Category Archives: Bread

Speck, Mozzarella and Artichoke Bruschetta

October 11, 2015

Over the summer we spent some time in Genoa and Turin, two fascinating cities in Northern Italy. When we returned, we were so inspired by the food that we ate, that not only did we start to make our own pasta, but we tried to recreate a few dishes that tantalized our tastebuds. My favorite meals in Italy were actually the most simple. Fresh pasta with pesto, a tomato and basil pizza, salads of antipasti and some gorgeous varieties of bruschetta. This Speck, Mozzarella and Artichoke Bruschetta is a take on a version I had in Turin.

The soft, freshly baked bread is a delicious vehicle for the salty speck, which is an Italian type of prosciutto that is more robust than the cured meats of Southern Italy. The tangy, charred artichoke hearts and creamy buffalo mozzarella work perfectly together when topped off with peppery arugula. This is a perfect appetizer to precede any Italian meal, or just with a glass of wine when you’re feeling like an Italian escape. Ciao!

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Baked Blueberry Lemon Glazed Doughnuts

October 4, 2015

I have an addiction: buying bakeware, cookware and anything else kitchen-related. So, I treated myself to some brand new doughnut pans over the summer, and boy, they are such a great investment! I got two large pans that make 6 large doughnuts each, and one mini pan that makes a dozen mini doughnuts, so all of my doughnut making dreams could become a reality! After traveling throughout France and Italy this summer, it was nice to return home and get back to reality by baking. When I was contemplating what I could bring a bunch of teachers on the first day of work, my new doughnut pans sprung to mind and I knew that it would be a hit!

These Baked Blueberry Lemon Glazed Doughnuts are absolutely delicious. They are a classic cake doughnut that is springy and moist, scented with lemon and dotted with juicy blueberries. The tart, lemony glaze keeps the moisture in the doughnuts and gives them the doughnut shop shine! These doughnuts are so delicious with a cup of fresh coffee or a glass of ice cold milk. I think Homer would be in heaven!

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Best Ever Banana Bread

March 8, 2015

I’m looking out the window to a marble gray sky that seems like at any moment it will burst into tears. As little drops begin to form on the window I find comfort in a slice of the Best Ever Banana Bread because honestly, it just makes life better. I have to admit, one of my favorite things about Banana bread is not eating, but smelling the sweet scent of it baking in the oven. It really is the best thing in the world. There are very few aromas that are truly irresistible, like freshly baked bread or warm chocolate chip cookies, and Banana Bread even more so.

This bread is great because it is so moist because of the super ripe bananas. They also give this bread a great sweetness that is so natural and not ‘sugary’. This is great because you really can eat a whole lot of it for breakfast and not feel like you’re eating cake! There’s also a whole teaspoon of salt in this recipe, which somehow also makes it slightly savory. It is perfect when smeared with slightly salted butter.

Even though I really enjoy the soft crunch of texture that the walnuts give to this bread, feel free to use pecans or even remove the nuts if you have allergies. You could replace the nuts with raisins or other dried fruit, or even throw in some dark chocolate or peanut butter chips! Talk about a delicious loaf of (banana) bread!

Another reason why I call this recipe the Best Ever Banana Bread is because of how easy it is to make. Throw all the ingredients into a mixer and, bam! Ready to bake and filling your house with the glorious scent of homemade yumminess.

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Strawberry Rhubarb Scones

February 2, 2015

February… really? I’ve definitely gotten over that fuzzy feeling you get when it’s cold outside- because it’s absolutely freezing! But while we’ve been pretty luck so far weather-wise (fingers crossed!) I still felt like I needed a little boost. Something to remind me of warmer days and to help me imagine those soon to come.

All these thoughts about the days hotting up got me thinking about the summer and more importantly, our summer vacation. We haven’t been back to the beautiful US of A since our wedding, and this summer it will be a whole three years (gasp!) since then. So of course, heading home to the land of the free in on the top of my list of destinations at the moment. But- the travel monster needs feeding, and we’re hoping to stop over in…

ICELAND!

Ah I think I’ve got to stop writing and book our flights!

