No-bake chocolate mousse tart (gluten free)

No bake chocolate mousse tart.
Credit for this heavenly recipe goes to my lovely mum. A light and creamy no-bake chocolate tart – it is one of our favourites and always a hit at family shindigs. If I had to imagine biting into a chocolate cloud I think it would be like eating a slice of this! 

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Easy beetroot crisps

Homemade beetroot crisps
I have been making an effort to buy more organic vegetables lately. Besides being good for the family I like the idea of supporting smaller, local farmers… and their produce is fantastic! To make life easier I order a weekly veggie bag which I collect from a nearby organic shop every Wednesday and the kids love unpacking it to see what goodies we have for the week ahead.

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Chocolate, honey and hazelnut fridge fudge

Chocolate fudge with honey and hazelnuts.

I was not quite sure what to call this recipe. It is not really like fudge in the traditional, crystalline sense but something in between fudge and chocolate. The reason for this is that I have sweetened it with honey instead of sugar, giving it a silky smooth, melt in your mouth texture – delicious!

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Minute steak with sun dried tomato butter and Teresa’s favourite quick fry veggies

Minute steak with sun dried tomato butter and pan fried vegetables.
Whoa, that recipe title is a bit of a mouthful! Fortunately the name is probably the most complicated part of this dish which is very quick and easy to prepare (ready in under thirty minutes), not to mention low carb. So we are ticking a lot of good boxes here today folks!

Creamy butternut soup

Creamy butternut soup with cinnamon.

I don’t think I could have chosen a better day to share this recipe. The rain is (finally) coming down in buckets outside as Cape Town gets pummelled by a monster storm and right now I can think of no better lunch than a steaming bowl of delicious soup. Preferably followed by a nap. Local schools have been closed for the day due to the storm so there is not much chance of the latter but I will settle for soup!

Aerial shot of butternut soup with cream.

I enjoy all kinds of soups, but I tend to favour the classics – for me nothing beats good old tomato soup or a creamy butternut soup. I have kept this recipe fairly simple with a touch of warming spice to complement the veggies. This is an easy soup to throw together and the best part is that you can make a big batch and freeze it, ready for those cold winter days.

For more soup inspiration please check out these recipes for french onion soup, mushroom soup with chevin and thyme toasts, and carrot and coriander soup. What is your favourite soup when the weather turns chilly?

Butternut soup with spices and cream.

Serving suggestion – top the soup with toasted flaked almonds, flat leaf parsley, a swirl of cream and some freshly ground black pepper. Add a few slices of toasted ciabatta and you are good to go!

Make ahead tip – make a batch of soup and freeze in single portions for soup anytime you feel like it.

 

CREAMY BUTTERNUT SOUP

  • Servings: 6 (Makes 6 cups)
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  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 8 baby leeks, sliced
  • 4 celery sticks (about 10cm), sliced
  • 500g peeled and cubed butternut
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • large pinch of sea salt flakes
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
  • 150ml cream
  • 2 tbsp sherry
  • cream / parsley / black pepper / flaked almonds to garnish (optional)
  • toasted ciabatta to serve (optional)

1.) Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over a low heat. Add the onion, leeks, celery, butternut and potatoes. Cover the pot and leave the vegetables to sweat for 10 minutes. Shake the pan regularly to prevent them from sticking to the bottom.

2.) Increase the heat to medium. Add the salt, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon and stir for a minute or two. Add the stock and stir well. Leave to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20-25 minutes.

3.) Set the pot aside to cool for a few minutes. Use a food processor or stick blender to puree the soup until smooth.

4.) Return the soup to the pot and stir in the cream and sherry. Heat through over a low heat. Check the seasoning and serve.

 

Chocolate energy squares (gluten and refined sugar free)

Gluten free chocolate squares
There is a fantastic meme doing the rounds on social media at the moment, you might have seen it. Two women are having coffee together and one says “I feel like March flew by so fast” to which her friend replies “It’s May”. *insert comical shocked face here* Judging from many of the conversations I have had in the last week it seems as though a lot of us are feeling that way right now. And look out, because tomorrow it will be June! Other than wondering where the year has gone I have also been looking out for healthier recipes to make at home. We are very fortunate not to have any food allergies in our family but lately I have been inspired to try new ingredients and find healthier alternatives to use at home everyday. This recipe was the result of some playing around I did a few weeks ago.

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Saffron, hazelnut and honey roasted chicken

Chicken roasted with onions, honey and hazelnuts
The past two weeks have been fraught with activity including birthdays, a school fair, dog sitting, a deadline or two, sick kiddies (and a sick me!) as well as the usual busy routine. As a result it has taken me a little longer than usual to get this post up. I made this roast chicken a few weeks ago and I know I have found a new favourite in this recipe. This dish would not be out of place at a dinner party with friends but works equally well as a weeknight supper – I hope you will love it too! It’s a good ‘un…

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Dark chocolate and amaretti semifreddo

 Dark chocolate semifreddo with amaretti biscuits.
The unusual holiday heatwaves seem to be well and truly behind us here in Cape Town, and all of a sudden the dark, chilly mornings and early sunsets are more obvious and a reminder of the cold (and hopefully very rainy) months ahead. As I sit here I am wearing two jerseys and clutching a hot cup of tea and I had second thoughts about posting this recipe given the shift in seasons and the fact that this is a frozen dessert. Then I laughed at this silliness because frankly any time of the year is appropriate for a chocolate dessert, frozen or not. Who’s with me?

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