Cake, cake and more cake

October 28, 2014January 29, 2015 ~ Harry Smith ~ 2 Comments

Ok. I’ve written a bit about music over the last few days, so now it’s time for something far more serious. Cake!
Now the Great British Bake Off has finished for another year, I’ve been looking around for a way to satisfy my love of cake, and what better way than eating cake? As much cake as I possible could?

Today has been my fist three-cake day for a while. Don’t judge me, I just love cake!

Cakes I’ve eaten today, in order brilliantness

1 – Chocolate pudding

Do you remember when they use to make puddings? Proper sponge cake puddings, with custard. It might seem a bit school dinnerish, but personally, I don’t think you can beat rich, moist chocolate pudding with thick Birds-Eye custard. It’s so stodgy that it’s almost a meal in itself, but boy, I’d choose it over any other food any time.

I had this cake after dinner in the evening, and ended up so stuffed I felt like Henry the Eighth. If Henry the Eighth ate puddings, instead of chickens and larks tongues and jugged hare.

We actually baked it ourselves using this recipe, which means there’s plenty more if I get a bit peckish. And I will keep getting peckish as long as there’s some chocolate pudding left 🙂

2 – Tiramisu cupcake from ‘Cupcakes by Charlie’

cupcake So I was wandering around Harrogate, and passed a lovely little cake shop called Cupcakes by Charlie. The display looked gorgeous so I popped in, in search of cake, and I’d come to the right place. Now you might not like this, but I still call cupcakes ‘buns’. Maybe it’s a northern thing, but to me, they’ll always be buns.

In the same way as I ask for a ‘large chips’ in McDonalds, instead of fries. It’s partly me being annoying, but I also resent being made to call things by stupid American names. Anyhow, buns now seem to be called cupcakes, so I’ll go along with that for now.

So, how was it? Chocolate sponge (again), topped with coffee and Baileys buttercream, and a jaunty little wafer. it was very nice thank you, and a great addition to my cup of coffee. The buns (cupcakes) are works or art, and I’d love to be able to make them myself. maybe the shop could get involved with cupcake making experience gifts, and charge people to learn how to do it, because they know what they’re doing.

I’ll be going back there again, but probably be buying a box of four, so I can scoff them at home too.

3 – Tarte au citron

tarte Lemons – they’re brilliant aren’t they? From Italian Limoncello on its own or in cocktails, to lemon drizzle cake, and my favourite, the tarte au citron. Like a zingy lemon curd dream inside a delicious pastry case, I picked up this tart au citron from Marks and Spencer. It wasn’t this specific one cos you have to order this, but it’s exactly the same product.

Interestingly, this was by far the highest calorie of any of my cakes, but then I probably ate enough for four people. Never mind, it’s not like I only had cake to eat that day.

As a final thought, I was recently reminded about the UK Pudding Club. where a club gathers every now and then to eats dozens of different sorts of puddings. It’s my idea of heaven, but based in the Costwolds which is a fair old drive for me. I might start my own ‘Robert’s pudding Club’, where I eat lost of puddings, and cakes, and biscuits, and anything else I can find.

How come I’m not the fattest man in the world? It’s probably only a matter of time 🙂

My wonderful experience of Yo! Sushi – a review

October 23, 2014January 29, 2015 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

I love sushi. Have I mentioned that before?

So I was excited to go along to the new branch of Yo Sushi in Leeds, in the equally new Trinity shopping centre.

On entering the restaurant, there’s the familiar styling that’s made Yo! the huge brand that it is – from the little dishes tootling around the conveyor belt to the soy sauce and wasabi waiting patiently to be dipped.

It was a Sunday, and the ‘Sumo Sundays’ promotion was running. If you’re a sushi fan you’ll know that this means all you can eat for £19.50. Quite a lot for one meal, but what a meal I had! It was busy when we arrived, so we joined the queue and it went down surprisingly fast. Within 15 minutes we were seated by the conveyor belt, waiting to start shovelling the plates onto our table.

With a little help from the menu, I’ve managed to track down some of the delicious morsels that I had. Here’s a list of the plates that I can remember, but I’m sure there are a few that have slipped my mind:

Tuna Tataki & Ponzu
Salmon & Yuzu Salsa Sashimi
Tuna sashimi
Coriander Seared Tuna
Avocado Maki
Inari & Chive Futomaki
Salmon Maki
Tuna Maki
Spicy Chicken ISO
YO! Roll – woohoo
Salmon Dragon Roll
Inari Pocket
Salmon Nigri
Kaiso
And loads of random handrolls

You could be forgiven for thinking that an all you can eat sushi meal would be more about quantity than quality, but this was both. As well as gorging on fish and rice and chicken and veggies and soy sauce and everything else, it was the same high quality that you get day in and day out at Yo!

