The Big Food Blog

Olive Bread

Published

1 month ago

May 28, 2020

“Mmm… imagine the smell of these beauties! There’s nothing like homely spring recipes!

Olives are a naturally sugar-free food, containing the “good” kind of fat, which can improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Ingredients

92g green chopped olives

2/3 cup chopped black olives

500g bread flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp rosemary

1 1/2 tsp chili flakes

Fresh thyme leaves

25g fresh yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast)

360ml water

Method

In a large bowl mix flour with salt, garlic powder, rosemary, chilli flakes and fresh thyme leaves. Dissolve the fresh yeast in 120ml water and add to the flour mixture. Add the rest of 240ml water and start kneading the dough until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Add olives and knead a bit more until incorporated. Grease with olive oil a clean bowl, transfer the dough and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rest for 2.5 hours at room temperature until tripled in size.

On a floured surface flatten the dough into an oval shape and start rolling one edge inward. Roll and turn upside down and shape it into a ball. Sprinkle flour over a clean towel, and place over the dough. Let rise for another 30-45 minutes.

Meanwhile turn the oven to 240°C and put a 9-inch round cast-iron pan inside without the lid. When ready, pop the dough in the pan and allow to bake for 25-30 minutes with the lid on to create steam. Remove the lid and bake for another 20 minutes at 230°C to let the bread get some crispy golden-brown crust.

Take the bread out of the oven and place on a cooling rack while taking in a deep breath and soaking in that unbeatable smell of fresh baked bread!

Finally, let it cool completely before cutting.

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The Big Food Blog

Birdy’s Onion Bhajis

Published

2 weeks ago

June 28, 2020

The Felixstowe Magazine

“…A little taste of India”

The bhajis

Ingredients

4 heaped tbsp gram flour

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp ground coriander seeds

1/2 tsp green chillies (to taste)

1 large onion, sliced

1 tbsp chopped coriander

1 tbsp plain yoghurt

2 tbsp chopped tinned tomoatoes

1 tsp salt

2 large cups of vegetable oil

Method

1. Mix together all ingredients except gram flour. Add gram flour and mix in.

2. Over medium heat, heat oil in a wok or deep frying pan until oil is hot.

3. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and push into the oil with a second tablespoon to form fairly round balls. The bhajis should firm up quite quickly. Cook in batches of 10. Keep stiring them so that they brown evenly.

4. Drain on plenty of paper towels to allow excess oil to be absorbed. Keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.

To fill your bhajis up a bit more, you can also add sliced cauliflower, potatoes and/or aubergines (lightly boil before adding to your bhaji mixture).

The sauce

Ingredients

1 tsp ground coriander seeds (fry then grind)

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin seeds (fry then grind)

1 cup natural yoghurt

Salt and pepper to taste

Or you can simply have your bajees with tomato ketchup, or mint sauce.

Method

1. Roast the spices in a frying pan

2. Remove from heat and stir in the yoghurt

A traditional Punjabi starter brought to by Mummy Birdy

Shopping & Businesses

Felixstowe’s Hit Eaterie Branches out in Response to COVID-19

Published

4 weeks ago

June 12, 2020

The Felixstowe Magazine

One of Felixstowe’s favourite cafes, ‘Spud Hut’ has announced it will be extending its offering to customers in response to Coronavirus.

The much-loved lunchtime eaterie, which offers homemade filled jacket potatoes, salads, paninis, cakes and fresh coffee, re-opened on the 20th May, providing collection-only lunches.

Now, as social distancing restrictions mean that they are unable to welcome dine-in customers, the team is launching an innovative new lunch option, offering freshly-made sweet and savoury crepes to collect from the front of the shop.

Spud Hut owner Hannah Walker explains, “Along with the majority of local businesses, we’ve been significantly impacted by Covid-19, and restrictions mean it will be some time before we can welcome people to sit in the shop to enjoy their food and drink.

“We’ve not backed down from a challenge yet though, so we’ve come up with a new way to provide even more homemade foods for people to enjoy that they can collect and eat ‘on the go’ or take home.

“We wanted to come up with something that people in Felixstowe can’t already buy – so sweet and savoury crepes were the answer!

“We really hope they will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. We can’t wait to hear the feedback and reviews of our customers, so do come along and give them a try.”

The new crepes will cater for vegan and gluten free diets and will be available alongside the traditional menu.

Spud Hut is currently open from 10am-2pm Weds – Fri for takeaways / collections only. Check the Spud Hut Facebook page for news and updates.

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