Coconut Cake {A Random Recipe Challenge}

I love the Random Recipes Challenge set to us by the lovely Dom of Belleau Kitchen, however for the past couple of months I have missed the deadlines due to (let's be honest here) too much basking in the wonderful Canadian sun! This month however I was determined to take part especially when it was revealed that this months challenged was teamed up with Tea Time Treats courtesy of Karen from Lavender &Lovage and Kate from What Kate Baked. Not so good for my expanding waist line but a challenge is a challenge and I had to do it after being absent for so long, so like the good girl that I am I headed straight to my baking collection of books. Now the challenge was Tea Time Treats so it seemed only appropriate to pick the book Afternoon Tea Parties by Susannah Blake, since that's as close as you get to any Tea Time Treats! I closed my eyes and randomly flicked through the pages. When I stopped I was extremely happy to discover I had picked her 'Snow-topped Coconut Cake' which was part of the Winter Wonderland tea menu. Since I love coconut and lime I was ecstatic, and after drooling over the accompanying picture for a couple of weeks I finally got round to baking the cake.

Mango & Strawberry Smoothie

You can't beat making up a smoothie in the morning to get you going for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. This Mango & Strawberry Smoothie is so quick and easy to make and super healthy too so you really can't go wrong!

'Chewy, Gooey' Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Two things that Wee One really likes is to be kept busy and to eat cookies! So the other day we decided to tick both boxes and make some cookies which I thought would make him extremely happy. It worked and a was a big success and surprisingly not too messy!!

These cookies are really easy to make and don't take long at all so you can have warm-from-the-oven, fresh chewy, gooey cookies in no time! Guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face!

This is the same recipe for my Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies but replacing the Cranberries & White Chocolate with Raisins and Milk Chocolate.

Blackberry Sorbet

Blackberries are without doubt the gems of Autumn and I love them, however they are definitely a labour of love if you decide to go and pick your own! I did just that last week with my Mother and Sister-in-law and it was worth every little thorn prick and scratch we got! Thankfully this year, having learned my lesson in the past, I came prepared and brought with me a pair of rubber gloves (or Marigolds if you prefer!) which definitely helped. In the end we all left with a good few buckets of beautiful, sweet, gleaming blackberries.

After eating quite a lot of the perfectly sweet berries I decided it was time to do something else with them so since we are having a beautiful Indian Summer I decided on some Blackberry Sorbet. It is so easy to make and really lets the flavours of the blackberries shine. It is definitely one of my absolute favourite ways to enjoy blackberries.

Personally I love to eat this on it's own but if you are serving it for a dinner party dessert it is equally delicious with some thin shortbread biscuits or for an extra special treat serve in individual glass and top with some Sparkly!

Raspberry Moscow Mule

I was recently going through some of my old photographs when I found this picture that I took several years ago. Going back even further in time when I used to live in Edinburgh, this cocktail used to be one of my favourite drinks as it was one of the signature cocktails where I used to work. Somehow over the years I forgot about it as the photo was stored away in the archives along with the recipe and memories, so I was very pleasantly surprised to find it and relive some happy times and of course enjoy a taste from the past that I won't be forgetting about again!

Serves 1

45ml vodka

6 fresh raspberries

½ tsp fresh ginger, grated

½ lime

Ginger beer (or if you can't get it, Ginger Ale) to top up

In a blender add the vodka, raspberries, ginger and lime juice and blend until smooth. Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker or jar then using a cocktail strainer or small sieve, strain the mix into a cocktail glass and top up with the ginger beer. Cheers!

*For a non-alcoholic version simply omit the vodka for a refreshing and zingy, sparkly drink. 

A Very Simple & Delicious Breakfast.....

I know this doesn't really qualify as a recipe but this is one of my favourite things to eat just now for breakfast. Eggs really are the ultimate in fast food so if you have a few extra minutes you have time to make this for a great start to your day, and if you are like me and need a bit of a kick in the morning try having this with some spicy Siracha Ketchup on the side and a good cup of coffee! You'll be raring to go in no time!

My favourite way of cooking eggs quickly is to baste them (frying to start then finishing off with steam), however if you would rather fry or poach your egg feel free. This dish is all about how you like your eggs!

Tomato & Mozzarella Tart

I'm trying to work out how many different ways I can come up with serving my favourite combination of tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil! Here is just another way that I love to enjoy it in the Summer, on a crispy and flaky puff pastry tart. It makes a perfect lunch as it takes no time to make at all but you get all of the wonderful flavours.

If I have some I love to use Tapenade on this tart, but if you don't have any or don't like it then it is just as delicious with some fresh Basil Pesto or for a spicier version, my Spicy Red Pesto. Why not try them all and see which one is your favourite?!