Feeling Flat? To Bread…

During the current situation we have found ourselves in, many people are turning to baking. Did you know 32% of bakers say they find baking therapeutic? It is a form of mindfulness that also delivers mouth-watering results.

With flour as a staple food throughout the world and around 12 million loaves of bread produced daily in the UK alone, it is unsurprising that bread continues to unite us across the globe.

The National Association of British and Irish Millers represents UK flour millers. Earlier this year, before the pandemic, our friends at nabim launched the  ‘Fab Flour Easy Peasy baking campaign’  to encourage non-bakers to learn a new skill, build their confidence in the kitchen or simply enjoy a fresh challenge. As part of their mission to inspire non-bakers and encourage them to get into the kitchen as a great way to help the nation stay safe, stay inside and stay happy, they're sharing store cupboard recipes.

Our miller partners have experienced unprecedented numbers of orders via their websites, and yeast has become like gold-dust!

If you have just started baking, or perhaps would like to share a simple recipe with family and friends - here is an ‘Easy Peasy’ yeast free recipe…


Flatbreads with Tzatziki Dip

Flatbread

Makes 6 flatbreads

Ingredients

Dip: (optional)

1.       100g natural yoghurt
2.       50g cucumber (grated)
3.       1 tsp mint sauce 

Flatbreads:
1
.         200g self-raising flour
2.         ½ tsp baking powder
3.         200g natural yoghurt
4.         100g melted butter
5.         1 tsp cumin seeds

Equipment
1.       Mixing bowl
2.       Rolling pin
3.       Non-stick frying pan
4.       Bowl for dip
5.       Grater

Method

 1.       To make the dip, grate the cucumber and squeeze out the excess liquid into the sink with your hands. Then place the grated cucumber into the serving bowl, add the yoghurt and mint sauce and mix.

2.       For the flatbreads, combine the flour, baking powder and cumin seeds in the mixing bowl, then add the yoghurt and 30g of the melted butter to form a dough. Lightly flour your work surface. Turn out the dough onto the floured surface and knead for a few minutes.

3.       Heat up your frying pan to a medium-high heat. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions and roll out into 15-20cm circles.

4.       Place each one into the hot pan one at a time and cook for 2 minutes on each side until slightly puffed and toasted. Once cooked, rub them with the remaining melted butter and serve whole or sliced into strips for dipping.

Recipe from the FAB Flour Easy Peasy Baking campaign, launched by nabim.

 

And for your lockdown top tips… 

Staying inside and baking does not mean that you also must be equipped - The Easy Peasy Baking Campaign has come up with some super fun Top Ten Tips and Equipment Swaps, so you’ll be baking ready in no time – just from your everyday household items!

Easy Peasy Baking Campaign Equipment Swaps

1.           Use a wine bottle as a rolling pin (a full or empty bottle – it’s your choice!)
2.           No need for fancy cookie cutters, a glass or cup works just as well!
3.           Simply does it – swap out a fork for a whisk.
4.           No need to panic about not having a proper cooling rack – a grill tray will do the job just fine!
5.           Pastry brushes can be swapped for paper towels (or even clean fingers) for egg washing and greasing.
6.           Why not swap out rice, flour, or even coins on top of baking paper instead of investing in baking beans?
7.           No piping bag? No problem! Cut the corner of a sandwich bag to create your very own piping bag at home.
8.           Simply whip cream by shaking it in a jar – you won’t miss the electric hand whisk!
9.           If you don't have cupcake cases - try cutting out squares of baking paper and squishing them over the bottom of a pint glass.
10.         Save time chopping nuts – and not with a blender. Simply pop them in a bag (take out the air!) and bash with a heavy object until crushed!

And for novice bakers, the Easy Peasy Baking Campaign also has Ten Top Tips for those just starting out on their baking journey!

1.           Set oven shelves at the correct height, before you turn the oven on.
2.           Before you begin anything, assemble all your ingredients and equipment and read the recipe – TWICE.
3.           Always match your tins to the size stated in the recipe.
4.           Test your baking powder by putting a small amount into warm water – it should go frothy!
5.           Wet your hands before working with something gooey like gingerbread or flapjacks to stop the mixture sticking to your hands.
6.           If you don’t have softened butter ready, grate your cold butter instead. Wash your hands in cold water first, and if the butter starts to melt, just dip it in flour.
7.           If you drop eggshell into your mixture – simply use an empty half-shell to remove it.
8.           Pop toothpicks in a line around the sides of your cake and use them to guide a bread knife to cut even layers.
9.           When cutting brownies, flapjacks or other sticky foods – heat your knife in hot water first.
10.         Microwave citrus fruits for 5-10 seconds to make them easier to juice.

 

 

 You can find more Easy Peasy Baking recipes and information on the campaign over on the FAB Flour website: https://fabflour.co.uk/easy-peasy-bakes/ or on social: @fab_flour on Instagram or @fabflour on Facebook and Twitter.