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SISTER MAGAZINE
OM Plymouth www.omplymouthmagazine.co.uk
October has arrived, and with it a shift into the heart of autumn. The air carries a crisp edge, leaves scatter the pavements in shades of amber and gold, and the nights draw in a little earlier each day. There’s a sense of anticipation in the season for some cosy evenings, comforting food, and of course, a touch of Halloween magic.
In this issue, we’ve embraced everything October has to offer. You’ll find recipes perfect for warming suppers and sweet seasonal treats, alongside ideas to help you make the most of autumn’s rich colours and traditions. Our Halloween-themed cover sets the tone, but inside there’s plenty to inspire, whether you’re decorating, cooking, or simply enjoying the beauty of this time of year.
I’ve loved curating this month’s pages and hope they bring you the same excitement I feel as autumn settles in.
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Copyright © 2025 The Plympton Community Magazine. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publisher. We have done our utmost to ensure that all the content is correct and accurate at the time of print, but we emphasise that Oracle Publications accepts no responsibility for any mistakes or omissions in this publication. All opinions expressed in The Plympton Magazine are that of the individual contributor and are not always shared by the publication.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, stories, and suggestions are what keep this magazine rooted in our Plymouth community. You can reach me at editor@oracle.uk.net, and I’ll do my best to reply
Learn all about the two-day celebration that is often overlooked as ‘Mexican’s version of Halloween’.
Usually mistaken for Halloween, Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration held over two days; November 1st - November 2nd, the same days as All Saints Day and All Souls Day in Christianity. Although the symbolism of skulls relates well to Halloween, the two-day celebration is a time for remembering and celebrating the life of loved ones who have passed. However, many people do dress up in Day of the Dead costumes for Halloween. ‘Dia de la Muertos’ or otherwise known as, ‘Day of the Dead’, is traditionally full of colour, music, food and festivities.
The Day of the Dead originated from when the Spanish came to Mexico and with them, they introduced Catholicism. The roots of the Day of the Dead go back around 3,000 years whereby preColumbian Mesoamerica honoured the dead by performing rituals and the Aztecs saw death as an ever-present part of life. The Spanish would bring wine and ‘spirit bread’ to their loved one’s graves. They then blended their beliefs and traditions to create their own customs. They all considered that mourning the dead was considered disrespectful so therefore turned it into a yearly celebration. To this day, Mexican’s from all religions come together to celebrate the indigenous life.
In 2008, it was officially classed as a ‘National Holiday’ thanks to the dedication from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). They began to understand it as a means to face death and the deceased and not just a fancydress street party.
The festivities start on the night of October 31st and November 1st when families would gather at their deceased graves, place flowers and light candles to guide them back to Earth. On the 31st, it is the night
where the children come back from the Land of the Dead and then on the night of November 1st, it’s the adults turn. The deceased are welcomed home to an altar of all their favourite things and photographs, and are treated like honoured guests. There are no tears or mourning allowed on these days, only celebrations, singing and laughter!
It is on the afternoon of November 2nd when the fun festivities begin! Families play games, dance while the band plays outside, they laugh, sing and dance into the night. It is believed that on the November 1st and November 2nd, the passageway from the spirit world to the real world is opened, and therefore our deceased loved ones can return for a day full of celebration with their families.
To help bring their loved ones back from the dead, they would arrange a variety of ofrendas, meaning offerings around an altar to the dead such as; photographs, other personal belongings, candles, food and lots of flowers, traditionally marigolds. This is the central piece to the ceremony which is typically built into private homes.
The symbolism of the skulls is far from grim. La Catrina is the iconic symbol of the Day of the Dead. La Catrina is a tall female skeleton wearing a fancy hat with feathers. This came from the satirical drawing to remind people to be themselves because
no matter what you look like or the colour of your skin, we will all look like skeletons in the end. Many visitors purchase small statues dressed like skeletons with flowers and feathers on their hats and bring them home as souvenirs from Mexico.
Traditionally you would expect to paint your face like a skeleton and then they would decorate it with glitter, beads, flowers and have huge smiles. They would also wear fancy suits and dresses, occasionally with noise-making items to, so-say, keep the dead close during the fun. In towns and cities across Mexico, people would wear these costumes and makeup and hold parades and parties, and sing and dance! They would spill out onto the streets bringing with them the joy and laughter.
