A baking classic, perfect for any birthday or occasion. It certainly had the “Yum” factor  

by Ms.Mills

        Ingredients

  • 225g butter
  • 225g caster sugar
  • 4 large free range eggs
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 225g self raising flour
  • About 3 tbsp of milk to loosen batter (if necessary)
  • 1 jar of good quality strawberry jam
  • 250ml double cream.                  Method 
  • Preheat the oven to 170°C/340°F/Gas Mark 3. 
  • Grease and line 2 x 20cm springform tins.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together and beat in the eggs gradually. Add the vanilla extract. Fold in the flour until you have a smooth mixture.
  • Divide the mixture in half, into the tins and flatten the top.
Bake for 20 minutes, until it’s nice and golden. Allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes.
  • Prepare the whipped cream and assemble the cake.

Recipe sourced  from http://www.donalskehan.com/recipes/classic-victoria-sandwich/. Highly reccomend! It has the yum factor. 

TY students investigate gluten free alternatives 

by Ms.Mills

Gluten free carrot cake  

    
 
Jamie Oliver’s gluten free carrot cake is a must.

Ingredients

225 g gluten-free self-raising flour , plus extra for dusting

2 large free-range eggs

125 g soft brown sugar

125 ml sunflower oil

1½ teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 eating apple

200 g carrots

1 orange , zest and juice of

1 handful of sultanas

50 g walnuts , optional

For the icing:

75 g unsalted butter , softened

100 g icing sugar

1 orange , zest of

75 g cream cheese

50 g walnuts

Method

Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/gas 5. Grease a tin (roughly 20cm) with butter, line the base with greaseproof paper.

Lightly beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the sugar and oil. Sieve in the flour and spices, then fold through. Peel and grate the apple and carrots, then stir into the mixture along with the orange zest and juice and sultanas. Roughly chop and add the walnuts.

Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin  for 30 to 35 minutes

Make the icing. Beat the butter, icing sugar and most of the orange zest until pale and smooth, then stir in the cream cheese until just combined. 

Recipe sourced from ©http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/gluten-free-carrot-cake/#VgoW9sZr8TroHSeq.97 

Semi-final of the Loreto Bake Off

by Ms.Mills

On your marks get set bake! Today we had our semi-final of the bake off. The students were required to take part in a technical challenge. The technical challenge tested the bakers’ technical ability but also their patience in a two hour battle to create a scrumptious shortcrust pastry dish. Two senior students and three junior students secured a place in the final of the Bake Off in two weeks time. Maith sibh go lèir!    
    
    
    
   

JC Practicals 2016

by Ms.Mills
The Home Economics 2016 tasks have been issued by the Department of Education and can be accessed  on the examinations website

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The cookery practical will take place after  the Easter holidays . The final dates will be released in the next week.

The cookery exam is worth 35% of the overall grade for Junior Certificate Home Economics. That is 210 marks (H) and 270 (0) . The remaining 90 marks is awarded for the textile craft you have completed. Firstly you will be given 30 minutes for your preparation before the exam. During this time the examiner will not be in the room. The task that you have selected will have to be completed within 90 minutes. This is important when you are researching and selecting your different dishes. Students must evaluate their dish in the exam, if this is not completed within the 90 minutes, marks will be lost!

A few helpful tips √

  1. Maximum use should be made of fresh ingredients and the use of convenience foods should be kept to a minimum to allow candidates to demonstrate their culinary skills and application of cooking principles.
  2. Advance preparation of ingredients should be minimal i.e. ingredients may beweighed, vegetables may be washed but not peeled or chopped etc.
  3. Candidates will be required to clean tools and equipment used as part of the task and toleave them on the table until checked by examiner.6e3fd4415d2a72b0e521ae5b8dd100db

Exploring alternative protein foods- Leaving Certificate Home Economics 

by Ms.Mills

Quorn mince spaghetti bolongese, quorn goujons, tofu vol au vents, hummus and tortilla crisps- unsaturated fat, high fibre, HBV protein! Sure why not!  

Oh what a night! 

by Ms.Mills

I would like to say a huge thank you and well done to all the students who were  involved in the open night lastnight. Maith sibh, you all showed great teamwork and commitment to the subject #teamhomeeconomics 

    
    
    
   

Head to head- battling for that last spot in the next stage of the competition. 

by Ms.Mills

The final heat of the Loreto Bake off took place today where students went head to head to fight for a place in the next stage of the competition. Well done to all who took part. Maith sibh.