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Easy Soda Bread Without Buttermilk

Nothing quite like the smell of fresh baked bread is there? With this easy soda bread without buttermilk recipe you can get just that without all the kneading, proving and above all, without the waiting!

Most recipes for soda bread include the traditional buttermilk. I couldn’t get hold of it so used another home method of converting your milk into buttermilk. As with everything to do with this recipe, I did it the easy way. Put one table spoon of fresh or bottled lemon juice into your jug of milk. Within 5 minutes it’s doing its thing and turning into buttermilk.

4 from 1 vote

Easy Soda Bread Without Buttermilk

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

35 mins

Total Time

45 mins

If you cant find buttermilk then this is great for you, if you can then use it and don't add the lemon.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

1 tbsp Lemon juice
300 ml Whole milk
450 grammes Plain flour
1 tspn Bicarbonate of soda
1 tspn Salt

Instructions

Pour the milk into a jug and add the lemon juice.
Leave to stand for 5 minutes for it to turn into buttermilk
While this is happening weigh out your other ingredients
Put the flour, bicarbonate of soda and the salt in a large mixing bowl
Pour in the buttermilk and combine together into a large ball
Don't overwork but just form into the ball
Place on a lined and floured baking tray
Cook for 35-40 minutes on 180oc for a fan oven
Test by putting in a wooden cocktail stick and if it comes out clear then it's done. Also tap on the bottom of the loaf and if it sounds hollow then that is a great sign

You’ll be so delighted with this bread, it has the look and taste of a deep tasty farmhouse style loaf.

I enjoy mine with lots of butter and cheese while my boys tend to go for black currant jam generously spread right up to the edges.

Have a go and let me know how it turns out, I always love to hear.

If you are in the mood for some quick recipes while this is in the oven then try my One Step No Churn Ice Cream or Easy Lemon Curd.

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Red Cherry Pepper Dip

This dip is packed full of punch and is equally good on burgers as it is on the buffet table ready for breadsticks and crunchy carrots to be dipped in generously.

These little cherry peppers have a heat to them which isn’t overpowering on the palate, it’s more of a warm sweet taste which doesn’t leave you reaching for gulps of water.

My other half came home from our local shops the other day with a huge great big tub of these little gems. After seeing them in the fridge for about a week I knew that I would have to do something with them as they didn’t seem to be disappearing no matter how many we ate! There’s only so many times that you can put them on the side of the plate as an accompaniment so I set to work on a recipe. I played around with the different types of flavours I wanted to have and as I wanted to make the most of the sweet taste these peppers had to offer.

In this recipe you can alter the quantities of red peppers to shallots as takes your fancy and you can use standard flaky salt instead of the fancy Himalayan pink salt I wanted to try out.

What is fabulous about this recipe is that it’s very easy to make, very quick and leaves you with 2 jars of this delicious cherry pepper dip.

4.63 from 8 votes

Cherry Pepper Dip

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Servings: 8

Author: mainy - myrealfairy

Ingredients

25 Cherry Peppers pre cooked. Do this by baking in a covered dish in the oven for 20 mins on a medium heat.
3 small Shallots
1 large Garlic Clove
4 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tbsp Tomato Paste
1 tbsp White Wine Vinegar
1 tsp Sugar

Instructions

Place the olive oil and shallots in a deep saucepan and cook gently for 5 minutes.
Crush the garlic and add this along with the salt to the shallots.
Cook for 2 minutes.
Add vinegar, sugar and tomato paste and stir well.
Add cherry peppers and stir.
Leave to cool for 5 mins.
Place all the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.

This dip makes a great gift too. Who can resist something that tastes so good and they can actually make use of. Place the mixture into nice looking pots which are sterilised and will produce an air tight seal when closed. Yummy!

If this has made you feel in the cooking mood then have a look at this Easy Soda Bread recipe which is a wonderful partner to this Red Cherry Pepper Dip.

If you like this recipe then please rate it using the stars index in the comments section. I’d love to hear your views too. Enjoy!

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Tasty Tomato Chutney

I wanted to make full use of all the beautiful tomatoes we have grown in the garden this year so I have developed this Tasty Tomato Chutney. It’s been our best year so far with our tomatoes and I am pleased as punch with how it has turned out.

