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]]>What Makes a Travel Destination Romantic?
Various sources look at love and romance connected to travel destinations differently. Today is all about surveys and algorithms that give an idea about everything, and it is the case for romance, too.
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The Bride magazine, for instance, awarded New York as the most romantic city and preferred proposal destination as well as LGBT wooing in 2019.
A simple Google search for the most romantic travel destination would bring Europe forward, with Paris taking the top spot, followed by Santorini and Venice. Not much to argue, there!
Interestingly, searching for the most romantic country in the world would put the Philippines at the top of the list, followed by Rwanda and the very hot Puerto Rico, all three with over 90% of “people experiencing love on a daily basis” (source The Atlantic, accessed 18/01/2022). Hungary and Cyprus are just below the 90% mark.
Meanwhile, the United States occupies 27th place and France 57! I get poorer nations know better how to prioritize and get to have way more fun! Rich does not necessarily mean happy has been proven right times and again!
Gosh, I loved Puerto Rico! Hot, indeed – places and people! I won’t get into details here because that is another travel-love story that waits for me to write it!
The most romantic holiday destinations seem to include sandy beaches and azure waves lapping at the lover’s feet. No wonder Bali, Cancun, the Maldives or Hawaii would be at the top of the list before significant cities. Buenos Aires (the place of caliente, sensual Argentine tango), Paris or Venice – both competing for “the city of love” appellative for the historical love stories inspired by each and made famous by great writers follow short, though.
What Made my Romantic World Travel Destinations List and Why?
I would love to include in this post a few of the places other fellow travel bloggers and I visited and wrote about as sources of inspiration for your future travels.
Whether you are a couple, single, young or mature, travel for work or relaxation, look for cityscapes or gastronomic destinations, beaches or wineries, in love or hoping to find love in your travels, check the locations included here and see what makes them romantic. Perhaps one day you will decide to buy a plane ticket and fly away to your dream romantic world travel destination you have read about right here!
No matter what your motivation to travel is, any place has its romantic traits if you know where to look. An impressive medieval castle, a sumptuous king’s court surrounded by hectares of lavish gardens, a gondola ride, a perfect meal, a sunset on a wild beach, a skydive over a desert oasis or small-town airbase, a boat paddling on a tiny pond or cruising the oceans – all these and more have their dose of romance included if love drives you to plan travelling!
Any place in the world can make you feel butterflies in your stomach if you happen to be there with the right person. People make places romantic! I have never read a book that describes the sensual way in which a stonemason built a wall!
I said it and will repeat it every chance I have: love is the strongest force in the universe. Hate never created anything but destruction.
Enjoy reading and, if possible, travel to see the places you only read about! Travelling should be a basic necessity and accessible to everyone on this planet! We all know that is not the case, but we can all dream of it and let our imagination wander free in places we hope to visit or re-visit one day!
Limassol, Cyprus or Cruise Ship Romance
Cruising the seas of the world is definitely romantic. Working on cruise ships can and is, too. You don’t just see so many places in a short time, but you meet many interesting people. Because Cupid has his ways, this is an actual affair. I was there. It happened to me. It was… well, read for yourself!
Venice, Italy – Beyond the Façade
Venice, the Serenissima, and her inhabitants have inspired countless love books or movies. Almost every corner, each little canal or Piazzetta offers the perfect angle for a picture, the best restaurant for dinner, or just a private corner to steal a kiss! Still, a lot is not in plain sight but worth discovering. And, yeah, apparently I wrote about the sensual way a famous artist painted a wall! Oops! Art is seductive and painful – a complicated affair!
Cairo, Egypt – A Love for History
Does it have anything to do with Cleopatra VII Philopator and Marcus Antonius? Not really; well, there is some history there. But it has more to do with a particular “Spanish-speaking Egyptian tour guide exuding exotic charm and owner of long, dark and thick eyelashes that would make any girl jealous”. Read the post for clarification!
Romantic Mendocino on the West Coast of the USA
No need to cross the world in search of a romantic place. If you happen to live on the West Coast, there is at least one at the door (don’t take it literarily, you will have to drive to get there!) It might be just what the doctor ordered for your relationship (with your partner, food, nature, and so on!)
