Pikelets or pancakes?

There’s nothing like homemade baking . it’s one of the best pass time activities one can engage in the house to keep yourself busy. Sometimes we call them pancakes. Pancakes or Pikelets Topped with homemade jam and cream, will keep your kids coming back for more. However this old favourite can be found in many breakfast tables of many hotels if not homes.

Ingredients
1 ½ cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 pinch salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 Tsp Lemon zest

1 large egg

3/4 to 1 cup milk

1 Tbsp butter, melted

Serving Tip:Serve with your favourite jam, honey and whipped cream.

Method ;

Makes about 15-20 pieces

• Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together into a bowl. Stir in the sugar.
• In another bowl or a jug, beat the egg with 3/4 cup of the milk and the melted butter.
• Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the liquid mixture. Without over-mixing, stir until combined, adding more milk if the mixture is too stiff. The mixture should be able to drop off the end of a spoon.
• Heat a lightly buttered non-stick pan or griddle on a medium heat. Drop dessert spoonfuls or can use a soup ladle of the mixture into the pan, allowing room to turn the pikelets. When the pikelets bubble, turn and cook the other side.
• Remove from pan and keep warm in a clean tea towel.
• Serve topped with jam, or honey and cream.

Mzedu Rack of mutton with potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower

Ever thought of surprising your guests with a home mbuzi choma (Kenyan roast Goat) in style? As this weekend is approaching here is what you should treat yourself and family with. Basically, a rack is the ribs attached to the backbone

Ingredients:

2 racks of mutton, all fat intact

2 large sprigs rosemary.

5 cloves garlic, shopped.

1tsp dried mint

1tsp light soy sauce

Black pepper

30ml vegetable oil.

4- 6 small potatoes .

1 floret each of broccoli and cauliflower

100ml lamb gravy and some red hot chili sauce

Method:

1. Put the racks of mutton in a tray and rub with a sprig of rosemary mint,pepper, soy sauce and garlic.

2. Add enough oil to brush the meat. then leave in the fridge for 3-4 hours, or overnight.

4. Once marinated, cut each rack in half, roll and secure with a string. Line the baking tray with aluminum foil and put the meat.

5. Preheat the oven to 225C.

6. Wash and peel the potatoes, cut into slices, then sprinkle with salt, pepper and some mixed herbs,Add the potatoes to the meat on the tray to roast together . Put in the oven.

8. Meanwhile Plunge the broccoli and cauliflower into well a salted boiling water to blanch for 2 minutes.

9. Drain and refresh the vegetables in iced water. Set aside

10. Check your meat and potatoes in the oven if done or ready. This should take around 20 minutes, depending on how pink you like your meat cooked.

15. Remove the racks from the oven, cover them loosely with foil and leave to rest in a warm place for 10-15 minutes.

16. Reheat the vegetables by tossing together in a pan with a little butter, a drop of water and season to taste.

17. To serve, carve the racks into double cutlets then place 2 double cutlets on each plate, slotting the bones together. Place the vegetables and potatoes on the plate and finish with the warm lamb gravy and the home made chili sauce (refer to the next post on how to make the sauce)

Enjoy