Fragrant Quinoa and Pomegranate Salad

So this is a first… Yes you did read the title correct. Yes I did in fact feature a recipe using Quinoa. And yes I did also include a recipe which is (new to poundofbutter) not a sweet dish. Two new phenomenons in one.  

I have always been a little suspicious of anything that gets promoted as the new ‘superfood’. Hence the reason why it took me a while to get around to trying quinoa. I must admit I was totally overwhelmed by the abundance of fresh flavours and texture from this recipe.

For anyone unfamiliar with Quinoa like myself it is a grain like crop derived from South America. It is cultivated as a food source for it’s edible starchy seeds and it is species of goosefoot. Strictly speaking, quinoa is a seed but it is commonly referred to as a grain and as such is prepared like so. 

Nutritionally it is high in protein, has essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus & iron, not to mention the 8 essential amino acids required for good health and repair. 

Regardless of all this one of the most interesting things for me about Quinoa is it’s texture. Something a little like barley with its chewiness, it also has a light fluffiness comparable to well prepared couscous. 

In this simple salad I decided to combine a small number of different ingredients which have been inspired by some pals of mine who regularly enjoy Quinoa. 

Finally would you know you're eating something very healthy? The answer is Yes. Quinoa needs plenty of flavours added to help it but in saying all this I would incorporate it again into my diet and I think some roasted butternut squash cubes would also really give it some extra body and flavour. 

This salad is a healthy, light dish delicately flavoured through the use of coriander, pomegranate and lemon. It is also a great gluten free dish to add to your table during this nice weather for the summer. This recipe serves 6 people as a small side dish serving. 

Hope you enjoy! 

Ingredients:

-1 cup of quinoa 

-1/2 red pepper 

-1 red onion 

-Juice of 1 lemon 

-1 pomegranate

-Bunch of coriander finely chopped 

-1/2 cup of toasted pine nuts 

-Several twists of freshly ground black pepper 

Method

1. To cook the quinoa, first rinse the quinoa in a sieve under cold water to remove any impurities for a minute or two. In a medium size saucepan combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring the water to the boil, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15minutes. Remove the quinoa from the heat and let it rest still covered for 5minutes. Uncover the pot, drain any excess water and fluff the quinoa with a fork and leave on a plate to cool completely. 

2. Toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan over a medium - low heat for 2-3minutes stirring frequently until they turn a light golden brown colour. Do not leave the frying pan as they can burn easily. Transfer them to a small bowl and leave to cool. 

3. Finely chop the red pepper, red onion and coriander and combine together with the quinoa once cooled. Juice the lemon and add the juice to the quinoa mixture. Slice the pomegranate in half and using a wooden spoon lightly tap the back of the fruit to gently pop out the seeds. 

Assemble salad and toss together all the ingredients gently. Season with some freshly ground black pepper. 

Serve right away or refrigerate for later. 

New Beginnings

This blog is about to step up a notch. After five short years of teaching Home Economics in Dublin I have decided to venture down another road. Some may say a road less travelled. I’ve swapped my secure comfortable teaching job in Dublin to pursue something I can longer ignore. 

This September I am headed to Ballymaloe Cookery School and to say I’m excited is an understatement. I'm sharing this news as I hope that now it will allow me to spend more time doing and throwing myself into what it is I love. More time for blogging about food, preparing and cooking food, learning about food and immersing myself completely in the world of food, aka Ballymaloe Cookery School. 

Looking forward to sharing some of the journey! 

Wish me luck!

Caramel Squares

So perhaps you have some left over chocolate from all those Easter Eggs you got? No....?
I didn't think so. Nor do I. These are not for using up leftovers. These are just a little bit special.
I also call them the holy grail of my baking stash!
They take a little time, a little love and a little bit of waiting around but boy are they worth it in every aspect. I forgot how good a decent and fulfilling a caramel square can really be.
The chewy caramel, buttery shortbread and generous thick cold chocolate topping.

Complete Bliss.


Ingredients:
Shortbread Base:

• 225g plain flour 
• 2 teaspoons of cornflour 
• 80g fine caster sugar 
• 175g butter 
• pinch of salt 

Caramel Layer

• 1 tin of condensed milk 
• 100g caster sugar 
• 200g butter 
• pinch of salt 

Chocolate topping

• 400g good quality chocolate 

Method:
Begin my preheating the oven to 180℃.
Mix together the sugar, flour, cornflour and rub in the soft butter with your hands until it forms a soft crumbly dough.
Line a medium sized baking tray with non-stick greaseproof paper and press the biscuit base with your fingers into the tin. Bake in the hot oven for 20-25minutes until lightly golden.

