Hot Chocolate Fondant

For as long as I remember Mum has been making this chocolate fondant and throughout the years it's grown on me so much that it's now my favorite pudding (on par with her vanilla panna cotta with 'balsamic strawberries' may I just add .... I know... YUM). Now this could be biased but I think mum's food beats any of Nigella's or any Michelin star restaurant, and yet she's still so oblivious to how good she really is. It shows just how sincere and down to earth she really is. Anyway, enough of the soppy stuff, this thing right here is the BOMB! Every time it comes out perfect and every time my eyes widen in awe as the gooey chocolate oozes out... Now the timings can be a little tricky and they may change according to your oven but the actual recipe is fool-proof! If you don't try anything else, please try this! My mum deserves some appreciation for finding this piece of gold ;) 

Healthy bean minestrone soup

I'm aware this may not be the usual pretty cakes you've seen in the past but this is the ultimate comfort food on those cold winter nights- plus it's healthy ;) Suitable for the post Christmas diet of course! I find that minestrone with pasta in is sometimes too much if you're looking for a soup that's going to fill you up but not become stodgy so I use cannellini beans instead. Cannellini beans provide more protein than any other plant- derived food and since I'm a vegetarian (apart from prawns... haha) I try to get as much protein in me as possible- win win! As well as this, one portion contains more than two 80g portions of vegetables with means you get 2-3 of your 5 a day in one scrumptious bowl! Simple, delicious, healthy and warming- what more could you want on a cold winter night?

Over christmas

Christmas 2013 was a good one, the best one so far! First off I made lots&lots of different treats including the gingerbread house above ;) I was particularly proud of it and seeing as it's a Christmas tradition for my little brother and I, it's always something I look forward to. Now, I would have blogged how to make it but it takes about 2 days, let alone trying to get pictures at every step! We would still be making it now haha! However if this blogging business goes to plan I promise to show you next Christmas (already can't wait)! Can you tell it's my favorite time of the year?

Courgette, Walnut and Spice layered cake

Now I know I've not posted in a long time but hopefully this recipe will make up for it! As well as going away on holiday throughout the summer months, working and now studying for A-levels I haven't really had time to think about baking, until this past weekend when my grandparents came round. I wanted to try something new, different to the typical 'Victoria sponge' or 'chocolate fudge cake',  so I dug out all my recipe books and decided on a recipe called 'cinnamon, courgette and walnut cake' in the Hummingbird Bakery book. Although the concept of a vegetable in a cake sounds unappealing I promise you it's the best way to get the most perfectly moist, yet not gooey consistency in a cake. The addition of courgette meant that there was no over-riding flavor and the cinnamon could really be the star of the show. This cake uses walnuts but pecan nuts would work just as well- perhaps with some cranberries mixed in, perfect for this time of year ;). Even if I do say myself, This. was. delicious. Need I say more.....

Banana and cinnamon crumble muffins

Whenever I think about making something (Cakes in particular) there's always a part of me that knows I'm being naughty and really shouldn't be making up such a devils concoction of pure deliciousness, however 99.9% of the time I follow through with my mischievous plans and only regret it again once I've scoffed a good 3 (Yes I know, I know...excessive!). Now these muffins right up above are no exception. Although they have plenty of sugar and butter in them, their moistness yet crunch mixed with a slight hint of cinnamon and... the (healthy) banana ;) makes up for it! They are gorgeous and my whole family loves them! As well as my overly fussy brother who mainly eats bacon!

New beginnings

Welcome to Nims Pantry! Being midst in summer and plenty off time to procrastinate due to my early summer (joys of still being student. ;) I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to begin to post on my passion for all things food! To share and hopefully inspire other people. Summer has always been one of my favourite seasons as there's so much variety of foods to cook with, from strawberries in a Mascarpone and Strawberry tart to Blackberries in a Blackberry and Apple cake! But for now I thought I would show you a picture of a cheesecake I baked for a family party topped with fresh strawberries to catch your eye, oh and the macaroons in the right hand corner ;)