Category: Recipes

70 Second Mug Cake

6th October 2020 / King's Residences / 0 Comments

Ingredients

2 tablespoons gluten-free flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dutch cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoons Nutella

Vegan Alternatives

Aquafaba
Oat Milk

Vegan Alternative Links:

Instructions

Step 1: Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa and baking powder in a bowl.

Step 2: Make a well in the centre and add the egg, milk and oil. Use a whisk or a spatula to beat until combined.

Step 3: Spoon into a 400ml mug or whatever size is available to you this size I have just found works best.

Step 4: Spoon the Nutella into the centre. Microwave 70 seconds or until risen.

Top with double cream or ice-cream and dress with some fruits!

How to make brownies – with CF Amnah

3rd October 2020 / King's Residences / 0 Comments

Vegan Brownies Recipe – Nora Cooks

Ingredients

4 Tbsp Ground Flax
½ Cup water
½ Cup Vegan Butter
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup Cocoa Powder
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Flour

Method

Prep a pan by placing baking paper into it and set to the side
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius
Make the flax eggs by stirring together the ground flax and water. Set aside to thicken
Melt the vegan butter and measure 1/2 cup either in a saucepan which is quick or in 20 second intervals in the microwave
In a large bowl, whisk the melted vegan butter and sugars together. Add the flax eggs and vanilla. Whisk until combined and smooth
Into the same bowl, sift flour and cocoa powder. Add a pinch of salt and baking powder and combine simply with a spatula
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top with a spoon or your hands
Bake for 35-40 minutes
Allow to cool for around 15 minutes and this usually allows them also to firm up
Remove from the pan let cool for another 15 minutes before slicing them and serving

Cheesecake Brownies

Ingredients

Brownie Batter
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
2 eggs
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup flour
Cheese Layer
225g cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method

Preheat Oven to 180 degrees Celsius
Line a baking tin with baking paper
Melt the butter down either in a saucepan or in the microwave in 30 second intervals
Add in the cocoa powder and mix together
Add sugar and whisk until combined. Add the eggs, vanilla extract and combine them into the mixture
Add flour and fold, using a rubber spatula, just until combined. Set aside 1/3 cup of the batter and pour the rest into the prepared pan. Smooth the top
Beat together the cream cheese and the sugar until a smooth paste forms
Add egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined
Dollop onto the brownie batter then take the reserved brownie batter and dollop that on top of the cheese
Using a fork or a toothpick swirl the two together to create a marbled effect
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheesecake is set and an instrument inserted into the brownies comes out with just moist crumbs and not batter. It should not be dry
Allow the cheesecake to set and cool down completely
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days
For a Gluten Free version simply purchase gluten free flour!

How to Win at Baking

22nd May 2020 / King's Residences / 0 Comments

Eat Positive in Lockdown

21st April 2020 / King's Residences / 2 Comments

Food to help you keep positive

When self-isolating oven food or a takeaway (if they are still delivering) may seem like the only thing that can make you feel better, but in fact, it will only make you feel worse.

Trust us.

At times like this, it is important to keep your stress levels down and try to maintain a positive mindset.

Not only is eating healthier proven to bust stress but it also makes for a healthy body and mind. Cooking can help to relax and take your mind off these uncertain times, and you never know, you could surprise yourself with your cooking skills!

1. Leafy greens

It’s tempting to go straight for a cheeseburger when you’re feeling low and you just want some comfort food, but instead, go green. Leafy greens like spinach contain folate, which produces a pleasure-inducing chemical, dopamine, which helps you keep calm.

2. Turkey
Perfect for boosting your mood, turkey contains an amino acid that releases the chemical serotonin, giving us a sense of calm and even tiredness. It’s leaner than chicken and usually cheaper too so a win-win situation!

3. Oatmeal
If carbs are something you just can’t live without, instead of reaching for a doughnut, try a more complex carb like oatmeal. It may sound boring but you can add in your favourite spices and fruit to make it much more interesting and tasty. Check out some of the best oatmeal recipes.

4. Salmon
It might not smell great but salmon is rich in omega-3 and you can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s known to help keep your adrenaline from flaring when you’re feeling tense.

