• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about Dom in the Kitchen
  • contact me
  • pr & demo’s
  • Private Dining

Dom in the Kitchen Homepage

Recipes from my Lincolnshire kitchen

  • Home
  • Chicken Thighs
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Eggs
  • Vegetarian
  • Everything else

totally fucking crap

22 January 2012 by Dominic Franks




I think, without trying to sound too melodramatic,  I can honestly say this has been one of the worst weeks of my life…


… and it’s taken me a while to get back into the kitchen and be bothered to cook… I have that feeling in my throat, like when you’ve cried too much and you can’t breathe any more… except I haven’t cried… there’s been too much anger and  I’ve had to much to do to think about crying…

… now I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me, that’s not why I’m posting this, I simply wanted to explain why I’ve been so quiet this week…


… and you may think it odd that I’ve chosen to bake a triple layer chocolatey celebration cake after such a tough week but you see the thing is I deserve this. I have triumphed over despicable evil and even though I’ve come through this a little broken I can see the light at the end if the tunnel and it is rather wonderful…

… what do you mean you can’t see the wonderful triple layered chocolate cake with lusciously thick American Frosting… ? is that because to round off my fucking crap week, I dropped the bloody thing on the floor…?

I managed to save some of the stuff but it was so smooshed up I just smooshed the whole lot up and squidged it into these little tea-cups… it tasted divine, very thick and sweet but quite light and fluffy too… one cup was probably just too much but what the heck eh?


… and yes, I realise I’ve been entirely vague in detailing this weekus horribilis but I expect you, dear reader, to accept the fact that it was bad and move on with me without any pity…

… i’d like to thank Katie from Matcha Chocolates for providing the incredible dark chocolate for this smoosh… I doubt it would have tasted quite so good without it…


eat and of course, enjoy!

Share this post:

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on E-mail

Filed Under: Everything else Tagged With: crap week

Previous Post: « pork belly and chorizo stew
Next Post: Belleau Smokery and Trout Farm »

Reader Interactions

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Comments

  1. Angela says

    22 January 2012 at 7:30 pm

    Very sorry you had a weekus horribilis. You deserved the chocolate. You deserve all the chocolate you want.

  2. Chele says

    22 January 2012 at 7:30 pm

    Well I think it looks fab served in the tea cups, a proper treat indeed. Sorry to hear it has been such a rough week for you though. Hope all is ok now … you know where I am!

  3. From the Kitchen says

    22 January 2012 at 7:38 pm

    I do hope the chocolate helped!

    Best,
    Bonnie

  4. eatingupnorth says

    22 January 2012 at 7:41 pm

    Sorry to hear you've had such a horrible week.
    The cake looks great though, and I love the vintage-looking china.
    Hoping that next week is a good one x

  5. Kate@whatkatebaked says

    22 January 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Oh Dom, sending you my very very best wishes for a far far far better week this week! And I agree with the above comments- the beautiful teacups are glorious, such fab presentation!

  6. Mark Willis says

    22 January 2012 at 7:43 pm

    Well! It must have been pretty bad for you to write like that. Don't you want to tell us what made your week so bad? “A problem shared is a problem halved”, they say… It might help to get it off your chest.
    Anyway, look at it this way: next week just HAS to be a better one! 🙂

  7. Janice says

    22 January 2012 at 7:44 pm

    Isn't it always the way that you drop the cake when everything else has gone wrong. My friend had a terrible year last year and has just come out of hospital and has decided to start her year with the Chinese – bring on the year of the dragon!

  8. Mel (Sharky Oven Gloves) says

    22 January 2012 at 7:47 pm

    The cake looks fabulous in the teacups (I also love the teacups!). I hope it helped cheer you up a bit – I hope next week brings you far better things!!!
    Mel xx

  9. Gary says

    22 January 2012 at 7:49 pm

    best wishes dom.
    hope things pick up for you soon

    Gaz

  10. The Owl Wood says

    22 January 2012 at 7:56 pm

    Don't get mad – get even.

    Chocolate always helps and that looks fantastic!

