Protein Apple & Walnut Cake

Whoever said eating healthy had to be boring? This easy protein loaf cake is the perfect thing to whip up in advance & have for breakfast, pre/post-workout or just as a nutritious snack. 

It provides you with slow-release carbs, protein, good fats & contains no added sugar.

This recipe makes two 1lb sized loaf tins, but if you just wanted to make one simply halve the quantities.

Ingredients;

125g of wholemeal spelt flour

100g of vanilla/natural protein powder

(I use Sunwarrior vanilla protein & really recommend it for baking)

1 tsp baking powder

100g of stevia

1 banana

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp of cinnamon

100g butter

50g Greek yoghurt

250g sliced apples

50g walnuts

Directions;

Set oven to 180°C

Blend the half the walnuts, banana, butter, yoghurt, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon & stevia in a food processor.

Add the sieved spelt flour & protein powder.

Line the tin with greaseproof paper (I use these hassel-free cases).

Evenly place half the cake mixture inside the tin.

Place half the sliced apple on top of cake mixture, then add the remaining cake mixture on top.

Top with remaining sliced apple & walnuts.

Place in the oven & bake for 50 minutes - 1 hour.

The cake is really moist & sweet due to all the apple in the center. It will keep for 4-5 days in an airtight container.

Pop a slice into your gym bag to have after a workout, or serve warm with yoghurt as a delicious healthy dessert.

Let me know in the comments if you would like anymore healthy reciepes.

Harriet x

Muriel's Kitchen

A couple of days ago Harriet & I met up for a pre-work/gym breakfast. We had both been wanting to try Muriel's Kitchen in South Kensington for ages after spending many mornings ogling over the sumptuous looking cakes that they always present so beautifully in the window. 

After having a little peruse of the rather sexy looking menu Harriet decided on Eggs Florentine & I decided on Eggs Benedict...

   

My eggs were absolutely gorgeous with perfectly runny, orange egg yolks. I loved the cutesy decor complete with quaint chicken print plates that truly made me feel I was sitting in Muriel's actual kitchen.   

And of course I couldn't help myself eyeing up the mouthwatering selection of cakes and as if I wasn't full enough from the breakfast feast I walked out with a (gigantic) slice of red velvet cake which I ate later...and it was delicious!

Hope you enjoyed the post, and mainly the various food porn!

Have a lovely Sunday.

Izzy x

Guilt Free Sicilian Citrus Semolina Cake

This Sunday I bring you this gorgeous Citrus Semolina Cake. This cake has absolutely NO flour, NO sugar and NO dairy products which makes it guilt free yet absolutely delicious, perfect for anyone with a lactose intolerance. This has been a favourite in my family for years adapted from a recipe by Clare Ferguson. Its moist, indulgent yet light & goes perfectly with a cup of coffee.

What you will need: 

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Zest and juice of 1 orange

185ml extra virgin olive oil

200ml agave nectar

Pinch of salt

3 eggs

200g semolina

115g ground almonds

1tsp baking powder

1tsp orange blossom water

Lightly oil and line a round, loose-based cake tin. Pre-heat oven to 160 C.

With a balloon whisk mix the orange and lemon zest, orange and lemon juice, oil, nectar, salt, orange blossom water and eggs together in a bowl. You may want to reserve a little of the zest for decoration later.

In a separate bowl sieve together the ground almonds and semolina and add the baking powder. Fold all dry ingredients into the egg mixture until smooth. Pour into a cake tin and put into the oven for 40-45 mins. Half way through cooking add the saved orange and lemon zest on the top to decorate.

Leave to cool on a wire rack for 10 mins and serve warm or cool but not chilled.

If you want to make this recipe slightly healthier you can use coconut oil instead of olive oil. Or if you fancy something a little naughtier, substitute the agave nectar for caster sugar. Agave nectar, however, is a natural, low GI, un-refined alternative to sugar that you can find in most supermarkets.

That's it! All there is to do now is sit back and enjoy this guilt free delight!

Isobel x