Gainesville health and fitness

 Nigel Slater's recipes for fresh bread and poached pears2024

A light loaf and fruit served with creme fraiche for a delightful weekend lunch 

Early morning it is not yet light I open the fridge door to find a tray of bread dough soft white and dimpled like a mattress Made yesterday with the usual flour yeast and water it has been sleeping quietly overnight allowing the yeast to work slowly The simple dough is one I have sweetened with a little honey and today it will be kneaded once more this time with dried fruits cherries figs and golden raisins and spiked with chopped rosemary 

The bread is to be eaten cheese in much the same way you might serve a rich fruit cake with a lump of Cheshire or Eccles cakes with fat crumbs of a crumbly Lancashire this one will be lighter and I shall toast it with slices cut from a downy log of goats cheese The bread is for a weekend lunch with some poached pears that I ll grill with fruit jelly and serve warm with dollops of thick creme Fraiche 

The overnight doughs left to .prove in the fridge have become the norm in this kitchen It takes so little time to prepare them in the evening and their slow rise in the fridge means I am not tied to them as I would be to a quickly risen dough The constant checking on their progress can be a distraction but this feels more in tune with how I work The second proving done the following day in the warmth of the kitchen is quicker as the dough has done most of the work during the night, Either way, there will be freshly baked bread and cheese for lunch today and that is what matters 

Overnight honey and rosemary bread with goat. 's cheese 

The dough needs about 8 hours in the fridge you can speed things up by putting it in a warm room for about 2 hours though it may not quite have the same airy texture as that left overnight Use strong white bread flour for the best crust and wrap the dough up before you put it in the fridge As much as I hate to say it the bread does seem to rise best tucked inside a plastic bag but a night under a clean drying cloth will work too Makes I large loaf 

Warm water 400ml

Easy back-dried yeast 2 tsp 

Honey 1 tbsp plus a little for drizzling

Strong white bread flour 500g 

Olive oil 4 tbsp 

Dried figs 75g 

rosemary 1 tbsp plus a little to finish 

Dried cherries 50g 

Golden raisins 50g

Olive oil and sea salt flakes a little to finish 

goat's cheese 250g 

You will also need a shallow baking tin of approximately 30. cm x 20cm. lightly oiled in a large bowl mix together the water and yeast salt and honey stir in flour either by hand or with a wooden spoon pour in 2 tbsp of the olive oil then mix to a soft dough cover the bowl with a clean tea cloth and refrigerate overnight 

Next day when the dough has risen somewhat finely chop the rosemary leaves Slice the figs thinly I cut each into about 4 slices then mix with the rosemary cherries raisins and the remaining oil knead the fruit and rosemary into the dough then transfer to the baking tin pushing it out towards the edges with your fist it will swell to fit during proving cover the tin with a cloth and place in a warm place for a good hour until it has risen to twice its size somewhere near a radiator is good preheat the oven to 220C/gas mark 8 Using your finger push several hollows deep into the dough and bake for 25 30 minutes until golden and springy to the touch Remove from the oven trickle with olive oil and scatter with sea salt 

To make the toast cut 4 thick slices from the loaf get  an overhead oven and grill hot Thickly slice 250g of goat. 's cheese log into rounds Divide the cheese on top of the 4 slices of bread Roughly chop a little rosemary and scatter over the cheese trickle some honey over each one and then place under the grill until the cheese has softened 

Pears with fruit jelly

Pears with fruit jelly make a delicious dessert or snack. Here's an easy recipe for making them:

Ingredients:

4 ripe pears

1 cup fruit juice (such as apple, pear, or mixed fruit)

1/4 cup sugar (to taste)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons gelatin powder

Water

Instructions:

Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact if possible. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each pear so they stand up straight.

Combine fruit juice, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, stirring occasionally.

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over 2 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a minute to soften.

Once the sugar has dissolved into the fruit juice mixture, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in softened gelatin until completely dissolved.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Meanwhile, arrange the pears in a shallow dish or individual serving bowls.

Carefully pour the fruit jelly mixture over the pears, covering them completely. If needed, use a spoon to redistribute the mixture and ensure even coverage.

Refrigerate the pears for at least 2-3 hours, or until the jelly is set and firm.

After the jelly has set, serve the pears chilled. If you like, you can garnish them with a sprig of mint or a drizzle of honey.

Enjoy your refreshing and beautiful dessert of pears with fruit jelly!

Well.2024 didn't.t exactly go to plan did it 

While it's natural to feel frustrated when things don't go according to plan, it's important to remember that failures can also present opportunities for growth and resilience. Reflecting on the experiences of the past year can provide valuable insights and lessons that can help shape future decisions and actions.

Whether it's facing unexpected obstacles, navigating changes in circumstances, or simply adjusting to the hairpin turns that life throws our way, maintaining a positive outlook and a resilient mindset helps us overcome challenges and move forward. maybe the key to finding new ways of

As we embrace the uncertainty of the future, let's approach each day with optimism, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt. By focusing on what we can control, staying resilient in the face of adversity, and cherishing the moments of joy and connection along the way, we can continue to move forward with courage and determination.

Remember, it's okay if things don't always go as planned. What really matters is how we react and the resilience we show in times of adversity. Here's to embracing the journey, wherever it may lead, and finding strength in the challenges we face along the way.