For the caramel, place the butter, condensed milk, caster sugar and punch of salt into a good heavy based saucepan. Allow the sugar to dissolve gently. Boil the mixture for a good 5-10minutes until it changes to a thick luscious smooth caramel.
Once the biscuit layer is cooled pour over the caramel and smooth off with a spatula. Allow to set for 15minutes in the fridge.

Finally gently melt the chocolate in a bowl over barely simmering water. Do not let steam get into the chocolate as it will split.
Pour the smooth chocolate over the caramel layer and leave to set in the fridge ideally over night.

Chop up the next morning in even sized chunks and enjoy with a big mug of tea.
Bliss!

Chunky Chocolate Banana Muffins

Do you ever just have one of those days when you need a chocolate hit?
Today was one of those....
Baking is one of the most therapeutic activities for me. It calms me down and reminds me exactly what it is I love doing.
These muffins are so moist and delicate and I absolutely loaded them with chocolate chips and even cut up chunks of extra chocolate for an added extra hit!!

So simple and delicious!

My advice is to enjoy them warm straight out of the oven with the chocolate melting and oozing...  

Ingredients:

90ml milk 

2 eggs 

150g butter (melted)

225g plain flour 

1 teaspoon of baking powder 

150g golden caster sugar 

150g plain chocolate chunks 

2 small bananas (mashed up)

Preheat the oven to 180℃ and arrange 12 paper cases into a muffin tin. 

In a small bowl, whisk the milk, eggs and melted butter together until combined. 

Sieve together the flour and baking powder into a separate bowl. Add the sugar and chocolate chips. 

Stir gently to combine gradually adding in the egg mixture but do not beat. Add the mashed bananas. 

Spoon into the paper cases and bake for 20minutes.  

Allow to stand for 5 minutes on a wire tray. 

Sticky Ginger Cake with Lemon Drizzle

January is a long month. 

People are trying to be good, make up for all the boldness and extravagance of the previous weeks. The whole sugar-free great intentions tend to go a little over my head. 

For now I’ve adapted ever so slightly a recipe I watched being made on the ‘Afternoon Show’ on rte one. I’ve added in some chopped hazelnuts and almonds to give it some extra texture, bite and nutritional value.   

I must admit I was a little sceptical at first with this cake but boy was I pleasantly surprised at its mouthwatering taste, smooth nutty texture and warm comforting aroma. It is a rich dark coloured cake full of warming spices and packed full of healing ginger to give the immune system a good old boost this January. 

Sticky Ginger Cake with Lemon Drizzle 

Ingredients: 

225g self-raising flour 

1 tablespoon of ground ginger 

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 teaspoon of mixed spice 

115g butter 

115g dark muscovado sugar

115g treacle 

115g golden syrup 

250ml full fat milk 

85g grated fresh ginger 

1 egg 

75g chopped hazelnuts & almonds 

For the Drizzle 

50g icing sugar 

Zest of 1 lemon 

Juice of 1 lemon 

Method: 

Preheat the oven to 160℃. Grease or line a standard size loaf tin with butter. 

Gently melt the butter, brown sugar, treacle, golden syrup and milk in a heavy based saucepan until all the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is a nice smooth liquid.

Sieve the flour and spices into a mixing bowl and stir in the chopped nuts. Roughly grate the fresh ginger and add in along with the flour mixture. 

Pour the treacle mixture on top of the flour and stir using a wooden spoon. Add in the egg and continue to mix until evenly distributed.  

Pour the mixture into the greased tin and bake for up to 40minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. 

To make the drizzle sieve the icing sugar into a bowl and grate in the zest of one lemon. Add the lemon juice and stir to make a thick smooth white drizzle. 

Once the cake is well cooled pour the drizzle over the top to create a zigzag design. 

This cake keeps for up to 4days due to the spices. 

It is the perfect little pick me up this January! 

Hope you enjoy! 

Tangy Lemon & Lime Curd Tartlets

It has been a while. 

I have neglected the blog for a few weeks. 

I'm on 'Survival Mode' and eating my way through September, October, November... Being back to work has been so hectic and as with life I don't often prioritise the important things that I enjoy and love doing which I need to change! 

