♥ a food, travel and lifestyle blog ♥
So often I will be watching a cooking show, and I will be inspired to make something. Sometimes I let the idea sit for a long time, but in the case of this chocolate caramel mug cake it was a matter of minutes from thought to table. I used a ready made caramel I have … Continue reading Chocolate Caramel Mug Cake
I cannot translate tummale di ricotta in a way that would make sense. Dark from ricotta is not what this dessert is about. It is a creamy Sicilian cheesecake that is both luxurious and light, as described in the recipe book I got the recipe from. I would describe it as a delightful blend of … Continue reading Tummale Di Ricotta
From reading Warren Mendes account of his time at Tswalu, I have learnt that we grow pistachios in the Northern Cape. They thrive in dry hot areas and if you have ever been to Sicily you will understand why the finest of these nuts grow there. I buy locally grown pistachios that have already been … Continue reading Pistachio And Honey Tart
For the rose pistachio cheesecake ice cream you want both the rose and the pistachios to shine. This means using just enough rose water to give a hint of floral notes. And enough pistachio paste to make it nutty. I have adapted a recipe from Chef Zouheir which I found on Instagram. Head straight on … Continue reading Rose Pistachio Cheesecake Ice Cream
At the time I made this orange cake, blood oranges were not in season. I decorated it with grapefruit slices just for the pretty aspect. But, if I made it again I would do so with red fleshed oranges, as so far, they have been the best choice this season. Head straight on to the … Continue reading Orange Cake
When Yotam Ottolenghi was living in Amsterdam he would stop and have apple cake at Villa Zeezicht. Using this memory, and the ones of Verena's gedeckter apfelkuchen and boterkoek, they created this Dutch apple cake recipe. It is so worth the effort and hopefully one day I will get to share this with Mark and Eva. … Continue reading Dutch Apple Cake
I always have blueberries in my freezer as I have a scoop of them in my morning smoothie. I used these to make my blueberry ricotta drop scones which I served with maple syrup. You can make these into a more substantial treat by adding yoghurt, extra fruit and toasted nuts. Head straight on to … Continue reading Blueberry Ricotta Drop Scones
I made two versions of this blueberry cheesecake ice cream. One left the blueberries whole which made them icy when frozen. The other turned the blueberries into a sauce, which to me was the better version. Adapt this recipe to make use of any seasonal berries. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Blueberry … Continue reading Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
One year when we were on our way shopping for a barge trip, we stopped at a small patisserie. Eric ordered something to eat, and we all declined, thinking the tarts were savoury. He offered us a bite, and I am sure regrets that to this day. It was a rhubarb tart, not a celery … Continue reading Rhubarb Tart
I have wanted to try tempering using a marble block, and when I got this gold chocolate I thought it would be the best opportunity to do so. The method is quite tedious, and time consuming. And it should be done in cool climatic conditions, and not in the heat of summer! Head straight on … Continue reading Gold Chocolate
Having the most amazing colour, and stunning flavour, this apricot kernel ice cream got a lot of thumbs up. We enjoyed it on hot summer days, eating it by the bowlful while sitting around the pool. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Apricot Kernel Ice Cream ♥ A caveat when making this apricot … Continue reading Apricot Kernel Ice Cream
This recipe for Persian Love Cakes has been adapted from Yotam Ottolenghi who offers all sorts of amazing recipes for us to enjoy. This one is from Sweet, which I do not have a copy of. Something to be added to my wish list for sure. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Persian Love … Continue reading Persian Love Cakes
Feeling too lazy to drive to the shops, and in the mood for experimenting, I made my own evaporated milk. I used fresh milk as I was not sure how UHT milk would work. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Evaporated Milk ♥ Evaporated milk Evaporated milk is so easy to make at … Continue reading Evaporated Milk
Using my grill for the marshmallows, I made this toasted marshmallow gelato. It is a churner recipe and the result is the most amazing tasting treat. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Toasted Marshmallow Gelato ♥ Eating marshmallows I am sure we all have childhood memories of toasting marshmallows on an open fire. … Continue reading Toasted Marshmallow Gelato
These chocolate flapjacks get a double dose of chocolate from the boozy sauce. You can even amp up the chocolate aspect by adding chocolate chips to your batter. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Chocolate Flapjacks ♥ What is a flapjack? Well, if you live in the United Kingdom, this word will mean … Continue reading Chocolate Flapjacks
Cinnamon dumplings, or souskluitjies, are a traditional Afrikaans dessert that I only came across recently. Teaming up with Amarula, a bunch of home cooks have contributed their recipes to a local recipe book. I will share more about that at the end of the month. In the meantime, enjoy my first recipe from the book. … Continue reading Souskluitjies | Cinnamon Dumplings
Sometimes, the simplest of recipes, provides you with the best of treats. And this recipe for cardamom ice cream is no exception. Using just 3 ingredients, this no churn ice cream is packed full of flavour, and is the perfect dessert to enjoy on its own, or with a slice of chocolate cake. I served … Continue reading Cardamom Ice Cream
I have used a simple sugar syrup made with fructose, and dried rose buds, to make my rose syrup. This will keep well in the fridge so you can easily bulk up the recipe if you have a variety of ways to use this syrup. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Rose Syrup … Continue reading Rose Syrup
If you have not yet figured it out, I am having a slight obsession with single serving desserts that I can make in five minutes. This cinnamon mug cake is the latest creation to come out of my kitchen. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Cinnamon Mug Cake ♥ Let's talk about cinnamon … Continue reading Cinnamon Mug Cake
This caramel toast ice cream is so refreshing, that you will will summer to come along so you can try it. The toast flavour comes from whole wheat bread, and the caramel from reduced apple juice. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Caramel Toast Ice Cream ♥ Which bread? In summer I make … Continue reading Caramel Toast Ice Cream