Tag: philadelphia

Alternate days of sunshine and cloud. As it’s still “Stay at Home” time I sit outside and read the paper in the sun then when the clouds come there’s cooking (or pottering at least)! I’d noticed a method for Vegan Mayonnaise in a magazine using the magic Aquafaba (chick pea juice) instead of egg. It’s so simple yet effective:

Vegan Mayo 

All you do is mix the following together in a large jug: 

• 3 tablespoons of Aquafaba 
• 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar 
• 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard 
• Seasoning to taste 

Then, over around two minutes, slowly drizzle in 250ml neutral (non-flavoured) salad oil – I used sunflower oil – mixing all the time with your hand blender. Gradually the mixture will thicken.  

The result was very good! I didn’t have any wine vinegar and used cider vinegar – this was rather too strong in my opinion. Any seasonings can be varied – herbs, garlic, chilli for example – just use your tastebuds. 

Cream Cheese 

A favourite ingredient of mine is cream cheese (I prefer Philadelphia) and I use it in both sweet and savoury dishes.  

Party Dip 

A delicious quick dip using either from a jar or freshly boiled and grated, amounts varying according to numbers. For a party I suggest mixing together: 

• One tub of cream cheese 
• One jar of drained beetroot 
• A teaspoon of lemon juice and a little zest 
• Finely chopped fresh herbs 

Refrigerate for a minimum of one hour before serving. If you prefer a smoother texture wiz up with your hand blender. 

Brownies

Philly also gives an unusual twist to brownies. Heat your oven to 180c/Gas Mark 4 and grease an oblong tin (8×12” ish). The ingredients: 

• 5oz butter 
• 5oz chopped dark chocolate 
• 7oz soft brown sugar 
• 3 eggs lightly beaten 
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa and plain flour 
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder 
• One tub of cream cheese 
• Two tablespoons golden caster sugar 

Melt the butter and chocolate with the brown sugar then whisk in the beaten eggs 

Stir in your cocoa, flour and baking powder, then pour your mix into the prepared tin. 

Beat together the Philly and caster sugar, randomly spoon this over the chocolate mix and swirl around with the tip of a knife 

Bake for 35-45 minutes until firm but spongy to touch 

Cool before slicing into squares.

Enjoy baking these should you try them out. Bye for now xxx