Amalfi Coast, Italy – A Gourmand’s Paradise
The Amalfi Drive is southern Italy’s best-known stretch of coast, famous for breathtaking scenery, little postcard towns perched on the mountain cliff, dramatic drop to the narrow beaches and infinite blue sea. But the region’s best is undoubtedly its seafood. Are you looking for inspiration to book a romantic world travel destination for your holiday or simply a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home? Stop here! Recipe included!
Kauai, Hawaii
Didn’t I mention sandy beaches and incredible blue waters as the top romantic destination for many? I did, and you have already read it (unless you skipped that paragraph!) Look no further for a complete guide to the Coconut Coast of Kauai, and imagine how romantic it would be to take your loved one there!
Istanbul, Turkey – The Night’s Mistress on the Golden Horn
What happens when somebody with a romantic interest asks you out for dinner in an incredibly alluring, exotic and vibrant city, and you fall to the city’s charms instead of your date’s? Is it even possible? It was to me, and you will see why if you click here to read the story!
Tahiti, French Polynesia
Still a beach holiday, but perhaps a good idea if you are planning to enjoy time with your friends on a Galentine’s Day holiday. There is so much to do, to see and explore, to eat and drink, but most of all, have fun with your gals!
Capri, Italy – The Most Romantic Destination on Earth!
A long time ago, I read a book, fell in love with the place described in it and could not wait to see the site. And, my, was it worth the wait! A good Swedish doctor fell in love with a place and its people in Anacapri, on the beautiful island of Capri. He bought a patch of land with a long history and built his villa with sweat and blood. He said Capri was the one place in the world he wanted to die. I say it is the one place in the world I want to live in! Read to see why!
Best Relais in Emilia Romagna for Foodies
If you ever wondered why the Italians relationship with food is so special, you need to visit nearly all of the country and the many diverse regions to get the right impression! Here is a good starting point: Antica Corte Pallavicina – a little piece of heaven in the Emilia Romagna region of Northern Italy. Buon viaggio e buon appetito!
Santorini, Greece in White and Blue
Greece is famous for its many islands strewn in the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, for millennia of history, for its art and nature and most of all, perhaps, its food. And the quaint village of Oia perched on Santorini’s white clifftop is the right place to enjoy it all before driving down to the shore for a splash in the crystal-clear waves! Or you could learn about the goodness of a simple meal through the eyes of a wanderer. Recipe included!
The Best Wineries in Prince Edward County, Canada
Two hours from Toronto, a gorgeous wine county to go winery hopping is the perfect way to see the region and get your day drinking on! Prince Edward County is home to over 35 wineries and has made a real name for itself within Canada. The region is most well known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, so be sure to try those wines in particular.
Romantic Trsteno Arboretum, Croatia – AKA Olena’s Gardens in GOT
Before this beautiful arboretum made a fantastic film location for Game of Thrones, I had the gardens all to myself to share with my boyfriend back then. No picture and not even the famous series does enough justice to this incredibly romantic corner of paradise. Best to visit! Meanwhile, see why my boyfriend’s nickname was Hotass!
Alaskan Cruise – The best Way to Celebrate Anniversaries
How can a cruise not be romantic? Here is the perspective of a cruiser, her advice, tips and of course, the highlights of her anniversary cruise with her husband. Incredible nature, five-star service, excursions of a lifetime and Dramamine tablets, just in case!
What Would be the Most Romantic World Travel Destination for You?
Hopefully, this post offered you the opportunity of an imaginary trip to some of the most romantic world travel destinations. What is your favourite, even if not included here? Where did you travel and find it incredibly lovely? What are your future travel plans, and do they include romantic places? Even better, what makes a place romantic? Drop a comment below; I would love to hear your opinion.
Romantic World Travel Destinations to Consider Visiting in Search for Love
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]]>The post How To Make Homemade Chocolate From Scratch appeared first on The World Is an Oyster.
]]>The Best Chocolate Is Always Homemade!
Homemade chocolate is the most delicious treat mom used to make when I was a child. Using simple ingredients and requiring little time and effort, homemade chocolate is easy to make from scratch, and the taste is divine!
The velvety softness and aromas will make you fall in love with it and prefer it over the classical bars, guaranteed!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will receive a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information. Thank you!
Mom always saved it for special occasions, Christmas, Easter or birthdays, making it more desirable.
These days, homemade chocolate would make a perfect Valentine’s Day treat or gift or a unique addition to the special meals you would prepare for your loved ones on this occasion.
