Episode 129: I make chocolate eclairs and a walk by Charles Dickens' Bleak House

[@ronnadelavergne9217]

Loved watching the two of you in the kitchen, like a true baking show. 😊 We are also inspired by the BB show. (We don't get to see it here in the US until Friday evenings.) Keith is making a cinnamon roll flavored cheese cake. I think we will try your éclairs, too. Btw, your baking style is just fine. It's real. It's just terrific. The baby sweater is perfection! Thank you for bringing some joy and peace to us this weekend. Take care.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Now that sounds like a lovely cheesecake. Pete doesn't cook cakes or desserts, just mains, so we're a team! See you soon take care. xx

[@paulinestevens]

I love it when KZbin tells me you’ve put up a vlog! It really feels like visiting a friend! Thank you. ❤

[@penelopeschinwag]

Good show. xx

[@sandrachilds7229]

Just what I like to see Pene and Pete cooking and baking in the kitchen. That adorable sweater in such a short time just brilliant. Seeing Bleak house and the birds soaring lifted my spirits.

[@penelopeschinwag]

No ribbing, just plain knitting, it wizzed up. So pleased you enjoyed the film of our walk xx

[@JoanWard-k2h]

Hello Penelope & Pete, thank you for a fantastic blog showing your great grandson George's cardigan you are a beautiful knitter. I really enjoyed watching you and Pete making chocolate éclairs they look yummy. Take care of yourselves. Love Joan from Nottingham xx ❤

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks Joan from Nottingham. I do love knowing where people are from. We ate the eclairs over a two day stint. Tommy is coming round on Thursday and so I will make them all over again for practice. He'll love them. xx

[@sheryltisdale]

Thank you Penny and Pete! Looks delicious!

[@penelopeschinwag]

Oh my they are!

[@debbiestuckey6599]

I loved seeing Bleak House. It's beautiful. I love the gray sweater you knit for your grandson! It's lovely.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks Debbie, when we walk past Bleak House next time I'll take some footage. xx

[@nadinestapler3881]

Thank you for brightening up my day.😊

[@penelopeschinwag]

My pleasure 😊 Nadine. xx

[@margaretgodfery7038]

The eclairs looked yummy. So enjoyable to watch. Thank you x

[@penelopeschinwag]

As always, thanks for joining me. xx

[@estherrubin867]

You and Pete are the cutest couple! Thank you for sharing your escapades in the kitchen. 😊 The sweater for your great grandson is adorable. I love the clean lines running up and down the front and back. I really enjoy your episodes and appreciate you making the effort. Take care.

[@penelopeschinwag]

I liked the 'clean lines' too, elegantly simply, not words to describe George 😂 but I think it will suit him. xx

[@estherrubin867]

@ 💙

[@linbourne8731]

Fascinating info about ☀️🌜, éclairs looked delicious 😋, perfect weather for a beachside walk.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks Lin. xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you for keeping me company in my craft room while I do today’s little chunk of tidying! It definitely doesn’t matter one bit if our baking isn’t neat and tidy (except for the benefit of visitors) as long as it tastes good! As Linda reminds us on her channel Joy of Things, it’s “real life”! xx

[@penelopeschinwag]

Yup, we loved them!

[@jenniferwatson6094]

Such a delicious treat you made of the eclairs. We live a short walk to a Swiss Patisserie and l will just support the local business, as my cooking skills don’t run to eclairs! George’s cardigan was perfect , so easy to put on and off and wool has such a lovely ‘give’ that moves with busy little people. The goldfinches were so beautiful and healthy and their song is so pretty. Just charming.😊 Thanks to you and Pete for your company.

[@penelopeschinwag]

How wonderful to have a Patisserie nearby! Thanks Jennifer xx

[@lindaschwartz5836]

Its absolutely wonderful to hear your stories!

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks so much Linda! xx

[@kristinvoss9857]

As always, thank you for the lovely episode. You and your Pete are just charming. The cardigan for George is so sweet and I am sure he will get a lot of use out of it. Your family is so lucky you knit things for them. I have quite a few Sirdar books and leaflets and put them on eBay when I get to it. I think it is so nice that you use first class materials when you knit or quilt. Almost all of the yarn in the stores here is really no good at all except for crafts. There is better yarn available on line of course. You are 75 years young! I am 70 3/4. I feel much older this week. The eclairs look delicious. I made some cream puffs many years ago and they were so good but never made them again. I don't have anyone to bake for. Where I live (it is a condo) we unplugged the range and only have a microwave. This place is a studio mostly and we cannot have cooking smells or any sort of stuff getting on the materials. I don't mind not having to wash the walls or cabinets. I had not heard the moon is a Faithful Witness but that is so lovely to think about. Your Goldfinches are different than what we call a Goldfinch. They are so pretty. I had no idea Bleak House is a real place. How wonderful! You really do live in a marvelous town. I'm thrilled that you are doing weekly episodes - and I am sure many others are as well. All the best to you and Pete and your family.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks for that lovely message Kristin. xx

[@lindaeccles1161]

Hi Pene, if I ever come to visit you, please make those eclairs, they look so good 😊. The knitted jumper is great, he will love it. Loved your walk, those goldfinches are delightful. Thanks for the extra videos, they are a treat. Take care, both of you.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Just let me know when!

