Oreo brownies

I just made these and tried them hot from the oven and they are divine! It was a bit of an experiment since I couldn't find a recipe for oreo brownies that I liked, so I came up with something and was very nervous but it worked out really well. They are moist and gooey in the middle, and a little crisp and chewy around the edges - the perfect combination. And with the added crunch from the whole oreos and cookie pieces (yes, there are crushed Maryland cookies in here too!), and the soft chocolate chips they have amazing texture. Everyone should go and make these right now, you won't be disappointed.

Makes 12

- 250g salted butter

- 225g caster sugar

- 2 eggs, beaten

- 50g dark chocolate, melted

- 2 tbsp cocoa powder

- 150g plain flour

- 1 tsp baking powder

- dash of milk

- 100g milk chocolate chips

- few Maryland double chocolate chip cookies

- 12 oreos

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees and grease and line a baking dish.

2. Cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

3. Whisk in the beaten eggs then stir in the melted chocolate.

4. Fold in the cocoa powder, flour and baking powder until mixed well.

5. Stir in a dash of milk to make the mix creamier, then add half of the chocolate chips (50g) and a few (about 4) crushed Maryland cookies and mix until well combined.

6. Pour this brownie mixture into the prepared tin and spread evenly. Press 12 oreos into the mixture.

7. Bake in the pre-heated oven for around 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips, and bake again for a further minute or two.

8. Leave to cool for a few minutes then cute into 12 brownies and serve hot or leave to cool further.

Enjoy :)

Turkey meatballs

I decided to make turkey meatballs for a change since they are healthier (lower in fat) than beef meatballs, and seem to be lighter and generally more fitting for the summer months. They were really tasty and easy to make and cook - usually home-made meatballs seem to crumble when you fry them but these didn't so I was very pleased. I served them with spaghetti and a Dolmio tomato sauce, topped with fresh parmesan. 

Serves 2

- 250g turkey mince

- 1 onion, chopped

- fresh parsley, chopped

- salt & pepper

- 1/2 beaten egg

- olive oil, for frying

1. Place the raw mince in a mixing bowl

2. Fry the onion to soften then set aside to cool. When cooled, add to the mince, along with a generous handful of chopped parsley and seasoning.

3. Gently mix together with a wooden spoon, then add in the egg and beat together until sticky. (I made the mistake of adding too much egg which made the mix too runny - if this happens just add some flour!)

4. When the right consistency, use your hands to shape into balls -  did mine a little big but aim to make 6 (3 each).

5. Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the meatballs.

6. Fry over a medium heat and keep turning so that all sides turn golden brown.

7. This should take about 15 minutes in total - cut one open to check it is cooked in the middle.

8. Serve with pasta and tomato sauce, and voila!

Enjoy :)

Recipe repeats!

I have been appalling with blogging the last couple of months - end of second year at university means a lot of assignments and exams, but I still struggle to find the time even though these are all over now! I have also been cooking/baking a lot of the same things that are already on here and it would be a bit pointless to post them again. I have a couple of new recipes to put up in the near future, but this summer I am hoping to get back into experimenting with new recipes for dinners and get back into doing a lot of baking, so watch this space for some delicious recipes. I want to try out different tapas dishes too so keep checking back over summer. I am going to Morocco in a week so may be inspired by some dishes there too!

I thought I would post just add some recipe repeats in here because they are particularly good:

1. Chocolate smartie squares - http://eatrainbowlove.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/chocolate-smartie-squares.html

These are so easy to make, absolutely delicious and look really cute.

2. Homemade pizza - dough and all! - http://eatrainbowlove.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/perfect-pizza.html

These are our two favourite toppings - parma ham and mushroom with parsley and parmesam, and goats cheese and red onion - delicious!

3. Cupcakes - http://eatrainbowlove.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/chocolate-and-vanilla-jam-cupcakes.html

This is the recipe I always use for the sponge and buttercream, only this time, these cupcakes that I made at Easter had lemon juice in both the sponge and the icing for a sweet tang. I also made chocolate ones as well.

Hope these give you some inspiration :)