"Simple" Chocolate Cake

This is Nigella's version of a simple chocolate cake. While I agree it was incredibly easy to make (I love my food processor) the result was quite spectacular. In particular, the icing which became quite fudgey on cooling.

Speedy Cheesy Quesadillas

These cheesy quesadillas came taste.com.au in a supplement for the Herald Sun. Smother the tortilla with pasta sauce, sprinkle with cheese and repeat, forming three layers. Place in an oiled griddle-pan and fry until you have nice grill lines and the cheese has melted. Cut into wedges and serve with salad. Yum!

Apple Pancakes

These apple pancakes were a real hit. I got the recipe off a "wheel&barrow" card for a "Special Mother's Day Breakfast". Needless to say it wasn't Mother's day when I made them but that's irrelevant.

The recipe card suggested frying a slice of apple and then pouring the batter over it and frying as normal, then use this pancake as a garnish. But why have only one? I fried an apple into each and result was fabulous: slightly crunchy and nicely sweetened apple pancakes.

Nigella's Love Buns

I made these cute cupcakes for a party and was quite pleased with the result. The icing got a bit goopy and was far too sweet for my liking but they looked adorable!

Chocolate Date Cake

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This almost vegan cake is a real winner. The dates add texture to the cake and are delicious when added to cocoa and hot water to form the icing. What I like about this cake is it contains no refined sugar. It is perfectly suited to my taste, as it is not too sweet, and the silken tofu adds an interesting texture, as well as providing the binding agent (there are no eggs used in this recipe).

Strawberry Ricotta (or more accurately, Cottage Cheese and Mixed Berry) Muffins

These muffins are a testament to the fact that if you don't have the correct ingredients, don't bother. This especially applies to flour. Plain flour with baking powder added is not and never will be self raising flour. While they look lovely they were dense, almost rock-like. Once I get over my stupidity, I hope to make these again, but with the correct ingredients next time.

Chargrilled chicken with spinach and raspberries

Wednesday nights dinner was another gem from cool food. Like its predecessors, it was tweaked slightly. Here we have "Chargrilled chicken with spinach and raspberries (and avocado)". Some butterflied chicken breasts were purchased in the morning and were marinaded with some lovely flavours. We used vinegar, crushed garlic, dried oregano, white sugar, chilli sauce and olive oil. They were then grilled on the George Foreman. I am really pleased with how fast they cooked - about 3 mins - and were still moist and juicy, unlike most whole chicken breast can be.

After cooking, the chicken was rested for 5 mins and the sliced into strips. A dressing was made by combining vinegar, oil, oregano and wholegrain mustard together and drizzling it over the spinach, avocado and raspberries. Then placing the chicken on top and drizzle with the remaining dressing. A filling, refreshing meal.