So you're saying Nadiya won? Oh well, the spoiler is ok because I had a hunch she was going to be the winner. Edited to say that I went online to see exactly what episode we got to see last night. It was the chocolate challenge and it had a date of airing as August 5th? I'm confused. Where are you guys from that have already watched the finale? Are you from across the pond? ha

I missed it.....will try to remember next week. I see Steve Harvey has a new show.... Wednesday nights....a take off of Little Big Shots..... All older people. Since I became "elderly" myself.... I want to see what other old folks can do. ;)

"I had always heard that the British are awful cooks." A rather common misconception :-) There are just as many great British chefs/cooks as there are anywhere else. And traditional British foods are delicious when correctly prepared. My only complaint is that there is a tendency to overcook the veggies. But I think even that is less of an issue now. I think part of the reputation for British food being bad is that rationing during WWII and after was severe and lasted a long time - well into the 50's - and the Brits were forced to make do with minimal ingredients and tough cuts of meat. And overcooking was maybe a way to deal with that. But my travels there have produced some absolutely wonderful meals. Pub lunches and meals are some of the best!! My parents were British and I grew up with this style of cooking. Mom baked but not a lot and she never got as creative as the bakers on the show get. She would make steamed or sticky puddings (which I loved as a kid but seriously sweet!!), always plum pudding and Christmas cake (fruit cake but not at all like you encounter here in the US - very boozy!), trifles, mince tarts and sponges and jelly rolls. I have learned how to make all of these as well but do so seldom now that the kid is grown and gone and I am single. Still do a trifle for family Christmas dinner and mince tarts but that's about it. Now and again I make a Pavlova for a summer dessert.

I loved this show. I've watched all of the the Mary, Paul, Sue, Mel seasons. More than once! Tried to give it a chance after the debacle but Mel and Sue carried the humor, which was only second to the wonderful camaraderie the contestants had for each other. I really miss them all together. Becky, I've made that bread several times...including this evening! It's wonderful for toast, which my kids are looking forward to topping with peanut butter and jelly tomorrow morning :) I think it'd make great French toast, too. I use Corningware larger than the sizes of her Pyrex, 1.5 and 1.75. Tonight it was a 2 qt. round for one loaf, instead of two. Freezes well. Here's tonight's slice with some chicken noodle soup from Smitten Kitchen Every Day. I buttered, cooked on a sheet pan at 400 until the bottom toasted, turned and topped with a mix of grated fridge cheeses, and continued to bake until the bottom toasted.