Bread and Milk and Blackberries

Plate to Page Somerset, and the Little Red House in the Big Forest

2012-05-30T23:21:00.001+01:00

So much has happened in the past few weeks that I really don't know where to start.

As if a weekend of workshops on food styling, photography and writing in Somerset wasn't exciting enough, I had to top it with moving out of our home the following weekend. We've moved to an interim home, a kind of holding bay, in preparation to move to Sweden in 6 weeks.

Yes. You heard right!

Honeyed Beetroot and Blood Orange Salad

2012-04-06T09:53:00.000+01:00

Some pretty life changing stuff is happening in the Bread and Milk and Blackberries household at the moment. I hope to be able to tell you all about it soon.

It's already kept me away from this little space for too long.

Spring is in the air for many of us, but there is still time to grab the last of the winter citrus and make a beautiful salad.

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Beetroot Blueberry Smoothie (and an outtake)

2012-02-11T15:16:00.000Z

I think that mueslibread recipe took so much effort to get right that my baking mojo has simply left the building...

The good news though, is that spring is on its way. Yes, I know it's cold, but there are so many shoots and leaf buds and birds singing that I feel positive that it must be just around the corner.

I'm thinking a smoothie might be just the thing to celebrate the sunny days we've been having.

Now, it would be downright rude to drink a tropical or summer berry smoothie. Whoa there! Premature. But what do you think about a gently earthy beetrooty version, sweetened up with a handful of blueberries and banana?
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Mueslibrød / Mueslibread

2012-01-22T18:09:00.000Z

This bread has been a long time in the making.

It's a fruity, zesty, seeded loaf, with lots of rye grains for texture and taste. Perfect slathered with butter, or toasted with marmalade.

Not for cheese sandwiches though. For those you can try one of these.

The recipe started off in this book, but was a little too complicated for my liking. To make the muesli bread, you had to first make a white bread dough, then make a Danish rye bread dough, mix a proportion of each together, add some fruit and stuff that had been soaking overnight, blah, blah.

Too.
Much.
Hassle.

Yes - even for me!

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Sugared and Spiced Nuts

2011-12-27T10:14:00.000Z

I must confess that I have a weakness for tastebud-tingling flavours. Sweet and sour, sweet and salty, sweet and spicy...you get the picture.

If you're looking for a snack to serve at parties, give away as a hostess gift, or just to reach for while you watch a film, these nuts fit the bill perfectly.

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Swedish Spelt-Rye Cookies

2011-12-18T12:55:00.001Z

Are you feeling festive?

I'm struggling to get into the Christmas mood this year. Perhaps it's because we still have a long way to go....literally.

We set sail from England on Thursday to arrive in Denmark on Friday. We will cross a bridge into Sweden on Friday afternoon, and arrive (hopefully) at our final destination sometime in the small hours on Saturday.
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Swedish Rye Crisp Bread with Caraway

2011-12-03T18:34:00.001Z

Swedish crisp bread is very hard to beat.

No, really.

Not persuaded? I'm not talking about the standard kind you get in the supermarket, no, this is very different.

A good crunch but not too crisp.

A gentle hint of caraway.

A suggestion of sourdough, and plenty of rye.

Are you in?

Saturday Morning Bread with Spelt and Rye

2011-11-20T17:11:00.002Z

This is the perfect bread for a lazy Saturday morning. The idea is that you get a little bit done on the Friday, and then on Saturday morning there is minimal effort required, and a very good bread is your reward!

This recipe is adapted from 'Bröd för en lördag' (Bread for a Saturday) from the wonderful Pain de Martin. Pain de Martin is perhaps my favourite blog. Written by Martin Johansson - a very modest Swede with a fondness for experimenting with bread. Many of his recipes involve sourdough. Almost all I know about bread and baking is gleaned from Martin's posts. When I first came across his site I had read a lot about sourdough and had a few attempts - some of them successful, others less so. His way of baking demystified the whole 'sourdough' thing, and helped me to begin to bake the kinds of bread I actually wanted to eat.

Unfortunately for me, Martin decided to stop blogging in June of this year, but the site remains as a brilliant resource for those who are interested in bread and can read Swedish.

