Wednesday, 4 August 2021

Traditional & brioche buns perfect for a BBQ - Recipe!

We have had some gorgeous weather lately which has been perfect for BBQ's (well apart from the rain last week). We've had a couple of BBQ's and will be having plenty more over the summer.

I am delighted to share these new homemade Summer BBQ bread recipes from Carr’s Flour which are great for making with children.

Burgers and hot dogs in buns

Both the traditional white rolls and the brioche recipe pair perfectly with your favourite burger, be it beef, bean, or mushroom. You can shape the hot dog rolls to fit your chosen sausages, so each bite is filled with BBQ goodness and the satisfaction of making your own bread.

Traditional Burger Buns.
Makes 12 at 70g per bun.

Traditional Burger Buns.

500g strong bread flour.
1 packet fast action yeast (7g).
1 tsp sugar.
1 tsp salt.
30g butter, softened.
250ml warm water.
50ml milk + extra for brushing on top.
Sesame seeds.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt.
Rub in the butter until a fine crumb consistency is achieved.
Combine the warm water and milk in a jug.
Make a well in the centre of the dry mix, pour in the water and milk and bring together to form a dough.
Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until the dough is soft and springs back when poked.
Return the dough to the mixing bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place for 1-2 hours until double in size.
When the dough is ready, knock it back, knead it lightly and then divide it into 12 equal portions (70g each).
Using the palm of your hand and your thumb, shape the dough portions into smooth domes and place onto lined baking trays (1 large or 2 small as they will grow).
Cover the trays loosely with cling film and leave to prove for an hour to double in size again.
45 minutes into the second proving, preheat the oven to 180°C (fan) and place a shallow baking tray on the oven floor.
Once the buns have fully proved, brush them with a little milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Throw a few ice cubes or a splash of cold water onto the hot tin on the oven floor to create steam, then bake the buns for 18-20 minutes, until lightly golden and their bases sound hollow when tapped.

Brioche Burger Buns.
Makes 12 at 70g per bun

Brioche Burger Buns.

400g strong white flour.
50g plain flour.
1tsp salt.
1 packet fast action yeast (7g).
2 tbsp sugar.
35g butter.
1 egg + 1 for eggwash.
50ml whole milk.
230ml warm water.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, dried yeast, salt and sugar.
Rub in the butter until a breadcrumb consistency is achieved.
In a small jug, beat together the egg and milk.
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients, add in the egg and milk and start to bring together whilst gradually adding the warm water to form a soft dough. It will be quite sticky at this stage so don’t panic.
Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and springs back when poked.
Pop the dough back into its bowl, cover with cling film and leave to prove for 1-2 hours in a warm place until doubled in size.
Knock back the dough, tip out onto your worksurface and knead lightly to form a smooth ball then divide the dough into 12 equal portions (70g each).
Using the palm of your hand and your thumb, shape the dough portions into smooth domes and place onto lined baking trays (1 large or 2 small as they will grow).
Cover the trays loosely with cling film and leave to prove for an hour to double in size again.
45 minutes into the second proving, preheat the oven to 200°C (fan) and place a shallow baking tray on the oven floor.
Once the buns have fully proved, beat the glazing egg with 1 tsp water and a pinch of salt then brush it onto the buns.
Throw a few ice cubes or a splash of cold water onto the hot tin on the oven floor to create steam, then bake the buns for 15-18 minutes, until golden and their bases sound hollow when tapped.

Hot dog buns.


To make hot dog rolls follow steps 1-7 as above in either the traditional or brioche way then shape the dough into smooth domes, pinching together any seams and ensuring they are on the underside. Then, using the base of your palm, working the dough out from the centre, lightly roll into an oblong/baguette shape (approx. 10 cm long). Place onto lined baking trays (1 large or 2 small as they will grow). You can cook the rolls next to each other, so that when baked they pull apart just be sure to leave a 1-2cm gap between them on the tray to give them room to prove/grow. Then continue to follow steps 9-14 as above.

What's your favourite burgers or hot dogs?

All recipes shared belong to Carr’s Flour, you can find out more information on their website. The full range is available to order from their online shop.

Tuesday, 3 August 2021

What I loved in July 2021.

 It's August already. How did that happen? This is an exciting month for us. Of course the kids are off school and college and it's birthday season. Stu's in the middle of the month, Ellie's at the end and then Becky's at the beginning of September. 

July was good to us. None of us caught Covid, we enjoyed the warm weather and of course Ellie finished school for the summer.

A heart card in an envelope

This is what I loved in July!

