Lemon Custard Layered with Savoiardi Biscuits

Ingredients

For the Dessert:

• Savoiardi biscuits: 200 g
• Milk: 100 ml (for soaking the Savoiardi biscuits)

For the Lemon Custard:

• • Eggs: 2 large
  • Lemon juice: 30 ml (approximately 2 tablespoons)
  • Sugar: 60 g

• • Cornstarch: 50 g
  • Milk: 500 ml (for the custard)
  • Condensed milk: 2 tablespoons

• Butter: 30 g

Instructions (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Prepare the Lemon Custard

1. 1. Separate the eggs: Begin by separating 2 large eggs into yolks and whites. Place the yolks in a medium bowl and set the whites aside for another recipe or discard them if not needed.
   2. Mix the egg yolks and sugar: Add 60 g of sugar to the egg yolks and whisk together until smooth and pale. This should take about 2-3 minutes of vigorous whisking.

1. 1. Add the lemon juice and starch: Once the egg yolks and sugar are well combined, add 30 ml of lemon juice and 50 g of cornstarch. Whisk until smooth, making sure there are no lumps.
   2. Heat the milk: In a medium saucepan, heat 500 ml of milk over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Be careful not to let it boil.
   3. Temper the egg mixture: Slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. This will help prevent the eggs from scrambling. Gradually add the rest of the hot milk while whisking continuously.

1. Cook the custard: Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and return it to medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or spatula until the mixture thickens and reaches a smooth, pudding-like consistency. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add condensed milk and butter: Once the custard has thickened, remove it from the heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of condensed milk and 30 g of butter. Mix until the butter is fully melted and the custard is smooth. Set the custard aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Assemble the Dessert

1. 1. Soak the Savoiardi biscuits: Pour 100 ml of milk into a shallow bowl. Quickly dip each Savoiardi biscuit into the milk, making sure not to soak them for too long, as they can become too soggy. The biscuits should be moist but still hold their shape.

1. 1. Layer the biscuits: In a serving dish or individual dessert cups, arrange a layer of soaked Savoiardi biscuits at the bottom.
   2. Add a layer of custard: Spoon a generous layer of the lemon custard over the biscuits, spreading it evenly.
   3. Repeat the layers: Continue layering the soaked Savoiardi biscuits and custard until you run out of ingredients. The top layer should be custard.

Step 3: Chill and Serve

1. Chill the dessert: Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or until it is fully set and chilled. This allows the flavors to meld together and the custard to firm up.
2. Garnish and serve: Before serving, you can garnish the dessert with a sprinkle of lemon zest, a dusting of powdered sugar, or some fresh berries for added flavor and decoration.

Cooking Tips

• • Soaking the biscuits: When soaking the Savoiardi biscuits in milk, be sure to dip them quickly. They absorb liquid very fast and can easily become too soggy if left in the milk for too long.

• • Make it tangier: If you prefer a stronger lemon flavor, feel free to increase the amount of lemon juice to 40 ml. You can also add some lemon zest to the custard for an extra citrusy punch.
  • Use a double boiler: If you’re worried about curdling the eggs while making the custard, you can use a double boiler to gently heat the custard mixture. This method provides more control over the temperature and helps prevent the eggs from cooking too quickly.
  • Add vanilla: For a richer, more complex flavor, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the custard mixture when cooking it. Vanilla pairs beautifully with lemon.

• Serving ideas: This dessert can be served in a large trifle dish, in individual cups, or even as a layered dessert in glass jars for a beautiful presentation.

Storage

• • Refrigeration: Store the dessert in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days. Make sure to keep it chilled until ready to serve, as the custard needs to stay cold.
  • Freezing: This dessert does not freeze well due to the custard’s delicate texture. It is best enjoyed fresh and chilled from the fridge.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving, Based on 6 Servings)

• • Calories: 300 kcal
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g

• • Fat: 12 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 22 g

• Sodium: 150 mg
• Calcium: 20% DV
• Iron: 6% DV

Delicious Chocolate Topped Buns with Pistachios

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• • 200 ml warm milk
  • 8 g yeast
  • 70 g sugar

• • 20 g vegetable oil
  • 30 g melted butter
  • Pinch of salt

• • 10 g vanilla sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 420 g flour

For the Topping:

• • 70 g butter
  • 50 g powdered sugar

• • 1 egg
  • 50 g flour
  • 10 g cocoa powder

• Pistachios (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

1. 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 200 ml of warm milk and 8 g of yeast. Let it sit for a few minutes to activate the yeast.

