Today has been a very long day already and it still hasn’t finished. I have spent most of the day just getting through my normal jobs as I have decided to bake some new things tomorrow. I think after having yesterday off I have got out of the swing of writing for the blog and adding to it so I am going to have to be more organised and always be one step ahead.
I read somewhere to always have spare posts written for when you are short of time so I am going to try to make sure there is always one blog post written in case I don’t have time to write about what I have been doing or what I plan on doing in the kitchen. I am going to implement it today and get a couple of posts written up ready of the coming week when I know I won’t have time (time permitting of course). Rather a busy weekend coming up so I am going to have to be more organised on here in order to get things done elsewhere.
The ideas are flowing though whilst I work so that is a good thing. My first idea is a new tray bake for the children involving cornflakes. Not the normal Cornflake Tart, like what we had for school dinners, as no jam is being used but instead a jar of lemon curd which is open in the fridge and needs using up. I thought I could use the cornflakes in a flapjack or Granola type recipe to help to bulk it out a bit but as of yet I haven’t decide what I am going to be adding for the flavour combination in the granola bars which I hope my family will have for packed lunches next week. I am planning on sticking the ingredients together with golden syrup and melted butter, rather like my flapjack recipe. I am wanting to make them a bit healthier though and add hemp seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. All full of excellent nutrients which are great for growing children. To encourage the children I may use dried raspberries and chocolate chips which should be enough to keep the children interested. I might add some honey to the mix to pep it up a bit. Whatever I am going to end up making I am sure it will taste good.
Things that taste good – Banana and Walnut Crumble Cake– which I made last week – one, to use up some overripe bananas and two, my husband need a cake for work. I made the cake in a cardboard loaf container, of which I have many left from my market days. I am sharing the recipe today as it is so quick and easy to make, tastes delicious and keeps very well, if it lasts that long?
[lt_recipe name=”Banana & Walnut Crumble Cake” servings=”6″ prep_time=”10M” cook_time=”30M” total_time=”40M” difficulty=”Easy” summary=”If you don’t have a small loaf tin the amounts used in the recipe can be doubled to fill standard loaf tin. Nutritionally, one slice contains 513 calories, 26.6g total fat (34% daily total fat), 61.5g total carbohydrate (22% daily total carbohydrate), 3.5g fibre (13% daily fibre) ( based on a 2000 calorie diet).” print=”yes” image=”https://www.love-to-bake.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bananacrumble.jpeg” ingredients=”For the cake;4oz self raising flour;4oz soft brown sugar;4oz soft spread;2 eggs;2 overripe bananas;2oz chopped walnuts;1/2tsp cinnamon;1/2tsp ginger;For the topping:;2oz self raising flour;1oz soft spread;2oz porridge oats;1oz soft brown sugar;” ]Preheat the oven to gas 4.;Stand the cardboard loaf container on a baking tray.;Weigh out the ingredients for the cake into a bowl.(except for the bananas and walnuts).;Mix together with a whisk.;Add the walnuts and break the bananas in chunks into the mixture.;Stir to incorporate the bananas and walnuts.;Transfer to the container.;Make the crumble topping by rubbing the soft spread into the other ingredients to resemble breadcrumbs.;Sprinkle over the top of the cake mixture.;Bake for 20-30 minutes till well risen and golden brown.;[/lt_recipe]
I am going to bake some things for my next recipe book tomorrow and hope to catch some photos of them before the children eat them all. Thinking about it the two ideas I have already mentioned, they are actually good ideas for a picnic, so they may be included in the final recipe book. The [amazon_textlink asin=’B00KG9YLOG’ text=’granola bars ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’wwwlovetobake-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’8031c99a-2cf7-11e7-8075-9732323a2b3c’]will be like energy bars which would be great when you go on a trek somewhere up into the hills. Something to keep you going when you have exercised.
Talking of exercise, this week I have been exercising a lot and rewarding myself with a homemade smoothie. I have been adding hemp seeds, kale and banana to various other ingredients and finding that the smoothie is enough to keep me going till the lunch time. I am not snacking as much as I used to and I am enjoying the exercises so much which is something I would never have done in the past.
This next week is going to be a busy week in the foodies calendar. Apart form the May Day Bank Holiday, there is National Doughnut Week, Cinco de Mayo Day and Real Bread Week to celebrate. I have ideas for all of these days but time is going to be the main problem here as there may not be enough days this week for me to make everything I want, as the family can only eat so much. I am going to try to make all the bakes I want to so watch this space.
For National Doughnut Week I will make some Baked Doughnuts , as I don’t own a [amazon_textlink asin=’B00FEFAJZC’ text=’deep fat fryer’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’wwwlovetobake-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’a5ea7678-2cf7-11e7-9bba-bb26a4abfc43′], and I have never made doughnuts before. This will be something new for me to try so I am looking forward to that. As the doughnuts involve making a dough I think I will be able to manage this no problem as I am quite good at making doughs. I might make something along the lines of my brioche dough which is sweet, soft and very tasty.
For Real Bread Week, I do not possess a [amazon_textlink asin=’B00008WFDG’ text=’breadmaker’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’wwwlovetobake-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’c3666021-2cf7-11e7-ae2e-cf1552392b43′], although I would love one. I make dough by hand, but I will let the children each pick a flavour and make an individual small bread loaf, one day this week. they enjoy making bread just as much as I do.
For Cinco de Mayo Day , Mexican food comes to mind and my own version of cinema night food which my family like to have for these special nights. Usually I make Nacho Cheese Sauce and Homemade Nachos using [amazon_textlink asin=’B01EX16X4I’ text=’tortilla wraps’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’wwwlovetobake-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’e1bc567b-2cf7-11e7-a3c9-b1d52d4de5cc’]. These wraps are so versatile – Quesadillas, Nachos, Pizzas etc. I love having them ready to hand. In fact my youngest likes them for packed lunch with Nutella spread in them.
Just a few ideas of what I intend to bake and share this coming week. hope you will check back to see what I achieve. thank you for reading.