250ml wholewheat flour 250ml cake flour 125ml sugar 7,5ml baking powder 2,5ml bicarbonate of soda 2,5ml salt 15ml each of sesame, poppy and sunflower seeds 250ml greek yoghurt 1 egg 62ml vegetable oil
Preheat your oven to 180℃ and grease a standard 23cm X 13cm loaf pan. Add the wholewheat flour, cake flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt and seeds to a mixing bowl and mix through with a whisk. Add the yoghurt, egg and vegetable oil to a wide-mouthed jug and whisk together. Pour the liquid ingredients in to the dry ingredients and stir through with a spatula until all the flour has been incorporated and you are left with a shaggy, wet batter. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and pat it down into the corners. Bake the loaf for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the loaf, comes out clean. Take the bread from the oven and cool in the pan for 15 minutes before turning it out. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
This is one of my favourite French desserts and really easy to make. Make the crêpes the day before you need them and simply reheat them in the orange-caramel-syrup before serving.
Crêpes: 750ml cake flour 2,5ml baking powder 5ml salt 500ml milk 250ml water 125ml sunflower oil 4 eggs
Orange sauce: 45ml caster sugar 250ml orange juice the zest of one orange 5ml lemon juice 15ml brandy 50g butter, cubed
For the crêpes: Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitter with the whisk attachment. Whisk the milk, water, oil and eggs together in a separate wide-mouthed jug. Turn the mixer on to a low speed and add the liquid ingredients in a very thin stream. Keep whisking and pouring until all the liquid has been added. Turn the mixer on to a higher speed and whisk for at least two minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer, cover with plastic wrap and allow to stand for 1 hour. Heat a crêpe pan/frying pan until hot. Add a small amount of vegetable oil and swirl it around the pan. Pour the oil out and put the pan back onto a medium-high heat. Spoon a ladle-full of the batter into the pan and cook until small holes appear over the entire surface of the crêpe. Flip the crêpe and cook for 1 minute on the other side. Slide the cooked crêpe onto a plate and continue baking the rest.
For the orange sauce: Tip the caster sugar into a non-stick frying pan on medium to low heat. Allow the sugar to melt without stirring it. You want the sugar to turn a caramel colour without burning it – watch it like a hawk and do not walk away from it! Take the pan from the heat when the sugar is brown enough and add the orange juice, orange zest, lemon juice and brandy. Return the pan to a very low heat. Do not panic if the sugar has seized, continue heating over a low heat and stir lightly until the sugar has dissolved completely. Now start adding the butter, one or two cubes at a time while stirring constantly. Keep going until you have incorporated all the butter. Bring the mixture to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly and has a lovely gloss to it.
Fold each crêpe into half, and then fold it again so that you have a more-or-less triangular shape. Gently slide the folded crêpe into the pan and spoon the sauce over it. Serve immediately.
Chocolate and pear is a match made in heaven and with this delicious chocolate pastry as a base, few desserts will be able to compare to this tart!
Poached pears: 3 ripe pears 750ml water 250ml sugar 15ml lemon juice
Chocolate pastry: 80g dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa 175g butter, cubed 230g caster sugar 4 egg yolks 10ml vanilla 15ml milk 50g cocoa powder 350g cake flour
Chocolate frangipane: 120g dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa 120g butter, cubed 120g caster sugar 5ml vanilla 2 eggs 125g ground almonds 25g flour
Poaching the pears: Pour the water into a small saucepan and add the sugar and lemon juice. Turn the heat on to medium and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Peel, halve and core the pears and add to the poaching liquid. Cut a square of baking paper that is large enough to cover the saucepan. Scrunch the paper up and then slide it down into the saucepan until it touches the poaching liquid. Bring the poaching liquid to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently until a wooden skewer can easily be inserted into the pear quarters. Turn off the heat and allow the fruit to cool in the poaching liquid. Remove the pear once it has cooled and keep aside. Simmer the poaching liquid until it reduces to a syrup. Reserve this to glaze the tart with once it comes from the oven.
For the chocolate pastry: Chop and melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure that the bottom of the bowl is not in contact with the water. Stir until silky smooth and completely melted. Take the bowl from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Add the cubed butter, sugar, egg yolks, vanilla and milk to the bowl of a food processor and blitz together. Pour in the slightly cooled chocolate and pulse to blend in. Sift the cocoa powder and flour into the chocolate mixture and blitz until the mixture comes together in a smooth ball of pastry. Wrap the pastry with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for one hour.
