Tag Archives: Baking

10 most popular recipes of 2020

2020 is coming to an end and what a challenging year it has been, to say the least. With one terrible event after the other. Heartbreaking, confusing and dispairing come to mind.
Am I the only one feeling a sense of relief that the year is almost over?

…but also hope, hope that next year will be better. It has to be and that’s we’ll hang on to for now.

Hopefully next year we can all go back to normal, and live our lives to the fullest.

Meanwhile… everyone has been on social media more than ever before, so I wanted to share the most popular recipes of 2020, to inspire everyone to keep on cooking as much as we all did this past year.
I really noticed how everyone was baking more than usual so it comes as no surprise that the two most popular recipes this year were both bread. Here are the top ten.

10.Pollo al Ajillo, Chicken in Garlic white wine Sauce .

An oldie but a goodie, we make this at home all the time, great for company too.

9. Homemade Spelt Tortilla

Nothing beats a home made tortilla and the are so simple and freeze well.

8. Whole Spelt Pizza with Chorizo, caramelized Onions and Basil

Chorizo with caramelized onions really can’t be beat:)

7. Chocolate Dulce de Leche mini Tarts

Mini buttery pastry crusts filled with gooey caramel and chocolate, a great dessert or tea-time treat

6. Smoky Chili con Carne with Pumpkin

Smokey Chili with the addition of Pumpkin, perfect for cold evenings plus you get extra veggies.

5. Chia Seed Bread

A protein packed loaf with a great bite and super healthy. Makes great toast.

4. Steak au Poivre, Steak in a creamy green peppercorn sauce

A classic that all meat lovers enjoy. Straight forward and so delicious with a non alcoholic green peppercorn sauce.

3. Cod and Shrimp in a Lemon cream sauce

This recipe has been a favorite for years and is the easiest recipe on the blog, pretty much fool proof and still kind of fancy.

2. Everyday Spelt Bread

Our go-to Spelt bread, I receive a ton of positive reviews on this loaf, it’s so easy and perfect for everyday baking.

1. Norwegian Health Bread

This is the most popular recipe on the blog and one of my personal favorites, so healthy and full of goodness. Perfect for a fresh and healthy start in the new year.

I hope you enjoyed the roundup, and if you make any of the most popular recipes of 2020 be sure to leave a comment and/or pin it to Pinterest. And of course, if you do make any of these recipes, don’t forget to post on instagram and tag me #thecookingspoonblog

Gluten Free Bread Loaf

6 Replies

I’ve been testing some gluten free flour mixes and this is the best one so far, I can use it in any recipe requiring regular flour, in a one to one ratio, so no further calculating is necessary.
I have been using it for my quick gluten free bread loaf, pancakes and even pizza bases.

GLUTEN FREE ALL PURPOSE FLOUR MIX;
In a large bowl mix;
150 gr. potato starch (or corn starch)
150 gr. tapioca flour
200 gr. brown rice flour
200 gr. oat flour
300 gr. white rice flour
1 tsp xanthan gum

Stir until everything is mixed very well and store in an airtight container.

Prep time : 30 minutes (this includes making the flour mix)
Cooking time: 60 minutes
Makes : 1 loaf
INGREDIENTS;
• 3 1/2 – 3 3/4 cups gluten free all purpose flour mix
• 2 tsp. instant yeast
• 1 tsp himalayan salt
• 2 1/2 cups plus 1 or 2 tablespoon warm water
• 1 tbsp. honey or agave syrup
• 1 tsp. (apple cider) vinegar
• 2 tbsp. melted coconut oil or olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS;
1. Combine 3 1/2 cups of flour mix, the instant yeast and salt in mixer bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined.
2. In a jug measure out the warm water and add the agave or honey, the apple cider vinegar and coconut oil.
3. Add to flour mixture.
4. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes. It should be the consistency of a thick batter which is too thick to pour but not thick enough to form a ball. Add additional water or flour 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to get this consistency.
5. Generously grease bottom and sides of 1 loaf pan. I find cooking spray works best, but you can use butter or oil.
6. Spread batter in loaf pan, slice down the middle with a very sharp knife. (see photo)
7. Let rise in warm place for about an hour. Covered loosely with cling film that has been sprayed with a little oil.
8. Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F
9. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until bread looks firm and is fairly brown on top. Knock on it and if it sounds hollow it’s done.
10. Let cool for 20-30 minutes in pan before removing to wire rack.
11. Let cool completely before slicing.
12. I like to brush the loaf with a little olive oil for shine
13. It will keep for only three days tops, so I slice it and freeze it and take out as needed.
NOTE: You can add things like sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds to the dough if you like, not more than a 1/4 cup. Sprinkle some on the top too!

