Wednesday 2 September 2015

May All Your Oily Balls Turn Out Like Howards + Book Giveaway

Innuendo. The Fanny Cradock Cookery Programme is full of it. Filthy Fanny, she always has her tongue firmly in her cheek and her ever-higher eyebrows raised as she is writing. You've probably noticed already. It's everywhere in the baking world these days. The whispering mucky undertones have become overt in the Great British Bake Off with Mary Berry trying to steal Fanny's crown. Insinuation King Howard Middleton's new book, Delicious Gluten Free Baking, is full of double entendre too. "Ah yes," Howard tells me "it's a vital part of the secret Bake Off audition process - the innuendo challenge - I did rather well in that!" Future applicants take note...

Fanny Cradock Howard Middleton

Fanny had over 40 cookbooks published during her lifetime, dear old Howard doesn't seem daunted by this as his first hits the shelves. "It's very exciting! Writing the book was enjoyable, at times frustrating, and absolutely exhausting. I had to be very disciplined to do it alongside working full-time and I'm not a naturally disciplined person. Another 39 could be a bit too ambitious I think." Well, Fanny's final cookbook was called The Ambitious Cook so aim high Howard!

Fanny Cradock Howard Middleton

Howard's book is hilarious to read, just as Howard himself was on Bake Off, but is jammed with fantastic sounding recipes that everyone will crave, whether they are following a gluten-free diet or not. Howards aim was to create recipes that people miss, and I think he's cracked it. Fanny had a cookbook for almost everything, even one about Foil Cookery, so I'm sure she'd have approved. "For some people it's a necessity so can't be a fad, but for those who don't have dietary restrictions I see it as discovering new and usual ingredients that are naturally gluten free. Learning from other cuisines and cultures has always influenced what we eat. Oh, I've just done a search online for Fanny's book of foil cookery, my life may not be complete without it!" Research for book two Howard? But please, stop Googling while we are chatting...

Fanny Cradock Howard Middleton

There are so many recipes I want to make in the book, but there is one that I had to make straight away in Fanny's honour. Doughnuts. Dutch ones, Oliebollen, or Oily Balls as Howard refers to them, allegedly this is the Dutch translation. Mucky. I told you he was innuendo obsessed. Or is it me? The recipe is easy to follow, and in between giggles I get my deep-fat fryer on the go ready for these gluten-less bready balls of joy speckled with dried apple and raisins. They turn out light and golden, with fluffy centres... Just as Fanny said hers should be, just as you'd expect doughnuts to be!

Fanny Cradock Howard Middleton

What would Fanny reckon to these doughnuts? "I remember her as a wonderfully trenchant character, barking at Johnnie and her audience with dogged aplomb. She was also one of the icons in that transition from black and white TV to colour (I'm now feeling very old), with her vibrant clothes and make-up... and vivid food! And your blog reminds us of that, with hors d'oeuvres of blue eggs and the multi-coloured cartwheel trifle! I do have a weakness for that sense of style - the book has a recipe for Snowball Cocktail Cakes, which is my boozy, kitsch homage to my late great aunt, Auntie Olive's unique approach to baking, and the lure of her drinks cabinet. I hope Fanny would approve." Booze, kitsch, vividness? Of course she would! I do love a Snowball too, must bake these tout de suite! And everything else...

Fanny Cradock Howard Middleton

Fanny had Johnnie, Mary has Paul, Mel's got Sue, but who would be Howard's dream sidekick, apart from Fanny obviously? "I think Fanny would've made mincemeat of me!" Omelette of course. "I have to say my partner, Peter, is my dream sidekick don't I? I recently did a demo at the Bakewell Baking Festival and he kept popping up just off stage when I needed a bowl or a spoon or something. My sister and young nieces were in the audience - she was explaining to them that we were like Fanny and Johnnie!" So maybe the 40-book deal isn't so far way? "I'm fairly easy going. I never expected half the opportunities that have come along, so I'll continue to go with the flow. I've got lots of demos coming up, and I'd love to do some more writing. Fingers crossed the future is as bright as a Fanny frock!" Wink. Raise eyebrow. Look knowingly. Innuendos at the ready? Bake!

