Sharabelle bakes

Traditional scone's One of my favourite topics of conversation is food.  I can get over exciting talking about food and recipes.   I often take it for granted that people have the same cooking knowledge as I do.  However I've come to realise that I was lucky to have a mum and grandma to teach me how to cook and bake. Over the years Iv discovered a lot of ways of how not to do things in the kitchen. For me kitchen disasters, are just a way of learning what not to do. This knowledge comes in handy when people ask me for advice.  Scones is top of the list of recipe that I'm asked about.    There are 2 recipes below that I use, the second one is for soda bread.  When my hands started to get bad due to fibromyalgia, the soda bread recipe was the  easiest  one to make.  Sometimes we have to adapt the way we could and bake to make up for health problems.   TOP TIPS Mindful baking   I practise m...

RHUBARB RICE PUDDING WITH COCONUT YOGURT  AND GRANOLA This recipe came about by accident.  I'd been stewing some of my own homegrown rhubarb, to make a fruit compote only to find it released a lot of water.  I had soaked the rhubarb first to clean it, which led to the problem. Watery fruit compote isn't brilliant, so I strained it through a sieve instead.  I was then left with at least 300 ml of rhubarb juice.  I just thought What if?  The jar of rice was right in front of me, so I decided to give it a try. I followed a normal baked rice pudding recipe, but substituted the milk for the rhubarb liquid instead. I didn't have pudding rice, so I used normal white rice.  I think it works just as well.  I set the oven on low and left it to cook.   Baked Rice Pudding 1 1/2 oz/ 50 g of Rice  2 tbsp of sugar 1 pint of milk Place all the ingredients in a casserole dish, and bake in a low oven 150 c or  30...

Top 5 Basic Baked Recipes  - Dairy free If you can make your own, then why buy??????  These are road tested dairy free and vegan baked recipes. I'm lactose intolerant so I know the importance of a good recipe that can easily be adapted. What I've discovered is that there are 5 main base recipes that I use the most. Adjusting the ingredients and flavours to fit the season or occasion.  Or what ever food I'm craving that day x These 5 basic recipes, makes baking dairy free a whole lot easier.  1. Quick Bread Beetroot Soda Bread Scones Basic Soda Bread Recipe 8 oz Self Raising Flour 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda 200 ml Dairy free milk 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar Pinch of Salt Pre-heat your oven to 230 Celsius Measure and dry ingredients, flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl. Whisk to mix in the ingredients. Make a well in the centre and pour in 200 ml milk & vinegar Use a knife to bring the dough together. If you still have some flour at th...

    Waste not, want not       Buy one, get one free......   www.channel4.com/4food   We all get taken in by Buy one, get one free bargains at the Supermarket.   Packaged foods are usually okay as they have a longer shelf life, however fresh food can cause problems. Before you buy.........   1. Check the best before date - Will you have enough time to eat it.  Can it be frozen?   2. Shop with a friend - My mum and I often shop for vegetables together and split the produce. That way we save money and reduce food waste.   3. Do you really need it? - This is a big one for me, I can get excited when I find a new product that I can eat. Especially when there is so much food that I can't....... It's easy to get carried away.    4. Make your own ready meals On my days off from work I like to make my own ready meals, so multi buys of fruit and vegetables are great...

More sources than just Dairy.... When I had to give up all dairy products due my IBS & lactose intolerance, my Dr recommended I start taking a Calcium  & Vitamin D supplement.  She also advised me to eat foods high in Calcium.   Why Vitamin D  - It helps the body absorb the calcium.  The body can synthesise vitamin D from exposure to Sunlight.   If you are lactose intolerant like me, always check the ingredient label before your buy  or take any medications or vitamin supplements.    Some pharmaceutical company's use lactose to bulk out pills.     Illogically I have even discovered it in calcium tablets.   Dairy products are not the only way of getting your recommended daily amount of calcium.  Nearly all fruit and vegetables have some calcium in them, however there are some that have really high amounts.  Making them ideal substitutes if you follow a dairy free diet. Calcium in milk ...

I was given a gift of a Chilli Plant a few months ago. I wasn't totally confident that I could grow any, since I'm not exactly known for my gardening skills.  However a few chili's are starting to grow.   I'm not a Chili fanatic, I just  love the kick that Chili can add to a recipe.  Especially if it complements the other ingredients.  I don't really understand why you need to make your food so hot, that you can't really enjoy it.  Especially after I accidentally unscrewed the lid of my hot sauce I poured in half a bottle into my soup, instead of a few drops!!! Since I have food intolerances, Iv focused on dairy free or vegan information.   1. Chili Prep 101 - Using Raw Chili's Supermarkets are finally starting to stock a range of fresh Chilies in their green grocer section. Being a control freak, I like to research ingredients to find out how to prepare them.  It helps reduce my anxiety levels and stops me doing something stupi...

My diet might be limited due to my IBS, however would you be surprised that the only supplement I take is for Calcium and Vitamin D.  I eat a varied mostly plant based diet, which provides all the nutrients I need.  It's also a myth that meat, poultry and dairy are the only sources of protein available.  Beans, lentils and  pulses Includes all non dairy milk products made from soy beans eg soy milk, soy spread, soy yogurt & tofu Nuts and seeds Includes non dairy products made from nuts eg almond milk, nut butter, tahini, Vegetables especially green veg ones eg Cauliflower, broccoli, green peas, spinach, sweet corn Grains and cereals eg Bread, oats, breakfast cereals, pasta Fresh/Dried Fruit and berries Fresh :  Avocado, peaches and figs Dried : Figs, apricots Keeping too a varied diet, keeps me healthy.  It also keeps me from getting bored...