Wednesday 21 May 2014

Banana Bread Recipe

So it's been a while since I last posted, many apologies for that! I have a good reason though I promise! That reason is... I GOT A ACTING JOB AT WARWICK CASTLE!!! Yes it was all very exciting I didn't expect too as I thought the audition didn't go too well but obviously they liked me and still like me as they have extended my contract until November! So I've had to move and sort out everything that comes with starting at a new job but more on that later. So back to my title. I thought a nice way to get my stride back into my blogging would be a lovely banana bread recipe. I absolutely adore banana bread and jump at the chance to nibble on it if I see it any tea rooms I venture into. One day I decided hey why not give it a go? After experimenting and falling in love it had become my must-bake and on pretty much any occasion or spare time I have floating around I decide to whip one of these up. It sounds complicated at first but it's so simple to make and ever so delicious to eat. I searched the web for many recipes and I stumbled along this one here. This is where I have taken the main bulk of my recipe from just adding a few more bananas and a touch more vanilla, perfect. So how to make yummy banana bread.

First you will need these:
Tea optional

10oz plain flour
1 tea spoon of bicarbonate of soda
A half a tea spoon of salt
4oz butter salted or unsalted (if using salted dont add salt to your mixture) and a little extra for greasing
8oz caster sugar
2 large eggs, free range if possible
Between 5 and 8 over ripened black bananas, mashed. Depending on how much you want your banana bread to taste of banana's!
85ml of milk mixed with 1 and a half teaspoons of lemon juice or alternatively you could use butter milk I just didn't have that floating around the house!
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Scales
2 mixing bowls
A wooden spoon
Sieve
Jug and/or measuring cups
A loaf tin, preferably one that's not too large.

Now onto how to make this yummy treat!

Step one: First you will need to pre heat your oven to 180 degrees. If you're using a fan oven i'd suggest going a little lower at around 150, I have a fan oven and I found 180 to be just that little bit too high.

Step two: Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt (if you're using unsalted butter) into a large mixing bowl.


Step three: In your other mixing bowl you'll need to cream the butter and sugar together until it's lovely light and fluffy. I tend to use a wooden spoon for this bit unless you're lucky enough to own your own mixer! Another thing to remember is to make sure that your butter is super soft and room temprature otherwise you'll make the same mistake I did first time making this and thats trying to fluff rock hard butter, arm ache!




Step four: Get mashing those banana's! Its messy job but a somewhat enjoyable one too. Make sure your bowl is big enough as once these bad boys are mashed they are a massive pile of un-attractive slop but they smell is wonderful!



Step five: Add your eggs, mashed up banana's, milk and vanilla extract into your light and fluffy butter and sugar mixture. Make sure to add them in that order to avoid too much curdling. If you're making this mixture with the milk and lemon concuction you will get some curdling its un-avoidable so dont be disheartend if this happens to you, it may look un apatising but it still does the same job and tastes wonderful once its baked.


Step six: Slowly add your fluffy eggy buttery banana mixture to the flour mixture by folding it in be careful not to knock out too much of that air.



Step seven: Greese your tin with that left over butter and slowly pour your bread mixture into the tin.



Step eight: Stick it into the oven for about an hour. Mine is usually ready in an hour but I check on the half hour just to see how its coming along as it normally rises and starts turning that lovely golden colour quickly. I test mine by taking it out of the oven and slowly putting a knife into the mixture seeing if any mixture sticks on it. If it does put it back in the oven keeping an eye on it. Don't worry if yours takes less or more time to cook. Different ovens will do this.

Step nine: Transfer it onto a wire rack to cool. Once cooled slice it and serve it as you wish. I like to add a garnish of banana's on the side maybe a little bit of cream if i'm feeling a little bit naughty.

I so do love banana bread. I find it perfect to snack on, pack in your lunchbox to take to work with you or even bake for a loved one (providing they like bananas!) Next time I make it i'm going to get a little more adventurous with it and add coconut or even chocolate chunks to it, i'll let you know how that goes!

If any of you try this let me know how it goes! Or if you have any more delicious recipes you like to make then please do share! I'm always interested to hear about new recipes and trying them of course!

Until next time my tea drinkers!

Sunday 9 March 2014

Sundays are for...


