The Uni Cook

I had 3 incredible weeks in Stockholm with SO MUCH amazing food so I thought I would share here! It was definitely time to come home though - I think at this stage I may be 50% kanelbullar (Swedish cinnamon bun)!😂

Hi everyone! Finally back with a new recipe which has become a firm favourite over the past few weeks! A super creamy sweet potato, butterbean, and coconut milk soup! Perfect with a slice of freshly baked bread! Definitely a recipe you should be trying if you are looking for a change from your usual soup recipe! Check out the recipe here: https://theunicook.com/sweet-potato-and-butterbean-soup/

As promised here is my attempt at Paul‘s Dauphinoise Potato and Caramelised Onion Pithivier! It tasted great but I did use cheddar in the sauce rather than using blue cheese! I was slightly disappointed that I scored the pastry slightly too deeply in some parts meaning it split open too much ruining the design a bit… Other than that, I think I pass - middle of the pack I think this week… Check out the recipe with some suggested amendments and some tips on my blog here: https://theunicook.com/paul-hollywoods-dauphinoise-potato-and-caramelised-onion-pithivier-bake-off-technical-challenge/

I absolutely loved last week‘s episode of Bake Off and am really exited to make pies now!!! I will be attempting the Technical Challenge tomorrow but in the meantime I wanted to share with you a recipe that would have been perfect for the signature: Mini Coronation Chicken Pies! Hot water crust pastry filled with a yummy chicken filling and perfect for a picnic. Check out the recipe here: https://theunicook.com/coronation-chicken-pies/

Who else is excited for tonight’s episode of Bake Off?!? As it‘s Chocolate Week I thought I would share some of my favourite chocolate baking recipes with you in case you wanted to make something for eating whilst watching the show tonight! Enjoy!!!
1. Chocolate and Vanilla Checkerboard Cake https://theunicook.com/checkerboard-cake-with-chocolate-ganache/
2. Chocolate and Hazelnut Babka https://theunicook.com/chocolate-and-hazelnut-babka-bake-off-box-4/
3. Vegan Chocolate and Raspberry Tarts (S2UC Special) https://theunicook.com/vegan-chocolate-and-raspberry-tarts-su2c-bake-off-technical-challenge/
4. Ultimate Chocolate Brownies with Pecans https://theunicook.com/best-ever-chocolate-brownie-recipe-favourite-easy-recipe/
5. Chocolate and Orange Zebra Cake https://theunicook.com/chocolate-and-orange-zebra-loaf-cake/
6. Melt-in-the-Mouth Chocolate and Hazelnut Viennese Whirls https://theunicook.com/melt-in-the-mouth-caramelised-almond-biscuits/
7. Traditional German Black Forest Gâteau https://theunicook.com/schwarzwalder-kirschtorte-black-forest-gateau-german-baking-classics/

Three weeks in and I have finally felt inspired to try one of the Bake Off Technical Challenges! Bread week is always my favourite and this year Paul asked the bakers to make Devonshire Splits! This was a fairly easy technical challenge, however, I did cheat slightly and didn’t make my own strawberry jam as I had loads left in the fridge to use up! If you want to check out some of my tips for making these Devonshire Splits check out the post on my blog: https://theunicook.com/pauls-devonshire-splits-bake-off-technical-challenge/

I hope everyone else is enjoying the new season of Bake Off as much as I am! I cannot decide yet what type of “bake along“ I will do this year - my oven gloves will be coming on at the weekend though! If you were inspired by last nights episode, these two previous Bake Off technical challenges are great examples of marshmallow biscuits that you could give a go! Paul‘s Wagon Wheels from yeeeeaaars ago and last year‘s S‘Mores challenge! Check out the recipes linked below!
Wagon Wheels: https://theunicook.com/wagon-wheels-biscuits-bake-off-technical-challenge/
S‘Mores: https://theunicook.com/pauls-smores-bake-off-technical-challenge/

Did you all watch Bake Off last night? I really enjoyed it! And turns out I’ve already made the Technical Challenge from yesterday, too - the same Chocolate Fudge Cake as in my First Bake Off Box! Being hypercritical, perhaps my ganache is a bit matt😂. If you want to give it a go yourself, check out the recipe here: https://theunicook.com/gbbo-signature-chocolate-cake-bake-off-box-1/

Last nights dinner and the leftovers for today‘s lunch! This yummy Butternut Squash, Chicken, and Couscous One-Pot is spiced with Harissa paste and makes for one amazing meal! Can’t wait to dig into this again later! If you want to give the recipe a try, check out the recipe here: https://theunicook.com/couscous-chicken-and-butternut-squash-one-pot/