Cranberries, Sultanas & Walnut Bread

Freshly Baked Cranberries, Sultanas and Walnut Bread

Let me start off by saying that this bread recipe is something well worth having in your recipe index. I have made this many a time and it is a firm favourite in my house. Each bite of soft bread is accompanied by juicy fruits and nuts. It tastes lovely as it is, but it tastes even better if you warm it up.

It is not at all difficult to make. The baking process is very similar to that of cinnamon buns except that instead of cutting the rolled up dough into pieces, you have to cut down the length it and twist it to form a "couronne" or crown. This recipe was adapted from Paul Hollywood's book "How to Bake", originally made using apricots, I found that I personally preferred using cranberries. In addition, I have also removed marzipan from the recipe. It is a matter of personal preference but you can of course stick to the original recipe and use apricots and marzipan.

Vegetarian Chickpea Curry

Vegetarian Chickpea Curry

Hello and I hope you are having a fine Meatless Monday.

I love using chickpeas for my vegetarian dishes, they are just so easy to cook and are perfect for bulking up and adding texture into your vegetarian dishes, be it stews, patties or curries. Did I mention that they are high in protein too? After using chickpeas as an ingredient in my Hearty Vegetarian Stew two weeks back, I thought I would use them yet again, this time for a curry. As the clocks went back last weekend, signifying official British winter time, I thought a curry would be a marvellous way of marking this event. 

Lemon Chicken

Luscious Lemon Chicken

Hello and a very happy Friday to you!

Did you have a lovely week? I sure hope you did. 

As for myself, I paid a visit to the dentist yesterday. My dentist is very nice and gentle, that really helps with the general dread I have of visiting dentists. However, I still get very nervous. I had to get a filling replaced yesterday and had to be numbed before the procedure. Needles at dentists are the worst aren't they? Even worst then at the doctors! It went very smoothly and really was much better than I thought it would be but the whole left side of my face was numb for a good 3 hours after the procedure. In that time, since I could not eat, I baked a cake. It helped to cheer me up. At night, to cheer myself up further (that is my excuse) I decided to cook up some lemon chicken.

It's fried, crispy, juicy and oh-so-moreish. 

Vegetarian Burger Patties

Vegetarian Burger Patties

Hey everybody! How was your weekend? Tell me all about the exciting or not so exciting things that you got up to.

I myself went to Sheffield for the weekend. We had to attend a dinner on Saturday night so we thought that we would make a weekend getaway out of it. We managed to squeeze in a walk around the very picturesque Damflask Reservoir in Low Bradfield. It is an easy circular walk with a distance of about 3.8 miles. If you want more of a challenge you can always turn it into a run. We did see quite a few runners doing a couple of loops around the reservoir.

Carrot and Sultana Muffins

Carrot and Sultana Muffins

I love muffins that have a nice distinct muffin top, a little crusty and soft and moist inside. If I had to pick a flavour, carrot would be my choice. It must be the spices in it, the moistness, the heavenly smell when it is baking - the aroma wafting from the kitchen to your entire house, it is a culinary experience that is so richly comforting and satisfying. If there is a bottled home fragrance for carrot muffins, I would undoubtedly buy it for my home. Until such a day, I shall be content with baking wonderful carrot muffins. It's not such a bad idea I think.

Hearty Vegetable Stew for Meatless Monday

Hearty Vegetable Stew

Happy Meatless Monday everyone!

First things first, I am glad to report that dear microwave of mine survived its water ordeal and did not drown. I am so relieved that we do not need to get a new microwave.

Steamed Chinese Herbal Chicken

Hello everyone!

Yes, I am back after a long absence! Not sure whether that is a good thing or not for you, but I am hopeful that it is good. 

After a splendid 6-weeks with family and friends in Malaysia where I was truly spoilt rotten, I am back in the UK. The first week was downright busy, just trying to clear stuff and organise our storage space as well as doing some gardening. I planted some bamboo as well as some winter violas. I am now willing them to grow and flourish.