Apple Charlotte Cake

Had some apples going very soft so made this for pudding with clotted cream :)

1 cup Plain flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
tsp baking powder
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
2 cups peeled and chopped apples

Preheat oven to Gas 5 Electric Fan 160
Mix together flour, cinnamon and baking powder
Mix together honey, oil, sugar, vanilla and egg
Stir wet mixture into dry - if too thick add a few drops of milk
Combine batter with apples
Spread into buttered dish and sprinkle granulated sugar on top
Bake for 20-25 minutes

Tikka Marsala Chicken & Vegetables

Fancied a curry so made Ricky Chicken & Mushroom with rice while I had a curried version with more vegetables

1 Chicken Breast in small pieces
4 mushrooms
1/4 white onion
2 small tomatoes quartered
4 cauliflower florets thinly sliced
Handful of peas
1 tsp Pataks Tikka Marsala paste or to your liking
3 tbsp fat free yogurt

Fry chicken in a little oil until browned on one side
Turn chicken and add cauliflower
Cook till cauliflower going brown then add onions
Mix paste in yogurt and add to pan with tomatoes and mushrooms
Add some water to give plenty of sauce
Cook till all vegetables tender

Bacon topped Salmon

Watched Nigella make this while I was cycling on our exercise bike - made me really hungry. It does give the salmon a nice smoky flavour.

2 rashers smoked streaky bacon per salmon fillet
1 salmon fillet
lemon juice
salt & pepper

Fry the bacon in its own fat; when nice and crisp transfer to a serving plate to cool
Put the salmon fillet skin side down and fry for 5 minutes in the bacon fat
While it is frying toss salt, pepper and lemon juice on the top side
Turn the fillet over and allow to cook for at least 4 minutes or until it is done to your liking
Serve with bacon pieces on top and any juice from pan

Banana Brownies

Need lots of banana recipes due to using them to make tomatoes go red; this turned out very tasty I made half with 1 banana in a loaf tin

1/4 cup unsalted butter
4oz white chocolate
2 medium mashed bananas
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup SR flour

Preheat oven to Gas 5 Electric Fan 160
Melt butter and white chocolate
Stir in sugar, mashed bananas, egg and vanilla
Mix in flour and cinnamon until well combined
Spread batter into pan and bake for 15-20 minutes
Cool and store covered

Recipe adapted from backforsecondsblog.com

Ham & Cheese Stromboli

This can be an appetizer but I made to have with a meat salad - was very nice but next time would use a mix of mozzarella & cheddar for a stronger cheese flavour

Just take a pack of ready rolled puff pastry and dab with mustard - I used wholegrain
Add a layer of wafer thin ham and top with grated mozzarella
Roll up from the short side and chill for 30 minutes
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with herbs - I used oregano

Cook Gas 5 Electric 160 for 25 minutes or till nice and brown

Spicy Cajun Chicken

Another recipe from Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals - I would do it again but without the salsa so have not included the ingredients here for it. I also used green beans instead of Okra and no feta cheese. I made half of the recipe for 2 of us and did jacket potatoes in case we did not like the Sweet Potato and chilli  which I did in fact like.

3 Sweet Potatoes
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

4 skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp cajun seasoning
1 tbsp polenta - I used cornflour
olive oil
4 rashers streaky bacon - I used unsmoked
175g Okra
20g feta cheese

1. Peel and dice sweet potatoes and put on to boil; when soft mash with the chilli sauce and keep warm
2. Fry the bacon until nice and crispy and set aside; if using Okra you can fry in the bacon fat until done and set aside
3. Slice the chicken breasts and toss in the cajun and polenta
4. Fry the chicken slices until done about 8-10 minutes
5. Serve the chicken on top of the mash with bacon pieces and Okra on top
6. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top

Lemon and Zucchini Loaf

I made half of this as I had a lemon and a zucchini going to waste. It will be frozen for a family meal in the future. I will just have to make the lemon glaze later and update picture :)

2 cups plain flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup rapeseed oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup buttermilk - I used fat free yogurt

