Thursday, 7 February 2013

Banana Caramel Cake


I love cooking with chocolate chips but was equally excited to see that Nestle have caramel bits for baking.



This recipe is a simple banana cake with the use of the caramel bits instead of choc chips.



2 mashed ripe bananas
2 eggs lightly beaten
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups SR flour
1 tsp bicarb soda
1/2 cup milk
80g butter
1 tsp cinamon
3/4 cup caramel bits

1. Preheat oven 180 degrees

2. Sift flour and mix in cinamon and sugar

3. Melt butter and mix with banana, milk and bicarb soda

4. Combine and pour into greased/baking paper rectangle cake tin.

5. Bake 45-50 mins until skewer comes out clean

 
 Enjoy!




Monday, 3 December 2012

Syrupy Chorizo

This is one of my most favourite dishes that can be easily whipped up when nibbles are called for.  I serve it with bread so the syrupy juices can be soaked up.

There is a couple of ways to do this dish so I'll give you both.




Easy way

1 bottle sweet strongbow cider
3 chorizo's 
Harder way (still easy though)

3 chorizo's 
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tsp brown sugar
1 cup soda water 

1. Slice Chorizo on an angle because it looks a lot cooler when served.
2. Fry 2 mins each side in dash of olive oil. Try to get a nice brown.
3. Remove from pan. Pour cider into pan or if doing harder way the vingear, sugar and soda water. 
4. Return chorizo to pan and simmer until liquid reduced by at least 2/3rds. 
5. Served with sliced French stick to soak up the syrupy sauce.


Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Carrot Morrocan Dip

A staple in my pantry is the Masterfoods Morrocan seasoning. It is a very versatile ingredient that  can jazz up any meat for the BBQ among other things! 

 


4 large carrots
1 clove garlic
2 tsp honey 
1 tbsp fresh mint (other herbs can be used) 
1/2 cup raw cashews 
1 tbsp olive oil 
1-2 tsp Morrocan seasoning 

1. Soak cashews in water overnight then drain
2. Boil or steam carrots until tender but not mushy
3. Blitz all ingredients with stick blender or food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Whalla!






Saturday, 24 November 2012

Fabulously Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

Have you been searching for a chocolate brownie recipe that is fudgy and delicious? Well look no more.  I've tweaked, tested and tasted and now have the best ever brownie recipe!!!  Ok that's a big call but try it for yourself and let me know if it works for you.


3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup plain flour, sifted
100g dark chocolate
2 cups white sugar
1 tsp vanilla (paste is best)
1 cup cocoa
250g butter

1. Heat oven to 180 and grease slice tin and line with baking paper. Put butter, cocoa, sugar, dark chocolate in bowl and microwave for 2 mins. Remove and stir. Return to microwave for another 2 mins. Give another stir and leave to cool slightly.

2. Once cool. Add eggs and beat quickly with wooden spoon to incorporate. Add sifted flour and mix till combined. Lastly add vanilla essence and mix through.

3. Now here's the fudgy part ... if you want soft fudgy brownie bake for 25 mins. If you want chewy fudgy brownie (oh yeah baby) then bake for 30 mins.