Birchermuesli recipe

History

Birchermuesli is originally a supper dish invented by Dr. Bircher in Zurich, Switzerland during the 1900's. Dr. Bircher believed in a whole foods diet composed of cereals, fruits and vegetables. The original birchermuesli recipe is composed of oats, water, evaporated milk, honey, lemon and apples. However, it is a recipe that can be altered to fit your taste.

As I have previously mentioned in other blog posts, oats are a great cereal as they are slow releasing carbohydrates which means they keep you fuller for longer. This recipe is also a great way to incorporate fruits into your diet. Fruits are best consumed in the morning before mid day so that your body can work off the natural sugars.

The recipe I use is one that was passed down to me from my Swiss-German Grandma.

Ingredients- serves 4

• 1 cup of oats
• 1 2/3 cups of milk
• 2-3 small apples grated
• 1-2 bananas sliced
• Juice of a lemon
• 1 cup of mixed fruits (fresh or dried) & nuts of your choice
• Yoghurt or cream can be added
• Honey to add to your taste 

Method

• Place the oats, milk and fruit in a container and leave to soak overnight
• If the mixture is too solid add yogurt or cream to loosen the mixture
• Add honey to taste.

Enjoy with your favourite breakfast beverage of choice, mine being a mug of builders tea and a glass of refreshing fruit juice.

Carthy's Country Cream Cupcakes

The Story- From Beast to Bottle

Mr Carthy worked hard for two years straight to develop this beautiful traditional alcoholic country cream. 

• It all starts in a field with Betsy and her girls
• The cows roam free and graze on fresh grass
• Well looked after, happy cows supply the freshest milk
• Milk is collected and prepared for mixing
• All the ingredients are blended to create our delicious recipe
• The liquid is carefully bottled and packed ready to serve

Now with 30 years experience behind him, his team have concocted some sensational recipes to create with the country cream. 

Here is my attempt at making 'Carthy's Country Cream Cupcakes'. Great little treat for those of you with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

• 150g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 115g unsalted butter
• 200g granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 220ml Carthy's Country Cream

For the buttercream topping

• 230g unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 330g icing sugar
• 50ml Carthy's Country Cream
• 45g chopped milk chocolate

Method

For the cupcakes

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius/ gas mark 4, and line a cupcake tin with 12 paper liners.
• Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and mix until each is blended into the batter. Add the vanilla and blend until the mixture is smooth.
• Fold half of the dry mixture into the wet mixture and add the Carthy's Country Cream. Stir in the remaining dry mixture until it is combined and the batter is smooth.
• Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full and bake for around 20 minutes or until the tops feel firm.
  
  

For the buttercream topping

• Beat the butter in a large bowl until soft. Add half of the icing sugar, the cinnamon and beat until smooth.
• Add the remaining icing sugar and the Carthy's Country Cream and beat the mixture until creamy and smooth.

To serve

Allow the cupcakes to cool completely! Pipe swirls of the buttercream and sprinkle over the chopped milk chocolate. Now there is nothing left to do but to get stuck in, enjoy!