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Great British Bake Off

(135 Posts)
Spidergran5 Wed 06-Aug-14 09:48:36

Is anyone else as excited as I am for the new series tonight? I have heard that they've got the oldest and youngest contestants to date... should be interesting!!

sparkygran Thu 14-Aug-14 14:33:54

I have a Kenwood have had it for years but oh I loved my Sunbeam mixer it was the best.

I too thought Jordan should have gone but on reflection the guy who did go OMG senility is creeping upon me can`t remember his name and it was on only last night anyway his baking looked lovely but very simple no whizz bang wallop to it.

Could we start a campaign to bring back Watercolour Challenge?

ginny Thu 14-Aug-14 17:01:02

Well jinglbellsfrocks I bake regularly and cook most meals from scratch. I don't drink alcohol and I'm not sure what 'class' I am. The only mixer I have is a £4.99 hand held from Tesco which is about 10 years old.
But, I thoroughly enjoy GBBO. So there. grin

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 14-Aug-14 17:26:04

Merlot grin (I am in bed poorly at the moment and would so much rather be out shopping - anywhere!

Elegran a hand mixer is much the best for cakes and icings. The Chef is excellent for the pastries at Xmas. smile

TriciaF Thu 14-Aug-14 17:39:13

I was once at a Ladies meeting (don't ask!) and some young women behind me were talking about what they were going to make for the weekend.
One said
"Well I can't make cakes this time because my machine has broken down ."
shock
True story.

merlotgran Thu 14-Aug-14 19:17:28

Get well soon, jingl wine flowers

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 14-Aug-14 19:27:29

Thanks Merlot. Daughter came and cooked me a dinner. Feeling better already. smile

dustyangel Thu 14-Aug-14 19:30:03

I've been wondering how you were today jingl, hope you are better in time for your holiday.

merlotgran Wed 20-Aug-14 22:55:35

I think it was right that Jordan went tonight although I'm sure he'll be very entertaining on 'Extra Slice'

Norman had a lucky escape. I don't think Paul Hollywood likes him.

sparkygran Thu 21-Aug-14 15:16:09

I agree with you Merlotgran Jordan was the right choice in a way I`ll miss his enthusiasm and sense of fun. Norman bakes well but he is much to conservative come on Norman be a bit adventurous.

Love Extra Slice

papaoscar Sun 24-Aug-14 15:03:16

I'd love to see roles reversed and Mel and Sue required to bake under the scrutiny of all the contestants, with Paul and Mary doing the washing up and Jo sweeping up. In the meantime I just wallow in all those good things!

jollyg Sun 24-Aug-14 15:21:51

I dont like Paul Hollywood either...... self seeking , be on TV.

Mary is normal. As for Sue, my
mouth is sealed, is case something bad passes my lips.

The prog is so engineered by BBc, from the rain, thunderstorms etc.

I do wonder if it is stitched up before it is even aired.

whenim64 Sun 24-Aug-14 15:31:33

Mel and Sue have me in stitches, especially when Mel gave extensive instructions in fluent Italian the other night, then turned to face the camera with a faux smug expression at her accomplishment. I relish the way they take the mickey out of Paul and Mary. Very good entertainment.

shysal Sun 24-Aug-14 15:54:42

Apparently Sue is an accomplished baker, don't know about Mel. I find them very amusing. Paul is bumptious, but I have a reluctant liking of him, a bit of the Simon Cowell syndrome I think! He (Paul) and Mary appear to have a good relationship, she was leaning in to him to have a good laugh in one of the clips shown on the Extra Slice.

We have desserts next week, I must resist making any, although I have a sweet tooth.

shysal Thu 04-Sept-14 08:43:29

I have reverted to this original thread, rather than the 'sabotage' one.

I think it was Norman's time to go, so agreed with the result, although there was a chance that no-one would leave due to Diana's departure.
I thought the show-stopper was supposed to be for a self-supporting tiered pie, yet they all used support of some kind, which was obviously necessary.

jamsidedown Thu 04-Sept-14 09:15:57

Yes, some of those pies were definitely on the rustic side. Agree about Norman, his presentation wasn't up on a par with the others - and lavender meringue?

J52 Thu 04-Sept-14 09:22:33

I liked the pear pies. I'm going to make them for lunch with a friend who doesn't eat dairy products. I don't think they'll be Bake Off standard. But as my grandma used to say 'it'll eat!' X

shysal Thu 04-Sept-14 09:49:58

Take a photo J52, and post it on this thread with a GN label.
www.gransnet.com/forums/pictures/1209665-The-Great-Gransnet-Bake-Off
They did look good, apart from the ones where the pastry slipped off!

felice Thu 04-Sept-14 17:11:08

J52 are you going to make a lard only pastry if your friend doesn't eat any dairy, let us know how it works out.

felice Sun 07-Sept-14 00:21:51

J52 just wondered how the pastry worked, I have made Shortcrust with vegetable oil in the past but found it a bit hard ???

TriciaF Sun 07-Sept-14 14:24:24

This has reminded me I'm going to watch the programme later this pm.
Hoping to get some pastry tips because I can't make good pastry. my Mum used all lard, and her pastry was always perfect, but we don't eat lard.

Gracesgran Sun 07-Sept-14 15:14:07

Yes. It's the ones who can afford fancy machines that this "Bake-off" appeals to. Your over-fed, winme sozzled middle classes.

I think that statement says more about the maker of it than those who enjoy cooking and baking and like to invest in their hobby.

J52 Sun 07-Sept-14 16:10:41

Just got back to this post - friend is coming on Thursday. I think I may have misled when I said doesn't eat dairy. She prefers not to eat cheese, cream and that sort of thing.
I will make the pears with puff pastry, I think and serve with local ice cream, so that she can choose whether to eat it or not.
Will take photo. X

shysal Thu 11-Sept-14 08:31:23

I think the correct decision was made last night. I suspect that they had kept the option up their sleeves in case of a close decision, due to Diana's departure.

papaoscar Thu 11-Sept-14 09:12:51

Still wallowing in all that cream, jam, sponge and icing. Don't care who wins, just keep it going for ever, and no calories!

Gracesgran Thu 11-Sept-14 09:14:56

I agree Shysal, it was the right decision for me too. I think I heard that Diana is going to be on the Extra Slice programme this week. Good for her!