[Sca-cooks] beer/hops and Simnel cake

[Hrolf Douglasson]

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Beer
Beer as opposed to ale reappeared in England in the 14th crentury when soldiers returning from the 100 years war(1338-1453) missed the stuff brewed onthe continent, specifically Northern France and Falnders.
Hops grew again in Britain after the first planting around 1525
It was in 1493 that beer brewers were given their own guikd as apposed to the ale brewers
So dependiant on where you came from you may or maynot have beer.
Simmnel cake  A modern recipie
6oz butter/marg
6oz soft brown sugar
3 eggs
4oz strong plain flour(bread flour)
2oz normal plain flour
1oz ground almonds
1teaspoon mioxed spice(remember English t spoon bigger than US)
1/2 teaspn grated nutmeg
12 oz sultanas
9 oz currants
4 oz mixed peel

1lb 4 oz marzipan

oven at gas 4 350f 180 c
8in cake tin round
divide marzipan into 2 portions
double greaseproof the tin.
set the smallest portion of marzipan aside for later and roll one other into one deep circle just smaller than the tin.
beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy
add eggs and beat again
mix spices almonds and flour together and fold in
gently mix in fruit.

turn half the mix into the cake tin smooth the top and place the cicle of marzipan on top add on the rest of the cake mix. smooth the top.
bake for 1 hour cover with double greaseproof paper if it browns too quickly.
reduce the oven temp to 325f 160c gas 3 for a further 45mins to one hour until the skewer comes out clean.
cool for 15 mins befor turning out.
roll out second piece of marzipan to cover and make 11 small balls and one large one from the third piece to decorate....
the 11 appostles missing out Judas around the edge
and Jesus in the centre
place under the grill for a couple of minutes to brown off the marzipan.
Serving Girls went home for the 4 th Sunday after Easter ...to worship with their families in their mother church...hence mothering sunday.
the mistress of the house gave them this cake as a gift for their mother.
there are two schools of thought for the word Simnel   Latin Simila meaning fine flour  and Anglo Saxon symel means feast
and this was when the relaxation of the lenten fasts took place.

hope this helps
vara
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