Fig, Orange and Lemon Biscotti- An easy to make, anytime treat

Looking for that perfect anytime treat? Even better as its the festive season. Something that can be had with your tea, coffee or best of all, easily be served up as a dessert? Then, it has to be Biscotti- easy to make at home and can be made with just about any ingredient you may have lying in your kitchen cabinets. Biscotti also known as 'cantuccini' are twice baked cookies originating in the Italian city of Prato. The biscuits are oblong-shaped biscuits, made dry and crunchy through cutting the loaf of dough while still fresh from baking in the oven.

Today, biscotti are made using many different ingredients. Almonds, figs, pistachios, raisins, cranberries, and lemon & orange zest make for great flavors in this cookie and can be mixed and matched depending on their availability. I made these with wholewheat flour, figs, orange and lemon zest, creamed with butter and sugar . Ingredients 2 cups wholewheat flour 1 and a half cups sugar 350 gms butter 3 whole eggs Figs to taste Grated zest of one lemon and orange ( each) 1 tsp baking powder. Method Put all the dry ingredients together in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Combine all the wet ingredients and stir briskly. Combine the two and make into a clean oval shaped dough. Put cling film and pop into the frig for 1 hour. Bake in a pre heated oven art 125 C for 30-35 mins

Bake at 125 C for 30-35 mins Allow to rest on a wire rack. Then cut into pieces and bake for another 15 mins till golden brown. Cut into pieces and bake again for about 15 mins Dust with icing sugar and serve with tea, coffee or simply as dessert.

We tried it with whipped cream and berries- made for a delightfully decadent dessert. Try your own variations and let me know too. PS -I'm just repeating this post to re start my blog as Ive been off the grid for some time. I promise to be more regular from now on...

Quick ' n Easy Chocolate Chip Cake

My version of a Quick ' n Easy Chocolate Chip Cake 

Its the festive season and we are all looking for an easy treat that works well with just about anything.Lets  say its the weekend and one decides to go for a drive to a beautiful spot later in the day. Coffee of course is a given but it would be really nice to have something to go with it.

That's when you can think of baking this quick and easy chocolate chip cake.Like everything else, practice makes for a better cake, so the second/third time you make it, it will taste even better!


Ingredients

3 cups all purpose flour

2 tsps baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2  tsp salt

1 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup dark brown cocoa( I use Hersheys)

1 cup( or 3/4ths) if you want to use less) brown sugar

3 eggs

1 small pot/cup  yogurt

1 small bag Hersheys chocolate chips

Icing sugar for dusting on top



Method

Put all  the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix  briskly with a fork. Ensure that it is a smooth mix without any lumps otherwise the cake wont be as good as it should.

Mix all the wet ingredients together and repeat the same process of mixing them briskly.

Finally add the wet mixture to the dry one and drop the chocolate chips in, stirring gently. Do not try to push them in- it looks more interesting if the chips are actually visible in the cake.

Gently pour the mixture into a medium sized cake greased cake tin and let it settle in.

Bake in a pre heated oven at 100 degrees c for 35-45 mins and check to see  when its ready by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out dry, it is, but if there is some liquid mixture on the toothpick, it probably needs a few more minutes.


Leave to cool on a wire rack then transfer it on to a plate. 

Dust with icing sugar and cut into pieces.

Wrap it in silver foil  or carry it out for your drive in a closed box. 

Eat it with the coffee and enjoy  the  great view!