Anxiety and Angel cake

Mini Lemon angel cake

with mixed berries and soya yogurt

I don't really check my personal e-mails that often.  I spent too much time looking at the things when I worked in an office.  Which is why it took me a week to discover an e-mail I should have replied too over a week ago!!!!

Lucky I wasn't too late, however now I've  got  an interview this Wednesday. Due to my anxiety,  I am not really great at handling surprises or sudden appointments.  When I go to a place I have not been too before I like do research first.

My favourite tool for this is google maps, the street view function is a great help.  I take a virtual walk to the destination and check the area for landmarks.  Traveline Scotland is the other website I use a lot, especially there journey planner.  

You are probably wondering what any of this has to do with angel food cake!!!!!

Surprises causes my anxiety levels to rise, the side effect of this is I get really hyper.  Which means I really need somewhere to focus all the excess energy.  

Logic kind of goes out the window at this point.  I went to the shops to buy some fresh free range eggs, came back and set up my new stand mixer.  Then Christened it by making some mini  Angel Food cake.  

I'd been researching dairy free recipes and found one for  angel food cake.  So as usual I did a little research,  looking for baking recipes and advice on making angel food cake.  Apparently you need a tube cake tin which I don't have.  However you can make them in a loaf tin or as cupcakes instead.   

You need to leave it to cool in the tin and depending on which recipe you follow you turn the tin upside down.  

(I know researching everything is a bit over the top, but it's how I manage my anxiety)

Lucky for me my new Wilton jumbo muffin pan arrived in the post today.   With one recipe I was able to test 2 of my new (toys) kitchen tools.  

For a first attempt they turned out pretty good and tasted great.  I de-frosted some frozen mixed berries and glazed them with a little blueberry jam.  Finally topped it all of with Soya Yogurt for a perfect dairy free dessert.  

Almost forgot to say, angel food cake is fat free as the egg whites act as the raising agent.  Personally I more impressed that the recipe is totally dairy free xxxx

World Baking Day

World Baking day

This World Baking Day we are encouraging you to Bake Brave. Step out of your comfort zone and bake a cake that will push your baking skills to the limit.

Peanut butter cookies sandwiched

 with chocolate peanut butter ganache

In the spirit of world baking day I decided to bake something I've never made before, Sandwich cookies.  They are not entirely outside my comfort zone, as I can make both cookies and chocolate ganache.  I have just never put the 2 together before.

I used to love the classic empire biscuit,  2 biscuit's sandwiched together with jam and topped with sugar icing.  Something I had to give up when I became totally lactose intolerant.  

For me baking isn't a hobby, it's more a way of life.  Being both lactose and yeast intolerant I find it easier and cheaper to bake my own breads, cakes, cookies and pies.  

Saves the often depressing task of checking endless ingredient labels, when i go food shopping.  Specialist Free from products are just to expensive to buy on a regular basis.  This way I save money and everything I bake is suited to my own specific food tastes.

I took a basic peanut butter cookie recipe.  After chilling the dough overnight I rolled it out thinly and cut out small cookies.  I didn't want them to be too thick since I planned to sandwich them together.  

While they cooled I made the...... 

chocolate peanut butter ganache

5 oz Dairy free Chocolate

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

1/3 Cup Soya Yogurt

1 tbsp Vegan Butter

1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

To save the mix from splitting I like to place all the ingredients in a glass bowl and melt them over a simmer pan of water.  Make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl, before adding the ingredients in.  Once melted, stir together to create a lovely glossy chocolate ganache.  

Take off the heat and stir occasionally to cool down.  Use the ganache straight away to cover cakes or use as a tart tilling.  Leave to set slightly when you want to use it to sandwich cookies together, or use as a cake filling.  

The chocolate peanut butter ganache is the perfect partner for the sweet cookies.  

Chocolate filled 

Peanut butter cookie tarts 

Another technique I have wanted to try was too use cookie dough as a pie crust.  I used the same sized cookie cutter and pressed them into my fairy cake/bun tins.  

Baked in the oven for the same amount of time, then cooled them in the fridge.  Once removed from the tin I placed them in fairy cake paper cases, then spooned in a teaspoon of the ganache.  Since I had some flaked almonds left over, I sprinkled some on top.

If you don't like chocolate, you could make P&J sandwich cookies by filling them with a little jam/jelly.  

Happy World baking day xxx

Thank Bananas it's Friday

It's Banana's

It's Friday again, so time for more banana themed recipes.  Part of my ongoing mission to make as many meals and recipes using my favourite fruit.  As I am lactose intolerant, all the recipes have to be dairy free.