I make this sweet treat rarely, but I always prefer the scratch version rather than melting another already-made chocolate or making fudge.
Homemade Chocolate VS Fudge
Fudge might be the closest version to homemade chocolate, but it is not the same thing. The difference is the proportion of sugar used in fudge – way too much for my taste!
When I moved to the UK, I visited a candy shop and witnessed their fudge making. Although the location was picturesque and the fudge business very successful, I lost interest in the demonstration when the makers emptied an entire sack of white, refined sugar in the massive bowl they used for making fudge.
Anyone who cares the slightest bit about their health knows that refined sugar is a no-no. I will not debate here; there are enough facts easily accessible on the internet to make an informed choice.
I prefer coconut sugar for two main reasons: it is less refined than white sugar and is a healthier option than artificial sweeteners!
Besides, I always use it in small quantities. I never liked anything sickening sweet, and I understand that sugar is not a preservative, although there are enough people who believe so!
If you add 2kg of sugar to a kilogram of fruit when you make jam, for instance, it will not preserve it for longer but will surely make the jam sickeningly sweet!
Likewise, I use reduced sugar quantities in baking; I would rather taste other flavours besides sugar in my cakes!
Homemade Chocolate VS Chocolate Bar
Although I love dark chocolate, I am very selective with the brands I choose to buy. A sickly sweet one won’t do!
In time – and persistent tasting (Oh, I know, I was talking about health barely a minute ago, oops!) I settled mainly with German/Swiss/Austrian chocolate producers. And I will always pay a few pence extra for quality than still paying and not enjoying a bar of chocolate!
I want to feel the taste of cacao in my chocolate and distinct flavours, not tons of sugar that would diminish any other savour!
Because I am picky, I make my chocolate the way I fancy, and this offers me a variety of aromas to enjoy.
I love the punch pepper or chilly gives to chocolate, just as I enjoy a citrusy flavour or a boozy one. Plus, I relish hazelnuts, dried fruits or nougat crumbs in my chocolate.
It is so easy to adapt the recipe, and creativity is essential!
Who can say making homemade chocolate from scratch is no fun when you are free to experiment all you like?
It might get a bit messy in the process, but this is cooking: you are in your kitchen, not in a pharmaceutical production line! Enjoy the fun part and leave the chores for later! Or even better – persuade someone else to clean up; after all, you’ve already done your bit!
Ingredients:
Water
Organic coconut sugar
Organic cacao powder
Powdered milk
Unsalted butter
Flavours to your taste
Roasted hazelnuts (optional)
Method:
In a pan, boil the water with sugar for eight minutes until it becomes syrupy.
Add the cacao powder, mix well and continue boiling at low temperature for another four minutes. Stir occasionally so that it does not crystalise or stick to the pan.
Remove the pan from the hob, add the powdered milk and mix well.
Depending on the type of powdered milk used, you might want to grind it before if it is too lumpy.
During this step, you will see how the powdered milk quickly absorbs the syrupy composition and thickens. The thickness will balance when you add butter. Keep mixing until all lumps dissolve and the consistency is of thick cream.
Add the butter and mix well. Optionally, add roasted crushed hazelnuts, dried fruits, or anything else you might think of that goes well with chocolate.
Add flavours of your choice, and feel free to experiment with small bits first to see if you want to go for that specific taste.
My favourite flavours are rum essence with a dash of ground pepper or orange essence with pepper. The choice is yours!
At this point, the composition should be malleable enough to pour in silicone moulds if you decide to go for unique occasion shapes.
If you are going for simple bar shapes, place parchment paper on a tray, empty the content from the pan and level nicely with a spatula.
Cool in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours, depending on the layer’s thickness. Overnight is better!
If you used shapes, carefully remove your chocolate from the silicone moulds. Otherwise, cut bars of desired thickness and enjoy when you are craving something sweet!
Homemade Chocolate
Ingredients
- 200 ml water
- 200 g coconut sugar organic
- 50 g cacao powder organic
- 200 g powdered milk (extra 30-50 g if needed)
- 100 g unsalted butter
- flavours of choice
- 60 g roasted hazelnuts optional
Instructions
- In a pan, boil the water with sugar for 8 minutes, until it becomes syrupy.
- Add the cacao powder, mix well and continue boiling at low temperature for another 4 minutes. Stir occasionally, so it does not crystalise or stick to the pan.
