Author Archives: The Cooking spoon

Raspberry Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

4 Replies

If you love Raspberries, you’re going to love this recipe. I’m a little obsessed with this bread at the moment and have been eating it every single day for the past two or three weeks, I can’t even remember, we just can’t get enough of it.

Dark chocolate chunks with sweet Raspberries are just the best combination ever. Put those two in a rich Banana bread batter and you are pretty much in Paradise.

I used freeze-dried Raspberries, because I happen to have them, but you can use fresh ones if you prefer. Frozen ones on the other hand will dye your bread pink.

I love dark chocolate, the darker the better but if you prefer a little sweeter chocolate, by all means use semi-sweet.

As for the bananas, use them very ripe, when they’re speckled with black dots.

I have used olive oil here, a very mild kind since I love the fruitiness it adds to the bread, perfect with the Raspberries.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 medium very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cup mashed)
  • 1/4 cup neutral olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour,
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chunks, or chopped chocolate
  • 1/2 cup freeze dried Raspberries or 1 cup fresh raspberries

METHOD:

Pre heat the oven to 180C/350F. Lightly oil a 9×5-inch/23x13cm loaf tin and line with baking paper.

Puree the bananas in a food processor, add the oil, yogurt, sugar, eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.

In a large bowl, mix the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until combined. Stir in the chocolate chunks.

Add the (freeze-dried) Raspberries and stir until mixed thru, don’t over-mix. You want to keep the Raspberries whole.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with the spatula.
Bake in the middle of the oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the middle comes out dry(-ish). It is still supposed to be moist since it’s a banana bread, however there should not be any batter still sticking to the skewer.
Should the bread become too dark you can tent some foil over the top loosely.

Remove from oven once it is finished baking and let it cool on a rack for about 10 minutes, then remove from tin with the parchment paper and let cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy!

Peaches and Cream Baked Oatmeal

14 Replies

Being a fan of Baked Oatmeal like I am, I rarely eat anything else for breakfast, the need for variation is almost a necessity. For this dreamy baked oatmeal recipe I was inspired by the classic Peaches and cream combination, perfect with all the juicy ripe Peaches available now. Since I wanted to make it spectacular in taste I added creamy Ricotta, and a lot of vanilla. It’s so so good, it’s basically dessert.

The baked oatmeal ends up with an almost pudding-like center (due to the ricotta) , a crispy exterior and juicy peach in every single bite. I have to say, this is now my favourite Summer breakfast. It honestly tastes like a decadent dessert, drizzle with a little honey, add a spoonful of Greek yoghurt or more Ricotta and you have yourself a dreamy breakfast that is easy to prepare ahead of time and super healthy too.

So, about the ingredients…

Peaches – Use yellow Peaches if you can, since they have a more intense Peach flavour that their white cousins.

Eggs – Eggs give lift and give the oatmeal structure, it also adds a good amount of proteins and nutritional value. 

Honey – you can adjust the amount to taste, it gives the baked oatmeal a sweet flavor that goes perfect with the Peaches and the Vanilla.

Baking powder – also for a good lift, making the baked oatmeal more cake-like

Cinnamon and nutmeg – just a hint of these two spices is enough to give the Oatmeal that something extra

Vanilla extract – use real vanilla bean if you can, otherwise a good extract. Vanilla is a must. 

Salt – a pinch of salt is what keeps it from tasting bland.

Milk – Use any kind of milk you like, the fattier the milk, the creamier the baked oatmeal will be. Plant milk works too.  

Butter – Let’s be real, is there anything better than butter, even a few tablespoons can work a miracle, it adds a lot of flavour and improves texture.

Oats – quick cooking oats this time, since I wanted a creamier end-result. 

Ricotta – adds all the creaminess.

Prep time : 15 min

Cooking time : 30

Serves : 6-8

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tbsp. melted butter for baking dish
  • 4 to 5 Peaches, not too ripe
  • 4 cups/400 gr. quick cooking Oats
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp. grated Nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup/60 ml. melted butter
  • 1/3 cup/80 ml. Honey
  • scraping of one Vanilla bean or 2 tsp. Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup/120 ml. full fat Greek Yoghurt
  • 1/2 cup/120 ml. milk of choice
  • 1/3 cup/120 ml. Ricotta

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350F/180C. Grease a 8 x 10 inch baking dish, or similar with the tablespoon of butter.
In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients, the quick-cooking oats, the baking powder, baking soda, the cinnamon, the nutmeg and the salt. Stir to combine well. 
In another bowl beat the eggs, the melted butter, the honey, the vanilla, the yogurt, the milk and the Ricotta.

Peel the Peaches*, slice in half, remove the the stone by twisting the halves, then cut into wedges. Divide into two portions.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix to combine. Pour half the oat mixture into the greased baking dish and layer half the Peaches over the oats, cover with the remaining oats and place the remaining Peaches on top in a decorative pattern. Brush the Peaches gently with a little oil or use a little cooking spray, this will prevent them from burning or going to dark. Bake for 30 minutes, serve with additional Honey if desired and more Cream or Yoghurt.