Sport!
I am not usually a fan of sport but I have watched a lot over the last month. The football of course. Our boys did so well and now I am on with watching the Olympics. I am a bit gutted that a lot of it isn't being shown on normal TV but I am happy with what I've been watching. Mostly the diving, gymnastics and the equestrian events.

Ice lollies!
We have gone through so many ice lollies over the last of the month and I think we have tried one of everything that the supermarkets have to offer. Calippos and plain old choc ices will always be my favourite though. The kids have more expensive taste and love the proper Cornettos and Oreo ice creams. Eesh.

Deliveries!

Packaging from deliveries

July always seems to be a busy month for deliveries. I was sent a few things to review including some books from Books2Door, a bird feeder from Henry Bell and some gorgeous bath products from Pepper's Homemade Soaps. We finally bought a new strimmer and a few things for the kitchen, I got some bargain bath sheets from Tesco and then there has been all of the birthday presents which have been arriving for Stu and the kids.

Exercise!
I am back on the exercise bandwagon. I was using the Leg Master that I was sent to review but I seem to have hit a wall with it and don't feel like I am losing weight anymore so needed something more. I was lucky to get a cross trainer from our local auction for £15 and I have been using that. It is giving me more of a workout and despite aching I am feeling better for it.

The Walking Dead! (Again)
The new and last series starts this month so I thought I would rewatch it all since I had the Disney Plus subscription and it is now being shown on there. I do love it, it's probably in my top 10 of favourite TV shows ever.

Harry Potter Bedding!

Harry Potter Bedding

I have always wanted some Harry Potter bedding but Stu wouldn't have it. He said if I get Harry Potter he wants some bedding of his choice and I have always said no. We really are as bad as each other but when we went shopping to Hull we spotted some that wasn't totally in your face with Harry Potter and I finally got some. Hooray!

The end of the school year!
Ellie made it to the end of the school year. Hooray. There was the little hiccup of the school having to close at the beginning or July because there were just too may cases of Covid so it was back to home learning for a week. She knuckled down and got on with it without too much nagging.

The end of year reports came and I couldn't have been prouder of Ellie. She hasn't always been the best at school but this past year she has excelled herself. She was moved up to a higher set and did so well in all of her tests. She is where she needs to be or better in all of her subjects apart from History which isn't an issue as she won't be taking it from now on as she has chosen her GCSE's and has gone with Geography. Her best subjects are Design and Technology which I expected and maths which really surprised me considering how she has struggled with it when she was learning at home. 

Ellie learning to skateboard!
We were sent a skateboard to try out and Ellie has fallen in love with it. She has been out most days in the back garden practicing tricks and teaching herself to skate. It has got her off her computer and into the fresh air and I couldn't be happier.

What did you love in July?

Monday, 2 August 2021

Our weekly meal plan! 2nd - 8th August. #MealPlanningMonday

Our weekly meal plan

Last weeks meal plan went well. We skipped a couple of meals but it's fine, I expect it during the summer holidays when plans change or we just can't be bothered. The weather hasn't helped either. It has felt more like Autumn than summer over the last few days. The fruity chicken curry was so good and the meatloaf took longer to cook than I initially thought. I ended up making it on Saturday and leaving it in the fridge overnight to firm up. It was worth the wait though. 

I had a strange issue with my shopping delivery on Friday. I ordered the food as usual and got the email Friday morning telling me about the 10 substitutions and 5 unavailable items. I was a little annoyed but when my shopping was delivered I noticed all my shopping was there apart from one thing which was substituted. It's like someone had picked my shopping and said they couldn't find half the stuff then someone else went and did it properly. I'm not complaining, I just found it really odd.

We don't have much planned for this week but I am wanting to do something with the kids. I have said if the weather is OK we'll go for a couple of walks and I am hoping to get into town one day to pick a few things up that we're running out of like batteries and cleaning things.

On the menu this week we have:

Greggs pasties with chips.
Richmond tomato sausage pasta with garlic bread and garlic mushrooms.
Veggie fried rice with spring rolls, prawn toast and prawn crackers if I can find any.
Sandwiches, crisps, sausage rolls and other picky bits.
Pizza.

What are you eating this week?

Meal planning linky

Sunday, 1 August 2021

My dad's hobby. #MySundayPhoto

We went to see my dad on Thursday and he was busy in his workshop working on one of his cars, his biggest hobby at the moment. During the week he was faffing with something to do with the oil. 

He has build this car up from just the base of it. I don't even think it had much of an engine when he started a few years ago. He has had it tested and it's roadworthy. He took it into town a while ago when he went to do some shopping. It really is something different.

My dad's car.

My Sunday Photo linky