Before 1800, housekeeping books tended to be handwritten collections of recipes and instructions tried and tested by the household cook. By the 1850’s they were developed into books for ‘adult women’, in particular for your brides who were setting up home. They were intended as work manuals, they were without lavish photography or even set in fine bindings but if you can get hold of one from a book shops they will amaze you. They tell us about the lives of the women in the past from where you can see social change and the disappearance of domestic servants. Mrs…
Author: Treeca
They say that being British is about tolerance, decency and the determination to talk about the weather on all occasions as well as a tendency, when a stranger stands on one’s foot, to apologise Martin Bell
Brew Monday 2020 is run by the Samaritans. When it’s cold and grey outside, getting people together to connect over a warming cuppa and a good conversation helps to make us feel better and manage the ups and downs of life. Have a Brew Monday any Monday this January or February, or a day that’s good for you. And by using your get-together to raise money for Samaritans, you’ll help give people having a tough time somewhere to turn when they need to talk. Kick start the New Year with a morale boosting workplace get together. Having a Brew Monday…
When baking shortbread cookies, substitute half of your plain flour with cornflour. It gives them a really nice taste. Before icing a cake, sprinkle the top with some flour, this will stop the icing from running down over the edges of the cake. To make sure the essence you use adds flavour to the whole cake, mix it into the egg before adding the egg to the mixture. Don’t crowd the oven with Baking tins. The pans should never touch each other or the sides of the oven or be placed over or under each other on the racks. Grease…
With so many celebrity chefs in the UK, you would not expect the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson to come up with his recipe for the typically British favourite of ‘Cheese on Toast’, but apparently where he was the Major of London he came up with this recipe. Well he did and his method is quite simple, ‘Cover toast with slabs of cheese. Grill until it gets all nice’. I think I can make that one Boris…
Did you know there is an art to buttering crumpets? All crumpets should be toasted on both sides, the smooth side first, the holey side last, as this produces a suitable concavity for the butter…Never cut a muffin, snip round the curved side and pull top and bottom apart and insert the butter in thin slices, do not attempt to spread it. Dorothy Harley Food in England
It’s best to transfer both loose tea and tea bags from a cardboard or paper packet or tub into an air-tight container. Tins and caddies with tight-fitting lids are good as they can keep out smells and humidity which can affect the tea. Storing the jars in a dark cupboard will mean the tea will keep well. You should never keep it in the fridge as there is always the chance that water will get into the packet. You should always be careful with flavoured teas, as the added flavourings can be very powerful and easily taint other teas nearby. For…
Growing up I never particularly liked the traditional pineapple upside down cake my mom make. Then when I was a teenager she switched to this recipe, which uses crushed pineapple as opposed to the typical sliced pineapple rings. The texture is much more appealing to me — and the cup of brown sugar you mix […] via Pineapple Upside Down Cake — Whiskey & Tea
This is Christmas to me, a cold night, large sweater, warm cup of tea, a good book, soft socks and a box of chocolates….
Hobbies, they say are extremely good for your health. I love my hobbies which apart from blogging include crafting (mainly cards) knitting, sewing, painting, cross-stitch and baking. I feel sure had I not had these to fall back on over the last twelve months I would have felt extremely low. Some ideas for hobbies from home include – There are many more hobbies you can start from home, these are just the top 14 but if you haven’t got a hobby or want another one then try any of these as they will definitely improve your health and wellbeing.
Whittard Tea has got some amazing teabags for girls which would make excellent Christmas Stocking fillers. THE FOOTSOOTHER TEABAG (ABOVE) is a refreshing, calming blend of herbal teas scented with lemongrass and peppermint, in four teabags. Simply add one Foot soother teabag to a warm bowl or foot bath and allow to brew for a few minutes. Dip your feet in, sit back and relax with the refreshing aromas. The cost is £5 THE BATHTUB TEABAGS (ABOVE) is a relaxing, calming blend of herbal teas and blossoms scented with lemon balm and lavender, in four jumbo teabags. Simply add one…
According to Why Christmas, mince pies, like Christmas Puddings, were originally filled with meat, such as lamb, rather than the dried fruits and spices mix as they are today. They were also first made in an oval shape to represent the manger that Jesus slept in as a baby, with the top representing his swaddling clothes. Sometimes they even had a ‘pastry baby Jesus’ on the top! During the Stuart and Georgian times, in the UK, mince pies were a status symbol at Christmas. Very rich people liked to show off at their Christmas parties by having pies made is different shapes (like stars,…
Pop into The Village Kitchen and take a look at some of our lovely Christmas Gifts for any foodie lover. From Mr Pitchfork Pickles, Chocolates, Nottinghamshire Honey, Novus Teas, Bay Tree Sweet Trio, Marmalade, Chillie Lovers Jam, and other delicious ideas for gifts.
Last minute handmade gift ideas that are great for #christmas. Easy to follow these lovely teacup candles infographic from Pinterest. If you haven’t got any tea cups to use how about these shells instead, also from Pinterest If you are handy with the knitting needles and have some spare wool around why not get this free tea cosy pattern from Love Knitting on Pinterest. Or copy this DIY cup cosy also found on Pinterest There are lots of easy handmade gifts all around tea which could soon be knocked up for any tea lover. These were just a few I…