Few Americans can forget the photographs of Princess Diana being whisked around the dance floor at the Whitehouse in a dark blue velvet evening dress by John Travolta - the Princess with a huge grin on her face and not a care in the world. A brief respite from the unhappy life she was leading - armed with the knowledge of her husbands’ ongoing affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. It is ironic that 20 years later, to the very month in fact, that Prince Charles returns to the Whitehouse this time with his former mistress – albeit now his wife.

The Duchess of Cornwall (read H.R.H. the Princess of Wales if not for political correctness and the still thousands of “Diana fans" not willing to forget) along with her husband Prince Charles will be visiting Washington DC, New York and San Francisco starting November 1st. It is a brave move by the palace ‘spin doctors’ introducing the Prince’s new wife to the American people and hoping to win their hearts. The U.S.A adored Princess Diana and Princess Diana adored the U.S.A. in return and many are still not ready to forgive.

‘Diana groups’ on the internet are already chattering about the trip – one member stating that the latest photograph of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (she in a tiara) looked like an old photo of Charles and Diana – only Diana is in a Halloween mask. Another who has been tirelessly campaigning for years now to have a tree planted in Washington DC in memory of Princess Diana (she sent letters for support and received negative replies from the Prince of Wales office and the Spencer family) felt it a kick in the stomach to read that the Duchess of Cornwall will be planting a tree whilst in Washington DC.

Time will tell if time will heal the memories and the American people - the British too - will allow the Prince the happiness he so desires. I fear at the moment though, the general feeling is that he follows the decision of the last Prince of Wales to marry a divorcee (Edward VIII) … to abdicate when the time arises.

Tuesday November 1, I will be cooking live on Good Morning Texas. It’s on WFAA channel 8 between 9:30am and 10am, so tune in if you are in the area.
Here’s a heads up on the recipe …

1. Prepare the sauce by adding all of the ingredients to a heavy based pan. Stir over high heat until everything is combined. Bring to a boil and simmer for 4 minutes. Pour about 1 ½ cups of the sauce into a greased 2 pint pudding basin and allow to cool. Save the remaining sauce to pour over the pudding.
2. Place the apricots in a bowl with the bicarb soda and the boiling water. Stir until the soda dissolves and leave to cool. Steps one and two can be done a day ahead.
3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add the egg and vanilla and keep beating. Fold in the flour and baking powder followed by the apricot mix. Spoon the mix into the bowl on top of the cold sauce.
4. Steam the pudding in a double boiler for about 1 ½ hours. When the pudding is ready, reheat the remaining sauce. Invert the pudding onto a warm plate and pour over the sauce. Serve with Clotted cream, whipped cream or Ice cream.

Not sure what to serve the family as a change this year? Thinking of something different to take to those ‘pot luck dinners’? Then sign up for one of my two cooking classes this month at Market Street in Colleyville and McKinney.

I will be at the McKinney store on November 19 from 11am – 1pm (972 548 5167) and at the Collyville store November 26 from 11am – 1pm (817 577 5047).
Come along and watch me prepare the following.

Sample them all and then take home the recipes. Sign up quickly though – only a few seats left at each store.
See you there;