Quarky Product Launch!

Evening foodies!

Sorry for the delay with this post, time just disintegrates, I swear! Better late than never though and this is sure worth reading.

Last Thursday I was invited to the launch of a fantastic, versatile product called Quark. You may have heard of Quark before, some of you may have even eaten it, but the quality and texture of The Lake District Cheese Co. Quark is in a whole new food heaven.

I was so excited for the launch, as I have used Quark in the past and it was my first official product press launch. I took a day off my ever busy schedule and went down to London, first thing, to be greeted with a sea of warm faces, a glass of cava and Quark baked breakfast muffins. Nothing quite tops that!

 Press pack goodies!

 The beautiful Baker Brothers did a fabulous demonstration, showcasing the fabulous product. With original flavour, lemon and a velvety vanilla, the possibilities are truly endless. 

Recipes including Quark flatbreads, carrot cake, cake frosting and salad dressings. I even got to try the cheesecake and some delicious soup. With only 19 calories, in comparison to philadelphia's 132, including being naturally fat free, Is this a miracle or what?

Over the coming weeks I will be experimenting with this fantastic new ingredient, available in most major retailers, trialling the product in healthier recipes and home cooking, although I could actually just eat it out the tub! Why not reduce the fat and calories, increase the protein and still enjoy great flavour? Win all round if you ask me!

Another few products I bought whilst in London, were the Clearspring Green Nori flakes. This fabulous sea vegetable is crammed full of health boosting vitamins and can be added to any dish, replacing the need for salt. Delicious and healthy.

Also, I bought some Agave syrup to trial on my cake products! Although I love my luxuries, having a sweet tooth and a desperation for a smaller waistline means drastic measures. I cannot and will not compromise flavour, but I will try and create perfection, with a little help from natural sources!

I'll be online shortly, having had a hectic week and with it being my birthday weekend, everything is all up in the air. Please get in touch if you have trialled any of these fabulous products, especially the delicious, creamy Quark and I shall be giving you some top tips and recipes, to really spice up your home kitchen cooking.

Keep calm and Quark up!

RVB xox

Living it Large in London, till Reality Hits Home...

This August I visited London with my best friend, Beth, and we lived it up, large. We visited the usuals, buying Hello Kitty teddies in Hamleys and sampling chocolates in Harrods. What more could a girl want?

Convent garden was beautiful as usual, I spent the entire trip spying on cake craft shops and indulging in the inspiration of others. London really just has the spark for me.

In addition to cake spying, we went to see The Woman in Black at the theatre and my gosh it was spectacular! I'm more of a musical lover myself, being a singer, but it was a masterpiece, cleverly devised to create tension and release, atmosphere and fear, with merely two actors. Unbelievable.

August disappeared with the summer sun and now we are nearly through September. It's scary really. I'm going into my second year of university, with a business kicking off, pursuing my interest in food journalism, whilst juggling a job in fashion retail. A challenge is really key to anyones success, I believe, so bring it I guess! Any of you foodies face a challenge? Embrace it, whats the worst that can happen? Email your inspiration and aspirations...jessicaaleisha@hotmail.co.uk...I find it so uplifting to see peoples efforts and achievements. :)

Red Velvet Baking wise, we have completed our third market stall, this time in Sheffield City Centre. Although a very slow day, I feel we learnt a lot from the experience and have gathered some more ideas for future stalls. I am excited! We are aiming for Chatsworth Christmas Fair 2013 and we really want to be ready to hit home with our delicious cakey goodness. 

Presently, we are working on flavour combinations and looking at new and interesting ideas to visually inspire and engage you, our beautiful audience. So keep your eyes peeled and watch this space, because there can never be enough cakey scrummyness in your life.

Keep calm and enjoy the rest of the summer sun, before winter sets in :)

Love & delicious wishes, 

RV xox

Think Pink, Pink, Pink...

