Mini Makes - Granola Breakfast Bites

We baked Chocolate and Granola Muffins just the other day and this week we decided to make some granola cereal bars which are great as an alternative to a sit down breakfast. Mornings can be busy and sometimes we need to eat on the go for convenience so these are ideal. They are really easy to make too which is always a bonus - I like to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen and as much time with my feet up!

You will need

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)

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...

9 Simple Steps To A Delicious Marmalade

When the Brown family discovered a small bear from darkest Peru on Paddington Station all those years ago they’d no idea that over fifty years later he’d be making a feature film. They had to deal with practicalities first, they named him Paddington and soon discovered that he was very hungry indeed. In fact he’d managed to survive his entire journey from South America with nothing but a very large pot of marmalade, his favourite food, and that was now looking decidedly empty.

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

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

Raspberry Cheesecake

I have a big soft spot for cheesecake. Chocolate, strawberry and lemon are all well loved by the family but raspberry is a definite favourite! This is an incredibly easy recipe and the Mini Mes often make it unaided... This one was in fact made by Minxy.

Not a fan of raspberries? Use an alternative berry of your choice.

Simple Jam Sponge

The cold weather is expected to last and even worsen over the next few weeks so I've really been cranking out the warm desserts after dinner. Sponges are great winter warmers and this jam version can be whisked up in a matter of minutes for happy tummies all round...

It's delicious reheated for lunch the following day too!

Ingredients (serves 4-5)
4 heaped tbsp seedless jam
2 medium eggs
4oz caster sugar
4oz butter (and extra for greasing)
4oz self raising flour

Method
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
Grease a pudding basin thoroughly and spoon in the jam
In a bowl, mix together the butter and sugar followed by the flour and eggs
Pour the mixture over the top of the jam and level out
Cook for around 25 until golden (use a skewer to ensure it is cooked in the middle)
Turn out onto a plate
Scoff!


For a similar alternative try our syrup sponge recipe

*This is my entry into the Co-operative Electrical competition.*

Perfect Pizzas

Although the odd takeaway is nice they can be quite expensive, but a decent dough is essential to create your own pizza at home. This one I've made many times and it's quick and simple.
 A friend of mine saw a picture I'd added to Facebook of it last week and was keen to know the recipe - so I thought I'd share it on here for all!

Ingredients

(Makes 2 adult and 2 children's sized pizzas)

2tsp/one 7g sachet of yeast

1 tsp caster sugar

370ml warm water

600g plain flour

65ml olive oil

1 tsp salt

Method

• Mix the water, yeast and sugar together in a bowl and set to the side for approx 5 minutes
• Pour the mixture into the flour, oil and salt (in another bowl) and mix until it forms a soft dough
• Knead for five to ten minutes until smooth and elastic in texture
• Place back into the bowl, cover and leave in a warm location to rise for 30 minutes
• Remove the dough, split into 4 balls, roll out and add your toppings
• Bake for around 10 minutes until golden at 180 degrees
• Scoff!

Meal Planning Monday

A poorly me (another respiratory infection and flu!) has meant I've opted for reasonably quick meals this week so I can rest as much as possible.

This weeks menu...
Toad in the hole with mange tout, baby corn, broccoli and carrots.
Lasagne with salad and garlic ciabatta
Jacket potatoes with cheese, beans and salad
Pizzas

Friday we are heading to the seaside for a weekend glamping at a Feather Down Farm *squeal* so we will eat something on the way down there and cook on the wood burning stoves while away.

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Vanilla butter biscuits

A simple and versatile treat that can be eaten as it is or dunked in chocolate for those with an extra sweet tooth. You can also add chocolate chips, fruit and nuts, a sprinkle of sugar or ice them. Stacked up and tied with ribbon they would make a nice gift too.

Ingredients

(makes around 30)

10.5oz flour

4oz icing sugar

7oz butter

1 tbsp vanilla extract

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
• Line an ovenproof tray.
• Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl until it forms a soft dough.
• Roll out the dough to around 7mm in thickness and cut out your rounds (or other shapes if you wish).
• Place the biscuits onto the tray and cook for around 12 minutes until lightly browned.
• Scoff!

Chocolate Truffles

I make these regularly with the Mini Mes as they are so simple and cheap too! You only need two ingredients and if you want to add a little flavour you can use flavoured chocolate instead - mint and orange are great!

Ingredients

250g chocolate (milk or dark)

120ml Double Cream

Chocolate gratings or cocoa powder

Method

• Break up the chocolate and place it in a bowl.
• Bring a pan of water to boil and place the bowl of chocolate on top to melt it.
• Stir until the chocolate has melted completely, remove the bowl from above the saucepan and then mix in the double cream.
• Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for around an hour.
• Remove the bowl and form balls with the mixture. Roll the balls in grated chocolate or cocoa powder.
• Place in the fridge for 15 minutes to chill.
• Scoff!

These also make a lovely gift idea when wrapped in some nice paper or placed in a tissue lined box.

I'm linking this with...