How To Be A Domestic Gorgon

While on the phone to k, I was holding on to the packet cake mix I planned on making. I turned the box over and found to my utter astonishment that this particular gateau - a one-layer chocolate cake with chocolate icing - was classed as intermediate.

I though the whole point of packet cakes was that they were all pretty basic.

But no, Green's advises that they:

...have developed a system to help you choose by grading how easy or complex it is to prepare our Traditional Chocolate Cake.

Basic: Mix with wooden spoon.
Intermediate: Electric mixer (or hand mix) and one or two additional steps.
Advanced: Electric mixer (or hand mix) and more than two additional steps.

Here's hazelblackberry's advice: if you're intimidated by a so-called "advanced" packet mix, I suggest you go back to high school, right back to Year 8, enrol in Home Economics and let the terrifyingly competent and thoroughly intimidating Mrs Hansen* lead you step-by-step through some cookery basics.

Stick with her until the end of Year 10 - by then you'll know everything you need to know, and anyway, Home Ec doesn't count towards your tertiary entrance score.

She'll scream a lot, but it will be worth it. When you get back here, any packet cake mix will be a cinch. A cinch.



*Possibly her real name, or possibly not.