A thought about breakfast! 31.3.2011

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A thought about breakfast! 31.3.2011

I can smell something good cooking even if I did not see what is in the oven.  One of my most memorable memories of breakfast after scuba diving is the awesome smell of the homemade carrot muffins.  When we walk up from the beach after a dive to the lodge we could smell the fresly baked muffins in the air and that was what made the breakfast so special.   Tracy was an excellent cook and breakfast was the highlight of the day.

When I started Stirling Manor Boutique guest house, I remembered my fond memories of breakfast time at Tracy’s place. I wanted to create that same special enviroment for my guests, that special feeling over breakfast, that the food is made with passion and love.

Every week and weekend we stand before the stove and oven with passion, putting the menu’s together, planning what we will bake and what we think is special.  We have baked the most beautiful muffins, all sorts and flavours. 
One of my specialities is home made health bread.  I always put in a bit more berries and seeds than what is required and I can promise you the aroma in the kitchen is to die for, like I said I do judge with my nose, and I can say it is so goooooood!!!!.

The last few days I was pondering about the breakfast layout and I just can’t put my finger on it, but it seems as if people are just in such hurry in the mornings that they  just don’t take the time to have a nice breakfast (even when they go away for a weekend), or do some people just not appreciate a good breakfast over a freshly brewed cup of coffee? 

I pride myself to give my guests a wonderful experience with breakfast time and today as I was on my way to the guesthouse, I wondered if I’m wasting my time to make such an effort with the breakfast – do people really want the buffet covered with all the delicious, mouth watering baked goodies and extra delicacies?

Suddenly all the wonderful comments of our guests started popping up in my head, one by one and everyone always rants and raves about our good Breakfast… so you know what, you can be sure that at Stirling Manor we will always take the time to make sure you wake up to the fragrant aroma of a freshly baked “something” even though you are in a hurry and just want your scrambled eggs on toast! 🙂

 

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SUCROSE-FREE CARROT CAKE

Carrot CakeI like to have a slice of carrot cake with tea in the morning.  This is a very easy carrot cake recipe, and as it is Friday today, just the right day to bake, I have decided to share my carrot recipe with you.  Feel like treating your loved one with something sweet this weekend, I have just the cake recipe for you.

 

 

 

 

 

SUCROSE-FREE CARROT CAKE:
Makes 1 x 30cm cake
Time: 50 minutes + cooling time

INGREDIENTS:
350g cake flour
5ml bicorbonate of soda
10ml baking powder
5ml cinnamon
2,5ml ground ginger
250g fructose   4 large eggs
300ml vegetable oil
4 large carrots, grated
20g pecans, crushed
2 banans
FOR THE FROSTING:
100g fructose
50ml water
500g plain cream cheese
100g unsalted butter
50g finely chopped pecans.

METHOD:
1.  Pre-heat the oven to 180 g C. Prepare 2 x 30cm cake tins by greasing them well and      lining them with baking paper.
2.  Sift together the dry ingredients and spice into a large bowl.
3.  Mix together the fructose, eggs and vegetable oil.  Add to the dry ingredients and combine.
4.  Add the grated carrots, desiccated coconut, mashed bananas and pecans to the batter and mix to combine.
5.  Divide the batter between the 2 cake tins and place in the pre-heated oven.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clen.
6.  While the cakes are baking, start preparing the frosting.  Combine the fructose and water in a smal saucepan over medium heat.  Allow to simmer for 7 to 10 minutes until the syrup has thickened.  Allow to cool.
7.  Cream together the cream cheese and butter for 3 minutes. Slowly pour in the fructose syrup while continuously beating.
8.  Remove the cakes from the oven after baking and allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pans.  Remove from the pans and place on wire racks to cool completely.
9.  When cooled, spread half of the frosting onto one of the cakes, place the other cake on top and spread the rest of the frosting over it.  Decorate the sides with chopped pecans.

Enjoy and have this weekend!!   Laurette

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FEEL GOOD FOOD!

Some people like shopping, spending hours in shopping malls and walking from shop to shop.  I, on the other hand do not like shopping and people think I’m quite different.  When I started Stirling Manor Boutique Guest House I finally had the chance to embrace my great love – ” Cooking and baking” .  

 

I do like to try new recipes and to cook some good food. “It’s in the presentation” I always say, and that is how I decide whether to try some new ideas/recipes –  It must look good to eat!

So from time to time you will see me  putting some great recipes on the blog that have been tested by myself and been eaten by my guests.  If its good, you will have the recipe! 

I do encourage you to try some of my recipes as the great thing is, it has been tried in tested by a real person and tasted by real food critics -and the Bonus: your friends and family will love you for it and the food will speak for itself 😉

 

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Stirling Manor Boutique Guest House

38 Scott Street, Schoemansville, Hartbeespoort, South Africa  | Telephone:  +27 12 253 2532   | Fax: +27 12 253 2060

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