Jane Kilpatrick works with Milestones Trust. They support around 1,000 people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and dementia in the Bristol area. Jane was one of 91 Ways’ 180 guests who came to our launch back in June.

Jane’s childhood memories of food, are of growing up in a small village, “I think of Sundays, going to church, asking if a friend could come to play and waiting for Sunday lunch. In my memories it’s always winter because I remember a traditional roast dinner – finished off with one of my mum’s wonderful puddings: chocolate bread and butter pudding and Granny’s homemade raspberry ice cream!”

Jane’s love of food has continued into adulthood, with breakfast being her favourite meal of the day, “I now get excited about all sorts of food but the meal I get most excited about is breakfast and trying out new, healthy breakfasts especially using Mexican style ingredients like chilli, eggs, tomatoes and lime”.

Mealtimes remain a time when Jane and her family gather together and connect with eachother, “during the week my retired Dad will usually do a meal while my mum is at work. When we’re all at home, we’ll cook and eat together and talk about our day”.

Jane shares with 91 Ways, her favourite comfort food: Baked Oatmeal. “This was my comfort food the first time I was away from home. I was staying on an international hospital ship (called a Mercy Ship) based in Cotonou, Benin in West Africa. It’s great with yoghurt and fresh fruit and I made plans to make it with friends once I got home to avoid feeling homesick. It’s now something I make for friends when they stay over at the weekend.”

Jane’s Comforting Baked Oatmeal:

Ingredients:
200g oats
60g honey
3 tbsp butter/vegetable oil/coconut oil
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
200ml milk (optional)
Banana (mashed) or apple (stewed) (reduce milk accordingly)
Handful of raisins
Pinch of cinnamon

Mix all of the ingredients together and bake in ovenproof dish for 30-35 minutes or until set at 180C.