Dark Chocolate Miso Rocky Road

This no-bake Dark Chocolate Miso Rocky Road is made of dried fruit, crunchy cookies and pecans covered in rich dark chocolate with butter and miso. It works wonderfully with any dried fruit, nut or cookie. Feel free to make substitutions! 

A couple of months ago, I was visiting a dear friend and she gave me a brand-new cookbook, Dominique’s Kitchen. The author had won the honor of being published after competing on Jamie Oliver’s 2022 show, The Great Cookbook Challenge. As the show’s blurb says, “Jamie Oliver and Penguin Books team up to find the next big cookbook author, as cooks compete to impress the judges for a one-of-a-kind publishing deal.”

Imagine being offered the potential opportunity to have your cookbook published by such a large and prestigious publishing company! So much more pressure than The Great British Bake-off where all they get for sure is a cake stand. (Many do end up publishing cookbooks but it’s not guaranteed.)

I had watched a few episodes but somehow missed the final. The cook who won, Dominique Woolf, trained at Leith's School of Food and Wine. According to Amazon, she’s a food writer, entrepreneur and home cook to her young family.

All I can say it that we have thoroughly enjoyed cooking several recipes from Dominique’s Kitchen and this recipe is adapted from one of hers. 

Dark Chocolate Miso Rocky Road

This recipe is a great use of any stale cookies you might have in the cupboard. In fact, that’s why I made this the first time. While cleaning out the snack bin, I came across some milk chocolate Hobnobs that were past their best. They were perfect for rocky road though! I’ll never throw stale cookies away again and you shouldn’t either.

Ingredients

7 oz or 200g 70% cocoa dark chocolate

1/3 cup or 75g unsalted butter

3 tablespoons golden syrup (or honey)

1 tablespoon miso paste

10 Hobnobs (or your favorite crunchy cookie)

3 1/2 oz or 100g dried fruit, chopped if large (I used a mix of strawberries and cherries I had dehydrated myself)

3 1/2 oz or 100g pecans

Method

Line a 9x9 in or 23x23cm baking pan with baking parchment.

In a large skillet, toast the pecans over a medium heat, shaking the pan frequently so that they don’t burn. 

Roughly chop the pecans with a sharp knife. 

In a large bowl break up the Hobnobs or your chosen cookie, and stir in the chopped pecans and dried fruit. 

Put the chocolate, butter, golden syrup and miso paste in a microwavable bowl. 

Heat in the microwave on medium for one minute. Stir well and heat again for 30 seconds and stir again. Repeat until everything is melted and well combined.

Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

Tip the whole lot into your prepared baking pan and spread it out to the edges.  

Cover with cling film and press the mixture down. Put the pan in the refrigerator to set. 

Once set, slide the baking parchment on to a cutting board and cut the rocky road into squares. Store chilled if you live someplace warm.

Enjoy!   

It's Sunday FunDay so today my blogger friends and I are sharing candy recipes. Many thanks to our host, Karen of Karen's Kitchen Stories. Check out the links below. 

• Chocolate Brigadeiros by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Chocolate Medallions by Mayuri's Jakoni
• Dark Chocolate Miso Rocky Road by Food Lust People Love
• Honeycomb Toffee by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Honeycomb Candy by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Milk Cream by Sneha's Recipe
• Snowberry Torrone by Culinary Cam

 

We are a group of food bloggers who believe that Sunday should be a family fun day, so every Sunday we share recipes that will help you to enjoy your day. If you're a blogger interested in joining us, just visit our Facebook group and request to join.

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Carlota de Limón – Lime Charlotte

Marie biscuits are layered with a tangy filling of lime juice, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk to make this easy no-bake Carlota de Limón or Lime Charlotte.

When it’s hotter than all get-out outside, what we all need is a dessert that can be made without turning the stove or oven on, don’t you agree? That’s why I chose no-bake desserts as this week’s Sunday FunDay theme. Personally, I think some of us should get extra points for a dessert that's served super cold as well.

Make sure you scroll down past my recipe to see the other lovely no-bake desserts my blogger friends are sharing, perfect for these hot summer days. 

Carlota de Limón – Lime Charlotte

Carlota de Limón is a classic Mexican dessert that is served very cold (as if it were an ice cream cake). As you make your shopping list, keep in mind that Marie biscuits are also called Maria biscuits or cookies in some places. In a pinch, you could also substitute plain graham crackers. 

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups or 360ml evaporated milk

1 can (14 oz or 397g) condensed milk

1⁄2 cup or 120ml dulce de leche (or sub more condensed milk) 

1⁄2 cup or 120ml fresh lime juice

Zest 1 lime

Maria biscuits – about 30

Optional to decorate/serve:

Whipped cream

Strawberries, halved 

1 lime, sliced thinly

Method

Use electric beaters or a whisk to combine the condensed milk, dulce de leche and evaporated milk. Add in the lime juice and zest and beat until thickened.

