Blueberry & Pecan Brownies

 

♬ Upbeat brownie playlist

 

'Heartbeats' The Knife

'Work it out' Beyoncé

'Intergalactic' Beastie Boys

'Breathe' The Prodigy

'American woman' Lenny Kravitz

'Make some noise' Beastie Boys

'Waiting all night' Rudimental feat Ella Eyre

 

Random mix of music melting under my feet in the kitchen. I've been dancing and talking to a camera like a crazy woman and now sitting with Manuka honey all over my face.

Ladies if you do have a spare hour, melt 2 teaspoons of high strength Manuka honey and spread on your damp face (tie hair back). Wash off with warm water after 15 minutes.

Natural, fairly cheap and a lovely smelling cleanser!

 



 

It's been way too long since I baked a batch of brownies, and seen as its Easter and I ate half a Terry's chocolate orange yesterday, I thought why not finish this chocolate binge with some wholesome brownies.

 

Ingredients:

200g unsalted butter

200g dark chocolate

Zest from one lemon

Zest from one orange

4 medium eggs

120g gluten free plain white flour

100g chopped pecan nuts

150g fresh blueberries

Extra 200g and 20 blueberries to decorate, glitter optional.

Method:

▶ Preheat oven 180°c

Melt chocolate and butter in a bowl over boiling water on low heat.

Whisk eggs and sugar with zests, not sure 'zests' is even a word but you know what I mean.

Stir through chocolate mixture and fold in flour, blueberries and pecans.

Pour into a brownie tray.

Bake for 25 minutes max.

 

Melt remaining chocolate and gently stir through blueberries, place about two/three blueberries on each brownie.

 

Blueberries make the sponge really moist and taste like a proper squidgy brownie.

 

Most recipes say this time and let me tell you the secret truth. You know your oven, once you smell brownies, check on them and after 20 minutes slightly shake the tray. If everything is still raw and wobbly then leave it for the extra full 5 minutes. Otherwise only the middle should be slightly wobbly and they are done.

 

My oven takes exactly 21 minutes for these bad boys.

 

Enjoy!xx

 

 

Brownie Cup

♬ 'BANG!...The Greatest Hits Of Frankie Goes To Hollywood'

My brownies mean business, I mean they are so delicious words cannot describe how good they taste. Delicious is an understatement. 

Next time when you make a batch of brownies add two tablespoons of the mixture into wafer cups with a dollop of cranberry sauce in between each spoon. Bake for 25 minutes, then leave out for 20 minutes and whip up some cream and top with edible glitter and dried cranberries.

Mita's Boom Brownies

Recipe has been adapted by many sources, trust me I've made my fair batch of brownies, this recipe is a winner. P.s lots of mixing involved here.

The baking tray size is ESSENTIAL. A roasting tin 34 x 25cm (13 x 10in) lined with greaseproof paper.

5 medium eggs - room temperature

400g sugar (I used 200g caster and 200g granulated)

300g organic chocolate (mix flavours - I used 200g dark and 100g milk)

250g unsalted butter - good quality, no supermarket brand please!

Pinch of fine sea salt

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

200g organic plain flour

Cranberry sauce (optional)

Balloon whisk

Method:

: Preheat oven to 180°c /350°F.

: Melt chocolate and butter in bowl over simmering hot water.

: Meanwhile whisk eggs, sugar, essence until creamy and the mixture covers back of a spoon.

: Pour in chocolate mixture and slowly whisk in big circular motions, like your king of the world.

: Stir through flour and salt.

: Depending on how many wafer cups you are making use a tablespoon to fill them half way, I found two tablespoons were fine as long as each cup is half full. In between each one add a teaspoon of cranberry sauce.

 If you are making a small number, say up to 5, pour the rest of the mixture into the baking tray. If you are making more cups, be warned the tray brownies might not be as thick!

: In the baking tray add small dollops of cranberry sauce and swirl into the mixture with a fork. This of course is optional, if you want to keep them plain then just leave them be!

: Bake for 25 minutes, 30 minutes maximum. The cups will take 25 minutes on the top shelf, any more you will be tasting rock chocolate cake! The other tray shouldn't wobble massively, we want the mixture to be cooked but still slightly gooey. Touch the top to check - be careful.

