Spicy shrimps with saffron rice

Over the past few days we had both hot summer days and thunder storms with heavy rain. As I am writing, the sky is slowly becoming dark with clouds but only a few moments ago, the sun was smiling at me through the wine leaves. So yes, we had some pretty unpredictable weather this week.

Since summer is here, we are all looking for light meals and spicy shrimps with saffron rice was on my list today. For the shrimps you need (besides the shrimps of course) a few cloves of garlic, olive oil, chili flakes and a splash of white wine to complete the assembly. To go with the shrimps, some saffron rice cooked as you like it. As a personal touch, I added some garlic and chili to mine. For all of you who like summer rain!

Lemon curd and panna cotta

This is my first try of panna cotta, a dessert made with simple ingredients like milk and heavy cream. But, like most things in life, the simpler they are the most likely we are to enjoy them. So, there are endless possibilities to create your own perfect version of panna cotta. For this one, I chose a beautiful lemon curd to go on top of it and add some zing to the whole dish. I think the acidity of the lemon curd compliments the panna cotta layer very well and it's so refreshing that I'll be making this one again and soon.

Cereal Tiramisu

This is my favorite version of the well known Italian dessert Tiramisu. Why? because instead of the Savoiardi lady finger biscuits this has two layers of crunchy chocolate cereal cake. It's not that I don't like the original recipe but this one has a lot more texture to it bringing the whole cake to another level of awesomeness. Also, sometimes I use to make the filling by mixing mascarpone together with ricotta cheese, just to make it a little bit lighter and why not, healthier.

Spring baking

Yes, I know it does not show, but I've been spending quite some time in the kitchen. However, by the time I get around setting up my camera there is nothing left to capture :). In my opinion, this is always a good thing, don't you agree?.

So, these are some of my latest baked goods. First, a walnut and coffee caramel Pavlova. This one is highly addictive and has become my favorite from all the Pavlova family :).

Then, a very special orange chocolate cake for a good friend's birthday. It's a combination of dark chocolate cake and orange mousse which was born from his idea of something sweet. I wish everyone a beautiful spring!

Tropical kiwi muffins

Well, I can say that these pretty muffins moved to the number one position in my all time muffins chart! The buttery flavor goes perfectly with the kiwi and the result is an incredible airy muffin!

Kiwi Tiramisu

I think kiwi is usually underrated when it comes at baking this gorgeous little fruit. So, this weekend I bought lots of kiwis and thought to experiment some new found recipes. However, the first recipe on my list featured fresh kiwi, which of course I don't mind..I am totally pro fresh fruit in cakes! This being said, nothing new here..same Tiramisu ingredients: mascarpone, cream, Savoiardi biscuits with the addition of kiwi puree. And yes, it came out a little bit tangy so if you like sweet cakes this is probably not for you. This Tiramisu makes me feel like spring is on the way :)!

Sweet & Savoury

Sundays are days usually spent as far away from the kitchen as possible.. or at least I try :). This being said, today I went along with a very easy yet satisfying dish, the renowned Hasselback potatoes, spiced my way with lots of coriander seeds. To serve, I recommend some very creamy cheese, a pinch of chili powder and that's about all you need for a big hearty lunch.



For dessert, since lately I am in a healthy eating state of mind, I made some carrot and coconut cake. It's packed full of all my favorite spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger. The carrots keep it moist and it's not only that, but it's getting tastier with each day. That is, if you can contain yourself from eating it out from the oven!

Sacher Torte

What's better than a slice of this chocolate Austrian staple dessert to help you face the cold outside? There are many recipes of which to be inspired but I chose a simple one..just because, sometimes, simplicity tastes divine. All you need is just some good quality dark chocolate, favourite jam (in my case, grandma's apricot jam- which also helps temper the sweetness of this cake) and you are good to go.

Upside down warm apple cake

Since the cold season is nowhere near the end, I still feel like using cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg when baking. So, why not marry this flavours with their beloved apples?! Yup, I did it and there you have it..a warm apple toffee cake. Did I mention the toffee?! Crazy, crazy delicious! Best topped with some vanilla icecream when still hot from the oven!

My favourite piece of chocolate

It's been a long time since I made this recipe. It's an old time favourite of mine due to the high content of chocolate and rum :), two things that make me happy when it's cold outside. A small piece of this cake is enough to make anyone smile throughout the whole day, that's how wonderful it is!

Quince tart

I love autumn. I love how trees sing a symphony of colours. But most of all I love quinces :)..yes, that's right! The sweet, rose-like smell of ripen quinces. All that being said, in between making quince preserves and dinner I whipped up a quince tart. Nothing fancy, but savoury and very flavoured, an invention of my own :)..large chunks of quince, soft cheese and french pastry served along with the last roses from my garden. Not to be eaten,the roses I mean :)!

Golden eclairs and autumn rain

First days of autumn came with cold rain drops. So, this was the perfect opportunity to bake some food for soul, aka golden puffy eclairs. I can never resist a piece of this great invention!

Yoghurt poppy seeds tart

I love the refreshing taste of lemon and yoghurt on a hot summer day. For a crunchy sensation and for the sake of variating textures I just added some poppy seeds.This combination turned out to be a winner and the tart didn't see the next day!

Sunday afternoon picnic

The last place where you want to spend a hot Sunday is in the kitchen, near an oven. Still, baking these dark chocolate, raisin, noisette muffins is a piece of cake :)! And now we're ready to have fun under the summer sun.

Lemon coconut heaven

Who's in for a coconut treat? Well, I have to admit that I like coconut, and when you throw in also a refreshing lemon cream, how can I say no! So, a very delicate cookie for a special Saturday, for which you can find the whole recipes here: http://cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com/.

Melon sorbet and a rose

I just came back from a trip to Rome. There, I found the most incredibile ice cream, very soft rich in flavour, yet quite refreshing and light. So I tried to reproduce the italian version of a melon sorbet and I am very pleased with the result. It has nice, velvety texture and a strong melon flavour. To be savoured on a summer day!

Sorbet fiesta

This may sound crazy, but I am not an icecream person :-D! However, I just adore sorbets. That may be due to the fact that they are very light and why not, very healthy! So, since it's hot outside and the market is full of fresh fruits why not take advantage of this? I suggest you try this two absolutely fantastic, easy to prepare sorbets. All you have to do is go pick out a nice ripe pineapple and some sour cherries. For the pineapple sorbet I used some acacia honey and for the sour cherries sorbet some freshly grated ginger, just to bring out the flavours. Simply amazing!

Apricot tart or a drop of sunshine

Yes, summer is here with plenty of fresh fruit to choose from. One of my favorites are, of course, apricots. Their bright orange color and not to mention their fantastic taste make me smile every time. I'm not sure if this recipe is an original or not but I did not follow any instructions, I just followed my inspiration. What came out of it, well, there are some happy apricots in a refreshing yogurt filling.

Who loves chocolate? I do..

Flourless chocolate cake..the easiest recipe that can satisfy all chocolate addicts, like me..and since it's summer and we have to watch our line, lots of chocolate and no flour it's a kind of a tasty compromise!

Sour cherries muffins

The not to sweet combo of sour cherries and muffins make these the perfect treat for the hot hot summer days. To be enjoyed next to a glass of fresh fruit juice or milk in the morning.