🍅 Baked Fish in Tomato & Feta Sauce

Ingredients

• 2–4 white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or similar)
• 400 g crushed tomatoes
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 150–200 g feta cheese
• A handful of cherry tomatoes
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh parsley
• Optional: chili flakes

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, bell pepper and cherry tomatoes to a baking dish.
3. Season with olive oil, paprika, oregano, black pepper, salt and chili flakes.
4. Nestle the fish fillets into the tomato mixture.
5. Crumble or place the feta over the fish.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
7. Broil/grill for another 2–3 minutes if you want that beautiful browned top.
8. Finish with plenty of fresh parsley.

Serve with: crusty bread, rice, potatoes, or couscous. 😮‍💨

Ingredients

Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1½ cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ½ tsp nutmeg

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. In another bowl, beat the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts.
7. Divide the batter between the pans.
8. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let the cakes cool completely.
10. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla.
11. Frost between the layers, then cover the outside of the cake.
12. Finish with extra chopped walnuts and carrot decorations if you like.

The cream cheese frosting + walnuts are what make this one for me. 🥕❤️

Homemade Shepherd's Pie 🥔🥩

Ingredients

Meat Filling

• 2 lbs (900g) ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• Salt & pepper
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Mashed Potatoes

• 2 lbs potatoes
• 4 tbsp butter
• ½ cup milk
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes until fork tender and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
2. Sauté the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
3. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
4. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme, and beef broth.
5. Simmer for about 10 minutes until thick.
6. Spread the meat mixture into a baking dish.
7. Cover evenly with the mashed potatoes and use a fork to create ridges across the top.
8. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes, then broil for 3–5 minutes until golden brown.
9. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy! ❤️

Homemade Chocolate Pecan Cake 🍫🌰

Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)

Chocolate Frosting

• 1 cup butter
• 3½ cups powdered sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3–4 tbsp heavy cream

Pecan Topping

• 1½ cups chopped pecans
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Mix the cake ingredients and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes.
2. Let the cakes cool completely.
3. Make the chocolate frosting and frost the cake.
4. Cook the pecan topping until thickened, let it cool slightly, then spread it over the top.
5. Pipe extra chocolate frosting around the edges and chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Looking for honest feedback—what would you improve? 🍫

Cupcakes

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup whole milk
• ½ cup fresh raspberries (or freeze-dried raspberries folded into the batter)

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3–4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

🍠 Caramelized Baked Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet potatoes, cleaned

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Slice the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise.

2. Whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and vanilla.

3. Coat each sweet potato well.

4. Place them flat side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 50–55 minutes.

6. Let them cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the pan.

The caramelized crust is the best part. 🍠