FORMER winner of Masterchef: The Professionals Gary Maclean is supporting Mary’s Meals with a National Biscuit Day fundraiser.
Mary’s Meals provides free school meals to more than 2.4 million children in 18 of the world’s poorest countries such as South Sudan, Syria and Ethiopia.
Maclean is now encouraging Scots to take part in the charity’s Raise Some Dough campaign, by hosting a bake sale to raise funds for starving children.
The promise of a free school meal can get many more children to attend school, increasing their education level and therefore employment prospects in the future, leading to less starving children long term.
National Chef of Scotland Maclean said: “Today may be National Biscuit Day but, like many people, I enjoy a biscuit all year round.
“That’s why baking is such a great way to raise money for Mary’s Meals – and to put a smile on the face of not only your friends, family and colleagues, but also the hungry children who rely on this wonderful charity.”
Maclean’s gingersnap recipe Want to take part but aren’t confident in your baking prowess? Take a whisk and follow this recipe from Gary Maclean and you’ll be well on your way.
You’ll need: 300g Plain flour 50g Fine oatmeal 175g Soft brown sugar 100g Unsalted butter 1 Egg 4 tbsp Golden syrup 1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda 2 tsp Ground ginger This recipe works just as well with gluten free flour and non-dairy butter.
Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F.
2. Sieve the flour, ground ginger and bicarbonate of soda in mixing bowl.
3. Add the fine oatmeal, next dice the butter and rub into the flour mix until crumbly.
4. Next, add the soft brown sugar, golden syrup and egg, mix well until it forms a firm doughy mixture.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 0.5cm, 1/8 inch thick.
6. Cut to your required size and place onto a non-stick tray.
7. Pop the tray into the preheated oven.
8. Remove after seven to 10 minutes or when golden.
9. Cool and then serve.
How to take part The Raise Some Dough campaign is co-ordinated via the Mary’s Meals website, on which more celebrity recipes can be downloaded.
Contributors include Judy Murray, Stephen Fry, Dame Joanna Lumley, Ellie Taylor and Rosemary Shrager.
You can donate directly from the site or click the “fundraise” button to start your own fundraiser.
For anyone who signs up, the charity will also send a mug-shaped cookie cutter, in a homage to the container in which its meals are served.
Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, said: “£19.15 can buy you 14 packets of chocolate digestives or 35 packs of my personal favourite, the ginger snap! It is also enough to feed a hungry child every day for a school year with Mary’s Meals.
“By taking part in Raise Some Dough, you can enjoy biscuits with your friends and family, while feeding children in some of the world’s poorest countries. So please get baking!”
If you want to order a free Raise Some Dough fundraising pack, visit marysmeals.org.uk/raise and fill in the relevant information.
