Choc-mint Cake

Extremely rich and indulgent. Perfect for any special occasion.

In a large saucepan/pot melt:

125g butter

¾ cup water

2 heaped tsp of coffee

100g dark chocolate

1 cup sugar

Let the mixture cool a little. Mix in 1 large egg.

Read more: Choc-mint Cake

Sweet Chilli Bean Salad

Great as a side for braais or as a main on a hot day.

Drain – 2 tins chickpeas and 1 tin of mixed beans.

Boil and cube 1 potato.

Dice – 1 green pepper, ½ a cucumber, 1 onion, 2 carrots and 1 pineapple.

Chop ½ cup of spring onion.

Combine the above in a big salad bowl.

Whisk together – 8 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 ½ Tbsp Maggi chilli sauce, 4 Tbsp mayonnaise, 8 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp mustard sauce and 4 Tbsp brown sugar.

Toss the salad with the dressing. Top with additional chopped spring onion and toasted nuts and sesame seeds.

Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins

A quick treat for any time of the week.

Combine:

2 ¼ cups flour

¾ cup sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

½ tsp cinnamon

Whisk together:

1 cup milk

½ cup melted butter

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 large eggs

Dissolve 2 Tbsp instant coffee in 2 Tbsp hot water. Mix all the ingredients together till smooth.

Fold in ½ to 1 cup of chopped white chocolate or any chocolate of your choice. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full. Bake on 180 degrees for 15 minutes.

Best Chocolate Brownies

These brownies are easy to make and have a perfect almost marshmallowy texture and deep chocolate flavour.

Melt together – 310 g of dark chocolate, 225 g butter and 1 tsp espresso powder/instant coffee.

Mix in – 1 ½ cup white sugar and ½ cup brown sugar.

Mix in till just combined – 5 eggs and 2 tsp vanilla essence.

Sprinkle over – 1 ½ cup flour and 2 Tbsp cocoa powder.

Fold the flour and cocoa into the mixture. Do not over mix at any stage as this will lead to cakey brownies.

Line a 9 by 13 inch oven tray. Spread mixture into the tray evenly.

Bake on 180 degrees for 30 – 40 minutes, till a skewer comes out with a few crumbs sticking to it. Cut when cool.

This recipe can be halved. Bake in an 8 by 8 inch square pan for the same amount of time.

Peri Peri Chicken Skewers

Marinate 1 kg cubed chicken fillet in:

5 tsp crushed garlic

1 tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp salt

2 tsp lemon pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper/paprika/chilli powder

1 tsp sugar

¼ cup peri peri oil (spillers)

1 cup mayonnaise

¼ cup lemon juice

4 Tbsp tomato sauce

2-3 Tbsp Maggi chilli sauce

Skewer the chicken cubes. Bake in an oven tray, uncovered at 220 degrees celcius for around 20 minutes or braai.

Boil any leftover marinade with a few tablespoons cream if desired and pour over the cooked chicken.