Easter Bun Recipe (easy one)

This is Jo Seagers easy Easter bun recipe. Im all for simple and easy, and this seems to be it!

4t dried active yeast (15g)
1¼ C warm water, at bath  temperature
2t sugar
7 C white high-grade flour, or 3½ C white and 3½ C wholemeal
1½ t salt
¼ C caster sugar
¾ C raisins or sultanas
½ C currants
½ C chopped crystalised peel  (75g)
2T cinnamon
2T mixed spice
2C warm milk (500 ml), at bath  temperature
75g melted butter
1 egg, beaten

For the crosses

¾ C flour
¾ C water

For the glaze

¼ C sugar
2 T water

Method

In a bowl combine the yeast,  warm water and sugar.  Leave in a warm place until the mixture becomes frothy  (approx 15 minutes).

In a large mixing bowl combine all the dry  ingredients and fruit. Make a well in the middle and pour in the warm milk,  melted butter, beaten egg and yeast mixture. Mix well  then turn the dough out onto a floured bench and knead  the mixture. I find it will  take at least 10 minutes (200  times).

Divide dough into 30 pieces and roll into buns. Place on two baking trays sprayed with non-stick baking spray, cover with  cling film or a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place (hot water cupboard) until the buns have doubled in size, approximately one hour.

Preheat oven to 220 [Degree] C. For the crosses, place flour and cold water in a small Ziploc bag, seal and squish it  together to form a sticky  paste.Snip one corner of the  bag and pipe out crosses on to the buns. Bake for about  20 minutes.

Mix the caster sugar and water glaze and brush over the hot cross buns as they come out of the oven. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 30.

Insane dieting

I dont subscribe to insane crash diets at all, however, in saying that, i have been sticking to living on a really nasty high protien starvation diet thing in the last week or so, and will be for another couple of weeks.

Basicly eating only non-fat meat, and some vegetables & fruit, and in small portions. The reason is as follows.

My brother needs a Kidney. Im donating him one, this has been on and off for years now due to hospitals, but it seems they are finally over all the silly tests and are going ahead with it. Currently my BMI is ok for surgery however the more ‘normal’ my BMI and less fat i have the better it will go for everyone. So i really need to drop as much weight off – or up to 10kg – in the next month as I can.

I tell you its hard ass,  ive had the off no-no item, but yeah its really not something you would want to do unless it was for saving your brothers life 😀

And my favourite news article today will be …..


http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/2288974/Drug-carrier-at-wrong-prison

“A would-be drug smuggler was so addled from her stash that she went to Christchurch Men’s Prison with a car full of drugs when she intended to go to the women’s prison.”

Lollicake Recipe

1 packet crushed malt biscuits,
1/2 tin sweetened condensed milk,
1/2 cup chopped eskimo lollies,
4 oz butter, coconut.

Melt butter and condensed mlik. Add lollies and crushed biscuits. Mix together until combined. Roll into log shape. Sprinkle with coconut.

Double the recipe so you dont end up with half cans of stuff 🙂