Lemon Curd

Ingredients:

• 4 unwaxed lemons zest and juice
• 200g/7oz unrefined caster sugar
• 100g/3½oz unsalted butter cut into cubes
• 3 free-range eggs, plus 1 free-range egg yolk

 

 

 

Method:

1. Put the lemon zest and juice, the sugar and the butter into a heatproof bowl. Sit the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, making sure the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl. Stir the mixture every now and again until all of the butter has melted.
2. Lightly whisk the eggs and egg yolk and stir them into the lemon mixture. Whisk until all of the ingredients are well combined, then leave to cook for 10-13 minutes, stirring every now and again, until the mixture is creamy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
3. Remove the lemon curd from the heat and set aside to cool, stirring occasionally as it cools. Once cooled, spoon the lemon curd into sterilized jars and seal. Keep in the fridge until ready to use.

Citrus Poppy Seed Cake

I invited my parent-in-law to be for a Sunday tea at 5 and what wold a tea time be without a proper cake. Here, the very fresh and light treat, easy to make.

 

Ingredients:
175g butter, softened
175g brown caster sugar
3 eggs-beaten
250g self-raising flour
50g poppy seeds
grated rind of 2 oranges
grated rind of 2 lemons
4 rounded tbsp natural yogurt

Topping:
250g mascarpone (or soft cheese for a light version)
grated rind and juice of 1 small orange
3 tbsp orange or lemon curd (I made the fresh lemon curd while the cake was in the oven - see my other recipe)
grated rind of 1 lemon

Method:
Preheat the oven to 150°C. Butter and line the base of a deep 20cm round cake tin. Using a wooden spoon, beat together the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, poppy seeds, citrus rinds and yogurt until smooth.

Spread the mixture in the tin and bake for 45-50 minutes until just firm. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out and cool on a wire rack. Peel off the paper.

Meanwhile, mix mascarpone with enough orange juice to make a spreadable icing. Lightly swirl in the curd to give a marbled effect. Roughly spread over the top and sides of the cake, and scatter the grated citrus rind over the top to decorate.

Craving like something sweet?

Every working day I used to be starving on train, while having my breakfast (after commuting to the office for 2 hours). I usually bought some oat bars or biscuits from the shop but...after reading the list of ingredients I told myself "honestly? can you not make it better"? So I went shopping and here is the recipe for a healthy yummy snack. You can even use it as granola in your morning bowl of milk or yogurt or just carry it in your handbag and have always this "first aid" at hand.

Ingredients:
1 handful of walnuts
1 handful of hazelnuts
1 handful of cashew
1 handful of sunflower seeds
1 handful of sesame seeds
1 handful of goji
1 handful of chopped dried figs
1 handful of chopped dried prunes
1 handful of raisins
1 handful of oats (alternatively) 3-4 teaspoons of honey (I used my homemade elderflower one)


Method: Mix the nuts, seeds and fruit in a wok and heat for 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the nuts. Transfer the mixture into the bowl, add honey and mix with the wooden spoon until combined. Place the mixture on a baking paper. Place another sheet of paper on top and make it flat with your hands or use the kitchen roller. Leave in the fridge for several hours. Then cut into squares or as you prefer. The good thing is that you can use whatever ingredients you have in your cupboard.