Apple and Sultana Drop Scones

I don't know what it is that makes children so hungry after school, but the truth is they are generally ravenous when they get home. Consequently I am always looking for a snack that will satisfy them, act as a bit of treat but not ruin the chances of them being hungry enough to eat all the vegetables I live in hope that they will consume at dinner.

As a child my mum would cook the classic drop scones (also called Scotch pancakes) as a treat every once in a while. I remember the warm stack of mini pancakes would disappear in minutes, there never seemed to be enough. Because of their Moorish nature, and quite frankly my lack of will power, I sought to see what could be done to perhaps make them slightly healthier.

So here is my take on the classic drop scone. So essentially the main difference is I have added chopped dried apple pieces and sultanas, ok so lots of sugar here but its natural sugar and has the benefits of fibre and other nutrients. Another way to increase the fibre content was to substitute some of the flour with wholemeal flour, only about a fifth so it's not too dry (or noticeable). I actual replaced the caster sugar with granulated Stevia (a natural sugar alternative which has all the sweetness without the calories and doesn't give you the sugar crash of regular sugar). I also used rice bran oil, which as all the health benefits of olive oil, plus it has a higher smoking point so more of the nutrients are preserved, it also has more vitamin e.

Ingredients

• 100g  white self-raising flour
• 25g wholemeal self-raising flour           
• 2 tsp caster sugar  (I used Stevia instead to reduce the sugar content)          
• 1 egg, beaten (I had to use two but that's because I was using our bantam eggs) 
• 4 tbsp Rice bran oil           
• 150 ml (5 fl oz) semi-skimmed milk or water 
• Small handful sultanas
• Small handful dried apple pieces
• 1/2 tap cinnamon (optional)          

Combine the flour, sugar (Stevia) and cinnamon if using. Make a well in the middle and add the beaten egg and milk/water mix to a smooth batter. Stir in the fruit.

 

Heat the oil in a heavy based frying pan. Add the batter in small dollops, may be four or five to the pan. When air bubbles start to appear in the batter its time to flip them over using a spatula. Once lightly golden on both sides remove and set aside. Best eaten while still warm. Now if you manage not to eat them all, they do freeze well. Freeze in small after school portions, they can be popped in the microwave frozen as needed (about 30 seconds). I have got to confess, I had to make two batches because I kept eating them as I was cooking them and there wasn't enough for the photo!

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Autumn Bounty Bowl

 

 

Decoupage Autumn Bounty Bowl

Make the most of your Autumn bounty and make a gorgeous display with this dead easy decoupage bowl.

I can spend hours and hours going through gardening seed catalogues. The gorgeous vibrant colours, the anticipation they bring as you look forward to the new season of colour. I hate to throw them away after I have made any selections, so we are always looking for new ways to use them. One creation was a decoupage shoebox for the copious amount of hair bands we seem to collect.

So inspired by the Autumn harvest we looked for something else to decorate. My daughter and I like to craft together, so projects have to be fairly simple, with quick results or attention spans tend to wane. Decoupage is a great kids craft, it fulfils the messy aspect required by children, and getting fairly good results from little skill or from tiny hands means it's a great craft to help build confidence and creativity. To make the Autumnal Bounty Bowl you will need:

1 balloon

Bowl for keeping balloon steady

Watered down PVA

Scissors

Magazines or catalogues

Marker pen

Gold acrylic paint
Paint brush

Instructions

1.Taking a balloon and using the traditional paper Mache technique of laying strips of newspaper

over the upturned balloon (use a bowl to steady it), brush over each strip with PVA glue, I guess you could use the wonderful modge podge for this too, but I had just PVA to hand which I slightly watered down.

2. Once two or three layers of newspaper cover half the balloon, it's time to select the images you want to use.

Single colour themes look really effective but I chose a multi-coloured range of images with different shapes and textures to reflect the colourful bounty of Autumn.

When you have got the coverage you like, leave to dry at least overnight. The more generous you are with PVA the more rigid your bowl will be.

3. Once dry and hardened, pop the balloon and carefully peel it away from the shell of your bowl. My daughter particularly enjoyed this bit. You will need to trim the edge of the bowl to give a pleasing finish.

You could go for a regular straight edge but is actually quite tricky and a shaped edge can look very effective.

4. Using your marker pen draw the shape of your
desired bowl edge. Use sharp scissors cut your bowl edge.

5. Once you are happy with the border of your bowl, paint the inside with a tough acrylic paint and leave to dry.

To give the bowl a glossier finish, give a light coat of spray varnish inside and out and leave to dry thoroughly.

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