 Take out and leave cups to rest then whip up some cream and get decorating. With the tray brownies let them cool a bit then with a bread knife cut into generous blocks of heaven.

Sorry no video today which could be a blessing, energy has completely depleted and my eyes would be telling a different story. Getting a bit sentimental on you...

Life is tough and always will be, even for those with loads of money and many more with a few pounds. The question is are you a defeatist? Will you hang up your coat after one, two, or ten rejections/setbacks? 

No. 

Tap into your uniqueness and keep going. Struggle is an essential ingredient in a fighters life.

Next up...cherries baby!!

ê 'The Power Of Love'

Team GB Sundae

♬ 'Tongue N' Cheek' by Dizzee Rascal

A classic dessert dedicated to the fine Olympians smashing world records and everything else at the moment, I randomly made this while there was a short break on TV, you know just as a quick treat. Usian Bolt among Jessica Ennis and Michael Phelps have made it into my legend list (next to Delia Smith). Clearly there is not an excuse to watch anything else on TV, totally feels wrong watching the Hairy Bikers this month!

The space in which I inhabit in my messed up and annoying shared house is resembling a mini bakery! I don't believe I now own cans of lustre gold spray then found some chocolate Oreo's hiding behind the condensed milk. Seriously watch this space for exciting baking developments!  Anyway this was the outcome -  a sort of gold medal sundae with colours representing the union jack. Totally delicious. Really quick to prepare.

An ice cream worth raving about is Yeo Valley (and NO I am not working with their PR!) I genuinely love this company and love the Greek style yeogurt with honey ice cream. Buy it, I swear you will tut-tut at other ice creams after one glorious scoop. 

 ▶ Get Dizzee on..

You will need one gorgeous sundae dessert glass, worth investing in and they look too cute.

First grab a few raspberries and blueberries, press down in glass then add one scoop of ice cream on top and one crushed Oreo. Repeat then decorate with gold Oreo (which I sprayed before) and edible glitter on the ice cream. Obviously I was side tracked and had a biscuit upside down for one of the images, this was resolved by consuming it quickly and spraying another one.

Present to someone who works hard and deserves a gold medal for just being amazing. Yes the Olympics are a celebration of passion, commitment, focus, skill and talent, and there are people who do that on a daily basis and get no recognition. Represent and show some love.

Enjoy the rest of the games, I might be inspired to rustle up another golden selection of something fabulous. Good luck to your home country, as for mine we are unstoppable and shining through and through.

Favourite Song:

ê 'Dance Wiv Me'

Simple Roast

♬ 'Radio 1's Live Lounge Vol.5' by Various Artists

This is all I can stomach today - music easy on the ear and a simple meal, steady food full of protein and minimal flavour which is not a gastronomical headache. Having a roast is clearly a Sunday ritual, as you can see I didn't go haywire by adding Yorkshire puds and gravy into the mix! It's a nice meal for two while the Olympians show us what they are made of, and as you probably know the talent that is being displayed is unbelievable. I couldn't get over Zoe Smith aged only eighteen lifting 121kg! Pure shock and amazement as I watched her with awe, the girl made it look so easy. At 18 I swear I was only lifting cans of beans. 

Moving on I invested in courgettes, yes they are in season but I really had no idea what to do with them. They are so boring and every recipe book I flicked through dismissed them like they were a bad smell. I chopped them along with carrots and potatoes, drizzled olive oil, lime juice, snuggled in some chicken thighs and hey presto, job done. Partnered with the other vegetables they worked really well and the tangy lime made them taste lovely. Of course the leafy beauty that is coriander had to be involved, which accompanies lime incredibly well. 

 ▶

Ingredients for two:

2 chicken thighs

2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced thickly.

2 large potatoes, same as above.

1 large courgette, not peeled but vertically chopped.

Olive oil

2 limes

Bunch of coriander, coarsely chopped.

Method:

: Preheat oven to 150°c.

: Parboil the potatoes and carrots, for about 15 minutes.

: Drain and tip in a medium roasting dish with courgette.

: Place thighs in the middle, drizzle olive oil and squeeze one fresh lime over the whole lot.

: Pop in the oven and increase temperature to 200°c. Bake until chicken is done, which should be after 30 minutes.

Add extra lime, and sprinkle coriander.

Great, now time for ice cream!