- Remove the pan from the hob, add the powdered milk and mix well. Depending on the type of powdered milk used, you might want to grind it before if it is too lumpy.
- During this step, you will observe that the powdered milk will quickly absorb the syrupy composition and thicken. Keep mixing until all lumps dissolve.
- Add the butter and mix well. Optionally, add roasted crushed hazelnuts.
- Add whatever flavours you wish. Try with small quantities first to see if you want to go for it. My favourite flavours are rum essence with a little dash of ground pepper or orange essence with pepper. The choice is yours!
- At this point, the composition should be malleable enough to pour in silicone moulds if you decided to go for special occasion shapes. Larger moulds work better than smaller; the Christmas shapes I tried were not quite successful because of this!
- If you are going for simple bar shapes, place a parchment paper on a tray, empty the content from the pan and level nicely with a spatula.
- Cool in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours, depending on the layer's thickness. Overnight is better!
- If you used shapes, carefully remove your chocolate from the silicone moulds. Otherwise, cut bars of desired thickness and enjoy when you are craving something sweet!
Notes
The Best Chocolate Is Always Homemade!
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]]>The post Valentine’s Day. Why and How Do We Celebrate It? appeared first on The World Is an Oyster.
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We do this every February 14th, but have you ever wondered what is Valentine’s Day, why and how do we celebrate it?
A bit of research shows that the world celebrates Valentine’s Day – the winter holiday of love – as a religious reminder of St Valentine, a Roman priest who married couples against Emperor Claudius’ order.
Claudius was involved in endless wars with the enemies of the largest ancient empire and needed soldiers. In his vision, a soldier who had a wife and family was unreliable. So he declared marriage illegal.
Valentine, a young priest in Umbria (Umbri, in Roman times), cared more about young love than he cared about an emperor’s orders and kept marrying couples secretly. In the end, he was discovered, incarcerated and later decapitated.
While in prison, Valentine fell in love with the guard’s daughter, whom he cured of blindness. Before Valentine was executed, the young priest sent his lover a note with the message “Tua Valentini“. Perhaps this is why we are still sending cards that spread the message of love two thousand years later: “Be my Valentine!“
Because Valentine was executed on the 14th of February, this remained the day we celebrate him as a saint and February as the month of love. Not that the rest of the year should be loveless!
If you think about it, love has the power to heal and move mountains, as we say. There must be a reason for saying it!
How Do We Celebrate It?
Now that we know what is Valentine’s Day why and how do we celebrate it, let’s look at ways to do just that.
We should celebrate in any way possible, that shows our feelings towards those we love! And what better way to express emotions than through the food we make for our loved ones?
With the help of a few wonderful fellow food bloggers, I have put together various ideas to inspire your cooking and baking for this special occasion and any other time.
We are going through exceptional hardship, but love shall always remain our guiding light!
May we always have love in our lives!
Valentine’s Day Breakfasts
Healthy oatmeal pancakes are an excellent substitute for getting out of your porridge routine, even more, when the occasion is special. So why not spoil your sweetheart on a Valentine’s Day morning with some heart-shaped pancakes and a steamy cappuccino?
Strawberry Shortcake Waffles with Nutella
On Valentine’s Day, every meal should be different, starting with breakfast. This is why I created a recipe for these Strawberry Shortcake Waffles, the most scrumptious waffles you’ve ever tasted! And they’re not just for breakfast, but are perfect for dessert too!
Valentine’s Day Snack
Ultimate Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Nothing screams Valentine’s more than indulgent, rich chocolate-dipped strawberries! Easy to make, delectable, and some say highly aphrodisiac, your favourite fruit dipped in voluptuous chocolate is the ultimate Valentine’s treat to enjoy with a glass of bubbly!
A cheeseball is perfect for a rich snack. The best thing about it is that any topping goes! This Raisin and Pecan Cheeseball is ideal for any special occasion, Valentine’s being just one of them, but a movie night works too.
Valentine’s Day Sides
Date Night Bread Recipes to Make With Your Sweetie
Valentine’s Day is a great time to learn something new with those you love. How about trying one of these four date night bread recipes to make with your sweetie? These are fun and easy recipes, so you can choose one that’s right for you and that special someone, sweetie, friend, kids, or just by yourself to learn something new!
