Spaghetti Nests

I don't really remember how I stumbled over these recipe. I think I was looking for something specific on pinterest. I liked it the moment I saw the picture. The nests look flashy but the ingredients are still simple. Recipes like that are my favorites.
I think they would work great as appetizers.

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Spaghetti Nests

200 g spaghetti
125 g mozzarella
1/2 bunch basil
2 eggs
150 g cream cheese
8-10 cherry tomatoes
salt
pepper

1. Grate the mozzarella.
2. Cut the basil into fine stripes.
3. Cook the spaghetti.
4. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
5. Put baking parchment on a baking sheet.
6. Whisk the eggs with a fork. Add the cream cheese and mix it in.
7. Add the basil and about half of the mozzarella.
8. Season heavily with salt and pepper.
9. Twist the spaghetti to nests on the baking sheet. Make about 5-6 nests.
10. Use a spoon to distribute the cream cheese mix between the nests. Pour the mixture into the middle of the nests.
11. Wash and dry the tomatoes. Cut them in half.
12. Scatter the rest of the mozzarella over the nests.
13. Put 3 tomatoe halves each in the middle of the nests, cut side down.
14. Bake them for 15 minutes.

Bon appétit!!

Kiwi-Coconut Cupcakes

It's been a while since I last made sweet muffins. At the moment I don't really remember why I chose this recipe. I think it was because of the coconut. I have a vague memory of wanting to try out whipping coconut milk as a substitute for whipped cream. Well obviously I didn't actually do that.

This muffins gave me a chance to try out my homemade lime extract. I liked them. They were just a touch too simple for me. When or if I make them ever again I really have to pimp them up a little. Maybe some kind of filling or core or even a different topping. We will see.

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Kiwi-Coconut Cupcakes

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
90 g butter
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
2 tsp lime zest
2 tsp lime extract
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 kiwi

1. Grate the zest of the lime.
2. Combine in a big bowl the flour, the sugar, the coconut, the baking powder, the salt and the lime zest with a spatula. Form a well in the middle.
3. Melt the butter.
4. Use a whisk to mix the butter, the buttermilk, the egg and the lime extract in a bowl.
5. Peel the kiwi and cut it into thin slices. Leave it for later.
6. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
7. Put paper muffin liners into the molds of the muffin pan.
8. Pour the wet ingredients into the formed well. Use the spatula to combine everything.
9. Distribute the batter between the muffin liners.
10. Place one or two of the kiwis on top of the batter.
11. Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes.
12. Take the muffins out of the pan and let them cool down on a cooling rack.

Bon appétit!!