[@pamelahall282]

Hello penny, pleased to see you again, I find it hard to believe you can knit so quickly, all the beautiful garments for your family members,I have had a bit of a setback ,health wise, all good, and able to see the right people. I am still crafting away,and making some christmas ornaments of of the molds I told you about,out of silicone,a bit tricky because it set very quickly.and you have to work quick. But I managed to only spoil a couple. Loved to see you making chocolate eclairs, I’ve never made them, so looked delicious. Always enjoy your chats,and the family updates, kindest wishes to you and Pete, pamela hall

[@penelopeschinwag]

No ribbing on the cardy, saves so much time! Sending love re your health and so pleased the right people are there for you. Keep on crafting...!xx

[@adacookingstyle168]

So nice sharing 👍❤ thank you so much for sharing dear friend 🥰🥰✅🤝🤝💯❤️ stay connected dear ❤️🥰

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks xx

[@cocoandflora6542]

I’m very inspired to have a go at eclairs, they look delicious and you made it look do-able!! Thanks❤❤

[@penelopeschinwag]

Made them since and a success so very do-able, have a go! xx

[@susanleach8639]

Hi Pene, Thank you for another interesting podcast, and for keeping me company for a while as I was unable to sleep. The only problem was that I couldn’t stop thinking about those eclairs after 😂, they looked amazing. I am definitely going to give them a try.

[@penelopeschinwag]

I can't wait to make some more, we've eaten them all!

[@bevabberley1524]

Late to the party this week you are such a joy to watch and Pete was a very good student 🧑‍🎓

[@penelopeschinwag]

We were both learning together as never made before, now a firm favourite. See you soon. xx

[@emmawalker6585]

Hi beautiful vlog, you two make me laugh and smile, especially when I’m feeling a bit low at the moment, you make lovely things to x

[@penelopeschinwag]

Happy you've had a laugh with us. Hope you pick up soon. xx

[@emmawalker6585]

@ Are thank you, me to, I always look forward to see your vlogs, you have a beautiful garden to xx

[@karenk380]

There are so many amazing things happening in the cosmos. I sometimes wonder how they figure all of it out, distances, sizes, chemical makeup of planets, and all that. A couple nights ago we had clear skies and I could watch the moon traverse they sky. Read a few pages, look up, read a few pages, look up, just a bit farther along. So clear and bright. imagine thousands of years ago, a human looking up, same moon, traversing the sky. what were they thinking. 🤔 The eclairs looked yummy. They remind me of my mother in law who liked to make cream puffs. Seems like they must be about the same as eclairs. Now I need to look up the recipes and compare. I thought it was kind of funny seeing you tell Pete what to do in the kitchen. Like he wasn't a chef. 😉 I really liked your music selection for the video. Lovely. Thanks for sharing.🤗

[@penelopeschinwag]

Food for thought Karen about the moon. Pete cooks the mains and I bake, it's how it's always been in our kitchen. First time for eclairs for both of us. I am bossy!! See you soon and thanks for watching. xx

[@Rosecottage-d1i]

Hi Penny! What a darling little sweater you knitted for George. You and Pete are so fun to watch in the kitchen 😂. Those chocolate éclairs look so yummy...I want one!!😅 Have a lovely week. Hugs...Lonna

[@penelopeschinwag]

Thanks Lorna, we did indeed want one and had 8 each!!

[@Rosecottage-d1i]

😂

[@raewynmckinley-kb4jg]

Enjoyed every minute, the facts on the Moon, the Eclairs and the lovely pics of your garden ( looks beautiful all year round) along with the lovely area you live in. My husband would just LOVE living there, he is potty about the sea. You have so many lovely things to enjoy around you. I will give the eclairs a go, have only made them.once and they didnt turn out right, a bit soggy...❤😊 Fingers crossed this time.

[@penelopeschinwag]

I'm going to put up a photo of the garden with each episode and they will be good to look back on for me. I think the timing is crucial. Don't open the oven door before turning them down and then quickly stab them to let the steam out and put back in to crisp up for 5 mins. I was so surprised and pleased they worked! Hope they do for youxx

[@christineroper2592]

Another lovely video to add to your stash. The chocolate eclairs looked delicious , my mouth was watering l will have a go, in the past I did make coffee eclairs roux rather than long. I am really pleased that you both are looking well. Tommy is going to look great in his new cardigan, lucky boy. Take care and see you soon. xXx

[@penelopeschinwag]

I am going to pipe them into rounds next time just to see! xx

[@angelaholcroft4515]

Hi Pene. Wow, the éclairs looked yummy. I remember making them for my home economics O level. Funnily, I saw my old home economics teacher in town yesterday. We had a nice family time after the remembrance service today. So, just catching up. Have a lovely week, take care. Xx

[@penelopeschinwag]

I didn't do cooking at school. Pete taught me everything and I found I enjoyed it. Hope you're rested up, take care. xx

[@glendabathgate4036]

Wow eclairs look yummy thanks for sharing and the wee cardi just beautiful he will be a wee smasher in it do let us see him wearing it please see you soon x

[@penelopeschinwag]

Posting it today and hopefully a photo. His mum and dad have gone away for a few days for their anniversary so my daughter (nanny) is caring for them. She'll be a frazzle by the end of the week with George!

