Coffee and walnut cupcakes

Shivaay Delights

Following on from the coffee theme of the Mocha melts I made these for my best friends when they came over for a visit and a girly catch up.  They went down a treat and some were sent off with them for their husbands before I received complaints that they missed out.  I absolutely adore baking for friends and family, any excuse at any occasion or event or I just call them round when there is something to sample!  Coming up soon is chocolate fondants!  Come round all there will be plenty for everyone!

INGREDIENTS

110g self raising flour
110g caster sugar
110g butter spread soft
1 tsp baking powder
2 large eggs
2 tbsp instant coffee granules diluted in 1 1/2 tbsp boiling water
50 g chopped walnuts

For topping
200g icing sugar
2 tbsp instant coffee granules diluted in 2 tbsp boiling water
12 walnut halves for decoration

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Okra Masala ~ A special guest post!

This is an amazing recipe from my one and only. Yes I am biased! Lol! But no, seriously my husband has always and will always be an inspiration to me and my cooking.

He has never been afraid of throwing spices together and his food always reflects this. I would normally ask him what he put into his individual dishes and he’ll say a little bit of this and a little bit of that, meaning lots of special flavours combined. The dishes come out superb and are very much a tantalising taste sensation!

If you like spiced curries not just hot but spiced you are very much in for a treat. I finally persuaded him to do a guest post for me, so I won’t keep you waiting much longer! I’m sure this recipe is one of many that will come from him!

INGREDIENTS

For the dry masala combine
1 tsp garam masala
3 tsp tava fry masala
2 broken pieces of cinnamon stick
4 cardamom pods
4 cloves
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic granules
1 tsp dried coriander leaves
2 tsp coriander & cumin powder
⅓ tsp turmeric powder
2 pieces of weetabix (wholegrain cereal below) crushed

For the curry
30 whole okra/bhinda
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 medium to hot green chilli finely sliced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
250g tomato passata
1cup water
salt to taste
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp sunflower oil
Large handful of fresh chopped coriander including stalks

METHOD

• Heat up the oil and mustard seeds in a large saucepan, sauté the onion until translucent, add the dry masala without the weetabix on a low heat for 5 minutes mixing occasionally. Throw in the garlic, ginger and chilli

• Meanwhile chop off the okra tops, pan fry them in a little oil so that they are tender and ready for the absorption of the base

• Add the sugar and then stir in the passata and a cup of water, stir well. Add half the chopped coriander, cover and simmer on a low heat for 5 minutes

• Gently place the whole pre-cooked okra into the masala gravy, dunk all of them completely and cover again to simmer for 15-20 on a very low heat

• Serve with naan bread or some rice, garnish with the rest of the fresh coriander