Thursday 31 July 2014

Vanilla Cup Cakes





A recipe that went down really well in our house is this one from the Bake a Difference book*.  There's a gorgeous picture of the buns, decorated with fondant icing flowers, in their book. 


It uses Traidcraft F/T Golden Caster Sugar^ and makes 12 muffin-sized cakes.

I think I'll be able to get F/T Vanilla Essence somewhere but haven't found any yet.
A quick search on the web shows me I should buy:
F/T Ndali Vanilla Extract 100ml at about £6.00 which looks very good value for the quantity.


 
^Fairer World, 84 Gillygate, York. Fairer World

*Rawlinson, B. 2014, Bake a difference. Gateshead, UK. Traidcraft plc.

Spicy Dhal

One of my favourite recipes uses three types of lentils/peas in a mildly curried sauce.  It came from the packet of a kit I bought from Kitchen Guru  called 'Spicy Dal' but then I couldn't find it again.




Spicy Dhal ingredients




100g toor dhal*
75g urad/urid dhal (from Asian supermarket)
75g moong dhal        (    ditto      )
1 tsp turmeric
1tsp garam masala
1 onion (chopped)
1tsp cumin seeds
1 small green chilli deseeded and sliced
2 cloves garlic
coriander leaves


crushed dried red chilli


Method       Soaking time - 30 minutes    Cooking time - about 1 hour


1)  Wash the dhals and soak in hot water for 30 minutes.


2)  Drain dhal.  Add 1.5 litres of water, bring to boil and cook at a simmer for 40 minutes.


3)  You can blend dhal and cooking water in a food processor if you like, but I don't bother.


4)  Add some coriander and stir until it has broken up and blended in.


5)  In a large non-stick pan, heat the oil on medium heat for 1 minute. Add the cumin seeds. When they sizzle add the onion and cook for 2 minutes.


6)  Add the green chilli and garlic and fry for half a minute.


7)  Combine fried ingredients with the dhal and add turmeric.


8)  Cook for 5 minutes while stirring.


9)  Add the garam masala and a knob of butter, if liked. (I don't.)


10) Serve in soup bowls.  Garnish with crushed chillies and coriander leaves. Serve with naan or rice and/or greens.


I find it easiest to warm it back up the next day in an ovenproof dish in the microwave so it doesn't stick.
* Malawi Kitchen F/T Toor Dhal
 from Fairer World, 84 Gillygate, York.  Fairer World