Hot Cross Buns
A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun made with currants or raisins, marked with a cross on the top, and traditionally eaten on Good Friday.
This quantity of batter makes 12 buns.
Ingredients:
- 500g strong white flour
- 1 tsp dried yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 40g caster sugar
- 2 tsp mixed spice
- 250ml milk
- 60g butter, room temperature
- 2 eggs
100g Dried mixed fruit
For crosses:
100g flour & 200ml water paste
For glaze:
2 Tbsp warmed honey
Method:
- Make the dough by combining all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, draw it all together with your hand to combine well and squeeze the dough into a ball.
- Work and fold the dough for 15 minutes, pulling and stretching in several directions.
- Turn the dough into a ball and place in a large clean bowl, cover and leave in a warm place to prove for 1 hour.
- Knock the air out of the dough and roll out into a rectangle 1cm thick.
- Sprinkle the dried fruit onto the dough, fold in and work the dough gently to incorporate the fruit evenly.
- Shape the dough into 12 buns, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment, cover and prove for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 200c, mix the flour and water into a thick paste and spoon into a piping bag.
- Just before baking, pipe crosses onto the buns.
- Bake at 200c for approx 12-16 mins, look for firm, risen, golden brown buns.
- Brush the baked buns with warm honey for a lovely shiny glaze.
Recipe courtesy of Hen Corner
This entry was posted in Recipes on February 27th, 2018 by helenkennedy
This Valentines Day we’re celebrating #UnlikelyLove! Does your dog and hamster have a blossoming friendship? Are your horse and your cat inseparable? Has your rabbit taken a liking to the goldfish? Or are your kids and your chickens besties?
Courtesy of Omlet and Nicola’s Pet Portraits, you could be in with a chance of winning a £100 Omlet Voucher and a 10″ x 10″ Pet Portrait!
All you have to do is share a picture of a time you’ve captured a surprising friendship on our Facebook post, tweet us or tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #UnlikelyLove, winners will be announced at midday on Friday 16th February so you have until then to enter! Good Luck!
Terms and conditions apply: The competition closes at 11.45am on Friday 16th February 2018. Entries are only applicable from social media channels. The winning entrant will be selected and notified by social media on Friday 16th February 2018. Omlet reserve the right to withdraw the competition at any point. Prizes cannot be transferred to cash. This competition is only open to UK residents. Nicola’s Pet Portraits will produce a 10″ x 10″ pet portrait of your choice. Please allow one month for the portrait to be produced.
This entry was posted in Competitions on February 9th, 2018 by helenkennedy
Heading out on a road trip with your dog? It’s great fun having a four-legged companion by your side for a long drive. Barking and singing along to your favourite playlist with the summer breeze blowing in your hair sounds blissful but, before you start your engine, buckle up for our doggy road trips dos and dont’s.
Safety first
Preparation is key to making sure your dog’s safety stays the number one priority on your adventure. In the UK, dogs must be microchipped by law. Once this is ensured, you should also check your pup is up to date with their vaccinations and in good health before heading out.
If you’re planning on a long road trip, slowly ease your dog into spending more time travelling in the car. Just like us, some dogs suffer from motion sickness when in the car, so it’s important to assess how they cope on shorter trips first. If car sickness is something that they experience, contact your vet to see if they can prescribe medication.
Seatbelts on?
So, you’ve taken your dog to the vet and know they’re a good traveller – now what? It’s time to consider how you plan on restraining your dog on the journey. Using a dog seatbelt, dog crate or a dog guard are 3 ways you can keep Fido secure whilst in the car. And, depending on what state you live in, using a dog restraint whilst travelling is mandated by law.
If a crate is your dog’s desired method of transport, the Fido Classic is the ideal choice. Available in 3 sizes, the crate can fit dog breeds as small as a Yorkshire Terrier to those as large as 70 lbs. The crate can easily be folded too, making it perfect for packing away once you reach your destination.
Crate training your dog is an invaluable tool and will make travelling a lot easier for both you and your furry friend. Rather than seeing it as somewhere restrictive, a crate is a safe space for your dog to retreat to, anywhere they go. It will also make the journey and trip away a lot less stressful for everyone involved. Follow our dog crate training guide and see how simple it is for your dog to settle when they’re away from home.
