Cinnamon Coconut Cake

If you're new here, you'll quickly notice that I love sheet cakes. I love a three tier cake too, but there haven't been many occasions in the last 12+ months for those unfortunately. This type of cake is quicker to make and you can cut it up before serving for easier access for sharing.

The great thing about this recipe is that you can either make 1 sheet cake or a three tier cake. Or cupcakes! The below recipe, I managed to get a full sheet cake and 5 cupcakes.

This cake is sweet and nutty, but the cinammon brings a lovely warmth. This is a cracking cake. I want it for my birthday! Obviously some desiccated coconut would be perfect on top but I completely ran out, so I went with my new favourite, bright bold sprinkles.

Spicy Bacon Pasta

 

There is nothing better than a bowlful of pasta.

This is my new, absolute favourite pasta dinner. It is quick, tasty and uses a lot of kitchen staples which I always seem to have on hand. It is a perfect mid-week dinner that I probably make once a week. It's a take on amatriciana but it's got so many changes to that classic that I can't call it that in good faith.

The only slightly niche ingredient is nduja which, if you frequent hipster pizza establishments you'll probably have come across before. It's a very spicy Italian pork paste that has basically unlimited uses. It's fabulous mixed into a sauce like this where it confers a warmth. It's AMAZING in a grilled cheese sandwich where the spiciness really comes through. You can also just spread it on a cracker. No rules.

I get mine from the butcher but I have seen it in supermarkets too. Try it. Once I started using it, I couldn't imagine life without it. I basically have to have it in the fridge at all times.

Serves 2 generously, I usually add a little more pasta and make an extra portion for lunch the next day

Za'atar Dinner Rolls

It's a bold statement, but I think my all-time favourite spice mix is Za'atar. I think I've obsessed over this since encountering it for the first time in Beirut last year (oh, travel eating.. how you are missed). It's thyme, it's sesame, it's herby and nutty and a little bit tangy and I found it in Morrison's spice aisle so it isn't unknown to the UK!

I add it to every pizza dough I make, I throw it into any meat I marinade for a shawarma meal, and I haven't made a loaf without it since finding some. In lockdown, this is what I stockpiled. I am obsessed.

When I saw these little za'atar rolls, I pretty much made them for dinner the following day. 

So good. Make them now.

White Chocolate Coconut Cake

It's funny where inspiration is found these days. I was reading an article about how Tom Cruise bought a lot of his friends a specific cake for Christmas. It was a white chocolate coconut bundt cake and that just sounded delightful to me. 

Full disclosure, I first tried this cake as a bundt cake and it failed miserably. In fact, I can't recall a time when I've ever successfully extricated a bundt cake from a bundt pan. I've tried the tricks. I think my pans are just really old without modern non-stick technology.

I added a little bit of cinnamon to this cake which I think just elevated the basic sponge and really goes with the chocolate-coconut topping. It's a delicious cake-y version of those coconut Ferrero Rochers and it hits the spot.

This makes one sheet cake. If you want to make a three tier cake, increase the recipe by 1/3 (so 225g butter, 180g sugar, 3 eggs etc etc).

Nutella Tiramisu

 

It's a little dribbly but it's goooooood.

I didn’t think I liked tiramisu until I was tempted to try some in a little deli in Venice where tiramisu was their specialty. That’ll do it!

It was delicious. I haven’t eaten it since because I figured it would be a let down - how could mine stack up to the professionals?

Well, apparently tiramisu is easy to get right, because I NAILED it on the first go. It’s a really simple recipe that doesn’t use a ton of ingredients (but they are a little niche, it’s not all store-cupboard stuff) and the best part is that it is encouraged to make a day in advance! It’s even better after it is allowed to rest and mingle overnight. Perfect for having company over (a concept I’ve nearly forgotten) or for prepping on a Friday night and enjoying all weekend.

You need a nice deep dish for this, mine was about 20x10cm and I got three layers. I think having two layers is more traditional, so a bigger dish will be needed for that.

Brown Butter S'mores Cookies

 

Necessity is the mother of invention!

Or, how I learned to make my favourite cookies at home.

A local amazing bakery sells these brown butter cookies and after trying my first one I was HOOKED. The bakery in question is currently closed, and has been closed for weeks. So, because I wanted my fix, I had to work out how to make them myself.

And lads, I don’t think I can make any more cookies without browning the butter first – it elevates the flavour to this rich, deep, nutty, caramelised deliciousness that you have to taste to believe!

Yes, it’s an extra step and it’s a little annoying but it is completely worth it. These cookies are the best. And easy. You can easily leave the marshmallows out, or substitute in nuts. The base of these cookies are insanely good so feel free to play around with the additions.

 

Spetsofai

As with all good meals - photographs questionably but tastes fantastic

A firm Greek favourite to finish off 2020.

I go to the same Greek restaurant all the time – but obviously not recently. One thing I was really missing was this amazing chorizo and pepper stew which tastes rich and delicious. I think cooking time is the key, this could be a great slow cooker meal. But I have nothing if not time on my hands at present, so I had time to cook it low and slow on the stove.

The boyfriend required chips with his.

I had mine with flat bread, but this would also be amazing with a fresh slice of thick bread, or even a nice crisp side salad. Rice and chips also work!