Last of the Tomatoes in My Kitchen

I 've just managed to join in with In My Kitchen series hosted by Sherry's Pickings as much of what is in my kitchen has been coming from the garden (or kitchen cupboards) since the Pandemic.  So its not overly exciting. 

The last of the colourful and flavourful tomatoes from the greenhouse in the kitchen. 

The cooking apples from the tree, have been hit and miss with many damaged or bruised when they hit the ground. But those that we have managed to rescue and bake with have been lovely to eat. 

I made this Apple Almond Cake, it was very reminisce of Bakewell Tart. 

Apple Almond Flakes Cake

Serves 8

Ingredients

4 cooking apples, peeled and sliced

1 tablespoon caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Method

In a bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon, then toss in the apples to coat. Set aside

Preheat oven to gas mark 3/170oc.

For the batter

150g unsalted butter, softened

125g caster sugar

2 eggs

150g self raising flour

60g flaked almonds

Method

Put butter and sugar in a bowl and beat with a hand held electric mixer, until light and fluffy. Break in egg and beat well, then the other other egg. Then slowly sift in flour whisking every now and then, until well folded.

Scrape the batter into a 8 inch tin and smooth the surface, then arrange the apples on top.

Then evenly scatter over the flaked almonds.

Place in oven and bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until skewer comes out clean.

Serve with cream or custard.   

I say, much of what we have in the kitchen is mostly from the garden and kitchen cupboards, and that is the truth. But i must give a shout out to my neighbour with the Jack Russell (not the sausage dog) who has got into growing vegetables this year, has been really generous.  Sharing some fruit, vegetables and even some home made bites.  He knocked on the door and shared this wonderfully presented Runner Bean Hummus.  It wasn't as nice as the one he gave us some Chickpea Hummus back in August which was delicious. I found the  Runner Bean one a bit bitter.  I was still very appreciative of his kindness (and trying to maintain social distancing throughout).

The summer raspberries have been replaced with Autumn raspberries in the garden. I often manage to pick enough to share between the two of us with Greek yogurt and honey. 

I also made this chocolate and raspberry muffin, as a change from our weekly flapbjacks.  Please don't ask me for the recipe, i found it on the web and cannot remember where, but it was not one i would make again as it was not that good, maybe that is why i cannot remember.  

I blended together some spices to make Baharat spice for a recipe that required it. 

Whilst fumbling in one of the kitchen cupboards, i found a stash of Pip's Real Hot Chocolate Coins to add to milk. The Black Forest and Turkish Ruby is exceptional by the way.  I had picked these up the last time i went to Pontypool Market (dare I say last year). I recall speaking with the owner, who was relocating at the time. These are a treat by the way

Finally, something else from my neighbour.  Its a bit like Quince cheese, but its made with Apples. We've only used a quarter of it, it's so flavourful and sweet!

Also I was a bit late joining in with Harvest Monday a couple of weeks back, so I am also sharing this blog post with Dave from Happy Acres as it features a lot of my homegrown fruit and vegetables.