  11. StephenC says

    22 January 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. If only it were possible to take a nap in that poppy field in Wizard of Oz. Of course you'd need some way to get woken up!!!

  12. Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes says

    22 January 2012 at 8:08 pm

    Hopefully this week will be better and you can rid yourself of all the bad karma from last week.

    On another not, your “teacup cake” looks delicious! We also have the same pattern! LOL1!!

    Got to run the Patriots are on! GO PATS!!!

  13. Beverly@Beverly's Back Porch says

    22 January 2012 at 8:25 pm

    You may have had a terrible week, but you have made me laugh for 5 minutes. Nothing last forever and it sounds like you are on the right road back. What a great way to salvage a dropped cake. I hope I remember for the next time I drop one.

  14. Gardenteacakesandme says

    22 January 2012 at 8:26 pm

    Sorry to hear you've had that bad week we face but a few times in our lives. As they say what doesn't break us makes us stronger.

    Keep making those chocolate cakes, sounds like you've discovered a new cake trend, move over Cake Pops here come Cake Cups!

  15. Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

    22 January 2012 at 8:33 pm

    Oh dear! What ever it was I hope next week is much much better! xx

  16. Phil in the Kitchen says

    22 January 2012 at 9:00 pm

    Things can only get better – hang on, isn't that lousy song? Well, best wishes on a brighter future, anyway. A cup of chocolate cake must be a good start.

  17. Elaine says

    22 January 2012 at 9:03 pm

    Dom, I'm so sorry to hear that you've had a terrible week. Let me know if there is anything we can do (I do mean that) and in the meantime chocolate is a good place to start. Elaine xx

  18. Choclette says

    22 January 2012 at 9:05 pm

    What a bummer to have dropped the cake on top of everything else, but Dom, your teacup cakes look fantastic and so so elegant. And really being the recipient of some of Katie's chocolate has to have made things ever so slightly better. AND you know we all love you and are routing for you, so hopefully that might help a little bit too.

  19. Patricia (La Chatte Gitane) says

    22 January 2012 at 9:11 pm

    Well, even if you had a crap week, at least you have the most beautiful cups I've ever seen. 😉

  20. MissCakeBaker says

    22 January 2012 at 9:29 pm

    If it's any consolation Dom I've had a vv shit week myself (with shittest bday ever yesterday) and completely get the cake baking as did same for myself (and from new cookbook so that ticks your challenge). I found shouting obscenities loudly at neighbours constantly barking dog helped. And eating cake. Nice teacups btw.

  21. Suelle says

    22 January 2012 at 9:29 pm

    Sorry to hear it's been a rough week for you. Dropping the cake would have been the last straw for me – I don't think I'd have thought of rescuing it in such an ingenious way. Hope things improve next week! xx

  22. From Beyond My Kitchen Window says

    22 January 2012 at 9:32 pm

    Sorry to hear about your horrible week. I hope things are better for you this coming week. The dessert looks lovely in your tea cups. Chocolate tends to make one feel a little better.

  23. Corrine says

    22 January 2012 at 9:51 pm

    no pity, but I'm very sorry you have had such a crap week. More chocolate is in order, I think.

    ps- love the cups!

  24. Lauraelizabeth says

    22 January 2012 at 10:04 pm

    I love the title of this post. I love your cups and I think I would probably love what is in the cups too.

  25. Katy Salter @ Pinch of Salt says

    22 January 2012 at 10:23 pm

    So sorry you're having a shit time – chocolate doesn't solve, but it always helps x

  26. At Anna's kitchen table says

    22 January 2012 at 10:26 pm

    Can I give you a hug? (((())))

    You eat as much chocolate as you want sweetheart!

  27. Kavey says

    22 January 2012 at 10:29 pm

    Dear Dom, so sorry you've had such a shitty shitty week, and dropped a fine cake to top it all off, as though it weren't bad enough already.
    Hoping you will find calm and joy through your cooking again, and be able to move forward in your normal positive fashion.
    Lots of love and hugs,
    Kavey

  28. little macaroon. says

    23 January 2012 at 3:00 am

    it's always when you're at the lowest of the low that something so utterly frikkin' maddening happens, like dropping a cake. It symbolises the last straw, and means it is totally ok to throw the plate at the wall.