[@carolynlambert6989]

G’day Penne, thanks for sharing recipe it was a favourite as a child and still is but I’ve never made them 😂 (I’m 67) still hopeful I’ll get around to it 😂 Reckon they’re just fine, no meanness with chocolate topping 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🇦🇺

[@penelopeschinwag]

They don't take long and they're delicious. xx

[@linbourne8731]

Snap, same age,love éclairs, never made them 🇬🇧😊

[@mitzikolody4569]

Hi Penelope an Pete lovely vlog those declares look so nice I have said the same as you we have just had gray days no sun at all an no wind whatsoever leaves moving quite weird really Your sleevless jumper looks very nice on you an the cardi you have knitted your Grandson lovely style an colour an you knitted that in no time Well Penelope N Pete take care an really looking forward to next week ❤x

[@penelopeschinwag]

See you soon, thanks Mitzi. xx

[@juliethomson8745]

Well Pen̈ne after trying the lemon souffle, going to definately try these eclairs! As most of the gardening season is over, got hubby to watch this and he's agreed to have a go too!😁You and Pete make a great team.❤ Although, we are still deciding whose going to wash and who's going to dry the pots afterwards😂.

[@penelopeschinwag]

How lovely sharing in the kitchen, it is fun! Not too many pots for this one. xx

[@elizabethrutledge8182]

Thank you very much dear Pene ❤ I love George’s cardi, it looks so very soft and cuddly! My husband adores Chocolate Eclairs- I might try them as a treat for him soon 😊 it was very interesting to see the preparation of your local beach for Winter- do you often get storms?

[@penelopeschinwag]

Not too many storms hopefully but they try to protect the buildings as best they can. High tides too. The children start to clamber on it and it seems to get knocked down quite quickly 😂

[@epiphany8276]

I remember making chocolate eclairs in Domestic Science, as it was called in my day, I can't remember what happened but i swore I'd never make them again, I think it was the difficulty with piping and maybe getting them out of the special tray. The silicone tray makes all the difference. Yours look delicious! Thanks. Jane. p.s. I may reconsider having seen your episode.

[@penelopeschinwag]

We didn't have cooking at my school but I felt scared just watching others say they are hard. They are not and I was thrilled with how they turned out. The silicone sheet I think worked as well too. Try them!

[@traceybeale1761]

Yum 😋 those eclairs look delicious I remember making them at school..but they weren’t crispy ,maybe I’ll try your recipe they certainly look tempting 😊

[@penelopeschinwag]

I was so surprised at how they turned out. I think the small slit and back in the oven for five minutes lets the steam out and makes them crispy. They went in a jiffy!

[@joyofthings]

Perfect, when you said you made them seven years ago I thought you can’t eat them,,, when you instructed Pete the chef of great standing I thought he was very gallant.I will be round later.xxx🐝🐝🐝

[@penelopeschinwag]

That made me laugh - seven years ago.! Pete does the main course and I do the baking. It works well. As you say he is so gallant as he could do it better I'm sure but he always loves what I make and I love what he makes. See you soon, it's not far!!

[@joyofthings]

@ that sounds perfect.xxx🐝🐝🐝

[@susanfryer1616]

Interesting about the moon

[@penelopeschinwag]

Isn't it. xx

[@kstahl9281]

The pastry look lovely. I’ve made cream puffs, (choux pastry). This seems to be the same method.

[@penelopeschinwag]

That's it choux pastry, delicious. xx

[@margaretmartin6620]

The eclairs look delicious. I will need to not be intimidated and try them!

[@penelopeschinwag]

That's just how I felt! stab them and let the steam out and they are lovely and crispy. Cook them for just one minute and that cooks the flour out. Success. xx

[@ASmileAdayful]

Oh Penne, so the earth ain't flat 😉

[@penelopeschinwag]

What a discovery!

[@nadinestapler3881]

My mother made eclairs when I was little.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Super memories. xx

[@margaretgoertz8751]

The éclairs look yummy. With the filling, what do you add to the 5 tsp of icing sugar to mix it together. I missed it.

[@penelopeschinwag]

Just pop the icing sugar and the vanilla essence into the cream and whisk. Makes a gorgeous vanilla sweetish cream. xx

[@MsPoodlelove]

This weeks Bake Off profiteroles! They are following your lead. I’ll have to start calling you Pru not Pen! 😉

[@penelopeschinwag]

Wasn't that funny, mine not quite the same! but tasted delicious. Made more since - they're going down a treat! I don't know why I was frightened of them before! xx