Enjoy!
Myra

Morning Glory Muffins

2 Replies

The best Home made Grab and Go Breakfast Muffins. With all natural ingredients.

Packed with apples, coconut, carrots, walnuts, spice, raisins, and sweetened with maple syrup, basically everything I love in one.

I have added some applesauce instead of oil, making these beauties not only addictively delicious but also healthy and fat free.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins

Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup all purpose (spelt) flour
• 1/4 cup corn starch
• 1 cup oat flour (ground oats)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp mixed spice (ginger bread spice)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 2 small apples, grated coarsely
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes

INSTRUCTIONS:

Pre heat oven to 180 C / 350 F
Line a muffin tin with paper cases.
Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
Mix all the wet ingredients in an other bowl including carrot and apple.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir carefully until just combined. If you still see dry ingredients it’s ok. Don’t over mix.
Now add the raisins, walnuts and coconut flakes, stir just once or twice.
Pour into the muffin cases and place on a rack in the middle of the oven.
Bake for about 23 to 25 minutes.
Test by inserting a dry skewer into the muffin center. If it comes out dry, they are done.
Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from the tin and placing the muffins on a rack to cool completely.
You can freeze them at this point in an airtight container or zip lock bag, they will keep in the freezer for up to three months.

Enjoy!

Myra XO

Chia Seed Bread

7 Replies

Hello Folks, I just need to tell you about my new Chia Bread. My absolute favourite bread as of now.
It’s easy, nutritious, delicious and soooo all round good. You just have to try it. The Chia seed works as a moisturizer for the bread so it doesn’t dry out for….well at least two days, because that’s how long mine lasted. But it would have kept for another day, for sure. Normally home made (natural) bread goes stale within a day. But this one stay nice and fresh for days.
It’s high protein and high fibre, but mostly I can’t stretch enough how yummy it tastes.
I have a lot of favourite breads and I absolutely adore baking bread, like Fig walnut bread, High Fibre Health Bread or Norwegian Bread .
But I feel that this is the easiest one.
There is no real baking skill involved so don’t worry if you’re not an every day baker. All you do is knead and bake.

The smell from the oven will make it the best day of the week with a full sense of accomplishment.

Let’s do this!
________________________________________

Prep time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 50-60 minutes
Makes : 1 small loaf

INGREDIENTS:

340-360 ml hand warm water, about 1 1/2 cup
1 sachet instant yeast, 7 grms. / 1 1/2 tsp.
1 cup whole grain spelt flour
1 cup plain spelt flour
30 grms. / 2 tbsp. chia seeds
1 tsp. salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

Pre heat the oven to 210°C / 410° F
NOTE: Don’t add all the water in the beginning, leave out about a quarter cup and add the remainder if it seems dry.
Put all the ingredients in a mixer equipped with the hook attachment and knead for 5 minutes.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for another minute or so and shape into a loaf.
Place the dough in a 20cm / 8″ loaf tin, and cover loosely with cling film that has been sprayed with a little oil.
Let it rise for about an hour. This bread will not rise as much as a conventional loaf, just a bit above the tin.
Place in a pre heated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes.
Check after 50 minutes, by tapping on the bread, If it sounds hollow already insert a wooden skewer. If it comes out dry, remove the bread from the oven.
The baking time also depends on your oven, so be sure to check. Although this bread is very forgiving.
Remove from oven and let cool on a rack before slicing.

Serving tip: A thick slice topped with avocado mash, coarse sea salt and a squeeze of lime.

Enjoy,
Myra XO