  29. Dom at Belleau Kitchen says

    23 January 2012 at 8:18 am

    You are all bloody lovely and have made me feel very loved and supported. Thank you to each and every one of you. It's the support of friends that get you through this kind of nonsense and I really appreciate it xx

  30. Ruth Ellis says

    23 January 2012 at 9:26 am

    In my experience epic cake dropping always comes right at the end of a series of shitty events, and generally because you can't actually feel any worse, or cry any more, makes you laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. And that is is only cake, which thankfully still tastes really good after it has been on the floor!
    Rx
    (PS the teacups are gorgeous!)

  31. debby emadian says

    23 January 2012 at 10:03 am

    Oh Dom…first I laughed when I saw the title of your post then I almost cried when I read it…chin up…

    Your desert looks amazing…love the touch of the china tea cups…very mad hatters tea-party…

    It's a new week I'm sure it's going to get better….
    Debx

  32. mummy says

    23 January 2012 at 12:56 pm

    its the Year of the Dragon – very auspicious & I know its going to be the best one ever for you Dom
    Love you – Mummy x

  33. Michael Toa says

    23 January 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Dom, I hope you're feeling feel better soon! Eat more chocolates please… or pork belly 🙂

  34. GG says

    23 January 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Horrible times always seem to be followed by a cooking disaster. At least you managed to salvage a delicious looking chocolate smoosh. This should definitly become a 'Recipe'. GG

  35. Karen S Booth says

    23 January 2012 at 7:59 pm

    Dom, I know why it was crap – when I did not hear from you I had hoped it had got better…..BIG hugs, HUGE hugs and PLEASE email me if you need to offload anything….. despite all the crap, those photos are drop dead gorgeous….LOVELY!
    THANKS so much for your helpful and candid comments on my blog too…..XXX
    Karen
    XXX
    Late replying as I have been travelling back to France all day!

  36. Wally B says

    23 January 2012 at 8:27 pm

    I hope the cake drop was the finale. I'm glad you didn't waste it.

  37. cupcakegirl says

    23 January 2012 at 8:59 pm

    I hope you are feeling better now and next week is better and I think the cake looks adorable in the little tea cups I am definitely serving mine like that next time, so much cuter than slices.

  38. Jenn says

    24 January 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Bad weeks suck! I completely understand why you baked a celebration cake… sometimes you need a little something to help you make it through that rough week. I'm more sorry that you dropped it then anything else… Hang in there.. Things are bound to get better!

  39. Lynds says

    24 January 2012 at 6:14 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  40. Lynds says

    24 January 2012 at 6:20 pm

    I'm sorry that you had such a crappy week but I have to say I love your honesty! And if I'm being entirely honest myself your post made me laugh a little (well the title anyway!) – not at your crap week but only cause I feel like I have had a crappy month so you have made me feel better knowing that it's not just me having a bad start to the year!!! I hope this week is better for you – and if not time to make more chocolate goodness to cheer you up! : )

  41. laura@howtocookgoodfood says

    24 January 2012 at 9:13 pm

    So sorry about your week from hell, and hope it is all behind you now. Hate it when you get bogged down in stuff.
    Your tea cup choc delights are so great and as for the amazing comments everyone has left so far, I have faith you will feel better soon xx

  42. Shu Han says

    24 January 2012 at 10:00 pm

    hey dom, hope you're feeling better already. I had a pretty shit week last week too, including having my laptop eing taken away for a 12 day long repair in the middle of portfolio submission for uni, and that also cost me 366 pounds. ok probably not helping here, but just thought we can all wallow in a bit of misery together. that said, i'm positive this week will be better, becasue it's the start of a new year (chinese) and it's said to be a great dragon year!

    cheer up xxx

  43. Bronya says

    25 January 2012 at 12:52 pm

    You fully deserve the, possibly too much, chocolate cake! I hope it cheered you up!!

