The Dairy Diary office is now just down to one very busy person! In the 2011 Dairy Diary we have lots of fab holiday tips, including this handy checklist. Perfect for those who always forget something when they go away!

Not many of us are in the mood for cooking when we return, so why not plan ahead and freeze this delicious Ratatouille and Ham Pasta Bake.

For more freeze-easy ideas try Clever Cooking for One or Two, Dairy Cookbook available online or for free – if you’re lucky!

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I love Easter, with spring in the air; the mix of lovely pastel colours; the children’s excitement; and some quality family time. The countdown to the big event is on.

Here are some ideas you might like to try:

• Make Easter cards. These are so simple – ribbon interwoven (my current craft obsession) and taped to a piece of card, attached to a card blank with an egg sticker in the centre.

• Make marbled eggs. Isaac and I had great fun experimenting with colours and patterns. These can hang from ribbon on a few twigs, taking centre-stage on the dining table. For details see How to decorate Easter eggs

• If time allows, make some flowery bunting for one dining room wall – see How to make bunting flags

• Create an easy Easter egg hunt (let’s hope the bunny comes!) with a single word treasure hunt that children of all ages can enjoy.

• Buy a few pastel coloured flowers, cut the stems short and fill your favourite teacups with them to make the table extra-pretty.

So, get creative everyone, but most of all enjoy the long weekend. Let’s hope we get lots of sunshine!

And finally, cook a traditional free-range roast chicken with all the trimmings followed by a slab of this gorgeous Simnel cake. The 11 marzipan balls on the top represent the apostles, minus Judas.

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It may just be my obsessively organisational nature but there is something lovely about opening a new diary and filling in all your details – with your best writing pen and handwriting of course! Then two weeks’ later the book is full of lots of scribbled notes in several different pens!

It’s been a very industrious and Christmassy weekend, with craft projects and ‘Stir-up Sunday’ – traditionally, the day when Christmas puddings are made – with the whole family joining in to ‘stir-up’ the mixture. We made delicious Calypso puddings from the 2010 Dairy Diary, refreshingly different with pineapple and mango as well as prunes and apricots.

Isaac's Christmas card

Working on the 2011 Dairy Diary, with its card-making feature, has inspired me to make cards for loved ones this year. I’m afraid time as a working mum doesn’t allow for all my cards to be home-made but the special people in our lives will get mummy-commissioned cards made by my son, who will be two in December. First we found all the buttons cut from my clothes over the past ten years (some in frightening colours and patterns!) and sorted them into colours. I drew a triangle on a ready-made card and Isaac spread the triangle with glue and covered it with buttons, placing an extra one underneath for the ‘trunk’.

He thoroughly enjoyed himself with gluing and sticking and they looked surprisingly good. The most effective card is a shocking pink with black buttons (especially for Auntie Claire according to Isaac!). Let’s hope Auntie Claire isn’t reading this…….

We enjoyed a pleasant walk using local footpaths recently and the children were intrigued by the fattening blackberries on their brambles.

It’s one of the first signs of autumn, which officially begins tomorrow. We will make a special trip – armed with baskets – to pick these delicious fruits when they are fully ripened.

With a young toddler, I might need to consult my Dairy Diary stain removal page after our excursion!

Plump blackberries ripe for picking

It’s wonderful though to be able to enjoy the bounty of our countryside, from picking through to cooking and eating. I might try a bramble jelly this year and I will certainly have a go at the Blackberry and Apple Tartlets recipe – yum.

In Britain, in was once considered unlucky to pick blackberries after a certain date, often Michaelmas (29th September), as it was believed the devil would have spat or stamped on them. I don’t think I will be passing that little nugget of folklore on to my son during our forages!

I absolutely adore this season, with crisp sunny walks through rustling leaves, warming autumnal soups, the excitement of bonfire night and fireworks, and the changing colours of the countryside. I can’t wait to try leaf prints with Isaac when they start to fall from the trees – perfect for making cards for those who enjoy autumn Birthdays. It’s times like these when I love living in Britain with our varied weather and beautiful scenery.

