Nutty Topper Food

WHOLE-WHEAT PANCAKES WITH NUTTY TOPPING

Steps:

• Make the topping: In a large skillet, toast the almonds and pumpkin seeds over medium-high heat, stirring, for about 1 minute. Add the sunflower seeds and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Add the sesame seeds to the pan. Cover and cook, shaking the pan, until the seeds are toasted, about 30 seconds more. Transfer the toasted nuts and seeds to a medium sized bowl. Add the wheat germ. Stir in the syrup and a pinch of salt and set aside.
• Make the pancakes: Put the apple in a microwave-proof bowl, tightly cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high until softened, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk the flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, 1/2 cup of the milk and honey. Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. If the batter seems too thick, add as much of the remaining 1/4 cup milk as necessary.
• Spray a large non-stick griddle with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Spoon about 1/4 cup batter per pancake into the pan and top each pancake with a heaping tablespoon of the cooked apple. Flip when the pancake tops are covered with bubbles and the edges look cooked, about 2 minutes. Cook until the pancakes are golden brown and cooked through, an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately or transfer the cooked pancakes to an ovenproof dish and keep warm in a preheated 250 degree F oven while making the rest. To serve, arrange 3 pancakes per plate and sprinkle each serving with 1/4 cup of the topping. Serve with additional maple syrup.

TOPSY TURVY NUTTY RHUBARB CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9" x 1 1/2 " round cake pan with cooking spray.
• Chop the rhubarb into 1/2" chunks. In a large bowl, toss the rhubarb with 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup flour until the pieces are well coated. Spread the rhubarb mix over the bottom of the prepared cake pan.
• In another bowl, beat the ricotta cheese with the egg until smooth and creamy. Add the almond extract and 1/4 cup sugar and mix well. Add 1 cup flour and the baking powder and mix well. The batter will be thick, almost like biscuit dough.
• Spread the dough over the rhubarb in the pan, making sure it goes all the way to the edge. Be careful not to let the juice from the fruit mix into the dough.
• Put the cake in the oven with a piece of foil under the pan to catch any drips that might bubble over. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
• While the cake is baking, coarsely chop the macadamia nuts. Melt the butter in a small bowl. Add the brown sugar, chopped nuts, and cornflake crumbs and toss until blended and crumbly.
• Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Put a serving plate over the pan and invert onto the plate. Tap the bottom of the pan to release the cake onto the plate (you can tell that the cake is out and on the plate when the pan sounds hollow when you tap it).
• Sprinkle the nut topping over the fruit (which is now the top of the cake) and press lightly.
• Allow the cake to cool before serving. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

NUTTY TOPPER

Steps:

• Mix almonds, pine nuts and sesame seeds together.
• Heat oil in a fry pan.
• Add chilli paste and fennel seeds, stirring to combine.
• Add almond mixture and toss often over a low heat for 2-3 minutes or until nuts have stared to brown and smell fragrant.
• Sprinkle over salt and cool.