Category Archives: Dessert

French Crêpes.

17 Replies

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Makes approx.  18 Crêpes

Crêpes have the reputation of being difficult to make but are actually very simple. Whether you want to make a special breakfast in bed, or you’re looking for a different kind of summer dessert that doesn’t involve turning on the oven, these Simple French Crêpes will prove to be a real crowd-pleaser!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to filling them, from drained in chocolate sauce, filled with bananas and drizzled with caramel, to filling them with ham ragoût and cheese. The secret to a  good crêpes is in the batter, it has to have the right proportions of ingredients and it is best when the batter is chilled for at least an hour or even overnight. This gives the gluten time to do its work, create air bubbles and give the batter a smoother silkier texture.

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Ingredients;

  • 2 C. plain Flour
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 2 C. whole milk
  • 3/4 C. water
  • 1 tbsp. sugar (omit for savory crêpes)
  • 1 tbsp. melted butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract (omit for savory crêpes)
  • More butter for frying the crêpes

Crepes1Method:

Start by sifting the flour into a large bowl. Make a little well in the middle of the flour and crack in the three eggs. Beat the three eggs with a fork and start working in more flour as you go.

Switch to a hand beater and start adding the milk a little at a time incorporating and mixing until smooth as you go. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Alternatively you could use a blender. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for at least an hour.

Bring back to room temperature before frying the crêpes

Heat a 8″ skillet on medium high heat, add 1/2 tsp. butter and swirl the pan to cover the bottom. Now add just under a 1/4 C. of batter ( 3 tablespoons), again swirling the pan quickly so the batter covers the entire surface of the pan. Cook for about two minutes until golden underneath,  lift crêpe slightly with your spatula to check. Pour an other 1/2 tsp butter over the crêpe and flip it over, cook for an other one to two minutes. Slide on to a plate and cover with foil. Continue this way until you have used up all your batter. You could keep your crêpes warm in a very low oven. Enjoy with your favourite topping.

Enjoy!

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NOTE: I freeze leftover crêpes, wrapped individually and take them out as I need.

Macadamia-Cashew Bars with fresh berries

9 Replies

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There is just something so great about indulging and not having to feel guilty about it. Although these do have a lot of calories because of the nuts, but at least they are good for you.

I was very sceptical a few years ago when I stumbled upon the whole “raw”movement. I tried it for a month or two to give it a fair judgement and although it’s not for me, I do admire people who can live that way.

I found it hard to follow and I missed cooking too much. The great thing I discovered were the raw desserts. I mean, they really are the business, again, very calorie rich but also very rich in flavour and nutritious at the same time.

I guess what really works for me is to take the best from various life styles and put them all together.

Makes 16

Ingredients;

Base:
1 cup of pitted dates – soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
2/3 cup of almonds
2/3 cup of walnuts
2 tbsp cacao
1 tbsp coconut oil

Cream top;
1 cup cashews, soaked in  water overnight
1 cup macadamia nuts, soaked in water overnight
1/2-1 cup coconut water
1/2 cup coconut nectar
1/2 cup coconut oil
dash of salt
dash of vanilla

Fruit top:

2 C. mixed berries or other fruits of choice

Method;

The Base:
Into a food processor add your dates, and pulse for 10 seconds.
Add the rest of your ingredients and pulse for 10 seconds,  until combined. Don’t pulse for too long or your mixture will end up in one big lump.
Transfer your base into your 8×8 tray lined with baking parchment  and pat down evenly. Put in the freezer to set!

Cream base:
Into a blender add your  nuts,  1/2 cup coconut water, coconut nectar, oil, salt and vanilla. Blend till smooth. Add more coconut water to get a good consistency.
Put on top of the Base layer, and then freeze.
Let it sit in the freezer for about two hours before cutting in to squares and decorate with a variety of fruits.

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Summer Cupcakes

32 Replies

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These little Summer Cupcakes were so much fun to make. Don’t they look cute? They are tender and soft, scented with vanilla, just so irresistible.