1. 1. Add 70 g of sugar, 20 g of vegetable oil, 30 g of melted butter, a pinch of salt, and 10 g of vanilla sugar to the milk mixture. Mix well.
   2. Add 2 eggs and mix until combined.
   3. Gradually add 420 g of flour to the mixture, stirring until a dough forms.

1. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
2. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 40-50 minutes or until it has doubled in size.

Shape the Buns:

1. 1. After the dough has risen, divide it into 12 equal parts.
   2. Shape each part into a bun and place them on a baking sheet.
   3. Let the buns rise for about 40 minutes.

Prepare the Topping:

1. 1. In a small bowl, mix 70 g of butter, 50 g of powdered sugar, 1 egg, 50 g of flour, and 10 g of cocoa powder until smooth.
   2. Spread the topping mixture over each bun.

1. Garnish with pistachios.

Bake the Buns:

1. 1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).

1. Bake the buns for about 30 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Serve:

1. 1. Let the buns cool slightly before serving.
2. Enjoy these delicious buns with your children and loved ones!

Nutritional Insights and Serving Suggestions

These chocolate-topped buns with pistachios are not only a treat for the taste buds but also offer some nutritional benefits.

Key Ingredients:

Milk: Provides calcium, vitamin D, and protein, essential for bone health and growth, especially for children.

Yeast: Besides helping the dough rise, yeast adds B vitamins and some minerals to the buns.

Eggs: A great source of high-quality protein and various essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, riboflavin, and selenium.

Pistachios: These nuts are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, and antioxidants. They add a delightful crunch and nutritional boost to the buns.

Tips for Perfect Buns

1. 1. Proper Yeast Activation: Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast effectively. Hot milk can kill the yeast, while cold milk won’t activate it properly.

1. 1. Kneading: Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic to develop the gluten structure, which helps in getting soft and fluffy buns.
   2. Rising Time: Let the dough rise in a warm place. If your kitchen is cold, you can place the bowl in a slightly warm oven or near a warm spot in your house.
   3. Topping Spread: Ensure the topping mixture is spread evenly over the buns to achieve a uniform chocolate flavor and an appealing look.

Serving Suggestions

• • Breakfast Delight: Serve these buns warm with a glass of milk or hot cocoa for a delightful breakfast treat.
  • Tea Time: Pair with a cup of tea or coffee for an indulgent afternoon snack.
  • Dessert Option: These buns can be served as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

• Party Favorite: Perfect for kids’ parties or family gatherings, these buns will surely be a hit.

Apple Almond Muffins Recipe

Ingredients:

• • 1 egg
  • 75g sugar
  • 8g vanilla sugar

• • A pinch of salt
  • 60ml oil
  • 125g yogurt

• • 140g flour
  • 7g baking powder
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced

• • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Almond flakes
  • Apricot jam (for glazing)

Directions:

• • Prepare the Batter:
    • • Grease muffin molds with butter and dust with flour.
      • In a bowl, beat the egg, sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt. Add oil, yogurt, flour, and baking powder. Mix well.

     

  • Add Toppings and Bake:
    • • Pour batter into molds, top with thin apple slices, lemon juice, and almond flakes.
      • Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes.

     

  • Glaze:
    • After baking, brush with apricot jam and dust with fine sugar.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve warm with tea or coffee.

Cooking Tips:

• Use unsweetened yogurt for a tangier flavor.

Nutritional Benefits:

• • Apples are high in fiber and vitamin C.

• Yogurt provides calcium and protein.

Dietary Information:

• • Vegetarian

• Contains dairy, eggs, and gluten.

Nutritional Facts (per muffin):

• • Calories: 180

• • Protein: 4g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fat: 6g

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Best served fresh.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• • Quick to Make: Perfect for a quick homemade treat.
  • Delicious Texture: Moist inside with a crisp almond topping.
  • Great Flavor: The combination of apple, almonds, and apricot jam is delightful.
• Perfect for Gifting: A thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family.

