Showing posts with label nigella lawson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nigella lawson. Show all posts

Saturday, November 9, 2024

My Spin on Nigella's Pumpkin Bundt Cake

 

Nigella Lawson is one of my favorite TV cooks and her recipes are so easy and approachable. I have made several of hers over the years and many are in my weekly repertoire.  

The Pumpkin Bundt  Cake is a recent recipe that is also part of her "cook along" contests she runs monthly.  I entered, with my spin of course as I usually can't just make a recipe as published.  In this case I added 2 cups fresh cranberries to the batter before pouring into the pan.  The addition of cranberry makes a nice acidic pop and counterpoint to the sweet glaze.  It sure was a hit in my house with that little change.

I used freshly put up steamed pumpkin and drained as she suggested to remove excess water.



Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Redder than Red Cranberry Sauce

There are two kinds of cranberry sauce lovers in my house.  Sweetish and tart.  I like the latter, kidlets seem to prefer the former.  Until now I didn't have a sweetish to make them happy that didn't come out of a can.  Now I do.

I'm a big fan of Nigella Lawson a brit on Food Tv.  The woman cracks me up, but she is spot on target when it comes to fast easy comfort food.  This weekend her Holiday edition included "Redder than Red Cranberry Sauce".  Perfectly sweet tart with a bit of a cherry pie back to it because you use cherry brandy in it.  

Next time I'm in London I need to track her down and maybe get her to sign of her books.  Maybe?

Redder thanRed Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries 
  • 7 ounces caster sugar 
  • 3 tablespoons cherry brandy 
  • 4 fluid ounces water 
  • Lemon juice, optional 
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a pan and cook until the liquids have reduced to a thick cranberry sauce. 

The pectin-rich nature of the fruit means that it solidifies briskly as it cools, so take the pan off the heat to stop it from cooking and reducing when you still think there's too much liquid. Once the berries have burst, which should be after about 10 minutes, it should be ready. Taste to test whether the sauce needs more sugar (if you find it too sweet just add some lemon juice).

Note I skipped the lemon juice and opted to use regular table sugar as "castor sugar" is not something I keep in stock in the old pantry.  I canned up a small jar as a gift for our T-giving guests and the rest was tossed into a serving container for the big day.  Mmmmmm...turkey next


Sunday, December 16, 2007

Chocolate Chip Muffins, its what's for breakfast


One of the family favorites. Had my own but tossed it when I found the one from Nigella Lawson. Great stuff from one helluva cooker in London. Found her on FoodTV and now have her as one of the tivo season passes. Great lady who's show is dedicated to enjoying simple food with friends and family. Right up my alley.
Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Muffins

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons
best quality cocoa powder
3/4 cup superfine sugar
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling
1 cup milk
1/3 cup plus
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Special equipment: Muffin tin with paper muffin cases
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, sugar, and 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips into a large bowl. Pour all the liquid ingredients into a measuring jug. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together, remembering that a lumpy batter makes the best muffins. Spoon into the prepared muffin cases. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips on top and then bake for 20 minutes or until the muffins are dark, risen and springy.


Add in a cup of coffee or an OJ and the day is set!