Room Forty
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Room Forty blog

Christmas Mincemeat for Mince Pies

2/12/2022

2 Comments

 
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Room Forty’s Orange Mincemeat
Unlike making a jam or chutney, making your own mincemeat for mince pies is a cinch. The only skill that you need is the ability to mix ingredients together - it is that easy.

Personally I find commercial mincemeat sometimes rather heavy and solid. This is our recipe which we think is far lighter and fruitier. Unlike most commercial products it doesn’t contain any suet.
This will make about 1.3kilos or about 3 large jars full
Ingredients
  • 225 g apples (preferably a sharp apple like a Bramley or Cox)
  • 1 x large orange (unwaxed)
  • 1 x lemon (unwaxed)
  • 225g currants*
  • 110g raisins*
  • 110 g sultanas*
  • 110 g candied peel
  • 110 g unskinned whole almonds
  • 50g ground almonds
  • 110g demerara sugar
  • 75ml brandy, or whisky, or port or Cointreau, or orange juice
*The raisin/sultana mix is interchangeable. Dried fruit is expensive so as long as you have about 450g of dried fruit that’s fine.

Instructions:
Wash and pare the rind off the lemon and orange, then shred the rind finely.
Simmer the rind in boiling water for ten minutes in a pan. Remove and put it aside.
Juice the lemon and orange and pour the juice into a bowl

Wash, peel and core the apples, then chop them into chunks, as you do so chuck them into the lemon/orange juice (you don’t have to do this but it will slow the apple browning and keep it whiter)

Mix together the apples, juice, currants, raisins and sultanas in a bowl, then taking small quantities at a time give them a quick whizz in a food processor to break them up a little.

Chop the candied peel and coarsely chop up the whole almonds.

Then in a large bowl add the apples, juice, currants, raisins and sultanas that you prepped before then add the ground almonds, rinds, candied peel, chopped almonds, sugar and the alcohol (or orange juice if you prefer) and give it all a really good stir.

And it’s done! Pot up into sterilised jars and seal them up, or just leave in a plastic tub in the fridge. You can use it straight away but given a week or more for the flavours to mature it’ll be even better. It’ll keep in the sterilised jars for about three months.

And if you want to join us on our baking class where we'll make them, join us on 14 December at Weaverham 6pm-9.30pm.


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A very fond farewell, Room Forty style.

21/9/2022

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We always like to think that we're going the extra mile with every single tea that we make. This wonderful review came in just after we'd helped a family to say farewell to a very much-loved mum. 

It is wonderful for all our team to know that the effort that they put in, really translates into the experience that people have at our events. 

If you would like to find out more about our services please do get in touch. We're available 7 days a week for funeral teas. 
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VOTE FOR ROOM FORTY (PLEASE!)

28/7/2022

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Room  Forty are finalists in the Enterprise Vision Awards and we need your help - to cast your vote. 

The awards are for women in business across the North West and we've been shortlisted with judging for the final 6 in the hospitality category going to public vote. 

PLEASE could you spare a moment to vote for us, it would mean the world to us. We'll let you know if we were successful on 23 September at the awards ceremony!
Click here


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Enjoy Tea at the Queen's Jubilee

20/5/2022

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The platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday is almost upon us. A chance for us to have a bit of summer fun and revel in a little pomp and celebration of Britishness – let's face it we all need a bit of fun after the last couple of years.
 
And what better way to celebrate than with that ultimate British treat of afternoon tea? Whether it’s a gathering in your street, back garden or back kitchen it’s an excuse to polish up the best china and enjoy.
 
Here at Room Forty we know a thing or two about Afternoon Tea and Cream Teas so here are a few tips to make it special.
 
Dress up the table – if you haven’t got a tablecloth, iron a clean white sheet. If the kids are involved and it is likely to get messy, invest in a couple of cheap paper or plastic over-cloth sheets just to protect the linen. Tea and coffee can be a devil to remove as stains. Pick some flowers and pop the in a jam jar and get some napkins (paper will do - and there are some lovely Jubilee ones in the shops). Accessorize the table, if you have got some bunting or even a candelabra use it!
 
Dig out or borrow your best crockery. Nothing says afternoon tea and celebration like vintage china (and tea tastes even better in a china cup and poured from a pot). We have a huge collection for hire at Room Forty available for the entire Jubilee weekend – we can arrange delivery, collection and will even wash up!
 
