Treasure Trails – the fun way to explore

15th Nov 202015th Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsblyth, Days Out With The Kids, nebloggers, nefollowers, newcastle, northeast, northumberland, staycations, Things To Do 2020, Tyne And Wear1 Comment

If you follow us on social media, you’ve probably seen me mention Treasure Trails before. We absolutely love them! We’ve completed five trails in 2020 so far. If you’ve never heard of them before, I’ll share a little info about them below.

What is a Treasure Trail? A real-life adventure that fires up the imagination and gets you exploring the most interesting parts of the UK. Treasure Trails are a captivating challenge that combines mind-twisting clues with fascinating stories. Best thing about them, they’re suitable for the whole family!

How does it work? You follow the self-guided Treasure Trail through the winding backstreets and hidden corners of villages, towns and cities around the UK. Cracking the clues along the route to unlock the story and solve the mystery.

“Follow the trail, solve the clues, see the sights”.

We’re a fan of the Murder Mystery style trails but there’s also Treasure Hunts and Spy Missions available. The trails we’ve completed have all been about 2-3 miles to walk and take about 2 hours to complete.

We’ve always chosen trails that are centred in and around places we’ve visited loads of times before. Despite this, each trail has shown us something we’d never seen before and most of the clues still made us think. Knowing a place doesn’t give you an advantage when completing a trail, which I really liked.

The Treasure Trails are priced at £9.99 and can be bought from https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk. Check out how many trails are local to you, you might be pleasantly surprised. I certainly was! I think the trails are great value for money. They’re brilliant for getting the kids out and exploring. The trails can still be enjoyed under *current* COVID restrictions, just remember to keep your distance and follow the guidelines.

Once you’ve completed your trail, you can submit your findings on the Treasure Trails website where you’ll also be entered in to their monthly prize draw.

Overall, Treasure Trails offer a fantastic day out for everyone for less than the price of your average takeaway! Massive thumbs up from all of us.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve completed a Treasure Trail and what you thought about it.

A Pig In A Blanket In A Duvet – easy peasy Sausage Rolls

15th Nov 202015th Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, blyth, Christmas 2020, Christmas baking, cooking with kids, easy peasy sausage rolls, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, instafood, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastledining, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, sausage roll recipe, sausage rolls, Tyne And WearLeave a comment

A festive nod to this classic snack.

INGREDIENTS
– 450g Sausage Meat
– 8 Rashers of Back Bacon
– 1 Pack of Ready Made Puff Pastry
– Egg Wash
– Poppy Seeds

METHOD
1) Preheat your oven to Gas 6 or equivalent.
2) Unwrap the puff pastry.
3) Cut the pastry in half lengthways.
4) Lay 4 rashers of bacon down the middle of each pastry strip.
5) Split the sausage meat in two and add it on top of the bacon.

6) Roll the pastry tightly around the bacon and sausage meat.
7) Seal the edges with a little water and keep the join on the bottom of the rolls.
8) Cut each length in to 4 (or however many portions you want).
9) Place the sausage rolls on to a baking tray and brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
10) Bake for 20-25 mins or until golden brown.

I love these sausage rolls when they’re fresh out the oven but they’re just as tasty cold. I have mine with cranberry sauce while my husband and Harry prefer HP. What’s your sauce of choice when enjoying a sausage roll?

Festive Scotch Eggs

10th Nov 202010th Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, blyth, Christmas 2020, Christmas baking, cooking with kids, festive food, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, instafood, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastledining, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, scotch egg recipe, Tyne And WearLeave a comment

A seasonal twist to this British classic with turkey sausage meat, sage & onion stuffing and cranberry sauce.

INGREDIENTS

6 hard or soft boiled eggs
450g Turkey Sausage Meat
100g Sage & Onion Stuffing
50g Cranberry Sauce
Plain Flour
Egg Wash
Breadcrumbs

METHOD

Peel the boiled eggs. In a bowl mix the sausage meat with the stuffing and cranberry sauce until well combined.

Divide the sausage meat mixture in to 6. Take one portion and flatten it on the palm of your hand. Place an egg in the centre of the meat then, using your other hand, encase the egg completely. Repeat with the rest of the eggs.