Chicken Tikka Pizza Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Tikka:

• • 250g boneless chicken
  • 1 tsp garlic paste

• • Salt, to taste
  • ¼ tsp crushed black pepper
  • ¼ tsp crushed red chili

• • ¼ tsp crushed cumin seeds
  • ¼ tsp chaat masala
  • ½ tsp tikka masala

• • 1 pinch orange food color
  • 3-4 tbsp yogurt
  • 2 tbsp oil

For the Pizza Dough:

• • ½ kg (500g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp sugar

• • 2 tsp yeast
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp oil

• ¼ cup milk
• Warm water, as required

For Assembling:

• • Pizza dough (prepared)

• • Pizza sauce, as needed
  • Mozzarella and cheddar cheese, shredded (as much as desired)
  • Onion, thinly sliced

• • Tomato, thinly sliced
  • Capsicum, thinly sliced
  • Cooked chicken tikka

• • Jalapeno slices, optional
  • Black olives, sliced
  • Dried oregano leaves, for sprinkling

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Tikka

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   In a bowl, mix garlic paste, salt, crushed black pepper, crushed red chili, crushed cumin seeds, chaat masala, tikka masala, orange food color, and yogurt. Add the chicken and coat well. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes (or longer for deeper flavor).
2. Cook the Chicken:
   Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until fully cooked and slightly charred, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Dough

1. 1. Activate the Yeast:
      In a small bowl, dissolve 2 tsp yeast and 2 tsp sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

1. Mix the Dough:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, and egg. Add the yeast mixture, oil, milk, and enough warm water to form a soft dough.
2. Knead the Dough:
   Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Assemble the Pizza

1. 1. Preheat the Oven:
      Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F).

1. 1. Roll Out the Dough:
      Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two portions (for two medium pizzas). Roll out each portion into a pizza shape on a floured surface and transfer to a greased pizza tray or lined baking sheet.
   2. Add Toppings:
      • • Spread a layer of pizza sauce over the rolled-out dough.
        • Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

       

      • Evenly distribute the cooked chicken tikka, onion, tomato, capsicum, jalapeno, and black olives over the cheese.
      • Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top.

1. Bake:
   Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
2. Garnish and Serve:
   Remove from the oven, sprinkle with dried oregano leaves, and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions:

• • Serve the Chicken Tikka Pizza with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad.

• Drizzle with a little extra olive oil or chili oil for added flavor.

Cooking Tips:

• • For extra flavor, you can brush the edges of the pizza dough with garlic butter before baking.
  • If you don’t have tikka masala, you can make your own by mixing garam masala, paprika, cumin, and coriander.

Nutritional Benefits:

• Chicken provides lean protein.
• Vegetables like tomatoes, capsicum, and onions add vitamins and minerals.

Dietary Information:

• • High-protein meal due to the chicken and cheese.

• Can be made gluten-free by using a gluten-free pizza crust.

5-Minute Banana Mousse Dessert – A Classic Italian Delight

Ingredients

• 3 bananas
• 30 g (2 tbsp) butter
• 250 ml (1 cup) milk
• 40 g (⅓ cup) corn starch
• 250 ml (1 cup) cream
• 150 g (⅓ cup + 2 tbsp) condensed milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Bananas

Start by slicing the 3 bananas into thin, even pieces. The slices should be small enough to cook through quickly and break down easily into a smooth puree.

Fry the Bananas

In a large frying pan, melt 30 g of butter over low heat. Once the butter has melted, add the banana slices to the pan. Cook the bananas gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and become lightly caramelized. The gentle frying process enhances the natural sweetness of the bananas and brings out a rich, buttery flavor.

2. Make the Banana Base

Once the bananas are soft, use an immersion blender to blend them into a smooth puree. You can also use a regular blender if you prefer. The goal is to create a creamy, lump-free banana mixture.

Add Milk and Cornstarch

Pour 250 ml of milk into the banana puree and add 40 g of cornstarch. Stir the mixture well to ensure the cornstarch dissolves completely, avoiding any lumps. Cornstarch will act as the thickening agent, giving the mousse its silky texture.

3. Thicken the Banana Mixture

Transfer the banana mixture to a saucepan and cook it over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook until the mixture thickens into a smooth custard-like consistency, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat.