If you only like light and airy white bread, then don't bother to read on. If, however, you like scandinavian style bread, full of character and flavour, we could be very good friends.....

Oh Heck - A Guest Post!

2011-11-14T21:49:00.001Z

Oh heck indeed.

Rye Pancakes with Caramelised Bananas and Maple Syrup

I forgot to tell you that I did a guest post for the wonderful Vanessa of Nifty Thrifty Things. How could I forget that? Vanessa is uber cool and has a fabulously inspiring blog full of recipes and things she makes for her home and garden. Basically, on some level, I want to be her. Well, at least have her crafting skills.

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Lemon Meringue Ice Cream with Cassis and Blackberries

2011-10-27T19:47:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy few weeks. Entertaining visitors, autumn walks and even a wedding thrown in.

It's taken me a while to get around to posting about this ice cream, but you do really need to know about it. It's one of those recipes I'll be making again and again.

Easy Breakfast Frittata

2011-10-23T15:28:00.001+01:00

This is the perfect recipe for a quick breakfast or brunch at home or on the move. It is just as easy to make whether you are camping, staying in a hostel or just having a lazy morning at home. The equipment required is minimal - a frying pan, a sharp knife and a fork to beat the eggs.

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Spelt Cinnamon Buns with Cream Cheese Glaze

2011-10-09T18:47:00.000+01:00

The 4th October (yes, I know I am a little late), is National Cinnamon Bun Day in Sweden. So here's a recipe to celebrate.

I have taken a fairly standard recipe and substituted half of the standard flour for spelt flour. I've also used brown sugar and a little less butter (but not too much less, or they would be dry).

I've made a sticky lemony glaze too - not strictly part of the deal in Sweden, but a worthwhile addition. The glaze has also had a little makeover - agave instead of syrup, and low fat cream cheese if you like.

Mushroom Soup with Nutmeg

2011-09-29T21:32:00.002+01:00

Autumn.

Crisp, cool skies.

Changing leaves.

Windfall apples.

Mushrooms.

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Parmesan and Gruyère Scones (or Biscuits)

2011-09-21T15:09:00.001+01:00

The basic recipe for these cheese scones comes from a recipe book that has been in print since 1923. The iconic Be-Ro Cookbook. It is as good today as it's always been....

...except, perhaps a little better, since I've replaced the margarine with butter, and swapped out good old cheddar for a combination of parmesan and gruyère.
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Ginger Lemonade with Fresh Mint

2011-09-11T19:47:00.000+01:00

This is a great recipe for the end of summer. Just enough sunny sparkle from the lemon, a good dose of freshness from the mint, and just a hint of warming ginger.

Marrow (Zucchini) and Ginger Jam

2011-08-30T13:33:00.003+01:00

Marrows are known by many different names. They are basically overgrown courgettes, although no doubt someone will correct me...

These particular marrows started out as courgettes/zucchini, but when they become overgrown they don't make great eating as a vegetable. Luckily, they do lend themselves to jam making. They are great for adding to ginger jam to bulk it out, and with the right recipe, they are barely detectable as a vegetable. The jam might just as well be called Ginger Jam.

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Chokladbollar (Swedish Chocolate Bites) and a winner!

2011-08-17T21:34:00.002+01:00

You know me, I like a treat. But if I can make that treat healthier without losing any of it's treatyness, then I view it as a big bonus.

Of course, I'm only a beginner at this compared to the likes of Kim Boyce, Heidi of 101 Cookbooks, Maria of Scandi Foodie, and last but not least, David, Luise and Elsa of Green Kitchen Stories.

I have come up with a winner this week though.

Le Cordon Bleu - A Sweet Afternoon and a Giveaway!

2011-08-10T21:47:00.001+01:00

Having a blog has it's perks - or so it seems!

For some unfathomable reason, the lovely folks from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School in London decided to invite me along to a High Tea, celebrating the achievements of their students.

Choux Cygne (choux pastry swans)

For those of you who may never have heard of Le Cordon Bleu, it is a very highly regarded cookery school, with Julia Child and Nancy Silverton amongst their alumni.