Traditional Day of the Dead food is eaten at this celebration as well, such as el Pan de Muerto, meaning the Bread of the Dead. This is a sweet bread decorated with either a skull or crossbones. Families will usually bake one themselves for the occasion and most of the traditional foods are homemade. Other food and drink are made such as marigold tortillas and marigold tequila. Marigolds are a traditional flower in the Day of the Dead as they are thought to guide the spirits back with their intense colour and smell. Marigolds are widely used in the celebration for example, to decorate altars, hats, clothing as well as in recipes.
Sugar skulls are also made and decorated similarly to the face paint and make-up applied to the face. They are pressed into skull-shaped moulds and then decorated with edible sugar paste, paint and beads and their loved one’s name. This is then taken to the grave on the last day of the holiday, November 2nd.
Decorations include papel picado, a traditional paper garland used to decorate homes and altars. Papel picado means ‘Punched’ or ‘perforated’ paper and is usually displayed in a range of bright colours and patterns.
The film’s that you may have seen feature Day of the Dead references include, the opening sequence of Spectre, the 2015 James Bond film. As well as the Disney Pixar movie, Coco, which heavily follows the traditions of the Day of the Dead.
Unfortunately, we are unable to visit Mexico at this current period, therefore, witnessing this wonderful celebration for yourselves will have to be on hold for another year or so. However, you can still celebrate the Day of the Dead in the comfort of your own home with music, traditional food, costumes, makeup and lots of your family members! Lots of people dress up in Day of the Dead costumes on Halloween which is a great idea. However, it is always a good idea to understand the history of the celebration and the outfit before dressing up.
Celebrating the Day of the Dead authentically is a lovely way to bring the family back together after the unusual year we have had so far. Especially if you may have lost someone during the pandemic, adopting this celebration may be just what is needed. With laughter, dancing, singing, reminiscing on good memories and eating traditional Day of the Dead foods, this is a celebration of their life with no tears to dampen spirits.
Halloween is celebrated on 31st of October every year across the world, but how did it begin? Where did it begin? And how is it celebrated around the globe?
The 31st of October is nearly upon us which only means one thing... Halloween is coming. Halloween is now one of the most celebrated holidays in the UK, so get those pumpkins carved and lit, start thinking about what you’ll dress up as and dig out the costumes from that box in the loft, and make sure you’ve got bags of sweets at the ready for the trick or treaters - it’s going to be a spooktastic event!
On Thursday the 31st of October, revellers will be able to enjoy all the spine-tingling festivities that Halloween brings the world every year. The haunting event usually consists of fun activities and events, including trick or treating, watching scary films and carving pumpkins.
But why do we celebrate Halloween and where did the tradition originate?
It’s a common misconception that Halloween originated in America, but the tradition was actually started up a bit closer to home. The origins of Halloween come from ancient religious rituals, dating back to the ancient Celtic end-of-summer festival of Samhain 2,000 years ago, the Celts, who lived in the area that is now the UK, Ireland and Northern France, celebrated the New Year on November the 1st.
They believed that at the end of the year, on the night of October the 31st, spirits came back from the dead to wander amongst the living. In the 9th century, the influence of Christianity had spread into the Celtic lands,
and the Catholic Church eventually declared November the 2nd as All Soul’s Day – a day to honour the dead.
It’s widely believed that the Catholic Church wished to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a churchsanctioned holiday, therefore the term All Soul’s Day eventually transformed into the name All Hallow’s Eve; and as we know it today, Halloween.
Halloween has many spooky traditions, trick or treating being one but why do we go trick or treating?
Many UK and Ireland Halloween traditions, such as trick-or-treating, stem back as far as 1000 AD. Poor citizens would knock from door-to-door, begging for food in exchange for songs and prayers to commemorate passed loved ones. These citizens were known as soulers because the food they received was known as a soul-cake: a small round cake with a cross marked on top which, when eaten, symbolised a soul being freed from Purgatory.
Later in the 19th century, the tradition of souling was adapted into what is known as guising in which instead of offering a prayer, children would perform songs, recite poems, tell jokes, play instruments or play a trick in return for coins.
Trick-or-treating specifically became popular in early 1940s America after the World War 2 sugar rations were lifted, following on from the movement to turn Halloween into a communitycentred holiday in the 1800s.
The tradition of trick-or-treating today is associated with dressing in a disguising costume. When the Celts believed spirits came back from the dead, they also thought that citizens would encounter ghosts if they left the safety of their homes. Therefore, upon venturing out into the cold of the night, people would wear masks so as to not be recognised by the ghosts.
