Banana Bread/Cake

One of my all time favourites with a freshly brewed espresso coffee in the morning or afternoon. This has to be the best and most enjoyable fruit bread or cake, made with one of the most popular fruits. There is always those few bananas that become just too ripe to eat, turning that awful colour. But why let them go to waste when you can make them taste even better! The recipe is 100% foolproof every time, packed with great taste.
The secret to a great banana bread is not just the overripe bananas, but the golden syrup as well. Some recipes have sugar instead of syrup, however the flavour and texture of the cake is just not the same. The recipe makes enough for a small bread tin. If you want a loaf looking just like a slice you can get from a cafe, double the mixture and cook for about 1 hour or until the cake tester comes out clean. Due to the extra time in the oven, the cake may begin to brown too much, I normally cover the tin with baking paper creating a dome so the cake still has room to rise.

Banana and Walnut (Right) and Banana Bread (Left)

Banana and Walnut Bread

Banana Bread

Banana and Walnut Bread and Banana Bread

Oven Roasted Tarragon & Garlic Chicken with Gravy

Serves 8-10 people (for 4 people use 1 chicken) 

This recipe has to be one of the best tasting and easiest to prepare. With a 20 min preparation time you can sit back and rest your feet with a beautiful glass of white wine while the food roasts in the oven. For my family and I we make sure every month we eat this at least twice. I love to use free range or organic chicken which to me has the best taste, however whatever chicken suits you is just as good. 
I find roasted potatoes/pumpkin/sweet potatoes goes perfect with the gravy. Just coating them in salt, pepper and oil is best as the gravy holds all the flavour you will need. Remember the trick to beautiful roast potatoes every time is to not be afraid of adding lots of olive oil. The potatoes don't actually absorb the oil, but give them a nice crisp outside and soft centre. Leftovers are a must for this dish, you'll definitely want to eat it the next day, so even if my 2 chicken recipe is a lot, it will be eaten again for sure!

Crispy Skinned Tarragon Chicken

Flavoursome Vegetables cooked in Wine and Chicken juices

Homemade Chicken Gravy made from pan juices

Chocolate & Vanilla Panna Cotta

Serves 6-12 people

I first tasted Panna Cotta at a restaurant and immediately fell in love. I new I had to remake this wonderful dessert at home, and alas I was successful. It is light, creamy and just sweet enough to not overpower your taste buds. Personally, I like to accompany it with either raspberry coulis, chocolate fudge sauce or vanilla bean ice-cream. You could even have it with all three, it just depends on your preference. There are many variations to Panna Cotta, some I found too creamy, too sweet and too heavy, this recipe ensures it is just the opposite. The perfect balance between all three. My family and I enjoy eating this delight once or even twice a month. Hopefully you'll enjoy it just as much as we do. Each recipe serves six to eight people, either make one or combine the two together for twelve to fifteen servings. Your family will be going for seconds!

Chocolate and Vanilla Panna Cotta