Madeira Cake

Makes 20cm round cake

Traditionally a Victorian England cake, now enjoyed around the world, this lovely orange and lemon scented cake is accompanied with a freshly brewed cup of tea. Madeira cake is something my grandmother and mother loved to eat, sometimes buying the supermarket alternative, but there is nothing better than freshly baked Madeira cake. The recipe fills a 20cm cake tin, however, being sentimental, I prefer a loaf style cake just how I used to eat it when I was young. It is a light, fluffy and citrusy cake that is baked on low heat at double a usual cakes cooking time. Try dipping it in your tea, definitely a winner in my house!

Madeira Cake

Prawn & Vegetable Laksa

Serves 6 people

Laksa soups are an amazing Asian creation, sometimes however, the ingredients and method can be very overwhelming, as there is traditionally many spices that go into the dish. Don't let this stop you! Below is an easy to follow recipe that tastes just as good as the traditional style, minus all the complicated ingredients, plus all the great flavour. It's a family recipe created by my mother so rest assured it is amazing! When eaten by my family we always cook double, eating laksa the next day always seems to taste even better.
Not a huge fan of seafood? Add chicken instead by pre-cooking chicken pieces in a pan. Or make it a seafood laksa by adding calamari, fish (preferably a firm one), crab etc. It's all up to you! Once you know how to make the soup base, adding tofu, vegetables, poultry, meats or seafood is easy, you just need to know what quantity of each suits you and your family best.

Prawn and Vegetable Laksa

Saffron

Scientific Name: Crocus Sativus

Origin: Greece and Southwest Asia

Saffron Threads

Additional Information: Why is saffron so expensive? The question asked by many cooks. Saffron threads (the stigma) are found on the Crocus Sativus plant which produce purple flowers, each flower bearing only 3 stigma (saffron threads). Due to the plant only being male, the flowers do not produce viable seeds, it takes human intervention to harvest the bulbs, break them apart and replant them. To get 1g of saffron, 150-200 flowers must be picked, hence why saffron is so pricey. 

Crocus Sativus

Medicinal Qualities: Research studies have hinted that saffron has possible cancer-suppressing, mutation-preventing and antioxidant-like properties. Saffron may also be helpful for depression sufferers

Food Applications: Saffron has a sweet taste and a hay-like fragrance. Saffron is mostly used as a colorant for certain dishes as it gives a golden-yellow hue. Traditionally used in risottos, paellas and soups.

Safflower buds

Note! Don't be fooled by saffron lookalikes, known as Safflower, which is normally used to make safflower oil. The flowering buds on the plant look similar to saffron and can be sometimes mistaken for the real thing.

Blog Recipes: (Click to Open)

• Saffron Infused Potato and Leek Soup

Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup

Serves 6 people

For an authentic Asian soup that tastes just like the one at Chinese restaurants, you have come to the right place. This recipe can be cooked in just 30 mins, no fuss and no complicated ingredients. Chicken and Corn soup is perfect for those cold winter nights or enjoyed when the flu bug comes around. Packed with flu fighting ingredients such as garlic and ginger, it's a great stomach soother when all you want is a great tasting warm soup to make you feel better.

Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup

Oregano

Scientific Name: Origanum Vulgare

Origin: Mediterranean 

Fresh Oregano

Herb Relations: Marjoram 

Medicinal Qualities: 

• Rich is natural sources of Vitamin K and fibre. 
• High in iron, manganese and other minerals
• Known to alleviate sore throats. 
• Fresh oregano contains thymol and carvacrol, two oils which fight off bacterial infections. 
• On a weight basis, oregano has 42 time more antioxidants than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries.

Dried Oregano

Food Applications: Dried oregano is stronger in flavour than fresh oregano, having an aromatic slightly bitter and peppery taste. Commonly used to flavour roasted vegetables, meat, fish and tomato based sauces. Other uses include salad dressings, pasta sauces and meal garnishes (fresh).

Blog Recipes: (Click to Open)

• Pumpkin Risotto with Feta and Oregano

Homemade Waffles

Makes 6-8 waffles

A perfect way to begin the day with freshly made waffles or enjoy them with the kids after school. This recipe ensures you get light, crispy waffles every time. Prepared in under 20 mins and very easy to cook, as the waffle iron does all the hard work. Waffle irons can be purchased from most big retail chains or kitchen stores. Serve your waffles with ice-cream, chocolate sauce, maple syrup, fresh fruit or cream, the list goes on. The ingenious design of a waffle is the deep ridges, making it perfect for capturing any toppings you add, ensuring that every mouthful is a good as the one before.

Served with crushed frozen raspberries and ice-cream