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Recipe of the Week | Brie with Redcurrant Jelly

Brie with redcurrant jelly

Brie with Redcurrant Jelly

Made in Somerset, according to traditional French methods, Somerset brie is considered by many to be as fine as French brie, with its straw colour and creamy tangy flavour. Serve it coated in breadcrumbs, as a really simple, light lunch – delicious!

Recipe taken from Around Britain Dairy Cookbook.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

Recipe of the Week | Gourmet Beans on Toast

Not just for lunch – this must-try version of beans on toast with tuna and cheese, will fill you up until tomorrow!

Gourmet Beans On Toast

Gourmet Beans on Toast

This yummy Gourmet Beans on Toast is a Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

#recipeoftheweek #beansontoast

5 Best Ever On Toast Ideas

5 Best Ever On Toast Ideas

5 Best Ever On Toast Ideas

Speedy and delicious, these quick ideas for something on toast are a welcome alternative to the ubiquitous cheese on toast.


Gourmet Beans On Toast

Gourmet Beans on Toast

Not just for lunch – this must-try version of beans on toast with tuna and cheese, will fill you up until tomorrow! This yummy Gourmet Beans on Toast is a Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE


Brunchtime French Toasts

Brunchtime French Toasts

  • Servings: 1
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 645 per portion
Fat 42g (8.3g sat) per portion

Ingredients

  • Egg 1, beaten
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Wholemeal bread 1 slice
  • Vegetable oil 2 tbsp
  • Lean trimmed back bacon 2 rashers, de-rinded
  • Field mushroom 1, wiped, peeled and sliced
  • Tomato 1, thickly sliced
  • Snipped chives to garnish

Instructions

  1. Beat the egg with 2 tablespoons of water and some seasoning and then pour onto a plate. Dip the bread on both sides in the egg, allowing it to soak up all the mixture.
  2. Melt the butter with the oil in a frying pan until bubbling, then cook the bread for 2–3 minutes on each side until lightly golden and set. Drain well, reserving the pan juices, and keep warm.
  3. Add the bacon to the pan and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side until cooked through and lightly golden. Drain well, reserving the pan juices, and keep warm.
  4. Add the sliced mushroom and tomato to the pan and cook, turning occasionally, for about 5 minutes until cooked through and tender.
  5. To serve, place the eggy bread on to a warm serving plate and top with the bacon, tomato, mushrooms and snipped chives. Eat immediately.

Cook’s Tip
If preferred, replace the bacon with pork sausages or a vegetarian variety for a tasty veggie version.


Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon

Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon

  • Servings: 2
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 766 per portion
Fat 55g (25.2g sat) per portion

Ingredients

  • Butter 75g (3oz), softened
  • Tomato purée 2 tsp
  • Chopped dill 2 tbsp, plus a few fronds to garnish
  • Capers 2–3 tbsp, well drained and roughly chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Mediterranean-style bread with olives 4 slices, approximately 2cm (¾in) thick, cut diagonally
  • Eggs 5 large, beaten
  • Smoked salmon slices 100g packet, cut into thin strips
  • Beefsteak tomato 1, deseeded and diced, to garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Put 50g (2oz) of the butter into a small bowl, then add the tomato purée, chopped dill and capers. Season with black pepper, then mix well together and set aside.
  2. Toast the bread and keep warm.
  3. Melt the remaining butter in a small saucepan (preferably non-stick), add the eggs and half of the salmon strips. Then cook over a moderate heat, stirring continuously, until the eggs are softly scrambled – taking care not to overcook, as they will become dry.
  4. Spread the toasted bread with the tomato butter and put onto two serving plates. Spoon the scrambled eggs on top, garnish with the remaining strips of salmon, dill and the chopped tomato, and serve immediately.

Cook’s Tip
For quick assembly, prepare all the ingredients before starting to cook and toast the bread while scrambling the eggs.


Gorgonzola Bruschetta with Balsamic Figs

Gorgonzola Bruschetta with Balsamic Figs

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 193 per portion
Fat 10g (2.9g sat) per portion

Ingredients

  • Brown sugar 1 tbsp
  • Balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp, plus extra to serve
  • Figs 2, cut into eight
  • Olive oil 2 tbsp
  • Ciabatta 4 slices
  • Garlic ½ clove, peeled
  • Watercress 2 small handfuls
  • Mint leaves 2 tbsp
  • Gorgonzola piccante 50g (2oz), crumbled

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Combine sugar and vinegar and coat figs in this mixture. Leave for 15 minutes and then transfer to a baking tray and roast for 10-12 minutes until soft.
  2. Meanwhile, brush oil over ciabatta slices and toast for 1-2 minutes each side. Rub lightly with garlic.
  3. Top ciabatta with watercress, mint, figs, a little black pepper and Gorgonzola. Drizzle with a little oil and vinegar before serving.


