These are just my latest purchase from the British Emporium near us. DH and I watch The British Baking Show on Netflix almost daily. Love it! I have tried several of their bakes (both savory and sweet) and it's an educational (and fun) show to watch (if you like baking). I find Paul and Prue (the host and hostess) a perfect blend of judges.
Anyway, they recently made something called British Flapjacks (nothing like what we Americans call Flapjacks). These are similar to granola bars made with oats, butter, brown sugar, and syrup. Since I eat oatmeal almost every day, I thought I'd try to make these with my gluten free oatmeal. And I did.
But I first googled if it was OK to use regular pancake syrup or maple syrup to do this... and I was told that I could (could even use honey), but they wouldn't taste the same. Using Lyle's Golden Syrup or Royal Syrup would be best since it has a caramel flavor.
So DH and I went off to the British Emporium (luckily there is one close by) and bought those items I pictured above. This is really a cute store and I should have taken pictures there to post... but didn't think of it.
There are so many other items there I would have loved to get, but it's not cheap and I will curtail my wants till another visit later in the year (there was an adorable Douglas stuffed rat - I know, I know, who wants a rat... but it was so-oo cute). And of course, besides the normal British baking food items, there is also stuff relating to Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry cook books, etc.
OK, well I made the British Flapjacks and although they taste very good, they came out way too chewy. So I googled if there was any way to fix this. Told to wrap them (as needed) in a wet paper towel and microwave for a few seconds. We did... and it works! Still chewy, but softer and not likely to take out your fillings. They also recommended not cooking as long next time and possibly adding a little flour to the recipe. We'll see.
If you noticed, besides Lyle's Golden Syrup, I also bought some caster sugar (hard to find) and PG tea bags. Caster sugar is just super-fine and best to use in some baking recipes. Also we drank a lot of PG tea when in England years ago... so I just thought I'd revive the memory.
That's it. Hope I didn't bore you too much. If you're not into British stuff or baking, I'm sure this wasn't of much interest. But since I can't do much sketching, painting, or things that take good vision, I have taken to doing more cooking, baking, etc. - experimenting and trying some new things.
My eye is coming along... just not there yet. Think the Eye Specialist said it could take months.
A few funnies:
This was a fun read Rian, wish I could taste one of those (less chewy) British Flapjacks for myself! That's pretty cool that you have that British shop nearby as well, I'd love to explore something like that. Enjoyed your tea memes too, this is funny as I was just thinking this morning I should buy a box of tea the next time I'm at the store (to make iced tea). And thank you for the eye update, I'm sorry it's not fully there yet but your friends appreciate the update just the same. PS. A stuffed rat? Really? :^)
ReplyDeleteThe British flapjacks are really tasty, Dug... the caramel flavor Lyle's Golden Syrup give them is really good. And the British Emporium is not large, but crammed with so many British goodies that it is fun to visit. And the stuffed rat is unbelievably cute. I wish I had taken a pic. Also, DH makes sweet tea every week... with lemon and mint. It's so-oo good.
DeleteI am a long time fan of the Great British Baking Show!!! I want to say it was the second series that PBS was premiering and our local (2 hours away) PBS station had an event! I was home babysitting and saw it the moment it was posted. They had a cupcake baking competition and the audience served as judges. I quickly filled out two applications, one for me and one for my former daughter in-law who is a home baker. It was fabulous. All of us were uber fans of the show and took our jobs so seriously, as did the contestants. There was not a huge crowd (they limited the number) and afterwards we got to see the first episode before anyone else.
ReplyDeleteThey did the event a second year, but the crowd was way bigger. I think they did cookies, but you were limited in how many you could try and it was so crowded. Not the same.
Anyway - lol. I love the items and the "tour" of the store. How neat to visit something so unique and try the unique ingredients!
Hoping your eye gets better and better and better!
Thanks for the comment, Miss Merry. Hope you are feeling better and recovering from your unexpected result from the flu. That sounded so scary. As for the Great British Baking show, I love to watch it... even the re-runs. I couldn't tell from your words if you and your DIL were in the baking contest or were judges in the local event? How fun!
DeleteI love to bake, but would never want to be 'timed' - too intense and takes all the fun out of it for me (as I find cooking/baking relaxing). And yes, we are lucky that the British Emporium opened a few years ago not too far from us... so it's convenient.
We were judges! And took our job so seriously. I love to bake at home but could never do it in a competition. I would look like an I Love Lucy episode with my nerves! I love how supportive and friendly all the competitors on the baking show are with each other.
DeleteYes, they even help each other if time is running out. I can never watch those shows where the chef (like Gordon Ramsey) is always shouting (but maybe that's all for show).
DeleteI don't watch the show, though most of my entertainment is of the British variety via BritBox and (here) BBC First. I would, however, offer myself as a taste tester for your baking. ☺️
ReplyDeleteKim, I would love for you to be a taste tester for my baking... although DH and my grandson do enjoy that role.
DeleteI love British TV... especially the old funny ones like "Good Neighbors", "To the Manor Born", etc. Sometimes it's hard to understand the accent (even though my dad was born in England and had an accent himself), and occasionally I have to look up words or expressions used when I don't know the meaning. We used to watch BritBox and do watch Acorn.
I have watched the British Baking show, and the Canadian version too. Paul and Prue are wonderful judges and it always amazes me how creative the bakers are. Even if some of those creations don't work out.
ReplyDeleteCoffee used to be my go-to, but I gave it up when I retired and switched to tea. I drank far too much of the coffee (a pot in the morning alone) and it was causing gut issues. My limit for tea is usually two to three cups a day.
Enjoy your purchases!
Mae, I was told to give up coffee and tea due to 'issues' too. But couldn't... so what I do is drink an espresso size cup of coffee with a little unsalted butter (better for your gut) in it in the morning and haven't had any issues with that. Also I still drink my tea... but half a small cup (not a mug) with a little cream in it... again no issues.
DeleteGosh... I haven't had pancakes in a while. Now I'm curious about flapjacks. I tend to like ice tea best, but coffee mocha is my happy drink.
ReplyDeleteKay, we tend to like pancakes and waffles here. The flapjacks are good and since I softened them up, have enjoyed them. I also like mocha coffee... and here Starbucks makes a Mocha Frappuccino that is really good.
Deletei am a tea lover, hot or cold as long as it's sweet...so sweet, the spoon will stand straight up in the sugar!! i don't like coffee. i am going to put that show on my "to watch" list. i hope the eye continues to heal, eyes and being able to read is such a big part of living a happy, healthy life!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, you would love DH's sweet tea... made with lemon and mint and loads of sugar. I actually love it too... but water it down a bit to avoid all the sugar. And my eye is continuing to heal... but still watery and blurry. I'm hoping it will return to normal one day but if not, it is what it is.
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