Traditional Mincemeat & Mince Pies

December 13, 2009 By 2 Comments
christmas-mince-pies

My family would make dozens of Mince Pies at Christmas, and we would often give them away as gifts to our friends, family and neighbours. As a result Christmas just would not be Christmas without a mincepie. Obviously my mince pies have evolved a bit since my Grandma´s recipe - she believed in mass production and quality suffered because she´d spread mince pie so thin you could practically see through it!.  I strongly believe in a few less mince pies but packed full with this rich and … [Read more...]

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Mizmoe´s Christmas Cake

December 6, 2009 By 3 Comments
Mizmoe´s Christmas Cake

I realise every daughter says this but my Mum does the best Christmas Cake. Its the most devine thing I have ever tasted, and it wouldn´t be Christmas without it. Served on its own, or with a slice of Wenslydale Cheese... its marvellous. Its uniquely her own because she does a rather unusual thing with the cherries - she puts them in a blender with the brandy and candied peel and whizzes them! It adds the most wonderful flavour to the cake, and it is a tip I would heartily recommend. People … [Read more...]

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Ethel´s Beef Stew

November 29, 2009 By 3 Comments
Beef Stew

I am celebrating the latest reincarnation of The Recipe Blog with my Grandmother´s recipe for beef stew - a wonderfully warming and hearty stew, perfect for the cold winters of Yorkshire! Ingredients 1 lb shin beef – diced Seasoned flour – plain flour, salt and white pepper 2 tbsp beef dripping 2 large onions, quartered 2 large carrots and a half of a turnip, peeled and diced 1 bottle of Newcastle brown ale 10 fl oz beef stock – add more if required 10 fl oz light vegetable … [Read more...]

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Welsh Breakfast Pancakes

October 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Pancake batter: 4 oz self-raising flour ½ tsp salt 1 medium egg, lightly beaten 1 oz melted butter Milk to mix Scrambled eggs: 4 medium eggs, beaten 4 fl oz whole milk Salt and black pepper 8 thin slices goat's cheese, lightly grilled 50 grams ham, cut into strips Sift the flour and salt into a bowl, gradually whisk in the egg, melted butter and milk to form a batter – consistency of double cream. Refrigerate for 30 minutes Heat a little oil in a small frying pan and add a … [Read more...]

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Breakfast & Tea Ideas – Pikelets

October 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Derbyshire Pikelets 8 oz plain flour 1 tsp salt ¼ oz fresh (or equivalent dried yeast – if dried follow instructions on pack) 1 teaspoon of caster sugar 1 egg ½ pint whole milk Sieve flour and salt into bowl. Cream yeast and sugar and add beaten egg and warmish milk. Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix to a thin batter consistency – if too thick, add more milk, a little at a time. Cover and leave to rise for 30 minutes in a warm place until it has doubled in … [Read more...]

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Cornish Splits

September 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

1 lb plain flour ½ pint tepid milk 1 oz unsalted butter ½ oz fresh yeast 1 tsp unrefined caster sugar 1 tsp salt Pre-heat the oven to 200° Celsius Lightly butter a baking tray Cream together the yeast and sugar and stir in the milk Sift the flour and salt into a bowl Put the butter into a saucepan over a gentle heat and leave to melt Add the butter and yeast mixture to the flour and mix to form a smooth dough Leave the dough to rise in a warm draft free place for 45 … [Read more...]

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Ginger Pudding

December 24, 2006 By Leave a Comment
sticky-ginger-pudding

Whilst many people complained about the dinners on offer at their school I still hang on to some very fond memories of ginger puddings, manchester tart and chocolate custard. My school was a very traditional primary school with a extremely traditional take on school dinners. One of my long standing favourites was always steamed ginger pudding served with lashings of custard. I discovered this recipe sometime ago, and finally got around to making it. My first attempt was not exactly as I … [Read more...]

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Traditional Christmas Pudding

December 23, 2006 By Leave a Comment
christmas-pudding

We would always have a traditional homemade christmas pudding at christmas - served with cream, custard or my personal favourite rum sauce. The pudding would always have been made a few weeks in advance and left to mature, and I do believe to this day that the almost daily brushing of alcohol is what made it so very special. I personally do not take well this tradition of setting fire to the pudding just before serving - yes, it looks impressive. But it always leaves a bitter taste to the … [Read more...]

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Traditional Rice Pudding

December 13, 2006 By Leave a Comment
Rice Pudding

Cold weather? Nothing can warm you up [or stick to your ribs] like a traditional british rice pudding. This is my families version which is made richer by the use of evaporated milk. Serves 4-6 Ingredients 4 oz (110 g) pudding rice 14½ oz can (410 g) evaporated milk 1 pint (570 ml) full fat milk 1½ oz (40 g) golden caster sugar 1 whole nutmeg 1 oz (25 g) butter 1. Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 2, 300°F (150°C). 2. Mix evaporated and whole milk together. 3. Place rice and … [Read more...]

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Cottage Pie

November 29, 2006 By Leave a Comment
cottage-pie

On these cold nights it is sometimes nice to have a warming, easy to prepare dish such as Cottage Pie. This is my favourite, and has a nice little twist [especially suited for those kids who won't eat their veggies]. I tend to add plenty of very finely chopped vegetables to the mix - not only in the base, but in the mash as well. Thats not just potatoes topping that cottage pie! Its a combination of root vegetables and potatoes, for that extra healthy twist. No child (or adult for that … [Read more...]

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