* Lazylol *

Summer Holidays 2014 #2 Picnic Prep

 

During our summer seaside break, we hope for lots of sunny days so we can spend time on the beach. This year we've been really lucky so far :)

Before we left, I did some baking so we'd have some nice home baked goodies to put in our picnic box, along with our sandwiches, fruit and flask of tea.

I made some little Bakewell Tarts, inspired by Love Those Cupcakes Raspberry & Almond Tarts (I must say Liz's tarts looked much better than my attempt! Her pictures had me drooling at the computer screen)

 

 

 

A Ham, Cheese and Tomato Quiche was next on the list & some rather strange looking Cornish Pasties.  I haven't made pasties before and must practise my crimping, I was rubbish at it.  They are very tasty though :)

 

 

Here I am enjoying a Bakewell Tart on the North Beach at Scarborough.  I know all this baking isn't very Weight Watcher friendly, but I am only eating a little bit.  I am still counting my points but I am allowing myself to go over a little bit, well I am on my holidays :) The fresh sea air and the miles of walking do make you hungry! 

Bank Holiday Baking

I am trying for more of a lifestyle change than a 'diet' so while I am following the Weight Watcher program I am trying to eat the foods I normally eat but making them healthier and controlling the portion size.  

One thing I can't live without is cake {my favourite thing of all time!} and I love to bake.  So today I made a chocolate fudge cake and along side this, a banana and chocolate loaf from a Weight Watcher Recipe.

 

I didnt have a two pound loaf tin {I must remember to get one} so I made two smaller cakes.  These will be portioned into eight slices and work out at only 3 pro points each.  Actually, they are probably less because I replaced the brown sugar  in the recipe for Splenda brown sugar, which worked well.  I've had this in my baking cupboard a while and cannot for the life of me remember where I bought it.  I hope I can find more.  

 

The Chocolate Fudge Cake was a Mary Berry Recipe

 

I worked out the points for the chocolate fudge and 1/16 slice is 7 pro points. The slices were big enough because the cake is rich.  

 

I had the family round today for a Bank Holiday Monday roast dinner and these cakes were eaten for pudding.  The Weight Watchers banana cake was the most popular and I know I preferred it.  This will become a favourite bake I'm certain. I made sure that I sent leftover cake home with everyone and as both cakes freeze well, the few slices left were portioned, wrapped in parchment paper and frozen.

 

Find the recipe for the chocolate Fudge here

Breakfast Banana Muffins

 

 

I have made these muffins a few times recently. They are very simple to make, cheap and great for using up over ripe bananas.

I still like to bake treats even though I am watching what I eat.  We all prefer homemade cakes and treats so I can't really punish the family just because I am cutting down.  Just because I have baked them, doesn't mean I have to eat them (all!).  So I just have one with a cuppa and count it in.  I am putting all my recipes on Sparkpeople so I can add them to my day easily.  I use Sparkpeople to log my food daily, it helps keep me in check!

These Muffins are approx 150 calories each. If I have one for breakfast I have a yogurt too or some fruit.

Breakfast Banana Muffins

2 ripe bananas

80g demerara sugar

4 tbsps sunflower oil

2 eggs

130ml milk

150g self raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

50g porridge oats

 

Method

Preheat oven 170c fan/190c/375F/Gas Mark 5

mash bananas in a bowl and mix in the sugar, oil. eggs and milk.

sift in the flour, baking powder, oats and nutmeg.

place mixture into 12 cases and bake for 20 mins

leave to cool in tray and then tranfer to airtight container.

 

I am going to freeze a couple out of my latest batch and I will update this to let you know how well they freeze. 

Home Again Home Again, Jiggerty Jig

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I don't know if it is the fact that I've spent the past 4 weeks lolling around the at the seaside eating chips, ice creams, and various quick and easy-to-cook caravan meals,  but I'm now in the mood for some home cooked meals.  I've been pottering around the house since we returned home last night, unpacking, sorting and washing. Then some time ironing whilst catching up on a few of the many programmes I've Sky+'d, including this excellent show.....

 

 

BBC - Great British Bake Off

I've only watched the first episode so far but it has really got me in the mood to bake a cake or two.  Good job then that we have three family birthdays coming up inthe next two weeks! A selection of the recipes from the programme are on the BBC website. 

 

 

I am going to have to add the book to my wish list because I need ALL those recipes.

 

 

 

Of course, I will have to make cupcakes too, LOOK at my new cupcakes cases!

 

 

 

They are all from Morrison's.  The cupcake cases were on offer at 62p a pack (I've paid £3 for dotty cases in the past!) and the frosting was also on offer £1.32.  I know I could easily make my own frosting but who could resist free sparkly glitter and pink sprinkles?  Not me, that's for sure :)

All this talk of baking has got me in the mood for a little something to go with my cup of tea...

 
 
 

I think a Blackcurrant Sundae from this shop bought selection will have to do.

 

 

 

Delicious!!  It  brought back memories for me, Mr Kipling Strawberry Sundaes where my absolute favourites when I was a kid. I don't think I've had one since. Maybe I will have to try another to make sure it still is my favourite?

 

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:: These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things :: February

Eastenders - I am a TV addict and Eastenders is my favourite soap at the moment.  Loved the live episode of Friday, it was so good not knowing what will happen for a change! Poor Bradders though - sniff sniff.  I'm also enjoying Shameless, Material Girl, Silent Witness, Nurse Jackie, Desp Housewives, Come Dine With me and Lark Rise to Candleford.

Old Fairy bottles are back!  So retro.  These have taken me right back to the 70s.  I am in the kitchen washing up at the kitchen sink with my Mum  after the sunday lunch again.

Making chocolate butterfly buns and coconut cupcakes, then not eating any because I've given up chocolate and biscuits for Lent. The family were only too happy to help polish them off. 

Baking

Lots of baking this week for a Cake Stall in school in aid of Children in Need. Hard work but lots of fun & so worth while.

Today I am dressed in my decorating clothes (thank goodness nobody can see me!) I've decided to paint the hall, stairs and landing, like you do when you have a zillion other things to do before Christmas ;) Hopefully I can make a good start today and then do a bit after work everyday next week. Crazy Fool.

I've entered the giveaway over on SilkieSue'sBlog.  

And here too

Why not pop over and have a go?

National Baking Week

I've been ill for the last few days - full of cold, sore throat, you know the same thing everyone you speak to seems to be suffering from.  Feeling much better today though and better still, i know have a week off for half term :)

The free calendar I got in Prima Magazine cheered me up - it is lovely.
 

My little old car had its MOT this week and I got a nice surprise - it passed which is a miracle.  So to celebrate we abandoned the menu plan for Friday night and had a takeaway Chicken Korma and Naan - YUM!  My son is home from Uni for the weekend and his girlfriend is here with him. It is so nice to have a noisy house again.

I made this Scrummy Yummy Carrott Cake from my meal plan.  It was a lovely moist cake but I think next time I will leave out the raisins.  The raisins weren't very popular and I have to agree.  Seeing as it is National Baking Week I also made a Dorest Apple Cake after reading about it here.  I have to say this is now my new favourite cake. 

I served it warm with a dash of cream and it went down a treat  with everyone. YUM YUM YUM :)

I have more baking planned this weekend.  First off some Yorkshire Parkin which will need to sit for 3 days to be at it's best and will be perfect to take to the caravan.  We are planning lots of walking so I will make a flask of hot chocolate and take some parkin along. 

I am also going to try a recipe that I've seen in Prima Magazine for Chocolate Millionaire's Shortcake. Good job we are going to be walking and swimming a lot next week!