Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

These cakes have been inspired by that icon of American confectionary, Reece's Peanut Butter Cups. I love love love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, but have never made a cake version of this previously. They work well, with a moist chocolate cake bottom (made from Nigella's sour cream chocolate cake recipe) and a salty, but sweet peanut butter frosting. Not for the fainthearted, these cupcakes pack a punch. And calories to match!

For 12-18 cupcakes (depending on tin size) you need:


Chocolate cake base
200g vanilla sugar
200g plain flour
200g vitalite
2 eggs
40g cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp bicarb
150ml sour cream
2 tsp vanilla extract

Peanut Butter Frosting
100g butter, at room temp
200g smooth peanut
200g icing sugar
2-3 tbsp milk

Mix everything for the cake together in a free standing mixer on medium speed till well combined. Turn the mixer speed to max and beat for 5 mins until light and fluffy. Place spoonfuls of the mixture into muffin/cupcake cases and bake in a moderate (170 degree) oven for 15-20 mins till risen and cooked through. Leave to cool.

For the frosting, again mix everything together in a free standing mixer till combined. Turn up the speed and beat for no more than 3 mins till light and fluffy. Place into a piping bag and pipe on top of the cooled cakes. Enjoy with an ice cold glass of milk if you want to continue the American theme.

Boyfriend Edition™ Tea Loaf

I have made this cake, a variation of St Delia's iconic Irish Tea Bread, three times so far. And each time it's been slightly different. The first time I made it, I heavily spiced it with mixed spice and cinnamon as the original batter mix was a bit insipid for me. The second time I made it was called the Baker's Edition and it was rich, moist and succulent due to soaking in orange juice. Inspired by the Baker's Edition, my boyfriend requested an extra special Boyfriend Edition cake. And this is it. It uses roobios tea and whisky as soaking fluids as he introduced me to roobios which I now adore, and we both love whisky. It's the lightest in texture and taste of the three I have made, and filled with lurve. Enjoy :)

For two 2lb loaves you need:
225g sultanas
225g raisins
225g currants
125g chopped glace ginger
100g glace cherries
100g chopped candied peel
225g demerara sugar
275ml strongly brewed roobios tea
75ml whisky
1 large egg, lightly beaten
450g self raising flour
1/2 nutmeg, freshly grated
2 tbsp vanilla sugar

Begin this 24 hours before you want to make it. In to a large bowl place everything apart from the egg and flour. Mix well and leave to steep in a cool place, stirring once or twice during this period. The next day, pre-heat an oven to 170 degrees and line two loaf tins. Add the beaten egg to the fruit mixture and combine thoroughly. Then add the flour and mix well. Don't forget to add lots of love at this stage too ;-)

Scrape into the tins. Grate the nutmeg over the top of the unbaked cakes, and then sprinkle over the sugar. Bake for about 90 mins or until it's risen, golden brown and cooked all the way through. Leave to cool. The cake can be eaten immediately, but it's better if left to mature and served either cold, or toasted, with lashings of butter. Oh and a mug of strong tea. Roobios, natch ;-)

Mushroom Double Swiss (aka cheese and mushroom omelette...)

Breakfast is such an important meal. And when I am at home it invariably involves eggs of some sort. I adore eggs, and the soft, oozy gooiness that an omelette gives makes me very happy indeed. This is called mushroom double swiss cos, like the burger of that name, it uses gruyere and mushrooms as a filling.

For one person you need:
75g mushrooms, sliced
1 knob butter
salt and pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tbsp gruyere cheese, finely grated.

Begin by melting the butter in a small-ish frying pan. Once hot and the butter is bubbling, add the sliced mushrooms and season well with salt and pepper. Cook over a moderate heat till the juices have come out of them and they start to turn golden brown on their edges. When this happens, add the eggs to the pan and distribute evenly by shaking the pan. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top and keep shaking the pan to move the eggs about and ensure they cook evenly. When the eggs are mostly set, flip one third of the omelette into the centre then turn the eggs out of the pan on to a plate, completing the fold as you do so. Scoff immediately with strong black coffee and copious orange juice. Delish.

Kai Look Kuoy (son-in-law eggs)

I remember my mum making this for her Thai son-in-law when he came to visit after the birth of his son. And I remember just how delicious they were too. But it's taken me over a year to make them for myself (and my boyfriend ;-)). And OMG how awesome they are! Made with quails eggs, they make a lovely canape; or else serve 3-4 per person as a starter with a selection of other yummy Thai bites.

For 12 portions you need:

To serve:
12 leaves from little gem lettuces, washed and dried.