Enjoy!

  • *If you are having trouble peeling the Peaches, you can cut a small cross into the crown of the Peach, plunge them into a pot of (no longer) boiling water for one or two minutes, until the skin cracks open then remove them straight away into an ice bath, then proceed to peel.

If you make this recipe please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you.  And please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations!

Sticky Sweet Asian Spareribs

10 Replies

These are easy and delicious. Sticky sweet Spare ribs are first simmered to tenderize and then grilled or barbequed to get crispy and sticky. So delicious, you won’t be able to stop eating them.

Serves: 4

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 65 minutes approx.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 pounds meaty spare ribs, sliced into individual ribs
  • 4 tablespoon dry white wine or Shaoxing
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar* See note below
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2-1 teaspoon chili paste/sauce such as Gochujang or Sambal Oelek
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated
  • 1 “/2.5 cm peeled and grated ginger
  • 3/4 tsp. Chinese five spice
  • 6  tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch + 1/2 cup water 
  • Sesame seeds, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Season spareribs with salt and pepper. Add enough of the sparerib pieces to the pan, fat sides down, to fit in a single layer. Cook 10 minutes or until browned, turning once. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining pieces. Discard fat.
Meanwhile, in a large pot stir together wine, soy sauce, hoisin, vinegar, honey, chili paste, garlic, ginger, five spice and water until mixed.

Return all ribs to the pot with any juices. Bring to a simmer, stirring to coat ribs. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 45 minutes or until ribs are just tender, stirring once or twice, adding a little water if necessary.

Pre heat oven to 450 F / 200 C . Remove ribs onto a oven safe rack/baking tray and bake for 20 minutes until dark , crunchy and sticky. Brush with additional marinade half way.

Meanwhile make a slurry with the cornstarch and water, add this to the pot and simmer for a few minutes to thicken the sauce. Serve alongside the spare ribs. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. I like to serve this with some stir fried broccoli, with some chili and garlic. Enjoy!

  • *Vinegar is essential, as it tenderizes the meat and also renders out excessive fat.

    • Creamy Seafood and Gnocchi Bake

    4 Replies

    Creamy Seafood and Gnocchi Bake

    Effortless comfort food, perfect for warmer days. Light and very easy to make.
    The great thing about this little casserole is that you can add any type of seafood you fancy, as long as it is firm and more or less cut in the same size.
    I used Cod, Tilapia, Shrimp and fresh Tuna. And with fresh Tuna, I mean fresh from the freezer (LOL), not from a can. Although that would probably work too.
    For the vegetable medley, I used the classic leek, carrot and peas combo, because I always have them in de fridge/freezer. That goes for Gnocchi too.
    I think it took me maybe five to ten minutes to prepare this dish, chopping the carrots into cubes was the “hardest” part, so effort level 0.5
    You make a béchamel sauce with herbs, mean-while boil some carrots, peas, leeks and Gnocchi.
    Cut the fish and assemble. A little cheese on top and voilà, all done.

    Prep time : 5-10 min
    Cooking time : 20 min
    Serves : 4
    Square / round pan / baking dish

    INGREDIENTS:

    • 500 gr. / 16 oz. mixed seafood and firm fish* see note below
    • 2 cups chopped fresh or frozen vegetables, carrot cubes, leeks, peas, celery, corn, onion…
    • 1 pack Gnocchi
    • 3 tbsp. butter
    • 2 tbsp. flour
    • 250 ml. / 1 cup milk
    • 1 glass of dry white wine
    • Dash Worcestershire sauce
    • White pepper to taste
    • 1 stock cube, chicken or fish
    • Chopped fresh herbs, parsley, chives, dill
    • ½ cup grated cheese

    METHOD:

    Bring a pan of water to the boil and season with plenty of salt. Have your chopped carrots and vegetables ready.
    Meanwhile heat up a small sauce pan and melt the butter, add the flour and stir to cook for a minute. Gradually (slowly) add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. As soon as it’s creamy add all the milk, stock cube, white wine, Worcestershire sauce and white pepper. Let it cook slowly for five minutes then remove from the heat and let cool a bit.
    Pre heat the oven to 200 C / 400 F.
    Throw the veggies into the pot of boiling water, as soon as the water boils again add the Gnocchi as well. Cook until they float, about three minutes. Remove from heat and drain everything very well, let cool slightly. Prepare baking dish, spread a little butter in the bottom of the casserole dish.
    Cut the fish into 2.5cm/1 inch cubes and place together with the gnocchi and vegetable into the casserole dish. Stir the fresh herbs through the creamy béchamel sauce and pour over the casserole, sprinkle over the cheese and place in the middle of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes.

    Enjoy!
    *NOTE: firm fish/seafood are Hake, Cod, Tilapia, Swordfish, Tuna, Sea bass, Shrimp, Lobster, Salmon…


    If you make these Creamy Seafood and Gnocchi Bake, be sure to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you and if you love it, pin it. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! @thecookingspoonblog or hashtag it #thecookingspoonblog