Weekly Baking

I really enjoy baking and get a lot of satisfaction from knowing I have made something from scratch. I try to fill my baking tins on a weekly basis and have a collection of tried and true recipes that I like to use, although I am always keen to try something new! 

This week, my cravings for ginger are still in full swing. It's getting a bit out of hand really! Miss Muffet and I went for a walk/ waddle up to Janus Bakkerij (amazing!) and I saw they had gingerbread men by the counter. Unfortunately Miss Muffet was not exactly in a social mood- read screaming at the top of her lungs, people turning to look at us kind of situation-  so it was a very quick in and out trip and when we got home I remembered the gingerbread men and decided to try my hand at them! 

I like to try and involve Miss Muffet in my baking so a chair is pulled up for her and she likes to mix a few ingredients in her own bowl and of course lick the beaters. I am sure licking the bowl is technically not good for her but I did it as a kid and I turned out OK.

 

She particularly liked watching the dough being rolled and of course needed her own piece to play with and nibble on 😀

I made some royal icing and had a little play around with piping when the biscuits were cooled down which I really enjoyed and wished I had more time for. 

Verdict? Pretty good! Action Dad had one for afternoon tea and was gobbled it straight up. Miss Muffet licked all the icing off and then handed a soggy biscuit back to me- toddlers!!!! 

Going Gaga for Ginger

At the moment, I am nearly 35 weeks pregnant with Miss Muffet's baby brother or sister. Throughout my previous pregnancy I really struggled with morning sickness and then all day nausea- just lovely when you have to face a classroom of 30 Year 7 and 8 tweets!  I remember having strong cravings for black liquorice, ginger beer, sparkling water, strawberries and rock melon. 

This time around, I haven't been hit quite so bad with the nausea- thank god! But when I was thinking about my weekly baking I noticed a wee trend... A theme you could say.

Oaty Ginger Crunch , Pear and Ginger cake 

Lemon, honey and Ginger Syrup

Basically, if something contains ginger, it is like catnip to me. I must have it. To me, it is the most delicious smell in the world at the moment and we are going through piles of it! I tend to keep my ginger in the freezer so that it is easier to grate straight into stir fries and baking and a finger? A bulb? A root? Whatever you call it, we are going through a hunk of it every week. 

Ginger has been known for centuries for its health benefits and properties including relief from morning sickness and nausea- I wonder if my clever body is craving ginger so that I am eating it before I get symptoms??? 

What did you crave when you were pregnant? Are you a ginger fiend and can pass on any recipes to satisfy my cravings?