Have you ended up with a little more chocolate than you bargained for over Easter? Help make a dent in your stash with these Easter chocolate recipes and serving ideas.
Cereal Bowl
Fill half a chocolate egg with cereal. Add the milk. Get stuck in.
Image from Pinterest
Dippy Eggs
Creme Eggs and shortbread soldiers.
Chocolate Bark
Melt some chocolate. Spread it out on greaseproof paper. Add chocolate and sprinkles. Leave it to set. Smash and enjoy.
Image from Pinterest
Chocolate Nests
The classic. To melted chocolate add cornflakes. Pop in to cupcake cases and push chocolate eggs in to the “nests”. Leave to set then serve.
Easter “Scotch Eggs”
These can be made by wrapping a Creme egg (or Oreo egg or caramel egg or Hershey’s egg…you get the idea) with whizzed up brownie or cookie dough then rolling in chocolate crumbs.
Image from Pinterest
Ice Cream Sundae
Fill a chocolate egg with ice cream. Add wafers, sprinkles, sauce, whatever you fancy.
Image from Pinterest
The Best Hot Chocolate
Add a chocolate egg to hot milk and wait for it to melt.
Easter Irish Cream
One for the adults. Serve Irish Cream in a chocolate rabbit.
Do you have any other ways to use up left over Easter chocolate? If you do, let me know in the comments.
A few years ago, Morrisons was hands down my least favourite supermarket. There was just *something* about their stores I didn’t like. And while the other big supermarkets moved to offer online shopping, Morrisons didn’t – they seemed to stick their head in the sand hoping the internet would disappear. This confirmed what I’d always suspected about Morrisons – it was dated and out of touch.
In recent years though, huge improvements have been taking place and Morrisons is now up there with their rivals. It’s not only me that’s noticing these positive changes, between November 2020 and January 2021, Morrisons saw better growth than any of the other ‘big four’ supermarkets, with sales up 14.3%, according to market analyst Kantar.
So, after avoiding the place for many years, below are the reasons why I now love Morrisons
Afternoon Tea
Priced at just £5 per person, in terms of value for money, I honestly don’t think this one can be beaten. You get everything you’d expect from a classic Afternoon Tea including a selection of sandwiches, pork pie, fruit scone with jam & cream and a variety of cakes. Due to current government guidelines, the cafes are open for takeaway only so, although afternoon tea can’t be enjoyed on site, you can pick one up to take home or to a local park. The afternoon teas (and everything else on their cafe menu) can be ordered via https://www.morrisons.com/cafe/splash
Morrisons Afternoon Tea For Two
Dine In Deal
A Dine In Deal to compete with the ever popular M&S meal deal, Morrisons current Dine In Deal is a main for 2, a side for 2, a dessert for 2 and a bottle of wine for only £12. It’s a perfect lockdown night in treat. Check what’s available through the offer here https://groceries.morrisons.com/offers/the-best-dine-in-for-12-1004780728
Dine In Deal
Eggs
In February 2020, Morrisons stopped selling eggs from caged chickens and now only sells free-range eggs.
No More Eggs From Caged Chickens
Food Boxes
“From essentials to occasions and surprises – there’s lots in a box!” Whether you’re ordering for yourself or to send to someone else, Morrisons have created a range of boxes to be delivered straight to yours – or someone else’s door. The range includes the cupboard essentials box, family meal box and the big night in box. Morrisons have recently added Recipe Boxes which are good alternatives to the likes of Gusto and Hello Fresh. I’m yet to try Morrisons Food Boxes but I’ve heard great things about them. Want to learn more about the boxes? https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/
5 Meals To Feed A Family Of 4 Box
Grocery Delivery Through Amazon Prime
Morrisons has teamed up with online giant Amazon to create a brand new way for customers to get their shopping. With a minimum spend of £15 and two hour delivery slots (usually same day but occasionally next day) Morrisons On Amazon is ideal for small top ups and essential items. Eligible Prime members can also enjoy free same-day delivery on orders over £40. We’ve used the service a few times now and I think it’s brilliant. To see if Morrisons On Amazon is operating in your area, check https://www.amazon.co.uk/alm/storefront?almBrandId=TW9ycmlzb25z
Food To Order
Morrisons Food To Order range promises to take the stress out of preparing food for your celebration by offering ready to eat platters and desserts. Simply place your order, collect and serve. Due to COVID, Morrisons Food To Order service has been temporarily suspended but if you’d like to see what they normally offer, browse here https://my.morrisons.com/foodtoorder/
Continental Platter
Too Good To Go
Morrisons customers have made use of 100,000 meals and saved 100 tonnes of food from going to waste by using the ground-breaking app, Too Good to Go, over the last year. Morrisons is the first supermarket to use the app, which is designed to prevent edible food being thrown away. For just a couple of pound, Morrisons customers can grab a box like the one pictured below. You have to be quick to get one of these as they’re always in very high demand.
