Tag: cooking

Xmas Recipe: Gingerbread Christmas Trees

By on 12th December 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle

Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like gingerbread…

 

Ingredients:

  • 120g Greenvale Unsalted Butter
  • 150g The Pantry Demerara Sugar
  • 150g Grandessa Honey
  • 350g The Pantry Plain Flour
  • 1 tsp The Pantry Bicarbonate of Soda
  • 3 tsp Stonemill Ground Ginger
  • 1 tsp Stonemill Ground Cinnamon

To Decorate:

  • 100g Icing Sugar, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 tbsp Water
  • Silver Ball Decorations

Method:

To begin with, slowly melt the butter, sugar and honey in a pan, then sieve together all of the remaining ingredients. When the sugar, butter and honey have completely melted, they can be added to the dry ingredients and mixed until well combined.

When the dough is cool enough to handle, knead and form a ball, and then leave it in the fridge (wrapped in cling film) for half an hour to become more manageable.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas mark 6.

When the dough has cooled, roll it out between two pieces of greaseproof paper to about half a centimetre thick, and – using 3 different sized star cutters – cut out 4 large stars, 4 medium stars and 8 small stars.

Place the stars on a baking tray and press the dough back together. Roll it out again and cut out the same amount of stars.

Bake them for 4-8 minutes (you may have to remove the smaller stars earlier as the larger ones will take longer to cook).

While the biscuits cool, make the icing by mixing the icing sugar and water.

To complete the gingerbread Christmas trees, place a small amount of icing on a big star, and then stack the stars on top of each other in size order, using the icing to bind them together.

Decorate with a dusting of icing sugar and the silver balls.

Makes:

  • 4 large or 8 small trees

Ready:

  • 20 minutes

Prep Time:

  • 10 minutes

Cook Time:

  • 8 minutes

Have you followed this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

5 DIY Christmas Gifts That Won’t Break The Bank

By on 9th December 2015in Lifestyle

Sophie Appleton shares five DIY creations to keep Christmas crafty…

 

 

I’m a big fan of Christmas, but like most of us, I’m no stranger to opening up my purse and having a few festive moths fly out of it. The familiar “Yikes, only one more pay day before Christmas” feeling is something we can all relate to, but it can be beaten!

DIY gifts are a dangerous game to play with less than a month before the big day, but if you do it right, you can come up with something that will be as well-received as it is cheap.

So if you’re struggling with the pre-Christmas panic, check out my top five DIY Christmas gifts…

1. DIY Scrabble Art

 

Now that our smartphones have replaced most of our board games, it’s time to fish out your old Scrabble box and put those letters to good use. You can even buy sets of assorted letter tiles on eBay or Amazon for very cheap, and if you’re clever about it, you can get two or three gifts out of just one set of letters!

Combine the letters to make names and words, then glue them down in a frame along with photos or trinkets. Use scraps of wrapping paper, wall paper or magazine cuttings for a background to make the gift that extra bit special.

If you can’t get your hands on Scrabble tiles, a great alternative is to create a Word Cloud. Visit wordle.net, enter a list of words (or names), then click create. Now you have a personalised piece of art to put in a frame and wrap up!

2. The Lazy Man’s Cookbook

 

Cook books are always a great gift, and at Christmas time there are plenty to be found on shop shelves… at a premium price. But what if your loved ones just don’t cook? What if no matter how quick Jamie Oliver makes his meals, it’s still not quick enough?

If that’s the case, give them a cook book they’ll really appreciate… The Student/Bachelor Cookbook!

Buy a ring binder and decorate the front cover with their name and a funny message, then have a walk around the town to collect heaps of takeaway menus (or if you’re extra lazy and you don’t fancy tackling the busy streets and freezing weather, get them posted through the letterbox). Put them all in the ring binder and – depending on how many you have – add a contents page and dividers for different types of food.

3. DIY Kid’s Cushions

 

There’s nothing kids love more than making a mess, and with time off school they’re bound to do it at some point. So… you might as well get a gift out of it!

