Tag Archives: Food

Real custard sauce

Do you have favourite dislikes? Things that were better in your childhood maybe? One of mine is custard powder – given the opportunity I can’t resist boring everyone with, ‘Oh, real custard is so much better. It doesn’t take long to make at all, but it is worth the effort.’
Well, this week my family’s patience finally snapped and I was told to put up or shut up.
OK. Mild panic. So, real custard… how hard can it be? And it had better be fantastic. No pressure then.
After several hours scouring cookbooks I realise that there is an bewildering variety of recipes. Yikes. Can they all work?
Well this is the recipe I used and yes, it was so much better. And worth the effort.
Do you have a better recipe?
Preparation 5 mins
plus 15 mins standing
Cooking 15 mins
Serves 4-6
Fresh milk 300ml (½ pint)
Vanilla pod 1
Egg yolks 4
Sugar 25g (1oz)
1 Reserve 45ml (3 tbsp) milk. Place remaining milk and vanilla pod in a saucepan. Bring almost to the boil.
2 Remove from the heat and leave to stand for 15 minutes.
3 Place egg yolks, sugar and reserved milk in a bowl. Beat until thick and creamy.
4 Remove vanilla pod from milk and pour milk on to egg mixture.
5 Strain mixture into a heavy-based saucepan and cook, stirring, until custard thinly coats the back of a spoon (about the thickness of single cream).
6 Pour into a cold jug and serve. The custard thickens on cooling.
Try it and let know how you get on. Can you improve it? Click on the ‘Leave a Comment” link below.
Now you will want something to pour this delightful custard over won’t you? How about a delicious Apple & Plum Crumble from Hearty & Healthy Dairy Cookbook.

Do you have favourite dislikes? Things that were better in your childhood maybe? One of mine is custard powder – given the opportunity I can’t resist boring everyone with, ‘Oh, real custard is so much better. It doesn’t take long to make at all, but it is worth the effort.’

Making real custard sauce

Making real custard sauce

Well, this week my family’s patience finally snapped and I was told to put up or shut up.

OK. Mild panic. So, real custard… how hard can it be? And it had better be delicious. No pressure then. But after several hours scouring cookbooks I realise that there is a bewildering variety of recipes. Yikes. Can they all work?

Well, this is the recipe I used and yes, it was so much better. And worth the effort.

Preparation 5 mins
plus 15 mins standing
Cooking 15 mins
Serves 4-6

Fresh milk 300ml (½ pint)
Vanilla pod 1
Egg yolks 4
Sugar 25g (1oz)

1 Reserve 45ml (3 tbsp) milk. Place remaining milk and vanilla pod in a saucepan. Bring almost to the boil.

2 Remove from the heat and leave to stand for 15 minutes.

3 Place egg yolks, sugar and reserved milk in a bowl. Beat until thick and creamy.

4 Remove vanilla pod from milk and pour milk on to egg mixture.

5 Strain mixture into a heavy-based saucepan and cook, stirring, until custard thinly coats the back of a spoon (about the thickness of single cream).

6 Pour into a cold jug and serve. The custard thickens on cooling.

Try it and let know how you get on. Can you improve it? Do you have a better recipe? Click on the ‘Leave a Comment” link below.

Now you will want something to pour this delightful custard sauce over won’t you?
How about a delicious Apple & Plum Crumble from Hearty & Healthy Dairy Cookbook.

Emily is taking a well earned break. Today’s blog has been written by the Dairy Diary Chat administrator.

Apple and Plum Crumble

Rather than make a traditional crumble mixture using flour, here oats are used as a topping. Oats are an excellent source of soluble fibre, which helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels, and as the energy from them is released slowly, you’ll feel full for longer.
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 30 minutes
Calories per portion 185 Kcal
Fat per portion 1g
of which saturated 0.2g
Serves 4
Suitable for vegetarians + freezing
Cooking apples 450g (1lb), peeled,
cored and sliced
Plums 450g (1lb), stoned and quartered
Ground cinnamon 1 tsp
Cornflour 1 tbsp
Demerara sugar 3 tbsp
Jumbo oats 3 tbsp
Olive oil spray 2–3 bursts
1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas 5. Mix together the apple slices, plums, cinnamon, cornflour and 2 tablespoons of the demerara sugar. Tip the mixture into an ovenproof dish. Drizzle with 6 tablespoons of water.
2 Sprinkle the oats over the top and then the sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Spray 2–3 bursts of oil over the top of the oats. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20–30 minutes or until the topping is a light golden colour and the apples feel tender when pierced with a skewer.
Serve with real custard sauce.
Cook’s tip
For a crunchier topping, use jumbo rolled oats or ‘traditional’-style oats, which are larger than normal rolled oats.

Rather than make a traditional crumble mixture using flour, here oats are used as a topping.
Oats are an excellent source of soluble fibre, which helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels, and as the energy from them is released slowly, you’ll feel full for longer.