    http://daisycakecompany.wordpress.com

  44. Baking Addict says

    25 January 2012 at 10:15 pm

    No pity or sympathy as requested 😉 actually I take that back. I'm sorry you had such a bad week and I really hope things are better. I love how you managed to save the cake and still make it look pretty!! will remember that next time my clumsy hands drop cake 🙂

  45. Liz says

    26 January 2012 at 12:39 pm

    Must be something in the air this January 'cos it's been very similar for me!!!! Love your cups with cake in and wish I had one right NOW!!!!
    Here's looking at February kid!

  46. Milli says

    20 June 2012 at 9:39 pm

    Just found your site and have been clicking on random posts and been here longer than I should! I'm guessing this post is just a distant memory now and so you won't mind me telling you it made me chuckle! I made a wowzer of a cake today just for me (well, I shared it) but just for the pure enjoyment of baking and eating, no photos, no blog 🙂

  47. Dom at Belleau Kitchen says

    21 June 2012 at 5:30 am

    Aww thanks Millie. Yes. Have tried so hard to put this nonsense behind me. Glad you like the site. Thanks for the lovely words!

Primary Sidebar

About Dom In The Kitchen

My name is Dominic, I am a cook, food writer and creative event producer. I write the food blog Dom In The Kitchen and also write a monthly recipe column for Lincolnshire Life Magazine and Good Taste Magazine. I also run creative event production company The Persuaders, producing global events for brands since 1997. I am based both in the small village of Belleau in Lincolnshire and the smaller village of London! Read More…

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe

Archives

Tweets by @DomInTheKitchen

as featured in Lincolnshire Life Magazine

Lincolnshire Life

creatively managed by

The Persuagers
Belleau Cottage

Footer

dominthekitchen

GIVEAWAY!!! - Win a @charbroil_uk BBQ and 2 cases GIVEAWAY!!! - Win a @charbroil_uk BBQ and 2 cases of wine for BBQ food-pairing from @beefsteakclubwines 

I’ve teamed up with barbecue expert, Char-Broil, and Beefsteak Club wines to provide one lucky winner with a BBQ party package of the Char-Broil Performance Pro 2-Burner compact gas barbecue (RRP: £449.99) plus two cases of Beefsteak Club wines!!

To be in with a chance of winning this mega BBQ prize, simply:

1) Follow @dominthekitchen @charbroil_uk and @beefsteakclubwines 

2) Like this post

3) Share this post

4) tag friends in the comments. One tag = one entry, so get tagging - the more the merrier!

Ts&Cs: Winner will be chosen at random and announced via my IG Stories once the competition has closed on Sunday 12th June at 11pm GMT.  Prize to be posted to a UK address only. This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram. No purchase necessary. Multiple entries allowed per person. Open to UK entrants aged 18 or over. 

#PRSample #competition #prize #giveaway #entertowin #bbq #wine #foodpairing #gift #food #foodie #foodiesofinstagram
#ad Jubilee Cakewiches with @guylian.uk Still sl #ad Jubilee Cakewiches with @guylian.uk 

Still slightly obsessed with these cakewiches which are basically cakes made into sandwiches and all topped off with the ultimate finishing touch - a beautiful Guylian SeaShell. 

#cakes #cake #cakesofinstagram #picnic #jubilee #celebration #party #partyfood #food #foodies #platinumjubilee
Tomato, Feta and Strawberry Salad with my Slightly Tomato, Feta and Strawberry Salad with my Slightly Pickled Pink Onions

I wanted to share the pics of this salad the moment I made it cos it’s just so vibrant and summery. 

The real star of the show are the amazing slightly pickled pink onions… but… (and I hate to be a tease) you’ll have to wait till next week for the recipe!