Find an old cushion (or pick one up for cheap online) and create a fun design using their paint-covered hands and feet. Accessorise using scraps of material from old clothing tied into bows, or stitch on some sequins and googly eyes to give it extra character. Don’t forget to sign and date it so you can embarrass the kids later in their teens!

4. Personalised Candles

 

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of a present for her is a candle. Nobody can have enough candles, and especially not in the winter months. Yankee jars are the obvious choice, but why burn a hole in your pocket when you can make them yourself?

That afternoon tea set you’ve been saving for a raining day for the last fifteen years is finally going to come in handy here, or alternatively you can nip to the local charity shop for a nice, pretty cup and saucer.

Place wax beads (or even just some old, half-burnt candles of your own) in a bowl over a pan of hot water, or in a slow cooker (with a non-stick insert). For colour, use a vegetable peeler to shave bits of crayon into the wax, and stir to blend. Add more shavings for darker colour. Place a wick into the centre of the cup, and pour the wax into it. Leave it over night to harden, trim the wick, and simply wrap with cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Lovely!

 

5. Bespoke Chocolate Slabs

 

On a rainy December Saturday, this is a great one to keep the kids busy… and it’s great value for money. Chocolate slabs are worth upwards of £7 in fancy chocolate shops, but can be made at home for next to nothing.

Grab a silicone cake or loaf tin (pound shops recommended), then melt two or three bars of supermarket chocolate. You can find a good selection of milk, dark, and white chocolate for around 40p each, but anything more expensive is a bit of a non-starter, cost-wise. Fill the melted chocolate with jellies, popping candy, nuts or marshmallows. Decorate it however you like – perhaps with their name or favourite treats? Pop it in the fridge to set, and then wrap it in a clear bag of cellophane and some ribbon. Yummy!

Sunderland Bistro Unveil Halloween-Themed Menu

By on 26th October 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Witches brew, blood red chips and gruesome graveyard pizza are being added to the menu at a North East eatery next week…

The Beach House bistro, Roker, run by 1879 Events Management, is marking Halloween with six days of spine-tingling activities starting Monday October 26th.

This includes a chance for visitors of all ages to decorate themed biscuits from noon until 2pm Monday to Saturday, with a face painter and fancy dress competition also running on Saturday October 31st only.

Throughout the week the bistro will be serving a creepy and creative Halloween-inspired menu, with different dishes for adults and kids to sink their fangs into.

For grown-ups this includes witches brew (bean and bacon soup), spooky mince pie and poison pepper (stuffed pepper with chilli, rice and potato chips), while younger trick or treaters can enjoy a mummy (hot) dog, monster cheeseburger or gruesome graveyard pizza, all served with blood red chips.

David Moses, General Manager at 1879 Events Management, which also manages catering and events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, said, “Halloween is a holiday for children of all ages, as well as those that are young of heart.

“Our regular menu will still be available for those too scared to sample the special themed one, while our free activities will help families make more of the build-up.”

For more information about Halloween at the Beach House, visit www.facebook.com/thebeachhousesunderland or www.1879events.com or call 0191 5659473 to book.

Sweet Tooth Delivery Enjoys The Sweet Taste Of Success

By on 21st October 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

A young North East entrepreneur is enjoying the sweet taste of success, after being nominated for a string of high profile awards…

Kayley Smith, who runs Sweet Tooth Delivery based at Belmont, near Durham, has already won a handful of titles, including the Medium Size Business title in the Sunderland Portfolio Business Awards and the Young Business Person of the Year in the Sage Northern Star awards.

And now she is also in the running for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, which will be decided on November 25th at a prestigious awards ceremony on the London South Bank.

Kayley set up the company after seeing a gap in the market to provide a dessert delivery service, which has led to her also opening two dessert only outlets at Cheveley Park Shopping Centre in Belmont and Prince Bishops Shopping Centre in Durham City.