I suppose that’s the benefit of it being such a big chain, but every experience I’ve had of Yo! has been amazing.

The staff were really friendly, the food was lovely and we had a great time.

Monster truck information

April 17, 2014October 12, 2016 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

truck1 Everyone loves Monster trucks, especially in the USA. They’re the vehicles styled on pickup trucks, but with the addition of oversized wheels.

They are famous for popular entertainment performances, often at sporting venues such as sports stadia, and are often on the same bill as motocross races and tank driving.

Five facts about monster trucks

The most famous truck is Bigfoot, but Grave Digger also has a large following.
You can steer a monster truck with its front and rear wheels simultaneously, so it’s cornering is above that of a normal saloon .
They’re so dangerous that drivers wear fire suits, with other safety precautions including helmets and safety harnesses to hold the driver in their seat.
The force of landing after a large jump is greater than a punch from Mike Tyson
There is a monster truck built on the body of a Smart Car.

Monster truck entertainment

Shows involving these vehicles usually culminate in the trucks flattening cars and jumping over ramps. Because the wheels are so large, the trucks have a very high centre of gravity. This means that the trucks can easily drive over obstacles up to two metres high, which makes it a very unusual experience.

Most shows contain races, with two trucks competing against each other, with the slowest being replaced after every race. Later shows involve other stunts such as wheel spinning and donuts, alongside racing. Of course they’re a very American vehicle. In the UK there’s only one US spec Monster truck, and it’s so rare, and so much fun, that you can actually rent time in it. There’s a review of driving it on Alasdair Gray’s experience days site: here.

The anatomy of a monster truck

The trucks can reach up to 140kph, with roaring engines pushing the heavy wheels. This power enables the trucks to jump up to 40 metres, after a long run up. The body of the truck is usually solid plastic, to keep the weight down and the strength up, and they rarely have doors, as this would add to the weight. This means you’ll have to climb into the cabin through the window – a bit scary if you are already 2 metres off the ground. You don’t need a special licence to drive a monster truck, but they are rarely road legal.

You may also be surprised to hear that the steering wheel is in the middle of the cabin, to give the driver better all round vision. The first ever truck was Bigfoot. Back in 1981, Truck-a-Rama promoter Bob George had the idea of driving a promotional truck with hude wheels, over some old bangers, He coined the term ‘monster truck’ and a new adrenaline sport was born.

Safety

Much the same as speedboats, these trucks come complete with a kill switch, which can turn off the engine if the driver falls from the vehicle or loses control. As we’ve said above, the drivers are also fastened tightly into the seat, and equipped with a fire retardant suit, to protect them in the event of a crash and subsequent fire.

Joe Cocker – soul legend who loved Swiss roll

December 23, 2014 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

It is with sadness that we mark the death of Sheffield’s own King of Soul at the too-young age of 70.

Joe had a hard life and in the view of many never fulfilled his potential due to an early fondness for drink and drugs.

Apart from his gruff, heart-rending voice, Joe was well known in his home town for being very partial to a slice or two of Swiss roll which he liked with custard.

One of his big regrets about moving to California was that you just couldn’t get proper custard.

Swiss roll - Soul food - but don't forget the custard! — Swiss roll – Soul food – but don’t forget the custard!

How do you like your Swiss roll?

Sam Smith’s top three favourite days out

December 9, 2014December 9, 2014 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

Well firstly, if you’re from Yorkshire you may well associate the name Sam Smith with a particularly tasty pint of beer brewed by the Sam Smith brewery in that historic horse-racing town of Tadcaster near York.
But that’s not what we’re talking about here. No, this post is about the world-famous blues and soul singer Sam Smith, and what he likes to get up to when he’s not wowing the crowds with his amazing voice.
But just in case you’re still confused, here are the two Sam Smiths side by side for you to compare.

Now being a true Yorkshire lad, Sam does quite like the odd pint of his namesake’s beer, but we quizzed him on what is his favourite special treat when he gets time to himself. And the answers will astound you!

At number 3 comes a Day at the Races. If you knew that Sam’s dad was a steward at the local racecourse in Tadcaster, and Sam learned to ride before he could walk, then you would see why this is.

