Nigella's Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake

I don't bake that often (well actually hardly ever). The last time I remember was a Christmas cake a couple of years ago. There are two reasons for this; firstly I live with just my boyfriend and as we are both trying to lose those extra pounds, baking a cake just for the two of us doesn't seem like a very good idea. Secondly I never follow a recipe, and I know with baking you have to be exact otherwise you won't get the desired results. So on that basis I more often than not just don't bother.

However last weekend my boyfriend decided to buy some jaffa cakes, I suddenly stated to crave the mixture of chocolate and orange and decided to bake this cake. The recipe is from her 'Kitchen' book, which I think is her most recent. It's actually really easy to make and very light and moist. Apparently it should keep for up to five days which means I have no excuse for wolfing it down in one day!!!!!!! I think I will give it another go, maybe when I've got more people around to help me finish it!!!!!!

carbonnade a la Flammade

(Or beef in beer)
Made this today- it's a Nigella Lawson recipe. Thought that it wouldn't be that good as I don't really like real ale, but it was really nice. Cooked in the oven for about 2 and a half hours and have some left for tomorrow!!!

Served it with pasta as Nigella suggests but might have it with mashed potatoes instead tomorrow. Pictured above.