HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTYB BAKES

I can't believe it! My little blog MattyB Bakes is a year old today. When I started writing about my foodie adventures I genuinely thought I'd probably get bored and stop after a few weeks but here I am talking about its first anniversary. This blog has become a real passion of mine and sharing my recipes, tips and recommendations and seeing people's reactions makes me smile everyday. It's a good time to for me to get all nostalgic and look over the last 12 months!

"HONEY HONEY" FRIED CHICKEN BREASTS

Sometimes when your forced to get creative in the kitchen you can create something truly magical. Having wanted to make my Chicken Kiev's again last night I was dismayed to find I had no eggs to dip the breasts in to make the breadcrumb coating. "I need something sticky!" I thought and instantly thought of honey. Let me tell you; the sweetness it gives the coating around that juicy white meat is a revelation. I'm glad I didn't have those eggs! If your a fan of fried chicken, do yourself a favor and try it today!

MATTY'S MALIBU LOAF CAKE

Listen, I don't need an excuse for adding a little booze into my bakes especially when I'm baking something for a dinner with friends. So when I was raiding our drinks cupboard to see what I needed to get in for my next gathering a came across a nearly empty bottle of Malibu and I instantly had the inspiration to bake a cake with a truly tropical twist. Packed with orange juice and zest and of course that touch of coconut rum, this loaf cake is covered with chocolate cream cheese and sprinkles and dessicated coconut to really give you a taste of the Caribbean!

UMMMMMMAMI STIR FRY

Umami is described as the fifth taste sensation on your taste buds. It's a savory taste that is used widely throughout Asian cuisine. Us westerners are cottoning on to it and now you can find Umami paste sold in the UK. It's great in stir fry's such as this one. It is hard to describe the taste but if you are a fan of Asian food you'll recognize it instantly from restaurant made meals. All you need to know is that its yummy and when combined with a simple Asian sauce and the best fresh veg you can get hold of you are in for a right treat!

QUICKIDY QUICK CHILI GARLIC CHIPS

Today I really wanted chips. I'm not really a fan of them to be honest but today I just had a mad craving for them which is weird. It was at this point I realized that I had never tried to make my own chips. "Madness" I thought and set about rectifying this straight away. Boy had I been missing out. All I needed was to cut some potatoes, blanch and then roast them in some garlic and chili and I had some phenomenal crispy chippies with fluffy insides that taste so much better than a bag of frozen oven chips.

CHEEKY CHICKEN KIEV (WITH JONS SPECIAL BUTTER!)

When  you realize how easy it is to make a classic that you might just buy premade from a supermarket you wonder why you have never tried to do it before. Then when you eat it, you wonder if you'll ever buy shop bought again. That's what happened when Jon bought me some chicken and seasoned breadcrumbs this Sunday and prepared some special garlic butter so that I could have a go at making homemade Chicken Kiev's. Let me tell you; these cheeky little treats are incredible and you must, I repeat must give them a go immediately!

RHUBARB AND CUSTARD CAKE

I used to stay well clear of rhubarb. I think it stems from my old school dinners when they used to serve the most vile stewed rhubarb crumble that used to send shivers down my spine when they slopped it on my tray and poured over lumpy custard. It turns out that when it's prepared correctly it can be super delicious. So whilst its in season I decided I would transform that old horrible school dessert into this whopper of a cake, marbled with rhubarb and custard and sandwiched together with a custard filling.

MEET THE STARS OF THE CAKE AND BAKE SHOW 2015

MattyB Bakes is delighted to help announce the dazzling line-up of celebrity ambassadors appearing the Cake and Bake Show 2015. You won't believe the incredible guests they have in store for you!

SILKY CHORIZO, CITRUS AND SAFFRON STEW

When it comes to luxury ingredients, it doesn't get much more fancy dancy than saffron and having acquired a little pot of those delicious red strands I thought it was time to crack it open and create something that's perfect for when you really want to push the boat out for loved ones. This delicious dish simmers chorizo, peppers and an array of beans in an unctuous broth made from your saffron along with lemon and thyme to create a delicious silky and cirtusy stew that is totally to die for. Defiantly one for when you want to impress!

MATTYS POPPIN' PEANUT CUPS

Peanut butter based sweets seem to have finally made it over to the UK after being a firm favourite over the Atlantic for yonks. A treat brought back by those who had travelled over from the USA can now be enjoyed by us Brits but I always say homemade is better. Here is my recipe for my little chocolate peanut butter cups with popping candy topping. This recipe is so simple but it does require a bit of time as have to chill your chocolate cups to allow you to fill them with that peanut butter filling so make sure you have a bit of time before starting. 

"EPICURED INSPIRED" AVOCADO, MARMITE AND FETA BRUNCH

If you take a look at my review of Epicured Liverpool you will of seen this delight of charred bread spread with marmite and topped with deliciously seasoned avocado and sprinkled with salty feta. I strongly suggest you take a lunch time out to go and try it out. If you are not lucky enough to be in our fine city then here is my attempt to recreate this slice of heaven. I imagine it's something a little bit different that you may not of experienced before but once you try it, it's an experience you will want to repeat over and over again.