Tag: British

How to Make Perfect Shortcrust Pastry

Post author By Admin
Post date September 21, 2011
81 Comments on How to Make Perfect Shortcrust Pastry

Although I have the utmost respect for my fellow food bloggers, I’ve found that an awful lot of people shirk their pastry making duties. The excuse is invariable – making shortcrust pastry is difficult. Well, quite frankly, it isn’t – there are lots of rules, but if they are followed one’s pastry should be perfect every time. The other thing which makes my mind boggle is the inclusion of eggs or sugar in shortcrust pastry. A good shortcrust should contain nothing but plain flour, butter, water and a pinch of salt, whether intended for a savoury or sweet filling. Happily, such a recipe is also exceedingly frugal, as you shall soon see!

Tags Baking, British, Budget, Cooking, Delia, Flour, Food, Frugal, frugality, frugalness, life, Money saving, Pastry, Recipes, Shortcrust, Shortcrust Pastry, Tart, Tarts, vegetarian

British Recipes Vegetarian

A Last Taste of Summer – Damson Jelly

Post author By Admin
Post date September 9, 2011
32 Comments on A Last Taste of Summer – Damson Jelly

Damsons are probably the perfect fruit to feature on this blog as the British climate means they grow in abundance each year. However, despite the relative profusion of this small plum people tend not to pick them, perhaps because they are less versatile than the average plum. As such, damsons are particularly easy to find outdoors, but are also incredibly cheap to buy. So, what are you waiting for? Get making your very own Damson Jelly.

Tags British, Cooking, Damsons, Food, frugality, frugalness, Jam, Jelly, life, Money saving, Plums, Recipes, summer, vegetarian

Baking British Recipes Vegetarian

Traditional Scones

Making the perfect scone really isn’t that difficult, because all you’re really looking for is that risen look, as though someone has tried, but failed, to pull apart the top and bottom of the scone. If the unknown entity has succeeded in its endeavour, then I’m afraid you have spectacularly failed in yours. To be honest, if followed correctly this recipe should give you the perfect traditional scones straight off the bat. Don’t be deterred if it doesn’t – things don’t always go quite according to plan.

Tags British, Cooking, Food, frugality, frugalness, life, Money saving, Recipes, Scones, vegetarian

Baking British Recipes Vegetarian

The Victoria Sponge – A British Classic

Post author By Admin
Post date July 19, 2011
31 Comments on The Victoria Sponge – A British Classic

By and large I have to admit that I’m not much of a cake man – I often find, perhaps unsurprisingly, that they are a little too cakey for my liking. By that I mean there is a little too much sponge and not enough of anything else. However, if done perfectly, a Victoria Sponge from any party shop can be absolutely delightful. I think the key to making a good sponge is to use high quality eggs, because their taste really comes through in the mixture. As such, if you use bad eggs it will just taste a little dodgy – luckily we keep our own chickens, so that was covered for perfectly. Another bonus of the victoria sponge is that it’s so simple, and therefore cheap to make – it isn’t even iced. It really is the perfect British cake to be enjoyed, as Queen Victoria did, at 11 o’clock with a spot of tea.

Tags Baking, Britain, British, cake, Cooking, Egg, Food, Money saving, Recipes, tradition, vegetarian, Victoria Sponge