She was also recently nominated in the Forward Ladies business awards, held in the region for the first time last month.

“As a relatively young business it’s fantastic for us to be recognised in this way, and even if we don’t win the awards, it’s great recognition for the company to be acknowledged,” she said.

The company, which Kayley runs with her partner John-Paul Stonehouse, employs 25 people and is currently recruiting as part of the business’ expansion programme.

Sweet Tooth is going from strength to strength, on course to open a third outlet by Christmas, with long term terms plans to franchise and roll out the concept nationally.

“We’ve grown at an incredible pace because there seems to be a huge demand for the products we’re offering, our whole range is produced in our bakery – you cannot buy our desserts anywhere else,” said Kayley.

Further details about the company are available at www.sweettoothdelivery.co.uk.

Marie Curie: Dinner Down Memory Lane

By on 20th October 2015in Events, Food & Drink, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Marie Curie is calling on food fans in The North East to hold retro-inspired dinner parties in aid of the charity this November…

Retro food is enjoying a revival, and Marie Curie’s new fundraising campaign, ‘Dinner Down Memory Lane’, is all about holding a dinner party and recreating your favourite nostalgic food.

Recreate time-honoured classics or put a contemporary twist on some old classics, like duck a’l orange or prawn cocktail. The money raised from every dinner party will help Marie Curie provide more free care to people living with a terminal illness and their families.

Hayley Revell, Community Fundraiser for Marie Curie said, “We’re really looking forward to seeing what the local community cooks up, whether it be a classic recipe from the past or putting a new twist on an old favourite.

“Holding a ‘Dinner Down Memory Lane’ is a great alternative to a normal dinner party, and by inviting friends to make a donation in return for a dinner with a difference, you’ll be helping Marie Curie Nurses to provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families.”

For more information and to sign up for a free fundraising pack visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/dinner or call 0800 716 146.

5 Essential Tips For Healthy Eating

By on 12th October 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, What's New?

When it comes to health and beauty, the old cliché is true: you are what you eat.

Developing a lifestyle and diet that encourages fitness is crucial to long term health and wellness, but breaking old habits can be challenging. To make a lasting change to your lifestyle, try following these five simple tips.

 

1. Eat More Vegetables

Let’s start off with a really obvious one, but for a less obvious reason.

Vegetables are always recommended because they’re healthy, but they’re also really great at keeping you full. If you’re feeling satiated, you won’t be reaching for snacks. You might want to add a few oils and sauces for flavour, but remember that the best diet is one filled with steamed and fresh veg… without artificial flavouring.

2. Don’t Overdo It On The Fruit

Nobody’s going to argue that fruit is another great addition to a healthy diet, but it’s easy to have too much. Fruit provide a good amount of natural sugar and fibre, but too much can push your carbohydrate intake through the roof.

Instead, stick to your five a day, and pair it with a few almonds, unsalted nuts, or viable source of lean protein.

3. Throw Protein Into The Mix

If your diet is leaving you feeling hungry, and you’re becoming prone to trips to the fridge, there’s a good chance that your diet is protein deficient.

Protein promotes increased satiety, and a serving of lean protein on the side of your meal can have you feeling full for much longer.

4. Avoid Protein Bars

This might seem to contradict the previous point, but beware of the protein bar that promises increased nutrition. A quick look at the ingredients will show you that most protein bars are packed full of preservatives, saturated fats, and simple carbohydrates (rather than the complex carbohydrates your body really needs).

A few bars here and there won’t hurt, but don’t make them a cornerstone of your diet.

5. Drink More Water

This final tip is another obvious one, yet goes completely ignored by so many people. Water is an essential fuel for the body, and is an essential part of any diet.

A glass of water before each meal can aid the digestive process and keep you from overeating. And besides, it helps to keep the skin young and hydrated, and who doesn’t want that?

Recipe: Moroccan Spiced Chicken With Yoghurt, Chickpeas And Roasted Carrots

By on 6th October 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, What's New?