Extra long lie in's & cuddles with your favourite.



Lots of tea, magazine reading, nail painting & box set watching.




Baking your favourite yummy snack for nibbles in the week.


More cups of tea.




Shining sun & blue skies. 




Long countryside walks with your love, family and horse spotting.



That cheeky roast dinner that's ever so naughty but perfectly delicious.

An extra gooey surprise chocolate cake from the people you live with.


A family favourite movie, in our case tonight it was "The Devil Wears Prada".


Of course yet more cups of tea.


And early nights snuggled under the duvet sipping on hot chocolate's falling asleep to the sound of the T.V in the background.

I hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing Sunday.

X

Thursday 20 February 2014

Adventure's in Cardiff

At the start of February the boy and I packed up our things and headed on our way to start adventures in Cardiff. The reason for this adventure; our dearest friends 22nd birthday.

We settled our bottoms down onto our pre-booked train and began snacking on delicious fruit nibbles and reading our books and magazines we had packed for the long 4 hour journey ahead of us. We were especially excited for this trip as we hadn't seen our dear friends Ian and Joshua for a very long time and Mr Ian had moved into his swanky new man flat. It was going to be fantastic.

After long hours of falling asleep, reading and being told off in the quiet coach we reached our destination, Cardiff Bay. We skipped of the train and ran into the arms of Josh. A tear was shed and lots of "I've missed you so" were shared alongside giggles and cuddles and then we trotted off to Ian's place. When we arrived at Ian's lovely flat he wasn't in as he was too busy being Mr BBC and editing the News for the whole of Cardiff to watch (I'm very proud of him). Once cups of teas were made and discussions were had about the future Ian showed up. Upon arrival Samuel greeted him at the door. Ian dropped his bag and gave him the biggest squeeze I've seen, then it was my turn for a hug. Finally the quartet were reunited once more. Mama Casey was also with us for our adventure so we put on our glad rags and headed off to weatherspoons for a cheap and cheerful meal together. It was a fantastic night. After dinner and drinks we headed back to the flat and went into the land of nod as Ian had work first thing, not with out a cup of tea or two first though!

Before we knew it the morning light shone onto our face and it was time to appear and rise out of bed. It was Ian's birthday! We jumped out of bed and jumped onto his and all three of us attacked him with birthday hugs and a chorus of HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR CASEY! After all the hugging and giggling had finished we went into the living where Mama Casey was waiting to give her son a birthday cuddle. Joshua and I started breakfast for everyone (bacon sandwiches yummy) whilst Ian got himself showered for work. Once Ian's belly was full on bacon and tea he skipped out the door and began his journey to work. This is when Joshua, Samuel and I began our work on transforming his flat into a palace fit for a birthday party princess.

I baked cakes, we hung streamers, we blew up balloons, we scattered confetti, we hung the bunting, we curled ribbon, we placed cards, handed out invitations to the neighbors and we decorated the party crowns. The place was transformed. During this transformation we made sure to film it as we wanted to make our wonderful Ian a very happy birthday film for him to watch. Once all the hard work was over and we could relax it was time for Nadine to arrive. Whilst Josh was collecting her I grabbed my chance and hopped into the shower making sure I was ready for the night ahead. Shortly followed by Nadine, Abi arrived then shortly after Mr Casey came back. Greeted with friends and a transformed flat he was so happy. This truly was the perfect birthday and the birthday he should have gotten for his 21st.

Then it was party time. The food was placed, the music was on and the drinks were out. The night was a brilliant night filled with giggles, laughter, speeches, music, drinks and a lot of sneaking around to capture moments for Ian's birthday video. Oh and how could I forget, Ian's giant birthday confetti canon. Wonderful.

The next day was filled with trips around Cardiff, shopping, delicious food at Bills and quality time with some very special people. Oh and when we headed back through London we had to stop of course and grab a late brunch. I had the most amazing hot chocolate and wonderful eggs Benedict. I will be returning there again!

My trip to Cardiff was truly magical and I know Mr Ian had a fantastic birthday. I already cant wait until we can return and continue our fun. I miss them so.

Have any of you ever been to Cardiff? What do you think of it? I'd love to hear your views and recommendations!
Have a lovely day daydreamers and tea drinkers!