Avocado Toast

Avocado on Chilli Buttered Toast

  • Servings: 2
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Suitable for vegetarians

Ingredients

  • Butter 25g (1oz)
  • Chilli jam 2 tsp
  • Seeded bread, such as Vogel, 2 large slices
  • Ripe avocado 1 large or 2 small, peeled stoned and sliced

Instructions

  1. Beat butter together with chilli jam.
  2. Toast bread on both sides.
  3. Spread with chilli butter, top with avocado and season to taste.

#ontoast #tripletested #avocado

Healthy Snacks

Prepare Healthy Snacks in Seconds

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Prep Healthy Snacks in Seconds

I’ve always been a snacker…..going for hours without food and then eating a huge meal just doesn’t work for me as I feel ravenous and then eat too quickly and suffer indigestion.

I much prefer to eat
small meals and enjoy
a snack in between.

In a bid to control my blood sugar better and feel fuller for longer I am going to opt for snacks with protein and fibre.

Apart from the obvious, (we don’t need to talk about that!) eating more fibre has many health benefits. According to Women’s Health magazine ‘Fibre is quite possibly one of the most underrated and important foods that will help you reach your health and fat loss goals. It’s not only important for helping to reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and colon cancer, but it also helps your body to burn fat by controlling your blood sugar levels, reducing the release of the hunger hormone ghrelin, and helping curb sugar cravings.’

So, I’ve done my research and come up with a few ideas for quick-to-prepare snacks, which have fibre and also a little protein.

  • Celery and cucumber spread with low-fat soft cheese
  • Apple slices spread with nut butter
  • Pear or persimmon slices and wafer-thin ham
  • Raspberries or blueberries with fat-free Greek yogurt

And as an occasional treat:

  • Ripe avocado spread on Vogel’s Soya & Linseed bread (toasted)

 

Em’s Sweet Treat Tub

  • Sweet & salty popcorn 80g bag
  • Almonds 75g (3oz)
  • Dried cranberries 50g (2oz)

One portion is 25g (1oz).

Mix together and keep in an airtight tub. Take a small pot (about xxg) of this with you to work (or wherever you’re snacking).


 

Happy snacking folks!

 

#healthysnacks
#highfibresnacks

Just For One Or Two cookbook back in stock plus a special Valentine’s Day menu

Hot off the press!
Our sell-out cookbook is now back in stock!

Just For One Or Two cookbookJust for One or Two is one of the fastest selling cookbooks we have ever published. Selling out well before Christmas, it proved to be a real favourite with our customers.

After many requests we have reprinted, and it’s now back in stock and available to order online here <link> or by calling 01425 463390.

Not only is it perfect for single and couples,
it’s also a great ‘date night’ cookbook for families
who have young children and find it difficult to
escape for a meal out.

So why not make every day delicious with Just for One or Two?

READ MORE

 

A very special (but super-easy) Valentine’s Day menu.

For romantics out there here’s a gorgeous menu of recipes from the book to cook for (or with) your other half on Valentine’s Day.

Mushrooms with Goat’s Cheese

Beef Steak with Peppercorn Sauce & Potato Wedges

Crêpes with Brandy Marmalade Sauce

Have fun!

And don’t forget to look out for our competition to win a fabulous Breville Crêpe Maker. Coming very soon.


 

Mushrooms with Goat's Cheese

Mushrooms with Goat’s Cheese

  • Servings: 2
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 185 per portion
Fat 12g (7g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians

Ingredients

  • Large flat mushroom 2, wiped
  • Shallot 2, peeled and finely chopped
  • Fresh white breadcrumbs 30g (½oz)
  • Butter 30g (½oz), melted
  • Chopped thyme 2 tsp, plus leaves to garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Goat’s cheese 50g round slice
  • Salad leaves to serve (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Remove the stalks from the mushrooms. Chop the stalks finely and then mix with the shallots, breadcrumbs, melted butter, thyme and seasoning.
  2. Pack the mixture into the mushrooms. Place on a baking sheet and cook in the centre of the oven for 15 minutes.
  3. Place the cheese on the mushrooms and sprinkle with a few extra thyme leaves. Return to the oven for a further 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese starts to melt and turn golden. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with black pepper and serve immediately with a few salad leaves if liked.

Cook’s tips

Mushrooms don’t need peeling; just wipe with a clean, damp cloth or small mushroom brush to remove any dirt.

This recipe is ideal fo using up any leftover cheese; instead of goat’s cheese use any sliced soft cheese or grated hard cheese of your choice.

You could use a pinch of dried thyme instead of fresh.

You could also add a little lemon zest to the stuffing mixture if you like.

