Acts of Randomness

I have loved baking for years, but am not very adventurous. This will be the place I put recipes that work well, and document my efforts to learn to cook interesting vegetarian lunches because I have to eat something at work.

Recipes for things that I make just put here so I can find them easily

Sicilian Orange Cake

Taken from Christina's Cucina website.

Ingredients

Beat sugar and eggs until light and fluffy.

Add flour and baking powder with the softened butter, bit by bit and beat in

Stir in the yoghurt

Pulp the whole orange in a food processor until almost pureed

Add to the cake mix along with the vanilla, stir until combined

Put in a tin (springform or loaf) and cook at 175oC for at least 60 minutes - I think mine was slightly underdone so will probably go for 75 minutes next time

Hot cross buns.

This is taken from the website Jane's Patisserie. I made a half batch but think I will up the spices next time.

Ingredients

Warm the milk a bit, add the yeast and a bit of the sugar to it to activate

Mix the spices, salt, flour together and rub in the butter

Add the zest, sultanas and egg

Add in the milk, bring it all together. Knead for 5-10 mins until it is smooth. Put it in a warm place in a lightly oiled bowl for about 1 1/2 hours. Knead lightly to knock it back. Cut into six pieces and put on a lined tray. Leave for about 45 mins to rise again.

Cook for 18-20 mins at 180oC fan.

Apple Pie

I made my first apple pie in ages but got the timing wrong - next time 40 minutes not 30 minutes to try and avoid the soggy bottom.

  • 325g plain flour
  • 170g butter
  • pinch of salt
  • water to bring it together. Soggy bottom avoided, 45 mins at 190oC on the fan oven.