Master Chef winner (and In & Around contributor) shares his recipe for a great family dish…

This is a fantastic family dish that makes a nice change from traditional roast chicken. I recommend placing the halved, juiced lemon in the chicken cavity before cooking.
After cooking, while your chicken is resting, pop the pitta bread in the oven to warm. Enjoy!

 

– 1 whole large chicken (1.6kg approx)
– 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
– 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
– 2 teaspoons ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon hot chilli powder or finely chopped red chilli
– 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
– fresh coriander, chopped
– 1 tin of chickpeas (about 400g), drained
– salt and ground black pepper
– juice of 1 lemon
– 1 500ml tub of natural yoghurt
– 1 tablespoon of clear honey
– a bunch of baby carrots, scrubbed, tops left on
– 1 whole bulb of garlic, broken into cloves
– olive oil
– 6 wholemeal pitta bread

With a pestle and mortar, grind (or blend in a food processor) the cumin seeds and coriander seeds with the chilli powder, garlic, fresh coriander, and a handful of chickpeas until you have a paste. Season this with salt and black pepper. Add the lemon juice and yoghurt.

Use half of this flavoured yoghurt to coat and cover the chicken all over. Add the honey to the other half of the flavoured yoghurt and put it in the fridge. Cover the chicken and leave to marinate overnight if possible (but for at least an hour).

Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6. Place the carrots in a roasting tray with the remaining chickpeas, then sprinkle with the ground cumin, salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and toss together to coat.

Place the marinated chicken in a roasting tray and put in the oven with the tray of vegetables on the shelf below. Cook for an hour and 20 minutes, tossing the carrots halfway through (chicken needs to cook for 20 minutes per 450g/1lb). Remove the chicken from the roasting tin and set aside to rest.

Serve with the carrots, warm pitta bread and flavoured yoghurt on the side.

Have you made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Recipe: Scallops With Prosciutto And Granny Smith Apple

By on 20th September 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, What's New?

One of Gareth Kyle’s earliest memories is being caught by his mother in the kitchen at 8 years old, with a pan on the stove cooking… lemonade soup!

“I had a frying pan on the go, and in it was chopped cucumber, tomato and lemonade! I was inspired by Keith Floyd to make that concoction, and I’m glad to say my skills are a bit sharper now!

I’m a self-taught cook, and I’ve taken part in a number of cooking competitions. I was a winner of the 2012 EAT! NewcastleGateshead Trial Shift Competition, and the 2011 Masterchef Live competition at the BBC Good Food show. I then went on to win a Masterchef ‘Champion of Champions’ event at the London Studios. In 2010 I was a final regional contender on ITV’s Britain’s Best Dish.”

 

– 3-5 scallops per person
– 8 slices of prosciutto
– 3 granny smith apples
– 1 lemon
– 50ml water
– 30g sugar
– 150g plain flour
– 2 eggs
– 250g panko breadcrumbs
– vegetable oil for frying
– knob of butter

To finish…

– olive oil
– garlic, cress, or chives

To make the apple purée, peel, core and chop one of the apples, and put into a saucepan with the water, sugar and juice of half a lemon. Simmer until soft, and purée using a hand blender.

Core and chop the rest of the apples into matchsticks, and dress with the rest of the lemon juice to stop them from going brown. Set aside.

Prepare the scallops by removing the orange coral. Cut the coral into smaller pieces and pané them (coat in flour, then beaten egg, then breadcrumbs) before frying in Vegetable oil until golden.

In a frying pan with a little oil, fry the scallops for two minutes each side. Add a knob of butter to the pan for the last minute, and baste the scallops in butter before leaving to rest in the pan (off the heat), while plating the rest of the dish.

Place the prosciutto on the plate with apple sticks, and puree round the outside. Add Scallops, the crumbed roe, and garnish with garlic cress and a drizzle of oil.

Have you made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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