When you think of legendary bakers in Britain, Dame Prue Leith is certainly at the top of the list.
However, the beloved judge from The Great British Bake Off recently surprised fans with an unexpected confession: she hasn’t made her own puff pastry in a staggering 25 years!
At a recent Literary Festival, the 84-year-old shared her thoughts on shortcuts in baking while promoting her new cookbook, Life’s Too Short To Stuff A Mushroom.
Embracing Kitchen Shortcuts
Dame Prue isn’t shy about her approach to baking.
She openly admits to taking a few shortcuts along the way, stating that it’s perfectly acceptable to cheat in the kitchen.
During her conversation with host Tim Hubbard, she mentioned, “I haven’t made real custard in years. I just buy the little boxes, and they’re delicious. Some are better than others; I particularly like Ambrosia.”
She joked about her husband, saying, “He’ll eat anything as long as it’s got custard in it.”
A Shocking Revelation
But it didn’t stop there.
When asked about her puff pastry, she shocked the audience again by saying, “I haven’t made puff pastry in 25 years.”
It’s clear that even a baking legend finds value in convenience.
Praise for Modern Kitchen Gadgets
Dame Prue also surprised the crowd by praising air fryers, a modern kitchen gadget.
Although she named the traditional potato peeler as her all-time favorite tool, she reluctantly admitted that she makes use of an air fryer.
In fact, she recently baked a chocolate cake using an air fryer, oven, and microwave, finding that all methods produced equally delicious results.
She quipped, “The air fryer causes the least mess!”
A Balance of Simplicity and Quality
In discussing her latest cookbook, she emphasized that it’s still about creating fantastic food, even if it involves some shortcuts.
“This book is still about gastronomy,” she explained.
“It’s about the best possible food. It’s delicious, simple, and yes, you can cheat.”
However, she made it clear that not every recipe allows for such cheating.
“You can’t just buy anything from the supermarket and throw it together,” she added, highlighting the importance of quality ingredients.
What’s Next for Dame Prue?
Dame Prue’s candid revelations challenge the notion of perfection in baking.
As she continues to inspire both home bakers and aspiring chefs, it’s clear that her approach to cooking embraces both creativity and practicality.
Fans are left wondering what other surprises she might have in store!
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