April 07, 2020

Mary Berry, Lynda La Plante

46 minutes

Running a household in the Coronavirus lockdown can feel a bit like we’re back in the 1950’s. Calling over the fence to borrow a cup of sugar has once more become a reality as some foods are now in short supply, and there’s ‘rationing’ of items in supermarkets, though some of those restrictions are now lifting. But every last breadcrumb counts if you don’t want to or indeed can’t leave the house. Jane asks dietitian Priya Tew and baking legend Mary Berry for their tips on how to maintain a healthy diet and make the most of what you’ve got. Mary also gives us her recipe for lockdown birthday cake.

MARY BERRY’S ‘LOCKDOWN’ BIRTHDAY CAKE

VICTORIA SANDWICH

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE SPONGE

• 225g baking spread

• 225g caster sugar

• 225g self-raising flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 4 large eggs

FOR THE FILLING AND TOPPING

• About 4 tbsp raspberry or strawberry jam

• A little caster sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Makes 6-8 slices

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas mark 4. Cut 2 greaseproof paper circles, grease the sandwich tins with baking spread and put the circles inside. Grease the circles.

2. Place the baking spread in a large mixing bowl, then add the caster sugar, self-raising flour and baking powder. Crack the eggs one at a time and then add to the bowl.

3. Using the electric mixer on slow speed, beat for 2 minutes until smooth. The mixture will be soft enough to drop off the beaters when you lift them up.

4. Divide the mixture equally between the prepared tins and level the surfaces with a palette knife or spatula. Place in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes.

5. The cakes are ready when they are risen and pale golden. The tops should spring back when lightly pressed. Cool for about 2 minutes; loosen the edges with a knife.

6. Push the cased out of the tins on their bases, invert them and remove the bases. Cool the cakes the right way up on a rack. Soften the jam with a palette knife.

7. When the cakes are cold, remove the lining papers and invert one cake layer onto a plate. Spread with jam, put the other layer on top and sprinkle with caster sugar.

This recipe is taken from: Baking Bible (BBC Books)

The charity Citizens Advice has found that almost half of survivors of domestic abuse have had their post intercepted, opened or hidden by the perpetrator. This has resulted in missed medical treatments, isolation from vital support networks and billions in cost to survivors as a result of hidden bills or credit taken out in their identity. How can these victims of domestic abuse - and their families - receive better support? Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs is the Chief Executive of Surviving Economic Abuse. Anne Pardoe is a Policy Manager at Citizens Advice. Shana experienced economic abuse herself.

What’s it like losing your dream job to Coronavirus? In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, we hear from 21 year old Elizabeth who lives near Bude in Cornwall. She’d started working as a singer on a cruise ship when the Covid-19 crisis left her back on dry land and helping out on the family dairy farm. Although she wants to stay positive about getting back out to sea, she talks to Jane about the prospect of taking on the farm should anything happen to her parents.

Lynda La Plante speaks to Jane about Buried, the first in her latest series of crime thriller books

Presenter: Jane Garvey

Producer: Caroline Donne

Interviewed guest: Mary Berry

Interviewed guest: Priya Tew

Interviewed guest: Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs

Interviewed guest: Anne Pardoe

Interviewed guest: Lynda La Plante

...more

View all episodes

By BBC Radio 4

4.4

269269 ratings