Tag Archives: Baking

Peek Behind the Scenes of the Dairy Diary

Dairy Diary photography

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Peek Behind the Scenes of the Dairy Diary

This week we have a special guest blogger writing for us.

Let me introduce to you Leah Figiel.

Emily & Leah

Emily & Leah

Hi, I’m Leah.

For my work experience; I booked a placement for two weeks working with the Dairy Diary. I wanted to see the ins and outs of publishing and what they expect – for it relates to something that I’d like to do as a future career.

On one day, I had the privilege to be involved in a food photoshoot for the Dairy Diary in London; working with photographer Steve Lee, food stylist Sara Lewis and assistant Doug (not forgetting the two ADORABLE dogs – Dusk and Gypsy!). They all did an exceptional job of capturing the yumminess of the recipes in the future Dairy Diary…

When we arrived at Topham Studios. Steve kindly explained to me clearly what he was photographing, and the importance of the equipment used to shoot the recipes. Emily and I then had a sneak-peek at all of the props that Olivia Wardle had artfully constructed. We went downstairs to the prop room to make some final adjustments for the shoot.

I had no clue of how much prep
was needed to just take pictures
of seven (delicious) dishes

My love for colour schemes and detailed, quirky items were expressed in this very emporium. Naturally, I could’ve spent hours in what seemed to be as an Aladdin’s Cave – but we had important work to do. To the studio we returned: armed with props to fully accentuate the magic of what Sara had crafted.

After hours of tweaking, photographing, fussing the dogs and ‘testing’ out each recipe to see just how tasty they were – seven recipes were ready.

My time at the studios taught me that presentation is key – and that you must always keep the consumers in mind. Although the work done in that day was very essential to the whole idea of the diary, which meant that we had to create each shot perfectly – I thoroughly enjoyed it, not even realising that a full day had been reserved for the project. Time flies when you’re having fun: doesn’t it?

 

And Leah’s favourite recipe from the Dairy Diary? Here it is:

Decadent Red Velvet Cake

 

 

Decadent Red Velvet Cake

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 500 per portion
Fat 29g (18g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter 475g (1lb 1oz)
  • Caster sugar 250g (9oz)
  • Eggs 3 large, separated
  • Vanilla extract 2 tsp
  • White wine vinegar 1 tsp
  • Specialist cake decorator’s red food colouring paste 1 tsp
  • Cocoa powder 1½ tbsp
  • Bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp
  • Self-raising flour 275g (10oz)
  • Buttermilk 284ml pot
  • Icing sugar 425g (15oz)
  • Full fat soft cheese 180g tub

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°fan/Gas 4. Grease and line a round deep 20cm (8in) tin.
  2. In a large bowl cream together 250g (9oz) butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, vanilla, vinegar and colouring. Sift in cocoa, bicarbonate and half the flour, then mix in half the buttermilk.
  3. Mix in remaining flour and buttermilk. In a separate bowl whisk egg whites until foamy then fold into cake mixture.
  4. Spoon into tin and bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in tin until cold.
  5. Level top and cut in half horizontally, reserving crumbs. Beat together icing sugar, remaining butter and cheese. Use to sandwich cake together and spread around sides and top. Sprinkle with cake crumbs.

 

The iconic 2017 Dairy Diary is available to buy for just £7.99 from the milkman or online here.

 

#behindthescenes #dairydiary #redvelvetcake #tripletested

Recipe of the Week | Cherry & Pistachio Chocolate Squares

Cherry & Pistachio Chocolate Squares

An easy, no-bake recipe that’s perfect to make with children.

It may be naughty,
but it’s very VERY nice!

Cherry & Pistachio Chocolate Squares

  • Servings: 20 squares
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Print

Calories 211 per portion
Fat 13g (6.6g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians
Suitable for freezing

Ingredients

  • Butter 125g (4½oz), diced
  • Dark chocolate 300g (11oz), broken into squares
  • Golden syrup 3 tbsp
  • Glacé cherries 100g (3½oz), halved
  • Pistachio nuts 50g (2oz), chopped
  • Sultanas 50g (2oz)
  • Digestive biscuits 200g pack, broken into pieces

Instructions

  1. Line a 20cm (8in) square tin with clingfilm.
  2. Put the butter, chocolate and golden syrup into a large microwave-proof bowl. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes until the chocolate has melted, stirring after every 20 seconds and checking the chocolate does not overheat.
  3. Add the other ingredients and mix well. Spoon into the prepared tin and spread out evenly. Leave to cool.
  4. Chill for at least an hour (or until set) and then remove from the tin, peel off the cling film and cut into 20 squares.

