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MIDWEEK BAKE  |  SIMPLE COMFORTS

Recipe by Melissa Blease
Freshly baked soda bread

You need fresh bread... and you need it now? Super-simple soda bread – mild, crumbly and almost biscuity in flavour – is just four ingredients and 35 minutes away.

Yeast? No. Kneading? No. Proving? No. All you need is plain flour (white, wholemeal or a mixture of both), bicarbonate of soda, buttermilk and salt, and you're ready to go. If you haven't got buttermilk in the fridge, a 50/50 mix of plain yogurt and full fat or semi-skimmed milk with a squeeze of lemon juice works too. But be warned: if you haven't got bicarbonate of soda (which is not – stress not – the same as baking powder) to hand, nothing else will do.

Soda bread isn't a moist bread (it wouldn't, for example, make a great sandwich), so it's best served with soup or a casserole on the day you make it, or toasted and topped with scrambled eggs, jam or honey the next day. Still got some left over? It freezes very well (tightly wrapped in a plastic bag) and defrosts quickly.

Ingredients (makes one large loaf)

350g plain white/wholemeal flour (or a mixture of both)
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
2 teaspoons of salt
285ml buttermilk (or 50/50 plain yogurt and milk plus a squeeze of lemon juice)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°c/160°c fan/gas mark 4/350°F. Dust a baking tray with flour or line with a piece of greaseproof paper.

2. In a large bowl or blender, mix the flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda together thoroughly. Tip in the buttermilk (or yogurt/milk mixture) and bring together with lightly floured hands, or pulse-blend in bursts until you have a neat ball of dough (if the mixture looks/feels too wet, just add a bit more flour).

3. Place the ball of dough on the baking tray and cut a deep cross in the centre – this step is really important as it helps the centre of the bread to cook all the way through.

4. Bake the bread for around 30 minutes until golden on top and the base makes a hollow sound when tapped; leave to settle down for around 5 minutes before tearing into chunks/slicing.

    RESTAURANT REVIEW  |  WOOD-FIRED ARTISAN PIZZA

    Review by Melissa Blease
    The Oven

    This lively independent pizzeria thrives both indoors and out on the bustling Saw Close 'strip' but expertly handles all the necessary social distancing measures in style.

    Pizza traditionalists happily go classic here, while the more creative combinations fire up the foodie imagination – the Cotto ham, 'nduja, creamed walnuts, fig jam and basil (which won The Oven the coveted Pizza Chef of the Year award) in particular is highly recommended, as is the super-umami gorgonzola with rocket, pine nuts and honey.

    A solid range of salads, bruschetta and charcuterie keep the pizza-averse happy too, and if Montepulciano, Primitivo or Chianti doesn't float your wine boat, ask to browse a more extensive wine list courtesy of sister operation Vino Vino, right next door.

    3&4 Seven Dials, Saw Close, Bath BA1 1E
    theovenpizzeria.co.uk

    ON THE BOOKSHELF  |  OPENING UP

    To Be A Gay Man, by Will Young

    "Gay shame was part of my life from the age of six. It has clung on to me like oil to a dying cormorant. It has literally stopped me truly flying in life. Years of hearing that to be gay was wrong...has wounded my very soul."

    Multi-platinum recording artist, Olivier-nominee, and the first winner of the Idol franchise, Will Young speaks out about gay shame, revealing the impact it had on his own life, how he learned to deal with it, and how he can now truthfully say he is gay and happy. Looking back on a world where growing up being called gay was the ultimate insult and coming out after a lifetime of hiding his sexuality, Will explores the long-lasting impact repressing his true self has had.

    Will revisits the darkest extremes he has been to, sharing his vulnerabilities, his regrets, tracing his own navigation through it all, and offering invaluable practical advice on overcoming the difficult issues too often faced within the LGBTQ+ community.

    Published this month by Virgin Books, hardback, £16.99.

    Melissa Blease spoke to the singer last year, ahead of the release of his album, Lexicon, and his brilliant performance at Pub in the Park in 2019.

    Enjoy our full interview here

    IT'S A DOG'S LIFE  |  BLISSFUL SLEEPING

    Memory foam bolster bed

    Working from home has moments of calm, after the long walk comes the big sleep, and there’s nothing more hilarious than the sound of your dog snoring during a zoom conference. Dogs will spend nearly half their lives asleep, so help them achieve maximum snuggle and comfort with a quality dog bed that is designed to last. There’s now a huge choice available both online and on the high street. Top of the range is this personalised memory-foam bolster bed from Orvis. It comes in range of sizes and is priced from £219 for the smaller pooch rising to £359 for the extra large canine, and the extra loud snorer.

    orvis.co.uk

    NEW SHOES IN TOWN  |  WELL-HEELED IN GREEN STREET

    The British Shoe Company

    Newly opened in Green Street, The British Shoe Company is stepping on to Bath's luxury retail scene. A family-run business, The British Shoe Company has been involved in English shoe-making and repair for generations, with over 100 years of combined knowledge and experience to call on.

