Here’s a small nod to the festive season without me getting too Christmassy on you…for now. *wink* No Christmas is complete without a gingerbread flavoured bake, and (me being me) I decided to try and make a chocolate version of my favourite gingerbread cake. It worked so well that I had to share the recipe here.
These pretty apple crumble cupcakes are my latest baking creation. I’ve been busy with lots of savoury recipe testing lately and felt like doing something on the sweet side – and these cupcakes will definitely keep that sweet tooth happy! They’re inspired by one of my family’s favourite desserts, the classic apple crumble, and have a spiced apple flavour, a creamy white chocolate buttercream icing and a crunchy crumble topping.
You can rise and shine with this delicious breakfast idea! Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and when it’s a quick breakfast that I can grab on the go then it’s even better. Not only do these overnight oats taste fabulous but a serving of this is a nutritious and satisfying way to start the day too.
When I was growing up hot cross buns weren’t readily available all year round (as they are now!) and I remember my excitement at seeing them appear on bakery shelves and knowing that Easter holidays were approaching. They are another one of those treats that evoke childhood memories of family gatherings, Easter craft projects and feeling impatient during the Easter Sunday morning church service knowing that there would a chocolate egg hunt afterwards! And of course the memory of enjoying fresh hot cross buns over the Easter weekend.
As most children returned to school this week I read a very funny meme posted by a friend that read: “I’m just not sure how my child will survive back at school without 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 367 snacks a day!” Snack time is serious business…parents, you can relate right? 😉 And being prepared with a plethora of wholesome options for snack time makes life so much easier. This recipe is perfect for that, and one of our new faves.
Granola is an absolute cupboard and breakfast staple around here, and I love trying out different ingredients and making each batch a little different. Dates are a fabulous addition to homemade granola – after half an hour in the oven they’ll be chewy and caramelly, yum! There are the usual nuts and seeds included here (use whichever ones you like but pecans and pumpkin seeds are particularly good in this recipe) and I’ve added a good helping of coconut flakes to the mix too. Breakfast is served!
While Cape Town still decides whether it is actually spring or not (and I sit and type at my desk watching the clouds gather outside) I thought I’d sneak in a cooler weather dish. Tomato bredie is a South African family pleaser and has the marvellous combination of lamb, fragrant spices and tomatoes that we know and love. Once all of the ingredients are in the pot you can leave it to work its magic until its time to serve up. Scrumptious!
I’ve made this recipe quite a few times for the family over the last few weeks – this is lockdown comfort food to the max! The fritters are very easy to whip up and my kids love getting involved and making the recipe themselves. (Batter everywhere but hey, it’s worth it.) It’s a lovely treat for the family, especially on weekends, and sure to bring sugar coated smiles to their faces.
Continue reading “Apple and cinnamon fritters with butterscotch sauce”
Cupcakes and Couscous 