Earl Grey Tea Infused Cupcakes

Due to popular demand, Lynn provided her daughter Patricia's recipe for some seriously posh cupcakes. Thanks, Lynn and Patricia, I'm sure they would never last very long - they sound absolutely scrumptious!

Ingredients

Earl Grey Cupcakes

2/3 cup whole milk

4 scoops Earl Grey Crème tea

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup canola oil

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

Earl Grey Buttercream

2 sticks unsalted butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

Heat milk until boiled.

Steep tea in milk for 30 minutes until room temperature.

Reserve three tablespoons for buttercream frosting.

Preheat oven to 350F. Line pan with liners.

In a large bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Mix well and set aside.

Add sour cream and vanilla extract into the milk and tea mixture.

Mix well and set aside.

Mix canola oil and sugar (medium high speed) until well blended. (Reduce speed to medium) gradually add eggs until just blended.

With mixer set on low, slowly add half the flour mixture, mix until just blended. Add the liquid mixture, mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture until just blended. 

Divide batter amongst cups, bake for 15-18 minutes.

********************

Beat butter with paddle attachment on medium speed. Add powdered sugar and turn speed to low, beat until the sugar incorporates with the butter. Add vanilla, heavy cream and Earl Grey milk, and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes or until mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Frost and serve. 

Enjoy!

[ IMPORTANT NOTE - Lynn kindly offered to send Earl Grey Crème tea to anybody who wants to try this recipe. Just let me know via email and I'll forward your messages to Lynn so you can arrange details such as addresses, etc. I received my care package this morning and had a cup of this delicious tea, which I highly recommend! Peter enjoyed his Assam. A big thank you to Patricia and Lynn, from a grateful couple in cloudy France. ]

Peter and Regina's adventures at the vet's office

Yesterday we took Pirouette to the vet for her annual jabs. Things started to go awry when she decided to disappear about twenty minutes before we were due to leave. She never goes too far and always comes back within ten minutes, so we didn't worry too much.

We took the carrier downstairs and called her. Nothing. We went all around the building, psst psst psst... Nothing. Peter went up one road, I went down another, psst psst psst. Nothing. I started to enter the vet's number on my phone to say we were going to be late when I heard a meow behind my back. I grabbed her and, very much against her will, she was shoved into the carrier. My pristine cardigan was now covered in cat's hairs. Then I had to go and retrieve Peter, psst psst psst. No, I'm joking... HE was the one still going psst psst psst peering into every garden, walking slowly downhill. I called him, we put the carrier in the backseat of the car and rushed to the vet's.

We didn't need to panic. When we got to there, they were both nowhere to be seen and the secretary had to send an intern to find them in the garage sorting some stuff. "Both vets?" I hear you ask. Yes, dishy Olivier has a new partner, young and dashing Gaël (be still, TW's heart!).

Olivier was still busy moving stuff around, so we saw Gaël. He speaks some English, so it was a nicer visit for Peter. Pirouette was examined, palpated, stethoscoped and declared healthy. Peter and I held her while Gaël gave her the injection. He asked about worms and fleas. We said she's a difficult little madam when it comes to medications, so he offered to do it there and then. 

While he was gone to fetch the pill and pipette, Peter looked at a cabinet that had a few bits and pieces on top of it and asked about the strange looking brushes. I couldn't see any brushes, strange or otherwise. Then the penny dropped and I saw something like this:

We were still laughing when Gaël got back. I'm afraid Peter wouldn't have reason to laugh in a few minutes... Funnily enough, the anti-worm pill went in and was swallowed without incident, but when it came to squirting the anti-flea pipette on Pirouette's back, Peter had let his guard down and there was blood...

Ouch!

Pirouette is unrepentant.

Clever political commentary

This illustrator has a good eye for bulls*it and assorted shenanigans... His name is Pawel Kuczyski and you can see further illustrations and info about him at THIS LINK.

Going very green today...

Gorgeous gorge

Joffre Gorge, in the Karijini National Park, Western Australia, is very beautiful. The display of rock layers provide some very pretty colours and the place looks peaceful and relaxing.