It was a very fancy affair, held at the Mandeville Hotel, and I gained a lot of respect for those who take on the challenge of studying patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu.

The attention to detail in terms of presentation, texture and flavour balance was astonishing. Every kind of patisserie was represented, including crisp yet chewy macarons, airy mousses, feather-light sponges, exquisite fruit tarts, moist lemony sponges, perfect pastries, and, of course, English scones.

Everything I ate was delicious - in fact the whole afternoon was something of a military exercise in restraint.

What really struck me though, was the diversity of students and their passion for what they do. I met students from Finland, Malaysia, Israel the USA and many more places, who no doubt all shared an amazing sense of satisfaction at what they achieved that afternoon.

Two of the students who had created the amazing display of patisserie. Oh, and why did I not smile at the camera?

Le Cordon Bleu are currently running a competition to win a 9 month scholarship, with accommodation in London included! Yes - you did hear right. That's pretty awesome, isn't it?

If you fancy your chances just take a look here.

And now for the giveaway. Le Cordon Bleu have been kind enough to offer a copy of their Chocolate Bible to one of my lovely readers.

No fancy stuff - and I'm not even asking you to subscribe. All you have to do to be in the running is leave a comment on this post anytime before 5pm (GMT) on Wednesday 17th August. I'll get Mr. Random.org to deal with the tricky business of picking a winner. What are you waiting for?

Comments closed. Winner to be announced shortly.

Heidi's Buckwheat Cacao Cookies

2011-08-05T22:54:00.004+01:00

It's no secret that I'm a Heidi Swanson fan. Isn't everyone?

And you know those recipes that hang around in your head for a while, the ones that you can't shake off but somehow you never get around to trying?

Well this is one of those, except for the last part, of course! I did try them. And they. were. awesome. Yes, really.

You see, I'd never really 'got' the cacao nib thing before. I mean, I'd tried them sprinkled on cereal, oatmeal, and ice cream, and truly tried my best. But I'd never 'got it'. That light bulb moment was elusive. Until this recipe.

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Cherry Almond 'Good to the Grain' Muffins

2011-07-29T15:41:00.003+01:00

So......you remember I totally fell for Kim Boyce's book?

Yep. I did. Perhaps a little late to the party, but the old Bread and Milk and Blackberries radar has settled on this one quite firmly.

'Health food' that looks great, tastes great and makes you feel great - what's not to love?
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Grapefruit in Lemongrass and Ginger Syrup

2011-07-27T19:14:00.002+01:00

This post came about because of Dom's Random Recipe Challenge. You should definitely visit him over at Belleau Kitchen if you haven't already. Go on, and yes, I mean now. I'll still be here when you get back. Promise.

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Potato Salad with Radish, Dill and Lemon - Guest Post on Notes of a Foodie

2011-07-20T22:47:00.004+01:00

I'm really excited to announce that today I have a guest post over on Notes of a Foodie. And I have a feeling there will be more recipe swapping to come.....

It's a pretty simple potato salad - but one that has scandinavian roots and a liberal sprinkling of summer sunshine!

Check out the post here.

And check out a selection of Frederike's best posts here, here and here. You won't regret it.

Just make the salad.....go on!

Shared here and here too!

Finnish Sour Cream Cake with Spices and Berries - Guest Post with Notes of a Foodie

2011-07-11T21:31:00.001+01:00

I'm really excited about this - Frederike from Notes of a Foodie is one of the first bloggers I really connected with. In fact I wish she lived nearer so we could meet up and exchange slices of cake and soup recipes over a morning coffee...or a cocktail...Frederike, over to you!

Blackcurrant Cordial - A Taste of Summer

2011-07-06T19:48:00.005+01:00

I love this time of year. Hedgerows and allotments are beginning to burst with berries.

And if there's one fruit that reminds me of the allotment of my childhood more than any other, it is the blackcurrant.

Watermelon-Lemon-Lime Granita with Mint

2011-06-30T17:23:00.000+01:00

This recipe is a good one. It's a recipe I've made more than a handful of times in summer.

It's perfect to finish off a summer meal, or just as a refreshing treat on a hot day. Even better, why not turn it into a healthy (ahem) cocktail, with a dash of your favourite tipple?

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