The Botanical Kitchen
Recipes, travel and the occasional rant
Vanilla is probably one of the most popular flavours and ingredients in my household and one that I certainly took for granted until I discovered its history. Origins in Mexico Vanilla beans originated in Mexico. For hundreds of years the Totonaco Indians guarded the secret flavour until they were defeated by the Aztecs and had to handover […]
Eric Lanlard is a Master Pâtissier and twice winner of the prestigious ‘Continental Pâtissier of the Year’ at the British Baking Awards, he has changed the face of British Patisserie both in his retail ventures and on TV. But it wasn’t always that glamourous. He was once a chef in the French Navy so I […]
Eric Lanlard has become a true baking celebrity with so many TV programmes and appearances to his name. I had the honour of meeting him recently and was really rather surprised at how down to earth he is. And I say honour because there is some proper talent and experience behind that sparkling, cheeky personality! […]
I had been given some lovely cooking apples and Kentish cobnuts so could not resist the combo with some cinnamon. I loved the crisp filo pastry with the soft frangipane middle. This tart is inspired by Eric Lanlard as there is a similar one in his Tart It Up book. Have you ever used cobnuts? […]
I was recently invited to a masterclass with Eric Lanlard. I am a HUGE fan of Eric’s work and so I cannot tell you how excited I was! The class was held at his new The Cafe at Cake Boy in Battersea. It’s a really cool place to hang out near the river with lovely, […]
This recipe is by the fabulous Eric Lanlard who I met at a masterclass organised by the lovely people at Neilsen Massey Vanilla. It’s a wonderfully rich sponge which holds itself very well with the velvety smooth creme mousseline. You’ll need For the sponge 350g unsalted butter, softened 350g golden caster sugar 5 medium eggs, […]