Za'atar Lamb Meatballs with Spiced Lentils

You can make this in a smaller number of pots and pans than I did, but I’m not sure if my big pot is oven-proof so I transferred it to one of my lovely oven dishes to cook. I was just thinking how I never use my various mismatching Le Creuset stuff so I’m glad I was able to get some use out of them!

One of my favourite flavours that I tried in Lebanon was za’atar – traditionally a mixture of thyme, sesame, and sumac. It is earthy and nutty and sometimes almost tart. And it absolutely sings when spread on fresh hot bread and rolled up into a wrap. My mouth is actually watering thinking of this wrap I had.

And of course it’s cracking with a bit of lamb.

Serves 4, you get 3 meatballs per person

White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

So, I have a feeling that this is going to be a bit of an experiment. 

I came upon the idea of these cookies while trying to recreate the famous cookies from Van Stapele Koekmakerij in Amsterdam. These cookies were worth the 20 minutes I queued for them - you can spot the shop a mile off due to the queue. It's set in a tiny little shop on a narrow street and they only serve one thing - fresh, soft, super chocolately cookies. And the unusual thing about them is the huge nugget of white chocolate right there in the middle.

I amended this recipe from some that I saw online, and I love the idea of using a little bit of espresso powder to bring out the chocolate flavour. And, if you like cakey cookies then these are perfect. I prefer mine with a bit more of a squish and I need to find a bigger piece of white chocolate to go in the centre, so I will continue to experiment for *my* perfect version of this cookie but these are a cracking biscuit all on their own.

Basil, Mozzarella and Garlic Loaf

Ooooh baby this is a good one.

You’ve got an easy peasy bread recipe, with unlimited filling options, AND it looks super pretty.

I went with nice Italian style flavourings, but this could be delicious with some onion, garlic and sage instead, or ramp up the cheese, and add some sundried tomatoes. Oh, OH or smear with pesto and cover in mozzarella and parmesan.

I will be whipping up variations on this for a long time. I love finding that perfect base recipe to riff off.

Winner!

Peanut Butter Cookies

CONFESSION TIME. I forgot 2 fundamental aspects of this recipe because I was too busy watching Love Island. The chocolate chips and the rolling in sugar part before you bake them.

Remembered the sugar for these ones...

It is what it is.

I remembered near the end so I rolled a few in sugar, and I scattered sugar over the hot-from-the-oven ones.

Really, it’s just a personal preference because they’re great both with and without. They have that really satisfying texture with the crinkly top and I have found my new favourite cookie recipe! Next time I’ll be less terrible and try them with chocolate chips too, but the important thing is the base cookie recipe which is PERFECT.

Makes about 16-18 cookies

Date and Coconut Balls

And now for a little mid-week "healthy-ness."

Sometimes you buy a bunch of dates and have to find something to do with them.

And then sometimes you’re having a lovely buffet lunch on holiday and find an unexpectedly delicious date and coconut ball, and it all becomes clear.

I’m not usually a big fan of dates, but those little "energy balls" were a revelation and I decided to make my own. There’s about 95 calories per ball so about the same as a mini Milky Bar. I’m not saying one is better than the other, but they are choices for different days.

I can say that in their favour, they’re easy to make (blitz in the food processor), last 2 weeks in the fridge and are great as a snack on the go when you don't want something overly sweet or chocolatey. Oh, and they ARE gluten and dairy free if that’s your game.

Baked Passion Fruit (and Coconut!) Glazed Donuts

IT'S DONUT TIME AGAIN!

This is an excellent recipe for if you happen to have some passion fruit curd lying around. I realise that isn’t a cupboard stable for everyone (though it is delicious and ridiculously easy to make, so I don’t see why not). If you don’t, the pulp and seeds from a passionfruit will do perfectly well, but the flavour will be slightly more tart.

Personally, I love passion fruit and coconut together. Ever since I brunched on some amazing ricotta pancakes delicately dotted with passion fruit curd and coconut cream, I have loved this combo. It was life-changing.

Have you all bought the donut pan yet? I have used mine more this year than a muffin pan.

Let’s all hop on the baked donut train again! Choo choo!

Makes 12-16 donuts

Kanelbullekaka - Cinnamon Roll Cake!

What do I always say about 3 tiered cakes? They just looks SO DAMN IMPRESSIVE.

I should have made this for a Game of Thrones party because the top came out surprisingly spiky. But instead it was the star of the show at my annual Eurovision party. I’m not going to pretend like it’s authentic Swedish, but the flavour and texture profiles come from Swedish cinnamon buns (kanelbullar) so I’m slapping a Swedish name on it and calling it Swedish.

I love cinnamon. King of spices! It’s great in savoury dishes like chilli and curries, but really skins in sweet food – of which my favourite is my cinnamon donuts.

Or rather. WAS my favourite.

Because this cake might have just knocked it off the top spot. Cinnamon roll in cake form. YES YES YES.

The glaze layer is unadulterated sweetness but it does give you a satisfying cinnamon crunch which really reminds me of the buns this cake is based on.

Putting this bad boy together

Adapted from lovelifeandsugar

Ingredients for the cake

• 170g butter
• 300g sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla sugar or ½ tbsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream
• 4 eggs
• 325g plain flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 2 tbsp lemon juice added)

Ingredients for the glaze

• 30g icing sugar
• 20g golden caster sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 30ml water

Ingredients for the icing

• 225g butter
• 500g icing sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2-3 tbsp milk