ᄋ cocoloco

coconut is an amazing thing

the water contains electrolytes which calm

an irritated digestive system

the oils within the flesh are 'good' oils

these strange nuts are a challenge to crack

but SO worth it, once you've got the knack of

getting the flesh out!

fresh coconut macaroons

you will need ....

250g fresh shredded coconut

2 egg white

¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

30g ground almonds

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

75g caster sugar

a pinch of salt

preheat the oven to 170〫c/ gas 3

line some baking sheets with greaseproof or

silicon paper

beat the egg whites until a little bubbly

then add the cream of tartar and beat until peaking

keep whisking and add the sugar a teaspoon at a time

until glossy and swirly

add vanilla, salt, almonds and coconut

fold gently until mixed

pile mounds of this mix onto the prepared trays

it should make about 8

{each mound about the size of a tangerine}

bake for 20 minutes until the edges start to brown

cool on a wire rack

we drizzled ours with melted dark chocolate

and they were divine!

℺ berry picking

our veg patch isn't thriving too well with

the inclement UK weather

but the strawberries and raspberries 

are loving it!

after a friend tweeted that she was making

a cherry almond clafoutis, I was inspired to

make a strawberry raspberry cake along

a similar line

red red berry cake

you will need ....

200g plain flour

1½ teaspoons baking powder

pinch of salt

100g softened unsalted butter

200g sugar

1 egg

120ml milk

a teaspoon of vanilla extract

demerara for sprinkling

some fresh strawberries or raspberries

or both!

preheat the oven to 180c/ gas 4

line and grease an 8" springform tin

sift all the dry ingredients into a large bowl

in another bowl cream together the butter and sugar

until light and fluffy

add the egg and mix well

stir in the milk and vanilla extract

add the wet ingredients to the dry

mixing well but gently

pour into the prepared tin

press in the strawberries and raspberries

then sprinkle lightly with demerara

bake for 1 hour or until golden and cooked through

cool on a wire rack 

delicious with a scoop of vanilla icecream I reckon!

ↀ sweet enough

sometimes I get a taste for savoury 

this recipe was an experiment

and I'm rather pleased with the result

and it's possibilities ....

cheese & oregano cake

you will need ....

320g plain flour {I used half wholemeal /half white}

half a teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

a good grinding of black pepper

100g grated cheddar

2 eggs

200ml milk

60ml olive oil

1 good dollop of wholegrain mustard

a pinch of dried oregano or lots of fresh

preheat the oven to 180c/ gas 4

line a loaf tin with baking paper

place all the dry ingredients into a large bowl

and use a whisk to mix them and add air

stir in the grated cheese and oregano

mix the eggs, milk and mustard 

and olive oil together

then pour onto the dried ingredients and

mix until combined

put the mixture into the lined tin

bake for about 50 minutes

until golden and skewer comes out clean

tasty with cream cheese and tomatoes!

thinking this recipe would be good with any herb

and caramelised onion

it's a light alternative to bread

perfect for picnics!