Valentine’s Day Dinners
Release the well-known aphrodisiac power of seashells in this easy to make Spaghetti With Clams recipe that will make your dinner special! Date night, a memorable Valentine’s Day meal or even a regular easy dinner would become notable when you add the magic touch of Italian cuisine!
Vodka Sauce for Valentine’s Day
When almost the entire family in La Casa de Chaos celebrates their birthday in the first couple of weeks in February, it is easy to ignore Valentine’s Day. We usually skip it. But not this year!
Time for another salmon recipe. In our house, we default to lemon as the typical accompaniment for our salmon. But I was in a “mood,” wanting to play outside the lines. So, my mind lighted on . . . pineapple? With salmon?
If you’re looking for an elegant dining experience from the comfort of your home, look no further than Date Night Cheese Fondue. Making fondue is an unforgettable dining experience that should be shared with loved ones and feels elaborate. Serve it up for your next special occasion, holiday, or when you’re looking to jazz up your routine.
Valentine’s Day Desserts
Pear and Almond Chocolate Cake
This Italian delight is guaranteed to make any love declaration an impressive visual and extraordinarily tasting success! Not to mention the aphrodisiac effect of chocolate that activates all the right chemicals in our brains to get us in the mood for love!
Boozy Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Cake
The easiest way to transform a classic chocolate cake into a perfectly indulgent delight is by topping it with chocolate-dipped strawberries. Add a dash of alcohol to the chocolate and the explosion of tastes will surely impress anyone you present with this Valentine’s special!
Easy Valentine’s Day Ruffle Heart Cookies – Only 1 Tip Size!
You really can’t go wrong with sugar cookies on Valentine’s Day! In this tutorial, I will be showing you how to decorate these Valentine’s Day ruffle heart cookies to share with your loved ones. The sugar cookies are quick and easy to make but look fancy and adorable.
A classic Italian dessert can go a long way, especially on a romantic occasion and especially when you add a drop (or more!) of alcohol to the mascarpone cream. See for yourself!
Strawberry Cheesecake Truffles
These truffles make the perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day! They have a romantic combination of chocolate and strawberry, and the cheesecake flavour takes it to another level. Your significant other won’t be disappointed with a treat like this!
Molten Lava Cakes are a rich and decadent dessert, a chocolate lover’s dream: individual chocolate cakes with oozing molten centres. These cakes are the perfect date night in, anniversary, special occasion, or Valentine’s dessert!
This Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe takes some time to put together, but the steps are simple, and the payoff is enormous! With a base layer of chocolate cake, a layer of chocolate mousse, a layer of white chocolate mousse, then covered in chocolate ganache and mini chocolate chips, this is a chocolate lovers dream!
Meringue Hearts With Raspberry Sauce
The tartness of the raspberry sauce is the perfect complement to the sweet meringue shell. And the scoop of sherbet takes it right over the top. For this Valentine’s Day version, I was inspired by a recipe I found at Taste of Home to use raspberry sauce.
Flourless Chocolate Cakes With Toasted Marshmallow
These decadent cakes are naturally gluten-free and absolutely gorgeous! The perfect dessert for a date night, birthday or Valentine’s Day. They are rich, tender and creamy. Some of the feedback I received was: sensual, sinful, and I think the words’ food p.rn’ were also thrown in there!
Sweet and Soft Vegan Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes
If you are looking for a sweet treat this coming Valentine’s, why not try these vegan red velvet mini cupcakes? Red symbolizes love, happiness and prosperity, and it’s nice to share these wholesome sweet mini cupcakes with your loved ones, friends and colleagues.
As the day progresses, maybe it is not a bad idea to move onto the boozy side of treats! Red Wine Poached Pears is an easy, two-person dessert that combines red wine, honey and walnuts baked with luscious pears.
Valentine’s Day Cocktails
Would it not be nice to have some cocktails on your table on a special evening? Something that goes perfectly well with any of these astonishing recipes? Here are a few ideas to inspire you and help create a magical evening!
This title link will take you to the Drinks section on Marta Riveras’s website. Although her beautiful Café con Leche Martini stood up for me (we both seem to share a coffee addiction!), she created so many other incredible cocktails that it would be a shame to mention just one! There are plenty of cocktail recipes on this site to inspire you to create unforgettable, magical moments on a special night!
Pomegranate Mint Prosecco Cocktail
Pomegranate Mint Prosecco Cocktail is made with prosecco, simple mint syrup, and pomegranate juice. It’s refreshing and makes a perfect holiday or anytime cocktail. This drink can easily be made alcohol-free. Just replace the prosecco with sparkling water, and you have a tasty mocktail!