Cook’s tips
Take care when melting the chocolate – if it is cooked for too long it will seize.
These squares will keep for a week wrapped in foil in the fridge or freeze for 3 months.
Use any dried fruits you have in the cupboard.

 

Fantastic Food For Less cookbookThese recipes are taken from
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Recipe of the Week: Cranberry & White Chocolate Cookies

Take A Box Of Eggs cookbook

Cranberry & White Chocolate Cookies

  • Servings: 20
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 225 per portion
Fat 12.2g (7.3g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians
Suitable for freezing

Ingredients

  • Butter 200g (7oz), softened
  • Soft light brown sugar 150g (5oz)
  • Eggs 2, beaten
  • Self-raising flour 300g (11oz)
  • White chocolate 200g (7oz), chopped
  • Dried cranberries 75g packet

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/Gas 5 and line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Beat the butter with the sugar in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs and flour and mix well. Work the chopped chocolate and cranberries into the mixture.
  2. Drop generous dessertspoonfuls of the mix onto the prepared baking sheet and cook in batches for 10–15 minutes until the cookies are golden, but still soft. Leave to cool for 1 minute on the baking sheet before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Cook’s tip
This is one of those wonderful recipes that is great to get children interested in baking as it doesn’t involve the use of an electric mixer – just keep an eye on where the white chocolate ends up!

Take a Box of EggsTake A Box Of Eggs

Discover the delight of cooking with eggs; nature’s own convenience food. This recipe is taken from Take a Box of Eggs, which features 100 easy, irresistible recipes in an attractive yet straightforward style.

Buy now for just £7.49.

#childrensbookday

#cookingwithkids

#toptenchildrensbooks

Top Ten Children’s Books Plus a Fab Recipe Perfect for Making with Little Ones

Top Ten Children’s Books

Top Ten Children’s Books

It was Children’s Book Day on Saturday so we took some time out from rushing around to sit on the carpet and talk about stories. I asked my three children – whose ages range from 5 to 8 – to choose their favourites. Here’s the Davenport Top Ten:

The Blue Balloon Mick Inkpen
It’s a silly and simple story – like many of Mick Inkpen’s books – but it resonated with each of our children when they were little. They love the fold out pages and the sense of fun that the author so cleverly creates.

Cockatoos Quentin Blake
Ever since I was a small child engrossed in Roald Dahl books I have loved Quentin Blake. Author and Illustrator of this book, he has filled it with his cheeky wit. And it’s great for putting on an absurd posh voice!

Magic Faraway Tree Enid Blyton
As I read my original 1970s copy to my children I have to change a few words here and there – PC it isn’t (e.g. the girls always have to help in the kitchen but the boys don’t). But the magic in this book is unrivalled in anything else I have come across for young children and all my children love it as much as I did.

The BFG Roald Dahl
Both Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant are such wonderful characters you can’t help but love this book. Roald Dahl was a genius of storytelling and I think this one is his best. Though apparently the Queen has the same voice as a witch from another story (sorry about that!)

Mr Stink David Walliams
David Walliams has a fantastic ability to write modern day stories with old fashioned fun and adventure. In each of his books the morals are always spot on and his characters are hilarious. My son and I love Raj who appears in every book he writes.

Goodnight Mister Tom Michelle Magorian
Heartbreaking and heartwarming, this was my favourite book when I was young. It’s a moving and compelling tale, which reveals the complexities and terrible consequences of war through a child’s eyes.

The Harry Potter series J. K. Rowling
Ok, I have to confess that this one is my choice. My children are just too wussy to read Harry Potter yet as they get scared after about page 3. J. K. Rowling’s series of epic adventures are just unquestionably brilliant. I’m going to get the audio books for the car and hope that Stephen Fry’s dulcet tones will persuade my children to listen.

Mog and the V.E.T Judith Kerr
Having owned a very grumpy cat (who once ended up on the vet’s head!) this story particularly resonates with us. Mog’s escapades always make us all giggle.

Why the Whales Came Michael Morpurgo
Erie and disquieting, this multifaceted tale of two children who befriend a loner on their island is a real page turner. It was our first Michael Morpurgo book and we loved it.

