Baking day!

Hi everyone.

I've been a busy baker today...

My first ever proper loaf! This was after its first rise.

Ready for the oven.

Whole meal country loaf, scones and melting shortbread.

Plus some lovely moist ginger cake.

I really love baking. Have you baked anything today?

Mandy x 

Yummy use up!

Hi everyone.

Yesterday I roasted a chicken and used up some new potatoes which I bought for over Christmas time. These were the only leftovers.

I put them in an enamelware oven dish and drizzled over olive oil and sprinkled on some rosemary and paprika. Henry really loved them and he's not a huge fan of potatoes. It made a change from roasties! I also roasted carrots and onions, plus we cannot eat chicken without stuffing! 

For pudding we had ice cream (I found a block rather than the usual plastic tub) and homemade chocolate sauce.

It was a yummy treat. 

No baking today but l have plans for tomorrow.

Mandy x 

Toad in the hole.

Morning everyone,

Today is all about getting back into some sort of routine. School starts again tomorrow (although Henry doesn't go back until Monday) and hubby is back at work. It's been lovely getting up later and not being governed by time, but we are craving some normality now. 

Yesterday I made toad in the hole for lunch. I don't do potatoes with it as the Yorkshire pudding is sufficient. We had cauliflower, Savoy cabbage, carrots, peas and homemade gravy. I make my gravy with flour, reduced salt oxo cubes and the vegetable water. Daisy doesn't like sausages so she has roasted carrots in her Yorkshire pudding instead. 

It didn't look this yellow in real life! 

While the lunch was cooking I made a four egg sponge mixture. With the children helping, I filled one bun tin and the rest went on top of some golden syrup to make pudding. We ate pudding before I remembered to take a photo!  It's a pudding we have quite often so they'll be another opportunity. 

At teatime we had hot buttered crumpets with cheese and the little cakes decorated with buttercream and jelly tots.

Today I shall be in the kitchen again and will hopefully remember to take photos!  

Have a wonderful day,

Mandy x 

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a happy New Year!

Today Christmas will be packed away, but first a few photos...

All of my tree decorations are vintage, including the tinsel and lights. The children love decorating the real tree and have a small artificial one each in their bedrooms too. 

A vegan Christmas cake for my daughter, decorated with 1970s frill and decorations. This recipe was a wartime one using tea instead of eggs.

Keeping it simple! 

The children made Christmas biscuits.

I always make a Yule log. This was enjoyed by myself and Henry. We don't like dried fruit so don't eat Christmas cake, pudding or mince pies!

With a little snow added!

Homemade mince pies. I've loved being in the kitchen baking Christmas treats.

Cheese straws. These are so easy to make and the children love them.

Many other things were made but eaten before I had chance to photograph!

Cheers! Always a snowball at Christmas in my seventies glasses. 

Looking forward into 2019...

We have lots of plans! 

Yesterday I had a huge food shop delivered. My cupboards are full now and I'm stocked up with herbs, spices and baking ingredients. The plan is to move away from plastic packaging and cook as much as possible from scratch. I'm even going to bake my own bread! Plastic is everywhere and we all need to look at ways of reducing our waste. 

The large chest freezer has been defrosted and cleaned, ready to store leftovers and homemade food and baking. I'd like a store for times when I'm really busy or illness strikes! 

Now I will be baking every day there will be new (old) recipes to try. I've got some lovely old recipe books to experiment with and I'm happy to share them on here if anyone's interested?

Anyway, a busy day ahead!

Mandy x 

Tiffin!

Hi everyone!

Our Christmas holidays have begun! We've been busy decorating the trees in the children's bedrooms this morning and watched the film 'Happy Feet' 

We had a little treat at lunchtime...homemade tiffin. It's so naughty but nice! 

I've got cottage pie to make for tea and a tidy up in the children's rooms ready for their new toys to find homes. The excitement is building!

Mandy x 

Feeling festive

Hi everyone 

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I received a surprise gift in the post from an Instagram friend...

This collection of 1930s recipes, handwritten with newspaper clippings too.

I can't wait to try out the cakes!

Another surprise as I flicked through.

In the afternoon we went to the children's school nativity and Christingle service at the church. Such a special time.

So much excitement for children as we get closer to Christmas and being at school is a lot of fun! Next week is jammed pack full of fun. When they break up we have loads of crafty activities to do and much baking to get ready. Creating memories...

Mandy x 

Homemade but simple!

Hi everyone!

At this busy time of year it would be so easy to bung some freezer food in the oven for tea, but instead I make little shortcuts when I'm short on time. Yesterday was one of those days so I made quiche for tea...

It doesn't look perfect but it was delicious! I used bought shortcrust (although not ready rolled) and baked it for 15 minutes. I then whisked up six eggs with a good slosh of cream that needed using up. I put thinly sliced onion on the pastry base and a couple of handfuls of grated cheese. The egg mixture was poured over next and a sprinkle of parsley. I then baked it until set and golden brown. 

A little cheat not making my own pastry, but that gave me a little longer to wrap presents. The children break up for Christmas holidays next week so I need to be all organised! 

I hope your Christmas preparations are going well,

Mandy x