Breakfast

This post is about the most important meal of the day, which is, paradoxically, the most neglected one: BREAKFAST.

Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast are mentally and phisically healthier, whereas pleople who skip it, have problems with weight, attention, and metabolism. But breakfast is not just a cup of coffee and a slice of toast, or a cup of hot chocolate and an arepa, as is customed in Colombia. It should include four main components: a carbohydrate (i.e. grains or cereals), fruit and/or vegetables, a protein food (i.e. eggs, meat or fish), and a beverage (tea, coffee, milk or fruit juice). This video will give you some healthy ideas for your breakfast. 

(Example of a healthy breakfast)

The following are two delicious breakfast ideas that I've tried. The first one is an almojábana cake that has cheese and guava jelly inside. Almojábanas are a type of bread made with corn flour that are very typical in South America. You can have this delicious cake with some fruit and a cup of Colombian coffee. The second is simply pancakes, fresh orange juice and fruit. 

Almojábana Cake

Pancakes, orange juice and fruit

Now it's time to start making our daily breakfast a joyful, delicious, and healthy experience! On this link, you will find many great ideas and recipes to include in your breakfast that are sure to satisfy you and your family. Try them! :) 

Genovesa

Genovesa cake

The picture above is what I call a Genovesa cake, which is a really moist and delicate cake, perfect for a birthday party, a hot summer day to give your tastebuds a roar! It is so creammy and delicious that you will not be able to eat just one piece. Plus, it is so easy to make! You can be creative decorating it with fruits, chocolate, candy,  whipped cream, nuts, or any ingreadient you like. 

I've made it a couple of times and it doesn't last long. Here is the recipe:


Cake:

4 eggs
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 cups all purpose flour - sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mixture of milks:

4 tablespoons powder milk dissolved into 2 cups milk
295 grams heavy cream
400 grams condensed milk. 

How to do it:

Grease and flour your pan and then preheat oven to 200 degrees C. With an electric mixer, beat the eggs and the sugar together until you get a creamy texture. Whisk together the flour and the baking powder and add them to the egg mixture. Mix together well from the bottom up, being careful not to rid the air from the mixture. 

Pour this into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Let it cool and start preparing your milk mixture. 

Pour the milk, the cream and the condensed milk into the blender and blend well. Pour the mixture onto the cake slowly and take it to the fridge. Every hour, pour a little bit of the milk mixture onto the cake, making sure it absorbs throughout.

You can decorate your cake as you like. We did it with whipped cream, toasted coconut around the side, white chocolate in the middle and strawberries. 

You can keep it in the fridge for about 2 days. 

Fun ideas to make with chocolate

Chocolate

Who doesn't like chocolate?

Wheather you do it for your kids, your friends or just for yourself, chocolate treats are always a joyful experience. 

Here are two fun ideas that you can make with chocolate. All you need is... CREATIVITY!!

Chocolate Cups

Dip mini-balloons in melted chocolate. Let dry and pop balloons. Once the pieces of balloon are removed, you will have nice round chocolate bowls that you can fill with your favorite sweets, fruit, ice cream or whipped cream. Kids of all ages will love it!

Chocolate cups

Chocolate Covered Fruits

This is such a fun an easy idea to make with family and friends. All you need is your favorite fruit(s), popsicle sticks and chocolate. Insert the popsicle stick into your fruit (like a lollipop) and then dip it into your bowl of melted chocolate. Let dry and voilà! Enjoy!

Chocolate covered fruit

TIP: 

Be very careful when melting chocolate in the microwave. Check it every 15-20 seconds and stir it or else it will burn and harden up. We prefer to melt it on the stove over a pot of boiling water while continually mixing. 

For more ideas go to..

YOUR IMAGINATION :)

Really easy yet delicious chocolate cake

In this video, we show you how to make an easy to make, delicious chocolate cake that everyone will enjoy. You can give it as a gift for a friend's birthday, or surprise your family with a loving gesture that's sure to bring a smile to their faces. 

Chocolate cake

                                          
We are really sorry for the video's quality (it's really dark at times), but hope you enjoy it and make it at home! Below you will find the recipe. Feel free to explore and try new things with it.

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake:

1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar 

1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt (if you're using salted butter then don't add this)

1/3 cup (75 grams) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup (240 ml) mixture of warm water and milk

1 tablespoon lemon juice(or vinegar)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate ganache:

170 grams semi-sweet chocolate and milk chocolate, chopped

3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy cream (35% butterfat)

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature

Instructions:

Cake:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C° and place rack in center of oven.

In a greased (or ungreased) pan or in a bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, sifted cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt (if you're using an unsalted butter).

Add the melted butter, the mixture of warm water and milk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. With a fork, mix all the ingredients together until well blended.

Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Chocolate ganache (to cover the cake):

Place the chopped chocolate, cream, and butter in a heatproof bowl. Place over a saucepan of simmering water and melt until smooth. Remove from heat and let stand at room temperature until it is of pouring consistency. Then pour the frosting over the cooled cake. Let stand until frosting has thickened.

Serves 8 - 10 people.

Cake recipe adapted from: http://joyofbaking.com/ChocolateCake.html

Enjoy it!