Strawberry Elderflower Liqueur Cocktail
This Strawberry Elderflower Liqueur Cocktail is perfect for Valentine’s Day with its bright and vibrant colour and beautiful combination of flavours. Gin, elderflower liqueur, strawberries, and lime come together for the perfect drink for your sweetheart.
Limoncello, Arancello Rosso, and Pompelmocello
These are three drinks that will take your heart & taste buds on a trip to romantic Italy! If you’ve never tried Limoncello, I must insist that you do so as soon as possible. It is a heavenly blend of sweet-tart deliciousness, with a bright yellow translucent appearance and a thick, almost syrupy texture as a result of being kept in the freezer at all times.
Extra Special: Valentine’s Day General Activities
As I mentioned earlier, love might go through the stomach, but definitely does not end there! For more inspiration to fill the entire month of February and especially Valentine’s Day with lovely and diverse activities, have a look at this beautiful Valentine’s Day Round-up article by Sarah Cox.
Let’s Not Forget Galentine’s Day!
In recent times, we have started to celebrate the special lady friends in our lives the day before Valentine’s, on February 13th. In a month filled with love, there is not enough celebration to show everyone we love how grateful we are that they are part of our lives!
What better way to do that than adding a lovely present to your excellent cooking? One of my favourite posts is Mimmie’s Galentine Gift Ideas, a wonderful collection of presents I would love to receive and offer, too! Please have a look at her beautiful website for more Valentine’s gift ideas to inspire your perfect day!
It must be clearer now how it is important to know what is Valentine’s Day and why and how we celebrate it. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Have a lot of love in your life!
Valentine’s Day. Why and How Do We Celebrate It?
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]]>The post Easy to Make Rolled Oats Pancakes: A Healthy Breakfast for Your Sweetheart appeared first on The World Is an Oyster.
]]>A Special Breakfast for A Special Occasion
How does spoiling your loved ones with flourless, refined sugar-free and fruity, healthy rolled oats pancakes sound? If not often – on special occasions, such as a birthday, Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day? But we do love to spoil the ones we love, from young to old, and don’t even need special days for it!
Whenever you feel like showing your love on a healthy plate, this breakfast recipe will do just that. Be assured that the beneficiary will appreciate and enjoy your effort!
Healthy rolled oats pancakes are an excellent substitute for getting out of porridge or sugar-packed cereal routine. How do some heart-shaped pancakes and a steamy cappuccino/hot chocolate sound instead? The grown-ups would start the day with a decadent caffeine dose, and the kids would drink a full glass of milk with just a sprinkle of cacao powder – fun/healthy points on either side!
Of course, especially for Valentine’s, you could show love in many ways for the entire duration of the day and find inspiration for various meals to cook or activities to do in this Valentine’s Day round-up.
Back to our breakfast, here are some ideas for making it memorable, healthy and easy to prepare at the same time.
Use porridge oats as a substitute for flour and whatever fruits you can find in the fridge or cupboards, or even pick fresh from your garden if you are lucky to have one and the right weather for ripe berries.
Substitute sugar with an overripe banana. You would not only add the health benefits of a vastly underestimated fruit but will stay away from refined or excess sugar too.
Just make sure to get up before the rest of the household and preferably grind the oats the night before. If you manage to limit the noise factor and alert the entire family of your intentions, you’ll save the surprise element, an essential part of this recipe!
Have fun making these healthy rolled oats pancakes, and enjoy savouring them with your loved ones!
Ingredients for Easy Rolled Oats Pancakes:
Organic porridge oats
An overripe banana
Organic coconut sugar
Almond milk
Organic eggs
Spices (cinnamon, cloves, ginger)
Orange zest (always choose organic to avoid pesticides and wax in the peel!)
Salt
Fresh/dried fruits
Maple syrup (a grade A one, if possible)
Method:
Grind the oats using any grinding machine. I used a Nutribullet because it was quick, efficient and available!
Peel the banana and crush it using a fork. Remember, the riper the banana, the sweeter the taste!
Add the sugar, spices and egg yolks. Mix using a hand-held mixer until it becomes creamy, then add the milk and incorporate well with a spoon. Add the ground oats and mix again.
