Passion

[Connemmara]

Have a passion like wanting to pick up the piano again blah blah - would love dearly to be able to bake.

Ok - looking at all these food programmes on TV forever and ever - when you weigh it up and go back on it - "here is a fabulous salad" - "how to cook a steak" ie with blood in it and let it rest (letting it rest it is bloody freezing when you go to eat it) - add tomatoes and garlic to this and that (basic cooking for me anyway) - my Gawd we all know all about that!

Baking another matter - truly awesome. Really would love to be able to bake. Any help out there would be appreciated where I could go and learn - I know some of you will recommend "recipe books" which I do have - loads of them - some how - following them - mine never turn out "right". I need step by step information - PS - Am very aware some of the young uns can't even make home made veggie/minestrone/chicken noodle soup or stew - am talking about my own family by the way. just a wee chat. thanks for reading

[ladyalex]

I always find Delia's recipes very clear....and they work.

[craft1948]

Delia is very good, straightforward and not fussy.

[ladyalex]

snap!

[Connemmara]

thanks for replying but are her recipes "step by step" - I am hopeless re the baking. Must confess tho am good at Pavlova - but by Gawd and begorrah - took me years to learn.

[ladyalex]

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/cuisine/european/english/classic-sponge-cake.html

Have a look at this and see what you think.

[nungate]

The thing about baking as opposed to "cooking" is that with baking you have to be precise with your measuring etc. When I cook I tend to use a recipe as a "suggestion" whereas when I bake I have to follow the instructions or my baking will turn out disastrous. I've been interested in cooking/baking and recipes since I was about 10 or so, (when I started collecting recipes) and even now some 40 years later I'm still learning and improving. Delia has a web site which teaches cooking and baking skills, and there's always her cook books which are always clear and easy to use. By the way, when letting meat "rest" cover it with a bit of tinfoil shiny side to the inside and you'll find the meat will stay warm.

[ELVIS68]

If you cover the steak when it's resting it'll still be hot when you eat it

[Connemmara]

still with all Elvis - could never eat steak with blood oh Gawd no thanks for infor anyhow night

[Connemmara]

This answer is a late thank you for everybody who took the time to answer me and particularly so late - Delia seems to be the one for me. No idea re kilos or fan assisted ovens etc - but know my 1 year old cooker has given me both options - fan assisted and conventional (would I be right here keep baking at conventional) Nungate if you have been learning baking at 10 (a bit like myself learning electricals at 10) you are probably a fantastic baker - also judging by queen of "peace" (queenie) (bless her) (ie your daughter) she has learned a lot from you too as to how to bake - it does pass on. Nungate I will search for Delia's basic tips online how to start. But you know I believe great cooking/baking comes from learning from mums and dads - we got 4 meals a day - an apple cake on a Sunday (our treat) but that was it. definitely will look into Delia's site. Again thanks everyone - when I make my first Victoria Sponge - will send you all a bit. See ya (was going to say in the morning ) unfortunately "Morning has broken) good night

[Connemmara]

sorry meant to say "good morning" - I may have some queries with you tomorrow - if you don't mind - bye for now and again thanks for all your help. Conn

[Brinjal]

Might be fun to take a cooking class tho and learn the finer techniques. I tend to beat the life out of my cakes and then wonder why they don't rise properly