For the eggs:
12 quails eggs
vegetable oil for deep frying

For the topping:
6 shallots, sliced thinly
6 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh coriander

For the sauce:
2/3 Barts spice jar of tamarind paste
2 inch chunk of ginger, finely grated
2 thai chillies, sliced thinly
2 tbsp light soya sauce
1 tsp ground cumin

Begin by mixing everything together for the sauce. Leave to one side to allow the flavours to develop whilst you do the other stages.

Semi hard boil the quails eggs in simmering water for 3-4 mins. Refresh in cold water and then *carefully* peel the shells away (if the eggs are very fresh this will be tricky so take your time!).

Heat vegetable oil in a shallow pan to a depth of about 2cms. Deep fry the shallots and garlic and drain on kitchen paper. Repeat with the eggs, frying until they become crispy and golden brown all over.

Place the lettuce leaves on a serving dish and place a dessertspoonful of the sauce in each one. Top with an egg and then the shallots and garlic. Finish with some fresh coriander. Sigh in pleasure as you eat. Totally and utterly delicious!

Laab (v)

If you are veggie/vegan then substitute the fish sauce for mushroom soya sauce and some rice vinegar. Do not stint on the chillies. You need this to make your mouth dance and burn from the heat. Make sure you serve it with some plain jasmine rice to cool your mouth tho!

For 2-3 portions you need:
1 red onion, finely sliced
1 shallot, finely diced
1 cup fresh coriander, roughly chopped
3 tbsp fish sauce (yes really) or 2 tbsp mushroom soya sauce and 1 tbsp rice vinegar
juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
2 tsp hot chilli powder
2 thai chillies, finely sliced
1 tbsp toasted rice (buy ground rice and toast till golden brown)
1/2 pack marinated tofu

Place everything apart from the tofu in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Heat the tofu through until hot and add to the bowl. Mix thoroughly. Serve with jasmine rice to temper the heat from the delicious sauce.

White Chocolate Mousse Torte

I am a rubbish blogger at the moment. I know. I have been cooking, but I just haven't been blogging. And <deep breath...> I have, er, sort of fallen off of the veggie wagon in recent months and therefore haven't felt able to blog. It's disgraceful I know. I am climbing back on again. I just needed a bit of a hiatus...

This recipe is veggie. And it's also sinfully good. It's ridiculously easy to make, but O. M. F. G. it blows your socks off. It would be perfect as a Christmas pudding. It's also perfectly yummy for breakfast. Becka bad. I have adapted the recipe slightly from the original which can be found in Celia Brooks Brown's most excellent New Vegetarian cookbook.

For 10-12 slices you need:
200g amaretti biscuits, crushed to smithereens
75g butter, melted
500ml double cream at room temperature
30ml milk at room temperature
30ml amoretto liqueur (or cointreau if you want an orangey flavour or indeed any other liqueur you fancy and happen to have to hand...)
400g white chocolate, melted and left to cool slightly.

***Firstly remember to take the milk and cream OUT OF THE FRIDGE at least 2 hours before you want to make this as it's crucial they are not cold or the chocolate will try and set too quickly when you combine everything together and you will not achieve the light, moussey texture you are after***


Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and leave to cool to room temp. Meanwhile mix the crushed biscuits with the melted butter and line a 20cm round silicone tin with the buttery mixture (or line a 20cm springform tin).

Whip the cream, milk and whatever booze you are using until the cream forms soft peaks. Be careful not to over whip as otherwise it will be impossible to combine the chocolate in.

Slacken the chocolate mixture with one spoonful of the cream, then carefully fold this in to the remaining cream. Pour on top of the biscuits and leave to chill for at least four hours.

Serve in thin slices with exotic fruit - cape gooseberries, persimmon and passion fruit work particularly well against the creamy richness of the torte.

Pasta with Tomatoes, Chilli, Ginger and Garlic (v)

I don't have a picture for this, boo. So you'll just have to imagine in your minds the bowl of steaming hot pasta topped with a gloriously vibrant red sauce, speckled with pungent ginger and chilli and garlic...
This was made for me a couple of weeks ago and was a revelation. I had never ever thought to add ginger to a tomato based pasta sauce but it works so well. Usually I reserve the holy trinity of ginger, garlic and chilli to Indian or Chinese style dishes, not pasta. But try it. You won't be disappointed.

For 2 people you need:
150g pasta of your choice
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 red chilli, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
good knob of ginger, finely grated (only a microplane will do imho)
1 cup fresh baby plum tomatoes
salt and pepper

Cook the pasta. Meanwhile prepare the fresh tomatoes by chopping them and then pulverising them in the pan. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli and heat. Season. Serve on the pasta. Groan with pleasure, even moreso if you have been spoiled and someone else does the cooking and washing up...

Courgettes with Feta and Lemon

I thought the wonderful Ottolenghi had done a recipe for this but apparently I dreamt it cos I couldn't find it so created this instead to satisfy a craving and a glut of courgettes...