4. Cool the Custard Base

Pour the thickened banana mixture into a bowl. To prevent a skin from forming, cover the surface of the custard base directly with plastic wrap (in contact). Set it aside to cool to room temperature.

5. Whip the  Cream and Condensed Milk

While the custard base is cooling, prepare the cream mixture. In a separate bowl, whip 250 ml of cream with 150 g of condensed milk using a hand mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. The cream should hold soft peaks, but be careful not to overwhip it, as you want a smooth, airy texture for the mousse.

6. Combine the Cream and Banana Mixture

Once the banana custard base has cooled, beat it with a mixer until smooth. Gradually fold the cooled banana custard into the whipped cream and condensed milk mixture. Continue to gently mix and beat the ingredients until they are fully combined, creating a light and creamy mousse.

7. Chill and Serve

Transfer the banana mousse into a pastry bag for easy serving. You can pipe the mousse into individual serving glasses or bowls for an elegant presentation. Alternatively, simply spoon the mousse into your preferred serving dishes.

For the best results, chill the mousse in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and gives the mousse a more structured texture.

Optional Toppings

For extra flavor and texture, you can garnish the banana mousse with a sprinkle of cocoa powder, grated  chocolate, or even chopped nuts. Fresh banana slices or a drizzle of caramel sauce also make excellent finishing touches.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 310 kcal
• Protein: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fat: 16 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 28 g
• Serving Size: Serves 6

10-Minute Skillet Quick Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Bread:

• • Flour: 4 cups (480g)

• • Yogurt: 1 cup (220g)
  • Water: 1 cup (200ml)
  • Baking Powder: 1 packet (10g)

• Salt: 1 teaspoon (8g)
• Vegetable Oil: 1 tablespoon (10ml)

For the Topping:

• Olive Oil: 50ml

Directions:

1. 1. Mix Dry Ingredients:
      • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

1. 1. Add Wet Ingredients:
      • Pour in the yogurt, water, and vegetable oil. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour until manageable.
   2. Shape the Dough:
      • • Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead briefly to bring it together. Divide the dough into smaller portions and flatten each portion into a round shape, about ½ inch thick.

       

   3. Cook the Bread:
      • Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the dough rounds into the skillet. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

1. Brush with Olive Oil:
   • Before flipping each bread, brush the top with olive oil. This adds flavor and a beautiful golden crust.
2. Serve and Enjoy:
   • • Serve your warm bread with your favorite dips, spreads, or alongside any meal.

    

Serving Suggestions:

• • Pair with hummus, baba ganoush, or any dip.
  • Enjoy with butter and honey for a sweet treat.

• Top with avocado and a poached egg for a healthy breakfast.
• Serve alongside soups or stews.

Cooking Tips:

• • Preheat the skillet well to ensure a golden crust on your bread.

• • Mix in herbs or spices like rosemary, garlic powder, or sesame seeds for added flavor.
  • For a softer texture, cover the skillet while cooking.
  • You can substitute with whole wheat flour, but add a bit more water to adjust the dough’s consistency.

Nutritional Benefits:

• • Whole Grains: Using whole wheat flour adds fiber, aiding digestion and supporting a healthy weight.
  • Yogurt: Rich in calcium, protein, and probiotics, yogurt adds both flavor and nutritional benefits.
  • Olive Oil: A healthy source of monounsaturated fats, promoting heart health.

• Low in Sugar: This recipe contains minimal sugar, ideal for those monitoring sugar intake.

Dietary Information:

• • Vegetarian: Contains yogurt and fits within a vegetarian diet.
  • Vegan-Friendly: Swap yogurt with plant-based yogurt for a vegan option.

• Low in Sugar: Great for anyone reducing sugar intake.

Nutritional Facts (per serving, assuming 8 servings):

• • Calories: 180
  • Protein: 6g

• • Fat: 4g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 1g
• Calcium: 70mg

Storage Tips:

• • Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

• Refrigeration: Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet or toaster.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes with no oven needed.

• Versatile: Suitable for both savory and sweet pairings.
• Customizable: Add herbs, spices, or seeds to create different flavors.
• Healthy and Homemade: Fresh bread made from scratch with minimal effort.