Cakes & Cherries

28 February 2014




Just a post to share some photographs I took earlier this week when the sun came out and I managed to carve out some time for just me and my camera. To make the most of this window of me-time I bought in some food, rather than prepare it myself. The props were kindly loaned to me by Keep It Vintage, a gem of a shop up the road from me in sunny Hove.

Double Chocolate Muffins

16 February 2014



Valentines Day has somehow become a bit of a family day in our house with the kids wanting to 'do something' involving hearts and / or chocolate, but preferably both. Valentines Day coincided with Lily having a friend over for a sleepover, so I made these Double Chocolate Muffins, which I served with vanilla ice cream for a 'Valentines' pudding, which according to the three children round the dinner table that evening 'ticked all the boxes'.

This is another one of my forever-recipes, as in I never need to find another Chocolate Muffin recipe as this one is, in my opinion, perfection. I love the addition of linseeds, which I like to think makes these muffins a little healthier than most. 




Double Chocolate Muffins

125g plain flour 
40g cocoa powder 50g linseeds (ground to a powder)
100g soft brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder 
1 tsp baking soda 
½ tsp salt 
1 large egg 
1 tsp vanilla extract 
60 ml vegetable oil 
235 ml milk 
85g chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 350℉ / 180℃. Grease a muffin tin or line with baking cups.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, ground linseeds, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center of the bowl and add the egg, vanilla, vegetable oil, and milk, mixing until the batter is evenly incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Divide batter evenly between baking cups, filling each ¾ full. Sprinkle the tops with chocolate chips and granulated sugar, if desired. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Recipe: Pastry Affair
Photography: Buttercup Days

Beetroot Burgers

7 February 2014



I'm over in the Heart Home kitchen this week sharing one of my favourite mid-week recipes for Beetroot Burgers. I can take no credit for the actual recipe - it comes from the beautiful Green Kitchen Stories blog. These crimson little patties are quick and easy to make and so very good for you. If your thoughts of beetroot turn to the crinkled variety in jars of vinegar, then your preconceptions of beetroot will be changed for ever once you've tried these burgers. They taste fresh, earthy, natural and incredibly satisfying. 



The rain was hammering down on the window when I took these photographs, but my mind did fast-forward for a moment to those summer barbeques and I know already what I'll be taking to put on the grill.

You can see the recipe over at Heart Home.

Recipe: Green Kitchen Stories
Photography: Buttercup Days