5. Dark chocolate
If you are a chocoholic, then this one’s for you. Dark chocolate can reduce your stress hormones and contains unique natural substances that create a sense of euphoria, similar to the feeling of being in love, so no wonder we love chocolate so much!

6. Blueberries
They may only be small but don’t be fooled – they pack a serious punch of antioxidants and Vitamin C to help with feelings of stress. You can always put them in a smoothie (with banana and yoghurt) to help you get your fix.

7. Milk
Milk is a great source of vitamin D, a nutrient that can boost happiness. It also contains protein lactium and potassium, which helps relax the body and muscles by lowering your blood pressure. Having a glass of milk before bed will definitely help you sleep like a baby.

8. Avocado
These are packed with Vitamin B, which gives you healthy nerve and brain cells to help stamp out feelings of anxiety. Perfect for times like this.

So just as your deadlines and exams start to creep up, it might be a good idea to stock up on these stress-fighting foods, remember, stay calm, you can do this.

What’s Your Smart Snack?

15th May 2018 /

Exam period – That time of year marked by unhealthy levels of caffeine, perpetual states of sleep deprivation, and the oh-so dreaded seven stages of revision (when you’re not too busy procrastinating that is!

During such a stressful yet crucial period of student life, a common mistake many make (often unconsciously) is to eat poorly and unhealthily. Junk food, lots of chocolate, energy drinks and crisps are often substituted for normal meals to keep energy levels up. However, this is not only harmful to your long-term health, but can also negatively affect your exam performance!

So it’s time to take matters in hand and get your snacking habits in order.

Take our short quiz to find a ‘smart snack’ which tickles your fancy. Click your answer for a link to the recipe or see them below.

So next time you’re in a time-crunch, don’t sacrifice your health for convenience. Remember, snack smart to study hard!

1. Brown Sugar & Banana Oatmeal

2. Roasted Fajita-Spiced Chickpeas

3. Baked Zucchini (Courgette) Chips

4. Toast with Cottage Cheese & Tomato

5. Apple and Peanut Butter

6. Hummus & Vegetables

7. No Bake Energy Bites

8. Frozen Yogurt Covered Blueberries

Words: Alison Zhou

Best Ever Carrot Cake

3rd February 2017 / Yasmin Mortuza / 0 Comments

Happy Friday. In honour of #nationalcarrotcakeday we have scoured the internet for the best carrot cake recipe. It is a bit chilly in London this week so this could be the perfect way to warm up your weekend and fill in your stomach.

SERVES: 12
PREP TIME: 40 MINS
COOK TIME: 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES

Ingredients (for the cake)

225 ml (8fl oz) sunflower oil, plus extra to grease
225 g (8oz) light muscovado sugar
4 medium eggs
225 g (8oz) self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1½ tsp each mixed spice, ground cinnamon and ground ginger
150 g (5oz) sultanas
200 g (7oz) carrots, coarsely grated
50-75 g (2-3oz) walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped

Ingredients (for the icing)

250 g (9oz) unsalted butter, very soft
1 tsp vanilla extract
400 g (14oz) full-fat
Cream cheese (we used Philadelphia) at room temperature
300 g (11oz) icing sugar
Carrot decorations, optional, available from larger Sainsbury’s stores (£1.50 for 12)

Method:

Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan) mark 3. Grease and line the base and sides of a round 20.5cm (8in) cake tin with parchment paper. Put the oil, sugar and eggs into a large bowl and whisk together until smooth.
Add the flour, soda and spices to the bowl and mix to combine. Stir in the sultanas, carrots and nuts. Scrape mixture into the prepared tin, level and bake for 1hr 5min-1hr 15min or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool for 5min in tin, then remove from tin and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the icing, in a large bowl beat the butter and vanilla until completely smooth, then add the room-temperature cream cheese and mix to combine. Sift over the icing sugar and mix (carefully at first, as otherwise there will be clouds of icing sugar) until smooth and fluffy.
Cut the cooled cake in half horizontally through the middle. Use half the icing to sandwich the halves back together and place cake on a cake stand/plate. Spread remaining icing over top of the cake and lay on the carrot decorations, if using. Serve in slices.

From Good Housekeeping.