Chocolate Brownies

Those of you who are regular readers will know that I don't often do baking. This is mainly because I don't have the ingredients at home and the fact that I have difficulty following  a recipe to the letter. Indeed when I made these brownies I decided to add a bit of Vanessa. I decided to make these after finding a recipe in a supplement in the Telegraph, but an exact copy of the recipe can be found here. Instead of the white chocolate I added dried sour cherries as I love the combination of chocolate and cherries. I was slightly nervous as I would class myself as a baking novice, but these are incredibly easy if you follow the instructions carefully. The only difference I would make if I made them again is that I might use slightly less strong chocolate- I used one with 85% coco solids instead of the recommended 75%. This doesn't make then bad, it just makes them extremely rich, maybe too rich for some. But I will definitely make them again, probably around Christmas as they are perfect to offer to guests who have just popped in.
I would also add, in the reciepe it states to slice them into 16. I sliced mine into eight, a portion this size was just too big given how rich they are, also when it says leave to cool, as hard as this is to do, make sure that you do leave them to cool, they will taste so much nicer for it.

Elderflower cyder review

When I was in Sainsbury's the other day I noticed that they had elderflower cyder on offer. Loving all things elder flowery I decided that I had to give it a go. The fact that it was on offer too sealed the deal.
It was not like other cyders, which are often very dry or have a cheap, chemical taste. This had a pleasant flavour of elderflower along with a slightly sweet cyder. It was very refreshing (quite good as we recently have had record-breaking weather) and had a clean taste. I had it on its own, but I would think that it would also go well with barbecued foods, if we get the weather for it. I'm not one of these people who only drink cyder when the weather is nice- instead I tend to think of it as a good alternative to wine.  So if it's still on offer (or if I'm feeling flush) then I will definitely buy this again.

Bacon and sweetcorn chowder.

Continuing with my cheap meals theme, yesterday I decided to make a chowder. I don't really like clams so I was quite happy when I came across a clam-less version in an old copy of Sainsbury's magazine. A similar version can be found here. I didn't have any bacon but had half a pack of ready diced pancetta in the fridge so used that instead. Also I added 250g of fresh white fish (on offer in the supermarket) to add a bit of bul and flavour. Beacuse of this i didn't add any stock though. I was worried that it might taste a bit too milky but it was quite a savoury flavour. I used semi-skimmed milk; I think skimmed might be a bit too watery.
I felt that it was enough as a meal on its own but my boyfriend had a mini baguette with his. He also added a bit of Tabasco, but then he does like his food spicy!!!

Here is the final result , I know  it doesn't look that appetising but trust me it is lovely.

Pasta bake

So, recently I have been trying to come up with cheaper meals as I have noticed that my weekly shopping bill is creeping up and up. Yesterday I decided to cook the student favourite pasta bake. Admittedly I also love it and think it's easy and can be jazzed up if needs be. This served the two of us pretty generously and there is a bit leftover for my lunch today.

Pasta Bake
(serves 2-4 depending upon how hungry you are)
Ingredients:
250gr dry pasta shapes
1/2 pack pancetta or 4 rashers smoked, streaky bacon
100gr strong Cheddar cheese
1 large leek
1 pack of white sauce mix
1 tsp wholegrain mustard.
1 tbs veg oil


Method

Pre- heat the oven to 200C
Heat the oil in a large frying pan.
Slice the leek finely and add tho the frying pan, add the pancetta or sliced streaky bacon. Fry gently until cooked but not coloured.
Meanwhile boil some water in a large pan and cook the pasta according to pack instructions. (usually around 10 mins)
Make up the white sauce as well.
Drain the pasta and add to the leeks and bacon, add the white sauce and mustard and mix thoroughly.
Tip the whole mixture into an oven proof dish and top with the grated cheddar. Bake in the oven for 20 mins or until bubbling and golden on top.
Serve with green salad.

Any leftovers should be refrigerated when cooled and reheated until piping hot the next day.

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!!!!!!

Potato and egg salad

Hello , today I was eating alone and had some potatoes to use from the garden. I decided to make potato salad as the weather has been kind I am in the mood for something a bit lighter than usual.
This potato salad isn't like the mayonnaise based ones in the supermarket, the dressing is lighter and I have also added some herbs from the garden for good measure:
This is enough for one; if you're feeding more simply multiply the ingredients.
Ingredients:
Handful of new potatoes- scrubbed but not peeled
1 large egg
Chives and mustard cress- couple of teaspoons of each
Mustard -English or Dijon
olive oil
Quarter onion-sliced
Vinegar
Salt


Method:
Drop the potatoes in to a pan of boiling water, cook until tender. Meanwhile cook the egg in boiling water until hard boiled (about 8-10 mins).
To make the dressing mix the mustard and vinegar, then whisk in about 100ml of olive oil. set the dressing aside.
When they are cooked roughly chop the potatoes and egg and add to a large bowl. add the onion, herbs and pour over the dressing whist everything is still warm. This will allow all the flavours to penetrate the salad. Serve warm.
I served this with fish-cod, but I think it would also go nicely with salmon, tuna or even grilled chicken.
Bon appetit!!!

River Cottage Flapjacks

HI all,
Made these yesterday after my boyfriend saw them on River Cottage on Sunday night. I wasn't that keen on the look of them but decided that as I had nothing better to do, I may as well give it a go.
Well they were quite easy to make (I have the River Cottage Everyday Book), just a case of melting the wet ingredients, adding the dry ones then baking for half an hour. The smell whilst they were cooking was lovely so I couldn't wait to get them out and try them. When I took them out of the oven they were still quite soft, so I thought that I had done something wrong, but they do harden as they cool. (The instructions recommend that you don't try to cut them until they have cooled down completely). When they finally did cool down, I couldn't resist having a quick taste. They were really nice, quite sweet so could only manage one, but boyfriend has taken quite a few away on his trip. Will probably make these again at a later date.
9.5/10
p.s. unfortunately no photos as boyfriend has already gone with his. Take my word for it that they were extremely nice!!!!!!