Morrisons Too Good To Go
Work In The Community
Morrisons have really stepped up during the pandemic: from offering discount on groceries for key and essential workers to playing their part in the ongoing fight against food poverty, they’ve led by example and for that they should be truly proud.
Over half term, Morrisons donated 60,000 free pizza making kits to help stop hunger during the holidays
Do you enjoy shopping in Morrisons? Let me know in the comments if you’re a Morrisons fan like me.
A mix of gorgeous homemade ideas and locally bought gifts to give on Sunday, 14th March 2021.
NB. because I’m from Newcastle, I will be using Mam instead of Mum in this post.
Breakfast In Bed
Start your Mam’s day the best possible way with a Mother’s Day breakfast. You can step it up a notch by preparing breakfast in bed that your Mam can enjoy at her leisure, without having to move a muscle.
If you don’t class yourself as a whizz in the kitchen and worried that you’ll burn even toast, you can order one of these “Breakfast In A Box” from Graze On The Tyne (https://m.facebook.com/itsmevivb/)
Greetings Card
The quintessential Mother’s Day gift and perfect for involving the little ones. Struggling for inspiration? Check out this Pinterest board for ideas https://pin.it/3TqNLGu
Chocolate Bark is so easy to make and it can be tailored to anyone’s taste. Simply melt a mix of chocolate (we prefer milk and dark) spread it on to greaseproof paper, add any toppings you want then leave to set. Break it up and pop in to a bag.
The classic Mother’s Day gift. Every year I’ve received a bunch of daffodils. For me, the bright yellow flowers signal the official start to Spring (and this year, especially, Spring is very much welcomed).
Freshly baked plain scones with jam and cream (or cream and jam) – my absolute guilty pleasure.
If you want to go all out, this Afternoon Tea remains one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating, it’s available to order now from https://www.facebook.com/lazydayzcafe/
Cheese And Charcuterie Board
Is your Mam more of a savoury over sweet person? Than a cheese and charcuterie board is a perfect option.
Channel your inner bartender and make a round of (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) cocktails.
Prefer to leave the mixing to the professionals? Check out https://m.facebook.com/thatbarbloke/ for a range of pre-made drinks that taste just like you’re in a bar.
Pamper Night
This Homemade Salt Scrub is a lovely way to unwind and de-stress. The basic recipe of 1 cup of Sea Salt to 1/4 cup of Almond Oil can be personalised with 10-20 drops of Essential Oil. We really like eucalyptus.
Add the perfect finishing touch to a relaxing bath with anything from Cameron York Candles. This is the only places I’ll buy my wax melts from, the fragrances are absolutely gorgeous! Cameron York are usually at Tynemouth and Durham market but their range is currently available to order online at https://cameronyorkcandles.co.uk
Of all the Mother’s Day gifts you could get, without a doubt, the gift of your time and thoughtfulness will be the best received.
Every year, the magic of the wizarding world is celebrated on International Harry Potter Day, with fans across the globe partaking in Potter-orientated activities.
What is Harry Potter Day?
According to the Harry Potter books, The Battle Of Hogwarts took place on 2nd May 1998. International Harry Potter Day is the anniversary of the date Voldemort was finally defeated.
Ideas For Celebrating The Day
– Start Re-Reading The Books
Take it back to where it all began and immerse yourself once again in J.K. Rowlings magical realm. The books are also available on Audible if you’d prefer to listen to Stephen Fry narrate them to you.
