Good food works like magic. It helps the love in your family grow. Families that eat together at least once a day are happier and more successful, because they make it a point to connect with each other every day. Be adventurous and creative! Try different recipes with your children. Don’t be afraid to go wrong. My late mum-in-law once told me, “If the recipe you tried doesn’t turn out the way it should, give it a different name. That’s how new recipes are invented.” What a brilliant concept to introduce to the family.
Here’s a yummylicious “Date & Walnut Chocolate Cake” recipe which I tried recently. Let the kids chop the dates and walnuts, crack the eggs, and weigh, measure and mix the rest of the ingredients. It’s real fun and easy.
Date & Walnut Chocolate Cake
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Ingredients:
175g fresh/dried dates, pitted and chopped
250 ml hot water
1 ½ tbsp cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
225g unsalted butter (at room temperature)
200g castor sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
200g self-raising flour
125g walnuts, chopped
125g cooking chocolate, chopped or chocolate chips
Method:
Soak dates in hot water and leave to cool (about 15 mins). Beat butter and sugar till creamy. Add eggs, vanilla essence, cocoa powder, salt and mix well. Add flour, half of walnuts and chocolate. Pour mixture into baking tin. Sprinkle remaining half of walnuts and chocolate on top. Bake in 180°C oven for 40-45 mins. Bon appétit!