From Food to Places to People: My Top 10 Fabulous Charlottes…
So the royal baby has well and truly settled into British life. Kate has shared those first gorgeous snaps of Prince George with his sweet sister, and the christening is booked. If you have a soft spot for most of the monarchy, like me, then my list of all things Charlotte will inspire you to read, cook, watch, listen to, visit or try something new!
1) Charlotte Church
Now I am not one for gossip, but I do say good for opera singer turned pop star, Charlotte Church for standing her ground re. those recent Twitter attacks courtesy of Katie Hopkins over her political choices. And how refreshingly understated that she has titled her four albums showcasing her musical diversion simply as ‘One’, ‘Two’, ‘Three’ and ‘Four’. This pretty Charlotte has more than been through the media mill and would have plenty of sound advice to offer the newest Princess on the block when it comes to growing up in the limelight…
2) Apple Charlotte
A pudding fit for royalty in anybody’s book. And with my love of all things cakey, what better way to start celebrating Princess Charlotte! I do hope this quintessentially British dish will be making one helluva comeback thanks to William and Kate’s choice of name.
Here’s my favourite twist on the classic: Apple, Ginger and Chocolate Charlotte. It sounds a strange combination, but believe me, it somehow works! In fact the historical recipes for this dessert were even served with a chocolate sauce… but in my adaptation we add a few chocolate chips – we don’t want to over-do it!
Ingredients
5 medium sized apples (any variety)
100 g sugar (white or brown)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
zest and juice of 1 lemon
125 g unsalted butter
50 g breadcrumbs (white or brown)
2 handfuls of milk chocolate chips – look I know hands are different sizes but it’s less weighing!
8 slices of fresh bread (ie. anything but the processed stuff), crusts chopped off
You will also need a round Charlotte mould or a cake tin (not of the loose variety!)
Next:
– Peel and chop the apples into chunks. Pop them into a large saucepan along with the lemon (both juice and zest), ginger, sugar and 25 g of butter. Cook over a low heat with the lid on and stir often. Keep doing this until the apples are soft. Then take the lid off and stir quickly (you don’t want burnt apple!) Carry on until your mixture is lovely and thick… there should be no visible ‘liquid’ otherwise you will have a disaster when you un-mould your Charlotte later! Have a quick sample – do blow first – to see if you might need to ‘season’ with a little more sugar… Then take off the stove and let it cool. When it’s down to room temperature you can add in your breadcrumbs.
– Make sure your oven is at 180 degrees C. That’s 350 degrees F or Gas Mark 4. Then melt the remaining butter. Cut the bread so you can see that it will easily fit it into your mould (or tin) all around the base and sides until covered. Then paint your melted butter onto just one side of the bread with a pastry brush. Press these into your mould (or tin) and overlap if necessary so that it is nice and secure! Remember to keep enough bread back to make the lid… and don’t brush it with butter until you have put it on top. Next stud your chocolate chips into the bread (and again reserve a few of them for the cover). They should hold their place easily since everything is nice and buttery… Gently add the apple mixture into the mould (or tin) and secure the bread cover in place, studding in the remaining chocolate chips. Make sure none of the apple is showing! Brush with the melted butter and bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Before turning out onto a serving plate, do make sure you leave the Charlotte for 10 minutes. It really will be piping hot. Delicious but scorchio! Serve with custard or cream and tell all your family and friends about it…
3) Charlotte Dujardin
What an inspiring role model this Charlotte is, should Princess Charlotte wish to continue in her Great Grandmother and 2nd cousin, Zara Phillips’ horseshoes… Dujardin began her riding career aged just 2 years old! And in 2012 she secured 2 gold medals at the London Olympics in both the individual and team dressage events. She even has a telepathic relationship with her horse. That’s true Glass House girl spirit if ever we saw it!
4) Charlotteville, Tobago
How I’d love to sail away, sail away, sail away to this place… preferably on board the Royal yacht with a cocktail in hand. Located on the North Eastern point of Tobago, tropical Charlotteville is steeped in sugar farming history – yum. Not only that but it has been relatively untouched by tourism in comparison to many other resorts on the Caribbean island. There are no large hotels, just small guest houses and a few apartments to rent. And there’s a secluded village beach which sounds like paradise, with simply a handful of restaurants on offer. This hidden gem of a place is also one of the last remaining areas in which you can witness the exhilaration that is traditional tamboo bamboo music! Let’s hope it stays that way…
5) Charlotte Potatoes
Are you in for a treat! It just so happens that The Hairy Bikers have knocked up an amazing Tartiflette (French inspired Cheesy Potato Bake) and I am sharing it with you here, so click this link! Charlotte potatoes are also a classic for a salad; their pale waxy skins giving a unique creamy texture that goes so well with summer veggies.
6) Charlotte Bronte
The name behind the infamous novel, Jane Eyre, this historical novelist was several steps ahead of the game when it came to the phenomenon that is self-publishing. For this clever Charlotte, along with sisters Emily and Anne, had the initiative to publish her own collection of poetry. And at The Glass House, we LOVE that kind of attitude!
7) Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Don’t let the fact that Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, and the second largest banking centre after NYC put you off a vacation! This Charlotte is a foodie’s delight – so much so that the city even offers its visitors food tours by bike. Then there’s Discovery Place, a museum where you can walk through a fantastically true to life rain forest, and shortly after be sampling liquid-nitrogen ice cream (interesting!) Add to that the Mint Museum of Art, housed inside the 19th century Mint building and I have already added Charlotte to my list of absolute must see places on my next US voyage…
8) Charlotte’s Web
In 2000 Publishing Weekly cited Charlotte’s Web as the best-selling paperback for kids of all time! The tale of Wilbur the pig and his unlikely sidekick, Charlotte the spider, has been enjoyed by generations all over the world… and will hopefully be treasured by Princess Charlotte too. Without giving away too much to those who’ve not yet read it, Charlotte (I’m talking about the spider now!) tries to spare Wilbur from being turned into piggy meat by writing messages with her web to dissuade the farmer. Spider Charlotte, you’re The Glass House Girl of the insect world!
9) Charlotte Flower Chocolates
Oh my! What a revelation this Charlotte is. Charlotte Flower Chocolates is a Scottish handmade chocolate company with a twist; these guys flavour their delectable treats with locally grown flowers and herbs. Based in Perthshire and working according to the four seasons, chocolate combinations vary from Wild Mint to Juniper Berry and Scot’s Pine to Sea Buckthorn – the latter recently classed as a super food – I am ordering myself a box very, very soon.
10) Sex and The City Charlotte
Last but by no means least – ‘cos we LOVE Sex and The City at The Glass House – we have NYC sweetie, Charlotte York. Played by Kristin Davis, this Charlotte encompasses all that is endearing in a friend… and love interest. I just hope that Princess Charlotte is a little more lucky with the fellas:
Charlotte: ‘I’ve been dating since I was fifteen! I’m exhausted! Where is he?
Miranda: ‘Who, the White Knight?’
Samantha: ‘That only happens in fairy tales…’
And I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping little HRH Princess Charlotte lives one!
