Saturday 21 March 2015

Orange and Poppy Seed Loaf Cake

Makes 10 slices


A simple orange and poppy seed loaf cake. Fresh and light. I make this mainly for school lunch boxes and freeze individual portions of it ready to be pulled out of the fridge and used each day. But you can always jazz it up for morning or afternoon tea by adding cream cheese frosting.




What's in it?


100g unsalted butter, cubed
120g caster sugar
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla bean paste
Zest (finely grated) and juice of 1 navel orange
200g self-raising flour
1 1/2 tbs poppy seeds
50g skim milk

How do I make it?


1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C (fan forced) or 160°C (electric). Spray a 20cm x 10cm loaf tin with oil and line with baking paper. 

2. Place butter in mixing bowl and melt for 2 min / 60°C / speed 1. 

3. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla bean paste and mix for 10 sec / speed 3. 

4. Add orange zest and juice and mix a further 10 sec / speed 3. 

5. Add flour, poppy seeds and milk and mix for 10 sec / speed 3. Scrape down sides of the bowl and mix for a further 10 sec / speed 3. 

6. Using a spatula, spoon batter into prepared tin, smooth the surface and bake in oven for approximately 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. 

7. Allow to cool in tin for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

6 ProPoints per slice. 

Monday 16 March 2015

Apple Sauce

Makes 2 cups


The perfect accompaniment to pork done any way, and with far less sugar than store bought apple sauce. Also fantastic with ice cream or custard for a quick dessert.


What's in it? 


8 granny smith apples, peeled and cut in eighths
2 tsp lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick 
2tbs brown sugar 

How do I make it? 


1. Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and cook for 15 mins / 90°C / reverse / speed 1. 

2. Remove cinnamon stick and blend for 5 sec / speed 4 for a chunky sauce or 20sec / speed 4 for a smooth sauce. Sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon to serve.

1 ProPoint per 3tbs. 


Notes:


The cinnamon stick may break up a little during the cooking process. Try to remove as many pieces as possible before blending the sauce. If you don't have cinnamon sticks or don't want to have to remove it before blending, use 1 tsp of ground cinnamon instead, but you will get a stronger earthier flavour by using the cinnamon stick.