Christmas day delights

 My Christmas meal in pictures:

Tasty stuffed turkey

Cabbage,sweet potato mash,, brussels sprouts, peas and carrots, Yorkshire puds,
beef sausages, roasted parsnips, roast potatoes.

Christmas pudding

My easy, last minute Christmas cake

Ahhhh its Christmas in a few days. And if you're like me and leave everything last minute, then Christmas cake making may be an issue. I made a gorgeous cake that can even be made the day of Christmas.  Its super tasty and super easy so I had to share it with you guys. (I am not a big fan of nuts in my Christmas cake but if you are just adapt it to your nutty tastes)
 Definitely give it a try....

Ingredients:

900g of dried fruit (sultanas, raisins and any other that tickle your tastes buds) 

225g of brown sugar

225g of butter

225g of plain flour

4 large eggs

2tsp of golden syrup (this is optional but is great for colouring and taste)

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Zest and juice of 1 small orange

1tsp of all spice

250ml of pear or apple cider

Glace cherries

What to do:

1.Put all the dried fruit in the pan with the cider. Bring to the boil and cook for 3-minutes. Allow to cool. The fruit should have absorbed all of the liquid. ( If there is any left just drain away.



2.Mix the butter and sugar in a bowl. Then add the flour and egg in and mix.

3. Then add the zest and juice of the lemon and orange, the golden syrup, all spice and mix. Then add your dried fruit and glace cherries and mix all together.



4. Put the mixture into a non stick baking tin or one that is lined with baking paper.



5. Put in the oven on gas mark 2 for 3-4 hours. Check halfway through baking- if it is getting too brown u can always cover with some baking paper or tin foil

6. Once the cake is cooked you can either leave it as it is (yes it is that delicious!) or ice and decorate.

I have yet to ice mine but once i have I will definitely include it in a post.
How do you make your Christmas cake? would love to hear..just comment below :)

My carrot cake recipe

I made a gorgeous carrot cake last week and I thought i would share my recipe. I am not a lover of nuts in my cakes but if you are just adapt this recipe to your taste. I know that walnuts are a favorite for a lot of people. This recipe serves 10-12 people.
So here it is :

• For the cake:
• 275g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 4 eggs
• 400g caster sugar
• 300g vegetable oil or soft butter
• 375g grated carrots
• zest of half an orange
• 125g chopped walnuts (optional although I prefer without)
• 
  

For the topping and middle:

1 large Philadelphia pack

Half a grated carrot 

squeeze of lemon juice

1. Mix all the ingredients into one bowl and mix until there are no lumps.

2. Pour mixture into 2 seperate non stick baking tins.

3. Put them into the oven at gas mark 4 for 30-45 minutes (checking after 30mins if you are happy with it).

4. Take them out of the oven and allow them to cool and remove from baking tins.

5. Mix the Philadelphia, grated carrot and lemon juice into a bowl. Then spread in between both cake pieces and them on top of the cake.

6. Eat and enjoy.

Do you have a favorite carrot cake recipe? Please comment below as I love discovering new recipes :)

Simple chicken, pea and coconut curry

Hi everyone!
As the days get colder and the evenings get darker there is nothing better than a lovely homemade curry on a cosy night in. Its one of my favourites and I love making it. Its simple, easy and extremely quick to make.
ahhhhh you honestly have to try, trust me its so tasty!!

Definitely tasted as good as it looks!

Ingredients needed:
Salt and pepper 
4-6 chicken breasts
25g butter
1 tablespoon of tikka paste (or any of your favourite curry paste will do)
2 teaspoons of nigella seeds (black)
1 can of coconut milk
A nice amount of frozen peas (depending on your preference)
A handful of chopped coriander (preferably fresh) 

1. Melt your butter in a good sized pan and add the nigella seeds.
Chop your chicken into bite sizes (I like to use scissors as it keeps my hands clean)
then add this to the pan and fry until the chicken is cooked through (5-10 minutes

2. Add the curry paste to the pan and stir in. Once this is done add the coconut milk and peas. Let this boil for a couple of minutes.

3. Add salt and pepper to your taste.

4. Turn off the heat from the pan and add your chopped coriander.

5. Serve in a dish with some plain rice, add some more coriander if u wish and enjoy!