Banana, Cranberry and Apple Bread

I love banana bread but usually find the ones at the shops or cafe a little too sweet. Often, there is not much actual banana in there; the flavour is more from the essence. This is a different version with added cranberries or craisins (tangy) and grated apple (sweetness). The grated apple also keeps the bread moist.

You can freeze this bread for reheat later. Great for lunchboxes and breakfast.

I reduced the quantity of sugar to 2/3 cup and substituted white sugar with brown sugar. The brown sugar gave it a caramel flavour too.

Garlic Prawn Pizza Bread

I made these for Caitlin's birthday party back in October. It's a great alternative to using pizza bases.

1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
8 garlic cloves, bruised
1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 tsp grated lemon zest
450gm fresh ricotta
1/2 cup (40gm) grated parmesan, plus extra to sprinkle
1 baguette, split or 2 large pizza bases
800gm green prawns, peeled, halved

1. Preheat the oven to 220C, and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Gently warm the oil and garlic in a pn over low heat for 2-3 minutes to infuse. Stand for 5 minutes.
3. Remove the garlic cloves, reserving the oil, then place cloves in a small processor with parsley and zest and whiz to combine. 
4. Set aside one-quarter of the mixture, then add cheeses to remaining mixture and pulse to combine. 
5. Spread the ricotta mixture over the baguette or bases.
6. Place the reserved garlic oil in a frypan over medium high heat. Add the prawns and cook for 1 minute each side or until just cooked.
7. Remove from heat, then add reserved garlic and parsley mixture and gently toss to combine. 
8. Arrange the prawns over the baguette or bases, then sprinkle with extra parmesan. 
9. Bake for 5-6 minutes until the cheese has melted.
   

Easy to Make Foccacia

Peony from My Culinary Journal was very kind to share this easy to make foccacia. Why easy? Because you did not need to knead and there is no machine involved. Just mix and stir and leave to proof (rise). Thank you Peony!

Here are pictures from my attempt to make the foccacia. Not bad. My family loved it and we finished it for dinner together with beef ravioli pasta.