Juice of 1 lemon or 2 tbsp lemon juice

Zest of 1 lemon

1 cup grated zucchini

1. Whisk eggs then add all ingredients except flour and baking powder - mix well

2. Stir mixture into flour and baking powder

3. Spread into a greased or lined loaf tin

4. Bake Gas 5 Electric Fan 160 for 30-40 minutes or until done

5. When cool ice with a mix of icing sugar, cream cheese and lemon juice

Recipe adapted from NancyCreative 

Banana Oat Yogurt Muffins

Had some very black bananas that were ripening the tomatoes in the airing cupboard so made the Banana Bread and tried these muffins. They didn't turn out very banana tasting so would use 2 bananas next time. I made 6 with walnuts and 6 with chocolate chips.

100g soft butter
160g dark brown sugar
1 egg
1 ripe banana
2 tbsp fat free yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 cup plain flour
1 cup porridge oats
1 tsp baking powder
Chopped Walnuts or chocolate chips

Beat butter and sugar till creamy
Add egg, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves to butter and mix well
Mash banana with yogurt and stir into mix
Stir in flour, oats and baking powder
Add walnuts or chocolate chips
Spoon mixture into muffin cases and bake Gas 5 Electric Fan 160 for 20 minutes or until done
Cool on a wire rack

Lemon Cooked Fish and Garlic Roasted new potatoes

This fish came out very moist and lemony - garlic potatoes very nice with it

4 small fillets of white fish (for 2 people)
Juice of half a lemon and all the zest
Chopped chives
Mix of 4 tbsp milk to 1 tbsp cream
Salt & Pepper

New Potatoes - cut in half
2 tbsp melted butter
1/2 tsp Garlic granules - or more if you want

Put potatoes in cold water and bring to boil; simmer for at least 5 minutes until just tender - do not allow to get mushy. Strain and allow to dry - then mix with melted butter and garlic. Put in baking dish and wait to cook with fish.

Put milk and cream mix into baking dish to come half way up; place fish in mix and sprinkle on lemon juice, chives, salt & pepper; Milk mix should almost cover fish sprinkle zest on top - you can put cut lemon pieces in dish for extra lemony flavor.

Place both dishes in Oven Gas 5 Electric fan 160; turn potatoes after 15 minutes; take fish out after 25 minutes (if done) and allow to stand; if potatoes not crispy turn up heat for last 5 minutes. Serve with green vegetables.

Drunken Noodles

Very nice quick meal, the only thing I did different was cook the eggs in the wok first and then set aside for later. I added them back all chopped up with the noodles.



4 nests of egg rice noodles
½ onion sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 cooked chicken breasts cut in small pieces
Handful of frozen peas
8 mushrooms sliced
3 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sherry
squeeze lime juice
1 cup basil leaves (optional)
3 tbsp oil

1. Boil the noodles and set them aside to drain.
2. Fry the garlic and onion after 3 minutes, add the chicken pieces and frozen peas. After 3 minutes more, you can add the mushrooms and let them cook together for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the beaten eggs on top of the chicken mixture and stir well. When the egg is cooked, add the soy sauce, sherry and lime juice.
4. Once the sauce is boiling, add the noodles and mix well. Remove the dish from the heat, add basil and serve.

Pink Salad

My version of Nigella's Pink Salad - I replaced olives and feta cheese with radish and tomatoes :)

Just plate up the following:-

Mixed red and green lettuce leaves
1 Beefsteak tomato sliced
Watermelon cubes - I brought a prepared tub
3 radish sliced
8 slices cucumber halved
Sprinkle over a few chopped mint leaves
Top with a red onion that has been thinly sliced and soaked in juice of a lime

Caprese Pasta Bake with fresh garden tomatoes

This quantity serves 4; all of us liked it :)

8oz Pasta Twirls (or your choice)
3 chicken breasts cut into small portions
4 large mushrooms sliced
1/2 Jar Ragu Pasta Sauce with Basil
4 tbsp fat free natural yogurt
2-3 medium garden tomatoes
8oz fresh mozzarella