Lightly spray a tart tin with baking spray. Roll the pastry to a thickness of 3mm and line the baking tin on the bottom and sides. Place the pastry case into the freezer for 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 180℃. Line the pastry case with baking paper and baking beans and bake for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
For the chocolate frangipane: Keep your oven on 180℃. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure that the bottom of the bowl is not in contact with the water. Stir until completely melted. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and the eggs and beat together, scraping down once or twice, until well blended. Add the almonds and flour and fold into the egg mixture with a spatula. Pour in the melted chocolate and stir once again to incorporate, with the spatula. Spread the frangipane mixture onto the baked pastry case. Slice the pears and position each sliced half onto the chocolate frangipane, spacing it so that there is enough space for all of the pear. Bake the tart for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush the reduced poaching liquid (syrup) onto the warm tart. Allow to cool in the baking mould. Serve with a sprinkling of icing sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For the potato crust: Preheat your oven to 180℃ and grease a loose-bottomed cake tin. Spread a clean tea towel onto a work surface and grate the potato directly onto it, with the skin on. Fold the towel over the potato, gathering all ends together and twist and squeeze the potato over your kitchen sink until all the excess moisture has been removed. Put the potato into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the garlic salt and flour over the grated potato and mix through with your hands in order to distribute all ingredients as evenly as possible. Now add the egg and mix in the same way. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and press it tightly into the base and sides of the tin with the back of a spoon. Place the cake tin on a flat baking sheet and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
For the filling: Put a frying pan on to medium heat and add some oil to it. Slice the onions and fry them until soft and translucent. Spoon the onion into a large mixing bowl. Turn the heat up to high, slice the mushrooms and add them to the hot pan. Cook until caramelised. Spoon into the bowl with the onion. Grate the zucchini and cheese directly into the mixing bowl with the onion and mushroom. Mix together. Spoon the vegetable-cheese mixture in to the potato crust. Set aside. Add the eggs, cream, salt and mustard to a mixing bowl and whisk together. Gently pour over the vegetable mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, until golden and set. Remove from the oven and stand in the baking tin for 30 minutes. Slice and serve warm.
Pistachio nut butter is relatively low in calories and fat but high in protein. Spread it on toast, stir it into oatmeal porridge or mix it into a cookie batter. You will need a powerful food processor to process the nuts.
Choose the amount of nuts – I used 500ml Blanch the pistachios for two minutes, drain and spread them onto a tea towel. Rub the between the cloth to remove the skins. The more skin you remove, the greener the pistachio butter!
Now roast the nuts at 170℃ for 7 minutes. Add the pistachio to a food processor and blitz until creamy. Scoop the nut butter into a glass jar and store in the fridge.
For the topping: 60g sugar 60g butter, room temperature 10ml warm water 2,5ml coffee powder 1 egg 70g flour a pinch of salt
Cut the 50g butter into ten equal pieces, wrap in baking paper and place it in the freezer. Line a large baking sheet with baking paper. Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Warm the milk until tepid and pour it into a mixing bowl. Add the butter, instant yeast and sugar to the milk and stir until dissolved. Turn the mixer onto a low speed and add the liquids. Mix/knead for about 3 minutes. The dough will be very sticky! Turn the mixer to medium speed and knead for another 6 minutes. You want a dough that is soft, smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces – weigh them on a scale, they should be around 60g each. Roll each portion into a ball and then roll the ball into a disc with a rolling pin – about 9cm in diameter. Take the butter cubes from the freezer and place a cube in the centre of the dough disc. Lift the sides and cover the butter with the dough, pinching it together, to seal. Flip the ball over and place on the prepared baking sheet. Keep going until there is no dough left. Spray some plastic wrap with cooking spray and lightly cover the buns. Set aside to proof for 90 minutes.
Coffee topping: Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until the mixture is light in colour and has a fluffy texture. Dissolve the coffee powder in the warm water and add to the butter mixture. Stir through by hand. Add the egg and stir until incorporated. Add the flour and salt and stir to mix. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag and place in the refrigerator until needed.
Preheat your oven to 180℃. Pipe the coffee topping in a tight circular pattern, starting from the centre of the bun working a third of the way down. Bake the buns for 20 minutes.