Favourite Songs:

ê 'Little Lion Man' by Taio Cruz

'Telephone' by Roll Deep

'Better Than Love' by Hurts

'Underdog' by Kelly Rowland

Almond and Hazelnut Brownies

Food and music have kept me comfortable, giddy and out of the rain this weekend. I sang so badly at a party last night, and then found myself munching on chicken nuggets. Not sure what possessed me to even grab one, I was looking for pitta and houmous but instead there was garlic bread and wrinkly sausages! Seriously a tip: garlic bread is a big no no at a house party.

Now I'm back in my union jack crazy bedroom, staring at the gooey brownie next to my mug of chai. There wasn't a specific album I listened to when making these tempting gorgeous brown bricks. I was switching between songs and then decided to put together a wee play list, so I could avoid getting the keyboard dirty. Something I haven't done for a very long time.

♬

'The Sign' by Ace of Base

'The Rain' by Calvin Harris

'Best Of You' by The Foo Fighters

'We Found Love' by Rihanna and Calvin Harris

'Mercy' by Duffy

'Sound Of The Underground' by Girls Aloud

'Dirt Off Your Shoulder' by Jay Z

'American Boy' by Estelle Featuring Kanye West

 I'm sure you are itching to know how to make these succulent brownies. Here is the what,when and how.

▶ Recipe for a 25cm square tin, makes 15 squares.

Ingredients:

300g dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids)

250g unsalted butter
70g plain sifted flour
300g brown sugar
1 tsp almond essence
50g chopped hazelnuts
4 medium eggs, beaten.

Method:

: Preheat oven to 180°c.
: Melt the chocolate and butter in a large bowl over boiling water, be sure the water does not touch the bowl.
: Mix flour, baking powder, and sugar in a separate bowl.
: Once the chocolate and butter have melted, and is smooth, tip into the dry ingredients.
: Stir in the beaten eggs, and mix well.
: Slowly pour this mixture into the tin, making sure it's level.
: Set a timer for 23 minutes.

Serve with cream, ice cream or on their own when they are hot.
Can be stored in a tight tin for up to 3 days.

DONE!

Favourite Song:

ê 'Best Of You' by The Foo Fighters

Flourless Snickers Style Cakes

♬ 'Jazzie's Groove' By Soul II Soul

Ever fancied a cake with no flour, just chocolate and eggs? Well, today's your lucky day, turn your back on flour, and look for the following ingredients.

Personally, the texture of this cake beats a brownie, that's how moreish the texture is. 

▶ Recipe for 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

200g Green and Blacks 70% chocolate (7oz)

160g butter chopped (5.5oz)

 5 eggs separated

100g ground almonds (3.6oz)

165g golden caster sugar (5.8oz)

Caramel:

160g caster sugar

2 tbsp water

100g peanuts

Method:

Preheat oven to 160°c

: Grease the cupcake tray with baking spray or butter.

: In a large bowl over a pot of simmering hot water, add the chocolate and butter.

: When this has completely melted (takes a while), take off the heat and stir in the ground almonds, egg yolks and HALF the sugar.

: Meanwhile whisk the egg whites until glossy, they should form peaks. Fold in the other of the sugar.

: Pour the egg white mixture into the chocolate and fold until combined.

 : Fill each hole, nearly up to the top, if using a large muffin tin, this recipe makes 6.

: Bake for 30 minutes, do not bake for any longer, test with a knife in a cake from the middle row. If the knife comes out clear with a few crumbs, they are done.

: Let them cool.

: For the caramel, heat the sugar on a medium heat in a heavy base pot.

: Once the sides start to brown, start stirring (for about 10 minutes) until it has thoroughly melted. Then make sure your hands are covered with a tea towel and pour in water. 

: Keep on stirring and be careful of spluttering sugar, keep on stirring until there are no lumps.

: Put a few peanuts on top and spoon over caramel.

DONE!

A soft and crunchy cupcake with a Snickers twist.

Flourless is the way forward.

Favourite Song:

ê 'Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)' By Soul II Soul

Earthy Spiced Brownies

♬ Still on Diwali Tunes..

 'Aarti' By Sadhna Sargam

'Deepavali Manayi Suhani' By Asha Bhosle

'Aai Ab Kai Sal Diwali' By Lata Mangeshkar

'Lakhon Tare' By Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh

'Raghupati Raghav' By Alka Yagnik and Shankar Mahadevan

Celebrate day 2 of Diwali and offer these to friends and family: the clove and cinnamon marry perfectly and these are heavenly eaten straight out the oven!

