londonmummyblog
Berry Pancakes
Ingredients
- 225ml Milk
- 125g Plain Flour
- 110g Mixed Berries (Or Berries of Your Choice.)
- 2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder
- 2 Tablespoons of Caster Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons of Vegetable Oil
- 1 Egg
Garnish - Handful of Mixed Berries
Method
⦁ Pour 125g of plain flour into a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and 2 teaspoons of baking power. Mix the ingredients together.
⦁ In a separate bowl crack and beat 1 egg.
⦁ Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 110g of mixed berries to the whisked egg and mix.
⦁ Combine the flour, caster sugar and baking powder in with the berry mixture. (The mixture will be slightly lumpy.)
⦁ Lightly oil a frying pan or a griddle and place over a medium/high heat.
⦁ Scoop approximately 4 tablespoons of the batter into the hot pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes either side or until the pancakes are golden brown on both sides.
⦁ Serve hot.
⦁ To garnish sprinkle a handful of mixed berries on top of each of the pancakes.
Recipe by Hannah Crawford
Photography by Hannah Crawford
Strawberry Jam
Ingredients
- 900g Strawberries
- 900g Golden Granulated Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- Knob of Butter
Method
⦁ Wipe 900g of fresh raspberries with some clean damp kitchen paper.
⦁ Hull the fruit with a knife by cutting the strawberries into a cone shape and removing the stems. Cut any large strawberries in half.
⦁ Place the strawberries in a large saucepan and add in 900g of golden granulated sugar. Toss the ingredients together and leave uncovered at room temperature for several hours, or overnight.
⦁ Add 3 tablespoon of lemon juice to the strawberries and place the saucepan over a low/medium heat. Gently cook for 4-5 minutes until the fruit softens and the juice runs.
⦁ Once all of the sugar granules have dissolved increase the heat.
⦁ Bring to the boil and boil for a further 20-25 minutes. Don’t stir the strawberries until the setting point is reached of 105c.
⦁ Remove the saucepan from the heat.
⦁ Spoon a little of the hot jam onto a chilled saucer or a small plate. Leave for a couple of minutes and then push your finger into the jam. If the jam wrinkles then it is ready, if the jam remains runny then return the saucepan back to the heat and boil for a few more minutes before testing again.
⦁ Remove any scrum from the surface with a spoon.
⦁ Stir in a knob of butter across the jam surface, this will help to dissolve any remaining scum.
⦁ Leave to settle for about 10-15 minutes
⦁ Pour the hot jam into warm sterilised jars, seal and label.
Grilled Cheese & Spinach, Pepper Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 Slices of Bread
- 60g of Cheddar Cheese
- 60g Havarti Cheese
- ½ Roasted Red Pepper
- A Handful of Fresh Spinach Leaf’s
Method
⦁ Layer one-half of the cheddar and Havarti cheese on a slice of bread.
⦁ Chop ½ roasted red pepper up into small pieces.
⦁ Add one layer of roasted red pepper to the top of the cheese.
⦁ Add 1 handful of fresh spinach leaves to the top of the red pepper.
⦁ Add the remaining pieces of cheese to the top of the spinach leaves and then cover with the last slice of bread.
⦁ Place the sandwich on a grill and cook until the bread goes golden brown, for approximately 4-5 minutes. Flip the sandwich over and cook for a further 4-5 minutes until the cheese in the middle has melted.
⦁ Serve hot.
*Top Tip
If you prefer to grill your sandwich on a griddle or in a heated skillet, lightly spread some butter on the outside of the sandwich before placing it on the heat.
Chocolate Strawberries
Ingredients
- 500g Strawberries
- 500g Milk Chocolate
- 2 Tablespoons of Butter
Method
⦁ Insert skewers into the tops of all of the strawberries.
⦁ Break up 500g of milk chocolate and place it inside a glass heatproof bowl. Add the glass bowl to a saucepan full of cold water and place over a low/medium heat.
⦁ Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the chocolate and stir until all of the chocolate and butter has melted and become smooth.
⦁ Dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate mixture by holding the skewers.
⦁ Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the skewers into a Styrofoam, or a potato. Allow the chocolate to cool and set for approximately 45-60 minutes.
⦁ Serve.
*Top Tip
You can add a layer of sprinkles after you have dipped the strawberries in melted chocolate.
Breakfast Sundae Recipe
Ingredients
- 65g Granola
- 50g Greek Yogurt
- 35g Mixed Berries
- 1-2 Teaspoons Honey
Method
⦁ Spoon 50g of Greek yogurt into a glass.
