Caribbean Halo

Who doesn't love a piece of delicious and moist cake? We made this cake yesterday and it turned out a super hit. It is absolutely divine and heavenly. We used fresh coconut, which made it even better tasting and obviously that wee bit of booze just gives it that kick. We named it Caribbean Halo for obvious reasons, sweet banana, exotic pineapple, fragrant coconut, rum turn this cake into a tempting delight. You will need...

• 280g [2 cups] plain flour
• 100g [½ cup] caster sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 banana
• 400g can pineapple cubes in own juice (weight including juice)
• 1 cup fresh coconut flesh, chopped or 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
• 1 tbsp raisins
• 1 tot rum or brandy

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C.
2. In a blender or food processor, blend the banana, rum or brandy, pineapple with juice and coconut for about 20-30 seconds until the coconut pieces get smaller. If using desiccated coconut you can omit the use of a blender and use a masher to mash everything instead.
3. In a large bowl sift the flour, add the sugar, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and mix them with a wooden spoon. Add the fruit mixture and raisins to the bowl and mix well until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
4. Pour into a well greased Bundt pan and bake into the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
5. Take out of the oven and let the cake rest in the tin for 15 minutes and then turn onto a cooling rack.

Enjoy!!

R&A

Chocolate & Banana Loaf with Flax Seed

We discovered flax seeds not long ago and I must say they have a distinctive taste which I loved. Flax seeds are meant to be very healthy and are classified as a power food. Flax seeds are nothing but Golden Linseed which if bought from health stores as such will cost much cheaper than buying the milled flax seeds. Just freshly grind your own when you need them, they can be used in baking, savoury and sweet dishes, and also to sprinkle on salads. They add quite a crunchy texture, do make sure that you grind them though as all the nutritious stuff is in the seed itself and your body will not absorb the nutrients through the seed. This delicious chocolate banana loaf can be served with a warm cup of tea with or without some cream or even ice-cream!! Give it a go, the unique taste of linseed will give this loaf a delicious flavour. You will need...

• 80ml (1/3 cup) milk
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 225g (1 ¾ cups) strong wholemeal flour
• 65g (½ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• Pinch ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 150g (¾ cup) caster sugar
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp flax seeds (linseed), ground
• 1 tbsp porridge oats

1. Start by mixing the milk and vinegar in a small bowl and set aside so it curdles (about 30 minutes)
2. Preheat the oven to 190 deg C. Grease a 9x5 in loaf pan and set aside.
3. In a bowl mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt and set aside.
4. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until creamy and smooth, I used an electric mixer. Mix the mashed bananas, milk/vinegar mixture, olive oil and vanilla extract and mix well.
5. Now mix the contents of the two bowls, add the liquid mix to the dry one and stir until you incorporate all the ingredients into a moist batter. Pour the batter into the loaf tin.
6. Bash the flax seeds into a mortar & pestle or spice grinder and grind coarsely. Spoon the ground seeds on top of the batter and using a clean teaspoon, stir into the batter with a slow movement so as the seeds are in the batter.
7. Sprinkle with the porridge oats and bake in the preheated oven for an hour. Leave to set for 10 minutes, carefully remove the loaf from the tin and then serve warm or let cool completely.
   

Enjoy!!

R&A

Sweet Surprise Pie

This pie was absolutely gorgeous. I just made a couple of these and used two small silicon heart shaped moulds. I made my own pastry but feel free to use ready-made sweet shortcrust pastry. The recipe for the pastry yields a good amount of dough, so just wrap any dough that you do not use in cling film and freeze it. Although I made these mini pies you can adjust the ingredients to make a large one. Serve this pie warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. You will need...

For the dough

• 350g plain flour
• About 200ml water
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 100g unsalted butter, in cubes and soft

1. Put the flour and sugar into a bowl and rub the butter until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
2. Add the egg yolks and pour the water gradually until you get a very soft, pliable dough.
3. Knead well for a few minutes. 
4. Wrap in cling film and put into the fridge for about 20 minutes to set.
5. Any dough you do not use wrap it in cling film and freeze for future use.

For filling two pies

• 1 banana, sliced
• 2 tsp strawberry conserve or jam
• 2 tsp seedless raisins
• Honey
• Caster sugar, to decorate
• 2 small heart shaped pie moulds, although you can use any shape

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C. 
2. Line the bottom of the moulds with pastry.
3. Spread the bottom of the moulds with the strawberry conserve. Neatly lay half a banana in each mould, sprinkle 1 tsp of raisins on the banana pieces and drizzle with honey.
4. Cover the moulds with pastry and trim any excess. Make sure that you seal it well.
5. Pinch the top of the pie with scissors and sprinkle with the caster sugar.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until done.
7. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!!

R&A

Rum Bananas with Whipped Cream

Just three words can describe this dessert...TO DIE FOR!!!! :)) It is so easy and quick to do. I always keep a small bottle of rum in my cupboard just for this recipe as when we are craving for something sweet we usually end up doing this dessert! So give this a go and you will definitely keep repeating this recipe :) You will need...

• 2 ripe bananas, sliced in half lengthways
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• A knob of butter
• A tot of rum
• Whipped cream

Method

1. Melt the butter in a pan.
2. Add the sugar and when it starts bubbling add the bananas, turning carefully once to coat evenly in the sugar mixture.
3. Add the rum and if you feel comfortable, flambé the bananas.
4. Serve with the whipped cream.

Enjoy!!!

R&A