▶ Makes 16 in a medium roasting or brownie tray.

Ingredients:

300g dark chocolate (70% minimum cocoa solids)

250g dark muscovado sugar

1 tsp baking powder

60g plain flour

3 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

1 tsp ground cloves

1tsp ground cinnamon

20g chopped brazil nuts

50g cocoa powder

250g unsalted butter

Method:

Preheat oven 80°c, line a medium roasting dish or a brownie tray with greaseproof paper.

: Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl over boiling water.

: Whisk the sugar and eggs.

: Pour the melted chocolate and butter in the egg mixture.

: Sieve the flour, baking powder, cocoa, cloves, cinnamon over the top.

: Fold in the nuts, stir until all combined and pour in the dish.

: Increase temperature to 180°c and bake for 22 minutes.

< Great to eat warm or refrigerate, and once ready to serve bring up to room temperature.

Favourite Song:

ê 'Aarti' By Sadhna Sargham

Brownies at Broadway

I LOVE BROWNIES, so I cycled to Broadway Market in Hackney to see what the locals were offering.

£15 later, my jeans no longer fit and I can't look at chocolate for another day!

Here are my top 5 in descending order:

In at number 5



Brownie from a lady who looked like she can't smile.
Very cakey texture quite dry, I think slightly over done. Tasted like chocolate cake than brownie sip of tea...next please









Number 4:
Beverly Hills Walnut Brownie Was surprised to see only two stalls that offered brownies with nuts, and only walnuts.The nuts were too finely chopped, but a lovely moist texture Soft melt in the mouth feeling.
Gulp of tea...next please


Number 3:
Artisan brownie
slight crunch at the top, but a mousse and squidgy texture.

Not bad for £2, the size is generous too.



Number 2:





Brownie from Coco and Me. The pistachio, hazelnut and cranberry on this brownie looked nice. I ate more of this one, it was delicious.






The winner according to moi is:




Flour Power City Brownie
perfect texture!

big portion
no need for nuts
When I go back to Broadway I'm heading straight here.

And just buying ONE brownie!

Chocolate Orange Brownies With Macadamia Nuts

Album on 'The Beginning by Black Eyed Peas'

300g butter

300g (3 blocks G&B Maya gold dark)

200g wholemeal plain flour

100g chopped macadamia nuts

250g dark muscovado sugar

5 large eggs

1tsp almond essence

Melt the butter and chocolate.
In another bowl whisk eggs and sugar.
Fold in the flour and then pour in melted chocolate.

Stir in the nuts and essence.

Put in baking tray Bake for 20 minutes.

When you smell it then its nearly done.

It's best not to poke knife in this mixture, as long as its been in the oven for 20 mins and its not wobbling its done.

I made these for the beautiful Holt ladies.

Dark Orange Brownies with Brazil Nuts

Mmmmm you got to love a brownie. But nuts or no nuts? Chewy or moist? Topping? Serve with cream or ice cream?
There are so many brownie recipes out there and they are all fantastic but it really depends what YOU like. So look at the recipe and take out and replace it with something you want.

This is what I love...BRAZIL NUTS. Full of protein and they have high selenium content. This is an antioxidant and helps reduce risk of cancer and protects against premature aging.

Recipe:

Oven 180°C
300g butter
300g (2 blocks Green and Blacks 70% dark chocolate, and one block Maya gold dark)
5 large eggs
300g dark muscovado sugar
Two vanilla pods seeds scraped out
75g Brazil nuts chopped with knife don't use machinery, the chunkier the better.
200g wholemeal plain flour

Grease roasting dish or fairly big oven tray and line with greaseproof paper. The size of tin depends on how chunky you like your brownies.
Melt chocolate and butter in bowl over hot water; this could take a while so concentrate on stirring this first.

Once melted, turn off heat.

In a mixing bowl add sugar and eggs, whisk, add vanilla seeds. Make sure all the lumps from the sugar have disappeared. Then fold in the flour, add the chocolate mixture and stir in nuts.

Pour in tray and strictly time for 20mins. Take out and leave, it will keep on cooking. Wait until its completely cool and cut up.