⦁ Pour 65g of granola over the top of the Greek Yogurt.
⦁ Add 35g of mixed berries to the top of the granola.
⦁ Drizzle the berries with 1-2 teaspoons of honey.
⦁ Serve.
*Top Tip
You can try using honey Greek yogurt, or fruit flavoured yogurt to add extra taste. You can also substitute the granola for other crunchy oat cereals.
Enjoy!
Recipe by Hannah Crawford
Photography by Hannah Crawford
Breakfast Burrito
Ingredients
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 Green Chili, Chopped
- 2 Tablespoon Milk
- 3 Cooked Sausages (of your choice)
- 4 Hash Browns
- 2 Flour Tortillas
- 60g Cheddar Cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Rapeseed Oil
- Pinch of Salt
Method
⦁ Preheat the oven to 190c/gas mark 5.
⦁ Place 4 hash browns on a baking tray and place in the oven. Cook for 15-20 minutes or according to the package instructions.
⦁ Crack 2 large eggs into a large mixing bowl and beat together.
⦁ Add in 1 chopped green chili to the eggs.
⦁ Add 2 tablespoons of milk to the mixing bowl and stir until the ingredients are well blended.
⦁ Add 2 tablespoons of rapeseed oil to a frying pan and place over a medium heat.
⦁ Pour the egg mixture out into the frying pan, occasionally stir until the eggs are scrambled.
⦁ Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the scrambled eggs.
⦁ Chop 3 cooked sausages of your choice up into smaller pieces. Add the sausage to the frying pan and cook until the sausage pieces are hot inside.
⦁ Remove the frying pan from the heat and set aside.
⦁ Remove the hash browns from the oven.
⦁ Place 1 tortilla on a plate and spoon in some of the egg and sausage mixture.
⦁ Cut the hash browns up into smaller chunks and scatter the pieces on the tortilla.
⦁ Sprinkle the ingredients with 30g of cheddar cheese.
⦁ Roll the tortilla up tightly to secure the filling. You can fold and wrap the bottom of the tortilla with a bit of aluminum foil to secure it.
⦁ Repeat the process one more time.
⦁ Serve immediately or freeze.
*Top Tip
You can cook the Breakfast Burritos in a batch and freeze them. Wrap each burrito up in a paper towel, and then tightly wrap each one up in aluminium foil. To reheat the burritos, remove the aluminium foil and place on a microwave plate. Microwave each of the frozen burritos for 2 minutes and 45 seconds on high, make sure you turn the burrito over halfway through. You can also add bacon or pancetta to this recipe.
Bubble Gum Chocolate – London Sweet Shop
London is the capital city renowned for its vibrant culinary scene, offering a plethora of unique and delicious treats to satisfy every craving. Nestled amidst the city’s bustling streets lies a hidden gem: a charming sweet shop with a traditional twist that dares to defy convention with its innovative creations.
Amongst their wonderful products in the London confectionery haven, the whimsical world of bubble gum chocolate
A Whimsical Twist on Tradition
In a city steeped in history and tradition, finding a sweet shop that embraces innovation and creativity is a curious delight. However, tucked away in a quaint corner of Kingston, this charming confectionery boutique offers a quizzical twist on classic chocolate treats with its signature creation: bubble gum chocolate. Combining the nostalgic flavour of bubble gum with the indulgent richness of chocolate, this unique confection is a delightful fusion of sweet and savoury that captivates the senses and leaves taste buds tingling with delight.
The Art of Craftsmanship
At the heart of this London sweet shop lies a dedication to craftsmanship and quality that sets it apart from supermarkets, mass produced chocolates and the rest. Each batch of bubble gum chocolate is lovingly handcrafted by skilled artisans using only the finest ingredients, ensuring that every bite is a symphony of flavour and texture. With the smooth, velvety chocolate exterior to the burst of fruity sweetness hidden within, every aspect of this delectable treat is meticulously crafted to sheer perfection.
A feast for the Senses
As you step into the sweet shop, the intoxicating aroma of chocolate fills the air, setting the stage for a culinary adventure like no other. This is shop Wonka himself would be proud of. Rows upon rows of colourful candy and chocolate delights line the shelves, tempting you with their irresistible allure. Among them, the bubble gum chocolate stands out as a peculiar masterpiece, beckoning you to indulge in its sweet embrace.
