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!!!!!

NIGERIAN CHICKEN PIE - IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED

Disclaimer: this is quite a long post with lots of pictures but its so worth it!

Happy new year guys, hope you all had a great Christmas, I did but I'm glad to be back with this chicken pie recipe

I have always preferred chicken pie to meat pie; don’t get me wrong I love them both but I just love the chicken pie more. My favourite one when I was growing up was from Mr Biggs (yum yum).Obviously since I moved to the UK I have not been able to get my beloved chicken pie and so the hunt for home-made chicken pie ensued.

I found a few recipes and settled on one I thought sounded nice. WHAT A DISASTER!!!!!! Although the filling was ok, the dough was so hard I swear it could have caused a concussion if thrown at your head. I’m sure this was more to do with me than the recipe but I was so disheartened I vowed to stay away from pastries for life (ok a tad dramatic but I was upset).

However I was in charge of finger food recently for a party, I went through so many ideas but the damned chicken pies wouldn’t leave me alone so I gave in. As I knew I could develop my own filling recipe, I focused my search on the dough and finally found this recipe with step by step pictures! I was ecstatic, at least with pictures I could ensure everything was looking as it should.

MONICA (FISH AND PLANTAIN) SKEWERS WITH A SPICY PEPPER SAUCE

3 days to Christmas guys, are you excited? I really am but I am even more excited about this recipe. It is an appetiser version of one of my favourite Nigerian meals ‘Monica’. For those that don’t know it is whole grilled tilapia fish served on a bed of dodo (fried plantain) with a very spicy scotch bonnet sauce.

I think I might actually like this version more than the actual Monica as it is easier to eat because you don’t  need to worry about bones and you don’t have to get your hands dirty (believe me to really enjoy Monica you need to eat with your hands) making it great for Christmas or any party.

I have done in two parts, first the skewers and then the pepper sauce. The pepper sauce is spicy but not as spicy as the one you would get with Monica as I wanted to brush it on the fish and plantain and not have people heads blowing off but if you love VERY spicy food just add more scotch bonnets and in the same vein if spice isn't your thing leave out the scotch bonnets.

The sauce is just like ata din din (fried pepper sauce) and if you have some left over you can stir it into some fried chicken or meat or use it as the sauce for dodo gizzard or just simply enjoy with rice.

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.

NO BAKE MINI SPECULOOS SWIRL CHEESECAKE

Remember this speculoos, this is one of the many awesome things you can do with it. This recipe is one of my favourite ones as its super easy and will be a great part of your Christmas menu; whenever I make it everyone has multiple servings. 

This is my go to cheesecake recipe as I don't particularly like the texture of baked cheesecakes, plus I refuse to live in fear of the dreaded cracked cheesecake top (cue dramatic music!!!!).

To make these more party friendly I have served them in disposable shot glasses but feel free to make a full cheesecake and cut that into portions (notes at the end of this post). Although I have put in a measurement for the icing sugar, it’s really down to personal taste so I suggest starting with half the quantity in the recipe and then taste and adjust to suit you.

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.