Chocolate and Marshmallow Mini Egg Fudge - Easter Bakes

If Easter isn't a good enough excuse to indulge with tasty chocolate treats and enjoy some time in the kitchen, I really don't know when is! These delicious chunks are so easy to make and could be a nice gift solution as an alternative to a more traditional egg (that's if you want to share).

Ingredients

Chicken Hotpot for VE Day

The Ministry of Agriculture & Food created the fun character, Potato Pete, to encourage a healthy lifestyle during the war. Many people grew their own food inspired by the 'Dig For Victory' campaign and at one point there were as many as 1.4 million allotments within the UK. That's quite something! 

Potatoes became a staple ingredient, and it's no surprise as they not only provide a lot of energy but plenty of Vitamin C, B1, B6, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Potassium. The government released some recipes to inspire families in the kitchen and to help them to provide healthy yet delicious meals. 

It's argued that the diets during the war were some of the healthiest the nation has seen so it might be worth trying some retro recipes at home today.

The Potato Council has given a modern makeover to several wartime classics to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day (8th May 2015) and I too have created my own recipe. Although traditional hotpots often contained beef shin or sausages this is a delicious chicken alternative.

Mini Makes #8 - Chocolate and Granola Muffins

I had two bags of granola hiding away in the cupboard fast approaching their expiry dates, and a packet of chocolate, so I decided to use them up while baking over the bank holiday weekend. The Mini Mes were happy to get involved while it was raining outside so we ended up with an activity to keep us occupied and some treats to eat at the end - win win!

You will need
(Makes approx 12)

Mini Makes #7 - Basic Biscuits Recipe

I regulalry head to the fridge and cupboards to gather ingredients, with something delicious to satisfy my sweet tooth in mind, before discovering I don't have everything required. It's usually eggs that I'm lacking which get used up quickly for breakfasts, salads and sandwiches so over the years I've created quite a few treats without them.

These eggless biscuits I make quite often as it's a quick and easy recipe and you can add fruit, nuts or chocolate (or just about anything you like) to give them flavour, coat them in icing or sandwich filling between a pair. It's something the Mini Mes make unaided too and they go well in lunch boxes.

You will need
(Makes approx 15)

Mini Makes #6 - Oreo, Caramel and Chocolate Tartlets

You know when you want to create something delicious but you just don't have the time, energy or skills to make a masterpiece, well this recipe is the answer to your prayers! You only need 5 ingredients for these delicious Oreo, caramel and chocolate desserts (or easy peasy pudding pies as I call them) and they are so incredibly simple to do that even a novice, or the kids, could give them a go.

This recipe will make 3 individual sized tarts but you can make a bigger version by multiplying the ingredients by 3 and using a 10" dish instead.

You will need

Summer Fruits and Almond Tray Bake

We baked a traditional Victoria sponge cake at the weekend and I had an idea to make a little more cake mixture and pop it into a tray to slice then serve as cubes. After a quick rummage in the cupboards I decided to use some leftover nuts for a crunchy topping and some berries from the freezer for a boost in flavour.

This was the result...

Mini Makes #2 - Muffin Breakfast Cups

With Mother's Day in mind, this simple idea transforms a standard breakfast into something a little more special and compact; it would make a nice meal to serve to mum on the 15th.

It's also great for those families that are often short on time in the morning as you can make these in advance and reheat as and when required. You can also adapt the recipe to suit your own taste by adding mushrooms, sausage or even beans. Whatever you fancy!

Spanish Beef Recipe - Family Food

With calorie counting well underway and being a few pounds lighter already, I've been trying to think of some meals that are both filling and healthier for us to enjoy. After all, there is no use eating a salad if you will be hungry and reaching for the biscuits five minutes later is there!

This meal can be slow cooked so it's ready for when you return home from work/college/the gym etc. With couscous and vegetables taking just a few minutes to heat through, I've found these make a great accompaniment. This should prevent you from wanting to raid the fridge like Pac-Man afterwards!
It's quite similar to my sausage casserole recipe which is a family favourite.

Ingredients 

(Serves 2 generously (we often share this between the four of us) Approx 500 calories per portion)

Valentine's Day Menu: Easy Peasy Carbonara

Although France is generally seen as the country of love, I adore Italian food. Some of my fondest memories with the Mr took place at our favourite restaurants; Papa Cino's, Prezzo and Pizza Express.

This quick and easy carbonara is a great idea for a Valentine's Day meal and although it won't guarantee romance this February, or a Lady and the Tramp meatball sharing moment, it is definitely a delicious pasta dish to dive into.