I've been craving a banana ice cream sundae since we made banana splits for dessert at work.  Lucked out and found my local Morrison's had some Swedish Glace dairy free ice cream in the freezer section.  Perfect timing.

Caramel and banana sundae

Took a lovely big scoop of dairy free ice cream , topped it with sliced banana and dairy free caramel sauce.  I've not had ice cream dairy free or otherwise in over a year, so forgive me for getting a bit to excited about it.  The Vanilla Swedish Glace tasted lovely and had a great texture, well worth the wait.  

Some of the best recipes come about due to necessity, in this case I had run out of yogurt for breakfast. I am not really a big smoothie fan, i  used to love them.  However after drinking them for breakfast every morning through a straw after my jaw surgery I kind of went off them.  

I might not be keen on drinking them but they make a great alternative to yogurt for mixing into my morning muesli. 

 I blitzed 1 whole banana with a little of my soya milk to make it the same consistency as my yogurt.  I also added a little lemon juice to stop it turning brown too quickly.   This would also work as a great dairy free alternative to single cream.  

Only problem I have not is what to make for next weeks blog xxx

10 Ways to Cook Tomato's - Dairy free

Well Kind of.........

Okay this is kind of a list of the great variety of ways that you can enjoy the humble tomato, no matter what season it is.  

One of my favourite reasons for going abroad on holiday is the food.  I love vegetables that don't Conform to the EU regulations on size and shape.  Organic Veg is just vegetables grown the old fashion way before rules, regulations and pesticide sprays removed all the taste.  Don't believe me, just taste a tomato and you'll know what I mean.  

1. Au Naturale

The simplest way to enjoy the tomato is Au naturale, as nature intended.  During the summer I dice cherry tomato's in half. Then toss them through pasta with a little oil, salt and pepper for a lovely light supper dish.

You don't need to cook them to turn them into a great meal or side dish.  

- Guardian newspaper Internet site      Article on how to make the perfect Salsa. 

- Gazpacho - chilled soup  from Vegetarian.about

2. Sun Dried Tomato's

Sun dried tomato's in olive oil are a great store cupboard staple, perfect for making a quick supper or lunch.  I always have some in my fridge during the summer.  (When we get one that is!!!)

I love to add diced sun dried tomato, into cous cous or pasta. Use a little of the oil there preserved in for an extra boost of flavour.  

- Sun dried tomato sauce - Food.com

- Channel 4 Internet site - How to make your own sun dried tomato's.

- Sun dried tomato pesto - All recipes.com

3. Tinned tomatos

Why buy a pre-made jar of tomato sauce when you can make your own for less money with  tinned tomato's.   You can easily make it in the same time as it would heating the jar of sauce.

Easy Tomato sauce recipe

1 tin of chopped tomatoes
Dollop of tomato paste or tomato ketchup
salt and pepper
Dash of dried or fresh herbs.

Put all the ingredients into a saucepan and cook.  Allow to simmer for 10 - 15 mins, or the time it takes for the pasta to cook.  Then it's ready to serve

Basically season to your own taste.  To make it spicy add a little chilli powder or tabasco sauce.


If your not keen on winging it try the Tomato sauce recipe from - BBC Good Food.com

- Veggie chilli recipe - Jamie Oliver.com

- Spanish Rice - All recipes.com


4. Tomato Passata

BBC Food definition -  Passata is made from ripe tomatoes that have been puréed and sieved to remove the skin and seeds. It is sold in jars and can be smooth or chunky depending on the sieving.

Again love this stuff, great winter store cupboard staple I use to make tomato or minestrone soup.   You can make your own tomato Passata, however I prefer to buy mine in cartons.  Tomato passata recipe

I'm lactose intolerant  not  vegan, most of the food I make is vegan since I can't eat any meat or poultry either. Fortunately for me I can still eat eggs.  As one of my favourite meals of all time is huevos rancheros.  The eggs are poached in a spicy tomato sauce


5.  Tomato Paste

Tomato Paste comes in either tins or tubes.  The flavour of the condensed paste is made by reducing a tomato sauce for several hours.

It's another cooking ingredient that you can make yourself - tomato paste recipe.  I don't use that much of it through so I prefer to buy mine, reduces any chance of food waste.

Add a tablespoon to any tomato based dish your making, to give it a deeper flavour.


6. Tomato Ketchup

The use of tomato ketchup is behind many a debate or argument.  I have no problem with fresh chopped tomato cooked in an omelette or scrambled eggs.  Or eggs poached or baked with tinned tomato's.  But I draw the line at serving ketchup with  cooked eggs, it's just gross.  Then there's the haggis and veggie haggis breakfast debate.  Do you have brown sauce or tomato sauce with your haggis roll.