So let’s make this short, but oh so sweet. This is a fab recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Scones. They are so buttery and flaky and dotted throughout with tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries. What’s brilliant is that they’re also incredibly fluffy inside, not too dense like some store bought scones. They are perfect with a big cup of tea! The other thing that’s great about the scones is that they are so easy. Just pulse the dough in the food processor, fold in the fruit, shape and bake! I have used this scone recipe many times with other fruits as well, and I particularly like the combination of blueberries and lemon zest or blackberry and orange zest.

So, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, whip up some delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Scones for the one you love, and dream of exciting things to come.

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Classic French Toast

October 24, 2014

Hello everyone! Today is a great day for so many reasons: it’s the first day of my half term holiday (I get a whole week off from work!), the hubby and I leave for Riga, Latvia in two days and this is my 100th blog post! Yippee!What better way to celebrate than with my favorite meal of the day? That’s right folks, you know I can’t resist making a delicious homemade breakfast to mark a special occasion! I love French Toast, especially this Classic French Toast because it’s so darn simple. All you need to do is whisk up some eggs and milk, dip in some Brioche or French bread, fry in some butter and voila! Breakfast is served.

This French toast is great because there’s plenty of custard (the egg and milk mixture) to make sure that the bread is completely soaked. There’s nothing worse than having French toast which hasn’t been allowed enough time to soak up the vanilla and cinnamon scented custard! Also, you can throw it together incredibly quickly! The whole process can take no more than 20 minutes. Don’t you just love the sound of it already?

I love to eat this Classic French Toast with fresh fruit and lashings of maple syrup. There really is no better way to start a special day! Any way, I’ve got to get packing and ready to take lots and lots of photos of our trip to Latvia! Have a lovely weekend! xxx

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Mini Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Muffins

October 4, 2014

It’s October folks! Leaves are changing color, the temperature is dropping and the sun sets earlier and earlier each night. But to most of us food bloggery people out there, that means just one thing: our Pinterest feeds are completely pumpkin-fied. I mean, it’s pretty much all pumpkin from August to December isn’t it? I’ve been thinking about which pumpkin based delights to make this year, and it’s really tricky living in the UK as NO ONE eats pumpkin in a sweet way. My husband still thinks pumpkin pie is weird (how I married him I’ll never know!). What better way to fulfill my American autumnal cravings than spiced, super moist bite size muffins that just scream Fall?These muffins are great. Quick to mix together, bake in less than 15 minutes and are oh so satisfying. I love the way that the cinnamon sugar creates this kind of crust that encapsulates the spicy pumpkin sponge inside. These Mini Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Muffins truly are a treat for any occasion, not just breakfast! If they last longer than a day in your house, they can keep in an airtight container for a few days however the moisture can melt the coating. Just toss again in cinnamon sugar to freshen them up a bit!

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French Onion Bruschetta

August 29, 2014

I LOVE French onion soup. It is definitely one of my favorite soups for so many reasons, I mean how many soups are there that are topped with bread and melted cheese? Mmmmm… But, French onion soup can take quite a long time to make, as well as being quite filling and pretty much a meal in itself (Hello cheese!). I wanted to have that satisfaction of a French onion soup with a bit less fuss. Why not just change the construction of the soup and have a few punchy bites of French onion flavor? It’s too hot for soup anyway. Let’s try some French Onion Bruschetta.

This bruschetta is AWESOME. Slowly cooked and caramelized onions are infused with thyme and soak up tasty beef stock and brandy. The smell when you’re cooking the onions is just to die for. One tip here: make sure you don’t skimp on onion cooking time. It could take as long as 45 minuted to get onions that are properly brown, soft and caramelized. Before adding the liquid, make sure the onions are cooked down enough. Once you’ve cooked perfectly sweet and rich onions, a toasted baguette is topped with gruyere cheese and melted under the broiler for that melty cheese goodness that makes me crave a hot bowl of French Onion Soup. Then it’s as simple as topping the cheese with the onions, sprinkling with more cheese and a dash of fresh thyme! Simple, easy and one of the best bites I’ve had in a long time.