Banana Cake with cream cheese icing

November 18, 2013 By

Now we are all guilty of letting bananas ripen in the fruit bowl before getting to enjoy them, and with the warmer months approaching in Perth it even happened to us. Don’t feel guilty though, as overripe bananas make for the best recipes and are what gives every banana recipe the right colour, texture and of course flavour. This banana cake with cream cheese icing is a great way to use up those ripe bananas.

Last week the bananas in the fruit bowl were too far gone to be enjoyed naturally. So by the weekend Brooke was happy to have more than enough overripe bananas to make a cake with. This banana cake is so easy anyone can make it. Through using the overripe bananas you will have a moist and sweet cake and the tangy cream cheese will give it a nice bite to top it off!

You won’t ever feel guilty again for letting the bananas over ripen, and will end up with a simple crowd-pleasing cake!

For other cake recipes check out our recipe for clementine cake.

Banana Cake with cream cheese icingBanana Cake MixtureLemon cream cheese icingBanana Cake with cream cheese icingSlice of Banana Cake with cream cheese icing

Banana cake with cream cheese icing – Recipe Instructions

Banana Cake with cream cheese icing
 
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Ever leaving it too late to eat those bananas you bought? This Banana Cake with Cream Cheese icing is a great was to use up those over-ripe bananas and create a crowd-pleasing cake.
Author:
Recipe type: Cake
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8
Ingredients
Banana Cake
  • 150 g butter
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 very ripe bananas mashed together with 1 tsp of vanilla essence
  • 1 ½ cup self raising flour sifter with ½ tsp bicarb soda
  • 2 tbsp milk
Cheese Cheese Icing
  • 60g butter
  • 60g cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 120 g icing sugar
Instructions
Banana Cake
  1. Beat butter and sugar together till light and fluffy
  2. Add eggs gradually, then the mashed bananas
  3. Fold in sifted ingredients and milk
  4. Place in a greased tin and bake in preheated oven for about 35 minutes
  5. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before turning it out
  6. Once the cake is cool ice with cream cheese icing
Cheese Cheese Icing
  1. Mix cream cheese and butter
  2. Add lemon juice and icing sugar gradually
  3. Mix until smooth
  4. Spread on cooled cake
  5. Note if you want to cover the whole cake in icing, double the icing mixture

 

Filed Under: Baked Goods Tagged With:

Baked Feta with chilli oregano and smoked paprika

November 11, 2013 By

If you are ever looking for something easy to take to a friend’s house or have people coming over look no further! This recipe for baked feta with chilli, oregano and smoked paprika is an easy way to prepare a great entrée or finger food dish that is absolutely moreish!

Baked feta is a traditional Greek way of preparing feta, and through adding simple ingredients to the salty cheese it simply enhances the dish. To make baked feta you don’t have to be fancy and buy the cheese over the counter at the deli. You can simply use the one from the cheese counter from your local store. Next all you do is simply place the cheese in a small baking dish and top with olive oil, chilli flakes, oregano and the smoked paprika. Then simply cover the dish with some aluminium foil and place in a pre-heated oven.

While the feta bakes, simply prepare your plate with either some crackers, fresh bread or bread crisps. I’m a huge fan of kalamata olives, so if you want to jazz up the plate a bit Brooke tends to put a small bowl to accompany the cheese.

After about 10 – 15 minutes the cheese should be warmed through and ready to serve.

We love snacks and if you are looking for something to go with this then try our ham and cheese croquettes.

Baked Feta IngredientsFeta and Olive Oilbaked feta with chilli, oregano and smoked paprikabaked feta with chilli and oregano and smoked paprikaBaked Feta with bread crisps and olivesBaked Feta on bread crisp

Baked feta with chilli – Recipe Instructions

5.0 from 1 reviews
Baked Feta with Chilli
 
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This recipe for baked feta with chilli, oregano and smoked paprika is a quick and easy way to prepare a great entrée.
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 150 g Feta
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ¼ tspn chilli flakes
  • ¼ tspn dried or fresh oregano
  • ¼ smoked paprika
  • Olives, crackers or bread to serve
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C
  2. Place the feta in an oven proof baking dish and drizzle with olive oil
  3. Sprinkle spices over the feta, and cover with aluminium foil
  4. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes
  5. Serve with crackers, bread or olives

 

Filed Under: Snacks Tagged With: ,

Apricot Couscous Salad

November 4, 2013 By

The first time I tried this apricot couscous salad was only a couple of weeks ago when Brooke was preparing her lunch to take to work that week. She started getting the ingredients out, couscous, dried apricots, currants, slivered almonds and baby spinach. Firstly fruit in a salad? I am not exactly sold on this idea, and of course Brooke started getting defensive when I questioned it. She said the first time she had this was when her Mum made it to accompany a Moroccan lamb dish to use instead of rice. She said the almonds give it a nice crunch, and the sweet apricots and currants add another flavour. Honestly, I was still not sold on it, till there was a chance I could have a packed lunch to take to work as well.

As I watched Brooke make the salad I swear it was ready in 10 minutes. To start all she did was prepare some couscous using the method on the box. While this cooked, she simply toasted some slivered almonds on the stove till golden brown. She then sliced up some dried apricots into small pieces, and then washed some baby spinach. Once the couscous was ready and had cooled slightly all that needed to be done was mix it all together – couscous, almonds, apricots, spinach and a handful of currants. Really it was that simple!