Apple & Plum Crumble

Apple & Plum Crumble

Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 30 minutes
Calories per portion 185 Kcal
Fat per portion 1g
of which saturated 0.2g
Serves 4
Suitable for vegetarians + freezing

Cooking apples 450g (1lb), peeled, cored and sliced
Plums 450g (1lb), stoned and quartered
Ground cinnamon 1 tsp
Cornflour 1 tbsp
Demerara sugar 3 tbsp
Jumbo oats 3 tbsp
Olive oil spray 2–3 bursts

1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas 5. Mix together the apple slices, plums, cinnamon, cornflour and 2 tablespoons of the demerara sugar. Tip the mixture into an ovenproof dish. Drizzle with 6 tablespoons of water.

2 Sprinkle the oats over the top and then the sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Spray 2–3 bursts of oil over the top of the oats. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20–30 minutes or until the topping is a light golden colour and the apples feel tender when pierced with a skewer.

Serve with real custard sauce.

Cook’s tip
For a crunchier topping, use jumbo rolled oats or ‘traditional’-style oats, which are larger than normal rolled oats.

Recipe taken from Hearty & Healthy Dairy Cookbook

Just One Pot flies off the shelf!

We have had very encouraging news regarding Just One Pot Dairy Cookbook this week. The buyer from Dairy Crest tells us it is flying off their shelves – excellent!

Just One Pot, Dairy Cookbook

Just One Pot, Dairy Cookbook

We have been really pleased with the book and its ease-of-use, but you never really know how well it will sell until the milkmen start taking orders. Very encouraging.

We are now putting the final touches to the next cookbook and a brand new gardening book. I am sure these will be just as popular – they are looking stunning. A big thank you to all the team – in particular Aune Butt the author of the gardening book – who have done such as fabulous job. It’s all hands to deck now to meet our print deadlines.

One of my personal favourites from Just One Pot is the excellent Thai Chicken Curry with Noodles. If you would like to try a few more recipes before buying visit the Dairy Diary website and click the sample recipes link.

And don’t forget to let me know what you think of the recipes by clicking the ‘Leave a Comment” link below.

Thai chicken curry with noodles

A fresh and mild curry with a zesty tang – one of my favourite recipes from Just One Pot Dairy Cookbook.

Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 25 minutes
Calories per portion 527 Kcal
Fat per portion 26g
of which saturated 16.4g
Serves 4
Vegetable oil 1 tbsp
Thai curry paste 3 tsp
Skinless, boneless chicken thighs 8, each cut into 4 or 6 square-ish pieces
Coconut milk 400ml can
Aubergine 1, cut into 2.5cm (1in) chunks
Baby sweetcorn 10, halved lengthways
Tenderstem broccoli 110g (4oz), cut into 5cm (2in) lengths
Straight-to-wok noodles 300g packet
Lime 1, grated zest and juice
Thai fish sauce 2 tbsp
Coriander good handful of leaves, left whole or chopped
Thai red chillies 1 or 2, deseeded and finely sliced (optional)
Lime wedges (optional)
Heat the oil in large saucepan. Stir in the curry paste and cook for half a minute. Add the chicken pieces and fry gently until sealed.
Stir in the coconut milk then add the aubergine and baby sweetcorn and bring to the boil. Simmer, with the pan half covered, for 10 minutes.
Add the broccoli stems and cook for another 2 minutes. Then stir in the noodles and put the broccoli heads to steam on top of them. Simmer, uncovered, for 3–5 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
Season with lime zest and juice and add fish sauce, to taste, and whole or chopped coriander leaves, holding some back to garnish.
Stir gently and serve in warmed bowls. Garnish with red chilli, if you like, and a few more coriander leaves and lime wedges, if using, along with the remaining fish sauce for seasoning to personal taste.
COOK’S TIP
If you like a bit more heat in your Thai curry, add some grated root ginger, garlic and sliced chillies along with the curry paste.
Thia Chicken Curry with Noodles

Thia Chicken Curry with Noodles

Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 25 minutes
Calories per portion 527 Kcal
Fat per portion 26g
of which saturated 16.4g
Serves 4

Vegetable oil 1 tbsp
Thai curry paste 3 tsp
Skinless, boneless chicken thighs 8, each cut into 4 or 6 square-ish pieces
Coconut milk 400ml can
Aubergine 1, cut into 2.5cm (1in) chunks
Baby sweetcorn 10, halved lengthways
Tenderstem broccoli 110g (4oz), cut into 5cm (2in) lengths
Straight-to-wok noodles 300g packet
Lime 1, grated zest and juice
Thai fish sauce 2 tbsp
Coriander good handful of leaves, left whole or chopped
Thai red chillies 1 or 2, deseeded and finely sliced (optional)
Lime wedges (optional)

1 Heat the oil in large saucepan. Stir in the curry paste and cook for half a minute. Add the chicken pieces and fry gently until sealed.

