Off to the beach...?

Previously I was lucky enough to review the Go Camp France app and the lovely folk there sent me an app for another firm favourite – West Country Beaches. This incorporates beaches throughout Devon and Cornwall and not just the popular common knowledge ones either. Amazingly it also includes the little sandy coves or rock pool havens.

190 beaches are featured in this clever little app including my little favourite Talland Bay in Cornwall. Not only does it tell you the nearest beach to you and bring up a photo to show you the beach (great if you’re after sandy or rock pools) it also tells you a little about each beach and the facilities there. For example is there car parking, how accessible is the beach (last thing you want it a cliff crawl with a toddler in arms!) toilets, restaurant, dogs allowed etc. and the best bit I think is are there life guards present. Especially if you have children there is nothing better than an extra pair of eyes on patrol over your kids!

There is also a lovely little surfing part of this which tells you if the beach is suitable for and you can then search for local surf schools! Perfect I think for if you’re planning on visiting with teens in tow this summer! And if you want to make your friends jealous why not check in through twitter and facebook and message your friends directly through the app?

Now while you can also search for surf schools you can also incredible easily search for surf shops, fast food outlets, restaurants and pubs! Is there anything else you might need in an app this summer?

 This little bit of knowledge is just from playing with the app. We’re planning on using it nonstop in the holidays for weekends away in the West Country so check back then!

Malva Pudding Recipe

As most of you know my other half is South African and I’ve been trying out some SA recipes. Recently we visited some friends who had cooked a dessert a bit like a sticky toffee pudding only richer called Malva pudding. Well I decided to bake it myself this weekend but change it to another gluten free recipe. All I did was to change the flour though so just use regular self raising for yourself!

 The pudding

Whisked to paleness

6 1/2 ounces sugar (3/4 cup, 200 ml, or 180 g)

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon apricot jam

5 ounces gluten free self raising flour (150 g)

1 tablespoon butter (a generous tablespoon)

1 teaspoon vinegar

1/3 cup milk

For the sauce

3/4 cup fresh cream (200 ml)

3 1/2 ounces butter (100 g)

3 -5 ounces sugar (90 - 150 g)

1/3 cup hot water (90 ml)

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 deg F/180 deg Celsius.



Grease an oven dish. I used a 7 x 7 x 1 1/2 inch Pyrex dish. (18 x 18 x 4 1/2 cm) Beat or whip the sugar and eggs. It's quickest in a food processor, or use electric beaters. Beat until thick and lemon coloured, then add the jelly (jam) and mix through. Melt the butter (don't boil) and add the butter and vinegar to the wet mixture. Sieve the flour and add this with the milk to the egg mixture in the processor or mixing bowl. Beat well. Pour into an oven-proof dish and bake until pudding is brown and well-risen -- depending on your oven and oven dish this will be between 30 - 45 minutes. In a pot, melt together the ingredients for the sauce, and stir well. Pour it over the pudding as soon as it comes out of the oven.



Leave the sauce to soak in..



A soggy but yummy pudding!

Leave to stand awhile before serving. Serve warm. Because it's rich it does not really need enhancement, but if you want, serve with vanilla ice cream. (Thanks to Zurie for the recipe!)