Crispy Avocado Wedges and Sweet Potato Hummus Flatbreads

You may have noticed I've been able to post a bit more frequently on here now, that can only mean one thing...summer is here! I've moved out of my uni digs in Birmingham and I'm back living at home, it's great to be back in the comfort of my own kitchen once again and get back to regular blogging in between days out and enjoying the lovely sunny warm weather we've been having here in the UK. 

Raspberry, Peaches and Mascarpone Cream Cake

A party without cake is just a meeting. I think Julia Child is very right there, I've never had a birthday without cake.

Polish Vanilla and Raspberry Ripple Custard Slice (Karpatka)

Mille-feuille, the classic french pastry. Just the word puts a shiver down my spine.  I'm no trained pastry chef and I think others would agree with me in saying that this is one of the hardest things to perfect - looks wise! I can never quite master the uniformity aspect, some custard always manages to seep its way out the sides either in cutting or by overfilling!  

Blackberry, Lime and Thyme Cake

So you might think these flavours sound a bit odd together, especially if you've never heard of thyme in a dessert before but it's getting more and more popular to use the herb in all manner of sweet things, hitting the botanical cake trend - nail on the head. It really does work and to those who might think it's a bit 'out-there' I urge you to give it a chance as the flavour is just a subtle hum in the background and not in the slightest bit overpowering. 

Instarecipe! Chocolate Orange Hot Cross Bun and Butter Pudding

Happy Easter, hope you all had a lovely weekend. It's the time to be eating chocolate - YASSSS - and what better way to use up those leftover hot cross buns along with the broken or little bits of chocolate hanging around (which I didn't seem to have, let's face it...no one can really have leftover chocolate) but if you're sick of eating it (literally) in egg form, then sprinkle some into this warm, gooey and comforting traditional pudding. 

Baked Banana Choc Digestive Doughnuts

Some people find it easy to write out and about in busy places like at the park or library, although I’d much rather prefer the silence and comfort of being alone. So as I’m currently sat on this 5hr train on my way up to Edinburgh to visit my friend, this post is proving rather difficult to write. But making the most of this boring journey is a strong priority of mine as with university and work I have hardly found the time to blog – evidently. 

Pistachio, Orange Blossom and Pomegranate Delices

Okay, so these look and sound rather fancy and I must point out now that this recipe certainly isn't for the faint-hearted cook, without trying to put you off!! This has got to be my longest method for a recipe I have ever created in the history of my 2 and a half years blogging. It took me so long to write this and never mind the good amount of hours spent cooking and experimenting to create something I was happy with. 

Caramelised Banana Tart

I've been feeling very uninspired recently, probably a mix of being ill multiple times (seriously though, I've never been this ill AND it came back, again and again...just wonderful) and that the weather has been bloody freezing here! 

Raspberry, White Chocolate and Green Tea Magic Cake

I'm gonna get straight to it, what's so magic about this cake...I can tell you're all dying to know. The magic is all in the baking since it's actually made of the very usual suspects of eggs, sugar, flour, butter and milk.

Spiced Pears with Honey, Nuts, Granola and Yoghurt

Sometimes it's good not to over complicate a recipe, avoiding the label of being too 'pretentious' or 'over the top'. Just put simple, delicious ingredients together which classically work well. It's what I've tried to do here with these perfectly ripe pears, pairing them with the breakfast items of honey, pistachios, walnuts, granola pieces and natural yoghurt.

Pandiramerino (a.k.a Rosemary and Raisin Buns)

It's been a good while since I've made a bread recipe on here, mainly because they just take that little bit more time to muster up between proving, and with uni life, well, it can 'prove' rather tricky to fit in with studying (yes, the word play was intended there.) However, with semester two not commencing till February (yeah, it does seem a long break with Christmas as well) but I'm not gonna complain cuz it means I now get to do this.... make bread again! Wooooo. 

Cranberry and White Chocolate Bundt Cake

It's got to that time of year again, when I can't face another cheese board and reached that chocolate overload limit. But of course, there's nothing wrong with a bit of cake and I thought this would be the best way to use up those leftover cranberries which have been hanging out in my fridge for the past week now from Christmas day (I just couldn't throw them away!!) as well as putting to good use those obligatory christmas nuts which nobody ate. 

