Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts

Zucchini Pancakes

Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Yum, zucchini, get in my tum!

So if you are a regular on Cocobutton you'll know that I (more often than not) shy away from meat. I am obsessed with vegetables. And zucchini has, and will always be one of my favorite. You can dice them, slice them, ribbon them, even make them into strings for 'pasta' with salads and sauces. 

These little (marrow)  babies are high in vitamin C, they prevent colon cancer, they also contain powerful antioxidant properties and they promote anti-inflammatory properties that prevent heart disease. Amazing! Here is a recipe for you to use up some of that left over Zucchini;


INGREDIENTS
  • 2 cups grated zucchini not peeled and squeezed dry with a kitchen towel (this might go green, sorry)
  • 1/4 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup flour (I use gluten-free whole wheat… health freak over here!)
  • Olive oil for frying.


INSTRUCTIONS

In a large bowl stir grated zucchini, lemon juice, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and egg with a wooden spoon. 
Add in Parmesan Cheese and flour and stir to combine. You do not want to beat this mixture. It can be over beaten and effect the outcome of the batter. Now the mixture might seep a little while you are cooking, rather move the mixture up the side of the bowl and let the liquid remain. This is due to the lemon and the zucchini, not to worry! 
Place some batter, about a tablespoon size, into medium hot oil and lightly spread out from the center with a spoon. Cook slowly for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned and sealed enough that you can flip it over with a spatular and cook remaining side until it is lightly browned and cooked through. Remember, cook with love!! 

Serve warm plain as a starter or with avocado and tomatoes, they are so moreish make sure you make enough! 

Xoxo


PS. Mmm you are a tasty little morsel.

And I do... all of the above, *wink!

Apple Spice Granola

Thursday, 24 January 2013
Everytime I look at this picture I took my mouth waters... dammit.

Honestly. If you buy and eat store bought Granola and like it, it is only because you know no better. I do not eat Granola unless I make it myself. Apart from all the (excuse my French) shit they add to it, making it totally unhealthy! The amount of times I've imagined rather eating the box for enjoyment or almost breaking a tooth on a rock hard nut or raisin (no I do not know how they get them that hard either)… It is all rather annoying and exhausting for something which is meant to be delicious, moreish and enjoyable. So I make my own. And it is goood, and healthy. You can eat it plain as a snack, or with yoghurt or milk or even on ice-cream! It is so yum that I double this recipe because it is not enough for a week of eating… I need more. Hope you like it! Let me know what you think!

Ingredients: 
(all organic, raw and unsweetened if you can)

  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 1/2 cup pecans
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 8 dates, chopped
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut
  • 2/3 cups of raw oats
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ground ginger
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce (Woolworth Grannysmith is the best)
  • 1/3 cup macadamia nut oil
  • 2 tablespoons golden syrup (preferably the Lyle's Golden Lion Syrup in a can, it is just better)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180C and line a baking sheet with wax paper.
Add nuts, dates, coconut and oats to a food processor and pulse to slightly chop nuts. Add spices and salt and pulse again to evenly distribute.
In a small bowl whisk together apple sauce, oil, syrup, and vanilla. Place wet ingredient into the food processor with dry ingredients and pulse to combine.
Now take off your rings ladies! Evenly distribute granola (using fingers) on prepared baking sheet. Try not to get it too thin at the ends because this can burn very quickly and will ruin the whole taste… smoked granola is really not great.
Place in oven for 30 to 35 minutes until golden.  Stop to stir / check ingredients halfway through the baking so the edges do not get over brown.  It will allow things to cook evenly.  The granola will harden up once cooled completely.
I recommend keeping your Granola in a Tupperware in the freezer.  It keeps the granola crunchy! On nom!

Happy munching little squirrels!

Xoxo

PS. You don't HAVE to share... ^_^



Yes, Julia, yes!

Weekend Learnings

Monday, 27 September 2010
Weekends are few and far between. C'est la vie


Due to major workload and hectic deadlines I missed a whole week of blogging, *cringe! 
I feel as though someone stole my hobby and held it too high above my head so when I jumped to grab it I could not reach. Mean. Anyway! So here are my (one day) weekend learning's! 