At number 2 is Driving a WW2 tank across rugged countryside in all weathers on the custom-made tank courses up and down the country. And with Sam’s military background – did you know that he qualified as a para before turning to music? – he really misses the action side of things.

And at number 1 – this will REALLY surprise you – for his top treat of all, Sam just loves to sneak into Harrods to savour one of their incomparable Champagne afternoon teas. The scones with clotted cream, the smoked salmon sandwiches, the mouthwatering cakes accompanied by a pot of aromatic Earl Grey tea are worth more to him than all his Gold Discs and music awards.
Which is why he makes a regular reservation to treat himself at least once a month at this most prestigious of cafes in that most prestigious of London stores.

So while you imagine yourself sitting in the very same room as Sam, tucking into the famous Harrods Champagne afternoon tea, check out the lad himself singing just for you.

Monty the penguin or a meerkat?

November 29, 2014November 30, 2014 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

I was just sitting here eating a slice of key lime pie and listening to the Dylan 1965 Classic Love minus Zero (No limits)

when I got to wondering which really are the best, penguins or meerkats?
Now I know most people have wondered that at one time or another, so I thought I’d run through a few of the pros and cons, and perhaps you’d comment and let me know what you think. It’s by no means a sure thing one way or the other.

Key lime pie - Dylan's favourite cake — Key lime pie – Dylan’s favourite cake

First you have to compare the cuteness – that little penguin face immortalised in the John Lewis advert Monty the Penguin finds a mate, compared with the little meerkat desperate to buy insurance at all costs. And the way that the penguins walk is just to absolutely cute that even the little old meerkat standing up and looking around loses out.

Then there’s the cuddliness, and here the meerkat wins hands down as he’s all furry and cute and will run up and down your leg and climb all over you, while the penguin is covered in waterproof feathers and smells very fishy.

But then meerkats do have a great bite, with their sharp little teeth that they use for ripping the tails off scorpions, savaging giant millipedes to death, and fighting off meerkats from other tribes. Penguins will take a fish out of your hand, but there’s no record of anybody being pecked by one, so on the health and safety front that’s another one for Monty and his penguin race.

Of course, if we’re talking stuffed toys, then it’s all down to which you like the look of – I’d have one of each if it were me – but then who wants a stuffed toy when you can go and get up close and personal with the real thing? Believe me, seeing these little fellows in the flesh (or fur and feathers to be more precise) is an experience to treasure and it’s now surprisingly easy and cheap to fix that up.

There was a time when you had to go to Antarctica or South Africa to see a penguin, and to the deserts of Africa to try and catch a glimpse of a meerkat as he rushed away and hid in his burrow. But now with the rise of some fabulous wildlife parks where they really care for their animals and create really sympathetic environments, wherever you live in the country there’s probably a whole bunch of them on your own doorstep.

So here they are side by side for you to have a look and decide. If you’re still not sure, then why not treat yourself to a real life animal experience and get all the fun of seeing them for real.

The Pentatonix Christmas song

November 24, 2014November 29, 2014 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

If you’re a lover of patisserie and tired of Silent Night and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, then you could do worse than check out this superb Christmas song by the Pentatonix.

This five piece a cappella band from Arlington, the capital of Texas has been steadily building a reputation for close harmonies and powerful cover versions of famous pop tunes. Kirstie and Scott front the lead lineup with Mitch and Avi melding in, all over the top of Kevin’s stunning basso profundo beatboxing. It’s all a cappella with not an instrument in sight, though sometimes it’s hard to believe.

With their Christmas release, the best ever version of the famous 1984 song “Mary did you Know?”, they appeal to a whole new audience and will certainly win many more admirers worldwide. Plug in your Bose cans and give it a listen:

Now doesn’t that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up?
And finally, it’s a little-known fact that before every single performance and recording session, Kirstie Maldonado insists on a slice of Sachertorte, that deliciously rich chocolate cake invented in Austria by Franz Sacher in 1832 and now enjoyed by chocolate-lovers everywhere. Sachertorte is Austria’s own Christmas cake.

Sachertorte - the cake of a cappella heroines — Sachertorte – the cake of a cappella heroines

Kirstie first discovered this delicacy during a visit to New York in 2002, found that it enhanced her vocal range by a good half-octave, and has kept it as a staple of her performances ever since. And as a tool of the trade, the Pentatonix’s Sacheretorte is even tax-deductible!

Alvin Stardust’s secret passion

November 21, 2014 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

How we miss Alvin Stardust, known to many as Shane Fenton and to his mum as Bernie. He left us far too soon.