The most work were the slippers, but even that I did watching tv, so you can imagine it couldn’t have been that difficult, it just takes a little time.

My daughter came home from school one day and told me she had signed me up for baking for the Schools annual BBQ, Yeeaaaay…. No, seriously I don’t mind. I have always been assigned to baking for school because they know how much I love it.  Especially baking for kids, they are always so super enthusiastic.

Ingredients;

  • 1 C.  All Purpose Unbleached Flour
  • 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
  • 2 tsp.  Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp. Salt
  • 2 tsp.  pure Vanilla Extract
  • 3-4 tbsp.  Milk
  • ½ C.  unsalted butter or margarine at room temperature
  • 3/4 C. Caster Sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

Instructions: 

Adjust rack to lower third of oven; preheat the oven to 350° F.

Place paper cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin pan.

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt onto a piece of waxed paper. Stir the vanilla into the milk. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the sugar beating until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until the batter is light and creamy, and scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl after each addition. Add the dry ingredients alternating with the liquid ingredients in 3 additions.

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until the top of the muffins springs back when lightly touched, and a wooden toothpick inserted in the cakes comes out dry.

Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely before decorating.

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The decorations are made out of fondant, strips of candy mats for the towels and a bit of colored icing sugar for the sea.

Enjoy!

Myra Xo

Looking for more great recipes to try?  Be sure to check out these French Crêpes.

Raw Peppermint Bars

6 Replies

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These are a great little treat and healthy too. If you like After Eight than you are going to love these. You do have to keep them in the fridge because the Chocolate top melts very quickly. You can have these any time of day, with a cup of tea or even serve them as a dessert. No bad Cholesterol or nasty sugar in these little gems, so enjoy a Peppermint slice (or two) completely guilt free.

Ingredients Base;

  • 1 C. Dates – soaked in warm water for 10 minutes if they are very dry
  • 1 C. AlmondsIMG_8025
  • 1/2 C. Oats
  • 2 tbsp cacao
  • 1 Tbsp. Chia seeds
  • 1 – 2  Tbsp. coconut oil

Method;

To make the base, soak the dates if necessary then cut in half and remove the stones. Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until you have a crumbly consistency that, when you press between two fingers should stick together. Add a drop of water if necessary.

Line a round 8″ tin with baking paper or a square tin, whatever you have at hand.

Press the base in to the tin, pressing really hard so it forms a good base. Put in the fridge while you make the Peppermint layer.

Ingredients Peppermint layer;

  • 2 C. Cashews soaked overnight, drained and dried
  • 2 tsp. Hemp powder
  • 2 tsp. Green vegetable powder
  • 1/2 C. Spinach leafs
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Peppermint extract
  • 4 tbsp. Agave
  • 2  ( or 3) tbsp. Coconut Oil

Method;

Place the cashew nuts and coconut oil in a blender and blend until smooth. You may have to stop and press the mixture down a few times. But once it gets going it will get smooth. Now add the rest of the ingredients. Taste for sweetness and add more if you like. If the mass is to solid add a little more Coconut oil. Spread this mixture over the base. Put it in the freezer so it get nice and cold for the chocolate layer. The cooler the Peppermint base the quicker the Chocolate will set.

Ingredients Chocolate layer;

  • 1/2 C. Raw Cocoa powder
  • 1/2 C. Coconut Oil, soft
  • 1/2 C. Agave

Method;

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Pour over the Peppermint layer and put it in the fridge until ready to serve.

Cut into squares when ready to serve and decorate with flowers or chocolate shavings.

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NOTE: I have  decorated some with green shredded Coconut. I add a teaspoon of green vegetable powder to the shredded coconut in a bowl and add a drop or two of water. Mix thoroughly and let dry before putting in a container. You can do the same for  pink Coconut shreds, using Dragon fruit powder or other fruit powders.

Enjoy!

Myra Xo