GINGERBREAD CAKES

Ingredients......450gm of plain flour, 1 dsp of bi carb of soda, , 3 tbs of ground ginger, 225 gm of butter/ marg, 225 gm of treacle or golden syrup. Preheat your oven to 180 deg C. line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Mix the flour, bi carb of soda and ginger in a large bowl. Melt the butter and treacle/ syrup in a saucepan over a low heat until the mixture combines, be careful not to overheat. Pour the treacle mixture into the dry ingredients. Beat until a smooth batter/ dough forms. Shape the dough into a recatangle and cut the gingerbread using a cookie cutter. Place the cakes on the prepared trays and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire rack These cakes are best left for one day before eating to become moist. They keep well in an airtight container.

EGGS

It is important that the eggs used in baking must be at room temperature . Cold eggs straight from the refrigerator do combine as well with other ingredients or trap as much air. Eggs at room temperature will give you light and airy cakes.

IS IT COOKED?

Follow the timings in the recipe that you are using, but also rely on your own judgement as ovens vary in temperature. Small cakes should be well risen, firm and spongy to touch. Sponge cakes should springy to the touch, test by gently pressing the cake with your finger. If you can see your fingerprint, return the cake to the oven for a few more minutes. Fruit cakes and deep sponge cakes should be teasted with a metal skewer inserted into the centre. the skewer will come out clean when the cake is cooked. Leave the cooked cakes to cool for a few minutes in the cake pan before turning out to a wire rack to cool completely. Rich fruit cakes are best allowed to cool completely in the pan...... read the recipe well before cooking as each recipe will specify the correct procedure.

TEACAKES..

Teacakes are the basis of a traditional English tea. Afternoon tea is reputed to have been started by the Duchess of Bedford. Teacakes are usually halved, toasted and then served with butter and jam. Ingredients.....55 gm of butter/ marg/ melted, 300 ml of milk, 1 tbs of instant dried yeast, 55gm of castor sugar, 450 gm of bread flour/ strong white flour, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of ground mixed spice, 115gm of currants, 25 gm of mixed peel, 1 egg, lightly beaten, sugar glaze.....made from 2 tbs castor sugar blended with 2 tbs of warm milk. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Gently warm the milk until; just warm, add the yeast and 1 tsp of the sugar. Mix well and leave in a draught free place until frothy. Mix together the flour, salt and mixed spice in a large bowl. Stir in the currants, mixed peel and the remaining sugar. Make a well in the centre and add the yeast mixture , melted butter/ marg and the lightly beaten egg to the well and mix using a wooden spoon till combined then use your hand to form a dough. turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with cling wrap and leave to rise in a draught free place until doubled in size. Now turn out the dough again and knead lightly. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each one into a bun. Place the buns on the lined oven trays and cover each with a sheet of cling wrap and let the buns prove for 30 minutes in a draught free place. Preheat your oven to 200 deg C. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Prepare the glaze, mixing 2 tbs of castor sugar with 2 tbsw of milk. Transfer the buns/ teacakes to a wire rack. Brush the buns/ teacakes with the glaze while still hot.

CHOCOLATE BREAD.

This bread is easily made and has a great chocolate flavour. Chocolate bread can be sliced and spread with butter/ marg, it is also great toasted, (and finished off with peanut butter but that's my weakness). Ingredients......450 gm of strong white bread flour,1 tsp of salt, 25 gm of cocoa powder, 1 and 1/2 tsp of instant dried yeast, 2 tbs of soft light brown sugar, 200 ml of lukewarm water, 1 tbs of oi. Lightly grease a 900gm/ 2lb loaf pan. Mix together the flour, salt and cocoa in a large bowl. Stir in the yeast and sugar. Make a well in the centre of the dry mix and add the oil and water. Mix to form a dough. Turn out the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with cling wrap and leave in a draught free place for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size. Turn out the risen dough, place and shape into the loaf pan. Cover and leave to prove for 30 minutes in a draught free place. Preheat your oven to 200 deg C. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until it sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy.

BUTTER CHICKEN

Ingredients.......6 chicken thigh fillets, sliced and diced, 1 tsp of garam masala, 125ml of Greek yoghurt, 1 dsp of ground coriander, 1 and 1/2 tbs of minced ginger, 1 dsp of ground cumin, 1/4 tsp of chilli powder, 2 tbs of minced garlic, 2 tbs of rice bran / canola oil, 25 gm of butter/ marg, 1 onion, chopped, 60 ml of chicken stock, 125 ml of thickened cream, 60 ml of lime juice, fresh basil to garnish. First make the marinade. Combine the garam masala, coriander, yoghurt, coriander, ginger, cumin, chilli powder and garlic in a large container along with the cubed chicken. Make sure the chicken is fully covered and place in the refrigerator to marinate for 4 hours minimum or overnight. Once the chicken has mmarinated, heat the oil and butter/ marg in a pan over a medium heat and cook the onion till tender. Spray the bowl of your slow cooker with cooking oil and place on high to preheat. Transfer the onion, chicken and marinade to your slow cooker, stir to combine and cover till until the chicken starts to change colour then add the stock and cover till the mixture starts boiling. Stir the mixture occasionally until the mixture starts to thicken and the chicken is cooked through. Finally stir through the cream and the lime juice. Serve with a side of roasted curry cauliflower and/or steamed rice/ grains.

CURRY ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Ingredients....80 ml of rice bran / canola oil, 1 dsp of curry powder, pinch of cracked black pepper, pinch of salt, 1/2 cauliflower broken into florets, chopped coriander leaves to serve. Preheat your oven to 200 deg C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Mix the oil, curry powder, salt and pepper together in a mixing bowl. Add the cauliflower florets and toss to coat. Transfer the cauliflower to the lined baking tray in a single layer. Place in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until tender, top with chopped coriander. This is a perfect side for butter chicken.