In Celtic celebrations on 31st October, villagers would dress up to ward off spirits and would leave out treats to satisfy any unwelcome, phantom visitors. Soon, people would dress up as ghosts and wear other terrifying costumes, putting on an act in exchange for candy. This is trick or treating in its oldest form.
Skip ahead a few years, and 2nd November became All Souls Day in England. Poor people would visit the homes of the rich and ask that they pray for their deceased loved ones. Soon, children would start knocking on the doors of the wealthy asking for food and money.
In Scotland and Ireland children would wear costumes and perform tricks on people’s doorsteps in exchange for a treat. This was known as guising.
Many years later, immigrants arriving in America, particularly from Ireland, made Halloween popular and introduced the tradition of guising. Over time it became a rowdy activity and an opportunity for young people to create havoc, but sugar rationing during World War 2 put an end to it.
After World War 2, Trick or Treating became popular again, and continues to be to this day, and has been promoted over the years by the media and comic books. The industry is now booming, with sweet companies making a fortune in October each year, particularly in the US.
The only difference we really notice today is how Halloween continues to be a spooky time of year in the UK, as history dictates, while costumes are much less scary and a lot more colourful in the US.
Today, in the UK, Halloween is celebrated as the third biggest holiday after Christmas and New Years Eve. Traditional activites range from ghost walks, lighting bonfires, pumpkin carving, apple-bobbing and of course, trick-or-treating at night.
Many countries around the globe traditionally celebrate the holiday of Halloween and it’s being celebrated by morning people in more countries than ever before. There’s a simple reason: it is fun and it is good, clean, harmless fun for young and old alike!
In Mexico, Latin America and Spain, citizens celebrate the Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in which they honour the spirits of deceased loved ones who have returned from heaven to enjoy the festivities. Breads, candies and other foods are made into iconic shapes of skulls and skeletons.
In Germany, Halloween has gained its popularity in the
past decade ,as many of the older generation believe that Halloween is merely an Americanised, commercial holiday. However, one long-standing tradition is to hide knives so as to not risk harm to (or from) the returning spirits.
Japan embraces Halloween as a Western-style tradition and hold themed events at their Disneyland and Universal Studios theme parks. Japanese Buddhists also honour the spirits of their ancestors in a tradition known as Bon Festival.
In China, the Halloween festival is named Teng Chieh. Food and water are placed in front of family photographs of deceased loved ones. Bonfires and lanterns are also lit to guide their spirits safely back to earth.
In Austria, for Seleenwochen (Alls Soul’s Week) it’s also tradtional to place bread, water and a lighted lamp on a bedside table before sleeping. This welcomes the dead souls back to earth. Austrian Catholics celebrate this period from October 30th to November 8th.
Halloween is not typically a part of Australian culture, however is celebrated non-religiously as result of America’s pop-culture influence. Trick-or-treating is also rare in France as they do not traditionally celebrate the holiday; neither does the country of Russia.
Sweden celebrates Halloween, known to them as Alla Helgons Dag, from the 31st of October to November the 6th. As with many other countries’ celebrations, the day becomes a shortened working day or vacation.
Some countries follow similar practises and superstitions to those originating in the UK and Ireland. The Belgians believe it unlucky for a black cat to cross their path or enter their home. Other popular superstitions originating from the Celts say that if a member of the house sees a spider on All Hallows Eve, it is the soul of the deceased member of their family.
Whether Halloween is your thing or not, get in the spirit, grab some sweets from the shop and most importantly... have fun!!!
On the 10th October every year, we recognise World Mental Heath Day. Find out more about mental health and how to make a difference on this years World Mental Health Day.
Mental health has been a common subject for a lot of us during the recent pandemic. It has been a part of so many of our lives due to the strange circumstances and the changes we have had to make to our daily routines. People are often unaware of what mental health is or are unsure of how to help someone who is suffering with their mental wellbeing. There is also a stigma attached to mental health problems therefore people feel less comfortable to talk about their problems.
If you are in good mental health, you will make the most of your potential, cope with life and play a full part in your family, workplace, community and among friends. Having a mental health problem can drastically vary from person to person, and people deal with this in many different ways. Whether its anxiety, fear, stress or feeling lonely, sad or depressed, any ongoing negative feeling means there is an issue with your mental health and the quicker this is dealt with, the quicker things will start turn around.
Looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health and there are many different ways you can help your mental wellbeing.
Firstly, connect with other people, it is vital you keep in contact with friends, relatives and partners so that they can supply you with the help you need. Talking to someone can also be just what is needed when something is plaguing you.