The Smartest Giant in Town Julie Donaldson
There’s something about the rhythm of rhyme that intrigues children. Even when my little ones are distracted Julia Donaldson’s soothing stories encourage them to listen. In this book, there are so many funny characters it gives us parents a great opportunity for a cavalcade of silly voices!

And after all that reading,
surely it’s time for a treat?  
These cookies are easy and
fun to make with your little
(or not so little) ones.

Take A Box Of Eggs cookbook

Cranberry & White Chocolate Cookies

  • Servings: 20
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 225 per portion
Fat 12.2g (7.3g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians
Suitable for freezing

Ingredients

  • Butter 200g (7oz), softened
  • Soft light brown sugar 150g (5oz)
  • Eggs 2, beaten
  • Self-raising flour 300g (11oz)
  • White chocolate 200g (7oz), chopped
  • Dried cranberries 75g packet

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/Gas 5 and line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Beat the butter with the sugar in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs and flour and mix well. Work the chopped chocolate and cranberries into the mixture.
  2. Drop generous dessertspoonfuls of the mix onto the prepared baking sheet and cook in batches for 10–15 minutes until the cookies are golden, but still soft. Leave to cool for 1 minute on the baking sheet before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Cook’s tip
This is one of those wonderful recipes that is great to get children interested in baking as it doesn’t involve the use of an electric mixer – just keep an eye on where the white chocolate ends up!

 

Take a Box of EggsTake A Box Of Eggs

Discover the delight of cooking with eggs; nature’s own convenience food. This recipe is taken from Take a Box of Eggs, which features 100 easy, irresistible recipes in an attractive yet straightforward style.

Buy now for just £7.49.

 

#childrensbookday

#cookingwithkids

#toptenchildrensbooks

 

 

 

Simnel Cake

Simple Cake

One of the oldest Christian festivals, Easter marks Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

Simnel cake has at some point been adopted as a traditional Easter cake.

The 11 marzipan balls on the
top represent the apostles,
minus the treacherous Judas.

Simnel Cake

  • Servings: 11 slices
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Print

Calories 722 per portion
Fat 30g (13.2g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians

Ingredients

  • Butter 250g (9oz), softened
  • Light muscovado sugar 250g (9oz)
  • Eggs 4
  • Plain flour 300g (11oz)
  • Baking powder 1 tsp
  • Ground mixed spice 2 tsp
  • Ground almonds 50g (2oz)
  • Luxury dried mixed fruit 500g (1lb 2oz)
  • Lemon 1, finely grated zest and 2 tbsp juice
  • White marzipan 500g (1lb 2oz)
  • Apricot glaze or sieved apricot jam 2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas 2 and line a 20cm (8in) cake tin with baking parchment.
    Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a spoonful of the flour along with each egg. Sift in the remaining flour, baking powder and spice and fold the almonds, dried fruit and lemon zest and juice into the mixture. Spoon half into the cake tin and smooth the surface level.
  2. Roll out one third of the marzipan until it’s a circle, just smaller than the cake tin, and lay it on top of the mixture in the tin. Spoon the remaining mixture over the top and level the surface.
  3. Bake the cake in the centre of the oven for 2–2¼ hours, or until a skewer comes out clean after being inserted into the cake. Cover with a sheet of baking parchment if it starts to brown. When cooked, remove the cake from the oven and leave to cool.
  4. Remove the cake from the tin and peel away the lining paper. Spread the apricot glaze or jam over the top. Roll out half of the remaining marzipan to fit the top of the cake. Place it on the cake and smooth down, taking care not to trap any air pockets underneath. Pinch around the edges.
  5. Divide the remaining marzipan into 11 pieces and roll each into a ball. Brush a little apricot glaze or jam onto the base of each and evenly space around the top of the cake. Place under a hot grill to brown the marzipan lightly. Remove from the grill and leave to cool before serving.

Cook’s tips
The cake will keep in an airtight container for up to a week.
If you have a choice of marzipan, choose white marzipan, which has a more natural flavour than golden marzipan.

Recipe of the Week

Cherry Bread Pudding

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Cherry Bread Pudding

Moist, sticky and scrumptious, with glistening succulent fruit. This Cherry Bread Pudding recipe is delicious served warm, or just as tasty served chilled. A Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

#tripletested

#recipeoftheweek

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