Apple Cake

3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
4 large apples
2 large eggs
3/4 cup (170g) sugar
3 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
110g unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1) Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. Generously butter an 8-inch springform pan.

2) Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in small bowl. 

3) Peel the apples, cut them in half and remove the cores. Cut the apples into 1 - 2cm chunks. 

4) In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Pour in the sugar and whisk to blend. Whisk in the rum and vanilla. Whisk in half the flour and when it is incorporated, add half the melted butter, followed by the rest of the flour and the remaining butter, mixing gently after each addition so that you have a smooth, rather thick batter. 

5) Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in the apples, turning the fruit so that it's coated with batter. Scrape the mix into the pan and poke it around a little with the spatula so that it's evenish. 

6) Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top of the cake is golden brown and a knife inserted deep into the center comes out clean; the cake may pull away from the sides of the pan. Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes. 

Ricotta Gnocchi with Browned Butter Garlic Basil Sauce

Welcome back! I've been away for a long time but now I'm ready for baking/cooking and photographing my creations again! The summer was eventful and I have so many experiences to share with you. I will post some photos from my journey in my upcoming posts. 

Now be ready for an amazing gnocchi recipe! This is my favorite gnocchi recipe. They're incredibly easy to make, I think everything was ready in about half an hour. They are soft, airy and very light, the flavor is balanced perfectly. And OMG that browned butter sauce! BROWN BUTTER, it's an amazing thing, isn't it? I added some garlic and fresh basil to it as well. Believe me, you're going to love them. Just make them.

Ricotta Gnocchi

250g Ricotta
1 egg yolk
1/4 to 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
30g Parmigiano, freshly grated, extra for sprinkling
50-70 g all-purpose flour, extra for dusting the dough/board

1. Add Ricotta cheese, egg yolk, salt and freshly grated Parmigiano into a large bowl. Mix well with a spoon. Add the flour and stir in briefly, just until combined – the dough will still be sticky.

2. Generously flour a board, take a big tablespoon of the dough and scoop it onto the board. Dust with flour, before rolling it into a finger-thick roll. Cut it into little pillows.

3. Meanwhile bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt and reduce heat until the water bubbles lightly. Add the gnocchi and stir once, so they don’t stick to the bottom – then let cook until they start floating on top. Depending on their size this may take 2 to 4 minutes. Take out with a skimmer.

6. If you want to brown your gnocchi to make them crispy outside, place them in a non-stick pan (no oil needed) and let them brown nicely on both sides. Don't move them around too much. Once done, arrange them on a plate and drizzle the sauce over.



Brown Butter Sauce:
~60g butter
1 clove garlic
Handful of fresh basil, chopped

Melt the butter in a small skilet and let it brown for about 4-5 minutes. Shake the pan occasionally. Be careful not to burn them. When the butter is light brown - remowe from heat, add chopped garlic and basil. Drizzle over the gnocchi, sprinkle some parmesam and serve. (makes about two)