Fanny Cradock Howard Middleton

Thanks to Howard for being lovey and answering my questions! Howard's publisher, Little, Brown sent me a preview copy of Howards book, Delicious Gluten Free Baking, to enjoy and one for me to giveaway... Simply leave me a blog post comment telling me what bake you'd like to make Gluten Free and fill in the rafflecopter thingy-me-jig which will select the winner! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

73 comments:

  1. I'd love a lovely moist gluten free Christmas cake with lots of brandy....yum! :-D

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    1. Well, you are in luck! There are a fair few Christmas recipes in the book, including the All-Star Fruit Cake drowned in brandy! Good luck!

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  2. A celebration cake because It's impossible to find one in the shops

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    1. There are a few in the book - I'd say the Hollywood Wedding Cake is the one for you! Fingers crossed...

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  3. Bread and biscuits....have utterly failed on gluten free versions of both of these so far. I need help!

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    1. Well, Howards book has all the help you will need I reckon, tasty looking Focaccia, crusty loaves, Swedish butter biscuits, shortbread - even savoury biscuits too - Mustard Creams! Good luck...

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  4. Oh wow I do love Howard!!! I think he and Fanny would've gotten on very well indeed :)
    Oooh gluten free cakes are always so popular, but is there a gluten free pastry method? Because a gluten free quiche would be nice! (I have a coeliac friend who I struggle to bake for and I often cop out on making things from scratch!)

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    1. Me too! I struggle with GF pastry most of all, but luckily Howard has Pasties, Top Crust Pies, Tarte Tatin & Spring Veg Tartlets to help us all! Not made them yet, but will!

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  5. a Christmas cake for the upcoming event

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    1. The Christmas Cake that Howard has in the book looks amazing! Lots of fruit, nuts... and booze! Good luck!

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  6. A non-traditional cake suitable for our daughter's wedding as she does not like fruitcake or royal icing.

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    1. Non traditional is Howards thing, so he suggests you make his Hollywood Wedding Cake with whatever cake you like - from his chocolate brownie of snowball flavours perhaps - and decorator with fondant icing. Fingers crossed for a win, and for your daughters wedding!

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  7. I want to see doughnuts being made gluten-free, not a bake necessarily but it's still dough!

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    1. The doughnuts are great, am sure you'd like them, baked or not...

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  8. a chocolate sponge cake, hopefully it would still taste good

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    1. Howard has a few you might like! A lovely Moccachino Cake, Chocolate Buns and even chocolate brownies... Good luck!

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  9. I wonder why Howard did a GF book? It's quite a niche market (but good on him for doing it) and I assume he is not a coeliac. I must go ask him on Twitter. #nosey

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    1. His parents are... He did loads of baking on GBBO with unusual flours too, which were GF. My Mum is intolerant too, so it's great for me to bake for her, and so many friends!

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    2. I see. Question answered. Thanks. I did enjoy his use of the unusual on GBBO

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    3. Still ask him, I like discovering new ingredients anyhoos...

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  10. I The bake I would love to see is crumpets but equally I do miss a soreen style malt loaf... I These I have tried but failed and need expert nudge in the right direction. thank you

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    1. Lots of tips and techniques in this book, so fingers crossed!

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  11. Not strictly baking but I would like to make GF pasta. I tried once and it was awful. Really awful. I would like to do all things bready too. Or cakey. Or pastry-ey. Or just anything food related really. Mmmmm food.

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    1. I've made really good GF pasta with buckwheat flour, everything else just the same... I agree, food, mmmm Thanks!

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  12. A classic victoria sponge would be awesome!

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    1. All the cakes in Howards book look good! Best o luck!

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  13. I'd love to be able to make glutenfree croissants for my son - however he is allergic to milk and egg as well and although I could make things which looked like croissants the texture wasn't right.