Things this weekend taught me:

  • I love pretty flowers in brown paper wrapping.
  • I’m still in love with Truth Coffee, my favourtie is Dondes Chaos.
  • I also love drinking it out of thin, white, porcelain mugs with frothy milk on a Sunday morning.
  • Working overtime might be nice if you do not have a life but missing South African Heritage/ Braai Day is not cool.
  • This weekend I went to a fabulous New York themed Kitchen Tea and another friend got engaged, love is in the air.
  • My garden is growing! Seeing those little shoots with all their different personalities is the most rewarding feeling I have had in a long time.
  • You should roast a chicken at 190°C and 45 minutes for every kg... Easy! *tip, add par boiled potatoes and cut onions to the same baking tray 30 mins before you take it out... Nom...
PS. Rest that chickie for 10 mins out of the oven!

xoxo

Spring Zucchini & Chicken Salad

Wednesday, 25 August 2010
 

I recently made this lovely little recipe for lunch and have been craving it ever since.
I found it on Martha Stewart and the second I saw “zucchini” and “salad” I was off to the kitchen! Now it doesn’t specify cooking the Zucchini but since I like mine cooked... I cooked it. You just need to slice it length ways and steam it with a little olive oil and seasoning for about 8 minutes. Do not over cook them, its nice if they keep firm to hold their shape.

With Spring in the city and sunshine on my back I am clearing the fridge of soups and replacing them with salads! Yes girls, it is summer!


Ingredients
(Serves 4)

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
 Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/4 pounds zucchini, thinly sliced
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bunch (about 8 ounces) spinach, chopped
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Directions
 
In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup oil and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Add zucchini; toss to coat, and let marinate while cooking chicken. 
In a large nonstick skillet, heat remaining tablespoon oil over medium. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until golden brown and opaque throughout, about 7 minutes per side. 
Toss chicken with zucchini mixture, spinach, onion, pecans, Parmesan, and mint. Serve. NOM!


PS. I yet again forgot to take my own picture, I ate it too quick! Thank you Martha for the piccie!

xoxo

I miss Cupcake

Monday, 5 July 2010














Being the busy individual that I am i recently, for the first time in a long time, had a weekend of relaxation and procrastination. Having a weekend of nothing much to do... a rather rare and special time, I spent it frolicking around, jabbering with friends and catching up on DVD's.

Something felt missing.

Today I explored the internet for websites, and typically I discovered what I was missing. I cannot remember the last time I baked! More specifically I cannot remember the last time I baked a cupcake.

Now frivolous as it may sound, baking something special and pretty is incredibly therapeutic. My favourite part about baking is making something with love and sharing it with your loved ones.

The missing thing was a cupcake!

I think baking will soon be back on the pages of Cocobutton....

xoxo

PS. Cupcake, Happy cake, Patty cake! mmmm

Tomato Chilli Soup

Tuesday, 29 June 2010
















Winter seems to have taken a hold on my warm, summery city.
One of the things I like about winter, apart from boots and snuggling is soup.

Hot, homemade soup with croutons and love will warm the cockles of your heart!

Tomato Chilli Soup

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large celery stick chopped
1/2 a chilli
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 cups of reduced-sodium chicken stock
2 cans whole peeled tomatoes in juice

To Serve:
Low fat plain Bulgarian Yoghurt
grated
Mozzarella
*Rosemary and Oregano Croutons

In a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat; add oil and onion. After a few minutes add celery and chilli (depending how hot or mild you like it add more or less!). Season with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add broth, and tomatoes, breaking up tomatoes with the spoon. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, 30 minutes.
After soup cool for a bit you can puree it. Working in several batches, puree the soup in a conventional blender until smooth; return to pot to reheat. Season with salt and pepper. Divide amongst bowls. Place a spoon on Bulgarian yoghurt in the middle and sprinkle
grated Mozzarella and croutons. Serve immediately. Or before adding decorations let cool to room temperature before dividing among airtight containers (leaving 1 inch of space at the top) and freezing.

*Rosemary and Oregano Croutons

3 slices of brown bread, left outside to dry
Olive oil
1 tablespoon Dried oregano
1 tablespoon Dried rosemary
Pinch of salt and pepper

Heat oven to 180ºC. Brush olive oil on both sides of slices. In a mortar and pestle (if you don’t have one, places spices in a bag and beat with a bottle... Fun) add the spices and grind.
Sprinkle on both sides on the bread. Save leftover spice mix! Cut the bread into soldiers and then squares. Place on a baking try and bake for 20 mins or until golden.

Xoxo

PS. Its great to freeze this for lunch at work with a dollop of yoghurt!

I lost my marbles way before I made this cake.

Thursday, 29 April 2010













I like chocolate cake.
I like vanilla cake.