 


 

Beef Steak with Peppercorn Sauce & Potato Wedges

Beef Steak with Peppercorn Sauce & Potato Wedges

  • Servings: 2
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 747 per portion
Fat 62g (30g sat) per portion

Ingredients

  • Olive oil 2 tbsp plus 3 tsp
  • Potatoes 2, peeled and cut into wedges
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Onion 1 small, peeled and finely chopped
  • Garlic 1 clove, peeled and finely chopped
  • Whole black peppercorns 2 tsp, lightly crushed
  • Beef stock 150ml (¼ pint)
  • Double cream 150ml pot
  • Beef rump steaks 2
  • Mixed salad 50g packet, to serve

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Pour 2 tablespoons oil into a roasting tin and place in the oven to heat up.
  2. Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a pan of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Drain well and rough up the edges by shaking in the pan.
  3. Remove the roasting tin from the oven and carefully add the wedges. Season with salt and pepper. Using a long handled spoon, coat the potato wedges in the oil and spread out in the tin.
  4. Return the tin to the oven and cook for 45–50 minutes until crisp, turning after 20 minutes.
  5. To make the sauce, heat 2 teaspoons oil in a small heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until softened, stirring frequently.
  6. Add the peppercorns and 4 tablespoons of the beef stock. Simmer until almost all the liquid has evaporated, then add the leftover stock with the cream and bring to the boil. Simmer until reduced and thickened, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.
  7. For the steaks, preheat a griddle until hot. Brush 1 teaspoon oil onto both sides of the steaks, then cook according to taste. Usually, for rare cook for 2 minutes on each side, for medium cook for 3–4 minutes on each side, and for well done cook for 4–6 minutes on each side. Leave to rest for a few minutes.
  8. Serve the steaks with the potato wedges, salad and the peppercorn sauce.

 


 

Crêpes with Brandy Marmalade Sauce

Crêpes with Brandy Marmalade Sauce

  • Servings: 2
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 514 per portion
Fat 20g (3g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians

Ingredients

  • Plain flour 50g (2oz)
  • Caster sugar 25g (1oz)
  • Egg 1
  • Semi-skimmed milk 60ml (2fl oz)
  • Sunflower oil 3–4 tbsp
  • Marmalade 3 tbsp
  • Brandy 2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Put the flour, sugar and egg into a bowl and mix. Then mix the milk with 60ml (2fl oz) of water in a jug and gradually whisk it into the sweetened flour and egg, together with 2 tablespoons oil, to make a smooth batter.
  2. Put the marmalade in a small saucepan with the brandy. Bring to the boil, stirring, until the marmalade melts, then boil for a few minutes to make a syrup. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to stand.
  3. Pour a little oil into the base of a small non-stick frying pan. When hot, pour away the excess oil. Add 2 tablespoons of the crêpe mixture to the pan and tilt the pan until the base is covered. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the base is lightly browned.
  4. Turn the crêpe over with a knife and cook the other side. Slide it from the pan and keep warm. Repeat until all the batter has been used.
  5. Arrange the crêpes on warmed plates and spoon the marmalade sauce over them. Serve immediately.

Cook’s tips
If you don’t have brandy, simply add 2 tbsp water instead.
You could serve the crêpes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you like.


 

#justforoneortwo

#recipesfortwo

#tripletested

#valentinesday

Five Fantastic Festive Recipes

Five Festive Dairy Diary Recipes

Five Fantastic Festive Recipes

including a Must-Have White Chocolate Cheesecake

From a cosy Christmas lunch for two to a punch to please a crowd, I’ve chosen five fabulous recipes to make Christmas really special.

You MUST try the cheesecake –
I don’t usually even like cheesecake
but loved this one.

All these gorgeous recipes come from the 2016 Dairy Diary, which is still available for delivery before Christmas!

 


 

Caramelised Pear & Stilton Salad

Caramelised Pear & Stilton Salad


Garlic Roast Poussin

Garlic Roast Poussin


 

Driver's Fruity Puch

Drivers’ Fruity Punch


 

Christmas Cupcakes

Christmas Cupcakes


 

White Chocolate Cheesecake

White Chocolate Cheesecake


 

Dairy Diary 2016

Dairy Diary 2016Britain’s favourite home diary is packed with essential information plus inspirational weekly recipes and fascinating features.

The diary is clearly laid out with lots of writing space plus a sheet of memorable dates stickers for appointments and occasions.

Notable features of the 2016 Dairy Diary include:

Clear A5, week-to-view diary
Easy-to-follow weekly recipes
Reminder stickers
Handy pocket for notes and cards
Essential kitchen and home information
Budgeting, conversions, addresses, etc.
The first edition of the Dairy Diary was produced in 1982 and since then more than 30 million copies have been sold, making it Britain’s best-selling home diary.

Order online or call 08450 948 128 (lines open 9am-8pm, Mon-Fri).

 

To read the recipes click on the images above or visit http://www.dairydiary.co.uk/blog/five-fantastic-festive-recipes.html

 

#christmas #menu #recipes

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