Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze

This will be my last posting for 2017!! Hopefully the coming 2018 I'm still pink in health to share more awesome food with you all! I hereby wishing all readers Good Health & Happiness for the coming 2018 New Year! 

Ingredient

Balsamic Glaze

• 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• pinch of salt

Pasta Salad

• 250gm San Remo Chickpea Pulse Pasta
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 200gm fresh mozzarella, diced
• 250gm strawberry halves
• 1 avocado, diced
• handful of basil leaves, torn
• salt & pepper to taste

Method

1. To prepare balsamic glaze : Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer to reduce by half, for about 15 mins. Set aside to cool down.
2. To prepare pasta : Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add salt and cook the pasta till al dente. Drain away water and rinse with cold water. Toss lightly with olive oil.
3. To assemble the salad : Combine the pasta, mozzarella, strawberries, avocado and basil leaves in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of balsamic glaze and season with salt and pepper. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Mary Berry's Easy Fruit Cake

No requirement of soaking dried fruits in alcohol nor aging it, really easy fruit cake which is kids friendly! The cake is burst with buttery and fruity flavour. With the additional of ground almonds, it really gives a moist and tender texture! 

Ingredient

• 225gm salted butter, room temperature 
• 180gm fine sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 225gm self raising flour
• 100gm ground almonds
• 450gm mixed dried fruit
• 25gm flaked almonds (optional)

Method

1. Sift flour and ground almond. Take 2 tbsp of flour mixture and toss into mixed fruit. Set aside. Using a electric whisk, cream butter and sugar until light and pale. 
2. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Mix for about 2 mins. Beat in almond and vanilla extract.
3. Use a spatula and fold in flour mixture until well mixed. Fold in dried fruit.
4. Spoon the mixture into a lined 8" round pan and level the top. Sprinkle flaked almonds on the surface.
5. Bake in preheated oven at 160 deg cel for 1.5 hours or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. When cake is done, remove from oven and leave to cool in the pan. Best serve on the following day.