1. Cook pasta till al-dente
2. Fry chicken until cooked in some oil
3. Add salt & pepper, mushrooms to pan and turn over till browned
4. Add Ragu sauce and heat gently
5. Stir in yogurt and drained pasta and pile into cooking dish
6. Top with sliced tomatoes and sliced Mozzarella
7. Cook 160 for 20-30 minutes until nicely browned on top

Can sprinkle on grated parmesan for a more cheesey flavour

Recipe adapted from The ReluctantEntertainer

Skinny Yogurt Donut Muffins

Absolutely delicious and only 115 calories each - I made 8 from the mix

1 C. Whole Wheat Flour - I used strong white flour

1/4 C. Sweetener

1 Tsp. Baking Powder

1/4 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon

1 Large Egg

1/4 C. Plain Fat Free Greek Yogurt - I used plain yogurt

2 Tbsp. Fat Free Milk

1 1/2 Tbsp. Light Butter, Softened

1 Tsp. Vanilla Bean Paste - I used Vanilla essence

Vanilla Bean Glaze:

1/2 C. Powdered Sugar

1 Tbsp. Fat Free Milk

1/2 Tsp. Vanilla Bean Paste - I used Vanilla essence

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. and lightly spray a muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray or use cases.

Combine the first four dry ingredients (flour, sugar/sweetener, baking powder, and cinnamon) into a marge bowl until well blended. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining wet ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Add the wet ingredients in with the dry and combine just until everything is fully incorporated.

Spoon the dough into the prepared pan, dividing evenly among the sections.

Place the pan into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the donuts are cooked through.

The donuts will not turn golden brown, but should 'spring back' to the touch when done.

In the mean time, whisk the ingredients for the glaze together in a small bowl and set aside.

Once done, remove the donuts from the oven and allow to cool.

Dip the donuts face-down into the glaze and set on a wire rack until set. Maybe 5 minutes or so.

Recipe from  TheSkinnyFork.com

Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad

Another recipe adapted from Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals; I used cornflour instead of polenta and ordinary bread instead of ciabatta. Also did not add anchovy fillets to dressing - Rob and I both loved it.

2 skinless Chicken Breasts - cut into strips
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp polenta
4 slices pancetta - I used pre-bought cubes
2 shallots - I used small white onions
oil for cooking

4 slices ciabatta
1 clove garlic
2 little gem lettuces
Mixed tomatoes
balsamic vinegar
Cucumber slices
Cress - I used a bit of mint as cress had gone off

Dressing:-
Sprinkle of garlic powder
Tsp lemon juice
Tsp grated parmesan
4 tbsp fat free yogurt
Splash worcester sauce
tbsp red wine vinegar
Tsp english mustard
pinch of basil

Mix all ingredients for dressing and set aside
Toast bread and rub with garlic
Toss sliced tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and plate on top of lettuce with cucumber and cress
Fry pancetta and when nice and brown add sliced onions; cook for a few minutes ans set aside
Toss chicken in polenta and paprika
Cook chicken until nice and brown; add pancetta and onion back to pan and reheat

Serve toast fingers; chicken and salad with dressing on the side

Black Forest Ice Cream Cake

Made this for a light sweet course while the weather is so hot; only used half for 6 people so can use the other half another time

2 cups cherries, pitted and halved (you may also use frozen cherries)

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons water

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup semi skinned milk

1 can (14-ounce) sweetened condensed milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 chocolate loaf cake ( I made with a packet mix)

Place cherries, sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer until the fruit breaks down and the juices thicken, about 15 minutes. Place the mixture into a bowl and refrigerate until cool.

Combine cream, milk and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl and beat until thick and creamy, and soft peaks form. Stir in vanilla and cool in fridge for 2-3 hours

Make in ice cream maker for 20 minutes then stir in cherry mixture

Place half the chocolate cake in the bottom of a loaf tin and top with the ice cream; allow to harden slightly then place the other half on top and freeze for minimum of 3 hours (Optional - you can drizzle chocolate cake with kirsch)

Take out 15 minutes before serving and decorate with cream and cherries