Hot Cross Buns !! Which are the best?

Would love  you all to share comments -I'm trying to suss out who makes the best hot cross buns this year... I have to say out of the super markets the co-op do really nice ones (the fat ones though - not so keen on the slightly anaemic healthy option ones...) and they're just £1.50 for 12 !!

I need to go on a hunt for some locally made ones - has anyone found any gems yet?

Albion House Bakery - Cross in Hand

Albion House Bakery in Cross in Hand is a truely delightful bakery and definitely one of my favourites!!  It was purpose built in 1904 and has been a bakery ever since. 
When you walk in, alongside the glorious baking smells you are confronted with a large counter of all sorts of wonderous looking baked goods, from sticky belgian buns to cream filled delights.

All of their bread, cakes, filled rolls, sandwiches, sausage rolls and Cornish pasties are made on site freshly every morning and they also have their own range of organic bread.

Compared to other bakeries ( I have worked my way through a great many) I am always pleased by the quality of their pastries as I have never found any to have that oily greasy taste that so often can be found in pastries.

Also, what is extremely pleasing is the fantastic value for money! Yesterday I bought a lovely crusty white roll with poppy seeds and egg mayonaise for just £2.20 and a gorgeous cream filled apple turnover for just £1.00! Both tasted extremely fresh and delicious.

Other services include,cold and hot drinks, local hams, cheese and pates, soup and baked potatos and celebration cakes made to order!
Pop in there - it's a bakery worth visiting !

http://www.albionhousebakery.co.uk/

R D S Andrews - Sussex Honey

I found this wonderful honey in my local deli, it's made in Burwash Common and has a wonderful floral fragrance and thick creamy consistency. Made by R.D.S Andrews, the label descibes it as 'exquisite honey' and I would certainly agree! It is also described as being 'gathered by bees foraging nectar from the blossom that abounds the rural landscape of Kipling's country.

It is a set honey and has that white honey comb look when you open the jar.  A great local honey if you like to have a little every day to ward off hayfever!!
I love this spread thickly on warm toast over slightly salted butter.

I found this in the Heathfield Deli, on the high street or it is made at;
Three Deep, Westdown Lane, Burwash Common.
A little pricey at £5.60 for a 385g jar, but well worth it for honey fans!!!

Alsop & Walker, Artisan Cheese Makers.

As a bit of a cheese addict I have found being pregnant difficult as all my favourite cheeses have been banned.  Now I would say camembert and stilton are almost the main part of my diet in normal circumstances, so nine months without either has been tough. A little while ago I walked into my local deli to look mournfully at all the wonderous cheeses I could not eat when I got into conversation and was pointed towards Lord London.  Described as 'an eccentric cheese' it has an edible rind, is slightly harder in the middle and has the luscious goo you would normally associate with camembert.  It is creamy and utterly delicious with slight citrus undertones. The best thing has to be it is made from cows milk and is pasteurised so .... I was told I could eat it while pregnant-which I then did in abundance!!!

I also bought a large slice of 'Mayfield',  also made by Alsop & Walker. This is a firmer golden coloured cheese which has a much stronger and slightly fruity flavour.  For a harder cheese this still retains wonderful creaminess and was really delicious on crackers.  I also melted some on toast and that really worked wonderfully with the stronger flavour.

Alsop & Walker make an huge selection of different cheeses, soft, blue, hard and also sell cheese platters which would make a fantastic gift!

Alsop & Walker,  Coles Hall Barns, Five Ashes, Mayfield, TN21 6JH
http://www.alsopandwalker.co.uk/notice-board

Also Alsop and Walker cheeses are sold by the following,

Alsop & Walker Cheese Retailers

The Orchard Farm Stall, Flimwell
Jasons Greengrocers, Mayfield
Middle House, Mayfield
The Huntsman, Eridge
The Star Inn, Heathfield
The Seattle Brighton, Hotel Brighton
Cheese Please, Lewes
Spa Hotel, Turnbridge Wells
Hotel De Vin
Deli On The Park

Eating East Sussex - back on form for 2012

Following a devastating family bereavement I have neglected everything this year, but will be now getting back on form in time for spotting everything seasonal and wonderous around East Sussex - so watch this space!!

Mince Pies - with Duerr's Luxury Mince Meat (with dark chocolate)

Ok, the time has arrived .  Things are already looking Christmassy in town and as someone who will eat pretty much anything I have one major dislike.  Mince Pies. Shop bought, with the bizarre almost shortbread-like pastry.  This being said, I absolutely love the mince meat and since it's only the pastry that puts me off I decided to make some with puff pastry using Duerr's Luxury 1881 Mince Meat-with Dark Chocolate. I found it in Tescos in Hailsham and was wondering if the dark chocolate would be overpowering and too sweet,  however it is a very subtle taste amidst a very luxurious richly fruity mince meat. 

I have to admit to being rather embarrassed by the look fo my mince pie,  however once I'd cut out the puff pastry circles, dolloped a generous spoonful of the mince meat inside before popping the lids on they only took ten minutes in the oven on 190%.

For me puff pastry for a mince pie is most definitely the way forwards - and try Duerr's mince meat, it is a favourite for me and at £1.69 a jar (in Tescos) will easily make about 24 mince pies!

Patisserie Valentin

Patisserie Valentin - Pain aux Raisin - huge, crispy-edged pastry, crammed full of raisins and a delicious custard . YUM!

Patisserie Valentin - 100 High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex