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Food & Action: Time 4 Tea (+ Welsh Cakes recipe)

Michelle Lloyd

Hi, I’m pleased to be sharing news with you on one of our projects from Impact 242  Llanelli Centre of Mission led by Rob Lowe (Lead Evangelist) and myself, Michelle Lloyd (Pioneering Youth & Families Evangelist).

During the pandemic in the middle of lockdown, with no centre and not knowing anyone, Rob and I had to think of new ways of reaching out to our community.
A lot of people like tea and cake, which allows time for a chat or catch up. I used to love having hot fresh Welsh cakes with my nanna and she would make a lovely brew in her teapot with always her hand knitted tea cosy over the top to make that perfect cuppa.

This is where the idea for Time 4 Tea came from, and by placing the 4 in the middle of the name it would help those that wanted to join us remember it was at 4pm. We were able to put a bag together with tea bags, jam, some had scones, some had Welsh Cakes and there were also a few sweets for the children and a pack of biscuits. Also included was a leaflet inviting people to join us on Zoom for a chat and a time to meet us. While knocking on doors to drop off the bags it allowed us to meet more of the community and have a door step chat. Most of the items for this project were donated from our local Home Bargains store, with packs of biscuits coming from Asda (a big thanks to both stores!).

We wanted to base this outreach on some of the Church Army values, so by being generous with the Time 4 Tea bags, and spending time chatting recipients, it allowed trust to form, and an opening of conversations about who we are and also time for those we were speaking with to share.

One of the local residents who joined us on Zoom also shared that she likes making Welsh Cakes, and when she makes some she usually sends some to her Dad who lives in Scotland. Since then we have called on this lady a few times and she has trusted us enough to open up about her anxiety and other challenges. She has agreed that when restrictions allow she will come and cook fresh Welsh Cakes at a outdoor session, or at the centre once we open.

I was able to share with her that I also love cooking Welsh Cakes because my nanna taught me, and left me her hot plate when she passed. It would be a delight to share my nanna’s Welsh Cake recipe with you…but what are Welsh Cakes?

Welsh cakes are a traditional treat from Wales. They are a cross between a scone and a biscuit, Welsh cakes are usually cooked on an ungreased, hot griddle. Welsh cakes are also known by a variety of other names in different regions of Wales, such as Teisen Gymraeg and picau ar y maen.

Recipe: Welsh Cakes (cooking time: 30-45 mins)

What are

Ingredients:

  • 3 Cups of all-purpose Flour
  • 2 tsp of baking powder
  • 2/3 of a cup of granulated or caster sugar
  • 1/2 tsp mixed spice
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 14 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed.
  • unsalted butter to grease the pan
  • half cup of currants or chocolate chips depending on what you’d prefer!
  • juice of half a lemon
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • Milk (if required to bind the mix together)

Method:

  1. Place the flour, baking powder, sugar, mixed-space, cinnamon, currants and cubes of butter into a bowl.
  2. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry ingredients. Try to pinch and lift until the mix resembles bread crumbs
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and lemon juice.
  4. Make a well in the middle of the dry mix, then pour in the egg mix, folding the ingredients over with a spoon until the mix resembles a ball
  5. Using a floured-work top and a rolling pin, roll out the mixture.
  6. Use a circular cutter to cut-out cakes
  7. Place cakes onto a greased hot plate or griddle for 3 minutes on each side.
  8. Enjoy with a cup of tea!

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