Panini's

I made the most divine Panini yesterday. It was actually quite simple really and was devoured in no time. Pity my pic didn't come out too nice - but I posted it anyway.

You will need:

1 French Baguette

1 Sweet Red Pepper

1 Onion

Cut the red pepper in half and take out all the seeds. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle oil over it. Place in oven on grill for a few minutes until the skin is lightly browned and crisped. Once done allow to let cool and than peel off the skin and cut into thin slivers. Leave aside.

Cut the onion into thin rings and place in a non-stick pan together with salt, pepper and fine red chillies and some sugar. Allow to caremelise.

Cut baguette lengthwise and spread garlic butter on the inside. Layer the pepper and the onions. Garnish with chopped coriander and a dash of pepper.

Place on Panini grill for a few minutes to warm.

Divine as a starter of as a main dish.

Chocolate Cake Heaven

I made the most divine chocolate cake this weekend. There is nothing like tasting that rich cocoa flavour swirl in your mouth as you savour each and every morsel. I didnt get a chance to take any pics :( as it was all finished by yesterday. This is really one of the most easiest chocolate cake recipes there are and to be honest it is flop free.....

2 Tbp of Cocoa
1/2 Cup of Water
1/2 Cup Oil
Cup Flour
1 Cup Castor Sugar
4 Eggs
2 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Vanilla

Mix Cocoa, Water and oil well. Than add flour, castor sugar and four slightly beaten egg yolks. Than add the two Tsp of Baking powder. Add 1/2 tsp of Baking Powder to the egg whites and beat until fluffy. Fold this into the first mixture. Add the vanilla. Pour it into two tins and bake at 180 C for 20-25 minutes.For the topping - I took Fresh Cream and added some sugar to it. It has to be really sweet. Beat the cream until creamy and fluffy. Take the one cake and put a layer of Strawberry Jam and a layer of cream. Put the other cake over this and ice the whole cake with the cream and decorate with grated chocolate. I used Flake.

It was truly, utterly, sinfully divine.....

Biscotti

I got this recipe off the Delicious Days website. It was so easy to make and the taste is absolutely divine. I love to bake and I am always on the lookout for delicious biscuits, cakes etc. This biscotti is absolutely divine.

Ingredients:

90g Pine Nuts
100g Butter
150g Sugar
2 Eggs
2 Tbp Lemon Juice
Zest of one lemon (I used lemon essence)
300g Flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
A pinch of salt


Method:
Preheat oven to 170°C. Toast pine nuts in a shallow pan over medium heat for about 6 minutes or until nuts are fragrant and (lightly) browned. Than set aside to cool.



In a bowl beat soft butter and sugar until light and creamy. Than add eggs, lemon zest and juice. Stir well.


In a separate bowl combine flour, salt and baking powder. Add this to the sugar and butter mixture and blend well. Finally fold in the toasted nuts.

Divide the dough into two equal parts, form thin loafs and place on a cookie sheet (lined with parchment paper). Make sure they are neither too close to each other nor to the sides of the sheet. My dough was a little sticky, but when I dusted the board and my hands with flour, it worked fine.


Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack, allow to cool for a few minutes.

Biscotti loaves fresh out the oven

Place on a cutting board and carefully slice slantwise into 1/2 - 3/4 inch slices. Lay slices flat on the baking sheet and return to the oven for an additional 20 minutes (same temperature), turning them once after 10 minutes. Then remove from oven and let cool on the wire rack. Store at room temperature in an airtight tin or container

Biscotti cut into slices and placed onto pan to brown

I just couldn't resist - Yumm