November 2011/March 2012
In the back of my mind- in the very back of my mind– I knew he was going to London with his family. The front of my mind [clearly this post is steeped in “neuroscience”] was focused very intently on escaping my home base, adventuring and feeling very, very far from certain sad gray clouds hovering over me. I looked at flights to Paris very longingly, but I concluded I owed it to myself to try a new locale. That’s when London popped into my mind, and once I get an idea like that in my head, all the best to you should you try to stand in my way!
I had already set my idea into motion when the back and front of my mind began working in conjunction again [even more neuroscience]. Oh yeaaaah… he‘s going to London too! The “coincidence” of my destination choice seemed questionable since I had joked about wanting to be a member of his family (whose travel history included a family vacation on the Amalfi Coast!!! Pick me!!!), but I am sticking to my story- his trip was unrelated to my planning!
The motives of my story became all the more questionable as the two of us grew closer. At first, we were two friends who happened to be traveling to the same major metropolis at the very same time. We thought we’d meet up and maybe share some London sightseeing, but as the trip approached, our friendship became something far more significant! I had unknowingly arranged to travel to London with my SigFig to be and his entire family!
Who does that?!? This girl!
So it was I came to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in a foreign land with my new boyfriend’s family. With any other family, this may have been odd or intrusive, but my special one comes from a tremendous family who generously included me in their wanderings and explorations of one of the most captivating cities on earth!
Thanks to the sister/tour guide, who had been exploring London for an entire semester, I came to experience a phenomenon called “sticky toffee pudding,” which isn’t all that sticky, nor is it really pudding. Oh those Brits!
My first sticky toffee encounter occurred at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub, which is notable for a few reasons:
1. Its age! It was rebuilt in 1667 after The Great Fire of London, meaning some semblance of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub existed even earlier than that!
2. The entrance is quietly tucked away from the commotion of the street, marked by a beautiful sign and surrounded by beautiful brickwork.
3. To arrive at the cellar requires an acute awareness of one’s body in space, as the winding stairwell is narrow, and the ceilings are quite low.
4. The rustic wood! There was wood everywhere, and “rustic” does not do justice to the age in those dark wood grains.
5. The concept of the British pub is brilliant in general- good drinks and comfort food in a unique and dignified setting! To eat and drink at a pub is like eating mom’s Sunday dinner in the den of an old fashioned gentleman (It’s the style I channeled for this shoot).
Why, oh why America, do you not adopt such a concept en masse?!?
The sister/tour guide was wide eyed and very nearly drooling as she ordered “sticky toffee pudding” at record speed (try saying it five times fast!). Her eagerness was intriguing. Beyond my bowl of creamy corn soup (again..such delectable food for a bar!) was the answer to my question, “what is sticky toffee pudding?” My bite from the shared bowl provided the answer: warm, spongy cake in a pool of custard with a sweet surface layer.
Part of why I travel is to be inspired creatively and culinarily, and that bowl of sticky toffee pudding sure did inspire! The special cabin in the woods was the perfect place for my first attempt, and my special one was the perfect partner for sharing dessert. Not surprisingly, the recipe inspiration came from the delicious photos of one of my favorite blogs, Tea With Me.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Recipe adapted from Tea With Me.
Dates! Who knew?!? Dates are one of the prominent ingredients in sticky toffee pudding, so it’s really a wonder this traditional dessert did not come to be known as “caramel date cake.”
The sneaky Bear-Pig tried to nab the dates as they soaked, but his attempts were foiled!
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Ingredients
1 cup dates, pitted
2 cups boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup organic, unsalted butter
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 egg (local/free-range), beaten
1 Tablespoon AITA Snap
For the Sticky Toffee Pudding
In a separate bowl, pour boiling water over dates and baking soda. Let sit until all or most of the water is absorbed (ideal time for a forest wander). Add a splash or two of AITA Snap for an extra kick.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Cream butter and sugar until lighter in color and fluffy. Beat in egg gradually.
Fold in the flour mixture.
Add the date mixture.
Mix in the Snap.
Pour in a greased oven proof glass baking dish.
Bake on the middle rack for 250 degrees F for 40 min.
Caramel Sauce
1/3 cup organic, unsalted butter
1 cup organic brown sugar
4 tbsp organic heavy cream
For the Caramel Sauce
Melt butter in a pan, add sugar and cream, stirring all the time for about 3 minutes.
Cut a slice of pudding, serve with a dollop of whipped cream and drizzles of caramel sauce.
Snap Whipped Cream
1 cup organic heavy cream, chilled
2-3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
1-2 Tablespoons pure vanilla extract
3-4 Tablespoons AITA Snap
For the Whipped Cream
Combine all the ingredients in a chilled bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until peaks form. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
More To Come…!
I’m not about to offer the sister/tour guide my first ever attempt at sticky toffee pudding, especially since this version reminded me more of my mother’s banana bread than my afternoon at that wooden table. Thus I see much more sticky toffee experimentation on my horizon. There is also so much more of my London wanderings I intend to share, so…
Stay tuned!