Separately, add some salt to the egg whites. Beat with a hand-held mixer at high speed until they form stiff peaks. Add to the creamy mixture and stir until it becomes homogenous.
Optionally, add a handful of seasonal fruit. I used dried goji berries, dried cranberries and raisins. The frozen strawberries created a pleasing effect for the images, but they took a while to defrost.
Preheat a pan and add a few drops of rapeseed oil or coconut oil.
If you have a shaped gadget or a heart-shaped pan, use it. If not, place one spoonful of the mixture into the heated pan. Cook for two minutes, then flip over and cook for another two minutes or until ready.
When cooked, transfer the first oatmeal pancake on a plate and repeat the process until you use the entire mixture.
Enjoy!
Valentine’s Day Healthy Pancakes
Ingredients
- 200 g organic oats
- 200 ml almond milk
- 1 piece banana extra ripe
- 1 tbsp organic coconut sugar
- 2 pcs eggs
- ½ tsp cinnamon ground
- ½ tsp cloves ground
- ½ tsp ginger ground
- ½ tsp organic orange zest
- 1 pinch of salt
- 100 ml grade A maple syrup
- seasonal fruit
Instructions
- Grind the oats using any grinding machine. I used a Nutribullet; it was quick and efficient (and available!)
- Peel the banana and crush it using a fork—the riper the banana, the sweeter the taste.
- Add the sugar, spices and egg yolks. Mix using a hand-held mixer until it becomes creamy.
- Add the milk and incorporate well with a spoon.
- Add the ground oats and mix again.
- Separately, add some salt to the egg whites. Beat with a hand-held mixer at high speed until they form stiff peaks.
- Add to the creamy mixture and stir slowly until it becomes homogenous.
- Optionally, add a handful of seasonal fruit.
- Preheat a pan and add a few drops of rapeseed oil or coconut oil.
- If you have a shaped gadget or a heart-shaped pan, use it. If not, place one spoonful of the mixture into the heated pan. Cook for two minutes, then flip over and cook for another two minutes or until ready.
- When cooked, transfer the first pancake on a plate and repeat the process until you use the entire mixture.
- Best served warm, with a dollop of quality maple syrup and a handful of fresh or dried fruit, depending on the season.
You can find more like this in the Savour the Flavour section of this blog or on my Pinterest board with the same name. Please share it on your desserts board; it will help this blog grow and motivate me to write more for your enjoyment! Thank you!
A Special Breakfast for A Special Occasion
The post Easy to Make Rolled Oats Pancakes: A Healthy Breakfast for Your Sweetheart appeared first on The World Is an Oyster.
]]>The post How to Make the Softest Italian Pear and Almond Chocolate Cake appeared first on The World Is an Oyster.
]]>Valentine’s Day Delight or Daily Coffee Side?
This Pear and Almond Chocolate Cake is a delicious and versatile dessert that works wonderfully as an indulgent dessert to finish a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner AND as a side for your daily coffee(s).
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To the Italians, it is in most cases the latter, but that does not mean this pear and almond chocolate cake cannot make a perfect special occasion dessert. To me, it works the same way Tiramisù would: “wow!” And “can I have more, please?”
Imagine the combination of delicate, soft and juicy pears and the crunchiness offered by the crushed almonds. Add to that the richness of chocolate, and the result is an explosion of tastes on your palate! Nothing short than a heavenly dessert to the gluttonous!
As is often the case with Italian cuisine, this cake is easy to make and so scrumptious – a guarantee that you will impress the beneficiary no matter the occasion!
Ingredients for Pear and Almond Chocolate Cake
Flour + Baking powder
Almonds (crushed and flakes, slightly roasted)
Pears (ripe and juicy)
Butter (melted and cooled)
Eggs
Coconut sugar
Powdered sugar
Cacao powder (dark)
Unsweetened almond milk
Lemon zest and juice (always use organic to avoid chemicals and wax in the peel)
Almond essence
Salt
Method
Start by washing and peeling the pears. Slice half a pear for decoration and cut the rest in 1-2 cm cubes. Cover with lemon juice to prevent from oxidising.
Roast and ground the almonds. Separately, slightly roast the flaked almonds for decoration to enhance the taste.
In a large bowl, mix the coconut sugar with the egg yolks and lemon zest. Use a hand mixer at low velocity to start, then increase to high and keep whisking until the volume almost doubles and the consistency becomes creamy.