But the best kept secret of all about this wonderful entertainer and heartthrob is the passion he had for jam tarts. But not just any old jam tarts – oh no. Mr Kipling raspberry or strawberry jam tarts were no good to this pop icon. It was while touring Portugal that he first met the love of his life, quince jam, which teamed with the lightest shortest pastry ever to make quince jam tarts which Alvin just could not get enough of. That was of course the inspiration for his perennial hit My Coocachoo.

Quince jam tart, the spiritual leader of cakes

This little story reminds me of seeing the late great Michael Caine on Parkinson’s TV show many years ago. Caine, Known to his mum as Mo, but more famous to us that the great Shakespearean actor who announced the immortal lines “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” in his blockbuster film Charge of the Light Brigade, Michael impressed Parky with the etymology of the word Marmalade. Marmalade was what Marie Antoinette liked when she was ill, he said, and since the French for ill is “malade”, then Marie est malade was shortened to marmalade. What a wonderful story.

Total nonsense of course, which either of them would have known if they’d bothered to look it up in the OED. Marmalade is derived from the Portuguese word for quince – marmelo – from which it was originally made. Where the silly story about Marie Antoinette came from is anybody’s guess.

So next time you spread your toast with marmalade, remember Alvin and his beloved jam tarts. Though I must admit that quince jam is a bit of an acquired taste and not one of my favourites.
And while you think about what your own favourite cake is, have a look at Alvin singing about his quince jam tarts:

Jimmy Ruffin’s favourite cake

November 20, 2014November 20, 2014 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

It is with great sadness that we mark the death of soul legend Jimmy Ruffin at the young age of 78.

Jimmy, along with his brother David who fronted the Four Tops before his untimely death due to drug overuse, was one of the true Motown greats and a frequent visitor to these shores.

It was while headlining at the Wigan Casino that Jimmy was introduced by a fan, Gloria Mundy, to what was to become his favourite cake. The glorious Eccles cake, a northern speciality made with rough puff pastry and oodles of dried fruit flavoured with demerara sugar, became such a firm favourite that Jimmy continued to have a dozen handmade every single week by his favourite baker in the back streets of Warrington and flown by chartered jet to the US, for the rest of his life. Apart from when he was away on holiday or on tour. Or in hospital which he unfortunately was from time to time. His substitute while in hospital was blueberry muffins, but he once admitted to me that blueberry muffins just don’t cut the mustard when it comes to cakes and he’d long to get himself discharged just so he could get his teeth round an Eccles cake again.

So here’s to you Jimmy Ruffin, you’ll be much missed, though you probably won’t read this. I’ll have an Eccles cake or two in your honour later today when I’ve had my dinner. They’re a bit too rich to have before my dinner but I’m sure you’ll understand that.

Penguins and biscuits

November 19, 2014November 19, 2014 ~ Harry Smith ~ Leave a comment

It may come as a surprise to you, but the question that I’m asked most often by audiophiles is “What is the penguin’s favourite biscuit?”

Now as you will know, there are actually more breeds of penguin than there are varieties of biscuit, so my reply has to be penguin-specific, and in particular has to refer to the cheeky little rockhopper – the one with the orange feathers on the side of his head. Here he is if you’ve not seen one before:

Rockhopper penguin - the biscuit connoisseur — Rockhopper penguin – the biscuit connoisseur

Now I’ve done tests with real penguins to answer this question, and those tests came out slightly in favour of Bourbon biscuits, which would make sense when you realise that this little chap has a gene dictating a liking for chocolate.

Bourbon appeals to the rockhopper's chocolate gene — Bourbon appeals to the rockhopper’s chocolate gene

but for the result to be statistically significant I thought that a computer simulation would be essential. Naturally, I wrote the simulator in Ruby on Rails, which is the famous Stephen Hawkin’s preferred simulator language, and having run in double blind mode, I can officially declare that the rockhopper’s real biscuit of preference is the Garibaldi.

Garibaldi - the heir apparent of biscuits — Garibaldi – the heir apparent of biscuits

This puzzled the team at first, but then one of the them pointed out that in the wild a large part of the little chap’s diet is the Antarctic ant, which it never gets while in the zoo environment, and because it is short-sighted, the rockhopper mistakes the currants in the biscuit for these ants!

So there you have it, when anyone next asks you the question, you have the answer ready. Well done.

Audio Gourmet Gifts

Experience the gift of giving