Hello.
I spent what felt like an eternity watching the hair-thin black line blinking impatiently on my screen as if tapping its feet and saying 'Well? Write something!' So this is how it begins.
One hundred and sixty seven days have passed since I last clicked publish and snapped my last photos. I feel like a forgotten object, tucked away in the attic, coated in dust; the knowledge of blogging only a distant shimmering memory. The trepidation of returning swells within my belly with the nagging seeds of doubt scattered at my feet.
Should I?..Shouldn't I?...Can I?..Oh, why not.
So here I am, for now, as long as I am able, perhaps less frequently than before but up again nonetheless.
Greedy Gourmand is back in the kitchen.
The idea of trying to recount all that has passed since our last encounter makes me feel as though I am tumbling down a neverending rabbit hole - the memories are simply too many to type. So instead, here is a small segment from last week, or as I prefer to call it:
Valentine's Half Birthday
When we decided to have a child, the thought of creating new family traditions whirled through my brain, one of which was the celebration of our children's half birthdays. There would be an individual theme for each child, half a birthday cake and candle, a very merry half birthday song (the Madhatters unbirthday song re-worded), and their favourite breakfast culminating in a small get together with grandparents.
For Valentine, whose half birthday falls in March, I thought a Madhatters tea party would be fitting (inspired by the March Hare).
On a gloriously sunshine soaked day we gathered at a park, wore our happiest hats, brought our largest Cheshire grins and gorged on pizza, iced tea and dessert. As Valentine is still young I only organised a few games such as the Caucas Race (guests run around in a circle, and when you shout 'stop' the last one to sit down/run to the middle is out) and Find The Golden Key; prizes were jams, cookbooks, teas and cups. It was great fun to be silly.Her half cake was a Paleo Chocolate Cake so that she could enjoy it too.
And now I leave you with a very merry dessert.
prep time: 20mins to get cheescake in oven.
cooking time: 1hour to cook and 4hours to chill.
total: 1hour and 20mins plus 4 hours chill time.
taste: 4.5/5. The second cheesecake I have fallen for.
This one pleased almost all - there were a few strange people who thought this cake was just too decadent for them - well have a sliver and give me a slab, I'll happily eat the lion's share. The filling is sweet with a cocoa warmth and a slight tang. It's smothered in a dark, sinfully yummy ganache that's spiked with a hint of sweet nutella and then speckled with roasted hazelnuts and a sprinkling of sea salt. You have sweetness, bitterness, saltiness along with some crunch and fudge - this cake is a keeper.
would I make it again: Y-E-S.