Add the milk and melted butter (cooled). Mix with a spoon.
Sieve the flour, baking powder and cacao powder in a large bowl and incorporate it one spoon at a time into the creamy mix.
Add the crushed almonds and the almond essence.
Separately, add a little salt to the egg whites and beat with a handheld mixer until stiff. Add it gradually to the creamy mix and incorporate slowly, using a spoon.
Add the cut pears and mix carefully not to crush them.
Preheat the oven to 170 C Fan/180 regular/350 F/ Gas mark 4. Place paper parchment on a round baking tin (mine has 24 cm in diameter; it is OK to use a smaller one, but I would not recommend a larger one – your cake will be too flat.)
Empty the composition into the tray and spread it evenly without pressing down too much.
Sprinkle a layer of roasted almond flakes, then decorate with pear slices.
Bake for 40 minutes and do the toothpick test to check that your chocolate, pear and almond cake is ready. If the toothpick comes out wet, you might need an additional 5-10 minutes of baking.
Transfer to a rack and wait until cool to sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Serve with coffee or a glass of Prosecco if the occasion is right.
If it lasts, you could store the pear and almond chocolate cake in the fridge for 2-3 days (in an airtight container or covered with cling film) or in the freezer for up to three months. Preferably cut it in slices before freezing for easier defrosting.
I have made this Italian delight many times, and it never lasted more than a day and the next morning at our house. We put it down to being coffee addicts, but the truth is this cake is simply outstanding!
And there is that funny thing with visitors always arriving when there’s something baking in the oven. A bit of a mystery as to how that happens. I’m still unsure how long the wavelength of baking aroma is, but I’m sure these mysterious appearances have something to do with complex baking physics laws. As a result, my cakes will never see the inside of the freezer!
Buon appetito!
Pear and Almond Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 250 g white flour organic
- 100 g butter melted and cooled
- 120 g coconut sugar organic
- 4 pcs eggs organic, large
- 40 g cacao powder organic
- 6-7 tbsp almond milk unsweetened
- 150 g crushed almonds roasted
- 20 g flaked almonds roasted
- 3 pcs pear large
- 1 lemon zest and juice organic
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp almond essence
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
- Choose large, ripe but firm pears. Wash and peel.
- Slice ½ pear for decoration and cut the rest in small cubes. Cover with lemon juice to prevent from oxidising.
- Roast the almonds, cool and grind finely. Slightly roast the flaked almonds for decoration to enhance the taste.
- In a large bowl, mix the coconut sugar with the egg yolks and lemon zest. Use a hand mixer at low velocity to start, then increase to high and keep whisking until the volume almost doubles and the consistency becomes that of soft cream.
- Add the milk and melted butter (cooled) and mix with a spoon.
- Sieve the flour, baking powder and cacao powder together in a large bowl and incorporate one spoon at the time into the creamy mix.
- Add the crushed almonds and the almond essence.
- Separately, add a little salt to the egg whites and beat with the handheld mixer until stiff.
- Add gradually to the creamy mix and incorporate slowly, using a spoon.
- Add the cut pears and mix carefully not to crush the pears.
- Preheat the oven to 170° C Fan/180° C regular oven/350° F/ Gas mark 4. Place paper parchment on a round baking tin (mine has 24 cm in diameter; it is OK to use a smaller one, but I would not recommend a larger one – your cake will be too flat.)
- Empty the composition into the tray and spread it evenly without pressing down too much.
- Sprinkle a layer of roasted almond flakes, then decorate with the pear slices. The pears' weight might sink them during baking, but I noticed that a thin layer of almond flakes underneath prevents this from happening.
- Bake for 40 minutes and do the toothpick test to check that your chocolate, pear and almond cake is ready. If the toothpick comes out wet, you might need to bake for additional 5-10 minutes.
- Transfer to a rack and wait until cool to sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Serve with coffee or a glass of Prosecco if the occasion is right.
Notes
I hope you enjoyed reading this romantic recipe and decided to give it a go! You can find more like this in the Savour the Flavour section of this blog or on my Pinterest board with the same name. Please share it on your desserts board; it will help this blog grow and motivate me to write more for your enjoyment! Thank you!
Valentine’s Day Delight or Daily Coffee Side?
The post How to Make the Softest Italian Pear and Almond Chocolate Cake appeared first on The World Is an Oyster.
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