Do you have a favourite blackberry recipe that you would like to share? Click the “Leave a comment” link below.

In the current economic climate, almost everyone wants to buy great quality gifts at a very reasonable price.

Well it’s no different in the Dairy Diary office. In the next month we will commence research on the contents of our next giftpack, so we have been trying to create a shortlist of good products at a price we can afford.

This year’s Dairy Diary Giftpack is already proving to be exceptionally popular, with its wooden bookstand – perfect for trying out recipes from the diary or cookbook, or simply for displaying your diary’s weekly events. But how can we improve on that within budget?

Do you have a great idea for next year’s giftpack? Let me know by clicking on the “Leave a Comment” link at the end of this post.

It’s no different in my house either, although I still buy gifts for friends and relations, I have less to spend now and often supplement the bought gift with a home-made present. Although my friends may disagree, I hope it shows I am not too stingy but also take time to make something personal.

I often use inexpensive glass beads (in their favourite colour of course), to make bracelets for female friends. For my son’s Birthday I am going to paint a large floor mat with fields, roads, rivers, a farm and a village – something perfect for all his beloved animal and transport toys.

Take a look at this divine recipe for Luxury Florentines that I am going to try as a treat for my friends – wrapped in cellophane and ribbon they should look very pretty and taste fabulous too!

I’d love to know about any of your home-made gifts ideas, so click on the “Leave a Comment” link below.

Recently on Twitter I have seen National Tapioca Pudding Day, National Blueberry Muffin Day and National Piña Colada Day!

Surely, these must have been made up by some over zealous (or desperate) marketing agency?

Believe it or not the humble ploughman’s lunch was also created in the sixties by an advertising agency to promote the traditional pub lunch! I certainly don’t take exception to this though, as there’s nothing nicer on a warm summer’s day than sitting in the beer garden of a country pub enjoying a delicious wedge of cheese with pickle and a hunk of bread – washed down with a cold half pint!

Have a go at this gorgeous Chutney – no ploughman’s lunch is complete without it. It’s well worth the effort. Let me know how you get on.

Isaac and I decided to dodge the rain and try out a new exhibition at the museum. We were there for hours! It was wonderful!

There were so many hands-on exhibits for Isaac – magnifying glasses for examining mini beasts, dressing-up costumes, puzzles, crayons, Velcro pictures and much more. I am so glad I have encouraged museum visits in my recent Family Fun feature for the 2011 Dairy Diary.

Museums are not just for kids of course – there was plenty for me to learn too! Our lunch in the café was very disappointing though, dishes home-made from local ingredients (as you would expect) were sadly lacking. We opted to share a soggy jacket potato and beans followed by a very dry and definitely not home-made scone. Next time I think we will take a picnic and bake our own scones.

Drop in to your local museum next time you have a rainy day and let me know what it’s like (you might want to take these fabulous Wholesome Raisin Scones with you though!)

Some of you may know that we have been testing the blog online for a few weeks now. Well everything is running smoothly, so here we are and we’ll be posting a new blog each week from now onwards! And to celebrate we are giving away 20 copies of Just One Pot, the new Dairy Cookbook – to enter read on!

So what can you expect in the coming months?

• All the latest news from the Dairy Diary and Dairy Cookbook office.
• A free recipe each week to tempt your tastebuds.
• A growing library of recipes for further inspiration.
• Hints and tips for the kitchen and around the home
• Swap ideas with other Dairy Diary and Dairy Cookbook readers.
• Suggest recipes, hints and tips for future publications.
• Comment on all blog topics and recipes.

One idea we would like to explore is the possibility of an online reference section that expands on the excellent information already found in the Dairy Diary. Obviously we can only publish so much in the Dairy Diary – so what extra would you like to be able to find here?

Or what about a cookery workshop section where you can find “how to” instructions, specialist techniques, short-cuts and “secret ingredients” to ensure success in the kitchen?

To do all this we need your help! Do you have suggestions, great ideas or a little wisdom to share with your fellow readers? Yes? Well, here is your opportunity to do so.

