“Well, can you bake something that’s edible?”
Those were the exact words that Anne Speak asked when conjuring up a challenge for me! To be fair, I had just told her that I’m hopeless in the kitchen…
To mark Silver Sunday, and as part of the annual ‘Full of Life’ celebrations, Richmond Good Neighbours organised an afternoon tea for older people in the borough. Upon hearing of my lack of culinary ability, Anne challenged me to bake something to contribute to the tasty treats on the day.
Chocolate Peppermint Crisp
Then someone else suggested I find a recipe that my Mum used to use, and I knew instantly that it had to be Chocolate Peppermint Crisp!
I have so so many fond memories of this deliciously naughty treat – when I was a kid, Mum used to make them at home and sell them in little bags of six squares at the WI market. I’d insist on quality checking them, of course.
I couldn’t find Mum’s exact recipe – it’s still in one of 11 boxes that I haven’t unpacked since clearing out their house – but I managed to find one online that’s very similar.
I’m so rubbish in the kitchen that I didn’t have baking tins or any of the paraphernalia that I would need to make them, so I hit the shops!
With several hours set aside for my baking challenge, I put the radio on and got stuck in. It was actually a lot of fun.
If I’m completely honest, I was a bit apprehensive arriving at the tea party with my plastic tub and traybake of minty chocolatey gooeyness. But they caught everyone’s eye with their mint green middle layer, and a few folk dove straight in for a sample.
A little unstructured
David enjoyed his with a cuppa, and Anne and her hubby Steve agreed they were yummy. I didn’t get the consistency quite right so they were a little too gooey. I had to agree with Roy, who said; “They look and taste great, even if they’re a little unstructured!”
Now, I have friends who want to try them, so guess what everyone’s getting for Christmas?! 
Big thanks to thanks to Anne for challenging me to face my lack of confidence in the kitchen. I think Mum would have been impressed – amazed but impressed!
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