MOIN MOIN (POWDERED BEANS)

 

This is one I have been trying to get right for a while! I have flash backs of a burnt attempt at Uni; the house smelled burnt for days. Oh in case you were wondering we still ate it anyway….. we are not wasteful over here!

I have successfully made moin-moin with beans before but the whole soaking, peeling and blending process was such a faff I didn’t bother making it again. Then I discovered powdered beans and thought all my prayers had been answered, apparently not. Cue a slew of failed moin moin attempts including an odd one that leaked water when I pressed it and would not set up matter how long I cooked it. (I cooked it for almost 2 hours, yes I knew it was a no go after one hour. Can’t tell you why I kept going, also can't tell you why I was poking my moin moin).

Eventually with my sister’s help and guidance via Facetime from Canada (yay for technology) I got it right! I have made this multiple times since then and its success every time :-). I'm so excited to share this with you so let's go to the recipe! 

 

Moin-Moin (powdered beans) – makes 10

 

Ingredients

2 large eggs

2 bell peppers

4-5 white onions

1-2 scotch bonnet peppers

½ (125ml) cup of water

2 tbsp tomato puree

½ cup of oil

200g (1.5 cups) bean flour

1 tsp aromat

1 tsp salt

4 cubes knorr chicken

Additions of your choice – boiled eggs, mackerel, corned beef, chicken etc.

 

Method

Put the bell peppers, onions, scotch bonnet, water, puree and oil into a blender and puree until smooth.

 

Add in the bean flour and the eggs, and blend until smooth. Add the seasonings and blend to combine. Pour into a bowl and mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer for abt. 1 min to aerate. Alternatively you can mix by hand with a whisk or wooden spoon for about 10 minutes. 

 

Place 2/3 cup of the batter into each ramekin, foil dish, leaf, tray whatever receptacle you are using, sprinkle in the additions and seal your moin-moin. Place the moin-moin in a large pot and add enough water to come halfway up the side of the bottom layer of moin-moin.

 

Bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover with a lid and steam for 40 mins – if your lid is not tight fitting add a layer of tin foil before putting the lid on. Check your moin-moin periodically to ensure that there is still enough water.

 

Enjoy!

COCONUT PECAN AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BLONDIES

My friend had the most gorgeous baby boy about three weeks ago and I went to see them this weekend. I just love babies, so cute, cuddly and they always smell so good. I didn’t get to carry him and play with him for as long as I wanted to because there were many grandmas and uncles and so on waiting to carry himas well and I didn’t want to seem like a baby hog even though I totally am.

Even before I had decided on when I was going to visit them, I had already decided to take these blondies with me. They are so so easy to make and chewy, moist , delicious................ just how I like my blondies.  

The base recipe for these blondies is from Smitten Kitchen; I love recipes like this that can be easily adapted to suit your tastes, whatever mix ins you decide to use is entirely up to you, the possibilities are endless!!!!!!!

COCONUT FILLED CHOCOLATE HEARTS

Here I am again with another sweet treat for your sweetheart or yourself this valentines day. ok ok not necessarily for valentines day, (I've eaten most of them and between me and you I doubt they will make it to valentines day) I just said that so you would think I was a super organised blogger that brought you recipes tailored to the time of year lol!

One of my favourite chocolates is bounty and I have been telling them for years (telepathically of-course) to make a white chocolate one, since they kept ignoring me I took matters into my own hands (cue super hero theme music) and boy am I glad I did!!!!!

These are so delicious and easy, they are everything I wanted my white chocolate bounty to taste like, I dressed them up a bit and added some dark chocolate for a pretty two toned effect but feel free to use any chocolate that you like. 

CINNAMON CHIP STREUSEL MUFFINS

Hey guys, I’m soooooooo sorry I haven’t posted anything in a while, I moved about 2 weeks ago but my router didn’t come until last week, and then when it came it wasn’t working bla bla bla........... long story short I couldn’t go online but now I can hurray!

I’m celebrating the return to my cyber life with these cinnamon chip streusel muffins; these were a request from my friend as she recently went to America and had these  and was craving them now that she was back in the UK.

Now if you are a UK baker you will know that you cannot get cinnamon chips anywhere here and so I had to make my own. I got the recipe from bright eyed baker and I don’t know what the commercial cinnamon chips are like but these were AMAZING. They gave the muffins these intense bursts of cinnamon every time you bit into one and this combined with the buttery crunchy streusel topping just makes these muffins beyond delicious!!!!!

BUBBLEGUM VODKA

Remember this picture iposted on instagram? I used it to make BUBBLEGUM VODKA!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited about this home made gift idea because I looove vodka, no seriously I really really love it and would be mega excited to get this as a gift this Christmas. My all time favourite vodka is Russian standard vodka with Ketel One a close second, others in my top 4 are Ciroc and magic moments chocolate vodka.

Now that I have convinced you of my love for vodka let’s get back to BUBBLEGUM VODKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This vodka smells so much like bubble gum it’s almost crazy and that beautiful pink that the bubble gum turns the vodka is just gorgeous. It also tastes amazing and would be great for shots but if that’s not your thing mix it with some lemonade for a simple tasty cocktail.

HOMEMADE SPECULOOS AKA COOKIE BUTTER

I know its Christmas and its the season to be jolly and all of that but I just have to vent about something that bugs me. Dont you hate when people say 'no offence' or 'I don't meant to be rude but' right before they say something offensive? Just because you say no offence does or put a disclaimer before whatever inappropriate thing you are about to say does not mean its not offensive or rude!!!!!

How about this, the next time you say no offence or (insert any other ridiculous disclaimer), just stop there and say nothing. Yes, yes I know most of you are thinking won't it be weird to leave the sentence incomplete and just hanging? It probably would be but this way we can be sure no one is offended and its better that people think you cannot construct a full sentence than that you are rude. Trust me on this, its better .................. and exhale

CINNAMON COCONUT DANISH SWIRLS

Ok guys I have finally decided to get into the Christmas spirit. I have been fighting against the fairy lights, tinsel and Christmas carols but I've finally given in and embraced it.

Over the next few weeks most of my posts will be Christmas inspired from recipes that would be great additions to your Christmas party, to home made gifts, to drinks etc. I'm getting excited just thinking about it all.

Anyhoo let's kick things off.  One of my favourite things about Christmas is the spices; cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg, cloves............. I looooove them which is why my first Christmas inspired recipe is cinnamon coconut danish swirls!

This recipe is super duper easy (I say that a lot don't I?) as I 'cheated' and used shop bought puff pastry. I mean let’s be honest you don't want to be stuck in the kitchen and then be too tired to enjoy all the festivities, but hey if you are a purist feel free to make your own puff pastry - it's ok, I'll still be your friend. 

HOME-MADE WHITE CHOCOLATE CRUNCH BARS

That's quite a long title isn't it? lol. Sorry couldn't think of a shorter one because I was too excited to post my first sweet recipe!!!!!!

I loved white chocolate crunch bars when I was younger but they are no longer readily available in the UK and so when saw this I knew I had to make the white chocolate version. These are more cups than bars but that's just because of the mould I used, feel free to use whatever mould you like.

I’m not even sure I can call this a recipe because it so so simple. These are great for kids' lunch boxes, for your next party or just as a snack; find a reason to make them you will not be sorry.