For 2-3 people you need
2 courgettes, cut into 3 inch lengths then thin slices
2 cloves garlic, crushed
juice of a lemon
salt and pepper
2-3 tbsp excellent quality olive oil
1/2 pack feta
1 tub chilli olives

Griddle the courgettes till scorched in places and just tender. Meanwhile place everything else apart from the feta and olives in a bowl. Place the hot courgettes into the dressing to marinade then top with the feta and olives and eat with copious crusty bread to soak up the garlicky juices. Nomnomnom.

Salad of Haloumi and Croutons

A quick and easy salad to throw together from bits and bobs leftover from other days. And a useful way of using up stale bread too.

For 1 person you need:
1/2 pack haloumi cut into slices
lettuce
cucumber
red onion

For the garlic croutons you need:
1-2 slices stale bread
1 clove garlic
salt and pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tbsp olive oil

Toss the crouton ingredients together in a bowl then toast in a hot oven for 5-10 mins taking care not to burn them. fry the haloumi till golden brown then serve with the salad and croutons. Yum.

Cauliflower, Carrot & Spinach Curry (v)

It's officially autumn today. The lights were on in the living room from 4pm and it's grey, murky and dankly drizzly outside, sigh. This is the sort of food you need on days like that...

For 4-6 portions you need:
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup split red lentils
600ml water
2 tbsp tomato puree
1/2 jar minara madras curry paste
3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 cauliflower, broken in to florets
1/2 bag spinach
1 tbsp oil

Sautee the onions in the oil for 10-15 mins, adding the carrots after 5 mins. Add the curry paste and garlic and cook out for 1-2 mins. Add everything else apart from the spinach and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 mins till the lentils are cooked. Add the spinach and cover with a lid to allow it to wilt. Serve with mango chutney, lime pickles, indian salad and, er, chips if you want ;-) I added a hardboiled egg too but obviously omit if you're vegan.

Umami Noodles with Peas and Courgettes (v)

I adore the dark, salty, savoury magic that is umami. I can eat marmite from a jar I like it so much. Ditto soya sauce. This speedy noodle dish blends savoury soya sauce with black bean sauce for a really satisfying salty umami kick. The peas give a nice sweetness to balance the overall flavour of the dish. Yes I am aware that writing a description in that way makes me sound like a poncy twat. Care much lol?!

For one person you need:
1 bundle soba noodles (or eggs ones if you are not vegan)
1/2 onion, roughly chopped
1 courgette cut into chunks
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 tbsp dark soya sauce
2 tbsp black bean sauce
splash mirin
1 tsp vegetable oil

Cook the noodles in water and drain once done. Meanwhile fry the onion in the oil and add the courgette and peas. Once the noodles are cooked add to the vegetables and add the mirin, soya sauce and black bean sauce. Cook till warmed through and serve.

New Potatoes with Feta, Olives and Garlic

This is a cinch to make but benefits from being made ahead of time to let the flavours develop and infuse. Perfect for a lunchbox :)

For 2-3 portions you need:
1 pack baby new potatoes, cooked till tender
1 pack feta
1 red onion, chopped
1 pack chilli olives
juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp good quality olive oil
freshly ground pepper
2 cloves garlic crushed

Place the lemon juice, olive oil. garlic, pepper, olives and red onion in a bowl. Mix well. Once the potatoes are cooked cut in half and to the bowl. Crumble over the feta. Leave to infuse then scoff. Yum.

Simple Tomato Salad with Balsamic Vinegar (v)

I never used to like tomatoes, but apparently I do now. But only when perfectly ripe and preferably served with balsamic syrup. This is a lovely light summer salad that makes the most of the last of the perfect tomatoes.

For 2-3 people you need:
2-3 large tomatoes
Couple of handfuls of salad leaves
1 red onion, sliced
basil leaves
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
3-4 tbsp very good quality olive oil
salt and pepper
1/4 cucumber
1-2 tbsp balsamic syrup

Start by making the tomato salad. Slice the tomatoes and onions and lay in a shallow dish. Season with salt and pepper then drizzle over the red wine vinegar and the olive oil. Scatter over the basil leaves. Leave to infuse at room temperature for a couple of hours if you can.

When ready to serve; plate up with salad leaves and cucumber and then add the tomatoes. Drizzle over some balsamic syrup and serve with bread.

Bruschetta with Pesto, Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Poor ickle blog. No posts for ages. Bad Becka. But here is a quick, easy and tasty end of work feed me now recipe to get me back into the blogging groove again...

For 2 people you need:
1 garlic ciabatta
1 tub fresh green pesto
1 pack mozzarella
1 cup baby plum tomatoes, cut in to quarters
1 red onion, finely diced
handful fresh basil leaves

Bake the ciabatta in the oven according to the instructions. Meanwhile mix the onions with the tomatoes and 2/3 of the pesto. Once the bread is cooked, place the pesto onion and tomato mix on the bread, top with the cheese and basil leaves. Drizzle over the remaining pesto and season with black pepper. Eat with your fingers and sigh with pleasure...

