This Dutch Apple Loaf is my kind of cake, soft and moist, and filled with juicy chunks of apple and pecan nuts. For a lovely hint of sweetness I have drizzled a delicious buttery icing glaze over the top. This is such a versatile recipe as it can be served with cream or crème fraîche as a dessert, or with your morning tea or coffee .
Mother’s Day is a day when we pay tribute to all the beautiful woman of the world who have sacrificed so much to keep their children warm and safe, who work tirelessly to provide them with the best opportunities they can provide for a happy healthy life, and who nurture them from babies and love them unconditionally when they have grown up. They are the binding thread that holds a family together, from their undying love that comes with soft snuggles and kisses , to strong discipline strategies to stem temper tantrums and defiance as they grow older.
Popcorn always takes me back to a time when, as a child, my parents would take me to the beach on a Sunday, and they would let me choose a treat from the vendors who walked up and down the promenade selling their wares. I would more often than not end up with a packet of caramel popcorn. It was always such a delight to sit in the back of the car, nibbling away at each kernel trying to make it last as long as possible. Today however I stay away from too much sugar, so here is my alternative to that sugar loaded popcorn.
Picture an Italian antipasto board overflowing with prosciutto, salami, salty olives, fresh mozzarella, and rustic artisanal breads with olive oil. For me it just does not get much better than that, unless you add a delicious Italian Sweet Pepper Pickle to the mix. Just the sight of a beautifully prepared antipasto platter is enough to change the mood of an entire evening, enticing you to the table for a shared meal of pure indulgence and fun with family and friends. So pull out your favourite board, invite a few friends around and get creative.
Easter for me is a home filled with the smell of warm spicy hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, and thoughts of fluffy white bunnies and soft yellow chicks. But there always has to be cake, so this year its this beautiful moist Coconut Bundt Cake, topped with blush pink drizzle icing and flaked coconut.
This simple coffee cake made in a square pan is sweetened with dates and maple syrup and topped with a crunchy walnut crumble and a drizzle of sweet glaze. The cake has a hint of orange, with a cinnamon laced crumble on top . I have adapted this recipe from my all time favourite magazine Bake From Scratch.
has been a bit crazy for the last two weeks, so I haven’t had much time to bake. But today with some beautiful much needed rain falling and I bit of a respite from the heat, this uncomplicated quick Blueberry muffin loaf was the perfect thing to make. It is moist and tangy, and it literally falls apart with softness. Make it as a loaf or in muffin cases, but either way you are going to be hooked, its great for breakfast, tea or an afternoon snack. Pack it full of plump blueberries to give your day a powerful antioxidant boost.