Line a deep round pan with foil and cover the bottom with a layer of Maria biscuits, scoring and breaking some to fill the gaps. I had a bunch of crumbs in my biscuit packet so I sprinkled them on the base as well. 

Spoon in one third of the filling, spreading it carefully to cover the biscuit base.

Top with another layer of Maria biscuits, again, scoring and breaking a couple to fill the gaps.

Top with second third of the filling, a final layer of biscuits, then the last third of the filling.

Pop the carlota de limón in the freezer for an hour or two or until firm.

When you are ready to serve, remove the carlota de limón from the freezer. Lift it out of the pan with the foil and carefully move the carlota to a serving plate. Decorate with whipped cream, halved strawberries and sliced limes, if desired.

Enjoy! 

Check out the no-bake desserts my Sunday FunDay blogger friends are sharing today! Which one will you make first? 

• Carlota de Limón from Food Lust People Love
• Drumstick Dessert from Palatable Pastime
• Oreo Icebox Cake from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Mango Pudding from Sneha's Recipe
• Nutty Cracker Jack and Pretzel Treats from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Pineapple Mousse from Mayuri's Jikoni

We are a group of food bloggers who believe that Sunday should be a family fun day, so every Sunday we share recipes that will help you to enjoy your day. If you're a blogger interested in joining us, just visit our Facebook group and request to join.

Pin this Carlota de Limón – Lime Charlotte!

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Pineapple Pink Lemonade Shaved Ice #FoodieExtravaganza

Pineapple pink lemonade shaved ice: Make some naturally pink lemonade with pineapple especially for shaved ice or popsicles. Shaved ice melting on your tongue and a cold, cold spoon against your cheek are one of the great joys of summer.

A few weeks ago I shared a nostalgic recipe for Sunday Supper, pink lemonade with crushed pineapple. It was something my grandmother liked to serve when we were visiting. I think it fancied up a meal to have a special drink.

While a cold glass of pink lemonade with pineapple is ideal on a hot summer day, it cannot beat the same made into shaved ice. Many years ago a friend gave our family a very simple shaved ice maker when she arrived for a holiday visit. It came with three little tubs that you could fill with the juice or the liquid of your choice, stack and freeze. At first I always had a couple in the freezer, at the ready. And then, as often happens, the novelty wore off – I think one or more international moves got in the way too – and the ice shaver was neglected.

After I made the natural pink pineapple lemonade, the old ice shaver was hunted down and exhumed and put back into use! For those who are interested, mine was made by Pampered Chef. They still sell them, if you can find a Pampered Chef rep in your area. An Amazon search reveals many ice shavers on the market.

Ingredients for one 2 quart or 1.89 liter pitcher
1/2 cup or 100g sugar
1 (15 oz or 425g)crushed pineapple in light syrup
1 1/2 cups or 355ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup or 177ml (or more to color to your liking) cranberry or pomegranate juice

Special equipment: Shaved ice maker

Note: If you can only find the crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, you might be able to skip making the simple syrup. The heavy pineapple syrup should sweeten the lemonade enough without additional sugar.

Method
Make simple syrup by dissolving the sugar in 1/2 cup or 120ml of hot water. Set aside to cool.

In your large pitcher, combine the crushed pineapple with its syrup and lemon juice. Add some ice and water to almost fill your pitcher. Remember that you need room for the cranberry or pomegranate juice and some simple syrup. Stir well.

Add the red juice and taste the lemonade.

Add enough of the simple syrup till it’s sweet enough for your liking. (See note above if using crushed pineapple in heavy syrup.)

To make the shaved ice, give the lemonade a vigorous stir and pour it into the little vessels that come with the shaved ice maker. Cover with the provided lids and pop them in the freezer.

Set a timer for 30 minutes and 1 hour. Each time your timer rings, give the little lemonade containers a shake to redistribute the crushed pineapple as the lemonade begins to set. Depending on the efficacy of your freezer, you might have to give it a third shake. Then freeze till solid.

To remove the frozen lemonade from the little plastic bowl, run it briefly under warm water.

Put a bowl under the ice shaver and put the lemonade into the top. Fix the handle by squeezing the spring closed and screw the top on to the bottom.

Turn the handle to shave the ice into the bowl. Easy peasy; it takes mere seconds. That blade inside is sharp so do be careful not to leave the ice shaver around where children can reach it. And store it up high, some place safe.

Each cylinder of lemonade makes two bowls like you see pictured. When you can't shave any more, remove the handle and scoop out the small sliver of remaining pineapple lemonade.

The pineapple adds lovely flavor and texture and the lemonade is so refreshing. Don't forget to hold the cold, cold spoon to your cheek or fevered brow occasionally as you eat. :)

Enjoy!