Ingredients 

(Serves 2. Approx 520 calories per portion)

Reindeer Ginger Biscuits

I've managed to save so much time this year preparing for Christmas by shopping online securely with PayPal, that I've had a lot more spare time to enjoy other things. I've been able to snuggle up and watch movies, do some Christmas crafting and yesterday I shared my delicious triple chocolate brownie Christmas tree recipe. Today I've been baking some more seasonal treats too!

Eyeball Cake Pops

31st October is all about the treats and these cake pops will certainly hit the spot. With a soft sponge centre combined with delicious frosting and a white chocolate coating they are frightfully delightful. 

We were sent some of the ingredients and a recipe from Rangemaster for National Chocolate Week but as they arrived a little later we transformed a standard cake pop into something suitable for the next big event on our calendar; Halloween!

Broken Glass Cupcakes

Halloween is just on the horizon and to celebrate there will be plenty of tricks and treats being made and eaten across the country, including a frightening feast of our own. These broken glass cupcakes are quite deceiving as they are completely edible! They are really effective for your buffet table and more importantly they are delicious.

Chocolate Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding

Our first Degustabox arrived a few days ago and buried within bubble wrap and pretty tissue paper were many delectable products including some croissants and brioche from Pasquier, a brand we often purchase ourselves. I decided to use the latter in a recipe, something I hadn't made in a while, and with its squishy centre and sweet crisp top, this bread and butter pudding was a simple success.

Ingredients

5 Pasquier brioche

Butter

Chocolate Orange Custard Tart

With the Great British Bake Off back on our screens I've been drooling over the delightful creations each Wednesday and I've once again been inspired to bake something of my own.

With custard tarts featuring last week I thought I'd make one, but with such a sweet tooth I felt I needed to throw some chocolate in too!

With a crisp pastry and smooth, rich centre this is truly indulgent.

It goes perfectly served with fresh berries and or whipped cream.

Cookie Cups Recipe

We received some lovey Nigella Lawson Measuring Cups from Red Candy and what better way to test them is there than with a recipe from Nigella's website? These chocolate chip cookies are simply delicious, possibly the best I've ever made.

 We decided to make a batch to transform into cookie cups which can hold a scoop of ice cream perfectly. It is the summer holiday after all so it's a good excuse to indulge and double the treat! 

Cookie Cups

Ingredients

1/2 cup of butter (4oz)

1/2 cup caster sugar (3.5oz)

1/2 cup brown sugar (3.5oz)

Dinky Jam Doughnuts

You can coat them in sugar, drizzle sauce over them, dip them in chocolate or fill them with soft warm apples. There are just so many different ways to enjoy doughnuts.

We were recently sent some new Robinsons Fruit Shoot jams to put to the test and the first thing I that came to mind was doughnuts - so we decided to make some!

Miniature in size these are perfect for picnics or parties. 

Sag Aloo - A Commonwealth Dish

Indian is currently my favourite cuisine. I love the rich flavours, plenty of spices and the fact that a lot of the dishes are created for sharing with loved ones. It's food that really brings people together. 

With the Commonwealth Games running from 23rd July until 3rd August, and bringing together 71 countries, India included, I though it was about time that I attempted to make some of my own side dishes to accompany our slow cooked curry. We can watch our favourite events (gymnastics and track) hosted by Glasgow as a family, while eating some delicious food.

Sag Aloo (Spinach Potatoes)

Crispy Spinach and Feta Pie

We recently returned from a family break in Kefalonia and although most of our holiday highlights involve sunsets on the beach and trips to some beautiful attractions, we certainly can't forget the amazing food we consumed.  While in Fiskardo, a beautiful harbour village on the Northern tip of the island, we stopped off at a bakery and The Mr picked up a pastry. For the remainder of our week away he mentioned went on and on about how delicious it was, so I decided to recreate the same at home. 

Summer Fruit Cheesecake

Raspberries, blackcurrants, cherries and other seasonal fruit are just starting to make an appearance in supermarkets again but if you can't wait until summer to indulge, and don't fancy the frozen variety, you may wish to try the tinned version. 

We were sent some fruit fillings from Princes and I decided to create a delicious, and very simple, no-bake cheesecake - perfect for garden parties and to accompany late lunches in the sun.

Individual cheesecake

Simple Sausage Rolls

The picnic weather approaches so save a trip to the bakery by making your own sausage rolls at home! These are quick and so simple to make that you will wonder why you haven't made them before.