It's a Scottish speciality, fried food in a bread roll. EG. Sliced sausage, link sausage, bacon, scrambled egg, fried egg, black pudding or sliced haggis.  A Scot is more likely to eat haggis for breakfast than bother to make it for Burns night.

I think i've digressed from the topic!!!!  What I am trying to say is that the majority of us will have tomato ketchup in our cupboard or fridge.

To make your own Tomato ketchup try this recipe from Scotland.lovefoodhatewaste.com



7. Tomato Relish or Chutney

If you grown your own tomato's or are lucky enough to have a friend who does, making chutneys and relish is a great way to preserve them.  Chutney is an Indian word meaning sauce, which is now a lasting reminder of our colonial past.

  I don't agree with the way they were treated in the past or the continuing racism against Indians in todays society.   I do love the lasting impression there food and culture has made modern Britain today.  Curry is the second national dish of Scotland.....

- Tomato relish recipe  - Allotment.org

- Tomato Chutney - BBC Good Food.com


8. Tomato Juice

Not only can you eat it, cook it or use as a condiment you can also drink it.  What other veggie can do that?

- Canning Tomato juice - Frugal Living.com

- Spicy Tomato Juice - Martha Stewart

- Virgin Bloody Mary - About.com Cocktails

- Bloody Mary - Channel4.com



9. Tomato health Benefits

Tomato's are not only a tasty veg that doesn't need dairy to turn them into a delicious meal, it's also good for you.    Don't believe me read the  Tomato Wellness Internet sites article on  - Health nutrition.

Vegan or lactose intolerant - Good news you can still eat pizza.  This Vegan Recipe from No meal athlete
substitutes white beans for the cheese - White bean and tomato pizza .


10. Everything ends with Dessert 

Why!!!!!

1. My Sense of the ridiculous and love of all things wacky and bizarre
2. Just because I have a limited diet, doesn't mean I can't have cake or dessert

- Tomato soup cake

- Sweet Tomato cake with olive oil and cinnamon

- Fresh strawberry and tomato sauce


For a really bizarre dinner party, try making a 3 course meal using tomato's for every course xxxx

Belated...... Thanks Bananas it's Friday

Fridays are my normal day for blogging about my Banana project, to make as many recipes using my favourite fruit as I possibly can.  However I had my ATOS medical yesterday, so decided it would be best to delay it.    Talking about my mental health problems and my IBS with a total stranger always leaves me feeling washed out afterwards.  

I admit my thought process is well..... unique.  I was starting to think I was running out of recipes using my beloved banana.  I didn't want to do the normal boring ones like smoothies......

That's when I had my Eureka moment.  If you can have banana's in a cold drink why not a hot one?

Discovered am not the only one to have the same idea.  Found a great recipe for Banana Hot Chocolate, which I adjusted to make dairy free.  Just swap the milk for you favourite dairy free milk substitute.   I halved the recipe to make 1 large mug of hot chocolate.  

I loved the taste of the banana in the hot chocolate, but it was a bit too thick for me.  I might have added too much mashed banana.  There's nothing more comforting than a warm milky drink on a cold day. 

There are few ways you can make the recipe.  

1. Add all the ingredients into a saucepan and gently heat.  Once warm enough to drink, blitz with a hand blender and pour into your mug.

2. Add all the ingredients into a jug and blend.  Pour into a saucepan and warm over a gentle heat till warm enough to drink.

3. Add all the ingredients into a bowl and blitz with a hand blender.  Then place over a saucepan of simmering water.

4. Add all the ingredients into a jug, heat in the microwave.  Then blitz with a hand blender and pour into a mug.

I've tried all of the above except the last one.  It's a hard one to test when you don't actually own a microwave.  

Ignore celebrity chef's, there is more than one way to make a recipe.  There's nothing wrong with trying different methods till you find the one that's easiest for you.

I prefer blending a cold milk mix before heating, as it's a lot safer.  I have a bad habit of burning myself.  Another thing to look out for is overheating the mix, the dairy free milk and banana could curdle.  Leaving a horrible texture in the mouth.  My solution is to heat in a bowl over a saucepan.  

Variations on a theme

- Instead of cocoa powder add coffee granules to make a banana latte instead

- Or simply add a little ground cinnamon to milky banana drink before heating.  