Dip each Scotch Egg in to the flour, then the egg wash then the breadcrumbs. The Scotch Eggs can then be fried or oven baked until the sausage meat is cooked and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

The Scotch Eggs can be eaten hot or cold and are a perfect edition to a Christmas Cheese Board.

No Bake Gingerbread Cheesecake

9th Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, blyth, Christmas 2020, Christmas baking, cooking with kids, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, gingerbread, gingerbread cheesecake, instafood, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastledining, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, no bake cheesecake, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, Tyne And WearLeave a comment

A deliciously creamy and spicy festive treat.

INGREDIENTS
250g Ginger Biscuits
100g Butter
200g Full Fat Cream Cheese
50g Icing Sugar
100ml Double Cream
2 tsp Ground Ginger
Canny little gingerbread figures to decorate (you can make your own or cheat, like I did, and use shop bought)

METHOD
Ground the biscuits and melt the butter. Combine together well then press the mixture firmly in to lined springform tin. I’ve used a 6” round tin but you can use a 7” or even 8” (your layers will just be thinner).
Pop the tin in to the freezer to firm up the base. While the base is setting, make the filling. In a bowl, stir together the cream cheese, icing sugar and ground ginger. In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream until it thickens and peaks hold. Combine the whisked double cream with the ginger cream cheese mixture. Take the chilled base from the freezer and add the filling. Smooth the top and pop the tin in to the fridge. It’ll take at least 4 hours to set completely. Once chilled, remove from the fridge and run a knife around the edge in between the cheesecake and the tin. Carefully remove the cheesecake from the tin. I’ve decorated the cheesecake with ginger biscuit crumbs, swirls of whipped cream and gingerbread figures but it’s entirely up to you how you decorate yours. Store the cheesecake in the fridge. It’ll be good for up to 3 days (if it lasts that long!)

This is a pretty simple recipe thats good to involve older children. Evie (10 years old) really enjoyed crushing the biscuits and whisking the double cream. Fancy giving it a go? Let me know in the comments how you find it.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge

6th Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, blyth, chocolate fudge, cooking with kids, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, homemade gift ideas, instafood, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, slow cooker baking, slow cooker recipes, Tyne And WearLeave a comment

As you’ve probably guessed by now, I do enjoy slow cooker baking. One recipe that I make often is slow cooker fudge. It’s so simple, turns out really well, and tastes great!

The base recipe for Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge calls for just two ingredients – condensed milk and chocolate. You can then let your imagination go wild with flavour combinations. Our favourites include Oreo, Chocolate Orange, Rum & Raisin and Mint Aero.

INGREDIENTS
– 500g Chocolate (I usually use 250g milk and 250g dark)
– 397g Condensed Milk

Break the chocolate in to the Slow Cooker and turn on to LOW.

Add the condensed milk and stir. Leaving the lid off the Slow Cooker, let the chocolate melt. It will take about an hour for it to melt completely. Stir the mixture every 15 minutes.

Once the chocolate has melted completely and combined with the condensed milk, add your flavourings. Depending on what I’m adding, I usually stir some through the mix now then keep some aside to sprinkle on top.

Using oven gloves, carefully lift the Slow Cooker pot out and pour the mixture in to a lined tin. Smooth it out, add any toppings and press them in to the fudge. Pop the tin in to the fridge. The fudge will take about 4 hours to set but it’s best left over night.

Once it’s set completely, remove from the tin and cut in to chunks.

You can box the fudge up to give out to friends and family or keep it all for yourself.

Let me know in the comments if you’re going to give Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge a try and which flavours you’ll be using.

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Bar

5th Nov 20205th Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, blyth, bonfire night ideas, cooking with kids, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, instafood, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastledining, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, slow cooker recipes, Tyne And Wear1 Comment

A tasty winter warmer the whole family can enjoy.

This couldn’t be simpler – throw your powder and milk in to the SC, give it a quick mix then leave it to warm through. Serve and enjoy.

