No lack of crimp hre! GBBO 2020 thread 2

[lettingthedaysgoby]

Time for a new thread

I feel old after that. I have a recipe for Sussex Pond Pudding and I have pleated many a steamed pudding (usually Christmas pud). In fact I couldn't get over the fact that most were struggling with the pleat thing as I thought everyone would know that at Bake Off level. My husband hardly ever cooks, but even he knew that one.

Hermine's was stunning and I would love her to win.

Laura deservedly stayed last night. Peter saved himself at the last. And Laura knew what a pleat was! I know because my mum always makes very traditional puddings, plus anything steamed seems to be able to steam for an eternity from my observation. But, I've never come across them in 'home economics' as was called at school nor any popular TV cooking that I can recall.

Hermine's jelly was beautiful. I enjoyed seeing how they made the jellies. They could have spent more time on that and less on the inappropriate Noel and Matt naked/ nipples filler. I'm one who hasn't been negative about then thus far but those comments last night weren't necessary. Lots of kids love watching bake off on catch up and they could have been edited out. I wouldn't particularly put myself in the prudish category but they didn't add anything to the show.

I do wonder if perhaps they're starting to get a bit of cabin fever and run out of good chat with so few days between episodes being filmed and no escape in between?

I enjoyed seeing how they made the jellies. They could have spent more time on that and less on the inappropriate Noel and Matt naked/ nipples filler.

I agree. I've still got no real idea how they did it.
While I think the 'children watch it!' responses to the 'naked' comment are a bit pearl-clutching, I do agree it was not particularly funny and they dedicated too much airtime to it. I think that about most of the 'jokes' TBH. I like Noel and Matt when they're being more natural.

I'd eat the pond pudding over the jelly.

Well that ep. sorted out the sheep from the goats. I was shouting at the telly about the puddings, "You've never made a steamed pudding in your lives!!!!!"

Anyone heard of DELIA SMITH ?? She's disappeared from view now .

SHE knew how to make a pudding with the pleat and special string tie   (what idiot didn''t know how to tie string round a bleedin' pudding bowl ?????)   Dave was it?? He should have gone) and it took much longer than the one and a half hours that bleedin' Paul Hollywood said it took.

Though of course the (whispers) does it in 10 mins.

Though not with a lemon in it I suppose ! That'd explode spectacularly !!!

There's a cheat with the lemon that involves deep slashes into it from all sides almost but not quite cutting it through & makes it cook much quicker. I did wonder if Pru was expecting some of them to either know or guess that. I think if (as one might expect) you have any knowledge of cooking a steamed suet pud you'd think through what is going to happen & figure that you needed to make sure the lemon was cooked through. So I guess a useful test of baking intuition - but it would seem an outdated one!
Pond pudding is actually really nice, and looks impressive at table though I've only made it with one lemon to a large multi person pudding. (Not all recipes actually use the whole lemon - Constance Spry packs the pudding with butter/sugar mixed with lemon juice & zest - but unusually I reckon her way isn't the best)

@ppeatfruit

Though not with a lemon in it I suppose ! That'd explode spectacularly !!!

I don’t know, you could always stab it with a skewer a couple of times before sealing it into the pudding?

Matt was just being painful all through last night I though - dd & I were both cringing several times, particularly the spoon bit.

Yes to be fair Pru did say the lemon needed stabbing a lot before steaming it. Though, of course, she didn't tell the contestants.

I get the feeling that  they are all to young to know the old fashioned recipes. 

We need Linda back!

@bibliomania

I'd eat the pond pudding over the jelly.

So would I, even though the jellies were pretty. They looked tasteless and involved a lot of artificial flavouring.

I had to laugh at my husband last night. He briefly turned his attention away from World of Tanks during the showstopper section and asked what they were making. I explained and his response was 'so, basically it's an upside down trifle then'.

He likes trifle...

*I thought Peter should have gone, but then Peter annoys me. His showstopper was rubbish.

I loved Dave's – the colours and the structure within the jelly bit. Hermine's was exquisite.
Laura really should have gone by now. She's slapdash and makes too many mistakes.
I'm still Team Dave*

Nooo! Dave's was horrible looking and really simplistic. I can't warm to him. Dave to go next week hopefully.

DH was almost tearful at the thought Peter might go, I think we are superfans how can he possibly annoy you with his loveliness? I want to stroke him like a little pet.

P&P said Dave's looked 'the best' and I ain't arguing

Peter's was all murky colours. And what happened to those reindeer he spent ages cutting out? He's a teacher's pet and a try-hard. He just really gets on my tits, sorry Peter but it's true.

Yes we like Peter too but he nearly went last night, Ermines jelly cake was amazing wish we could have seen a bit more of how she made it. Laura or Peter to go next week depends on who has has a good week.
I agree with everyone that said Pru looks fab for 80! I love her style. wasn't sure about the naked Peter joke either, lets keep GBBO wholesome family viewing please!

Pond pudding is actually really nice, and looks impressive at table

I agree. I have made it before and, left long enough, the inside is a lovely lemony sauce. The lot last night looked more like muddy puddles! I am sure I once saw a recipe for miniature pond puddings where you cut the lemon into chunks - something tells me it was a Delia but I can't find it in any of her books.

Another one here staring in disbelief as they puzzled over the pleating!

BTW, thanks for the book recommendation @CaptainMyCaptain (Ruth Goodman's The Domestic Revolution. ) I have put that on my wish list. I like Ruth Goodman

Pah what do Paul and Prue know? Compared to me, an armchair judge with dubious baking credentials?

Yes, I've also added the Ruth Goodman book, thank-you for recommendation :)

I would like to have a try at making that Pond pudding, but what happens to the peel of the lemon?

@CaptainMyCaptain

If anyone is interested in knowing why traditional British cookery is so full of steamed puddings and the like, as opposed to patisserie, they should read Ruth Goodman's The Domestic Revolution. It's about Britain's relatively early adoption of coal as fuel for cooking and heating and how it affected our diet and the way our homes are built and decorated.

Thank you Captain - I love stuff like that.

I've ordered it from Amazon (against all my principles)

He briefly turned his attention away from World of Tanks

I don't know why, but this made me laugh out loud (and I'm finding it hard to stop). Evidence that in lockdown , we take our entertainment where we can find it.

Nooo! Dave's was horrible looking and really simplistic.

I thought this, too. Technically it may have been an achievement, but artistically it was like a child's picture of a beach.

I thought David's looked good - a bit Art Deco (ish).

I've managed to reserve that book at the library - looking forward to it!

I'm glad so many if you are interested in the Ruth Goodman book.
DH to me:what are you reading?
Me:it's a book about coal
DH:

It really is interesting though.

I've just caught up on last nights bake off and I'm very happy to see a bake off thread on here! 😁 Who is everyone's favourite to win?

I might have accidentally just clicked buy on the kindle version if Ruth Goodman’s book as well we really need a sheep emoji