Adventures: Bakehouse Wanders Brighton Part 2 Hi everyone! After months of procrastination, I'm thrilled to finally share part two of my Brighton adventure—because who doesn’t love a seaside story? Picking up from last time, I started my day at the Flint Owl Bakery for breakfast and coffee, followed by a visit to Vero Gusto, an Italian bakery, to pick up some delectable treats. Although I’ve been to Brighton plenty of times, my adventures have mostly centred around the Marina and the beach. This time, I wandered into The Lanes—a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, but a place I’d never explored. I didn’t even realise I was in The Lanes at first—that’s what happens when you don’t have a plan. From what I gathered, The Lanes are a mix of independent shops focused on ‘hip’ culture (do people still say ‘hip’?), fashion, and antiques. None of these are really my thing, but you know what they also had? A pasty shop. Now that is definitely up my street… or lane. The ...
Bakehouse News: October 2023
October, the month when nature struts around in its outfit of orange hues, and every supermarket is trying to sell you a largely tasteless pumpkin in the guise of decorative arson. The skies are getting darker, either from the lower sun or the darkened clouds daily unleashing their torrential payload that only months ago was eagerly awaited. As much of a nuisance as commuting in the downpour can be, there is nothing so cathartic in life as sitting inside with a Pumpkin Spice and crackling candle while gazing out on the falling water.
A month of extreme business, yet alas not much outcome seems apparent. I won't dive too deeply into the details for both my sanity and yours. This month has been filled with medical testing galore and more stress in the 9 to 5 than is called for; is it just me or has the level of workplace toxicity been particularly high, even for the month of ghouls? I won't rant further, because as unbearable as moments have been, there's also been enjoyment fighting its way through despite all outside efforts.
Bakery Crawling
I started out the month with a new style of adventure that I plan to continue, which I'll call a Bakehouse Wander for the time being, basically a pub crawl with food establishments as substitutes for food establishments, though there is a chance that some pubs remain in. I had a stroll around Dorking, since it's close to me, sampling a few bakeries and generally rambling about, with a hike included; considering the vertical effort involved, at least check that post out!
Food touring did make for an enjoyable weekend as something a little different to the norm. It turns out although there's not much in the way of bakeries locally, there's a few. I was very surprised that we have reasonable Jam Doughnuts nearby, and I found a cute little spot for a cuppa that I walk past every week.
I'll be looking to visit other places in the future, so look forward to joining me. There will be a Dorking part 2, my favourite is from here and it would be criminal to leave it out altogether. I won't name anywhere yet, but there is a shortlist, with some places I know and a couple I don't. I'll time a few visits with Christmas markets over the festive season.
Ninja Foodi
I got a new toy! After my very old Tefal ActiFry bit the proverbial dust, I got a Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer and have had great fun playing with it.
The old air fryer was mostly used for chips and occasionally a few other bits, but I've used the new one for all sorts. Beyond the items in the accompanying booklet, there is an art to setting times and temperatures, but through trial and error, I'm getting somewhere approaching comfortability.
I've tested out most of the functions, although I'm still trying to work out the difference between a few of them. I've cooked a variety of dishes, from chips to cake, and fish pie to shortbread; overall I'm really happy with the results. A few items that require low temperatures in the conventional oven are doing particularly well. After testing, I found that my oven isn't great at maintaining the heat, often dropping over 10 degrees.
One of the most exciting things is that from the air fryer I now have a proving drawer, which will be extensively used. I tested it for some rolls and they grew quite substantially.
I've bought a cookbook and noticed a few accessories that I've spotted, so there will be some revisiting the air fryer over time.
Upcoming Events
November is sitting just a couple of days off now, and although I'm not completely certain of the topics I will be covering over the next month, there's a couple of big foodie events as we start to enter the festive season so I thought I'd list a few I have my eye on.
- BBC Good Food Show Winter - Birmingham NEC 23/06/2023 to 26/06/2023
- The Cake and Bake Show 2023 - London Olympia 22/06/2023 to 26/06/2023
And don't forget Armistice weekend soon, which is very important to me, and I won't be missing that for anything. Please take a couple of minutes to remember!
I'm a Gamer
This isn't remotely food-related, and I was going to try and incorporate it, but it's very much a part of me so it's staying in regardless. October saw the start of the League of Legends World Championships, and as a fan who has been playing since early 2012, I'm thoroughly enjoying it!
As of this morning, all European teams are out of the tournament being hosted in Korea, but like many gamers, I enjoy watching the best, even when I don't have a stake in it.
A tangential link to food exploration: I managed to include something! I've been to many events in Europe and the USA for League of Legends tournaments, and through doing so, I've experienced far more in foreign cuisine and culture than I would've even done without gaming. I won't cover those experiences online, but meeting the genuine fans, hosts, and participants has been a joy. So many of them are the loveliest of people; I now have friends in places as far away as Venezuela.
Of the places I've been, Belgium had the best food as a collective. It's not exotic, but everything was phenomenal!
In Season – November
A recurring feature is the in season fruit and vegetables available here in the UK. Buying relatively local and reducing our carbon footprint is so easy through our food, and can also be a fun exploration of tastes.
The below list is UK centric, but the principle doesn't change; look at where your produce comes from, if it comes from your country or neighbouring region it will have had an easier time getting to you. You don't need to cut out everything, but by being conscious of your purchases you've already done some good.
November is where we really hone in the root vegetables and heartier dishes, have a look below to see what will be about.
November UK
(source: Royal Horticultural society
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/in-month/november)
Vegetables |
Fruit |
Leeks | Apples |
Carrots | |
Cauliflowers | |
Beetroot | |
Turnips, swedes | |
Parsnips | |
Brussels sprouts | |
Jerusalem artichokes | |
Winter cabbage | |
Spinach | |
Swiss chard | |
Kohl rabi | |
Radishes |