Bran muffins

I got this muffin recipe from my mother {it's out of the "You winning recipe" book}.  I remember she always made them. They are delicious and they great for a lunch boxes or picnics.  Only 20min to bake {just the time you take to make a great cuppa} and the best part if you don't need the whole mixture you can keep it in the fridge for up to a month.

So freshly baked muffins for a month... sound good!

What you need:
6 cups of Bran
2 cups Boiling water
1 cup of Butter {melted}
3 cups of Brown sugar
4 Eggs
4 cups of Buttermilk
1 Tbsp Bicarbonate of soda
2 1/2 cups Cake Four {sifted}
2 1/2 cups Wholewheat Meal
2 tsp Salt
{Optional: 1 cup of Raisons and/or 1/2 cup coconut}

Step 1: Pre-heat the oven at 220 C.

Step 2: Grease the muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.  {Alternatively you can use the cupcake cups, then pack them out on a baking sheet.}

Step 3: Mix the bran and the boiling water in a large mixing bowl.

Step 4: Add the melted butter, stir and allow to cool slightly.

Step 5: Add the sugar, eggs, and half of the buttermilk.

Step 6: Combine the bicarb, and the rest of the buttermilk and add to the bran mixture.

Step 7: Combine the cake flour, wholewheat and the salt {and raisons/coconut if you wish to add it}

Step 8: Add the flour mixture to the bran mixture and blend to form a soft dough.

Step 9: Spoon the mixture into the muffin pan {or cupcake cups} until two-thirds full.

Step 10: Bake the muffins in the middle shelf for 20 min.

Step 11: Remove muffins from the pan {if you baked them directly in the pan} and allow to cool.

Serve with butter.

Balloon dipped

This is such a brilliant idea... get your dipped look but not having the mess of paint that's running and not even.  I got this idea from Brit+Co where they "dipped" mason jars.  I think this is great to bring colour to a party. And the best part is you can remove the balloon in a jiffy and use the container for something else!

What you need:
Balloons
Glass jars or bottels
Scissors

1.  Cut off the narrow part of the balloon off, then just the point of the "fat" side of the balloon

2. Pull over the bottom of the bottle or jar and up the sides so that it is neat
3. There you have your dipped bottles

You can put in some flowers, straws... anything you can think of.  What a super way to put colour to a table or on your shelf in the kitchen/office.

Italian toast recipe

This is a recipe for italian toast, or at least Italian toast is what we call it.  I think probably because it's a mix between a french toast and a pizza.  They are liked by young and old, my mother use to make them on Sunday evenings after a heavy Sunday lunch, or as a snack to fill the gap.

What you need:
3 large Eggs
1 packet of Streaky Bacon {cut into pieces}
1 cup Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
1 teaspoon Italian Herbs
Marmite and Butter for spreading
a French loaf or Ciabatta {cut into slices}

Put the oven on grill.

Spread the slices of bread on a baking sheet, and grill the one side until it starts going a golden colour.  Then turn around and toast the other side.

Spread the toast with butter and marmite, and put back onto the baking sheet.

Beat the eggs.

Then mix in the cheese, and the bacon and mix well.

Spoon the egg mixture onto the marmite.

Place back under the grill until the mixture is golden brown.

Remove from the oven and grind some black pepper on to taste.

Enjoy!

Photographer: Angelique Smith
Recipe and Styling: Denise Derbyshire