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We set about with our raised beds this spring at the end of our garden. It’s been a learning experience which is still playing out due to it not being the end of the season yet for root vegetables. I’ll let you know how we get on soon. However, our tomatoes are coming on fantastically and growing up and around our patio pallet garden which is brilliant.

The tomatoes which we have used are a combination of tiger tomatoes which are striped hence the name I guess and standard red tomatoes which my youngest and I grew from the seeds of a fresh tomato which was bought from the supermarket at the start of the year. We were preparing our lunch one day and he asked if we could plant the seeds and we did. I honestly didn’t think much would come of it but low and behold it did and the plants are strong and producing lots of fruit.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and see how easy it is to make fresh chutney with a few ingredients.

Use a really sharp knife to cut a cross in the skin before pouring the boiling water over. This way after 5 minutes you can push the tomatoes out of their skin which isn’t needed in the recipe.

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The chutney is ideal as a little accompaniment to most other supper or lunch dishes and can even be added to vegetarian or meat stews for added richness.

Tasty Tomato Chutney

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Cooling time

10 mins

Total Time

55 mins

A super easy Tomato Chutney packed with flavour

Course: Side Dish

Servings: 8

Author: mainy - myrealfairy

Ingredients

500 g Tomato
250 g Onions
100 g Brown sugar
1 clove Garlic
75 ml Red or White wine vinegar
Half tspn Paprika Optional

Instructions

Cut a cross in the skins of the tomatoes and pour over boiling water in a bowl.
Leave to stand for 5 mins and then carefully remove the skins which should peel off easily now.
Chop the onions roughly and then mince the garlic. Place in a large heavy bottomed saucepan.
Place all the other ingredients on top and bring gently to the boil stirring all the time.
Simmer gently, stirring frequently for approx 45mins
You are looking and feeling for a soft jam like consistency.
After about 30 mins, spoon out a small amount, set aside to cool. Then try it for personal taste.
When you are happy, continue for the full amount of time.
Leave to cool slightly then place in your sterilised jars and leave to fully cool.

Recipe Notes

Enjoy with cold meats or cheese. Also try out my Soda Bread recipe as these goes amazing well together.

Have Fun! Mainy

Let me know how you get on if you make yours. Also rate the recipe please.

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Perfect Pineapple Cake Recipe

Perfect Pineapple Cake Recipe for lockdown in easy picture guide steps…..

This is moist, sweet and a delight to the taste buds. My Step by step picture guide makes it super easy to make. You can also Jump to Recipe

I love a good cake and my family loves baking day too! Who doesn’t love the smell of baking coming from the kitchen and knowing that soon there will be the delicious offerings available to taste.

This cake is made very moist by the addition of the syrup from the canned pineapple. You can use fresh pineapple of course, just make sure if you do that you rescue every bit of juice that you create so that you can add it.

4.8 from 10 votes

Perfect Pineapple Cake

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

35 mins

Total Time

45 mins

Soft, sweet and perfectly baked. This easy pineapple cake will be a treat for everyone.

Course: Dessert

Keyword: cake

Servings: 12

Ingredients

3 Eggs
150 g Caster Sugar
565 g Can of Pineapple chunks in syrup
300 g Self Raising Flour
1 tspn Baking Powder

Instructions

Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk with a hand or electric whisk.
Whisk the sugar into the eggs.
Put the whole can of pineapple chunks and syrup into the mixture.
Add Flour and Baking Powder. Mix well.
180 degrees for 35-40 minutes
Check if it's cooked using a cocktail stick. Put in the centre of the cake and if it is clear when you remove it then it's done.

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If you like the look of this recipe then why not try some of these too:

Easy Soda Bread Without Buttermilk

Easy No Churn Ice Cream With Salted Caramel Baileys

Easy Lemon Curd

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One Step No Churn Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Baileys

Honestly this ice cream recipe is so easy that it barely makes a full post, I just need to shout it from the rooftops so that everyone can hear.

