bran loaf - a simple recipe

This recipe for Bran Loaf calls for cups of ingredients, you can use a mug as long are you are consistent and use the same 'cup' for all measurements.  If you would like to make more than one loaf then just multiply the quantities.

Ingredients

• One cup of mixed dried fruit (sultanas/raisins/cherries, etc)
• One cup of milk, semi-skimmed or full cream
• One cup of All-Bran (or supermarket own brand)
• Half a cup of sugar 
• One cup of self raising flour
• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Mix the fruit, sugar, bran and milk in a large bowl and leave for six hours (or overnight).
2. Add the flour and salt to the wet mixture and mix throughly.
3. Lightly oil the bottom and sides of a 2lb loaf tin and line with greaseproof paper.
4. Pour the mix into the loaf tin and bake in a medium hot oven for one hour.
5. Remove, cool, slice, butter, enjoy!

Bran loaf keeps very well for a few days, and dare I say it even improves after a few days.

wordless wednesday

National Glass Centre - Sunderland

Sunderland is home to the National Glass Centre.  This coastal town has a long history of glass making and the Glass Centre, attached to Sunderland University, is a great place to visit.  Admission to this attraction is free and within the building there are exhibitions, a museum and a restaurant.  Glass blowing demonstrations also take place several times each day. 

Glass making was introduced into Britain by Benedict Biscop near this site around 674AD when French glaziers were brought to the area to produce stained glass windows for St. Peter's Church in Monkwearmouth.  

As time passed the wealth of coal mines in the area provided vast quantities of cheap coal needed for 18th century glass making. The port of Sunderland also proved ideal for importing high quality Baltic sand needed to produce the glass and then exporting the finished product.  Sunderland was later home to Pyrex and Cornings.

Sited at the mouth of the River Wear the views from the building are outstanding.  There is also a glass roof that is able to withstand 460 people standing on it at any one time - if you feel brave enough to take a walk over it I'd recommend wearing trousers as the roof is directly over the Brasserie.

The locally sourced food in the brasserie is very good value and also extremely tasty - the seafood in particular is always my first choice at this venue - in fact I've been there a few times just for lunch as I love the 'Captain's (seafood) Platter' so much.

North Yorkshire, part three - Helmsley

Helmsley is a large and bustling market town centred around a large market square in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire.  Gorgeous stone buildings, houses and shops around the town are beautifully adorned with plants, window boxes and rose bushes. 

The ruin of Helmsley Castle can de found just moments from the market square, as can the Helmsley Brewing Co where 'summat's brewing'...I think it's beer!

On the afternoon that we visited we enjoyed a scrumptious afternoon tea at The Black Swan Hotel whilst waiting for a wedding party (a friend's family wedding) to make their stylish arrival in a London double decker bus.

wordless wednesday...(almost)

North Yorkshire, part two - Hackfall

Hackfall is a Grade l listed garden, managed by the Woodland Trust and Hackfall Trust who have cleared out dead wood, managed the trees and restored paths.  There's still a long way to go but there is plenty to see and some wonderful walks to take (although a bit steep in places).

First mentioned in the Doomsday Book (1086) Hackfall has changed hands many times and has been used for forestry, stone quarries and a watermill (for flour).

There are four listed buildings (Grade II) on the site: a Banqueting House, Fishers Hall, Mowbray Castle and a Rustic Temple.  The Banqueting House (below) has been restored and is available as a holiday cottage but the other buildings remain as ruins.

Fishers Hall (below) is a curiosity, as it's not known whether the hall takes its name from a person or from being used as a resting place by fishermen using the nearby river.  Tufa stone has been used for this building - a porous limestone found near mineral springs. 

Hackfall is free to visit and maps (also free) are placed near the entrance for visitors' use.  Walking books or sensible shoes are highly recommended for the steep banks.

North Yorkshire, part one - Masham

We had a lovely weekend in North Yorkshire recently as guests of friends staying in the small market town of Masham...

home to The Black Sheep Brewery...

where a brewery tour and beer tasting is a compulsory activity.                                                                                                     

Not only beer - there's very tast food on the menu too.

Masham is also home to Theakston's Brewery.

St. Mary's Church has gorgeous stained glass windows.

And there are some lovely tearooms and quirky gift shops.

wordless wednesday

Honey & Co...

I think it's always lovely to meet authors, but it's especially lovely to meet authors who write cookery books.  

Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer, the authors and owners of 'Honey & Co' a small restaurant in London who have also written two middle eastern cookery books, recently visited the Northumberland village of Corbridge on a beautiful summer evening.  

Sarit and Itamar were the guests at an author event hosted by 'RE Found Objects' and arranged by 'Forum Books',  a fantastic independent bookshop - an amazing combination of interesting cookery authors, tasty food, an amazing shop and the most gorgeous weather made for a very, very enjoyable evening.