theWI Adderbury & District WI – Burns Night Menu of the Week – Thursday, 28th January 2016 – Burns Night Plus Three!
Our Burns Night Menu of the Week supper was excellent, truly it was. A simple, easy menu that was very quick and easily put together and tonight we have made another Mock Haggis microwave cooking it this time in just 15 minutes. The first haggis was cooked in our Prestige pressure cooker in 40 minutes, that is 30 minutes steaming, lidded but minus the three-piece weight, then cooked for 10 minutes with the 5lb. weight in place. The pressure was reduced slowly because a quick release could make the pudding sink, and that took about 45 minutes. It turned out well onto a warmed plate and then I added a trail of hot gravy and the mock haggis was complete. We served it with a jug of extra gravy plus mashed tatties and neeps which made for an excellent supper. Cock A Leekie soup made with vegetables, chicken stock, long grain rice plus diced cooked chicken which I added 15 minutes before end time plus the prunes which were really delicious in the hot soup. The soup was made in a medium-sized saucepan with leeks, carrots, celery, a little turnip and a Bouquet Garni. The recipe uses a small fresh chicken cooked in water in a large lidded pan with the herbs but as we had left-over roasted chicken from the previous evening, it was a simple matter to strip the carcass and cut up the meat. The WI recipe for the dessert was adapted by Diane Sanderson who is a Home Economics Adviser and what she created was a simplified version of the traditional Scottish Dessert, Cranachan, which also includes toasted oatmeal with sugar which is then soaked overnight in a little whisky. The oatmeal mix is then either layered with the whipped cream and crushed or pureed raspberries or used to decorate to top, with a few whole raspberries. Diane’s Raspberry Burns Night Dessert omits the oatmeal but includes a little sweet white wine, plus whisky, and the dessert is served with shortbread fingers or petticoat tails. It was absolutely delicious. I omitted the whisky altogether as I didn’t have any and because I don’t like it, but I know it definitely adds its own distinctive flavour of whisky smokiness which lifts the dessert out of the delicious to the sublime. I’ve not made the Wassail Cup yet but I might just make it this weekend or sometime soon. I’m sure it will be delicious! Here are my photos for you to see… Happy eating… Margaret Halstead...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District WI – Burns Night for Menu of the Week – Tuesday, 26th January 2016 – Burns Night Plus One!
Dear Ladies, My apologies for being a day late with this week’s menu for Burns Night and I do hope all of our Scottish Cousins enjoyed an excellent celebration for this year’s Burns Night festivities xxx Menu of the week Welcome to the WI’s meal ideas for using fresh seasonal British produce. Recipes on our site include new contemporary dishes as well as family favorites making use of the WI’s huge wealth of food talents gained over nearly 100 years. Some recipes are quickly made whereas others will take a bit more time and skill. There is something here for everybody. This week’s recipes celebrate Burns Night for our Scottish Cousins. A traditional dinner of broth, haggis and a creamy dessert is proposed full of warmth, flavour and some whisky! – See more at: https://www.thewi.org.uk/what-we-do/recipes/menu-of-the-week#sthash.1pHMptSi.dpuf Some of our recipes use left over vegetables and other foods in your fridge and cupboard, but we also have other great ideas in our recipe pages, just click on the links on the left hand menu. For even more ideas on how to make meals from left overs, see www.lovefoodhatewaste.com Starter Cock a Leekie Soup Main Mock Haggis Dessert Raspberry Burns Night Dessert Drink Wassail Cup or a measure of Scotch Whisky For other ideas, including other vegetarian recipes, follow the link or click on the link on the left hand menu. – See more at: https://www.thewi.org.uk/what-we-do/recipes/menu-of-the-week#sthash.W4sGBVzB.dpuf Here are the receipes for this week’s Menu for Burns Night… Cock A Leekie Soup A traditional Scottish soup guaranteed to warm and nourish. Healthy -providing protein from the chicken and lots of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables 1 Chicken or Fowl, small 2 litres Water 2 Carrots, chopped 1 stalk of Celery, chopped 4 Leeks, medium sized, sliced 1/4 Turnip, chopped 2 tbsp Long Grain Rice Bouquet Garni Seasoning and a few Prunes 1. Joint the bird and bring to the boil in a large, lidded pan together with the bouquet garni 2. Simmer for 2 hours 3. Remove the chicken and serve separately if desired, if not add the meat to the soup 4. Prepare the vegetables and add with the rice to the soup, simmer for another hour, adding the prunes 15 mins before the end 5. Check the seasoning and serve hot sprinkled with chopped parsley – See more at: https://www.thewi.org.uk/what-we-do/recipes/starters/cock-a-leekie-soup#sthash.u0QXmLQP.dpuf Mock Haggis Traditionally served in Scotland, particularly for Burns night; this recipe can be made from food easy to purchase, south of the border. This dish is high in protein, containing both animal proten from the meat as well as cereal protein from the oatmeal. Excellent for growing bodies Serves 3 -4 250g cooked preferably Lamb/Beef, minced 50g Suet, chopped 1 Onion, chopped 100g Oatmeal 250ml Stock/Gravy, preferably Lamb or Beef Seasoning 1. Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly and moisten with enough stock or gravy to bind, season well 2. Place in a gresaed pudding bowl and steam for 2hrs 3. Serve with “Neeps and Tatties” (creamed potatoes and mashed turnips) – See more at: https://www.thewi.org.uk/what-we-do/recipes/meat/mock-haggis#sthash.HWkeibQw.dpuf Raspberry Burns Night Dessert A twist on Cranachan, a beautiful creamy dessert. Scottish raspberries will be perfect for this dish but if they are not availaible UK grown fresh berries will taste superb Serves 4 – 6 225g Raspberries 50g Caster Sugar 275ml Whipping Cream 140ml Sweet White Wine 1 tot of Scottish Whisky 1. Look over the raspberries and choose a few of the best as decoartion 2. Bruise the rest gently and sprinkle with sugar, allow to rest for 30 minutes if time permits 3. Whip the cream stiffly 4. Fold in the...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District WI – Our Face Book Posting – Thursday, 21st January 2016 – Birthday Greetings
Dear Ladies, I thought you might like to see our Post for today. Adderbury & District WI and 2 others shared The British Monarchy‘s post. The British Monarchy 17 hrs · We’re wishing a very Happy Birthday to The Countess of Wessex today! INSTAGRAM The British Monarchy on Instagram: “Wishing a very Happy Birthday to The Countess of Wessex… Adderbury & District WI shared The British Monarchy‘spost. 10 mins · Happy Birthday wishes to The Countess of Wessex today x 4 people reached Boost Post LikeComment Share The WI (National Federation of Women’s Institutes)shared The British Monarchy‘s post. 1 hr · Happy Birthday to WI member Sophie, Countess of Wessex! We love this photo that The British Monarchy have used to mark the occasion- taken at the WI Centenary Annual Meeting last year! Margaret Halstead xxx INSTAGRAM The British Monarchy on Instagram: “Wishing a very Happy Birthday to The Countess of Wessex… Adderbury & District WI shared The British Monarchy‘spost. 10 mins · Happy Birthday wishes to The Countess of Wessex today x 4 people reached Boost Post LikeComment Share The WI (National Federation of Women’s Institutes)shared The British Monarchy‘s post. 1 hr · Happy Birthday to WI member Sophie, Countess of Wessex! We love this photo that The British Monarchy have used to mark the occasion- taken at the WI Centenary Annual Meeting last year! Adderbury & District WI and 2 others shared The British Monarchy‘s post. The British Monarchy 17 hrs · We’re wishing a very Happy Birthday to The Countess of Wessex today! THURSDAY, 21st JANUARY 2016 UPDATE on my post above….please see below Adderbury & District WI 10 mins · Banbury · Dear Members and friends, I must apologise for my post sending birthday greetings to The Countess of Wessex for her birthday today. In fact, it was yesterday, Wednesday 20th January. When posting, I failed to read properly the earlier posts by The British Monarchy and the NFWI and just blithely added our greetings then copied it onto our Adderbury & District WI website. An easy mistake to make which I’m very sorry I allowed myself to make xx Margaret Halstead xxx ...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District WI – Show the Love with a Green Heart Badge for Valentine’s Day – Thursday, 20th January 2016
Ladies, Looking forward to our Needlecraft group meeting tonight with Maureen when I’m goinmg to be making green fabric hearts for NFWI Campaign “Show the Love” make and wear green heart shaped badges to show our care for the things we love….we can save people, places and things we love from climate change xxx Margaret Halstead 12 mins · Banbury · Our January WI Needlecraft group meeting tonight with Maureen, when I’m going to be making a start on our green heart badges to wear on Valentine’s Day for NFWI Campaign “Show the Love” in tune with the Climate Coalition initative. We can save the things we love from climate change…. xxx Margaret Halstead xxx See NFWI website for crafting all details for making your green heart for Valentine’s...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District WI – Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 7th January 2016 – Our first meeting of 2016
Dear Ladies, Please forgive my delay in uploading these Minutes on to our website about which I am really awfully sorry. the meeting held at The Institute, Adderbury, 7 January 2016 7.30 pm In the absence of Diane because of family illness, Margaret, our vice-president, welcomed 29 members and 2 visitors. Apologies were recorded in the register. Mention was made of members with birthdays in January. The minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2015 were approved and signed by Margaret as a correct record. Matters arising: More WI calendars have been sold over Christmas and New Year and they will be available at the February Community Market. Preparing the ground for new wildflower areas at the Lakes has begun. In a show of hands a majority of members indicated that they were in favour of going out for the 2016 Christmas supper. Cards for members will be bought next week and members were reminded to let Pat Smith or one of the committee know of anyone who would appreciate one. The WI tree had received the most votes at the Christmas Tree Festival. Correspondence: NFWI have apologised for the delay in sending out the WI booklets. These should be received before the next meeting. The Cherwell and District WI Annual Group Meeting will be hosted by Deddington WI on 6 April. 