Taking care of your physical health also helps take care of your mental health by raising your self-esteem and distracting your brain into something active. It also causes a chemical change in your brain which can help to positively change your mood. Learning a new skill or hobby is also a great way of taking your mind off something. It also helps to build you a sense of purpose whilst boosting your self-confidence.
They say that by giving somebody else a compliment
or a small act of kindness can actually have a positive affect on you. Offering this will give you a sense of self-worth by creating positive feelings within yourself and others.
Mindfulness is a term that is used a lot and is all about being in the present moment. Taking up mindfulness activities such as Yoga, meditation, a peaceful hobby or even video games can focus the mind on what is happening at that moment. Whether its breathing, dancing or colouring within the lines, these simple activities that you probably do everyday will help to improve your thoughts and feelings as you soak in the world around you.
Raising awareness is the next step and there are plenty of events or things you can do to get involved and help to spread awareness.
Tea & Talk is a lovely little way to get together with friends and family, eat cake, put the kettle on whilst raising funds for the cause. This also a great way to talk about what might be troubling you.
You can do your bit with as little as £1.90 if you purchase a green ribbon pin badge. Why not buy a few for your workplace, school or Tea & Talk event!
For more information, head to www.mentalhealth.org.uk
To read the stories of outstanding individuals who have shared their mental health journey with us, head to www.mentalhealthawareness.org.uk
Plymouth Pavilions, Millbay Road, Plymouth, Tuesday 14th October
The Australian Pink Floyd Show have announced their live return for 2025 to celebrate 50 years of the iconic Pink Floyd album 'Wish You Were Here'. Featuring the songs "Have a Cigar", "Wish You Were Here" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", The Australian Pink Floyd will perform the album in full alongside Pink Floyd's greatest hits.
Performing in nine cities across the UK, opening in Plymouth on the 6th November at the Plymouth Pavilions, continuing on to Cardiff, Nottingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, and finally culminating with a date at London's O2 Arena on 18th November; the "From All Sides" shows will be the only opportunity to see the four piece – Dan Smith, Will Farquarson, Chris 'Woody' Wood and Kyle Simmons, perform live globally in 2025.
Buckland Abbey- National Trust, Buckland Abbey, Yelverton, Devon 25th-26th October
oin us to celebrate a bountiful harvest at Buckland Abbey. The Garden team have been working hard and grown squashes and pumpkins galore! They'll be showing off their hard work as part of a beautiful autumnal display in the Great Barn.
Join in the celebrations with some classic family games such as sack racing and apple and spoon races. Help us create beautiful leaf bunting or take part in some autumnal colouring.
There will be seasonal treats in the café and delicious cider & mead tastings in the shop.
Barbican Landing Stage, Plymouth, Saturday 1st November
Come and join our Spooktacular All Hallows' Eve Party Cruise, a perfect excused to get dressed up and show us your monster mash on the dance floor. Our resident DJ will be onboard playing all your party favourites. Costumes are highly encouraged! Let’s make this Halloween one to remember.
The Two Bridges Hotel, Two Bridges, Princetown, Yelverton Friday 31st October
There's murder in the air! Can you unravel the clues and point a finger at the culprit? Enjoy a night out with a difference, with fine food, good company, and a dastardly plot. A delicious four course dinner, with an unfolding murder-mystery plot as the evening goes on.
Make a night of it, with a stay in one of our comfortable and characterful rooms.
Autumn has arrived but that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and about with the family for some fun days out this October, check out our ideas for ways to keep busy on the weekends and half term!
October is upon up and the leaves are falling from the trees. With the weeks getting busier and the kids back at school, make the most of your weekends with quality family time. And with plenty of options to choose from right here in Devon and Cornwall, you’ll never have a weekend of boredom.
Devon and Cornwall are full of many amazing leisure outlets to get stuck into this October. Whether you’re looking for a chilled afternoon shopping in Drake Circus or a more exciting day out at adrenaline quarry, there is something for all the family to get involved in.
A morning shopping trip to Drake Circus can be finished off with a visit to The Barcode which is due to open at the end of October.
The new leisure complex gives you plenty to choose from with a huge 12 screen Cineworld cinema, various restaurants including Nandos, Zizzi, Five Guys, The Cosy Club and many more, as well as an enormous adventure golf course ‘Paradise Island Adventure Golf’, all ready for you to enjoy some well-deserved family time out this October.
