The Botanical Kitchen

Recipes, travel and the occasional rant

cake

Farewell Elderflowers

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Did elderflower season start last longer last year?  I don’t know about you but I think I have blinked and missed it.  I don’t even remember walking around the allotment inhaling the wondrous scent.  I think that may be because they’ve moved the manure right next to the tree! An ancient and wondrous plant A […]

Thank Goodness for Nigella

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I love Nigella. For me she’s just totally and utterly glam.  I loved that she was recently on the cover of one of my favourite magazines and came across as this earnest, shy woman despite the sexy goddess persona we see on TV. Nigella Bites – a cookbook I use time and time again Her […]

Apricot Loaf Cake

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You know when you get a batch of apricots that are a little too tart to eat raw? Well those are the ones which are perfect for this recipe!  It’s a really moist loaf and the crumbly topping adds a nice little crunch.  Allow yourself time for this recipe as it takes minutes to make […]

Eric Lanlard's Gateau Frasier

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This recipe is by the fabulous Eric Lanlard who I met at a masterclass organised by the lovely people at Neilsen Massey Vanilla. It’s a wonderfully rich sponge which holds itself very well with the velvety smooth creme mousseline. You’ll need For the sponge 350g unsalted butter, softened 350g golden caster sugar 5 medium eggs, […]

Strawberry, Chocolate and Hazelnut Canapés

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These look very complicated to make but actually are very, very easy.  It’s a basic fairy cake, rolled in hazelnuts and then topped with a wonderful, velvety frosting which goes so well with the sweet strawberry. You’ll need For the cakes 175g caster sugar 125g soft unsalted butter 2 eggs 3 tbsp milk 3 tbsp […]

Jubilee Cake

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I made this cake for the WI tent at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant in Battersea Park on 3rd June 2012.  It was part of a 12 ft tower of a 1000 cakes.  Lovely to have been a part of these amazing celebrations in this way. It’s an easy sponge recipe and you can adapt the […]

Orange and Pistachio Yoghurt Cake

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This cake is a lovely moist everyday cake.  The kind you want to make on a Sunday and keep in the tin for a little slice to cheer you up when you get home. You’ll need 200g self raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 100g ground pistachios 100g caster sugar 2 eggs 250ml plain yoghurt […]

Apricot Cheesecake

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This is a really easy Austrian cheesecake recipe that a friend of mine gave me at University.  There is no biscuit base like the American style cheesecakes.  If you can try to get Quark cheese as it has a sour taste which gives a nice flavour to the cake. I’ve used apricots in this recipe […]

I've Gone a Bit Bananas!

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Banana

“Mummy there’s a funny smell in your car” said my eldest last week.  Now this is a very strange comment because I keep the inside of my car very, very clean.  No sweet wrappers, chocolates, sandwiches or crisps are eaten and left in MY car.  EVER. I had to admit that she was right though. […]

Banana And Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

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Just like the Chocolate Loaf Cake, this is a super easy and quick recipe. It just takes a while baking in the oven so a good one to make the night before you need it, or in the morning as you potter about the kitchen doing other stuff, or just before you go for an […]