The Scouts of ‘Viking’ Troop, 1st Malew having completed their pioneering proficiency badge have now moved on to cooking.

They were put into two groups and given a different bread mix to measure, mix and knead. Every scout took a part, especially the kneading, when one got tired another took over. Whilst the dough was put in a warm place to rise they cleared up and then made their own butter.

This is easier than you think.

• Take a clean jam jar with a good tight lid and half fill it with ordinary double cream.
• Get the Scouts to shake the jar as hard as possible. We found that 20 seconds was about the limit before handing over the jar.
• Eventually you will have a jar with a lump of butter + butter milk.
• Drain the butter milk off and drink it (it’s very nice by the way).
• Then add a small amount of cold water to the jar and gently rinse the butter.
• Drain again ( don’t drink this one!) And you have unsalted butter!
• You can add salt to taste not forgetting that once it is in you cannot get it out so add a small amount mix and sample.
• Place the butter in the fridge to firm up.

After a quick game or two the Scouts then got to eat their fresh from the oven white rolls and garlic and cheese bread with home made butter.

A tasty evening all round.

See more pictures of the night see the photo gallery.

Tags: Viking Troop, 1st Malew