I must say I am now a fan!  Although this version apricot couscous salad is served cold, it can still be served warm to accompany other dishes – like a Moroccan inspired dish which is full of various spices. I will however, recommend this coming into summer as a great side for any bbq or even just some marinated chicken.

If you are looking for another salad recipe to accompany your meal then try our roasted pumpkin and feta salad.

Apricot and Almond CouscousCouscous and ButterToasted AlmondsFresh SpinachApricot and Almond Couscous Salad IngredientsApricot Couscous Salad

Apricot couscous salad – Recipe Instructions

5.0 from 1 reviews
Apricot Couscous Salad
 
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This simple Apricot Couscous Salad is made with just 5 key ingredients couscous, almonds, apricots, spinach and a handful of currants.
Author:
Recipe type: Salad
Cuisine: Moroccan
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 cup couscous
  • ½ diced apricots
  • ½ cup dried currants
  • ¼ slivered almonds
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • A big handful of baby spinach
Instructions
  1. Prepare your couscous using the method on the box.
  2. Toast almonds in a small pan on the stove till golden brown, and allow to cool.
  3. Diced the dried apricots
  4. Wash baby spinach thoroughly
  5. Mix all the ingredients together and serve

 

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Honey Ginger Almonds

October 28, 2013 By

After making the maple mixed nut granola last week Brooke still had a heap of leftover almonds. To try and get rid of the rest of them, I suggested using them to make some roasted honey ginger almonds. Now this recipe does not restrict you to only using almonds, but if you ever have nuts left over and want to make a great snack, this is a great way to make use of them.

Now the beauty of using almonds is not only are they a nutritious and protein-packed snack. They also contain vitamin E, magnesium, fibre and are low in cholesterol. And of course through adding the wonderful flavours of honey and ginger you will end up with an easy-to-make addictive sweet and crunchy treat!

To start this recipe you need to roast the almonds first, before flavouring them. Through toasting the almonds first it will give them a better flavour, and enhance your recipe. Once your almonds have been roasted and the skins have begun to crack, you can candy them on the stovetop before returning to the baking tray to let crisp.

As I said before this recipe is easy and the flavours can be easily changed to suit your taste or even your preference of nuts!  Roasted honey ginger almonds are a perfect snack for any occasion.

If you are looking for another nut based recipe then try our pecan slice recipe.

AlmondsOven Roasted AlmondsHoney Ginger AlmondsHoney Ginger AlmondsBowl of Honey Ginger Almonds

Honey ginger almonds – Recipe Instructions

Honey Ginger Almonds
 
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These Honey Ginger Almonds make a nutritious and flavoursome protein-packed snack.
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: Australian
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2 cups raw almonds
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2½ teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons grapeseed oil
Instructions
  1. Place the almonds on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven at 325º for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove them from oven and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl combine the dark brown sugar, ground ginger and salt, grind the mixture with a fork until well combined, set aside.
  3. In a medium-sized saucepan heat the honey, water and oil until it boils. Reduce the heat and add the roasted almonds into the saucepan. Stir continually over low heat until almonds are coated and all the mixture is absorbed by the almonds, remove saucepan from stove and add the sugar mixture

 

Filed Under: Snacks Tagged With: ,

Maple Mixed Nut Granola

October 21, 2013 By

Over the past few weeks Brooke and I have been busier than ever. Between work, renovations and family commitments we have found ourselves eating whenever or whatever we can (well at least I have). As a result I had been craving something a tad bit healthier. Fortunately when Sunday morning came around Brooke had the perfect solution for us which was to make her maple mixed nut granola. Not only is it healthy but it is quick, easy, & delicious! So it ticks all the boxes.

Once you have a taste of this homemade maple mixed nut granola, you won’t even care whether it’s healthy or not. I mean, seriously, its that yum. The crunchy texture of this granola will have you nibbling at it straight away (As Brooke caught me doing on several occasions).

What’s great about this recipe? You can make this granola to your own liking by altering the type of nuts you use. More pecans, less almonds, you can even add dried fruit… it’s up to you. Then just add it to your cereal, yogurt, or some fresh fruit in the morning for a healthy start to the day.

Brooke likes to make granola in large batches as it can be stored in airtight containers – meaning we can snack on it for a few weeks.

If granola is not going to cut it then check out our Spanish baked eggs recipe or Tuscan baked beans recipe.

Maple Mixed Nut Granola IngredientsMaple Mixed Nut Granola BowlMaple Mixed Nut GranolaBaked Maple Mix Nut GranolaMaple Mixed Nut Granola with Milk

Maple mixed nut granola – Recipe Instructions

5.0 from 1 reviews
Maple Mixed Nut Granola
 
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Maple Mixed Nut Granola. Not only is it healthy but it is quick, easy, & delicious! So it ticks all the boxes.
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup chopped almonds
  • ¼ cup chopped macadamia nuts
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
  • 5 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius. In a large bowl, toss together oats, pecans, almonds, macadamia nuts, salt, vegetable oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
  2. Spread oat mixture on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through. Let cool completely.

 

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