I’ve made enough for 4-5 servings so used

15 heaped teaspoons of hot chocolate powder
1200ml of milk (I’ve used full fat so it’s extra creamy)

Pop the hot chocolate powder and milk in to your slow cooker, give it a mix then turn the slow cooker on to high. It’ll take about 2 hours to warm through completely. Once it’s at the desired temperature, turn the slow cooker down to low. The hot chocolate can be left in the slow cooker until ready to serve.

Using a ladle, decant the hot chocolate in to cups then let everyone add their extras. I’m a squirty cream and glug of baileys kinda gal.

Let me know how you serve your hot chocolate in the comments.

S’mores Grazing Board

5th Nov 20205th Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, blyth, bonfire night ideas, cooking with kids, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, grazing board, instafood, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastledining, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, s’mores, Tyne And Wear1 Comment

Perfect for a night in the garden sat around the chimnea.

I’m a massive fan of grazing boards because you can feed your family easily and everyone gets exactly what they like – what’s not to love?!

When it comes to grazing boards, whether its sweet or savoury, anything goes. Taylor it to exactly what you know will get eaten so nothing is wasted.

If you’re making s’mores – don’t forget the skewers. Melt the marshmallows, pop it on a biscuit or cracker (we use rich tea) add your toppings and sandwich it all between another biscuit or cracker. Yummy, delicious gooey-ness!

At Home Hot Dog Station

4th Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, bonfire night ideas, cooking with kids, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, instafood, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, slow cooker recipes, Tyne And WearLeave a comment

Another use for my favourite appliance – the slow cooker.

Everyone eats hotdogs on Bonfire Night, right? And this is ideal for a night in with the family. What I love about this is it can all be prepared well in advance and brought out when needed. Simply warm the hotdogs in the SC then let everyone help themselves.

Topping Ideas (some of our favourites)

– Beef Chilli
– BBQ Beans
– Coleslaw
– Cheese
– Gherkins
– Crispy onions
– Jalapeños
– Crushed Tortilla Chips
– Sauerkraut
– Fried Chorizo

Sides like salad, garlic potatoes and onion rings always go down well.

What’s your favourite hotdog topping? Let me know in the comments.

Bonfire Night Cupcakes

3rd Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, blyth, bonfire night cupcakes, bonfire night ideas, cooking with kids, cupcakes, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, instafood, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastledining, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, Tyne And WearLeave a comment

Super cute design to celebrate the 5th of November

INGREDIENTS

150g margarine
150g caster sugar
3 eggs
120g SR flour
30g cocoa powder
200g butter
400g icing sugar
matchmakers
mini marshmallows

To Make The Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4 or equivalent. Cream the caster sugar and margarine together (the longer you do this, the lighter and fluffier the mix will be). Add the eggs, SR flour and cocoa powder. Mix until all combined. Divide the mixture between cupcake cases and bake for about 20 mins. Remove from the oven, place on a wire rack and allow to cool.

To Decorate

Mix the butter and icing sugar together with a dash of milk. Beat until smooth. Add a small amount of orange food colouring and mix. Using a piping bag and a 2D tip (optional) pipe the orange buttercream on to each cupcake in a tall swirl. Using matchmakers, arrange “sticks” up the side of the buttercream swirl to get the look of your campfire. Add a skewer of mini marshmallows (toasted, if you like) and serve.

Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes

3rd Nov 2020 northeasteatsandkidsBaking With Kids, blyth, cooking with kids, foodblog, foodie, foodpics, instafood, jacket potatoes, lovefood, nebloggers, nefollowers, nefoodies, newcastle, newcastledining, newcastleeats, newcastlefoodie, northeast, northeasteats, northumberland, slow cooker recipes, Tyne And WearLeave a comment

Have you tried these before? It’s my favourite way to make Jacket Potatoes

What You’ll Need

White Potatoes
Oil
Salt
Pepper
Tin Foil
Slow Cooker

Wash your potatoes and pat dry.

Using a fork, prick the potatoes all over.

Drizzle with oil, season with salt & pepper. Rub the oil and seasoning over the potatoes.

Wrap the potatoes in foil.

Place the potatoes in your slow cooker and pop the lid on. The potatoes will take 4-5 hours to cook on high. I have left them longer (over 6 hours) and they didn’t burn.

Serve and enjoy!

Will you be giving Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes a go? What’s your favourite Jacket Potato topping?

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