If shopping and adventure golf doesn’t tickle your fancy then why not head to the National Marine Aquarium this October? The National Marine Aquarium is the largest Aquarium in the UK, located in our beautiful ocean city of Plymouth.
A day out to the NMA will see you connect with over 4000 ocean animals whilst immersing yourself in the underwater world that surrounds us as well as learning all about the wonders of our ocean from the interactive activities along the way and experts on hand to ensure you enjoy your visit.
One place you must visit this October is Adrenaline Quarry. An all-round fun day out for everyone with loads of exciting and thrilling activities to throw yourself into.
Only a 30 minutes drive from Plymouth, Adrenaline Quarry is perfect for a day out this October.
You’ll find people jumping off cliffs, flying down massive zip wires, riding a giant clifftop swing, throwing axes at innocent lumps of wood, bouncing off a huge inflatable blob, racing through their massive karting circuit, coasteering in a deep, dark lake & camping out in the woods in hammocks for a rest from it all.
All at an affordable cost and a short distance from Plymouth, you’d be silly not to head out for a fun-filled, thrilling seeking day out! Visit www. adrenalinquarry.co.uk for more information.
If you’re after an afternoon of fun closer to home, then Super Tramp Plymouth is perfect for you this October. The trampoline park is located in Plymstock, so only a short drive from the city centre. Bounce the afternoon away with the kids, or enjoy a coffee and cake in their cafe whilst watching the kids play. With loads of sessions to choose from you’re guaranteed a brilliant afternoon out. Head over to www. supertrampplymouth.co.uk for more information.
Have you ever wanted to try out winter sports but never had the time to do so? Well Plymouth Snowsports Centre, located just a short drive from the A38 is packed full of fun and exciting activities to delve into this October.
You can try out skiing or snowboarding with their huge selection of lessons on offer or if you’re just after an adrenaline day out then the ‘Slide, Ride and Drop’ Package is for you. Spend 30 minutes snow-tubing, enjoy 2 toboggan rides and 3 exhilarating viper drops. All of this for £15 per person, a thrilling but affordable day out right here in Plymouth is awaiting you!
And after you’ve enjoyed the activities, head on up to the Alpine Lodge where you can order from their amazing menu for some delicious food that’ll certainly feed the appetite you’ve worked up.
Fancy something different this October? Well if you love an adventure whilst getting your daily exercise in then get in touch with Puffing Billy Cycles. They hire out bikes for all ages and sizes including electric bike hire for anyone aged 12 and over.
Take on Dartmoor with a ghost mountain bike or if you’ve not got your road bike, hire one of their highquality road bikes. They are sure to have the right size bike to fit you, so you can still enjoy taking on some of the best hills and corners around Dartmoor.
Puffing Billy Cycles are your first stop for a cycling adventure this October whether you are heading out with the family or you have a day off work and want to get out and enjoy the sun whilst getting fit - they’ll help you select a bike that suits your needs and set you up for your cycling venture. For more information about bike hire, including prices head to www.puffingbillycycles.uk
Head on down to River Dart Country Park this October for an adventure day out, you could even turn it into a camping holiday with the family for October half term! Only a short 30-minute drive from Plymouth it is both a day trip and a holiday if you want it to be.
Set in 90 acres of parkland within Dartmoor National Park, the River Dart Country Park is one of Devon’s best-loved family tourist attractions and campsites.
Voted one of the best visitor attractions in Devon, there is something for everyone at River Dart Country Club. The range of family activities are endless from
their Adventure Playground, Bike Trail, High and Low Ropes Course, Zip Wire, Obstacle Course, Pirate Ship, Climbing Wall, Kayaking, Canoeing and much more for you to get involved in this summer.
Days out aren’t for all of us, and the sky-high prices of holidays during summer put some of us off going abroad. Take some time out this October to get away from home and relax.
Look no further than Alan Witt of Not Just Travel. Alan Witt is a Personal Travel Expert with over 30 years experience in the travel industry. He can plan a short break in the UK to round the world holidays and cruises. Whatever your holiday requirements are this summer, Alan Witt can help you out and organise the perfect getaway, from the beautiful setting of Cornwall to the stunning beaches in the Carribean.
This October, Alan Witt has some amazing deals for you from local retreats in Devon and Cornwall to more further afield. Alan will take care of anything you need from a holiday regardless of budget, taking the stress away from you so you can sit back, relax and have the peace of mind that your holiday is sorted. To see what offers are available, visit his website https://alanwitt.notjusttravel. com or call 01752 267231 to find out more.