    Hazel Rea - @beachrambler

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    1. My friend craves decent GF croissants, too and she was delighted when we saw a GF bakery in Paris selling them! We have a new GF Bakery just opened in Edinburgh, we are lucky! Thanks for entering!

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  14. the doughnuts, as they sound delicious and fun to make

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  15. Isabell Whitenstall3 September 2015 at 14:31

    My husband would love gluten free steak pies but my pastry just isn't up to the standard I would like. Although to be fair he does say they are good.

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    1. There are a few pastry recipes in Howards book, from pasties to pie crusts, so you'll find loads to try! Good luck!

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  16. A nice tin of welsh cakes as i just like them.

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    1. Well that's a great reason! You'll find some treats in the book, so fingers crossed!

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  17. Replies
    1. Well you're luck is in, lots of lovely GF cakes to be found here! Fingers crossed!

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  18. Carrot cake cos my daughter loves it and she has coeliacs

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    1. Howards recipe for dairy free Crunchy Nut Carrot Cakes look right up your street then! Good luck!

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  19. crumpets for my boss and grandad!!

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    1. I'm sure you'll impress them both with loads of these recipes! Thanks for entering and good luck!

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  20. Note to self - be filthier should I apply again. Think I can manage that 😉

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  21. Bread as I can never quite get it right :)

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    1. So many lovely bread recipes in the book! Fingers crossed for you! Thanks for entering!

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    1. Sooooooo many gorgeous cupcakes to try in the book! Good luck!

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  23. Got to be a good old fashioned pork pie

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    1. Lots of pies and pastry in the book, happy cooking! Good luck...

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  24. I'd like to have a recipe for G-F pizza for my friend, Asha. She's tried making them but I don't think it's been entirely satisfactory.

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    1. Howards pizza looks really interesting, I'm keen to try it, using mashed potato and gram flour among other things! Good luck!

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  25. Caramel Shortbread! Because I can never get the gluten free shortbread to turn out right

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    1. Yum, what a great thing to fancy! Good luck, and thanks for entering!

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    1. I'm going to bake one of the many bread recipes this weekend, hope we are both lucky! Thanks for entering!

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  27. Those teacakes look great and would be a lovely treat for my daughter. @jaizduck

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    1. They look great don't they! Thanks for entering - fingers crossed!

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  28. A chocolate sponge cake, because it's a family favourite.

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    1. There's a great chocolate sponge recipe in there, which can be adapted for small, individual cakes or larger ones! Yum! Good luck!

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  29. A selection of fancy cakes! With lots of cream in :-)

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  30. I'd love to make gluten free brownies I have a fab recipe for normal ones but everybody should be able to have brownie!

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    1. The recipe for brownies in the book looks great, haven't tried it yet, but it's on the list! Thanks for entering! Good luck...

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  31. The Christmas Cake, fruit & booze say no more.

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    1. It looks delicious - best o luck for a festive treat!

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  32. Can I say Gluten Free loaves/breads? Sweet and savoury. I've always liked seedy and nutty loaves but I always feel a bit limited in choice when it comes to GF.

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    1. Howard has a few great looking breads, and uses lots of seeds! Yum!

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  33. As a newly "diagnosed" gluten intolerant I would like to make all recipes gluten-free but highest on my list would be pastry, both sweet and savoury

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    1. I've always struggled to make good GF pastry, so I'll be following Howards advice myself - let's hope we are both lucky! Thanks for entering!

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  34. Carrot cake, chocolate cake. . . any cake that doesn't fall apart before you attempt to eat it!

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    1. Howard makes lots of cakes, big and small, carrot and chocolate both feature which is lucky for you! Hope the luck continues...

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  35. Some Christmas alternatives, the christmas cake in particular :)

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    1. There are actually a fair few festive alternatives in the book, I think it's an important time, so no-one wants to miss out! Fingers crossed!

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  36. Christmas cake looks so delicious. . I really appreciate this post and I like this very much. I am waiting for new post here and Please keep it up in future.

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