. 8. Prick cake all over with a skewer then gently spoon over the syrup whilst it is cooling. Serve dusted with some icing sugar and perhaps some candied orange slices or edible flower heads. So incredibly easy to make and totally delicious.

Trying To Live More Slowly

This is how I'm feeling lately. I'm trying to cut back and slow down as much as I can and avoid the hustle culture. It's not easy is it? I have been baking a bit, but of course cake baking means eating it !! My reasoning is home made is a bit better for you because you can adjust sugar levels and there is no crap ingredients in it. This polenta cake made with olive oil is a point in question. I've never made a cake with polenta before but boy was it amazing. Full of good things, with lemon and orange zests taking centre stage. My family gave it 10 out of 10, and perfect for gluten intolerant folk, which is an added bonus.

I also made some rosemary and rock salt bread, I know, very cottagecore. It looks fantastic, no? It was dry and horrible. Although the Mr chomped his way through it. What was left I blitzed into breadcrumbs to avoid any waste. They freeze quite well so all was not lost.

I Bloomin Love Her Attitude

What a gal. RIP Marianne.

An Eclectic Mix of Things That Have Caught My Eye This Week

I thought this was a spiffing idea, plus it gives a new use to plain old bottles that might otherwise just be recycled.

I'm going to make my own version of this with some very old and dusty books and a small tester pot of paint, but I thought I would leave the price on to show you.

I thought this 17th century plate was very soulful and desirable. And last but not least, something for The Ladies. As Frankie would say, titter ye not.

A Money Saving Idea

Good afternoon blogging chums. You know of course that I love to save a penny or two and will do my best, always, to get good quality at a reduced price if possible. So I thought going forward if I spot something I will let you all know. This weekend the Mr and I are popping to a travel show, to garner some information and to spot some jolly holiday options that perhaps we have missed before. It is on at the Manchester Central. We got free tickets through a newsletter I received, so far so good. We are then having a late lunch with our lad and his lovely girlfriend at a Spanish tapas bar. I googled said restaurant and tried to find any discount codes or offers. One popped up, The Tastecard. No I hadn't heard of it either, offering 2 for 1 on main meals. But It looked like you had to pay £79.99 for a year's subscription. I continued my search and saw it did have free trials etc but nothing I could access. Then BINGO! The Lidl App plus, which I have only installed about four weeks ago has a free trial for 90 days, and after that you can pay for a year's useage for only £29.99. I like the sound of that.

My Hope For 2025

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone joined in?

Vicar of Dibley Royal Mail Stamps

My very good friend Linda who passed away a few years ago now, was a HUGE fan of The Vicar of Dibley. She would have rushed to buy this new set of Royal Mail stamps, celebrating the iconic comedy series. These ones are available now on Ebay despite not officially being released until the 14th January. I'm not a collector of stamps myself but I kinda feel I need to buy them on her behalf, is that silly?

Everyone Is After My Money

It's the same all year really but the constant bombardment, post Christmas, for us to buy buy buy, is grating with me. The temptation to'grab a bargain' is very real, but actually resisting spending can be much more satisfying. The Mr and I did go out a few days ago to take a look around our local shops, more to stretch our legs than to look for something to buy. We did buy a few things, which I'm very pleased to say were all second hand from our various local charity shops and of course therefore very cheap. I also donated a few items at the same time. Win win. I did buy an old box which caught my eye because of the hand decoration on the outside. It appealed to me. I'm wondering how old it might be and whether it might perhaps have been a tea caddy in another life? I wonder if any of you, my blogging chums might know. Also the small brass insert shows a crest, any ideas?

Bright Blessings for 2025

It's been a funny ole year what with one thing and another. The Mr and I are still desperately wanting to get moved to Norfolk and that is our primary wish for early 2025. The end of 2024 has seen a lot of ill health in our extended family, with even the mr and I falling by the wayside in the last two weeks of December. Friends, we cancelled Christmas. But I am looking forward rather than back now. 2025 will be a healthy joyful one for us and I hope for all of you lovely blogging chums. Thank you for being there, I hope to do and share more with you all in 2025, sharing joy where I can. A toast to you all.

Emma Bridgewater - One of My Heroines

I'm sure most folk who live in the UK have heard of Emma Bridgewater, who, when only a young woman had the desire and the vision to save an enormous ancient pottery in Staffordshire. She says that literally everyone told her not to do it. In previous centuries the area was known for it's many potteries and of course the filthy air they created. Today there are only a few working potteries left. The Mr and I visited the Bridgewater pottery a few days ago, we had breakfast, a tour of the factory, we even painted some plates, which will be sent to us once they have been fired. The whole experience was top notch and I would recommend a visit if any of you get the chance. After witnessing the labour intensive process involved in making her pots I fully understand the pricing and their worth. Incidentally all the folk working there were very happy with their tasks. Take a look at our plates above, can you guess which one I decorated and which one the Mr did? Before we went he wasn't sure it was his cup of tea but he absolutely loved doing it. When we recieve them back I'll post another picture so you can see the difference in the glazes after several firings.

JUST WOW

Watch it all if you have time, you'll be smilimg ear to ear, with just a little tear.