Dark chocolate fridge cake

Ok so, this is another of those recipes that doesn't look great in photos... but I promise it tastes amazing! It's also customizable to what you like/what you have in the cupboards. AND you don't even have to bake it! It's not even baking, its basically just assembly!

The only part of this recipe that actually looks nice in photos

 Dark chocolate fridge cake

Makes one small tray

Ingredients:
200g dark chocolate
Around 10 digestive biscuits
1 tbsp sweetener (I used agave, you can use maple syrup, honey, golden syrup etc.)
75g butter
Dried fruit of choice (I used a sour cherry baking mix)
Nuts of choice (I used pecans)

Method:

1. Line a tray with baking paper or cling film. Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt in a glass bowl over a saucepan of boiling water, or in the microwave. Add the butter and sweetener.

2. Once just melted and smooth, take straight off the heat and crumble in the biscuits. I like to leave bigger and smaller pieces for texture.

3. Add your fruit/nuts/any other bits and pieces.

4. Spoon into the lined dish and smooth flat. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

And you're done! Next time I think I'd make double as this didn't last long...

Bella

Easy lunches: Swedish 'quornballs' and veg

I was looking for a new lunch idea so bought these Quorn Swedish Style Meatballs when they were on offer.

This recipe is really just a case of throwing any veg into a pan and making a tomato sauce, and I found it very successful!

Date crunchie

Pretty much ever since I've known Bella, I feel like I've told her about this amazing creation. Despite this she's never actually tried it, so I decided to make it again this weekend.

It's basically a flapjack with dates in the middle, it's simple yet delicious. Serve it warm with custard for a filling dessert, or have cold with a cup of tea. The possibilities are endless!

This is an old family recipe so I've converted the measurements from ounces.

Date crunchie

Raspberry and almond muffins

Can't believe I'm actually posting a baking recipe that doesn't include chocolate... who am I?! (Though I can definitely find a way to incorporate chocolate into these!)

Raspberry and almond muffins

Bastille Day lunch: Onion soup, baked salmon and dauphinoise potatoes, tarte tatin

Joyeux 14 juillet (en peu en retard...) ! As I was spending my first Bastille Day away from France in three years, I decided to pay hommage to my second home by preparing a three course meal.

This meal can be made easier by preparing both the soup and tart the night before. It was a bit tricky to ensure everything was hot at the right times but hey, it's a learning curve.

Delia Smith was my saviour, providing all recipes I used. On the menu was:

Soupe à l'oignon gratinée (onion soup)

Saumon au four & gratin dauphinois (baked salmon and dauphinoise potatoes)

Tarte tatin (apple tart)

Chilli con quorn

This is another go-to recipe I used to make all the time at uni. If you don't fancy quorn mince, try adding a tin or two of lentils instead.

It's a great dish to make in large quantities and bring to work or school.

Chilli con quorn - recipe adapted from BBC

All-the-veg mac and cheese

This was my staple dish at uni, I like to think it's healthy because there are lots of vegetables in it but it's also covered in cheese, so win-win!

With regards to the vegetables, it's really up to you. The challenge is to get as much veg as possible in it. If you add enough frozen spinach to the cheese sauce it turns green which looks pretty funky.

Unlike my previous recipe, this one requires 3 pans and results in a lot of washing up, but it's worth it.

All-the-veg mac and cheese (adapted from a well-loved student cookbook I had at uni)