So what could be better than putting them together, making them one! Yes the answer for every double delicious dual flavoured cake is, you guessed it-
Marble Cake.

I like this cake just as it is, I think its sweet enough to leave off icing. Its also nice to make it in a loaf pan rather than a cake tin, just adding a little variety on the tea table!

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 175 degrees C (350 degrees F). Grease and flour a 9 inch round pan.
Place flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk into mixing bowl. Beat slowly to moisten, then beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth. Reserve 3/4 cup batter; pour the remainder into pan.
Stir cocoa into the 3/4 cup reserved batter. Drop by spoonfuls over top of white batter. Using a knife, swirl the cocoa batter into the white batter to incorporate it in a marble effect.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean.


PS. Do not mix the two batters vigorously, it will go brown... yip

xoxo

Rose Ice Cubes

Thursday, 8 October 2009

























I just love cute little decorative touches that you can add to any occasion.
This DIY project created by Jonathan Style is a stunning way to decorate your bar at a cocktail party, ladies day, baby shower, birthday, or even your wedding day!

You can even try lots of different colour roses to create more excitement.


What you’ll need: (per ice tray)


12 spray roses (the small ones) –

Tip: spray roses can be pricey if you’re making many ice cubes. Consider using small silk flowers from Mr. Price Home

12 twist ties

2 wooden skewers

1 ice tray
Floral tape


Step 1: To keep the roses submerged in the ice trays, we have to build a framework that will weigh them down. Cut the spray roses, leaving about 2 inches of stem, and use twist ties to attach the stems to the skewers.

Step 2: Place the roses, which are attached to the skewers, upside down in their individual ice compartments of the tray.


Step 3: Tape down the skewers at the ends of the ice tray to keep everything from floating when you add water. Your ice tray should look like the one in the photo.


Step 4: Add water to the ice tray and freeze overnight.



Is it edible?

Most roses are indeed edible. However, many growers use pesticides on the roses, so I would avoid putting these ice cubes in drinks unless you’re sure there were no chemicals used. Just use the ice to cool drinks.

PS. Uses different colours with simple clear drinks, the roses and ice cubes should be the heroes here!

xoxo

Guacamole... mmmm spicy!

Wednesday, 16 September 2009










I just love guacamole!

Apart from being the healthier option to chip dip its also ridiculously easy and super tasty. Especially when avocados are in abundance.

This is a cheap and versatile dish that can be server on burgers, with chips at a party or with Crudités for a healthy snack.



When I saw this recipe on one of my favourite sites, www.showmenow.com I had to share it with you.
(click in picture to enlarge)

Don’t forget Avo doesn’t last too long after you cut it open so be sure to make it just before you serve. And if you like it spicy and with a bit for a kick you can add a little chilli or Tabasco to taste!

Enjoy!

PS. Make a double portion of whatever amount you planned to make for parties, it seems to be a firm favourite and disappears quickly!

xoxo

For Bibba

Sunday, 16 August 2009

It was recently my birthday and a very special person gave me a very special book. A book called Cakes, subtitled; To Celebrate Love & Life. Could there be a more perfect title. This book was made for me.



So this weekend I decided to take it for a spin. Delving first into the Chocolate Cupcake recipe. Instead of using the normal buttercream icing I was challenged to try the Meringue Icing. Never one to back down from a challenge I went full speed. And the result was delightful.




2 cups sugar
1 ¾ cups flour

¾ cup cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp baking powder1 ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs at room temp
1 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup boiling water

Preheat the oven to 180 C
Prepare muffin pans with 18-24 paper cups


In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix together all dry ingredients. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla essence.

Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Stir in the boiling water, the batter should be runny. A bit like chocolate soup.
Pour the batter into the paper cups equally.

Bake for 10-20 minutes. Leave to cool completely before topping with icing.


Meringue Icing


4 egg whites at room temp

1 cup sugar
A pinch of salt

A drop of food colouring if desired



In a heatproof bowl of an electric mixer, combine the egg whites, sugar and salt. Set the bowl over a pan of simmering water and hand-whisk continuously for 3-5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch.


Attach the bowl to the electric mixer with the whisk attachment, and beat on low for 2 minutes. Add a drop or food colouring, then beat on high for a further 5 minutes until mixture has cooled down and stiff peaks form. pipe immediately.


Maritz, Callie & Guy, Mari-Louis. Cakes, to celebrate love & life. Cape Town: Struik Lifestyle,

2009.


PS. The chocolate shavings made it!


xoxo



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