Got a new Toy....

Take a look at this, what do you think it is?

The sauce was made with garlic and herb philladelphia cream cheese and smoked salmon off cuts. Looks like pasta huh?   Well those of you who know me, know I can't eat the stuff, but I enjoyed this dish no end. Fresh, crunchy, creamy with the cheese and decadent with the smoked salmon.... Shall I tell you what I used to make my 'fake' spaghetti???

Its made with fresh courgettes, cut in my new toy, the spiralizer .

Its totally amazing! Once I'd cut it and left it to rest while I made the sauce, it took on the texture of pasta. I didn't cook it, although I've been told I could have blanched harder vegetables like celeriac, with courgettes you don't need to. I have a shed load of new recipes to try so watch this space....

The options are endless!

Hot Broccoli Dip

This is my favourite product this month Its a great size for everything from the one pot cooked breakfast, roast potatoes and cooked chickens, I even do a fab chocolate cake in it and its an ideal size for Gran's Bunnock!!!

One thing I haven't been doing in it is the hot broccoli dip which has been the most requested recipe this month. This has been cooked in this dish

Photo to follow but here is the recipe for HOT BROCCOLI DIP

1 cup fresh broccoli florets, chopped (about 6 oz.)

2 TBSP onion, chopped

2 TBSP red bell, chopped

1 oz (1/4 cup) Parmesan cheese, grated

1 garlic clove, pressed

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 170° C.
Chop broccoli, onion, and bell pepper; place in a bowl.
Grate Parmesan cheese; add 2 tablespoons to vegetable mixture.

Press garlic and add to vegetables along with remaining ingredients, mixing well.
Spoon into a small baker pan.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese over top and surround with Pita Chips for serving.

Cook myself thin!

I have had a busy weekend in the kitchen, over the next few days I will post all that I cooked, most have photographs, the ones that don't were devoured way to quickly to get a snap shot!
I made this cake on Saturday to celebrate friends birthdays. She's watching her weight and she likes to get hidden veggies into her kids like I do. This was the perfect recipe.

Beetroot chocolate fudge cake

Fantastic Colour!

I only have a photo of the pre-cooked batter...by the time it was cooled and iced and decorated it was time to run out the door and deliver it.....I totally forgot about the camera. But don't worry as I will definatly be making this again. It has a lot of steps to it but was quite a un-rushed process that I thoroughly enjoyed. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out a dream. It is quiet a rich cake, one small slice is enough to satisfy, but next time I am going to try it with milk chocolate which may be a bit sweeter [kids will have no complains] but may not be quiet as rich [catering to the kids again] Calories will be up tho - All in a all a splendid looking cake with a portion of vegetables inside...What more could one ask for?

Updated to post a photo of the second one I made...how lovely is this?