Mezze (of sorts)

30 04 2009

What with summer well and truly on its way, what better than a Middle Eastern style Mezze to really get in the mood. I had to add a few twists and compromises based on what I had in the house to cook with at the time. This worked really well together and took about half an hour to prepare it all.

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Clockwise from the bottom left

Quinoa Tabbouleh
Toasted Pitta Bread
Ful Medames
Griddled Halloumi
Fried asparagus with chili

I’m not going to post a recipe for toasted pitta bread or griddled halloumi but the I’ll write the others up when I have some time. Admittedly the Ful Medames doesn’t look too appetising here but tastes delicious. Ideally this should be topped with a generous helping of chopped tomatoes and parsley but I used all I had making the taboulleh. Not bad for a Tuesday night after a day’s work and guitar lesson.


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Another Birthday Cake

30 04 2009

Not for me, but for a friend who unfortunately couldn’t make it along to share with us. Just a basic Victoria Sandwich but with the addition of cream to make it less boring. I took this into work and once the first cut was made, the cake was gone in about 10 minutes. Oh and apologies for the poor quality of the photo, it was taken with a Blackberry smart phone

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The recipe is simple

Place 200g of caster sugar and 200g butter in a bowl. Whisk together until fluffy then add 4 small eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Finally stir in 200g self raising flour.

Put the mixture into two prepared cake tins and bake at 180C for about 20 minutes. You can check they are done by pressing lightly on the top of the cake. if done, the sponge will spring back into shape.

Leave to cool in tins for a few minutes, then remove from tins, and let the sponges cool completely on a wire rack. Spread about 4 heaped tablespoons of good quality strawberry jam over one of the sponges. Whip 200ml of double cream and spread over the jam. Place the second sponge on top and dust with icing sugar.

Serve with a cup of tea and maybe a few fresh strawberries.


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