    Made in England, they manufacture and supply top-quality shoes alongside their carefully selected international partners. As autumn approaches, browse their collections of Barker shoes, Berwick 1707, Sanders, Trickers and R.M. Williams, and buy yourself a boot that will last the ages.

    14 Green Street, Bath BA1 2JZ
    britishshoecompany.co.uk

    OBJECT OF INTEREST  |  SLEEK GLASS CARAFES

    Perfect for serving water or wine, the Cobra stainless steel pitcher (£130) or the Cobra glass carafe (£75) are two elegant and harmonious designs by Constantin Wortmann for the iconic Danish brand, Georg Jensen. As well as a beautifully decorative way to serve drinks, they double up perfectly as a stylish vase or simply pieces to be displayed as much-loved possessions. 

    Available from Mallory, 1–5 Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AP
    mallory-jewellers

    AUTUMN EVENT  |  BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED JEWELLERY

    Digital Goldsmiths' Fair 2020, with Tina Engell

    The prestigious Goldsmiths’ Fair is set to launch exclusively online from 24 September to 6 October, on the Goldsmiths' Fair's newly designed and curated website.

    From tomorrow, you will be able to browse the 2020 Fair exhibitors and a selection of their newest collections, and you can purchase pieces directly from the makers via the website.

    This year’s talks programme, which will delivered on Zoom and Instagram, promises to be one of the best yet. Exhibitors will also have the chance to visit a brand-new curated online exhibition of pieces from the Company Collection.

    Entry to the site is free, and tickets are not required – however by registering for a virtual ticket you can ensure that you receive the latest event updates and reminders for the duration of the event.

    The brilliant work of established local goldsmith Tina Engell will be at the fair. Tina's shop on Bartlett Street remains open and customers are welcome to browse her beautifully crafted jewellery, which is made at the bench by hand.

    Tina Engell
    3 Bartlett Street, Bath BA1 2QZ
    Tu
    esday – Saturday 10–5pm
    tinaengell.com

    Goldsmiths' Fair 2020
    goldsmithsfair.co.uk

    ON THE BIG SCREEN  COMEDY

    NT: Present Laughter

    Matthew Warchus directs Andrew Scott (BBC’s Sherlock, Fleabag) in Noël Coward’s provocative comedy Present Laughter. As he prepares to embark on an overseas tour, star actor Garry Essendine’s colourful life is in danger of spiralling out of control. Engulfed by an escalating identity crisis as his many and various relationships compete for his attention, Garry’s few remaining days at home are a chaotic whirlwind of love, sex, panic and soul-searching. Captured live from The Old Vic in London, Present Laughter is a giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.

    On the big screen for one night only, book via The Little Theatre Cinema's website.
    24 September at 7pm.

    ON THE BOX  |  MYSTERIOUS THRILLER

    Enola Holmes

    Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) stars as the teen detective with Henry Cavill (The Witcher), Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown) and Sam Claflin (Me Before You) in Netflix's latest release.

    When Enola Holmes – Sherlock's teen sister – discovers her mother missing, the intrepid teen begins to use her sleuthing skills to outwit her famous big brother Sherlock and unravels a dangerous conspiracy around a mysterious young Lord.

    Watch the full film on Netflix now

    THIS WORKING LIFE  |  ADVICE FOR PROFESSIONALS

    Advice from Mogers Drewett

    How to deal with an estate as an executor during the coronavirus pandemic.

    The continuing challenge and increased financial hardship resulting from the pandemic have increased the pressure on executors. Chartered Legal Executive, Kat King of Mogers Drewett, sets out what is required of executors to avoid claims.

    Read more from Mogers Drewett here

    GARDEN AMBIENCE  LIMITED SPECIAL OFFER

    Autumn nights by the fire

    Designed by Klaus Rath, the Morsø Fire Pot is the obvious choice for enjoying cosy times outdoors. Made of sheet iron and designed with a practical windscreen, when combined with the cast-iron barbecue grid Morsø Tuscan Grill this fire pot can also be used for a variety of outdoor cooking purposes, a perfect centrepiece to gather around.

    Kindle Stoves currently has the Morsø on a limited special offer – just £99 (RRP £179).

    Glenavon Farm, 331 Bath Rd, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3TJ
    kindlestoves.co.uk

    PROPERTY UPDATE  |  NEW TO THE MARKET

    Grosvenor Villas, Bath

    Wonderfully refurbished by the current owners, this unique property has now been transformed throughout with many contemporary design finishes that add to the period features and lovely character of this original 1920s house. Conveniently situated in Larkhall, with four bedrooms, extensive beautiful gardens, parking and a garage, this makes a perfect family home. On the market at £900,000.

    On offer via Andrews Estate Agents
    rightmove.co.uk

    Click here to read the current edition of The Bath Magazine
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