Cakes, bakes and things to make

Our first meeting is less than a week away (19th April, 7.30-9.00pm, Round Tower at the Black Swan Arts Centre in case you've missed my other bajillion mentions!) is primarily cake based. Yippee. We hope to see you there and if you're coming along then please bring a cake.
But what to bake?

Victoria Sponge
Are you brave enough to bake a Viccy Sponge for our first meeting? Here is the official recipe from the WI (not on the WI website as they've just updated so here's a random Lurpak link).



Credit: Victoria Sponge via Lurpak

Chocolate cake
Yes please. And this one from Nigella is 'very easy' apparently. Even better!



Credit: chocolate cake from Nigella

Carrot cake
Delia online digs out a recipe from the archives for a foolproof carrot cake.




Credit: carrot cake via Delia Online

Brownie magic
If you don't fancy a cake how about some kind of tray bake? Brownies are never a bad choice.



Credit: Brownies via BBC good food

Flapjacks...
... Are fantastic.


Credit: flapjacks via River Cottage

Hmm the list is pretty much endless. I'm going to go and research the Internet for more cake porn.

Looking forward to seeing you at our first meeting - and eating cake of course :)

First meeting update

So after careful consideration and taking on board your feedback - which mainly consisted of requests for cake :) we can confirm the first meeting will be a cake and champers night.

A chance for us to meet each other, learn about what the WI does on a local and national level and discuss what topics we should be covering this year. And eat cake of course!

Please feel free to bring a cake or something to drink. A post on our FB page would be very handy so we have an idea of how many cakes there will be.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

19th April 7.30 - 9.00 pm in the Round Tower at the Black Swan Arts Centre. There is plenty of parking by the library.

Tried and tested banana recipes

I frequently end up with a few browning bananas at the end of the week and so am always on the lookout for new ideas. Here are some of my tried and tested banana recipes.

1. The classic: banana bread
I love banana bread to a degree that is probably a bit unhealthy but come 3pm I need cake and tea. Banana bread fits the bill perfectly - not too sweet, not too unhealthy, nice plain or toasted with butter and good with a hot beverage. There have been many variations on the House Cake and this is my favourite mainly because it's quick and uses things I usually have in the cupboard.

Banana bread recipe

2. Bite size: banana biscuits


This is a recipe newly added to the banana archive but it is delicious. They are more like banana rock cakes than biscuits and are like totes amazers.

Banana cookies recipe

Both of the above recipes can have spices (cinnamon is nice) or chocolate chips added if plain is not your thing.

3. Healthy: banana crisps


Easiest recipe ever. Smug level high for minimum input. Also - super tasty.

Ingredients:
Lemon
Bananas



What to do:
1. Set oven to 100*C
2. Slice bananas into discs about as thick as a pound coin and lay out on a baking tray covered with grease proof paper.
3. Brush banana slices with lemon juice.
4. Put bananas in oven for about 2 hours.
5. Take out when they are dried out and a bit chewy.

4. Bananas on toast
Err so not even a recipe really. But mashed bananas on buttered toast are yummy. Or on top of toast and peanut butter and especially on top of toast and chocolate spread.

Do you have any tried and tested banana recipes?

Violence Against Women & Legal Aid

NFWI (National Federation of Women's Institutes) launches emergency campaign action on International Women’s Day: protect access to legal aid for women who experience domestic violence.



The WI secured a major campaign success earlier this week, when Lords voted through amendments to the legal aid bill that will ensure access to legal aid for victims of domestic violence. However we must keep the pressure up; the amendments will be debated in the Commons later this month, and could be overturned by MPs.

NFWI Chair Ruth Bond is calling on WI members, and members of the public, to urgently write to their MPs asking them to support these vital amendments. Template letters are available to download here; letters must reach MPs by Monday 16 April.

(source: http://www.thewi.org.uk/Index.aspx)

Olympic torch relay

One of our founder members, Emma Rodger, has been selected to take part in the 2012 Olympic torch relay. She will be donning the white and gold track suit and running through Croscombe on May 22nd.

If you are available come and cheer her on!

Bunting bonanza

Hello! Welcome to the Frome Women's Institute blog. We're brand new, so new we haven't had our first meeting yet - that's set for 19th April. For details of how to get there have a look at the about us page.

Along with where and when we meet this blog will provide a summary of each meeting, details of upcoming events and some idle chatter.

So as a first post, and in the spirit of the stereotype, here are some tutorials for creating bunting. Whatever your skill level there is bunting you can make and in Jubilee year it's probably compulsory.

1. Easy peasy lemon squeezy paper bunting.

Tif from the Dottie Angel blog is some kind of online craft goddess. Here she shows how to create a little garland out of paper.




Credit: Dottie Angel

2. World record breaking knitted bunting.

To celebrate their centenary Women's Weekly magazine asked readers to make up some knitted bunting pennants to break the world record for the longest strip of knitted bunting. They therefore provided a free and easy pattern.




Credit: Good to Know

3. Teeny tiny crochet bunting

Lucy from the attic24 blog creates some super cute mini bunting if small is more your style.



Credit: attic24

4. Super speedy sewn bunting.

Minimal sewing skills required for this traditional bunting pattern, just get snip happy with some pinking shears and your home can soon overflow with the Stepford.



Credit: housetohome