Victoria Sponge Cake

Also known as Victoria Sandwich, this was supposedly a favourite of Queen Victoria. This is likely why it seems to be strongly associated with tea. As in the British afternoon snack time. So High Tea for the Queen, and Afternoon Tea for the rest of us.

Victoria Sponge, a.k.a. Victoria Sandwich

Most versions of this seem to favour just strawberries, but I mixed in some raspberries as well. Actually very easy to make, and looks nice. It is a bit drier than I thought it would be, but I think I was confusing it in my mind with Angle Food Cake. In any case, the berry filling and cream make up for it!

Next Time: maybe try different berries, and a different type of jam.

Me: 7/10
SO: 9/10
SSO: 8/10

Mustard and Dill Potato Salad

It's getting hot these days, finally, after a long cold winter. So what do we serve guests at a Sunday dinner? BBQ chicken and grilled asparagus, with potato salad and a strawberry cream dessert called Victoria Sponge (see post).

Mustard and Dill Potato Salad

I love this particular potato salad since it is vinaigrette based instead of mayo. I think the vinegar and mustard give it a bright and sharp flavour, and well, you can't have a decent potato salad without fresh dill. Some recipes use prepared mustard or a dijon, but the mustard seeds give it a fresh earthy tone. The trick is to soak the mustard seed for at least an hour in vinegar. I used part white vinegar and part sherry vinegar for a bit of extra oomph. SO thought I didn't soak long enough, I thought it was OK. Red onions give it colour and a bit of tang. Yum!

Next Time: I would eliminate or bump up the parsley. Also I was a bit stingy on the red onion.

Me: 9/10
SO: 7.5/10
SSO: 2/10

Beef Stew with Cheddar and Dill Biscuits

So what do I make for Sunday supper when I have a 2lb bag of beef cubes staring at me? Well I've been meaning to try out my new meat grinder attachment, but that can wait for another time. We only have some (getting old) celery, and the usual pantry staples onions and potatoes. Stew it is!

My expectations were a bit on the low side - how good could it be with some old onions, 5 day old celery, and frozen beef cubes? And I had to go to the store around the corner to get a cheap bottle of red wine.  Huh.  Turns out it could be probably the best stew I've ever made, plus the best biscuits as well.  No fancy herbs or veggies, no advanced techniques, just basic stew with a real depth of flavour.

Beef stew - celery, potato, onion, and lots of red wine

And what goes well with stew? Biscuits of course!  Let's throw in some cheese and dill this time. They ended up being a big hit - we had 3 each!

Cheese and Dill Biscuits

I'm not a big bread maker, but biscuits are OK. They are pretty easy really, just a matter of not over kneading, and getting the butter in the flour without melting too much. Some people will grate frozen butter, I've had more luck just cutting a stick into small pieces and using a pastry blender.

Cutting a cold stick of butter into little pieces

Mixing the butter into the dough is just a matter of going at it with a pastry blender or fork. It should be loose and crumbly.

Mixing butter pieces into flour

Once you add the milk and start mixing it, the dough will start to come together. It should be pretty dry, but there should be no loose flour in the bottom of the bowl. Finally, rolling it out and cutting rounds of your favourite size. I have a ring that is 2.5" diameter.

Cutting rounds of dough

You can gather the remains and roll it out again to get more rounds.

Next time: I would try turnip and/or carrot just for some variety, and fresh tomatoes instead of canned

Me: 10/10
SO: 9/10
SSO: 7/10