Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/828624
maltatoday, FRIDAY, 26 MAY 2017 14 Food Election Munchies THE election campaign is drawing to an end and with it the mud-slinging, and steadfast supporters believing that their party can do no wrong. If this leads you to comfort eat then you are not alone. As you push away the healthy salad you've prepared and reach for the tub of ice cream, under- stand why your body (or your mind) is doing that. Comfort eating is a phenomenon whereby people choose to indulge in foods that are high in fat, salt and sug- ar at times when they are feeling down. Research has shown that highly palat- able foods activate the same region in the brain of reward and pleasure that are active in drug addiction. Another study showed that comfort foods pro- vided some relief from negative moods. So if the election campaign so far as got you down in the dumps, get in the kitchen and try these sweet reci- pes that are best served with a dollop (or two) of your favourite ice cream. Or just leave the recipes alone and eat the ice cream from the tub – we won't judge! Ingredients • 3 firm pears • 150g sugar • 50g butter • 1 vanilla pod • 2-3 bay leaves • 1 orange • 1 roll puff pastry • 3 scoops Haagen Dazs Macadamia Nut Brittle Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 2. Peel the pears and cut some in half and some in quarters. 3. Using a potato peeler remove the orange rind in as few pieces as possible. 4. In a deep, oven-proof pan, sprinkle over the sugar in a single layer. 5. Place over low-medium heat until the sugar turns golden. Turn the pan around every now and then so that hot spots are avoided and the sugar cooks evenly. 6. Chop the butter into small squares and dot around the pan evenly. Do not stir but swirl the contents of the pan around to make sure everything is evenly mixed. 7. Cook for approx. 5 mins until the mixture is golden. 8. Cut the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape out the seeds. Add both seeds and pod to the pan. 9. Add the bay leaves and the orange rind. 10. Place the pears in the pan in a single layer and allow to cook until soft (approx. 5 mins). 11. Place the puff pastry over the top tucking the edges into the pan. 12. Cook in the oven for 20 – 25 mins until the pastry is golden. 13. Remove from the oven and carefully place a serving plate over the pan. Using tea towels to protect your hands, flip the pan over and remove from the serving plate. 14. Allow to cool a little and then scoop three blobs of Haagen Dazs Macadamia Nut Brittle onto the tarte and serve immediately. The ice cream will start to melt creating a delicious, oozy texture. Ingredients Makes 12 brownie cups (with some extra brownie batter) • 250g butter • 200g dark chocolate • 80g cocoa powder • 65g plain flour • 1 tsp baking powder • ¼ tsp Himalayan salt • 360g sugar • 4 eggs, beaten • 12 scoops Haagen Dazs Salted Caramel or Cookie Dough Chip Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 2. Melt the butter and the chocolate together and mix until smooth. 3. In a separate bowl, sift the flour and cocoa powder and add the baking powder, salt and sugar. 4. Add these to the chocolate mixture and mix until incorporated. 5. Add the eggs and mix until the mixture is shiny. 6. Grease a muffin tray and fill until two thirds full. 7. Bake for 15 mins. 8. Grease the underside of a second muffin tin that fits perfectly in the first tin. 9. As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, place the second muffin tin over the brownies and press down. Leave to cool in the tins. 10. Once cool gently remove the muffins from the tin and place a scoop of Haagen Dazs Salted Caramel or Cookie Dough Chip ice cream into each brownie cup. 11. Top with nuts, sprinkles or chocolate sauce and serve immediately. Pear and orange tarte tatin Brownie cups and ice cream Eat your election blues away