– Movie Marathon
Snuggle in with a glass of Butter Beer and enjoy back-to-back films. Sky have recently introduced Sky Cinema Harry Potter HD on Channel 302 (we’ve recorded all of the films and saved them to our planner).
– Horcrux Scavenger Hunt
Fancy yourself as the ultimate seeker? This might not be a game of quidditch but it’s a fun activity. Ask a muggle to write the clues and hide the items then get hunting.
– HP Inspired Afternoon Tea
Cookie glasses, chocolate frogs, brownie spell books, Hogwarts cupcakes, chocolate mousse Screaming Mandrakes…if you’re planning an HP inspired Afternoon Tea, head over to Pinterest for ideas and inspiration https://pin.it/3F4ROiE
– Potterheads Quiz
If you’re not all quizzed out and think you know your spells from your incantations, your Fred from your George Weasley then check out the muggle version of the O.W.L.S and take one of the many HP quizzes available online.
– Recreate Hogwarts At Home
Whether it’s The Great Hall, The Potions Classroom or The Griffindor Common Room again, Pinterest is your friend https://pin.it/3F4ROiE
Previously Pottermore, Wizarding World is the official online home of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Discover your Hogwarts House, summon your patronus or take part in your own wand ceremony. Brilliant site packed with activities, fun features and latest news.
– Wizard Escape Room
Breaking out of Azkaban might be easier than getting out of this free virtual escape room but it’s definitely worth a try! Visit https://www.thehogwartsescape.com and give it a go.
If you are celebrating on May 2nd, Repello Muggletum!
The more recognisable name for Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day marks the start of the build-up to Easter. It is the day before Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent) and, traditionally, pancakes are made to use up foods usually given up for the 40 day fast. This year, Pancake Day falls on the 16th February.
PANCAKE RECIPE (3, 2, 1 Method)
A foolproof crêpe recipe that ensures perfectly flippable pancakes every time.
Ingredients
– 300ml Milk
– 2 Eggs
– 100g Plain Flour
Method
1. Combine all of the ingredients together and whisk to form a smooth batter.
2. Set a frying pan over a low-medium heat with a little bit of oil.
3. Pour the batter in to the pan, enough so the bottom of the pan is covered in a thin layer.
4. Leave the pancake to cook. About 2 mins per side or until golden and cooked through.
5. Remove from the pan and serve with your favourite toppings.
TOP TIPS
Use a good, non-stick pan. We’ve recent updated our pans to a Scoville NeverStick set and a decent pan makes a huge difference.
If you can, let your batter rest at room temperature for 30 mins before using.
When attempting the flip, use a fish slice to carefully ease the edges of the pancake away from the pan. If this step is a bit of a struggle, leave the pancake to cook a little longer.
TOPPING IDEAS
Some of our favourites are
• Lemon & Sugar
• Nutella
• Caramelised Banana & Syrup
• Biscoff
• Strawberries & Squirty Cream
• Cinnamon Sugar
• Icecream
• Mango & Yoghurt
• Golden Syrup
• As you can see, we prefer sweet toppings. However, using pancakes instead of pasta in Cannelloni is a game changer.
Whether you’re enjoying Pancake Day as one last blow out before Lent or just because, have a flippin’ great day!
1. Pour the oil in to a roasting tray and pop it in to the oven (Gas Mark 6 or equivalent).
2. Cut each unpeeled potato in to 2 or 3 pieces.
3. Add the potato chunks in to a pan of water and put on to boil.
4. Once the potatoes are on a rolling boil, turn the heat down so the water is simmering. Leave the potatoes to cook for another 6-7 mins.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and drain the potatoes. Pop the potatoes back in to the empty pan and add the lid. Shake the potatoes vigorously, hard enough to remove the potato skin (I love this method because it saves peeling them, thank you TikTok for the tip).
6. Carefully, take the hot oiled tray from the oven and add the potatoes in. They will sizzle as you add them. Turn the potatoes so they are evenly coated with oil.
7. Roast the potatoes for 20-25 mins then turn them over.
8. Roast them for a further 20-25 mins or until they achieve a golden brown colour.
9. Remove from the oven and place the roast potatoes on kitchen roll.
North East Eats and Kids 