Lemon Meringue Tart

Dear Lucy,

So sorry to have worried you, I know how much you live on your nerves and should have been more thoughtful before we jetted off to sunnier climes.

We had a fabulously cultural time, as we had a had a few Spanish lessons before we went and excercised our knowlege at every opportunity. I was able to ask for the little Chinos' burgers to be delivered 'sin queso' and for 'dos Coca Colas' when we ventured out for our evening meal; I even tried a paella - bien! You would have loved the jug of Sangria we had one evening, I have surfed the net and found a recipe which will enable me to recreate a bit of Spain in North Yorkshire. Staying in a fabulous villa enabled the little Chinos to enjoy the benefits of a private pool; I know that you will interpret that as a spot of 'skinny-dipping' but, what with the pool man coming from time to time and the searing heat, we didn't dare expose any more of their delicate flesh than was strictly necessary.

Please apologise to PC Selby for me; I really think that an APB, as they say on the television, was a little extreme, perhaps I can make it up to him with a cake...

Talking of baking, I have managed to dabble since I returned, but I think I must be out of practice; as you will clearly see from the photograph, the results were not pretty. Lemon Meringue [page 168] is a bit of a Chino family favourite and I have made it a number of times, using dear Mary Berry's recipe, so I thought I was on to a winner. I have fond memories of my old Nanny's efforts, although a cannot be sure if she didn't use a packet mix and I wouldn't blame her if she did - it's a really intensive baking experience. It all began to go wrong for me with the pastry: it was easy to make and I lined the tin well but, I feel, made the mistake of reading the guidance notes on 'How to line a flan tin' [page 151]; I was advised to curve the edge of the pastry, prior to baking blind, as this would mke it easier to "unmould" once cooled. Well, when I came to remove it from the oven, it had curled over completely and seemed to be consuming my baking beans! The lack of sides to my pastry case meant that the lemon filling could not be contained and oozed out further when I put on the meringue topping. Oh dear! Not my finest hour. However, it was delicious and we managed to consume it all within 24 hours!

I fear that Margo will have something to say about all of this debacle, but quite frankly, a woman who confuses coriander for mould won't be taking up much of my time.

Sorry I haven't managed to pop down to see you over the summer break, we have a puppy and are rather tied to home at present.

Much love to you and yours,

Cathy x

Dear Catherine

I am so pleased to hear that you are alive and well and have been enjoying a relaxing holiday en Espana, but I do wish you had told me you were going away, as you could have saved me a lot of anxiety. Quite how I'm going to explain this to PC Selby I'm not sure. 'Rock-Fest' has been and gone, by the way, so you've missed out there, and The Great British Bake Off has begun. I'm afraid I couldn't record it for you as the Latte family were on our annual trip to London. I do think it's important to give the children cultural experiences during the school holidays rather than lounging around on foreign beaches all summer.

Looking forward to your next bake.

Yours, Lucy.

Greetings from Spain

Hola Lucy!

We are having a lovely time in Spain, the sun is shining and the Chino family are relaxed, happy and well.

Obviously, I haven't had time to bake this week, but I have tried all manner of Spanish cakes (in the interests of research, you understand!).

Will let you know all the news on my return!

Adios!

Cathy x

Coffee Walnut Cake

Dear Cathy

It is almost three weeks since my last letter and still no word from you.
I have tried to telephone several times to no avail. If only Margo still worked at The Exchange, she could test the line for me. I am writing this in a last ditch attempt to raise you, and if I don't hear from you forthwith, I shall assume that your dastardly neighbour has erected his new garden fence for more sinister reasons than either of us had imagined, and will report you to the police as a missing person. I hope I'm not too late. It would be a cruel blow if you were taken from us just as a new series of 'The Great British Bake Off' came to our screens (Tuesday 16th August, 8pm, BBC2). I don't know how I'd cope without you, mind you, I suppose your very expensive 'Titanium Kenwood Chef Major' would be looking for a new home. I see from the brochure that amongst other things the mixer has a 'pulse function'. What a sad irony that would be.

Anyway, must be strong and professional. On Saturday, we had Lois and Jeffrey over for elevensees as they will be looking after Professor McGonagall while we're in London next week. We went through the feeding regime and showed them how to close the cat-flap at night.
I made a Coffee and Walnut cake (p250). I didn't have the 8 inch tins stipulated in the recipe, and Mr Latte warned me that 7 inches would be inadequate, but the cake came out beautifully as you can see.

Speaking of Professor McGonagall, I was quite distracted last week by the Magical Quill Challenge to gain early access to Pottermore, the new online Harry Potter experience. I was fortunate enough to solve the clue on the second day of the challenge and find the Magical Quill, which means I am one of the lucky few who will be able to enter Pottermore ahead of the general public. I have even been given a special witchy name! More on this next time I hope. As I write, the children are running around the garden in little pointy hats shouting 'EXPELLIARMUS' at each other. How sweet.

Hoping to hear from you post-haste, your loving friend, Lucy. x


Notes to Self:

1 Must buy some 8 inch cake tins, a new pastry brush (have been using one of the children's paint brushes and the bristles are coming out) and another rubber spatula.

2 Find telephone number for Missing Persons Hotline - very important.

3 Check to see whether the Titanium Kenwood Chef Major comes with a liquidiser.