Vegetable Cake

Vegetable Cake

1 large zucchini (370g), grated
1 carrot (150g), grated
1 small potato (130g), peeled and grated
1 medium onion (140g), grated
80g (1 cup) your favorite cheese, grated
5 eggs, lightly beaten
90g (3/4 cup) Spelt flour (any other flour would work)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp chili powder
Large pinch of salt

1) Preheat oven to 180C / 350F. Grease a 20x20 cm / 8x8 inch baking dish.

2) In a large bowl, mix together all the vegetables. Add cheese, eggs and seasonings. Finally fold in the flour.

3) Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake until golden brown on top and firm to the touch (it might take around 30-40 minutes; keep an eye on it and remove from the oven once the center is set).

4) Cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or cold.

Recipe by collecting memories

Cookie Dough Frosted Brownies

Cookie Dough Frosted Brownies

Brownies:
140g (1 1/4 sticks) butter
275g sugar
80g unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
70g (1/2 cup - 1 tbsp) flour

Cookie dough:
56g (1/4 cup) butter
100g powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp (30ml) heavy cream*
60g (1/2 cup) flour

*I believe full-fat milk would also work.

1) Preheat oven to 160C / 320F. Prepare a 20x20cm / 8x8 inch baking pan.

2) Make the brownies: In a medium saucepan, combine together butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Set over medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted and the ingredients are combined. The mixture should look shiny and be hot, but not too hot. You should still be able to touch it.

3) Remove from heat and let cool a little bit. Add vanilla extract and stir in the eggs. When the mixture looks smooth, add flour and stir just until incorporated. Spread the mixture evenly in the pan. 

4) Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool before frosting.

5) While the brownies are cooling, prepare the frosting: In a large bowl with a mixer on high speed, beat butter until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, salt, vanilla and beat until well incorporated. Add heavy cream followed by flour. Beat a few more minutes until the cookie dough looks fluffy.

6) Spread cookie dough on the brownie. Refigerate for at least one hour to let it set (I like leaving it in the fridge overnight). Cut into squares and serve. 

Store in the fridge. You can store them at room temperature as well, but the frosting will be softer.

Makes 16 bars.

Recipe by collecting memories

Sweet Noodle Kugel

Sweet Noodle Kugel

Kugel:
500g (17.5 oz) noodles
56g (1/2 stick) butter
6 eggs
500g (17.5 oz) cottage cheese
345g (1 1/2 cup) sour cream
80ml (1/3 cup) light cream
225g (1 cup) white sugar
120g (4 oz) raisins

Topping:
4 tbsp breadcrumbs
3 tbsp sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

1) Cook noodles according to directions (Add a splash of oil into the boiling water before cooking to prevent noodles from sticking together). Once cooked, rinse under cold water for 1 minute. Drain well.

2) Preheat oven to 190C / 375F. Lightly grease a deep metal square baking pan and set aside.

3) In a small bowl, combine together the topping ingredients and set aside.

4) In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Turn off the heat and let cool slightly. Beat in the eggs, cottage cheese, sour cream, light cream and sugar. Mix everything well. Add in the noodles and raisins and stir to combine.

5) Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumb/sugar mixture.

6) Bake for approximately 1 hour. You may check the Kugel after 45-50 minutes. If the center looks a little bit runny but the edges are brown and firm, you may remove it from the oven. It will firm up while cooling.

7) Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or cold.

Recipe by collecting memories

Tuna Pasta Bake

Tuna Pasta Bake 

225g (1/2 lb) pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tin (185g) tuna flakes in brine (do not drain!)
180g (3/4 cup) ketchup (I used Heinz)
100g (1 cup) grated cheese (I used Edam)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried Italian herbs
2 tbsp bread crumbs
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated

1) Cook pasta according to the package directions and drain well. Preheat oven to 180C / 350F and lightly grease a 23 x 13 cm / 9 x 5 inch (or similar) baking dish.

2) In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil. Add onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes until soft and fragrant. Set aside and cool a bit.

3) In a large bowl, combine together the flaked tuna in brine, ketchup, grated cheese, salt and Italian herbs. Add onion/garlic mixture and stir to combine. Add pasta and toss to coat. Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

4) In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add breadcrumbs and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. 

5) Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta and sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top.

6) Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

Serves 2-3.

Recipe by collecting memories

Chocolate Fudge Cake

Chocolate Fudge Cake

200g (14 tbsp) butter

200g (7 oz) chocolate (I used half 50%, half 70%), chopped into small chunks

225g (1 cup) caster sugar

5 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt

15g (1 tbsp) flour

Powdered sugar/vanilla cream/whipped cream, to serve

1) Preheat oven to 180C / 350F. Line a 23 cm / 9 inch cake pan with parchment paper.

2) In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once it melts, add chocolate, cover and let sit for 2 minutes. The chocolate will be melted. Stir with a wooden spoon until completely smooth. Cool slightly.

3) Stir in the sugar, eggs, salt and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. Stir in the flour and mix just until incorporated.

4) Pour the batter into the baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool on a wire rack and then transfer to the fridge. Refrigerate overnight.

5) Serve with some vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or dust with confectioner's sugar.

Recipe by collecting memories

Caramel Crumb Bars with Brown Butter

Caramel Crumb Bars with Brown Butter

1 can dulce de leche 

225g (1 cup) butter

2 tsp salt

200g (1 cup) sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

375g (3 cups) flour

1) Preheat oven to 180C / 350F. Grease a 20 x 20 cm / 8 x 8 inch metal baking pan or prepare a silicone baking pan.

2) In a small saucepan, place the butter and cook on medium high heat until browned and fragrant (You will see brown bits in the bottom of a saucepan. You don't want to burn it so remove it from heat when it turns golden brown).

3) Transfer the butter into a large bowl and mix in the salt and sugar. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract. 

4) Add in the flour and mix just until it's incorporated. Press half of the dough into the bottom of a pan. Spread dulce de leche on top and crumble remaining dough on top of it, pressing it slightly.

5) Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Cool completely before slicing.

Recipe adapted from here.