Vanillekipferl - Baking Recipe for Hazelnut Vanilla Shortbread

Vegans, dieters and the health conscious should look away now. 

Though I can occasionally be found dabbling in vegan baking, in this weekend's ventures I made full use of butter, eggs, conventional flour and refined sugar to produce a batch of Vannillekipferl. These crescent-shaped, vanilla-flavoured shortbreads (originally an Austro-Hungarian import into the German cuisine) are a popular Christmas biscuit in German-speaking parts of Europe. Alongside the ubiquitous Stollen, they are synonymous with Christmas baking in Germany.

Vanillekipferl Baking Recipe

Vanillekipferl

Vanillekipferl are best described as a type of shortbread. With the inclusion of vanilla seeds  straight from a pod or vanilla extract / paste and chopped almonds or hazelnuts, the Vanillekipferl is a little more glamourous than the humble butter shortbread. 

Vegan Baking: Pumpkin Spice Coconut Oat Cookies (Gluten-Free)

Another Lentil Recipe: Red Lentil Curry with Pumpkin, Spinach, Brussels Sprouts...and whatever else I could find in the fridge

Unlike my baking experiment with red lentils, this was a rather more pleasant lentil experience...

Vegan Red Lentil and Pumpkin Curry

Red lentil stews are a failsafe, and during my three-week elimination diet, they were a staple. Stews are filling, flavoursome and suitable for all those with restrictive dietary requirements. In my case, this means gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free. 

Gluten-free Baking with Lentils: The Quest for a Recipe that Works

My quest to find wholesome, dairy, egg, gluten and soy-free recipes continues. This morning I once again tried to master the art of baking with soaked red lentils and, once again, I failed. 

Gluten-free baking with lentils - Savoury Lentil Muffins

Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies - gluten, egg and dairy free recipe

I was celebrating my first week on an elimination diet and ended up concocting my own version of vegan sweet potato brownies. 

In addition to staying dairy and egg-free, I am also trying to cut out / reduce wheat, gluten, unfermented soy and caffeine. Strictly speaking, I should also cut out sugar. But hey (!), we all have our cheat days. 

Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies (gluten, dairy and egg-free)

Damson Jam Recipe

Back in September, I promised to publish my recipe for damson jam. Nearly six months later, I finally managed to find the time to write it up: 

Beetroot, Carrot and Apple Salad

I fell in love with beetroot and carrot salad, when I tried this combination in a café in Bloomsbury, just a short walk away from the British Library.

Beetroot, Apple and Carrot Salad