Death by Chocolate

Dear Cathy

I do apologise for the delay in responding but I have been very busy socially, as well as my voluntary work. Did I mention that I help out with the village lunches these days? I started off chopping cabbage, before being promoted to serving roast potatoes. Most recently, I was entrusted with making the tomato sauce for the vegetarian option. It's quite a responsibility as I'm sure you appreciate, but someone has to step up to the plate as they would say on 'The Apprentice'. Did you follow the last series? I was so pleased for lovely Tom - I wonder if he's got a girlfriend?

Anyway, in addition to the village lunch, Mr Latte and I recently attended a barbecue at Larkspur Cottage. Half the village was there and we had a very lively table - the naughty table as it turned out. We played that game where you go around each person to compose a Limerick line by line. The results were surprisingly rude and can't be repeated here, but suffice to say that Mr Latte isn't speaking to me at the moment. Anyway, during the evening, it transpired that a Village Rock-Fest is being organised! A string of local bands are being asked to play, but I thought they should be more ambitious, and suggested they invite Robert Plant who lives nearby. Should I let you know when the date has been confirmed?

Anyway - baking! I attended another pool party recently, and this time I took along Death by Chocolate (p265). Very easy, totally delicious and for a seasonal touch, I dumped a pile of strawberries on top. The recipe made a huge 9-inch cake and every scrap was eaten!

I meant to ask, are you going on holiday this summer? I'm trying to get us in at Aberdovey for a couple of nights this week but no luck as yet.

Speak soon, love Lucy. x

Naans

Dear Lucy,

It seems like too long since I last wrote to you, perhaps it's not an overstatement to say that I have spent much of that time giggling when I think of your last letter! Poor you and the little Lattes; you were, indeed, unjustly treated. It does annoy me when others don't play by the rules and your experience reminded me of last year's Sports' Day at the Chino children's school...

... foolishly, perhaps, I was encouraged to enter the Mum's race - a seemingly innocuous speed walk whilst carrying a tray laden with water-filled cups. Strict instructions were delivered that we were not to run and I was confident that I would make the Chino name one of which to be proud. Imagine my dismay, then, when the whistle blew, I began with a spirited stride and the other mothers sprinted past me like rats out of a sewer! By the time I had collected my thoughts and recovered from the desperate lack of fair play, the other 'ladies' (and I use the term most loosely) were over the line. Needless to say I finished the race, head held high and cups full, but dismayed by the iniquity. This year I merely donated some chocolate muffins to the cake stall and left them to it!

All has been good on the baking front and I have been stepping out of my comfort zone of late by baking naan bread - page 118. Well, what a revelation, it couldn't be more simple to do and, for the pence they cost to make, a real bargain! Mr Chino declared that they were, not only better than shop-bought but, better than restaurant standard! I have made them twice within a week - the second time they sat in the oven for a little while so weren't quite as soft and fluffy - and won't buy them again. They are so easy to make that the little Latte lovelies would have no trouble. Try it and see, won't you?

Whilst we are on the subject of bread, I note that Margo has commented on the state of my bread knife (Cottage Loaf, June); I am intrigued as to why she thinks it needs sharpening as a) I do like a big heel of bread and butter; b) the loaf was deliciously warm when I cut it for the photograph and c) she clearly doesn't know Mr Chino if she thinks he'd go anywhere near a knife sharpener! A less practical man I am yet to meet, however, after 18 years of happy marriage, I think I'm unlikely to trade him in for another model if that's the most serious accusation I can tar his character with! Ooh, that's just sent an image of my Grandad, sharpening his knife in the kitchen before he cut his wafer-thin breakfast jam sandwiches...

... Happy days!

By the way, the neighbour's fence is now treated with dark brown creosote; I must say that it's certainly made their frontage a good deal more presentable. Speaking of which, I hope that your frontage has been covered up since you startled the postman!

Write soon, won't you?

Love, Cathy x

Fairy Cakes

Dear Cathy

Sunday last, was the School Summer Show. One little Latte entered a Fruit Kebab comprising English seasonal soft fruits, winning third prize in the category. Other entrants had included foreign fruits like bananas and melon, and one child had even used marshmallows! We were robbed.

The other little Latte entered a Seaside Picture, a collage of different materials that she worked very hard on without any help from me.
It was her own idea to use bubble-wrap for the sea, which I thought quite ingenious, but the judges palmed her off with a 'Well Done' sticker, favouring a decoupage picture which had clearly been made by the parents. Terribly unjust don't you think? And a cruel lesson in life.

I entered the category for 'Three Tea Time Fancies (three of the same e.g. cupcakes, biscuits etc). I knew I wouldn't produce my best work because I'd been at a little girl's fifth birthday party on the Saturday and I'd gone home rather the worse for wear. I couldn't help it, we were there all day in the garden, sun beating down on us and I had to drink plenty of Pimms to keep myself hydrated. I couldn't leave, because I was responsible for watching the children in the swimming pool, mind you, I couldn't see much after about four o'clock.

Anyway, I dragged myself out of bed at 7.30am on Sunday and threw together a batch of fairy cakes (p266). To give them a topical Wimbledon reference, I sliced off the tops, filled them with clotted cream and stuffed them with strawberries. I wasn't dissatisfied with the results as the cakes were lovely and moist and they really did look pretty, but I only made third place. Some of these judges do lack imagination. The first prize winner had put plain old buttercream on her cakes and the second prize winner was one of the children! I've never been so insulted. Still, I don't take it too seriously.

Did you follow Wimbledon this year? Such a shame that Andy Murray didn't make it through to the final, but as I said to Mr Latte, what can you expect from a man who can't even be bothered to shave in the morning?

Lots of love, Lucy. x

PS I can't help wondering what your neighbour is getting up to behind that new fence. Who lives there dear? In the interests of community safety (you know what Mr Cameron says about The Big Society) you might need to pop over there with a periscope and see what's going on.