2 Stir in the coconut milk then add the aubergine and baby sweetcorn and bring to the boil. Simmer, with the pan half covered, for 10 minutes.

3 Add the broccoli stems and cook for another 2 minutes. Then stir in the noodles and put the broccoli heads to steam on top of them. Simmer, uncovered, for 3–5 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.

4 Season with lime zest and juice and add fish sauce, to taste, and whole or chopped coriander leaves, holding some back to garnish.

5 Stir gently and serve in warmed bowls. Garnish with red chilli, if you like, and a few more coriander leaves and lime wedges, if using, along with the remaining fish sauce for seasoning to personal taste.

Cook’s tip
If you like a bit more heat in your Thai curry, add some grated root ginger, garlic and sliced chillies along with the curry paste.

Recipe taken from Just One Pot Dairy Cookbook.

Onion, mushroom & goats’ cheese pizza

Tangy goats’ cheese contrasting with velvety mushrooms.
Thin and crispy pizza base 1
Organic onion relish 2–3 tbsp
Tomatoes 2, thinly sliced
Baby mushrooms 50g (2oz), wiped and sliced
Goats’ cheese 110g (4oz), sliced and broken into chunks
Green pesto sauce about 1 tbsp (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Wild rocket about 15g (½oz)
Preheat the oven to 220ºC/425ºF/Gas 7.
Put the pizza base onto a baking sheet. Spread the onion relish on the top to make a thin layer. Scatter the tomatoes and mushrooms on top. Add the goats’ cheese and bake for 10–12 minutes or until the pizza is golden and cooked.
Quickly spread green pesto sauce over the top of the pizza, if using. Season to taste and serve with a handful of rocket in the centre.
COOK’S TIP
Don’t go mad with the onion relish – it is strong and quite sweet but cuts through the richness of the goats’ cheese beautifully.

Tangy goats’ cheese contrasting with velvety mushrooms.

Onion, mushroom & goats' cheese pizza

Onion, mushroom & goats' cheese pizza

Thin and crispy pizza base 1
Organic onion relish 2–3 tbsp
Tomatoes 2, thinly sliced
Baby mushrooms 50g (2oz), wiped and sliced
Goats’ cheese 110g (4oz), sliced and broken into chunks
Green pesto sauce about 1 tbsp (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Wild rocket about 15g (½oz)

1 Preheat the oven to 220ºC/425ºF/Gas 7.

2 Put the pizza base onto a baking sheet. Spread the onion relish on the top to make a thin layer. Scatter the tomatoes and mushrooms on top. Add the goats’ cheese and bake for 10–12 minutes or until the pizza is golden and cooked.

3 Quickly spread green pesto sauce over the top of the pizza, if using. Season to taste and serve with a handful of rocket in the centre.

Cook’s tip
Don’t go mad with the onion relish – it is strong and quite sweet but cuts through the richness of the goats’ cheese beautifully.

Recipe taken from the new Just One Pot, Dairy Cookbook. Available now.

Ploughman’s Lunch Chutney

No Ploughman’s Lunch is complete without this great Chutney.

Ploughman's Lunch

Ploughman's Lunch

Preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time 3-3½  hours
Makes approximately 2.3kg  (5lb)

Cooking apples 1.8kg (4lb) peeled, cored and roughly chopped
Onions 900g (2lb) peeled, halved and thickly sliced lengthways
Dry cider 500ml (16fl oz)
Sultanas 175g (6oz)
Seedless raisins 175g (6oz)
Salt 25g (1oz)
Ground ginger 15g (½oz)
Sweet paprika 1 tbsp
Clear honey 225g (8oz)
Soft dark brown sugar 110g (4oz)
Distilled malt vinegar 900ml (1½pints)
Clean jars and acid resistant lids

1 Place the apples and onions in a large, heavy-based preserving pan. Add the cider and cook over a moderate heat for 20 minutes, until the apples and onions start to soften.

2 Add the sultanas, raisins, salt, ginger, paprika, honey and sugar to the pan. Pour in half of the vinegar, stir well and cook for 20 minutes.

3 Stir in the remaining vinegar and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Then, reduce the heat and allow the chutney to cook at a gentle bubble until reduced by approximately two-thirds, or until when a spoon drawn through the centre leaves a gap that is slow to close up. Stir the chutney frequently to prevent it burning.

4 Remove the pan from the heat and allow the chutney to cool until cold, then spoon into clean jars. Using a clean skewer, work the skewer backwards and forwards through the chutney to remove any air bubbles.

5 Wipe the tops of the jars clean, and then cover with acid-proof lids. Store in a cool, dark, dry and airy cupboard. Preferably, allow the chutney to mature for 2-3 months before using.

Recipe taken from the Around Britain Dairy Cookbook.

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