The meaning of Unchained…

So…this blog was started in conjunction with a little business idea that was created in the midst of dissertation stupor. Baking for relaxation, but with the potential to give a little bit of money to charities that help keep women free from fear- and literally ‘Unchained’.

My most recent job was 75 riot themed cupcakes for RHUL Feminism Society’s Pussy Riot Night.

Pussy Riot are a Russian band. In February 2012 they played a gig in Moscow’s  main Orthodox cathedral.  Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samutsevichand were arrested the following month for ‘hooliganism on grounds of religious hatred’. After nearly six months in detention, they were given two years in prison.

Amnesty International: “We call Maria, Nadezhda and Ekaterina prisoners of conscience because we believe that they were arrested and then sentenced purely for peacefully expressing their opinions – an integral part of everyone’s human right to free speech.”

These women are brave, and we should take inspiration from their bravery. To raise awareness of their protest, Fem Soc held the event to raise money for the TG Foundation.

‘Our aim is to actively contribute to the restoration of women, girls, communities & families that have been victims of sexual violence in the north-eastern DRC and to help grassroots organisations create communities in the region where women and girls are valued and respected. We achieve this by working closely with grassroots organisations that treat and council FVVs and through raising awareness of their plight within our communities by holding events and fundraisers.’ TG Foundation.

Feminism is about equality, and until women worldwide are equal to men and each other, we should never stop pursuing it.

So…75 riot cakes. I went with pink and steel grey roses, and hot pink and pearls. I was so happy that after essential expenses, I could give a profit of £58.93 to Fem Soc, who in turn donated …..

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If you would like Unchained Baking’s help to raise money for your charity, email me ztlc049@live.rhul.ac.uk (ztlcZERO49 by the way) and I would be happy to help. Make sure you visit the amazing Fem. Soc blog too!

http://rhul-fem-soc.blogspot.co.uk/

❤ Stay Unchained

10 Baking Likes and Dislikes….

Sitting on the train the other day, on the way back from the London library that has been my home for the past three months, I calmed myself with some train doodling. The theme of this scribbling was my baking likes and dislikes, and I’ve collated them here for you. Let me know if you agree or disagree…

…but before I begin, A  moment please to commemorate Ryan…

Likes ❤

1.Great British Bake-off. Obviously. I am writing this blog in the aftermath of a tragic episode. I began in good humours… And now I know. And its going to colour the whole blog, day, life.

However, I cannot tell you the beauty of this programme. There are no producers setting people up to fail, no horrible ‘celebrities’ judges, and the worst insult I’ve ever heard was ‘you’ve slightly overcooked your plums.’ I love bake-off and I loved Ryan damnit. next.

2.Baking Presents.

Baking for someone else is superior to baking for yourself. fact. I’m not talking about the 3am eating cake with your hands alone in halls of residence because you got dumpedwhateverdidn’thappen. I just mean that no-one ever looks sad when confronted with cake.

I presented my wonderful parents with this, to say thank you for the postgraduate support. Focaccia, duo chocolate ginger hearts, hazelnut and dark chocolate biscotti, chocolate cake pops and coconut jam thumbprint biscuits. 🙂

3. Vanilla.

I just love vanilla, any type, any method. I love it.

4.Decorating

Whether it’s rustic or time consuming, decorating and design creates really beautiful baking.

Coconut and Jam Thumbprint Biscuits.

My Piped Roses

5.Cats

Ultimate 3am baking companion. I love my American but he is not baking proficient after 12am- and lonely kitchen syndrome is real. Also Danny never judges me when I chain-eat buttons at 1am. This is perfect company.

Dislikes 😦

1. Caloric Intake.

Speaks for itself. I don’t know why a combination of butter, sugar, butter, flour, chocolate and butter doesn’t aid weightloss. We just don’t know. Let it be. Have some shortbread and live your life.

2. Bananas and Tomatoes

I have seen tarte tatin made with both of these mistakes of nature. What happened in that baker’s  life to make them this way? How dare you. Bananas and tomatoes are the last resort of mad-men and I won’t tolerate it any longer.

3. 3am Baking Failures.

We have all been here.

4. Long Distance Baking

Myself and Evan used to bake, real- time, over skype. It was lovely, I could teach him how to make English puddings that he didn’t fully understand.

However, to those of you who have done long-distance, you know that Skype is switched off in seconds, and the illusion of company is gone. Baking long-distance leaves you alone, with no choice but to eat an entire pie.

5.Cats. Here’s why…

 

Well…..! hope you enjoyed my baking list. My dissertation is in and it’s time to take this SERIOUSLY. Stayed Unchained. ❤

oh Nigella, you lovely lovely lady…

I am in love, and have been for years, with Nigella Lawson, and using her cake recipe and my own icing idea, I have created an ‘ode to Nigella’ cake…which is almost as lovely as she is. (huhuhuh)

AND NO!! I’M NOT JOKING!! AT ALL…..I want to scamper down at 4 am and eat biscuits covered in trifle straight from the fridge. I want to add sugar and vanilla to EVERYTHING, be it roast chicken or jacket potatoes. All I know is that lady validates my lifestyle; she eats cream, chocolate, caramel, bread and potatoes, and looks utterly spectacular.

So here is the ultimate collaboration…..The Livi, by way of Nigella, Chocolate Rose Cake.

And Nigella- should you ever read this, never change.

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Nigella’s Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake

200 gram(s) plain flour

200 gram(s) caster sugar

1 teaspoon(s) baking powder

½ teaspoon(s) bicarbonate of soda

40 gram(s) cocoa powder

175 gram(s) unsalted butter (soft)

2 large egg(s)

2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

150 ml sour cream

I used vanilla and real intense cocoa-y buttercream. I roughly used equal amounts cocoa and sugar, adding enough butter to make it really dark and shiny, adding milk to get piping consistency (if needed). Replace the cocoa powder with icing sugar, and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to make the vanilla icing.

The piping was something I saw on ‘Great British Bakeoff’- the world’s greatest TV show….I think the lady ruined her cake, but I remember thinking how lovely the icing looked.

Here is a frame by frame breakdown x

A thin spread to contain the crumbs.

 I used a rose piping nozzle, and started with the vanilla (wouldn’t have to clean the piping bag twice *wink*)

Messssssy…..but pretty? No?

Fill in the gaps with chocolate roses….

Bye for now friends:)

Stay Unchained…<3