COOKBOOKS GALORE

 I love any kind of clafoutis, but this one’s a bit different as it has ground almonds in it. A clafoutis is really a batter and you add different fruits. Raspberries are my favourite, so I used these in this recipe. Oven 200C/gas6  Grease a gratin dish You need: 400g fresh raspberries, 80g caster sugar, 1 tspn vanilla extract, 50g flour, 50g ground almonds, 3 eggs and 250ml milk.  In a bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, almonds and vanilla extract. Beat the eggs together then add to the bowl. Mix everything. Slowly add the milk to make a smooth batter.  Put the raspberries into the bottom of the dish and pour the batter over.  Bake for about 45-50 mins till golden.  200C / You can use any other fruit, but I think fresh fruit tastes better than tinned in this recipe. Loved the hint of almond which goes well with the raspberries. Had to have a little decoration with my herbs!!

 I’m guilty of not eating enough vegetables, so I’ve been looking at ways to cook them in interesting ways. This is a French recipe that my friend makes regularly. Sometimes she adds a chop or some other meat to the plate, but it’s great on its own. Preheat oven 180C/gas 4 Grease a gratin dish.  You need: 6 medium potatoes, 3 courgettes, 2 medium tomatoes, half a goat’s cheese, small pot of crême fraîche and 2 sprigs of rosemary  Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly. Slice the tomatoes and courgettes thinly.  Put a layer of potatoes in the dish, then a layer of courgettes, a layer of tomatoes and a layer of crême fraîche. Slice the goat’s cheese and put on top. Sprinkle over the rosemary, some salt and pepper. Bake for 50 mins till the veg are cooked. You can use other vegetables such as mushrooms, aubergines etc and add garlic, or you can change the cheese to Emmental or Parmesan or change the herb to thyme or parsley. Endless possibilities!

 The usual few bananas left going brown, but wanted a different loaf to make. This recipe comes from ´The Baker’s Daughter’ by Louise Johncox, a recipe book which also tells stories about the family bakery. Preheat oven 180C/gas4. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin. You need: 100g dark chocolate, 110g margarine, 125g caster sugar, 2 beaten eggs, 125g sr flour, 11/2tbspn cocoa, 1 level tspn baking powder and 2 medium bananas mashed, chocolate to melt for the top (opt) Melt chocolate in microwave or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, Cream margarine and sugar. Add beaten eggs gradually. Sift flour, cocoa and baking powder together and add to the mixture. Beat together with a wooden spoon. Pour into the tin and bake for 40-50mins. Let cake cool in the tin for 10 mins then turn onto a wire rack. I’ve melted milk chocolate and swirled it over the top.  It’s a very moist cake and really delicious.