14 members from each WI are invited at a cost of £4 per head and each WI is asked to provide a raffle prize to the value of £5. The entertainment will be a display by stunt dogs. Members wishing to go should add their names to the sign-up sheet on the table. The OFWI Annual Meeting will take place in Oxford Town Hall on 23 March. Details are on page 5 of January News and Views. Committee report: Margaret explained the new process for deciding the WI 2016 resolution and asked all members to complete a voting paper indicating one choice from the shortlist of eight. Papers should be handed to Chris Shafe. Votes will be collated by OFWI and totals for the Federation forwarded to NFWI (see page 5 of News and Views). As two committee members have recently resigned for personal reasons, Margaret encouraged members to consider joining the committee either as a co-opted member now or at our Annual Meeting. Clean for the Queen: Gill is to register our interest with OFWI and ask for further details. Contact is also being made with Cherwell District Council. The main event will be litter picking during the first weekend in March. Treasurer’s Report: Chris Shafe reported that while the account balance is currently low following the expense of the Christmas supper, it will improve when this year’s subscriptions are paid in. The raffle at the supper raised £65 of which £20 was given to the staff as a gratuity. She was not in a position to give more detailed financial information as all the records were at Diane’s house. 29 subscriptions have been renewed so far (26 full and 3 dual) and one new member has joined. Chris asked that all subscriptions are paid by 4 February at the latest. Future activities: Book group will meet on 13 January hosted by Pauline Leathers to discuss Giuseppe de Lampedusa’s The Leopard. Maureen Banks has kindly offered to host the needlecraft group on 20 January. All members are welcome to either of these meetings. Walks will resume when the weather improves. Members’ suggestions: Margaret suggested joining the ‘Show the Love’ initiative, promoted by NFWI and the Climate Coalition, by making a green heart to wear...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District WI – Face Book Posting – Sunday, 17th January 2016 – Petition to Help Save Our Bees
Dear Ladies, I signed up to help save our bees thinking of the NFWI Campaign – SOS for Honeybees…the Consultation process for this campaign has now ended but our bees still need our help. A short quote from campaign media is given below. Margaret Halstead shared her post. 10 mins · Margaret Halstead 12 mins · SumOfUs · I’ve signed up for our bees xxx The UK government just okayed a plan to plant bee-killing seeds across the country. A massive public outcry could stop this disaster. ACTION.SUMOFUS.ORG LikeCommentShare Comments Write a comment… PEOPLE ALSO SHARED Petition: Don’t kill our bees! Immediately halt the use of Neonicotinoids on crops Neonicotinoids are pesticides in agricultural use that control pests such as aphids and grubs. The poison gets into the pollen and renders it deadly to bees and other pollinators. Neonicotinoids are banned in several countries due to links with bee deaths. Please ban the use of neonics on crops. Share Save PETITION.PARLIAMENT.UK · 123,011 SHARES UK government gags advisers in bees and pesticides row Expert Committee on Pesticides told to postpone publication of minutes after refusing to back farmers’ request to use banned neonicotinoids on oil seed rape Share Save THE GUARDIAN · 26,320 SHARES 37 Million Bees Dropped Dead After Farms In Ontario, Canada Sprayed Neonictinoids On Their GMO Crops ⋆ Bees’ importance to the planet cannot be overstated. The tiny, bumbling bee is responsible for pollinating one-sixth of flowering plants in the world, and also about 400 different types of agricultural plants. In fact, it is estimated that just last year, the honey-producing pollinators helped provi Share Saved EWAO.COM · 331 SHARES Print “SOS for Honeybees The SOS for Honeybees campaign was launched after a resolution calling on the Government to increase funding for research into bee health was passed at the 2009 AGM. Honey Bees play a vital role in the pollination of food crops and in our environment. In view of concerns about the accelerating decline in the UK honey bee population, this meeting urges HM Government to increase funding for research into Bee Health.-Hindon & Fonthill Bishop WI – Wiltshire Federation. The decline of honey bees represents a major loss in biodiversity as honey bees are not only responsible for producing honey, but play a vital role in pollinating plants. Approximately a third of our human diet is directly dependent on bees, making them central to our existence. Despite some recent improvements, winter 2012/13 was the worst on record for colony loss of honeybees. Wild and solitary bees are in trouble too; two bumblebee species are already extinct in the UK, and solitary bees have declined in over half of areas studied. Bee decline is multi-faceted, with decreases in availability of habitat for forage, changes in the climate, pests and diseases, and pesticide use all playing a role in accelerating that decline. Such declines amount to a major threat to biodiversity, not just for bees but for the many species of plants they help to pollinate – See more at: https://www.thewi.org.uk/campaigns/current-campaigns-and-initiatives/sos-for-honeybees#sthash.Wa7kqoGH.dpuf” Margaret Halstead...
Read More