Nutty Chocolate Orange and Maple Loukoumades

My guess is that you've probably never heard of these before or unless you're from Greece. Loukoumades are Greek donuts and they're soooo unbelievably light but deliciously naughty. I don't really like traditional American/English donuts that much anyway so I suppose I'm gonna be more partial towards these round puffy doughy delights. 

Recipe for the Perfect Christmas Gift

Still  looking  for  a  little  Christmas  gift  inspiration?  Then  read  this lovely  guest  post  by  my  good  friend,  Ellen  Dean...

Credit: Ideal Bookshelf 506, Cooking by Jane Mount

1. The  Cooking  revolution

As I rush around like a maniac completing my Christmas shopping last minute, I grudgingly access advice from some smug YouTube ‘5th dan’ shopper. Yes shopper, we all know CD sales are falling and most people, like me, find their entertainment online; all things considered, who has time for books these days? However one type of book apparently remains an acceptable, albeit traditional gift. Among mass online migration, the plucky little cookbook is standing strong; sales are on the rise and have been ever since 2001. ‘Today, if we cook, we Google it”, says writer and cook school owner Prue Leith, be we don’t simply stick to the screen: “New cookbooks lie on the coffee table and we drool over Tuscan landscapes and rustic ovens. Before ordering in a pizza”. Prue may not quite have that 'bake off buzz' but social media is literally bursting with bloggers, instagrammers and jam-packed with youtubers, sharing pics of mouth-watering morsels they have whipped up in an afternoon, all spurred on by their latest recipe book purchase, and although this should all be taken with a pinch of salt (excuse the pun), we have seemingly become a nation of pretty decent chefs.

Gingerbread Madeleines

Here we are again, nearly another year over and let the Christmas baking season commence!! (As of today I can finally relax with a sigh of relief as I have no more uni work till the new year semester. Woooooo!!) 

Sweet Potato, Cheese and Chorizo Muffins

These muffins are so delicious and filling for breakfast. I make a batch of  12 and enjoy 2 per portion, just warming them up in the microwave as and when I have them.

Sticky Banoffee Chocolate Upside-down Cake

This cake really is what it sounds like: pure indulgence and heaven!! It's not one to be taken by the shovel load but daaammn it's so good and definitely a real treat. The cake is a bit of a mouthful to say (and that's not even all of it! There's also hazelnuts for that added crunch because why not, and I absolutely love 'em!) I could have called it a pudding rather than a cake as it is based on that british classic - sticky toffee pudding. 

Spinach, Watercress and Rocket Pesto (with pasta and toasted almonds)

Hey pesto! I love the green stuff, it's just so handy to have a jar of it ready and waiting in the fridge when you want a simple accompaniment to your pasta (or even some fish, couscous, or rice dish.) It's fast becoming a student staple for me due to it being so quick and versatile. I had a salad bag looking rather sorry for itself in my fridge drawer...all soggy and wilted, and as I have mentioned before in my previous post - I absolutely hate throwing away food! It's such a bad habit to get into and I've noticed now I'm at university it is harder for us lot to use up everything when we're only cooking for one. 

Mediterranean Vegetable and Goats Cheese Couscous Salad

Now that I am a university student, I'm slowly beginning to learn how to cook in smaller portions. Discovering and adapting recipes to save money but also how not to waste food. One of my biggest pet hates! I have to confess it is rather tricky to shop for one when the supermarkets these days like to cater for a whole household rather than for just one person. However, I am sure that bit by bit I will pick up tips and learn to love my freezer, (which, by the way is absolutely rammed full to the point of no return!) 

Milk Chocolate Birthday Cake

This cake is my fail-safe, go-to recipe when anyone asks me for a chocolate cake. I love milk chocolate, and shamefully I can admit that I don't like dark chocolate, (which is probably why I love this cake so much as it isn't incredibly dark like a chicago fudge cake or brownie is). I know some people would prefer nothing but a rich dark almost bitter cake - BUT this one is for all you lot who like me, remain a child at heart by opting to stick with the sweet milky kind.