Birthday time is fast approaching and I'm thinking of combining my love of cake with the fashion trends of the season. Working in clothing retail has given me the heads up and in baking, we do loosely follow these seasonal patterns.

At the moment, we are in the season of hot brights and sumptuous pastels. I love both! For my Birthday I was thinking of a rich pink sponge, following the brights theme, but using pastel colourings on top to give a powerful contrast - that little extra wow factor. In addition, I recently came across some really pretty rainbow cupcakes, using pastel shades to create mini fairytale-esqe delights. 

Have you tried anything out recently, with colours or designs? If so get in touch, redvelvetbaking.gmail.com.

Furthermore, contrasting patterns are trending. Any of you tried those imprint rolling pins? I was wondering if embossed vintage style sugar toppings could look very pretty. Also, you could use sugar balls and mini sugar flowers or sugared petals to highlight detail. 

What are your opinions? Any thing you would like me to showcase?

Although, the weather has taken a turn for the worst up North, Summer is still approaching fast and ready. We need to get our flour dusted fingers at the ready, as baking is going to take Summer by storm this year.

Keep calm and get ready, this Summer we're going to heat it up.

Love as always, 

Baking mad forever<3

Red Velvet xo

Pictures featured as inspirational ideas, not copyright of Red Velvet Baking.

Red Velvet Update...

Afternoon foodies, 

Just a little update about what has been happening on my side of the track. As usual, it has been super hectic! I mean even today, whilst the sun is beaming through the window, I'm in the kitchen baking chocolate birthday cakes for a lovely friend of mine. No rest for the wicked, eh?!

Over Mothers day weekend, I had a fantastic bakeathon. Two full days of kitchen madness, but believe me it was worth it. I tried out a few flavours I'd been dying to put to the test and the reception I got was unbelievable. 

Flavour wise I tried; Maple syrup, chocolate lime, amaretto and chocolate baileys. Truly scrumptious and the kitchen smelt beaut as well! In addition, I tested out a few of my new piping tips - quite easy really. You can do it too!! 

Below are a few pictures of my experiments for friends and family, get in touch if you've tried any new and interesting flavours lately, or even fancy being featured on Red Velvet Baking. Get in touch!!!! 

www.redvelvetbaking@gmail.com <3

Keep calm and embrace the spring sunshine

& bake of course!

Best wishes,

Red Velvet x

Sunday Morning Blues...

So I woke up this morning with a terrible sore throat :( and I'm now trying a concoction of different remedies to help get rid, fast! I've started with honey and lemon tea and thinking of steaming and everything! Do you have any good tips?

Apart from feeling a little under the weather, however, the sun is shining this sunday morn and that, I must say, makes a lovely change for English weather!! Anyone got anything exciting and sunshine filled planned today? :)

When I came back to Uni yesterday, I was welcomed by an array of ransom notes in my room - NEVER leave your door unlocked! One main one being the ransom note for a teddy. This requires a supply of delicious cakes for his return. I didn't half laugh! But, due to demand I am thinking of cooking up something scrummy as a treat :). Any suggestions on flavours, to treat these naughty madams?

As for more serious baking, my plans for the upcoming season are blossoming and if you're lucky I may share a sneaky peak this week into the Red Velvet kitchen :). Keep posted foodies and please share your ideas, inspirations and thoughts!!

Keep calm and dare try a Spring sunshine picnic?

Love&CakeWishes

Red Velvet <3

Food for Thought...

Hey foodies!!

Just a quick blog to highlight the ever expanding list to the right of my blog posts. I have been researching the internet and in magazines for fresh and unique blogs, looking at fantastic baking schools and websites, full of inspiration. I decided to share my favourite findings with you guys, of corse, and over the next few months can't wait to see the list grow!

If you know of any fantastic websites, magazines or anything you find inspiring, let me know! I'm happy to feature your own work also...

Get in touch kiddies.

Keep calm and always keep in the kitchen <3

Love,

Red Velvet xo