Win a copy of Just One Pot

Win a copy of Just One Pot, the new Dairy Cookbook.

We are giving away 20 copies of Just One Pot exclusively to Dairy Diary Chat readers. From snacks to glorious desserts, Just One Pot will show you how to create fresh, home-cooked food without lots of pots and pans. Delicious recipes that use just one pot each. Fabulous food with less fuss!

Click here to enter the competition.

Good luck. And don’t forget to bookmark this blog and visit again next week.

I normally shun Rivita for more tasty things such as bread! However, I have been pleasantly surprised. Spread with a little St Dalfour jam (which is sugar free) and some low fat soft cheese they are really quite tasty!

I have chosen the crackers with sesame seeds for extra flavour. Coupled with lots of fruit and delicious baby plum tomatoes sprinkled with a little sea salt – I have survived my days at work.

The Hearty and Healthy Dairy Cookbook has been invaluable for evening meals, particularly Chinese chicken soup, Meaty twizzle sticks and Fruity Italian Sundaes.

For those with an aversion to crackerbread who want a healthy snack give this Spicy Bread Pudding a try.

Do you have a favourite bread pudding recipe?

I’m feeling very proud of a ‘leftovers’ culinary creation we enjoyed last night.

Usually I am no good at all at impromptu cooking, but rely on my myriad of cookbooks to get me through dinner.

However, no recipes for my fridge contents – a few sad looking veggies –  could be found. I decided to stir-fry the veggies – halved baby corn, halved baby courgettes, carrot batons, sliced red onions and halved mange tout – and serve them with noodles.

To give them a little more taste (and a little protein), I heated 3tbsp peanut butter, a good splash of milk, 2 tsp soy sauce and ½ finely chopped chilli in the microwave, then tossed everything together.

My other half was thrilled at what he expected to be a very boring dinner. I hate to waste food and always endeavour to use everything left in the fridge/breadbin/cupboard but it isn’t always as palatable!

Are you creative with leftovers? I would love to know of any good leftovers meal ideas.

How about giving Brunchtime French Toasts a try? Perfect for leftover egg, bacon and tomato.

My close friends Katy and James celebrate their first wedding anniversary next week. I have already made a card but have not yet bought a gift.

Of course I checked in my Dairy Diary to see what is traditionally given for a first anniversary gift – paper.

Hmmm….what paper-based present will they appreciate?!! I have deliberated quite a lot and decided to opt for a magazine subscription. They both enjoy travel, so a travel magazine seems like a gift they could both enjoy. Let’s hope they like it!

I am just glad it’s not their seventh anniversary with iron as the traditional gift! What on earth would I buy for that? I would love to hear of any innovative gifts given for wedding or wedding anniversaries. It means so much more to the recipient if it has been thought about.

Maybe a special cake is a nice idea? Try this special Celebration Cake recipe.

I have just finished writing a travel tips page for the 2011 Dairy Diary.

Before researching it I never realised how unprepared I have been when travelling abroad!

How many of us take the emergency number for our credit card company in case the card is stolen? Not me, that’s for sure! I seldom give anyone at home my holiday contact details either. In fact, I get so wrapped up in what I will wear/eat/drink/do when I am there that I completely forget about all the important stuff.

Thankfully, there has rarely been an emergency while I have been away – except when I was in New York the day before September 11th and no one at home knew my exact itinerary – it pays to be prepared.

When booking a flight do you opt for on-board catering or take something of your own? I deliberated this last week when booking flights for a family holiday. I plumped for the in-flight meal as I find all those little parcels quite exciting. The taste is never up to much though!

But what is the best thing to take to eat on a flight? I would love to hear any useful travel tips or advice on what to take.

Probably not a particularly ripe French cheese! Try these Cheese Flapjacks – easily portable with oats for slow-releasing energy.

I  enjoyed a gorgeous Sunday lunch at a local pub with some friends (and fidgety children) yesterday.

The scrubbed old oak tables and wooden floors looked fabulous, but the highlight was most definitely the home-made ice creams.

