21/02/2010 by D.

Two very quick breads with the same method.  Both lovely toasted or fresh, spread with some salty butter.

Bara Brith
10 oz mixed fruit
2/3 pint black tea
2 eggs
6 oz wholemeal SR flour
6 oz white SR flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp mixed spice

Coconut Bread
8 oz dessicated coconut
2/3 pint milk
2 eggs
2 oz caster sugar
6 oz wholemeal SR flour
6 oz white SR flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon

Method for either
Before you go to bed, soak the fruit in the tea (or the coconut in the milk).  Line a 2lb tin with baking paper.

Next morning, heat the oven to 170 c.  Check the soaked mixture, you should have at least a little liquid on top of the fruit.  If it has all completely absorbed, add a little more liquid. 

Mix the eggs into the fruit (or coconut) then add the rest of the dry ingredients, mixing well.  The mixture should have a dropping consistency (plop off the spoon) and not be too thick, nor too runny (you’ll end up with either a dry or a soggy loaf).  Adjust accordingly with liquid/flour.

Spoon into the loaf tin and smooth the top.  Bake for 50mins then turn the oven off and leave for a further 10 mins.  Remove from the oven and leave to cool for at least 10 mins before cutting.

These are fantastic for tea, elevenses, breakfast, late night snacks and lunch boxes!  Both are delicious toasted and spread with salty butter.  The brith goes very well with slices of cheddar.

Posted in Wholemeal flour, Tea, Mixed fruit, White flour, Mixed spice, Bread, Snack, Coconut, Milk, Recipe, Toddler, Vegetarian, Cinnamon, Brunch, Eggs, Weaning | Print | No Comments »

20/02/2010 by D.

Some are fussy about the bacon, some are weird about the banana and some just want that syrup!  I love it all together, a little bit of each in every mouthful.  Either way, it’s all served on the side, so everyone call fill their boots; even the picky eaters.  These oaty little pancakes make a wonderful weekend brunch.  Takes about forty minutes from start to eat, less if you are nifty with the pancakes.

Pancakes
1 1/2 cups white SR flour
1/2 cup oatmeal (I blend whole, rolled oats into a fine flour for this)
2 eggs
2 tbsp greek yoghurt
250ml milk
pinch salt
butter for greasing pan

To Serve
1 pack dry-cure smoked streaky bacon
3 bananas, sliced
Maple syrup for pouring (make sure it’s the real deal and not maple ‘flavoured’

Put the flour, salt and oatmeal in a large bowl.  Whisk together the milk, eggs and yoghurt.  Mix the two together into a thick, smooth batter.

Heat a large frying pan to sizzling, then turn it down a touch, you want about 3/4 of the full ring heat.  Put the bacon under the grill to crisp.  Switch the oven on low and put a plate to warm in there (you are going to keep the pancakes warm as you make them).

Using a piece of kitchen towel, wipe some butter all over the surface of the frying pan.  Ladle a large serving spoon or small ladle full of batter into the pan to make a small pancake.  When the top looks set, flip it over for a minute or two, then check to see if it is done (look for patches of browned spots).  If the bottom is too dark when you flip it over, you need to turn the heat down a bit.  The first pancake is often a dud.  Eat it and make another.  Depending on size, you should be able to fit three palm-sized pancakes into a large pan at the same time, which will speed up production. 

Scoop the finished pancakes onto the plate in the oven and go again, until all the batter has been used.  Butter the pan each time before adding more batter.  You should end up with a pile of dinky little pancakes.

Serve the plate of warm pancakes with a seperate plate piled with crispy bacon, a bowl of sliced bananas and maple syrup to drizzle over.  Sublime.

Any left-over pancakes can be refried briefly with some grated cheese for a quick toddler supper.

Posted in Oats, Flour, Maple Syrup, Banana, Milk, Bacon, Brunch, Yoghurt, Recipe | Print | No Comments »

21/01/2010 by D.

1 mug whole rolled porridge oats
2 mugs milk (whichever type you like)
1 apple
1 banana

Heat oats and milk in saucepan (actually we use a small non stick frying pan for this) and let bubble, stirring occasionally for about 5 mins.  The result should be thick and creamy, with texture.  If it is too dry add more milk, if too runny, just let it cook a little longer.

Meanwhile, wash, then grate the apple, skin and all, right down to the core.  Finely slice or mash the banana.  Mix the fruit into the hot cooked porridge.

This will make around 4 small bowls (for us it does 2 adults, 2 toddlers).  Mixing in the cold fruit brings it to the perfect temperature for small people (and Ukranians) to eat immediately.

This is lovely and tangy and sweet.  No sugar needed.  Perfect for a grey January morning when you feel you ought to be eating healthily, but fancy sweet stodge.  It can easily be made in the microwave at work too.

Posted in Banana, Oats, Breakfast, Milk, Brunch, Toddler, Vegetarian, Apple, Weaning | Print | No Comments »

16/01/2010 by D.

6 rashers dry-cure streaky bacon
1 red pepper
6 eggs
500g spirali pasta
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp thick greek yoghurt
salt & pepper to taste

Boil eggs for 10 mins and put bacon on to grill until crispy.  Boil pasta until al dente.  Chop pepper into small cubes.

Cool eggs by running under cold water.  Peel and mash the eggs and mix in the mayonnaise and yoghurt.  Season to taste.  If it’s a little dry, add some more yoghurt and mayo in the same proportions… some eggs are bigger than others and you need it to make a creamy sauce for the pasta.

Crumble the bacon into the egg mixture, add the red pepper and drained pasta and serve while still warm.

I love this as a lazy hangover brunch, served with a tall glass of fresh blood orange juice, or just a plate of orange cut into segments with the rind still on.  If you have some left over, it is delicious as a cold salad for a working lunch.

Posted in Brunch, Yoghurt, Red Pepper, Mayonnaise, Eggs, Bacon, Toddler, Recipe, Pasta, Pepper, Weaning | Print | No Comments »