Summertime is the best time for lemonade! In fact, National Lemonade Day is celebrated each year on August 20th.  My Foodie Extravaganza group is bring you our recipes a little early so you can plan ahead! Many thanks to Lauren of Sew You Think You Can Cook for hosting this month.

Check out all the lovely lemonades and lemonade-inspired recipes you have to choose from:

• Dairy-Free Frosted Lemonade by Cookaholic Wife
• Frosty Raw Strawberry Lemonade by Fearlessly Creative Mammas
• Honey Mint Lemonade by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Lemony White Sangria by Hardly A Goddess
• Papaya Lemonade (or cocktail!) by Caroline's Cooking
• Passion Tea Lemonade by Making Miracles
• Peachy Lemonade by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Pineapple Pink Lemonade Shaved Ice by Food Lust People Love
• Shikanji (Indian Lemonade) by Tara's Multicultural Table
• Sparkling Apple and Watermelon Lemonade Spritzers by Sneha's Recipe
• Sparkling Blue Basil Lemonade by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Sparkling Milk Lemonade by Our Good Life

Foodie Extravaganza celebrates obscure food holidays or shares recipes with the same ingredient or theme every month.

Posting day is always the first Wednesday of each month. If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook group Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you!

If you're a reader looking for delicious recipes, check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board! Looking for our previous parties? Check them out here.

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Indian Corn Pudding with Date Honey for #RandomRecipeChallenge

This simple cornmeal pudding is flavored with date honey but you could easily substitute any syrup you love.  Cooked in a crockpot or slow cooker, it makes an easy, belly-warming sweet finish to any meal.

I’m now in my second go-round of living in the Middle East, but the fact of the matter is that I fear I have barely touched the surface of the ingredients available here. Take date honey, for instance.  I first noticed date honey, or date syrup as it sometimes called, when we moved to Dubai back in November last year but I’d never bought it because I had no idea what to do with it.  Then, last May, on a holiday with my mother in the region, our hotel had a bowl of it out at breakfast.  I put it in my plain yogurt and everyone else was spreading it on buttered toast.  But I still never bought any of my own.  So I was delighted when Dom from Belleau Kitchen set using a local ingredient as our Random Recipe Challenge for this month.  I love Dom’s challenges because they are the impetus I need to try something new, even when sometimes it’s just a recipe in a book I’ve had for years so I bought a big bottle of date honey and prepared to use it in a recipe.

Unfortunately, an EatYourBooks search of date syrup and/or honey showed up zero recipes in my own cookbook collection.  It tastes more like molasses rather than honey or syrup, so I changed the search parameter to molasses and my chosen number lead me a recipe in a book I have never, ever cooked from, Lora Brody’s Slow Cooker Cooking.  I bought it online several years ago meaning for it to be a gift for my elder daughter, along with a crockpot, but she declined the gift idea, saying, quite rightly, that she didn’t need a heavy appliance to lug around.  So I was left with the book and I popped it on my shelf and forgot about it.  It’s actually quite a nice cookbook and I regret neglecting it.  That said, I halved the recipe because I wasn’t sure about a slow cooker sweet dish.  I shouldn’t have worried.  It was delicious, especially with a big slurp of pouring cream.  My husband declared it very good, in fact.  So go ahead and double everything and cook for nine hours.  Live large!  And try something local that is made or grown in YOUR neighborhood.

Click on the badge to see the Random Recipe Challenge rules.

Ingredients
1/4 cup or about 70g yellow cornmeal
2 cups or 275ml whole milk
1/4 cup or 60ml date honey or syrup (or sub molasses/treacle as in the original recipe)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon butter, cut into two pieces, plus extra for greasing slow cooker
1 egg, lightly beaten

Method
In a small mixing bowl, whisk your egg, a half cup of the milk and the date honey. Set aside.

Check out how dark this stuff is! 

Butter the inside of your slow cooker.  Do not turn it on yet.

Place the cornmeal in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan.  Pour in a half cup of the milk; whisk constantly as you pour, so that the cornmeal does not form lumps.

Add your sugar, salt and baking soda to the egg/milk/molasses bowl and whisk again.  Add this mixture to the saucepan along with the butter and whisk well.

Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and cook the mixture, whisking constantly and making sure to reach into the corners of the pan, until small bubbles start to form on the surface and the mixture starts to thicken.  This takes just a few minutes.

Remove from the heat and immediately add the remaining cup of milk, whisking vigorously to dissolve any lumps.

Pour the mixture into the buttered insert of the slow cooker.

Cover and cook on LOW for about four and a half or five hours, or until the outer edges and top have darkened and the middle just jiggles a little.  Turn off the slow cooker and let the pudding cool slightly, uncovered.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or a good helping of thick pouring cream.

It rather makes its own sauce as well. 

Enjoy!