Quinoa with Broccoli and Tofu (v)

I had lunch with my lovely lovely friend today and made this for us to share :) It was pronounced delicious. Result ;-)

For 4-6 portions (depending on greed) you need:
1 cup white quinoa
2 cups water
1 tsp vegan stock powder
1 packet tenderstem broccoli, trimmed and cut into bite sized pieces
1 tbsp dark soya sauce
1 tbsp mirin
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
6 spring onions, trimmed and sliced
1 packet smoked and marinated tofu (taifun is best imho)

Place the quinoa, water and stock in a lidded pan. Bring to the boil and cook for about 8 mins. Add the broccoli and turn off the heat (keep covered). Leave to steam for a further 15 mins. Add everything else and scoff. Simples. Delish.

Easy Bread with Oats and Seeds (v)

This is my mum's recipe and is so simple but makes a really tasty loaf that keeps well and also toasts well.

For one large loaf you need:
500g wholemeal bread flour
200g porridge oats
1 heaped tsp salt
1 scant tsp sugar
7.5g fast action dried yeast
1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 tbs each sunflower, poppy and pumpkin seeds
350-450ml warm water

Place the yeast and sugar in a jug with 350ml warm water. Leave for a few moments till it goes frothy. Meanwhile place everything else in a bowl and mix. Add the yeasted water and mix to a dough, adding more water if necessary. Turn out and knead for about 10 mins till elastic. Leave to rise for 60-90 mins then knock back. Shape into a circle and place on a baking sheet. Cook in a hot oven for about 40 mins.

Rich Chocolate Brownie (v)

I think my tastebuds are evolving. I never thought it would be possible to enjoy a dense, gooey, sticky, rich, unctuous chocolate brownie sans butter and eggs, but it is. And this recipe proves it. I tweaked the original recipe in line with feedback from others, reducing the sugar by 100g, using muscavado to make it more gooey and sticky and reducing the oil slightly too. I cooked for 20 mins as I wanted the outside squares more cakey and the inside squares ooooooozing.

For about 24 brownies you need:
250g plain flour
250g light brown muscavado sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
200ml sunflower oil
250ml water
65g cocoa powder

Mix everything together until smooth. Scrape into a lined tin and bake at 160 degrees for 20 mins. Leave to cool slightly before scoffing.

Limeade (v)

This is refreshing, and quick. Add as much sugar as you want to taste. I like mine sharp and sour.

For 2-3 glasses you need:
4 limes
2-3 tbsp sugar
1 litre of water

Place in a blender. Blend. Strain. Drink. That is all...

Quinoa with Steamed Vegetables and Peanut Sauce (v)

I was craving satay sauce today and also had a selection of pathetic looking vegetables to use up in the fridge. The quinoa is quick to cook and makes a nice change from rice or noodles.

For 2 people you need:
Quinoa
1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup boiling water
1/4 tsp vegan stock powder

Peanut Sauce
1/4 jar smooth peanut butter
1 small can coconut cream
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 chilli, finely chopped
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes
2 tbsp soya sauce
1 tbsp mirin
2 tbsp medium sherry
2 tsp chinese vinegar

Vegetables of your choice to steam (I had asparagus, sugar snap peas and chinese leaf which I left raw)

Place the quinoa, stock powder and water in a lidded pan. Bring to the boil, simmer for 5-10 mins and then turn off the heat and leave to steam for a further 5-10 mins.

Place all the sauce ingredients in a pan and heat, mixing well. Do not allow it to boil or the fat will separate, bleck.

Steam the vegetables. Serve and enjoy.

Lentil Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato Mash (v)

I fancied this, so I made it...

For 3-4 portions you need:
1/2 cup puy lentils
1/2 cup green lentils
1 bay leaf
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp vecon stock paste
salt and pepper
3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
250ml red wine
2 tbsp tomato puree
3-4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
2-3 tbsp soya milk
1 small knob vegan marge
Generous grating of whole nutmeg
Salt and pepper.

Wash the lentils, then place in a pan with the bay leaf. Cover with water and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for 10 mins then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-30 mins till the lentils are soft but not mushy.

Meanwhile sautee the onion, garlic and carrot in the oil for 10 mins. Add the tomatoes, puree, wine, salt, pepper, oregano and stock. Cook for 10-15 mins till thickened. Once the lentils are done, drain and add to the tomato sauce. Mix well.

Cook the potatoes in a pan with a little water. Drain, mash with the milk and marge. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Place the filling in a dish and top with the mash. Bake in a hot oven for 15 mins or so till the mash has browned slightly. Serve with veg or as is...