Bank holidays, how do you like to spend them? They should be about fun and relaxing. Maybe a bbq on the beach. Reading, writing, catching up with friends. True to form, the Welsh weather disappointed and I spent my Saturday afternoon challenging my baking skills. Having never made anything more fancy than cake and Rhid constantly declaring his love for Café éclairs, I thought I would give it a go. He is always bemoaning the fact that the ones you find in the UK are nothing like the ones in France so I sought a French recipe, bought a few things, spent hours getting excited and finally took the plunge making half the batch café and half chocolate (for myself). Not perfect results, the pastry was a little knobbly and I didn't get the chocolate topping right for my chocolate éclairs, but nonetheless, quite a pleasing and tasty first attempt! I don't think that they'll be something I make very often, although I want to try to perfect them. They are definitely fiddly enough to qualify as a "special occasion only" treat, not to mention I would rather munch cake than choux pastry. I have suddenly gotten the baking bug again though and have, like a nerd, just made an inventory of all my baking tins. I now feel a bit stupid for having just shared that with the whole world! Ooh, I feel a new baking notebook starting....
