Lockdown Baking – When you need a little treat!

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Fluff

Fluff amongst the weeds!

Bluebells at Castleward, Co Down

The bluebells are coming!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very last thing I want to do at the moment is to spend my days in the kitchen – even if I just happen to have days to spare! The sun is shining, the weeds are taking over, and the cats are snoozing in a sheltered spot.  And yes, a little sweet something would be very nice with our afternoon cup of tea.. so I’m going to make something sweet, but it’s not going to take long – those weeds won’t wait forever you know!

Here are a few of my quick and easy, sure-fire success stories which give you that little bite of deliciousness without having to put in the hours in the kitchen..

First up:

1) Wee Buns!

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/little-lemon-cupcakes-or-wee-buns/

Buns (1)

These are the buns I make when I don’t want to cook – as you can see from the decorations,  these ones were dressed up for Easter. Perfect for entertaining the kids as well – they can make them, ice them, and eat them – what could be better?

2: Pancakes: https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/my-fluffy-american-style-pancakes/

Please remember this wise old saying – ‘Pancakes are for life, not just for Shrove Tuesday’, and repeat it to yourself when you get a bit lost.. This  Pancake batter is thrown together in a heartbeat, and I like to add things to my pancakes – think Blueberries, or Raspberries with some grated white chocolate. If you leave out the sugar from this recipe, you can make savoury pancakes, with a fried egg on top.. a little crispy bacon, and the banquet is complete!

Pancakes (3)pancakes 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pancakes allowed to cool will keep really well in a container; ready to be reheated as an unexpected treat..

3: The Best Ginger Cake! https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/preserved-ginger-cake-with-lemon-icing/

This cake is a great size – and keeps really well in a tin. This is the cake that our daughter’s God Father – a man who is not fussed on cake – would eat for breakfast, dinner and tea! I just chuck everything into the mixing bowl, fold in the Stem Ginger pieces towards the end, and it’s in and out of the oven in no time. Trust me, you’ll like this one..

Ginger cake (1)

Naked.

Ginger cake 3

Dressed up..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4: The White Cottages Soda Bread

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/the-white-cottages-soda-bread/

This has turned into the bread I make at least once a week. When you add a handful of raisins and a teaspoon of ground Cinnamon to this recipe,  you get a delicious Fruit Soda, which is as good as any cake. I’ve been making this Fruit Soda for weeks now, but decided one day last week to have ‘just’ a plain Sod. And what a revelation – I’d forgotten how delicious the unadorned version is too.. so don’t overlook it, as I did. This Soda bread takes about 5 minutes to put together, and is out of the oven in 30 minutes..

Soda bread from Skerries (4)

And finally for today:

5) My latest, quickest and easiest-to-put-together Banana Cake!

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/the-quick-and-easy-banana-bread/

A bowl, an 8″/20cm Sponge tin, a whisk – that’s it. In 10 minutes your cake will be in the oven, giving you time to put your choice of icing together – I have to admit, the Mascarpone one is my personal favourite, but I do love a simple lemony icing myself – the choice is yours!

Quick banana bread (7)

So take your pick! Let me know which is your favourite! :)

About

I started writing down recipes in an old copybook when I was about 16. With 6 children at home, my Mother was always glad of a hand in the kitchen, and really allowed us to experiment - as long as we washed up afterwards, and left the kitchen immaculate! Having a tidy kitchen has followed me through my life, as has the habit of writing down my favourite recipes; except that these days I write them for my website, and add photographs when I can. The website really started when it occurred to me that my daughter might like to have these recipes when I've forgotten them. In my early days of cooking for family and friends, I used to phone my Mum all the time to ask her for the recipe for some of our favourite family dinners. She rarely had a recipe to hand - I think, like me, she made a lot of it up as she went along.. So welcome to Eating for Ireland - these are the recipes that my friends and family having been eating these past 40 years.. yes, I truly am ancient! They are tried and tested, and have worked for me for all that time - I have updated them as new ingredients became available - I really hope you'll find something that you can make into a family favourite of your own. You don't have to tell anyone where you found these great new dishes that you're serving up - it can be our little secret, but I'd really love it if you could give me a sneaky 'follow' on Facebook and Instagram.. So off you go - have a good rummage around, you're bound to find something new! My sincere thanks to all of you who have found a recipe that you liked and dropped me a line to tell me - I really do love to hear from you! Happy Cooking! Becks xx

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