My personal favourite is the simple banana and cinnamon hot milk, as you get more of the banana taste mmmm

I really need to go and made myself one right now xxxx

  

10 Ways to cook Broccoli - Dairy free

The problem with most Broccoli recipes is that they all include dairy in some form or another.  It seems that celebrity Chef's don't think you can make great vegetarian food without cheese or cream.    Ahh it really annoys me. 

There are plenty ways to cook great meals with broccoli without adding dairy.   

1. Boiled

Cut the broccoli into Florette's and add to a boiling pan of water.  Cook for 5 - 6 Min's.  Then drain, leave in a colander over the cooking pan for a few Min's to allow all the broccoli to drain well.  

DON'T OVER COOK

Tip:  Cook your Broccoli like pasta.  It tastes a lot better al dente.

Simple ideas for boiled broccoli

Soup:  - Blitz in a food processor with some of the cooking water and return to the pan to re-heat.  Stir in some plain soya yogurt to make a creamy soup.

Pesto: - Blitz in a food processor till smooth with a little vegetable oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper.   Cook pasta and drain, then return to the saucepan and toss together with the pesto.

Salad: - Toss drained broccoli with your favourite dairy free vinaigrette, to make a lovely warm salad.  

- Broccoli soup recipe

2. Steamed

One of my favourite kitchen tools is my stove top steamer. It's a great healthy way to cook vegetables, while retaining all the vitamins.  

 Check out Simple Recipes to find out easy it is.

- Steamed Broccoli with Olive Oil Garlic and Lemon  (from Epicurious) 

- Steamed broccoli with a mustard vinaigrette (from Taste of home)

Serving with pasta, cous cous or rice to make a side dish a meal.  

3. Roasted

 A few years ago I found a recipe for roasted cauliflower, so why not try it with broccoli.  You get a crisp veggie with a lovely roasted char on the outside.

Cut your broccoli into Florets, then toss with a little oil and toss into a roasting pan.  Cook at 180 Celsius/200 Celsius depending on your oven.  

Can easily be cooked in the roasting pan on an outdoor grill, as part of a barbecue.  The roasting tin will stop cross contamination with other foods, for vegans/vegetarians or if you have a food intolerance.

- Pasta with roasted broccoli and pistachio gremolata

4. Stir Fried

Forget buying Chinese takeaways, especially if your not sure that its completely dairy free.  Authentic Asian food doesn't use dairy, however most UK Takeaway menus are a homogenised mix of food.  

I went for lunch at a restaurant in Edinburgh city centre a few years ago and discovered a chicken and cheddar cheese spring roll....  Deep fried!!!!!! 

- Hong Kong style stir fried Broccoli - (Chinese food.about)

- Tofu and broccoli stir fry - (Eating Well)



5. Deep fried

Deep fried food doesn't really agree with my IBS,  It's just not worth the pain.  If your okay with it, why not give it a try.

-  Broccoli tempura with dipping sauce

- Deep fried broccoli is a vegetarian recipe to make dairy free and vegan use this  Tempura Batter recipe.



6. Dips

Broccoli can taste just as good as a cold dish.  Know anyone that's has a broccoli phobia, the best way to hide veggies is to turn it into something else.

- Broccomole Dip (All recipes) Vegetarian recipe, substitute yogurt for the  sour cream to make dairy free

- Broccoli guacamole (Vegangela) Vegan recipe mixing broccoli with avocado 



7. Raw

Raw food isn't really cooked, it's more like a set of assembly instructions.  There still  some work involved so I think I can get away with adding it to the list. 

- Broccoli Ceviche (nytimes)

- Broccoli Salad (Food network)

- Raw Broccoli soup  (Vegetarian.about)

- Broccoli slaw (all recipes.au)


8. Transformers - Broccoli in disguise

I love veggies, I think that's pretty clear by now.  I have a really hard time understanding people who won't eat anything that' s green or a funny shape.   Or has bits in it....

Best way to get veg shy people to eat them is too turn them into something else.  Preferably something there already familiar with eating.

- Camouflaged broccoli

- Baked Broccoli Burgers  (TheTolerant Vegan)

- Broccoli Sweet potato Cakes (vegan.sheknows)

- Vegan Broccoli Quiche (Post Punk Kitchen)

- Broccoli bread pudding (Woman's day) Leave out the ham to make vegetarian. To made dairy free, use milk and cheese substitutes.  


9. Sandwiches and snacks

You don't need to eat meat or dairy to have a messy hand held snack.  Release your inner child, messy food  is fun.  

- Broccoli goodwiches (IVU - International Vegetarian Union)

- Veggie Broccoli Burro's  (IVU - International Vegetarian Union)

- Broccoli and sweet potato filo rolls (Tenderstem)



10. Cakes and bakes

Every time I do research on dairy free vegetable recipes, I'm always surprised at the amount of sweet or dessert recipes I find.  I love cooking cakes and bakes with veg, just not broccoli. Here are a few for the brave and curious. 


