Lemon Loaf Cake with Saffron Syrup

A few weeks ago I was given a pack of gorgeous saffron to try out at home. I have only ever used saffron in savoury dishes in the past (this saffron chicken dish is one of my favourites) and wanted to try it in a sweet recipe this time around.

Caramel Sponge Pudding

If ever there was an excuse to indulge in some comfort cooking, the chilly winter season is most definitely it. This latest recipe, which was featured in the May/June issue of Cheers magazine, has comfort food written all over it - a classic (dare I say old-fashioned) dessert that you can easily make at home on those cold days.

How to make easy rainbow meringues (and a rainbow cake!)

Crisp, white meringues are one my favourite things to make, but a few weeks ago I tried something a little different by adding some colours to the mix! The reason? I wanted to top my daughter's rainbow birthday cake with rainbow meringues. I had so many party guests (well, the parents) asking me for the recipe that I have decided to pop it on the blog this week along with my go-to meringue recipe. I am also sharing a few tips for making your own rainbow cake. 

Mini Chocolate and Almond Croissants

Hello foodies! I do hope the week has been treating you well, and if not hang in there as the weekend is just around the corner. And weekends mean brunch, and what is brunch without a few tasty pastries? I do love a good croissant every now and then, but did you know how easy it is to make them yourself? This week I am showing you how! 

Salted Caramel Toffee Chunk Ice Cream

Here I was thinking that this recipe would be a fully loaded last nod to summer (given the darker mornings and cooler evenings) when Cape Town surprised us with a whopper of a hot day yesterday. Temperatures soared as high as forty degrees in some places - definitely ice cream weather! We spent our public holiday wandering around the V&A Waterfront visiting our favourite haunts (the aquarium and food market are always a must) and strolling around the harbour past the buskers, interesting curio shops and overheating tourists. 

Semolina, Coconut and Marmalade Cakes

I could not resist this recipe when I came across it - the title alone has me dreaming of soft cake drenched in sticky citrus deliciousness. It is adapted from a recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi from their book Jerusalem. I also happen to have an excess of marmalade in my fridge and adore anything with coconut in it so this one had my name written all over it! 

Mince Pie Tart with Christmas Custard

Just a few days to go until Christmas (four sleeps to be precise), are you ready? We are looking forward to a family Christmas at home this year and will be celebrating with a relaxed festive lunch next to the pool - cannot wait!

Vanilla Bean and Almond Meringues with Mixed Berry Sauce

At the end of November we packed our bags and headed out of the burbs for a weekend in the Overberg. This was a welcome break after a busy few weeks on the home and work fronts, plus a chance to spend some quality family time together. Our destination was a farm called Landmeterskop near Stanford and were invited to join some good friends who had been there before. What a gem of a place! 

Spiced Apple Pie with Creamy Caramel Custard

Spring has sprung, and in typical Cape Town fashion the weather has gotten itself all confused. It is getting lighter in the mornings (always a good sign), but you usually still need a jacket for the early mornings, short sleeves for when the sun is blazing at midday, and an umbrella on stand-by for any afternoon downpours. Basically you need to make like a scout and be prepared - for anything!

Ginger Toffee Puddings

Years ago whilst I was living in the U.K. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go on some skiing trips. Or was I? Learning to ski the first time was terrifying, the second time it was slightly better but not great, and needless to say there was no third time! Dear husband took to it straight away and still pines for the slopes, but on the contrary - whizzing and zig zagging over the slippery ice while feeling that at any moment I might become imprinted onto the nearest tree is not for me as it turns out, and I am quite happy to keep my feet on solid ground!

Rustic Coconut Tarts with Raspberry Sauce

On Monday afternoon my daughter came home from school with a piece of cardboard covered in beautiful pink and red hearts that she had carefully painted. I looked at her artwork - hearts... love... wait a second, it's Valentine's Day on Friday! Truth be told, I believe in celebrating and appreciating love throughout the year and not just splurging on the 14th of February, but I was reminded of this recipe which I will be sharing today. 

Salted Caramel Sauce

Christmas has come early to Cupcakes & Couscous with the second challenge I am participating in this month. The lovely Sam over at Pomegranate Days has teamed up with Karon Grieve from Larder Love to challenge bloggers to come up with their favourite foodie Christmas gifts. This is right up my street as I love giving foodie presents during the Festive Season - cookies, flavoured oils, roasted nuts... and this rather delectable salted caramel sauce. 

Decadent Chocolate Sauce

We are in the midst of a kitchen renovation at the moment, and while this is all very exciting the lack of kitchen for the last little while has limited me somewhat! So today's recipe is a super easy one. 

Earlier in the year we were visited by some friends from Norwich and, knowing my foodie background and in particular my chocolate experience, they brought me a rather unusual product. Perhaps some of my UK readers have seen this before?

Colman's Mustard Chocolate bar, yes you're reading that right! I've seen many chocolate variations in the past, but never this one, so I was intrigued to try it! According to the Colman's website the mustard actually brings out the flavour of the chocolate. Their website suggested a spiced chocolate cookie recipe, but I decided to try something else. You often see chocolate chilli sauce on menus, so why not a chocolate mustard sauce? Still not convinced? Keep reading...

I was a little nervous myself but was pleasantly surprised at the result - a rich, dark and intensely chocolatey sauce with a subtle spicy after taste.  Not quite the mustardy onslaught I was expecting! This sauce isn't sweet (the chocolate I used was 70% cocoa) but pairs beautifully with sugary treats like sundaes, pancakes and strawberries.....this is definitely one for the dark chocolate fans out there.

And you thought mustard was only good for your sammies! 

If you can't get your hands on one of these mustard chocolate bars, or you prefer a more traditional chocolate sauce, you can use ordinary dark (not baking) chocolate instead. 

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DECADENT CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Makes approximately 1/2 cup

85g slab Colman's mustard chocolate bar (or dark chocolate), roughly chopped

90ml double cream

Step 1.) Simply heat the chocolate and cream together in a heavy saucepan over a very low heat, stirring continuously until the chocolate has melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 2.) Serve the warm sauce immediately with your favourite sweet treat. Any leftover sauce should be stored in the fridge. (Note: the sauce will harden in the fridge but can be softened easily by being heated in the microwave for a few seconds.)