Reminders of home
Road-tripping is great, but pangs of homesickness can set in at some point. Dogs can experience this too, so it’s a good idea to pack a few of their favourite things to remind them of home. Dog toys are essential for going away with your pup, just as they are back at home. Keeping your dog stimulated is super important once you arrive at your destination, so take along a long-lasting toy such as a Kong that will keep them entertained for hours, even in a new environment.
Or how about taking along their cosy dog blanket or super soft dog bed for them to rest on when you stop? Omlet’s Cushion dog bed is the go-anywhere bed, perfect for taking from place to place whilst promising a pillowy soft sleep.
What’s more, you can even match your dog’s bed to their collar and leash with Omlet’s Dog Walk Collection. Shop from a range of designer dog collars and leashes in 8 signature prints, inspired by the beauty of the humble dog walk. Plus, don’t forget about a dog poop holder, also available in matching prints to add a little flair to not so fun part of pet parenthood.
Pit-stops pending
Your and your dog’s bags are packed and you’re ready to go! But just before you hit the road, make note of any breaks you’ll need to take. It goes without saying you should never leave a dog alone in the car. Regardless of the time of year, the temperature your car can reach unattended can be fatal for dogs, albeit dangerously hot or too cold. Cracking open a window is not enough to keep your dog safe from the elements when trapped in a car, so you’ll need to choose suitable pit-stop locations that are dog friendly. A quick search will bring up a number of locations where your pup will be able to stretch their legs, use the toilet and have a drink. Whilst your dog might not need to go potty as frequently, depending on their age, it’s wise to stop off somewhere every couple of hours for a break.
Omlet and your dog’s adventure
Whether you’re heading out on a big adventure or staying at home, Omlet has the products your dog needs to continue thriving. From ultra-soft dog beds to easy-to-travel dog crates and cosy dog blankets, we expertly engineer everything you need as a pet parent to ensure your four-legged friend lives their life to the fullest.
This entry was posted in Dogs on February 6th, 2018 by helenkennedy
Pancake Day
Pancakes are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday as the last meal before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Historically, people would use up the goodies and treats in their larders before a 40 day fast as they pray and prepare themselves for Christ’s death and resurrection at Easter.
This is a great recipe to enjoy in February as pure breed hens are just coming back into lay and, hopefully, you’ll have eggs aplenty!
This quantity of batter makes 6 pancakes.
Ingredients:
200g plain flour
1/5 tsp salt
2 eggs
400ml milk
To cook:
Vegetable oil (we used organic rapeseed oil)
To serve:
Sugar and lemon wedges
Method:
1) Combine the flour and salt in a large jug, make a dip/well in the middle of the flour and crack the eggs into the well.
2) Begin to whisk the eggs together with a couple of tablespoons of milk starting to incorporate some of the flour as you go.
3) Continue to add the milk a few tablespoons at a time, whisking as you go, gradually incorporating the flour. This will help create a smooth batter.
4) Once all the ingredients are combined, leave the batter to rest for 30 minutes.
5) Preheat a non stick frying pan over a medium heat, brushing the inside with a thin coating of oil.
6) Pour in a small amount of batter and swirl it around the pan for an even coating.
7) As it cooks, watch for the pancake to start coming away from the edges of the pan, then loosen under the pancake with a spatula.
8) Confidently toss your pancake (or carefully turn over) to cook the other side, they are ready once lightly browned each side.
9) Continue cooking the rest of the batter, brushing the pans with a little oil in between each new pancake.
Serve sprinkled with sugar and lemon juice, or any indulgent topping of your choice!
Recipe courtesy of Hen Corner
This entry was posted in Recipes on February 6th, 2018 by helenkennedy
From 18 January 2018, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone applies to everyone who keeps poultry or captive birds in England. From 25 January 2018 there’s a similar Prevention Zone in Wales.
Here’s some helpful tips:
-
- Place your birds’ food and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and remove any spilled feed regularly.
- Keep your equipment clean and tidy and regularly disinfect hard surfaces. Use disinfectant such as Virkon.
- Clean footwear before and after visiting your birds
- Ensure clothing that you use when handling your chickens is washed after contact.
- Use Run Covers
- Keep moveable coops in the same place – If coops are moving to fresh ground there is more chance of coming into contact with wild bird faeces.
- Keep a close eye on your chickens. If you have any signs of illness, seek advice from a qualified vet.
This entry was posted in Chickens on February 1st, 2018 by helenkennedy