The Fabulous Baker Brothers & Me

Familiar with these two dashing men??

Tom and Henry Herbert - The Fabulous Baker Brothers
Image courtesy of Channel 4

If you're not, where have you been? Meet The Fabulous Baker Brothers, Tom and Henry Herbert, who appeared in their very own Channel 4 TV series at the beginning of the year. Their roots stem from the legendary family Hobbs House Bakery, established in 1920 in the Cotswolds, which Tom is now sales director. Their cheeky-chappy ways have been "woo-ing" the hearts of women all over Britain with their manly expertise in dough and meat - but I'm sorry ladies, they are both taken!

But guess who is in proud possesion of a signed copy of their new book? ME!! And they called me a "Baking Sister" - chuffed to bits doesn't quite cover how I feel about this!

My very own dedication from Tom and Henry Herbert!!

The brothers aim to show you just how easy it can be
bake like a professional in your own home

"And how did you manage to get a signed copy of their cook book?" I hear you ask?? Well that's a funny story.... My friend had the opportunity to meet them and get a signed copy of their fabulous new book. This friend in question wanted to  surprise me and, as you do, she said to them, "I know someone called Caroline who would wet herself if she had a signed copy of your book"

Ohh errr...!!

And apparently, as the lovely lads started doodling away on the inside pages of their brand new cook book,  they turned to her and said, "Well make sure she has a towel and stand well back!" Oh dear, how embarrassing!

I wasn't quite that hysterical, but it was presented to me after spending the afternoon watching Wales win the Grand Slam in the pub, meaning I was a little more hyper than usual and my reaction was priceless - lots of screaming, hugging and shouting!

But I have the book and I can't wait to try out the recipes as a (fabulous) baking sister. Oh yeah!

Book available for £10.99 from Amazon - it really is a beautiful addition to any foodie's collection. Expect plenty of buns, breads and sour dough mixtures, manly meaty mains, and my favourite - a "get out of trouble" chocolate cake!

The Hairy Bikers Bakeation: Norway

Hairy Bikers visit Norway and cook up a storm
BBC image

The Hairy Bikers are off again on a 5,000 mile adventure around Europe in their brand new BBC2 TV series, Bakeation. In the first episode the lads stop off to discover Norway, where Si discovered his Viking heritage and got very excited over a long boat - Now that, my friend, is going back to your roots! The troublesome duo also have a go at the Olympic bobsleigh run!

Myself at the Ice Bar in London last summer

Dave and Si island hop, bake tasty Norwegian treats and meet some extraordinary people, including 95-year-old Nikka and her 65-year-old waffle-iron! They also cook some regional specialities including Scandinavian rye bread, cardamom and lemon cookies, and pirogi (ham- and Jarlsberg-filled pastries). Finishing off the episode with a visit to the Ice Bar (I've been to the one in London - see right!) and a celebrating Norway Day in Oslo.. 

They also found a version of a Herman Sour Dough that they called Maria! Sour dough seems to be very popular these days, I'm reading about yeast baking cultures everywhere!

Tune in on Tuesdays at 8pm on BBC2 (or click here to catch up - available for two months). Next time, Holland and Luxembourg. 

For more exciting Hairy Bikers developments keep reading Back to the Roots over the next couple of weeks...

Cook Britain book now available at Sainsburys

Sainsburys has released a new British cook book, titled Cook Britain, which provides an essential introduction to Britain's culinary past along with recipes to celebrate the historic year of 2012.

With the Olympics and the Queens Jubilee fast approaching this summer, the world is closely watching Britain and getting ready to hang the gay bunting and proudly wave the flags. Already many brands and companies are cashing in on what they deem to see as quintessentially British and soon the streets will be a blur of red, white and blue.

However, I believe that Sainsburys have got it exactly right in the form of a delightful cook book which travels across the British regions to detail 124 of the country's most loved recipes. However it doesn't just stop there, it also suggests recipes for street parties, afternoon tea and picnics, while providing an excellent index and cross referencing system so you can easily find vegetarian options, desserts or a meal containing one of your five a day.

It reminds me of the Hairy Bikers Food Tour of Britain, only much more easily accessible for the every day cook. Classic recipes include pork pies from the Midlands, Suffolk cyder mussels and also Anglesey eggs! Along with the tributes to dishes such as fish and chips, jam roly-poly and chicken tikka masala.

A recipe book definitely belongs in my home if every single recipe has an accompanying photograph - then the book doesn't just belong in the kitchen, but on the coffee table, the book shelf, by the bath, and the bedside cabinet as well. This book is certainly one that wants to show off, by not only including images of the food, but the British landscape and nostalgic memories as well.

This lovely hardback edition is available for a mere £8.00 and is made with beautiful, thick, matt paper which gives it a real down-to-earth rustic feel. This design reflects Britain's vibrant history for a foodie wishing to explore our interesting culinary heritage.

Get yourself down to your local Sainsburys to grab this beautiful bargain - which, may I suggest, would make a quality Mother's Day present as well?

Well done Sainsburys!