The days may be getting shorter and the temperature dropping but don’t let that get you down. Make sure you get out and about with the family this October and enjoy the amazing places Devon and Cornwall have to offer you right on your doorstep!
Open 7 days a week - 5.30-10.30pm Open Bank Holidays WE ARE ABLE TO CATER FOR ALL YOUR PARTY NEEDS INCLUIDING: BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, STAG AND HEN NIGHTS
Planning for the future isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honoured. Whether you’re creating a Will, setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), or navigating probate after a bereavement, our expert team at Howard & Over is here to guide you every step of the way.
Together, Wills, LPAs, and Probate ensure your affairs are managed exactly as you want:
• A Will clearly outlines how your estate should be managed.
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For expert advice and support, contact our specialist solicitors at Howard & Over today. Let us help you take control of your future.
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do
Not only is it National Baking week from 14th - 20th but it’s also Halloween month. Grab your aprons and stoke those couldren fire - it’s time to bake! (And the kids can join in too).
Serves - 24
INGREDIENTS
• 375 g ready rolled shortcrust pastry, cut into 3 rectangles then each rectangle cut into 8 fingers
3
Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden. Let cool before serving with the salsa for dipping.
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 24 blanched almonds
• 1 medium egg, lightly beaten
• 10 g parmesan, finely grated
• 300 g jar mild salsa
1
Press your thumb into the tops to make an indentation for the fingernail. Dot on the tomato purée and press an almond ‘nail’ on each. Put on a baking sheet, brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle over the cheese.
Preheat the oven to 190ºC, fan 170ºC, gas 5. Roll out each pastry piece to the length of a finger. Shape into fingers with rounded fingertips and use a knife to gently score lines across the middle for knuckles.
1
Makes - 12
• 3 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 500 g icing sugar
Preheat the oven to 180ºC, fan 160ºC, gas 4. Roll out the gingerbread dough to the thickness of a pound coin. Stamp out Halloween shapes using the cookie cutters - and put on a large baking tray lined with baking parchment. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then leave to cool on a wire rack.
• 350 g pack fresh ready-made gingerbread dough
• Food colouring of your choosing
3
2
• Writing icing in assorted colours
• Cookie cutters (Halloween themed)
Make the icing: put the water, lemon juice and icing sugar into a bowl. Mix well, until completely smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon - if needed, add more icing sugar to thicken, or a little warm water to thin.
Divide the icing between bowls, add the desired food colourings to each bowl. Spread the icing evenly over the biscuits and once the icing has set, decorate with the writing icing.
Serves - 20
• 70g butter, softened
• 50g peanut butter
• 150g golden caster sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 180g plain flour
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 20 peanut butter cups, Rolos or Maltesers
• 100g milk chocolate, chopped
• icing eyes, or make your own
1
Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line two baking sheets with parchment. Using an electric hand whisk, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugar together until very light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Once combined, stir in the flour, bicarb and ¼ tsp salt.
Stew Serves - 4
2
3
Scoop 18-20 tbsps of the mixture onto the trays, leaving enough space between each to allow for spreading. Make a thumbprint in the centre of the cookies. Bake for 10-12 mins or until firm at the edges but still soft in the middle – they’ll harden a little as they cool. Leave to cool on the tray for a few mins before topping each biscuit with a peanut butter cup, Rolo or Malteser. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Heat the chocolate in the microwave in short bursts, or in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, until just liquid. Scrape into a piping bag and leave to cool a little. Pipe the legs onto each spider, then stick two eyes on each. Leave to set. Will keep for three days in an airtight container.
•1 tbsp olive oil
• 8 reduced-fat sausages
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 celery stick, finely diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
1
2
3
• 1 tin butter beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 300ml chicken stock
• 3 tortillas
• 1 large handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Heat the oil in a large casserole pot. Brown the sausages in batches until brown all over. Remove from the pan, then add the diced onion, celery and carrot and cook for 10 minutes until softened and golden. Add the garlic, chopped tomatoes, beans, paprika, oregano, bay leaves and chicken stock then return the sausages to the pot. Simmer for 45 minutes, until thickened.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 6. Cut the tortillas into gravestone and cross shapes, each around 3-4 inches in height, and bake for 8-10 minutes until crisp.
Once the stew has finished cooking, transfer it to a glass baking dish and remove the bay leaves, then sprinkle over the chopped parsley to look like grass. Arrange the tortilla crisps on top and serve.
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