Grapes stake out their bed
The grape season has started. Tons of blue, red or green grape bunches are stored in the baskets. No other fruits do have that attention like grapes. Grapes are bottled, packed in nut mixtures, coated with chocolate, drunk in liquids, placed in fruit platters, served with cheese and used as ingredient for cakes, salads or soups. There are grape lovers and others which hate raisins in cakes or breads. Lots of books are written around wine and liqueurs. Yes, grapes do have a huge community.
Unfortunately, when the grape season starts, then fall is on its way. The enhanced balcony in the garden will be shortened back into the house. Nevertheless, there are so many great recipes with grapes to share. Get inspired. The Chef’s Handyman team favorites the quinoa salad with grapes. Bon appetite!
Quinoa salad with grapes
Chef’s Handyman Quinoa Salad
For the quinoa salad, bring 4 cups of water to the boil. Add 1 cup of quinoa and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes. Cool. Sieve quinoa seeds and place them into a bowl. Season the seeds to taste with salt, black pepper, ras el Hanout and chili powder. Add sweet corn, pomegranate seeds and grape halves.
Cut carrots, beans and zucchini in pieces. Steam or cook with vegetable stock. When cooked through combine with the other ingredients.
To make dressing, mix 8 tbsp. of olive oil, 2-3 tbsp. of white balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp. of mustard, chopped garden herbs, lemon rind and lemon juice. Sprinkle the salad with the dressing and toss slightly.
Shopping list for the quinoa salad for 4 serves: 1 cup quinoa (black and white), 2 dl or 1 cup of vegetable stock, 2 zucchini, 4 carrots, 250 g or 8 oz. grapes, 250g or 8 oz. beans, salt, black pepper, ras el hanout, chili powder, mustard, white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, 1 lemon, 1 can sweet corn, 1 cup of pomegranate seeds, garden herbs (parsley, peppermint, chives)
Vegan friendly poppy seed cake with grapes
Chef’s Handyman, Poppy Seed Cake with Grapes
To make vegan friendly poppy seed cake with grapes, 22 cm or 8.5 inches, soak the chia seeds with the double size of soy milk. Store the seeds in fridge overnight. Combine chia seeds, sugar and 0.5 cups of water. Add 1 tbsp. of baking soda, 4-5 tbsp. of orange juice, orange rind, 2 tbsp. of orange water and 2 tbsp. of vanilla extract. Spoon the baking powder and the flour into the dough. Add sunflower oil and pomegranate seeds. Combine all ingredients. If the dough is too dry add more orange juice.
Prepare the cake tin. If needed apply olive oil on the surface. Fill in the dough. Cut grapes in half. Press the halves into the dough. Bake in oven at 200°C or 400°F for 40-55 minutes. Test with a skewer if the cake is baked through. If still dough is sticking on the skewer, bake the cake for another 5 minutes.
Shopping list for one poppy seeds cake with grapes, 22 cm or 8.5 inches: 250 g or 8 oz. flour, 150 g or 5 oz. sugar, 1 tbsp. baking soda, 1 tbsp. baking powder, 30 g or 1 oz. poppy seeds, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 2 tbsp. vanilla extract, 2 tbsp. orange blossom water, 3 tbsp. sunflower oil, 1 tsp. salt, 0.5 cups water, 3 tbsp. chia seeds soaked in 8 tbsp. soy milk overnight, 0.5 cups pomegranate seeds, 250 g or 8 oz. of grapes, 2 oranges.
Vegetarian friendly cake with grapes
Chef’s Handyman, Cake with Grapes
To make the vegetarian friendly dough, combine eggs, vanilla extract, lemon rind and sugar until light. Add flour, baking powder, 1 tbsp. cinnamon, grated almonds, ½ cup of soy milk or coconut milk. Spoon the dough into the cake tin. Cut grapes in half. Apply them on top of the cake. Sprinkle with almond flakes, dust with sugar.
Bake in oven at 200°C or 400°F for 30-40 minutes until golden. Take the cake out and cool on wire rack.
Shopping list for a cake with grapes of 22 cm or 8.5 inches: 250 g or 8 oz. flour, 150 g or 5 oz. sugar, 1 tbsp. baking powder, 1 cup of soy milk or coconut milk, 2 tbsp. vanilla extract, 1 tbsp. cinnamon, 50 grated almonds, 2 tbsp., 2 eggs, 250 g or 8 oz. grapes, 1 lemon, 0.5 cups almond flakes.
Have a great weekend, yours Chef’s Handyman team!
