Cake made for staff at Oncology Ward 62

 Well. You must wonder why I am posting this . I have had two sessions if Chemotherapy already, but seem to pick  up every infection going,my immune system is so low.

. This culminated in my having FOUR simultaneous infections. And had to go to the Oncology Unit at the local Hospital, ,where I stayed for two weeks.The cake has been made this morning, before I go to an Oncology  Appointment this afternoon.  It is based on the tried and tested Mary Berry's tray bake recipe, but with the addition of masses of fresh blueberries and raspberries .my granddaughter aged 11was my helper ,and I mainly directed proceedings from my chair.

 It is to say a huge thank you to all the staff there who looked after me so well,enabling me to come home after fifteen days.

There won't be too many postings, as I am still incredibly weak, and have very  little energy!

 But I will do what I can, so keep looking !

And thanks to those who have sent messages of support, it is going to be a long haul, but the prognosis is positive, even if it hell to go through.

The onehandedcookblog returns ...albeit temporarily!

Recent happenings

Means that I will be unable to continue with the blog,as I have just been diagnosed with cancerI
I need to focus all my energies on getting fit,and anyway I don't feel much like cooking right now.

The onehandedcookblog makes BRIOCHE,

Here is my effort at brioche, I have such an easy recipe, even being one handed it is quite simpe to do.

Here's the recipe.
1teaspoon of dried yeast
500grms strong plain flour
I teaspoon of runny honey
1teaspoon of salt
4eggs beaten
150 grms soften unsalted butter
3 1/2 fl oz warm water

Mix the honey,yeast and warm water together ,and leave for ten minutes
Sift the flour and salt together,make a well in the middle of the flour
Add all the rest of the ingredients,including the butter
Knead for five minutes
Leave in a warm place to prove in a covered bowl for an hour or longer,
Knock the dough back ,and knead again,then either put in a loaf tin, or as you can see, make balls of dough,and put them not a cake tin.
Leave to prove again,then egg wash the tops
And then bake in the oven at 180o ,170o fan oven for 25 to 30 minutes ,but watch to see that it doesn't burn.
Can't wait to cut into it,and eat the first slice.

Tuesday's supper.shared with four friends.

Mushroom soup, made with a pound of Chestnut Mushrooms, a handful of dried Porcinin as well and some garlic, duck stock from last week,and not much else,bar some salt and pepper. One of the guests is not eating anything with cream or butter,so the soup has the minimum of fat .it is a rich dark brown colour,and I shall just put a little yoghurt and a swirl of English Truffle Oil on the top. I found the oil in a Restaurant in Cirencester just before Christmas.
Next a Fish Pie, sliced leeks and spinach on the bottom,then Salmon, prawns and some scallops with a white wine sauce made with dIll and parsley ,and some mashed potato with grated cheese and breadcrumbs over the top. That should do the job,and keep everyone happy, also a salad if they want it.
Cheeses are Roquefort ,Manchego and a Goat log, with the last of the Cuban Guava Paste.
Then sliced mangoes, pineapple and blood orange with passion fruit juices .
I have managed to drop a PINT of DOUBLE CREAM onto the floor, it fell out of the fridge, and I am no good at juggling things onehanded! The mess was indescribable,worse even than the melted butter fiasco of last week. This time it was over the dining room carpet as well as the usual floor and walls and my trousers and shoes. I had enlist the help of a very kind MALE neighbour to clean up.

Monday's supper.

Two friends tonight, I gave them Thai Beetroot soup, a recipe that was in the Guardian a few weeks back.it is so easy,and so different from a Borsch.
You first make a broth of Thai ingredients, ginger, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, Lime leaves, chilli,and gangal,(which I don't have) so I used some TomYum Paste,which is for soup anyway.
About 500 mls of water is poured onto the previously gently fried ingredients. This broth is simmered for about half an hour, then sieved, the beetroot chopped ,and whizzed up with the liquid, and a tin of light coconut milk is added,and then finally some fish sauce,and fresh lime juice to taste. Finally some fresh Coriander scattered on the top.
It really is delicious,refreshing and definitely Thai tasting.
Then we had a sort of Cassoulet, made with duck breast, very good pork sausages ,gigantic white beans, red and yellow peppers,red onions and a tin of tomatoes, with a couple of pieces of orange peel for flavour,and some duck stock to loosen the mixture.gently cooked a low oven for an hour and a half,and severe with a purée of Celeriac.
Some good cheeses, Roquefort , an English Goat 's cheese, and some mature Gouda,
I have almost come to the end of my piece of Guava Paste brought back from Cuba by a friend, but so expensive to buy online! Far nicer than Membrillo.
Finally we ate the Apple and Pineapple Amaretto tart ,which I had such a problem making at the weekend.
A bottle of Prosecco,and an Australian Merlot during the meal.

The perils of being one handed

Today I decided to make some apple and Amaretti tarts. Then had a brilliant idea of using pineapple as well.
Everything went according to plan,until I melted the butter to brush onto the fruit in a small ramekin dish in the microwave.
Taking to out,( and far too hot) it slipped from my hand, and melted butter went all over the wall, the recipe, the work top, and the floor plus broken shards of china. WHAT A MESS,
Had to clean it up fast, before it all solidified, or I went onto the floor,or the cat cut her paws on the very sharp bits.
I shan't be doing this again in a hurry.