It's time to get back to what I know and love best. 

The Kitchen and writing about it. 

These beauties featured are a little gem. I have meaning to make a batch of lemon curd for so long - I had it recently in a M&S cheesecake and my god. Speechless.   

These tartlets are not on the clean eating list or agenda nor anywhere near it. It is the season of comfort eating and well we'll come back to the healthy eating stuff again. Another time, another month. 

This curd lasts in the fridge for about a month of so. I have also used it and dolloped it on top of fresh scones and I'm working on a lemon and lime curd ice-cream - soon to be shared! 

To cut down on time and labour with these I made the lemon and lime curd a week in advance so it can be easier to prepare these quickly having it ready in the fridge. 

Anyways, I hope you enjoy them. 

Lemon & Lime Curd Ingredients: 

-Finely grated zest and juice of 2 limes

-Finely grated zest and juice of 3 lemons

-250g caster sugar

-125g butter, cut into small cubes

-4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Pastry ingredients: 

-250 g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

-50 g icing sugar

-125 g cold butter, cut into small cubes

-1 large free-range egg, beaten

-1 tablespoon of milk 

Fresh raspberries to decorate 

Method: 

To make the curd: 

Begin my sterilising one medium sized killiner jar in a hot preheated oven to 180℃. Place the jar on its side in the oven. Turn off the oven after 5minutes and leave them in the oven until the curd is ready.  

Zest the 3 lemons and 2 limes into a heatproof bowl. Add the juice from the lemons and limes and stir in the sugar and cubed butter. Place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water.  Let the sugar dissolve and the butter melt gently over the low heat stirring occasionally. 

Next add the beaten eggs to the bowl and continue to cook, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. 

You may have to wait up to 20minutes for the curd to thicken. Make sure you stir every few minutes to allow a smooth lump free curd. 

Remove the sterilised jars from the oven and pour in the curd. 

Put the lids on the jars and leave to cool completely before placing in the fridge to chill and fully set. 

This curd can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 month.

To make the Pastry: 

Sieve the flour and icing sugar into a bowl. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until it looks like breadcrumbs. Add in the beaten egg and a tablespoon of cold milk to form a smooth dough. Shape into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30minutes before rolling. 

Lightly flour the work surface and roll the chilled pastry to 1cm thick. Line the individual tartlet moulds. Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork.  

Gently cover loosely with some greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans. Bake the pastry blind for 10minutes. Remove the pastry after 10minutes, remove the greaseproof paper and baking beans. Return to the oven for a further 5minutes to dry out. 

Let the pastry chill gently and fill each tartlet with a generous dollop of the lemon and lime curd. Decorate with fresh raspberries. 

Enjoy!   

Crunchy Granola

This recipe is inspired by my good pal Michelle who kindly supplied me with some Greek Yoghurt! I have been having such a hard time finding it in Dublin and she kindly shared some with me this week. I have been meaning to experiment with some granola for a long time and this is the perfect excuse! 

Granola is such a tasty snack however the shop bought ones are full of hidden sugar and salt. This one I think it very healthy and full of flavour from the toasted nuts, seeds and oats. It has a great combination of sweet and savoury crunch. 

The recipe below fills a 1.5kg Killiner Jar. 

Ingredients: 

225g rolled oats 

60g sunflower seeds 

60g pumpkin seeds 

80g crunchy linseed (I got mine in Lidl)  

60g flaked almonds 

60g pecans 

60g walnuts

50g desiccated coconut 

2 teaspoons of cinnamon 

1 teaspoon of ground ginger 

2 tablespoons of organic honey 

3 tablespoons of maple syrup 

2 tablespoons of sunflower oil 

Grated zest of one large orange 

100g of any dried fruit raisins / sultanas / dried cranberries / cherries 

Preheat the oven to 160℃. 

Mix everything together in a large bowl except the dried fruit raisins/sultanas. 

Spread the mixture onto a lined baking tray(s). 

Bake in the hot oven for up to 40minutes. Turn and toss the granola after 15-20minutes in the oven to evenly cook and toast the mixture. 

Once baked remove and leave to cool on the trays. If you add it to the container straight away the mixture will go soggy. 

Add in the dried fruits. I tossed in some dried cherries and cranberries into my batch. 

Store in a airtight container or Killiner jar for up to 2weeks. 

Enjoy with some Greek yoghurt for breakfast or an energising snack!