You don’t need an ice cream maker, you don’t need to stir it part way through the freezing process, it really is One Step No Churn Ice Cream. My other half loves his Baileys or Irish cream liqueur. Just to be clear, this post is not sponsored or endorsed and I haven’t been paid mega bucks *I wish!* to endorse any brand. It’s purely his treat and this salted caramel version was screaming out to be poured into this creamy ice cream.

The quantities I have included in the recipe below make enough for 4 tubs of this gorgeous ice cream. If you want to make for fewer people then it’s still perfect if you half the quantities and make less.

The addition of the alcohol does make it a bit smoother and easier to scoop. Can you make it without the alcohol?…Sure, there are so many varieties to choose from. Salted Caramel syrup without the liquer part will be just as tasty.

One Step No Churn Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Baileys

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5 from 4 votes

One Step No Churn Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Baileys

Prep Time

5 mins

freezing time

5 hrs

Probably the easiest ice cream you will ever make. The most delicious too! This will make 4 medium tubs similar to the luxury brand ones from your local supermarket.

Course: Dessert

Servings: 16

Author: mainy - myrealfairy

Ingredients

600 ml Double Cream
390 g Condensed Milk Sold in cans
3 tbsp Salted Caramel Baileys Irish Liqueur Or supermarkets own brand

Instructions

This is a one step recipe....
Place all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl, whisk until soft peaks are formed.
Pour into a suitable freezable container with a tight fitting lid. Place in the freezer for 5hrs or more.

Recipe Notes

Ready to eat after 5hrs of freezing. Lots of different flavours to choose from. Experiment and enjoy!

Mainy

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5 Tips to help the school run go smoother! It’s all in the planning!

So, it’s morning, even though it feels like the middle of the night because surely you have only had a nano second of sleep and the bloomin alarm is shrieking at the top of its voice that you should wake up. If you are anything like me then now is the time that the skill of juggling really comes into its own. Breakfast for the family, just a cuppa for me, after all it’s still the middle of the night in my head *note to self to be a good role model and eat well* it’s on my to-do list!

So before I get side tracked then – here are my top 5 things to help the school run go better!!

The key is, to start from the beginning……

1. Change the ring-tone of your alarm! For years I had the cutest sound of my boys saying for me to wake up, I couldn’t bear to take it off for ages but as the years wore on it was so loud and high-pitched that it wasn’t waking me up the right way. So I’ve saved it to be used for other things and now gone onto a lovely gently undulating tone that lets me wake up in a more gentle way as opposed to heart thumping shock to the system! Try it, even if it’s just for a week.

2. Breakfast, aside from the fact that I am a hypocrite and can’t stomach breakfast in the morning, make sure that the kids have it and digest it properly. In our house that would mean, trying to control their urges to practice dance, gym, football, karate moves while spooning in shreddies to their mouths, jumpers, hamsters and the floor.

3. Teeth! You might have got this one sorted. I have 50% success here, one boy is glued to the bathroom doing his hair, pearly white smile and generally grooming to perfection his appearance while the other one is, well lets just say…not quite there yet. You would have seen from one of my previous posts about motherhood that I have a little trick up my sleeve for how we are currently making sure his teeth are getting cleaned.

4. Everything has been lined up the night before, so we have; uniform, school bag, shoes, coat, drink and whichever activity they have (that they’ve told you about!) The 5 P’s are in operation here; Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. I’ll leave the 6th one out, after all it’s a family blog:0

5. Then it’s in the car with a double and triple check, a final grilling of have they got everything and off to school we go. 9 times out of ten this can work, on the odd occasion for us then this will be the point that one of them tells me that it’s World Book, Children in Need, day of the peach, environment, woman, man or child day! It’s at those times when I have to whistle a happy tune, turn the radio up and think happy thoughts!

How do your days go first thing in the morning? Have you got it sussed? Have you got any tips to share?

Let see if we are alone in the dreaded prep for the school run. Tweet to share.Click To Tweet

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Truffle Trivia Competition Giveaway

Spring has sprung and it’s time for me to launch some more giveaways. How long has it been? It seems like forever that I have not had a giveaway on my site. Well I can start putting that right here and now:)

This Truffle Trivia Quiz Box is so much fun. It looks just like a box of scrummy chocolates, ideal to take to a dinner party. Surprise surprise it is a quiz box set perfect to give the hosts and have some after dinner fun!