#salad #salads #tomatoes #feta #healthy #healthyfood #healthyeating #food #foodblogger #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #britainsbesthomecooks_
I love my garden for many reasons… #worldnakedg I love my garden for many reasons…

#worldnakedgardeningday2022 #garden #gardeninspiration #gardening #nakedgardeningday2022 #summer #muscles #gym
Apricot & Strawberry Frangipani Pudding (recipe be Apricot & Strawberry Frangipani Pudding (recipe below)

This pudding is like a bowlful of summer. It’s light and fruity and sweet and so easy to put together.  I think it’s also quite unexpected to serve a pudding when fresh fruit is in abundance and a simple fruit salad would suffice but that’s what I adore about this.  Plus, this pudding makes very good use of those punnet’s of strawberries that look great in the supermarket but in fact taste all spongy and gloopy when you get them home.

Here’s the #recipe:

🍓 200g butter
🍓 200g golden caster sugar
🍓 3 large free-range eggs
🍓 200g ground almonds
🍓 100g strawberries – quartered
🍓 4 apricots – sliced into wedges
🍓 the finely grated zest and juice of half a lemon
🍓 2 tablespoons @fage_uk Greek Yoghurt
🍓 1 teaspoon @little_pod Vanilla Bean Paste

I greased a 20cm fluted ceramic pie dish and pre-heated the oven to 160C

beat the sugar and butter together in a large bowl until light and creamy… a stand mixer will do this in 4 minutes, a hand held electric whisk will do it in 6 minutes and a wooden spoon will do it in 8 minutes.

add the eggs and 1 tablespoon of ground almonds and beat in, then add the rest of the ground almonds and gently beat in, followed by the Greek Yoghurt, lemon zest and juice, vanilla and half the strawberries and beat in – the strawberries will become mush – which is exactly what you want.

lay half the remaining fruit into the bottom of your dish and cover with the frangipane batter, then scatter the remaining fruit on top

bake for 45 mins or until darkly golden brown, then remove from the oven and let it cool to set

#pudding #summerfood #summer #strawberry #strawberries #apricot #frangipani #cake #cakesofinstagram #cakes #food #foodie #britainsbesthomecooks_
Potato Kugel Traybake with Poached Eggs and Mushro Potato Kugel Traybake with Poached Eggs and Mushrooms

Is there anything more ‘Sunday Brunch’ than a crispy rosti with a delicately fragile poached egg on top? This Traybake rosti is a twist on a Jewish potato cake made with potatoes, carrots and onion. It’s amazing and really does make the perfect brunch. 

What are you having for brunch today?

for the kugel:
🍳 5 medium potatoes
🍳 2 large onions
🍳 2 large carrots – roughly grated
🍳 2 eggs – beaten
🍳 2 tablespoons flour
🍳 salt and pepper
🍳 a large handful of fresh rosemary
🍳 2 tablespoons of olive oil

for the poached eggs:
🥚 2 eggs per person
🥚 water
🥚 salt
🥚 a ramekin or similar

pre-heat the oven to 180C and butter your baking tin… i’m using an oblong swiss roll tin but any metal pan will do, a quiche or tarte tin is good.  Earthenware will work too but there’s something about the metal tin that makes it more ‘roasty’

Cut the potatoes and carrots into large chunks and par-boil till just beginning to yeald, drain and place in the fridge for one hour.  I usually do mine the night before.

Once the potatoes and carrots are cold, grate them and add them with the rest if the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together well.

Tip into your cake tin or roasting tray and roast in the oven on 190C till golden and grisp around the edges, roughly 40 mins

To make the poached eggs I prefer to use my large shallow cast-iron casserole dish.  There’s something about the cast-iron that holds the heat and cooks them evenly.  Fill the pan with water and heat it till it’s rapidly boiling, then turn down the heat until it is just steaming. 

Once it’s steadily hot with no bubbles lower the eggs into the hot water and leave them alone at this exact heat.  They should take about 5 minutes to become perfect with soft yolks but feel free to go until you like them.

#rosti #breakfast #brunch #sunday #eggs #poachedeggs #food #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #breakfastideas #britainsbesthomecooks_
Load More… Follow on Instagram

&copy 2010 - 2021 | All rights reserved | Website by Peckish Digital