This
column includes some of the things that get sent to us. We are
not endorsing the events or the products, but simply passing on
the information we’ve received in case you find it interesting
or useful.
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Are you wondering what to do with the children in the Christmas
holidays?
If
so, how about going to the Science Museum in London, where they’ve
relaunched Launchpad, an interactive exhibition to interest children
in science. As they point out, there are concerns about the shortage
of physics teachers at present, let alone the lack of scientists
needed if British industry is to stay competitive.
The
Imperial War Museum is basing its free holiday activity programme
on the land of Narnia, to cash in on The Lion the Witch and
the Wardrobe. It seems a slightly incongruous place to have
the programme, but that’s no reason why it should not be
interesting.
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Then there are the possibilities for presents.
How
about Franklin the Turtle? We’d never heard of him, despite
the 78 episodes that have appeared on television. Your child might
be one of his fans.
Or
you might prefer Babar the Elephant?
Or
do you want to make your own paper Chewbacca or Homer Simpson?
Apparently 90% of the children who tried this Hasbro item “loved
it”, but what do you do with a paper Homer Simpson?
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And there are the materials which professionals might use.
We
have not read It’s a Tough Time for Everyone, but
it sounds useful. It has been produced by Barnardo’s and
the Northern Ireland Prison Service for children and families
where someone is in prison. Knowing the isolation of some of the
prisons and the awful visiting arrangements in many of them, the
experience of visiting must be grim for children, and they may
find it hard to understand. Why their parent is inside may be
difficult to explain, and the comic book format may be just the
answer.
Or
how about
Nora’s
Dinners, written by the school cook who worked with Jamie
Oliver? Over recent years being a school cook has been a fairly
lowly occupation, involving reheating food already prepared elsewhere.
We hope that the book gives Nora a nice addition to her pension.
Or
again, if your children are not of an age to sample Nora’s
dinners, how about Everyday Eating for Babies and Children?
While
we’re on about food, there’s the Bisto campaign. Obviously
they want to sell their product, but the way they’re doing
it is to argue for families to eat together in the traditional
manner. We’re all for that. Mealtimes offer an opportunity
for families to talk together, bond and learn social behaviour.
Snacking and grazing, or even gathering together to watch the
telly while eating do not offer this chance. At a time when people
follow a lot of solitary pursuits or use the family home as a
base to go out from to meet their peers, the chance to come together
in this way is important. Whether you like Bisto or not, we back
their campaign. Here's one of their recipes....
Braised Beef and Onion
Casserole
A tender beef casserole enriched with aah! Bisto
Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 1½ hours / Hob & Oven
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
450g braising steak - cut into 2 inch (5cm) pieces
25g (1 oz) butter
2 onions, peeled and cut into quarters
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 bay leaf
½ tsp of fresh or dried thyme
Salt & Pepper
4 tsp Bisto Best Roast Onion Gravy Granules
• Pre-heat oven
to 180°C, Gas Mark 4
• Take a flameproof
casserole dish add the oil and place over direct heat. Heat the
oil until very hot and fry off the beef in small batches until
brown on both sides, remove with a slotted spoon and place on
a plate, put to one side.
• Heat the butter
add the onions and garlic and fry for 5 minutes
• Add the bay leaf,
thyme, salt and pepper and 400ml of boiling water, stir in the
gravy granules.
• Return the meat
to the dish. Put the lid on the casserole dish and place on the
centre shelf of a pre-heated oven for 1½ hours.
• Serve with seasonal
vegetables and plenty of crusty bread.