Traditional Afternoon Tea is made up of dainty ‘finger’ sandwiches, then scones with clotted cream and Jam followed by dainty cakes. But this is your day, and you can serve whatever takes your fancy. We make and bake everything at Room Forty but if you don’t want to bake, just buy it in. Make sure that it is fun for you too.
 
Get dressed up – nothing feels more special than when you have dressed for the occasion!.
 
Set the mood – ask Siri or Alexa for some traditional 1930’s music
 
Think about the weather (lets face it, this is Britain) so plan for the worst, hope for the best. If you are going outdoors, see if you can borrow a gazebo and have a plan B at the ready to shift indoors if need be.
 
 
Bubbly or a glass of wine? I’ll say!! Cheers and here’s to the next 70 years!

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3 Days till our next baking class!

26/4/2022

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Learn to make bread with Room Forty 

Learning to bake bread is on the bucket list of almost everyone we come across, so you will be pleased to know that our next class is suitable for beginners and is THIS WEEK!

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Join us on Thursday 6pm-9pm and we'll teach you to make our award winning white loaf, soda bread and pizza. All ingredients and equipment included and we eat the pizza we make too! 

​We would love you to join us! 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bread-making-workshop-beginners-tickets-221045411777


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2 Comments

A ray of sunshine on a windy day!

28/2/2022

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Reviews don't get better than this one from a returning customer. She ordered last week during the horrendous weather and I delivered it personally. 

Getting blown about wasn't much fun, but the smiles on the recipients faces was absolutely worth it! 

​Windy days, scorching days, even snowy days we've done them all and we're not planning to stop any time soon. 

So whether you want afternoon tea in a box or a full party with the vintage crockery and our super smiley service, just get in touch.  Hopefully the next great review will be yours! 

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NEWSLETTER

23/9/2021

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​Room Forty Autumn Newsletter
 
It’s certainly been a challenging time for Room Forty, but we’re safe and well, and we hope that you and your families are too.
 
I don’t think we’re out of the woods with new issues arising this week around gas supply and food deliveries but our relationship with our local suppliers and butcher (Rowles) are good and we’ll always find a solution to a problem!
 
 During the first lockdown we had to quickly diversify to keep our little boat afloat and in doing so we found a lot of new customers with our boxed afternoon teas.  In fact the good news is that the boxed teas are here to STAY, alongside our full service afternoon teas, our crockery hire and our baking school, which is back up and running – more of that to come later!  (Next boxes are on 8 October and I just need to add more dates to the website this weekend!)
 
 Of course, we couldn’t have done that without your support which has been phenomenal and has kept me from taking up a nice normal job!
 
New team-mates
 
Our little team has expanded, we’re delighted to have the lovely Paula on board (literally when we did a wedding on a boat!) There’s also been amazing support from our delivery drivers, Steve, Darren and Natalie who made the lockdown tea in a box get to you still fresh on the day.
 
DIARY DATES  - LADIES DAY 12 December 2021
Join us for a Christmas themed afternoon tea with shopping from lots of lovely stalls!
We’ll be there with the full tea room from 12-4 at Padgate Community Day. Afternoon teas can be booked in advance to enjoy the full experience or you can order an afternoon tea in a box to pick up and take home that day!  Book on our website, Eventbrite or our facebook page for a sitting at 12.30 or 2.30. We’d love to see you x
 
BAKING CLASSES
New classes for autumn/Christmas 2021. All priced at £65pp and are fully inclusive and accessible regardless of age, experience and skill!
Baking class vouchers can be purchased as a gift and private parties can be booked at your home or we’ll find a venue – eg for a corporate baking class.
 
Italian Bread
We make Focaccia and a Cheese and Walnut Bread as well as enjoying a demo (and eating)  my delicious scones.
 
Room Forty HQ Wednesday 29 September 2021
 
Pain au chocolat / Croissants
Lymm Village Hall 9am -12  Sat 23 October 2021
Stollen and other festive treats
Lymm Village Hall 9am-12 Sun 21 November
Liverpool at Mossley Hill 6-9pm Wed 15 December
 
Crafternoon tea
More details to follow, but I have had preliminary discussions with a jeweller who would like to do some crafternoon teas with us.  Could it be a Christmas gift voucher idea for someone you love?
 
