Tanya Burr is a woman of many talents, but it’s her baking book that may be my favourite venture of hers so far. I can’t recall any other book where I have tried, tested and succeeded at so many recipes in such a short period of time – so I thought I would share one of them today. This salted caramel brownie recipe from Tanya Bakes is one my favourites, one I made twice within ten days as it was so popular.
Recently a few friends and I enjoyed fun, food and frolics by the sea at the Sidmouth Folk Festival. The weather was glorious (before it took a grey turn for the worst the following afternoon, in typical British summertime fashion) so we enjoyed our first evening by the coast sat in the garden with bubbles, sangria, and one helluva fabulous feast!
Everyone appears to have gone courgetti crazy. I can now count myself as one of them.
Eating healthy can sometimes be difficult, especially after the holidays (chocolate, anyone?) but it’s a lot simpler than you may think. It’s all about balance.
When I’m trying to fight the fat I try and choose healthy salads, especially now the weather is brighter and getting warmer, as they don’t take much time and effort but fill you up with nutrients you need. Salads to some people conjure up a boring and not so tasty image, but hopefully I will be able to convert you non-salad lovers to this recipe. I’m also cutting back on my bread intake, which if you’re anything like me would usually find difficult (I usually like a piece of bread and butter next to my salad) but 3 days in and I don’t miss it, hoorah!
Perusing the shelves of Waitrose a couple of days ago, I spotted the 2 for £3 salad pots. Now, I usually avoid these as they tend to be full of nuts and beans and ‘superfoods’ that don’t really appeal to my taste buds, but I decided to give them a try. I’m so glad I did because it’s become a firm, flavorsome favourite – here’s what I did…
What you will need:
Edamame Bean Salad* (Adzuki and edamame beans with fresh peppers & coriander)
Roasted Vegetable Couscous *
A handful of baby spinach
2 tomatoes, cut in half
Feta cheese
Balsamic Vinegar
I used a third of each salad pot as I wanted to make a couple of lunches from it (and in case I didn’t like it, it wouldn’t be a waste of food), tossing the two together in the oriental soy dressing that comes with the bean salad and placed it on the bed of spinach. I cut up some feta and crumbled it over the salad, drizzling over a teaspoon of balsamic.
Edamame beans are low in fat and calories and high in protein and fibre – as well as other essential vitamins and nutrients you need – so just having a handful of these in your salad will do you plenty of good. Couscous also has several health benefits, as the potassium helps to regulate blood pressure.
I can’t begin to tell you how delicious this is and how quick it was to throw together. Even my mum enjoyed this (hold the couscous for her), and this says a lot.
If this doesn’t take your fancy then perhaps this beetroot and cream cheese salad may entice you more.
Baby spinach, cucumber, tomato, baby beetroot and two Laughing Cow cream cheese triangles thrown in – quick and easy, and most importantly very tasty!
Let me know if you like these recipes and link me to any healthy recipe posts you think I should try next.
Have a lovely weekend 🙂
*Available in other supermarkets, but the Waitrose ones are delicious!
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Wednesday’s are all about the Great British Bake Off in my house, and no doubt most homes around Britain too.
I grew up helping my mum bake cakes, so I tend to gravitate towards the classic recipes that the likes of Mary Berry probably made up all those years ago! I find baking a really therapeutic and relaxing hobby, and after a long day at work it’s fun to be a little bit creative in the kitchen (blasting out some of your favourite tunes – Destiny’s Child is my baking soundtrack at the moment).
I have to give beauty blogger and YouTube sensation Tanya Burr full credit for this recipe, and if you would like to try this recipe go and check out her video here. In previous experience, I have found cookies to be a difficult bake to make – but this one is super easy, even for those who can’t cook/won’t cook.
1. Mix 300g of caster sugar with 200g of butter
2. Add 1 egg, and mix
3. Add 325g of self raising flour and sift in stages, mixing inbetween
4. Add the 200g of milk chocolate (I used Cadbury’s Giant Chocolate Buttons) and 200g of white chocolate (I used Milky Bar Giant Buttons) – I like to do a ‘taste test’ whilst adding these in, it’s important to make sure the chocolate tastes good 😉
5. Using your hands (if you don’t mind getting messy) or two spoons, separate the mixture into blobs. I found this recipe made enough for 12 cookies.
6. And now you wait…
…Until the 10-12 minutes is up.
I left the first batch in a few minutes longer than I should have, and found that they weren’t gooey enough in the middle. The second batch I took out and left to cool for 20 minutes, and they were delicious!
They are the perfect, indulgent treat – best served with a cup of tea.
Have you tried Tanya’s recipe?
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When you’re not a breakfast person it can be difficult to find options that are healthy and appetising without being totally boring – porridge anyone?
Most mornings I don’t have time to potter about the kitchen making breakfast so I usually take crumpets or teacakes to toast when I get into work, but on weekends I relish in spending time cooking up a hearty brunch after a much-needed lie in. I tried avocado for the first time a couple of months ago, and now like most people I’m obsessed. Avocado with prawns, avocado with chicken, avocado with eggs – the list goes on!
I looked in my fridge this morning to find something tasty to rustle up, and there it was – avocados that had to be eaten up today and an unopened pack of unsmoked streaky bacon. A quick and simple breakfast that anyone can put together – no butter necessary. (You can adapt this to feed more people)…
1 avocado
4 pieces of streaky bacon
1 slice of bread (I used wholemeal)
Just cut up the avocado and distribute on the toast, sprinkle a tiny amount of salt and pepper, use a fork to mash it up and then place the crispy bacon on top – & voilà!
Nutritious and delicious.
What do you eat in the morning?
I’m interested to find out more ways to make breakfast exciting 🙂
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Homemade blueberry pancakes! read more…