Summer Berries and White Chocolate cake

Hi, I'm back!

After the long break I took for my summer holiday, I'm so happy to be posting on my blog again!
One of the things I love the most of this season must be the bright colours of nature, and especially of forest fruits. There is a particular recipe I have enjoyed the most, which is adapted from a Lorraine Pascale recipe, and is sure to please everyone. I find that the light taste of white chocolate and lemon complements the sweetness of the fruits perfectly, and the yoghurt keeps the cake nice and moist- enjoy!

Ingredients:
300g self-raising flour
3 eggs
180g sugar
3tbsp oil
1tbsp milk
Lemon zest from 2 lemons
3tsp baking powder
150g white chocolate
200g greek yoghurt
150g frozen berries- plus extra for the topping
Icing sugar for the topping

1) Preheat the oven to 170C and line the bottom of a baking tin with baking parchment.
2) Melt the white chocolate in the microwave with the milk.
3) Separately, mix the sugar, oil, yoghurt and lemon zest, gradually add the eggs while mixing.
4) Add the melted chocolate with the flour and baking powder, lastly adding the frozen fruit.
5)Pour everything in the baking tin and bake for 30-40 minutes.
6) When cool, top the cake with berries and add icing sugar.

Doesn't it look lovely and summery? Sure to uplift any mood!!

 xx

2-ingredient Banana Pancakes! Gluten-free and full of protein

I really cannot get enough of these. If you have a load of overripe bananas left then this recipe is perfect to use them up. As they only contain bananas and eggs we can say they are a healthier 'cheat' version of normal ones with a lower amount of calories. Plus, they are gluten free, flourless and full of protein - what more could you want? After making these I can assure you you will not want to make proper pancakes ever again (......they would seem like too much hassle) and while eating these you can even kid yourself you are having one of your 5-a-day. Enjoy.

Ingredients: 
1 ripe banana
2 eggs

1) In a bowl mix the eggs first gradually adding slices of the banana, making sure it is well mashed and mixed together.
2) Put some oil in your frying pan and place in on medium heat.
3) Scoop some the batter in there, and waiting for about 30 seconds (or when the middle starts to bubble) flip it over letting the other side cook.

Done!!!

I ate mine with cookie ice cream which is kind of defeating the objective (oops), but you could also add fruit or anything else you fancy ontop of these lovely pancakes. Comment below telling me what you like to eat with them!

xx

P.S: I'm going on holiday for about 3 weeks and probably won't be able to post during this time, so everyone have a nice summer. I will be back!!

Review | Graze Boxes + FREE box for you!

...just arrived

A few weeks ago I got given a voucher for one of these great snack boxes, and I just fell in love with them! For the people that don't know about graze, they are a company that send healthy snacks to you in the post. All the boxes are nutritionally balanced, with different types to choose from to suit your needs. The boxes are also 100% recyclable and each one fits through the letter box. If you want to try it out and get your 1st, 5th and 10th one free click on this link, there is no commitment and you can cancel any time!

As soon as you sign up you get asked to rate the snacks and get sent four of them, plus a booklet detailing its nutritional information. Favourites from my first box must be the Honeycomb Crunch which had coated milk chocolate, raisins and almonds and also the Cookies and Cream with mini chocolate cookies, roasted hazels, white chocolate buttons and sunflower seeds.

From my second box I loved the Garden of England dried fruits and the Fruity Mango Chutney! 

Overall these boxes have been a great hit in my family, especially with my parents, which, food-wise are very hard to please. They offer a great alternative to snacking on crisps and cookies, making a satisfying snack on-the-go. I await every box with excitement as I am just too curious to taste all the snacks they have.

Remember to click on the link here to get your free boxes!

xxx

Microwave Muffins

The past week for me has been a school holiday so I've had lots of spare time- guess how I've decided to spend it? Not doing something productive like revising for exams, finishing some work or getting on with chores, but experimenting in the kitchen! I am so good at procrastinating. 

Some time ago I found some very quick and easy recipes of Microwave muffins that used only a couple of ingredients, and was intrigued. There was no need to use flour or any baking powder as they used oats instead, and everyone saying how lovely they tasted. 

Here's what happened when I tried:

First try (Chocolate and Blueberries): The original recipe I found was 4tbsp oats, 1 egg, handful of berries, 2tsp sugar, 2tsp cocoa powder. The egg and cocoa powder in this one tasted weird, so decided one had to be removed.

 Second try (Blueberries): Even if I removed the cocoa powder I realised the egg was what it was making it taste odd, so had to find something to replaced it with.

Third try (Apple and Cinnamon):  At this point I didn't just run out of berries :( but it also BURNT. I used oil instead and cooked it for the normal 2-3 minutes- it just didn't work.

Fourth try (Banana and Rolos): This was LOVELY. I used 4 tbsp oats, half a banana, 2 tbsp milk and a handful of rolos, mixing well in the mug. I put in the microwave for 2-3 minutes until it was firm. The banana and oats make a nice shell on the outside and when cut into all of the nice chocolate and caramel sauce came out.......divine.

One thing I have learnt this week is NEVER add egg to a microwave muffin. On the other hand, I have found a great quick dessert to make from scratch which I am very happy about.

Have you ever tried making a microwave muffin?

Christmas in Naples

How does it manage to be so sunny in full winter?

Have you all had a nice Christmas? I can tell you I have, as I went to spent it and New Year's with my family in Naples. If there is something I love about that place, it has to be the chaotic markets, the food and the beautiful landscapes which are framed by the persistent sunshine.

this seagull was just demanding to be photographed

Especially in the festive period the narrow streets are bursting of tourists exploring the market and shops, hunting for something special to take back with them. Pasta, Neapolitan playing cards, or different ornaments, they really have anything to suit everyone taste. The markets are also bursting with stalls that sell different books for a total steal.

Different musicians entertain in the piazza while you can sit and enjoy some nice food in the restaurants close-by. The cakes are sooo heavenly and you have to eat the pizza there too, as Naples is the home of it. 

mmmmmmm.........pizza

However I also love all the art they sell there as its full of rich colours, and many street artists are fantastic. Too bad I couldn't fit a print in my luggage, or I would have bought a couple!