Banana Muffins

Do you have very ripe bananas, so ripe that the skin has begun to blacken and nobody wants to eat them? Do not throw them away because I have a recipe to die for. It is the easiest, quickest and best banana muffin recipe I have ever tasted! Even if you think you can’t cook, let me tell you that you just can’t go wrong with this recipe! Very yummy muffins!! They were a hit!

Ingredients for 10 muffins:

250g very ripe bananas

150g flour

175g brown sugar

2 large eggs

125ml milk

40g melted butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of cinnamon

Paper liners for muffins

Preparation:

1. In a blender, place the eggs, bananas, sugar, melted butter and milk. Beat all until the banana is mashed. It takes about 1 minute to obtain a creamy texture.

2. In a bowl, mix the flour and a pinch of cinnamon with the baking soda and baking powder. Gradually add the banana mixture, stirring well between each addition.

3. Line muffin moulds with paper liners. Fill muffin liners three-quarters full. 

4. Bake in preheated oven at 170°C for about 25 minutes.

5. After the muffins are baked and golden, remove from the oven and allow to cool. Once cool, they are ready to serve.

On another occasion I made these. In case you love crunchy and spicy cakes, just add these ground spices to your batter: 1/2 teaspoons of nutmeg, clove, ginger and cinnamon. Fold 50g of chopped walnuts into the batter at the end with a rubber spatula.

My favourite cake - Italian Ricotta Apple Torte

This is a lovely cake as the ricotta keeps the cake nice and moist and it has just enough lemon flavour and apples to keep it special.

It is quick and easy to whip up! If you’re a huge fan of the ever famous Italian Ricotta Torte, then this cake version is right up your alley!

Actually, I had posted this recipe a few months ago, because this simple cake has never let me down. It’s become the cake I bake (frequently) without needing a special reason. It is delicious on its own and is equally good with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

This torte is best served warm or at room temperature rather than chilled from the fridge. It can also be a wonderful dessert for a picnic.

Italian Ricotta Apple Torte

Ingredients

140g butter

200g brown sugar

3 large eggs

160g flour

A pinch of salt

1 grated zest of lemon

250g ricotta

1/2 tablespoon baking powder

200g grated Golden Delicious apples

Icing sugar (for dusting)

Preparation 

1) Heat oven to 175ºC.

2) Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

3) Whisk eggs lightly and gradually add to the butter/sugar mixing on a light speed. Do this gradually so you don’t curdle the mix.

4) Add the grated lemon zest, grated apples, ricotta and baking powder, mix together with a hand blender, followed by the sifted flour: don’t over beat.

5) Pour into prepared mould, smooth the top and bake for about 45 mins on the third level of the oven until golden.

6) Leave to cool in tin for 30 minutes, turn out onto wire rack to continue cooling. Once cold, dust with icing sugar and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

Notes: This cake needs slow cooking in a medium oven to ensure it cooks evenly as the batter is a little bit moist. Do not open oven door prior to 45 minutes otherwise the cake will sink!

It’s a wonderful city PART 2

If you follow me, you may have read the previous post about my holidays. I loved my trip to Lisbon in June so much, I couldn’t resist photographing the things which make the character of this city.

Everywhere you look there are beautiful tile-fronted buildings, alleys, kiosks, parks, fairs and farm markets. I have done my best to edit my photos so that you will get a sense of how lovely Lisbon is.

LARGO DO CARMO

Gorgeours Kiosk Café

Ancient ruins, sacred and religious sites, historic sites and breathtaking views over Lisbon

JARDIM DA ESTRELA

Basílica da Estrela

Praça das Amoreira – very nice small garden (Jardim Marcelino Mesquita) where we one can see the beautiful arcs of Aqueduto das Águas Livres.

Praça DA FIGUEIRA

Mercado da Baixa (Praça da Figueira) This tented market/glorious food court on Praça da Figueira has been selling cheese, wine, smoked sausages and other gourmet goodies since 1855. It’s a fantastic and fun market that takes place from 10am-10pm Fri-Sun on the last weekend of the month.

Príncipe Real

Embaixada Portuguese Shopping Gallery (26, Praça do Príncipe Real) This is an innovative concept that brings together Portuguese fashion, craft, gastronomy, culture and design shops, in Ribeiro da Cunha Palace, a 19th-century neo-Arabian Palace.

Mercado Príncipe Real (Praça do Príncipe Real) The Príncipe Real market is one of the most popular for handicrafts and organic products with producers from all around the country selling their top quality products. It takes place in the lovely and calm surroundings of the park.

Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara - is a garden with a panoramic view across the city to St. George’s Castle and central Lisbon. A map made of tiles marks all the important buildings.

CHIADO, Largo Luís de Camões

Bronze sculpture - Portuguese poet António Pessoa