Chocolate Oatmeal

Obviously, this oatmeal is for those who HATE oatmeal. Because after you taste this - you fall in love with oats. It feels like you're eating a rich in fat and gooey chocolate dessert. However, it is a ridiculously easy and simple dish. The banana adds moistness and makes this oatmeal super rich. But make sure you use good quality cocoa! Otherwise, you won't get that amazing flavour. It is also low in calories, healthy and nutritious food. I think I've mentioned enough reasons for loving oats and this dessert. And I actually feel inspired to try oatmeal with many more flavours!

1/2 cup/40g rolled oats
1/2 cup/120ml water
1/2 cup/120ml milk
pinch of salt
1/2 medium banana, mashed
1-1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp brown sugar


1) Bring the milk and water to a boil.

2) Add the oats and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

3) Add the banana, salt, cocoa powder, brown sugar and cinnamon and cook until all the liquid is absorbed (about 1 minute).

Plain Scones

Recently I've been eating sweets for breakfast. I bought some raspberry jam and wanted to make some bread to eat it with but didn't really  want to make a sandwich bread again. First I was attracted by homemade english muffins (which I will be definitely trying) but this time I made simple scones. I couldn't think of anything easier to make. They're flaky and slightly salty what I really loved. The combination of sweet and salty is always a winner. But I'm sure these would taste fine with cheese or any other spread too.

250g/2 cups self-raising flour
pinch of salt
30g unsalted butter
125ml/1/2 cup milk
80ml/1/3 cup water
milk, extra, to glaze

1) Preheat oven to 210 deg. C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2) Sift the flour and salt. Add the butter and rub in lightly using your fingertips.

3) Make a well in the centre of the flour. Add almost all of the milk and water. Mix with a flat-bladed knife to a soft dough, adding more liquid, if necessary.

4) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead breafly until smooth. Press or roll out the dough to form a round about 1-2cm/1/2-1/3inch thick.

5) Cut the dough into 5cm/2inch rounds. Place them on your baking tray and glaze with milk. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with jam or whatever you like!

Makes 12 scones.

No-Bake PB Krispy Treats

My obsession for healthy food is continuing. Okay, rice krispies aren't the most healthy ingredient, but overall these treats are healthy enough to eat all of them, ah I mean, some. To be honest, I really ate almost all of them at once. That's the disadvantage of healthy food. If I know it's healthy, I eat nonstop.

No-Bake PB Krispy Treats

2/3 cup rice krispies
1/2 cup of homemade peanut butter*
1 cup ground oats
1 tbsp dried coconut
3 tbsp honey
2-3 tbsp water

*I made my own by processing 100g of  peanuts with 1 tsp honey.

1) In a medium bowl, combine together rice crispies, ground oats and dried coconut.

2) In a small saucepan, set over low heat peanut butter, honey and water for a few minutes until honey is melted and everything is combined.

3) Pour it over the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. The mixture will be sticky so it is best to form the balls with wet hands.

Makes about 20-25 bite-size balls.

Irish Soda Bread

This is a basic recipe for Irish soda bread. It is a dense and soft bread, perfect for toasting! Actually I've never tasted any similar bread so this is a nice addition to my bread recipe list.
Oh, and it doesn't really look like Irish soda bread because I baked it in a loaf pan in order to have a shape suitable for toasting.


187g/1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
120g/1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
270ml/1 cup plus 2 tbsp buttermilk

1) Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2) In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the buttermilk and mix just until a soft dough forms.

3) Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 1 minute to blend the ingredients more thoroughly. Form into a ball and flatten slightly. Dust with a little bit of flour and slash an "X" in the top with the tip of a sharp knife. Allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes.

4) Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown and crusty. Cool slightly on wire rack.

Makes 1 loaf.

Onion Rings with Garlic Dill Dip

These onion rings are a perfect appetizer. They can be eaten plain but the garlic dill dip makes them even better. This dip can also be served with crackers, baked potatoes or anything you like.

 Onion Rings

1 large or 2 small onions
1/2 - 1 cup flour
1 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp sweet paprika flakes
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
salt, to taste

1) Slice the onions into rings and set aside.
2) In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg and combine it with buttermilk. Set aside.
3) In another bowl, mix together the crumbs, paprika flakes, white pepper, cumin, oregano and salt.
4) Place the flour in another bowl.
5) Take one onion ring, dip into buttermilk mixture, dip in flour, than again in buttermilk and finally in bread crumb mixture. Repeat with remaining onions.
6) Heat the oil in a pot. Fry onions for a few minuter, until nicely browned.

Garlic Dill Dip

200g sour cream
3 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1 tsp garlic powder
1-2 tbsp buttermilk
1 tsp dried basil
pinch white pepper
large pinch salt

Combine all ingredients. Add salt to taste and buttermilk (depending on the consistency you want the dip to be). Serve with onion rings and enjoy!