Without further ado, you can enter now and be in with a chance to win this fab prize.

Enter the giveaway here…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! Open to worldwide entries.

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Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to you all. What a great start to the day I had today, a cup of tea and breakfast in bed. Here is the card that the boys gave me! Little darlings! 🙂

I regaled them with tales of when they were babies and today was the turn of one of my favourite stories of how during my first pregnancy. I tried to convince everyone who would listen that I was going to use just terry towel natural nappies and not touch the likes of disposables.

I had this image of a large washing line full of glistening white nappies blowing dry on a summers day. I remember the look on my mums face as she said ‘yes dear if that’s what you want’. I now know that she was giggling inside knowing me and knowing what hard work that would be. However she is always so supportive and never put me off, instead guiding me through all eventualities.

Suffice to say that I’m not the earth mother that I thought, or hoped to be and the shock of having a baby and learning to cope with my new little bundle of life was enough to put the thought of going natural on the back burner.

Whatever we do and however we cope, here’s to all mothers on Mother’s Day. Well done for each and every nappy change, sticking plaster application and tummy flip that makes us mums.

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5 Top Reasons to Service Your Car

And how this will help you keep safe on the roads.

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The weather has certainly taken a colder direction and now when I’m going out in the mornings I’m having to add an extra 10 minutes to defrost the car fully. I find it really scary when I see those cars going past who haven’t taken snow off of their roofs or back window and they can hardly see a thing. As a parent I know that when I am driving there are enough possible distractions with the kids asking for things, playing and fighting – yeah all kids do it, not just yours;) That and the little darlings needing a wee by the time I get to the end of the road mean that I need to have peace of mind that my car is not going to let me down.

It doesn’t have to mean that you have the newest car on the block, it just means that we work with what we have and keep it well looked after. One of the most important ways is having regular services. To highlight this I was contacted by Calmac Tyres in Northampton to raise awareness of how important this is. If you are lucky enough to live near them then contact them for advice and book in for a service to keep your car in tip top condition.

5 Top Reasons to Service Your Car

Prevention is better than a cure. Spotting problems before they become major issues will save you time and money.
Keeping a good value to your car. If you are thinking of selling in the future then prospective owners will be more inclined to buy a car that has evidence of being well maintained.
It’s a time for all core operating pieces to be inspected, giving you peace of mind that a qualified engineer has given it the thumbs up.
Regular servicing helps the cars efficiency. Properly cleaned filters, sufficient and correct engine oil increases the longevity of your car.
Safety for you and your family. A well checked car and tyres is going to ensure that your car doesn’t let you down.

Make sure that your garage has good reviews and is VOSA approved. Looking into the garage to find out if it meets your needs, i.e. does it have disabled access, is it child friendly, have comfort facilities etc will make it a much smoother experience.

Car servicing in Northampton like never before. Book yours from Calmac Tyres Autocentre. If you are looking for a full service or an interim service then it’s best to speak to the garage to look at the full comparison of checks for each service. Generally an interim service is carried out at 6 months or 6,000 miles and a full service at 12 months or 12,000 miles. Your interim service will check all the fluid levels, lights, brakes and bodywork whereby your full service will be a thorough check of all the mechanics of your car, plus the standard fluid levels, brakes, performance and advisory information.

What are your experiences of going to the garage? Do you have regular services for your car?

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If you like this post then try my post here; 5 tips on buying a family car.

Thank You Christmas

Christmas – come on then we are here!

We’ve been waiting 12 whole months for you to re-appear

To shower us with festive cheer

To bring those from afar to near.

So how about it dear old Christmas

Can you make us all get on

Make the little ones giggle with the fun

I bet you can you bearded one.

Thank you christmas for visiting us

For giving reason for all this fuss

It brings us close for it’s you we discuss

Whether you come by sleigh, star or bus.

Thank you Christmas for making me think

To appreciate my loves with a wink

You really are more than just a day

You’re a hug, a boost and to you I say Hooray!