This is fragrant dessert with rose water and honey and is based on the traditional Roz bel Laban. The recipe provides 6 generous portions depending on the size of the glasses or bowls it is served in.
500ml milk 250ml cream 2 cinnamon quills 6 cloves 1,2ml ground cardamon 250ml rice 30ml sugar 500ml water 83ml condensed milk 30ml butter 30ml rose water honey and pistachio nuts to serve
Add the milk, cream, cinnamon, cloves and cardamon to a saucepan. Turn the heat on medium and wait for the mixture to come to the boil. Turn the heat down so that the mixture simmers and add the rice, sugar and water. Allow the mixture to simmer until the rice is cooked, stirring continuously. This will take 30 – 40 minutes. Do not leave the mixture – keep an eye on it! Take the saucepan from the heat and add the condensed milk, rose water and butter. Stir thoroughly. Spoon the rice pudding into glasses or serving bowls. Drizzle each dessert with honey and a sprinkling of pistachio nuts. The rice pudding is best served warm.
This roasted cauliflower soup is deliciously light and complex at the same time. The sunflower seeds add a creaminess and depth of taste and makes this a soup you can entertain with. Yields 6 – 8 servings.
2 heads of cauliflower 2 onions 3 cloves of garlic, minced 1l vegetable/chicken stock 250ml water 250ml cream 125ml sunflower seeds, toasted 1,2ml grated/ground nutmeg 15ml lemon juice 30ml butter salt and pepper
Preheat your oven to 220℃ and line a baking tray with baking paper. Cut the cauliflower heads into florets and place them on the line baking tray. Drizzle with vegetable oil and a sprinkling of salt. Roast the florets in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through the roasting time.
Peel and chop the onions. Put a large saucepan on to medium heat, add some oil and the onions and fry until the onions start to caramelise. Turn the heat down, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Pour the stock, water and cream into the saucepan and add the sunflower seeds and nutmeg. Add the roasted florets and cook at medium heat for 20 minutes. Add the lemon juice and butter to the soup and stir through. Decant the soup, in batches, into a liquidiser and blend until smooth. Pour the soup back into the same saucepan and taste it – adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve the soup warm with a crusty bread.
This is an old favourite which most of us have eaten in one form or the other. The addition of the chocolate layer on top adds a creaminess and turns a kids-party-favourite into an adult snack! Keeps well in a sealed container at room temperature.
2 X 200g packets plain biscuits 250g butter 60ml condensed milk 30ml golden syrup 45ml cocoa powder, sifted 30 sugar 160g dark chocolate; I used De Villiers Dark Chocolate, Intense 160g white chocolate; I used De Villiers White Chocolate, Raspberry, Vanilla and Almonds
Line two 20cm X 20cm baking tins with baking paper. Put the biscuits into a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Pour the biscuit pieces into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter, condensed milk, syrup, cocoa powder and sugar to a small saucepan and melt together over a low heat. Stir the mixture until completely smooth and amalgamated. Pour the runny mixture onto the biscuit pieces and mix well, making sure that all the pieces are covered in it. Divide the mixture between the two prepared baking tins and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Press down to compact the mixture. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces and add it to a heatproof bowl that sits on a saucepan of simmering water. Stir every now and then until the chocolate is melted. Pour onto one of the baking tins with brownies. Repeat the process with the white chocolate and pour over the other batch of brownies. If you want to prettify the brownies with edible flowers, now is the time! Place the two baking tins in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Slice before serving.
This is a simple recipe and requires no thermometer. Brittle is best made on days with sunshine as the moisture from mist and rain will cause the brittle to become/stay sticky. Best kept in an airtight container lined with wax paper, at room temperature.
250ml sugar 62ml water 2,5ml salt 375ml peanuts, cashew, blanched/raw almonds or pistachio nuts
Line a rimmed baking sheet with baking paper and spray it with cooking spray. Spread the nuts onto the prepared baking sheet and set aside. Add the sugar, water and salt to a small saucepan. Place onto a high heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Cook the mixture for 4 minutes WITHOUT stirring and start checking the colour – you are aiming for an amber colour. You may cook the sugar for longer until it reaches the colour you like. Remove from the heat and pour over the nuts. Set aside to cool and set. Keep the brittle in a sealed container lined with wax paper, at room temperature.
My Whisk and I 