Archive for the ‘Brunch’ Category

Rhubarb and custard muffins

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

 Rhubarb

The recipe for these beautiful little cakes comes from the ever-reliable Australian Woman’s weekly series.  Do not use Rhubarb leaves; they are poisonous so chop them off for compost before you continue your preparation; particularly if you have any little helpers in the kitchen with you!

Custard
2 tbsp custard powder
55g caster sugar
250ml milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

300g self raising flour
75g plain flour
165g caster sugar
100g melted butter
1 cup milk
1 egg
5 large stems rhubarb, finely chopped
1 tbsp demarara sugar

Make the custard by mixing powder and sugar in a small pan, then gradually adding milk.  Heat and stir until mixture boils, then add extract and leave to cool.

Preheat the oven to 180c.  Place 12 paper cases in a muffin tin.

Mix flour and sugar in a bowl.  Mix butter, milk and egg in another bowl then stir in half the rhubarb. Add wet mixture to dry until combined; do not overmix, the mixture should be lumpy.

Divide half the mixture between cases.  Top with custard, then divide the remaining mixture over the custard.  Sprinkle with remaining rhubarb and demarara sugar.

Bake for around 25 mins.  Allow them to stand for 5 mins before lifting carefully onto a wire rack.  Serve lightly dusted with icing sugar.

Berlin Brunch

Monday, January 14th, 2013

Fabulous brunches needn’t be all fried things and pastries.. have a go at making your very own breakfast platter and imagine yourself chilling out at a Prenzlauer Berg cafe! 

Berlin Brunch

1 Melon
1 Apple
1 Orange
2 eggs
4 slices ham
4 slices salami
4 slices yellow cheese
butter
mixed rolls, baguette pieces or bagels

Chop up seasonal fruit into attractive slices and arrange on a large platter with the butter.  Arrange the meats and cheeses next to them.  Place the rolls/bread in a basket.

Softly boil the eggs: place in saucepan of cold water and bring to boil, time a further 3 1/2 mins to soft boil, drain immediately and rinse with cold water.

Serve with fresh orange juice and some good coffee.  Don’t forget the papers.

Quarkkeulchen (Little cheese cakes)

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

These sweet little potato cakes from Saxony in Germany can be eaten as either a filling pudding, supper or brunch.  NB this recipe makes quite a lot, you may want to halve it for the first go!

Desiree PotatoDried mixed fruit
1kg potatoes
150g flour
1 tsp baking powder
500g quark
2 Eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
100g raisins
butter to fry

Peel, chop and boil the potatoes until tender.  Push through a fine sieve, potato ricer, or mash extremely well and leave to cool.

Stir the flour and baking powder into the potatoes, then mix in the quark.  Whisk the eggs with the salt, nutmeg, lemon peel, sugar, vanilla extract and raisins. 

Add the egg mixture to the potato mixture and knead the mixture to ensure everything is thoroughly combined, but don’t overwork it.

Flour your hands and the work surface, then shape the dough into a 6cm thick roll.  Cut off 1.5cm pieces and flatten each one slightly.

Heat a frying pan to a good heat, then turn down a little.  Melt 2 tsp butter in the pan and fry the little cakes for about 2 mins on each side until golden brown.  You will need to do more than one batch.  Adjust the amount of butter accordingly so they don’t stick.

Serve warm with cinnamon sugar and some fruit compote (stewed apples, pears, cranberries, apricots or bottled cherries).

These freeze well and make great quick breakfasts!

Mushrooms on toast

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Portabello Mushroom
Portabello mushrooms (2 each depending on size)
1/2 tsp butter per mushroom
1 slice toast per person
salt

Clean the mushrooms and remove the stem.  Heat a large frying pan (with no butter or oil) until very hot. 

Place a small piece of butter inside each mushroom, with a pinch of salt, then place in the pan, butter side up.  Cook until the butter begins to boil and the mushrooms are tender and juicy.  Serve on hot buttered toast.