How many for a tea party?
Because it takes around 8 hours to make every single afternoon tea (more if there are special diets in the party) we do ask for a minimum number of 10 for a full-service afternoon tea.  We’re happy to deliver just the food, or the food and crockery too, but we do like to help you enjoy the occasion more by serving it to you.
 
Cake Craft Kits are back
Great for kids and perfect for fun loving adults (or party events) cake craft kits are available on request and will be a big feature once again in the 12 day lead up to Christmas.
They contain everything you need to have some extraordinary cake decorating fun.
 
 
The Sherston Overnight Loaf
Being the sort of chap that Mitch is, ‘interesting’ you could say, or ‘a bit special’, he likes to check out local bakeries when he is out and about (and often volunteer to work there for a morning?). He was recently down in the Cotswolds and here is his report 
‘Chipping Sodbury is the HQ of the Hobbs House Bakery and top bakers they are. You may remember them being featured as The Fabulous Baker Brothers on TV some years ago.
There are branches of Hobbs House dotted around the Cotswolds and their bread is worth seeking out if you haven’t time to rustle up a White Delight. They also post out their croissant and pain au chocolate frozen to bake at home – check them out, they are an excellent treat.
Their Sherston overnight loaf is really something special. It is an old family recipe developed by their great grandfather Thomas Herbert at a time when it was difficult to get hold of yeast in the 1920’s.
What sets it apart is the length of prove which is said to improve flavour. It does make a lovely loaf of bread and we think it makes the best toast. Ever.
Through the reach and power of Room Forty’s persuasion here is the recipe. It takes a bit longer than normal to make, in fact it takes much the same time as it does to make a sourdough, but the results are worth it. Give it a go
RECIPE
Ingredients:
  • 560g Strong White Flour
  • 10g salt
  • 10g sugar
  • 2g yeast
  • 20g fat (butter/lard/shortening or a combination)
  • 100ml milk (they recommend full fat)
  • 200g cool water
Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients together and knead into a smooth, stiff dough.
Cover and leave in a cool place for two hours
Shape the dough and place in a large (2lb) bread tin, cover and leave overnight to rise in the fridge (or for about 8 hours)
Remove from the fridge (the loaf will have risen slightly) and place somewhere warm  to carry on rising (which could take any time from 1 to 3 hours)
Heat the oven up to 240 degrees (or as hot as you can get it)
Dust with flour and slash the bread then bake.
After it has been in for ten minutes turn the oven down a notch to 210 degrees and continue baking. Total baking time will be 30 – 35 minutes
Remove when baked, allow to cool and voila!  
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Wedding Day Win

3/9/2021

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 And this one definitely made us all delighted as it was a challenging venue (on vintage 1930's tugboat 'The Danny' at Acton Bridge!)

"We hired the service of Room 40 Vintage Tea for our wedding reception recently. We were not disappointed! Jen & her team were extremely professional but with a very personable edge. The food that we ordered was excellent, and the cake and cream tea were to die for!

​All of our guests were extremely complementary and thought the experience was amazing. We could not recommend Jen/Room 40 highly enough, the perfect recipe for success for any party/celebration!!!"

Jan and Wayne
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Rule of Six special

1/5/2021

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It's time to celebrate all those milestones we've missed over the last year! 

To celebrate the return to some sort of normality we're offering parties of six or more high tea with all the pizazz for just £20pp

You'll receive our delicious high tea and all the vintage crockery so you can set up your own tea room at home.

Treat your friends, your grandma, your mum to a special treat without leaving the house.  

From 17 May you'll be able to celebrate indoors too - though we hope the weather is nice enough to sit out! 

Contact me to book yours. Available Friday and Saturdays. 


1 Comment

Five years on, we're in the news again with another award!

30/4/2021

1 Comment

 
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    Author

    Jen Perry; loves discovering beautiful vintage china, eating cake and drinking proper tea.

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  • HOME
    • About Room Forty
    • Contact
    • Blog
    • Media
  • MENU CHOICES
    • Afternoon Tea
    • Wedding Catering
    • Funeral Catering
    • Corporate Entertainment, a unique concept
    • Buffets and Bespoke
    • Tea
    • Cakes and bakes
  • Experience Days
    • Crafternoon Tea
    • Bake and Balance
  • Vintage Crockery Hire
    • Terms and conditions
  • Baking Workshops
    • Kids baking party
  • Afternoon Tea Delivery