monday munchies!

Perfect to make with the kids this summer, a classic to make and decorate from BBC Food. Brilliant for picnics or as a treat to take to any groups your kids go to this Summer!

Ingredients

• 350g/12oz plain flour, plus extra for rolling out
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 125g/4½oz butter
• 175g/6oz light soft brown sugar
• 1 free-range egg
• 4 tbsp golden syrup

To decorate

• writing icing
• cake decorations

Method

1. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon and pour into the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and blend until the mix looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.
2. Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, add to the food processor and pulse until the mixture clumps together. Tip the dough out, knead briefly until smooth, wrap in clingfim and leave to chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
4. Roll the dough out to a 0.5cm/¼in thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using cutters, cut out the gingerbread men shapes and place on the baking tray, leaving a gap between them.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown. Leave on the tray for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling. When cooled decorate with the writing icing and cake decorations.

frugal freebies friday!

It's the Summer holidays! Change4Life have come up with some brilliant outdoor and indoor games featuring their favourite Disney characters to get your kids active!

With loads of Disney films to choose from for inspiration, there's plenty of characters and exercises to choose from so what are you waiting for? Follow the link and get moving this Summer with this useful free activity from the NHS. 

monday munchies!

Our little boy loves hummus but hasn't quite to grips with the crudites to accompany them yet, that or he just likes the taste of my finger! Here is a great ready for hummus which you can enjoy too, I find for grown ups it tastes better if you add some salt but obviously not in the little one's portion!

Ingredients, for 2-4 people:

200g tinned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2tbsp tahini

juice of 1/2 lemon

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2-4tbsp olive oil

1tbsp water

pinch of salt

Method:

1. Add chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, 2tbsp olive oil, water and salt to blender or food processor.

2. Blend to a creamy consistency.

3. Add more oil if needed and blend again. Taste and add more garlic, salt, or lemon juice if needed.

4. Serve with warm pitta bread and carrot sticks (steamed slightly for babies).

frugal freebies Friday!

Free audio book of Go the F--k to Sleep, my husband bought me this book for my first Christmas as a mum and it is very funny, good to lighten the mood when you are exhausted!

monday munchies!

My first monday munchies comes from myfussyeater.com brocolli cheese frittata fingers. Our son loves this with replacement vegetables, try courgette, sweetcorn or peas (his absolute favourite thing!) 

PREP TIME

7 mins

COOK TIME

15 mins

TOTAL TIME

22 mins

These frittata fingers make the best finger food for baby led weaning and toddlers!

Author: Ciara @ My Fussy Eater

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

• ½ tbsp oil
• 1 cup grated courgette / zucchini
• 1 cup chopped broccoli
• 3 medium eggs
• ½ cup cheese
• 1 tbsp plain flour (can use gluten free or normal)
• ½ tsp dried mixed herbs or oregano

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat to oven 180c / 350f. Grease and line a baking dish with parchment paper. I used a 8in / 20cm square dish.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the courgette and broccoli and fry lightly for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
3. In a bowl mix the eggs, cheese, flour and herbs together. Add the cooked vegetables and mix until well combined.
4. Pour this mixture into the lined dish and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and allow the frittata to cool before cutting into fingers or squares.

NOTES

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

frugal freebies friday!

Free guide to how to swaddle your baby, just click on the picture! I wish we had this when our son was born, he was the Houdini of the swaddling world...he even escaped the midwives super tight efforts!