My personal favourite was apple pie – delicious. A friend of mine sampled the blackcurrant and liquorice ice cream, which none of us were convinced by! Heston Blumenthal is famous for his bacon and egg ice cream of course but I have not come across too many weird and wonderful flavours.

I would love to find out what bizarre flavours there are out there! Do you have a favourite? Or a flavour that you loath?

Perhaps it might be good to stick to the flavours we know we love, such as Rhubarb and Custard Ice Cream from Year Round Dairy Cookbook.

It was great to bask in the sunshine and simply relax and enjoy being at home.

After the compulsory burger and sausage we enjoyed bowlfuls of fantastic British strawberries. Mmmmm. They have to be one of my all time favourite fruit. I love them served simply with just a tiny sprinkle of brown sugar.

There are many recipes which make the most of this precious seasonal favourite but I particularly like the Courting Cake (see recipe below) from Around Britain Dairy Cookbook. It looks so impressive and well as tasting amazing. I might have to make this again before the strawberry season finishes. It would originally have been baked by young ladies for their betrothed so I had better be careful who I bake it for!

Try this fabulous Courting Cake recipe.

Any suggestions for wonderful strawberry recipes are gratefully received!

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My staple at the moment seems to be potato mashed with Laughing Cow cheese and butter, served with baked beans. Not a culinary masterpiece but Isaac loves it!

It is now my mission to make some new variations on mash and to serve it with other things for a change. I have looked back at some of our previous books and found some unusual suggestions. In fact one of our recipe writers has suggested a lovely twist on mash for our next cookbook – you will have to wait and see what that is!

The quality of potato makes a huge difference to taste. I had a delicious variety a while back called Anya. Anya was specially bred on the banks of the river Tay just outside Dundee and is a result of a cross between Pink Fur Apple and Desiree potatoes. Lord Sainsbury’s gardener grew the new variety for the first time in 1995, and liked it so much that he suggested it be called Anya after Lady Sainsbury!

How delightful and how many of us can say we have had a potato named after us?!

Have you tasted Champ mashed potatoes? Try it, I think you’ll love it.

Can you suggest your favourite potato variety for mash, and what do you add to yours?

This is available from Waitrose (Bruschetta topping in olive oil) and Tesco (Tomato and basil bruschetta topping).

We then got chatting about sauces in jars, specifically sauces for pasta. I must admit, I have never found one that I am totally satisfied with (except pesto) and I much prefer to make my own.

My favourite for a really speedy meal is to stir some low fat cream cheese into cooked pasta and to heat it gently with one or two tablespoons of pesto sauce.  I then season well with black pepper and add some steamed or stir-fried vegetables (great for using up leftover veg). Not only is this quick but it’s healthy too.

We would love to hear your easy pasta sauce suggestions. Which ready-made sauces do you enjoy and what tips do you have for simple home-made sauces?

While you are thinking about your pasta suggestions try our easy One-Pan Pasta recipe.

After hearing a particularly disgusting story on the radio (a sandwich-making operative was given community service for putting lettuce up his nose then back into the food tray- euuugh) and then paying £2.80 for a thoroughly awful sandwich, I made a vow to start making my own.

What a revelation! They are so much healthier, tastier, fresher and much less hassle than I thought. In a morning, whilst I am taking mouthfuls of cereal I pop a few different bits and bobs into some bread then put it in my work bag with some fruit and, of course, a cheeky treat! This week I have enjoyed a Dovedale cheese & onion chutney roll, a ham & salad pitta and a Brie & cranberry wrap. If you keep a few different types of bread – seeded rolls, ciabatta, wraps, pitta – in the freezer you have much more choice and they don’t go mouldy in the bread bin before you have chance to eat them. I just pop some bread in the microwave for 10 or 20 seconds and then add the filling. They are thoroughly defrosted by lunchtime. My top tip for a treat – fun-size chocolate bars. They give you a chocolate fix without adding too many calories to your diet. Mini Twix are my favourite – yum!

Try  this this Quick Prawn Wraps lunchbox recipe.