With eager anticipation, you take a bite of the bubble gum chocolate, savouring the velvety smoothness of the chocolate as it melts on your tongue. Suddenly, a burst of fruity sweetness envelops your senses, mingling with the rich cocoa flavour to create a symphony of taste sensations that dances across your palate. There is a contrast of bitter sweet that compliments one and other perfectly.
Creating Sweet Memories
As you taste each delectable bite of bubble gum chocolate, you can’t help but feel a sense of childlike wonder and joy. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, this simple indulgence offers a moment of pure bliss, reminding you to embrace the sweetness of life and cherish the moments that bring you joy. Whether enjoyed alone as a quiet treat or shared with loved ones, the bubble gum chocolate from this Kingston sweet shop is sure to create sweet memories that last a lifetime.
In the heart of London, amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, lies a sweet shop that dares to defy convention and delight the senses with its whimsical creations. From the enchanting allure of bubble gum chocolate to the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into every confection, this charming boutique offers a culinary experience like no other. So, the next time you find yourself in London, be sure to pay a visit to this hidden gem and indulge in the sweet delights that await you – for in every bite, you’ll discover a world of whimsy and wonder that will leave you craving more.
Healthy Eating During Pregnancy
Healthy Eating
Taking care of your body by eating healthy and doing some light exercise is one the best ways of ensuring that your unborn baby is off to a healthy start.
Eating a variety of foods and maintaining a balanced diet is essential for your body during pregnancy and also for your unborn baby as the nutrients will help them to develop and grow.
The recommended calorie intake you will need during pregnancy will depend on your BMI (Body Mass Index). This is calculated using your personal height and weight.
If your BMI is 19 or under (underweight) you should be increasing your calorie intake, however if you BMI is 25 (overweight) or 30 (obese) you should discuss the calorie intake with your midwife at your antenatal appointments or with a doctor as it may be advised that you should reduce your calorie intake If you had a normal BMI before pregnancy you should be aiming to eat around 2,000 calories a day during the first and second trimesters. In the third trimester this should increase to around 2,200 calories a day.
Although you will need to increase you calorie intake during pregnancy to ensure that your baby is getting all of the nutrients that it needs to grow and develop, you should not need to do so until after the first six months. It is not true that you should be ‘eating for two’ even if you are expecting multiple babies. You will need to increase you calorie intake by 200calories a day during the third trimester. If you are expecting multiple babies it is recommended that you should eat an extra 300 calories per day per baby.
Maintaining a healthy diet is beneficial for your baby as it can increase yours babies chances of being born with a healthy birth weight. In addition it can also boost your baby’s brain development and decrease the risk of certain birth defects.
A healthy diet will not only help you to stay healthy physically it will also benefit you emotionally as it can stabilise your hormones and mood swings. Consuming a balanced diet can help to reduce common difficulties that women often suffer during pregnancy such as morning sickness, constipation and fatigue common.
Eating a balance diet reduces morning sickness, constipation and fatigue. It will help you to reduce the occurrence of pregnancy complications such as anaemia, and preeclampsia. Likewise, it can also help to reduce the occurrence of pregnancy complications such anaemia and preeclampsia. Moreover it can assist you in having speedier postpartum recovery as your body will heal and recover faster and you should have less weight to loose after you have given birth.
A balanced diet should consist of a mix of:
Protein – eggs, fish, meat, nuts, pulses.
Calcium – Cheese, Milk, Yogurts.
Whole Grain carbohydrates – bread, pasta and rice.
Fruits and Vegetables (At least five portions a day.)
Drink plenty of water.
Eating a balanced diet doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to give up all of your favourite foods. By changing the amounts of different foods that you eat so that your diet is varied should give you the right balance and keep you fuller for longer as well as providing you and your baby a range of vitamins and minerals.
Preparing food is just as important during pregnancy to prevent any illness and poising. Some foods will need to be cooked very well all of the way through, such as poultry, eggs, and meat including beef and lamb. Ensure there is no red meat or juices when eating meat this is due to the potential risk of toxoplasmosis. You should also be cautious when consuming cold cured meats if pregnant. This is because many cold meats such as chorizo, ham, salami, and pepperoni are not cooked; they are only cured and fermented. This means that could contain toxoplasmosis causing parasites.
Make sure any foods that may have soil on them such as salads, fruit and vegetables are thoroughly washed to remove all of the soil or viable dirt as it may contain toxoplasma which could harm your unborn baby.