- Broccoli and cornmeal upside down cake Vegetarian recipe from  (Chocolate and zucchini) swap cottage cheese for Tofu to make dairy free)

- Broccoli forest cake Vegetarian recipe from (not quite nigella)

- Broccoli brownies (Brunt Apple) Use egg substitute to make Vegan

- fruit and veggie chocolate cake (Food.com) Use egg substitute to make Vegan


Let me know how you get on, if your brave enough to make a Broccoli cake or bake xxx

Race night Chocolate Cake

Chocolate ganache covered chocolate cake

decorated with continental chocolate's

Baked a chocolate Victoria sandwich cake on Friday for a race night fundraiser.  Third one I've made in 2 weeks, Iv pretty much memorised the recipe now.  

First one I made was for a good friends birthday.  Topped with M&M's and jammy dodgers round the side.  I don't normally do decorations, I went with the most over the top cake I could make.

Jammy Dodgers for her big heart

Second cake was for my evening reading group, to celebrate one of the lady's birthdays.  Due to a last minute visitor she couldn't make it.  The rest of guys had no problem eating it though.

By the third cake I'd finally figured out the best way to cover the cake with the chocolate ganache.    

It was suggested by my mother to go for a more dignified decoration on this one.  So I used continental chocolate's to make a clock face.  Soft centers for the numbers and longer toffee  ones for the clock hands.  

Finally wrapping  it in a sheet of Florist cellophane,  topped off with some ribbon.  

TOP TIPS:  - For making and using Chocolate Ganache

Covering the top of the cake is easy but the Ganache doesn't always stick to the sides.  Covering it in a sugar glaze before hand and leaving to set, makes it easier too smooth on.

Sugar Glaze:

Apricot Glaze

100 grams smooth apricot jam
50 ml water

Melt the jam in a pan, then pass through a sieve to remove any fruit.  Return to the pan and add the water.  

Stir and bring to the boil, then it can be removed from the heat.

Cake:

Fill your cake with a layer of jam or butter cream, then sandwich together.  Place on a wire cooling rack, this makes it a lot easier to apply the glaze.

Use a pastry brush to glaze the top and sides of the cake.  The glaze has the added bonus that it helps keep the cake moist.

Place in your fridge and leave for a few hours or overnight.  Then move to a cake board or serving plate.

Easy basic recipe - 

150 grams Chocolate

150ml double cream

(To make a dairy free version use dairy free chocolate and substitute coconut milk for the cream.)

Double boiler/Bain Marie:

Chocolate can be difficult to work with, I prefer to melt it in a glass bowl over a saucepan of simmer water on a low-medium heat.

Before you add the chocolate make sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water.  

I like to add both the chocolate and cream into the glass bowl.  So the chocolate melts as the cream heat's up.  You can leave it for 5 - 10 Min's before starting to mix the melted chocolate in.  

Once ready stir and leave to cool down a bit, before applying to the cake

Parchment Paper: 

I got this brilliant tip from Ina Garten, The barefoot countessa herself.  Cut lengths of parchment or greaseproof paper and gently place round and under the cake.  

This way the chocolate drips onto the paper and keeps your cake board or serving plate clean. Gently pull away once the cake is finished.

Pallet knife:

Pallet knife is a great multi task tool for the kitchen. 

-  You I can lift large cakes with it

- Use it to remove cookies or scones from a baking sheet

- Spread butter cream 

- or use to spread on chocolate ganache.  

Even better if you have a metal one.  Dip into boiled water and leave for a few Min's before drying off.  Great for softening the chocolate and smoothing over any imperfections on your cake.

Cake box:

It doesn't cost a lot to buy a basic cake box.  I was given a lake land plastic one for my birthday a few years ago.  Recently I invested in another one from Asda that only cost £3.  

Keeps the dust of cakes and stops them accidentally being bashed.  

DON'T KEEP IN THE FRIDGE:

Any other cake  but chocolate is okay stored in a fridge.    Chocolate can lose it's shine and develop white marbling.  

Keep in a cool part of the house instead.  In my case I kept the cake in my closet, my bedroom is always cold no matter the weather.  

I must be a glutton for punishment.  Three cakes in 2 weeks all full fat dairy, so I couldn't eat a slice or lick the cake batter.   I might not have been able to eat it but it sure did smell good mmmm.  

Next time I bake one, I'm going to make sure it's dairy free or vegan xxx