MY FAVOURITE YOUTUBERS; The Best Of A Bad Bunch

As most of you are probably painfully aware, YouTube is absolutely packed to the brim with crap.

Self-proclaimed "gurus" pumping out sponsored videos, blurry makeup tutorials and pointless hauls.

However, amongst the rubble lie a few absolute gems.

Here are a few videos of interest from some of my favourite YouTubers.

For Fashion;

CLOTHES ENCOUNTERS

Sarah and Jenn, the girls of Clothes Encounters, are probably amongst my top three favourite YouTubers. With their videos detailing their thrift shopping excursions, these girls actually show you what they've bought by modeling it as part of an outfit, which is, in my opinion, much more useful than just holding it up to the camera for a split second.  

These girls have enviable style, and their videos always have a great soundtrack to boot.  

Check them out!

For Food;

WORKING CLASS FOODIES

I love cooking shows so much, I don't even know why.  When I'm using TV as a method relaxation, I always find myself flicking to the food channels to try and find some Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall or something along those lines.  However, seeing as I don't actually have a TV in my apartment yet, I end up watching cookery shows on YouTube instead.  One of my favourite YouTube food channels is Working Class Foodies, because most of the things they cook are actually quite attainable, and they are always interesting to watch.

For Music;

VIVAHATE33

Obviously, music on YouTube is a little bit different, because there isn't really one channel I revert back to again and again.  Some of my favourite videos to watch on YouTube, however, are interviews with Morrissey and VivaHate33 is a channel dedicated to this.  As most of you probably already know, I am a huge fan, and I find Morrissey absolutely fascinating.  I love his old interviews, so here's just one as a sample.

Chocolate MALTESER Refrigerator Cake.

My aunt used to always make this when I came over because I loved it so much.  So last time I went to her house for dinner just before I came back to college, she presented me with a big box of it much to my delight.  Alas, my supply has now run out (it's awfully addictive), and so I've decided to take matters into my own hands and attempt to recreate my favourite biscuit cake of all time.

Warning; if you are dieting, stop reading now.

Ingredients:

100g butter

6 tbsp golden syrup

250g chocolate (I used Dairy Milk)

200g broken Rich Tea biscuits

200g Maltesers

Honestly, is it almost impossible that there exists a recipe which is easier than this one.  Basically, all you do is place a saucepan on a medium heat and add the butter, chocolate and golden syrup.  While these are melting together, stir occasionally.  Crush the Rich Tea until the pieces are quite small, and add the Maltesers.  When the heated mixture is melted together and smooth, add to the bowl with the biscuits and Maltesers and mix well.  Lay the completed mixture into a greased swiss roll tin and leave to cool.  When it is cool, place in the fridge for a few hours and you're good to go!

CHRISTMAS Hot Chocolate.

This really wasn't meant to be a recipe blog.. But every time I discover something new, I can't resist!

I just got home from college today, my dad was supposed to drive up and collect me yesterday, but the ice meant that he couldn't, and so I got the 12 noon train home today with Peter.  This was quite difficult- let's just say that I don't pack light.  But it was so good to finally get here!  Not to say I won't miss Dublin terribly.

When I got back to my house, I really felt like it was Christmas for the first time this year.  All the decorations were up, and my mom had a cinnamon spice candle lighting, so it all felt seasonal and warm.  Seeing as it was absolutely freeeezing outside, and we had marshmallows in the house, I decided what better way to warm up than to make some hot chocolate?  So here's my recipe!

Ingredients:

(I used American measuring cups for the milk!)

4.5 cups of milk (I used semi-skimmed)

8oz of Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate

1 tablespoon of caster sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 teaspoon of instant coffee 

(the coffee is optional, but I think it gives a really nice flavour!)

Marshmallows

or

Cinnamon sticks

or 

Candy canes.

Method:

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan, bring almost to simmering point.

2. Take the saucepan off the heat and stir the chocolate in until it's melted.

3. When the chocolate is melted, stir in the caster sugar, vanilla essence and coffee.

4. Whisk the mixture vigorously until it's a little bubbly on top.

5. Spoon into mugs using a ladle, and float some marshmallows on the top, or alternatively, place a cinnamon stick or candy cane in your mug and let the flavours infuse out of it.