Gifts from the Kitchen: 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion by Annie Rigg What could be more wonderful than receiving a jar of piquant mango chutney, a tray of gooey brownies, a bottle of fresh raspberry cordial or a box of delicate almond friends? With the current trend for all things thrifty and creative, now is the perfect time to explore the tradition of making and giving something homemade. This book is accompanied by creative packaging ideas and with a huge variety of recipes and ideas for every season and occasion – from candied almonds and Chinese fortune cookies…
Author: Treeca
Ingredients 225g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing Finely grated zest of 1 orange 225g golden caster sugar 4 medium free-range eggs 200g self-raising flour 25g cocoa powder For the decoration 2-3 tbsp icing sugar, sifted 4 tbsp orange juice (or juice of 1 orange) 100g milk or plain chocolate 30g butter Sugared orange sweets, such as Supercook Orange and Lemon Slices, from SainsburyÂ’s Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Rub a little butter inside a deep, loose-bottomed, 20cm square tin. Line the bottom of the tin with a piece of baking paper. Put the butter into a bowl…
Tea Foodie is an inspired blog owned by Suzanne, an amateur cook from Colorado. She shares an amazing array of recipes all made using different kinds of tea – desserts, drinks, and dishes alike. Accompanied by beautiful photography, this blog is definitely worth a visit and great for getting some unusual ideas for your next dinner party. Suzanne says that she is also an amateur when it comes to tea. ‘IÂ’ve been around tea for several years and have certainly learned a lot. But, like wine, tea has a rich history and comes in what seems like an infinite number…
British Egg Week is running from 30th September – 6th October, 2013. Its organised in association with British Lion Eggs, the week’s aim is to show parents and children that eggs are an excellent meal, since they are high in nutrition for youngsters and value for money, too. Top chefs have cooked up lots of recipes to try – just visit the website for the recipe details. The British Lion mark on egg shells and egg boxes means that the eggs have been produced to the highest standards of food safety. There are only around 8 calories in an egg,…
Four weeks until Chocolate Week…! According to the ‘Salon Du Chocolate’ , with a month to go until Chocolate Week it’s all go in the world of chocolate, getting ready for the biggest week in the calendar! This week they have been talking to Divine, who are hosting events in hotels and restaurants up and down the UK so make sure you look to see what’s happening in your area. They also announced the inventor of sea salted caramel, Henri Le Roux, who will be joining them at Salon du Chocolat London and congratulations to Hotel Chocolat who picked up…
British Food Fortnight this year is a modern day harvest festival and everyone is invited. Head to the Great British Food website to check out all the events taking place around the country. From rare breeds at the City Harvest Show in London and apple juicing at Hungerford Food Festival, to culinary master classes at the Great Bath Feast, there is something for everyone! They have searched every village, town, city, farmer’s barn and community hall; and have left no stone unturned in the Search for a Harvest Tune and the nation has risen to the challenge! And the finalists…
The Big Oven app is the ultimate kitchen tool. It has 250,000 + recipes, which can include your own, your own grocery list and menu plans. Its the most complete cooking tool for getting inspired and organised in the kitchen and on the go. It was names Readers Choice app for 2012. Available from itunes.apple.com https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bigoven-250-000+-recipes-grocery/id294363034?mt=8
Another charity ‘Blind Veterans UK’, wants you to bake tarts for the troops. Blind Veterans UK ask crafters to create a range of mouth watering treats and sell them to raise funds to help improve the lives of blind veterans. The charity believes that no one who has served our country should battle blindness alone, and offers lifetime practical and emotional support, to get ex-service men and women back on their feet and help them to live an independent and fulfilling life. To take part simply decide what sort of event you want to hold, there are loads of ideas…
VINTAGE CAKES,Tremendously Good Cakes for Sharing and Giving by Jane Brocket. This is the first domestic cake and baking book to combine cake history, fabulous recipes and vintage styling, in settings that include colourful china, vintage tablecloths and tableware, cake tins and paper cases, and inspiring cake stands. There are six tempting chapters: Everyday Cakes, Cake-tin Cakes, Little Cakes, Elegant Cakes, Fancies & Frivolities and Celebrations, with cakes ranging from traditional afternoon tea fare such as Scones and Fruit Loaf to the decadent American Red Velvet Cake, and the Fruit-filled Plum Streusal Cake to delightfully colourful slices of Battenberg. There…
A ‘Tilting Turntable’, which lets you rotate the cake while you are decorating it. It has a non-slip top which ensures your creation will not slip off. Available from Cakes Cookies & Craft Shop Another great gadget is the ‘Decorating Pen’ which is an icing pen. You simply pull the plunger to fill it up and decorate your cake without all the cream falling all over the place. Available from Mulberry Hall
Bake a Difference for ‘Concern Worldwide’, This annual event takes place during October and calls on keen bakers and cake decorators to join forces and bake and sell treats to raise money for Concern. Concern helps to create a world where safe and nutritious food is available to all. It works with communities on solutions that help save lives and build livelihoods. Visit the site for a free starter pack, which includes a sale poster and price tags.
1.When using two fillings (jam and cream), spread each one on a different half of the cake and then sandwich together. 2.If you haven’t got time to decorate your cake then wrap it with cling film and leave in the fridge overnight before you decorate it. 3.Incorporate dry ingredients together with a whisk before adding them to wet ingredients. 4.Always start and end with dry ingredients when alternating with wet ones. 5.Ingredients for cakes should always be at room temperature. 6.Put a tablespoon of tapioca into your apple pie, it will absorb excess water while baking. 7.Store flour in an…
Ingredeints 225g seedless raisins (or other dired fruit) 100g soft brown sugar 1 cup of cold fruit tea 225g self raising flour ½ level teaspoon mixed spice 1 tablespoon chopped nuts 1 x Orange 1 Medium Egg Method Preheat oven to 325F 160C Gas 3 Line or grease loaf tin Grate the rind of the orange Put the dried fruit and sugar into a large basin Add the orange rind Pour over the cold tea and leave overnight or for 12 hours Gently mix the egg Add the sifted flour, mixed spice and egg to the mixture Pour into loaf…
I found these adorable truffles by Choconchoc that are shaped into pretty teacups, cupcakes and daisies, and just had to share them with you. They are handmade from white Belgian chocolate and have a shelf life 9 months (if you can resist. The Box contains 16 chocolates and contain, wait for it, a bit of alcohol, wooo hooo…
If you are brewing large leafed tea then leave them to brew for longer. The hot water takes longer to extract the contents from the bigger surface areas.