Lockdown boredom has everyone reaching for the fridge. Here is a heart-healthy treat from Pharma Dynamics’ Cooking from the Heart cookbook. The Cooking from the Heart cookbook contains more than 100 recipes that have been developed for Pharma Dynamics by well-known healthy food consultant, Heleen Meyer and dietitians from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. They are all easy to make, affordable and consist of essential ingredients, which make them ideal for cooking during the lockdown.
Chocolate cake (serves 20)
There is nothing like some chocolate to treat yourself. This is so easy to bake and ideal for special occasions or to celebrate a birthday while in lockdown.
3 cups (750 ml) cake flour
1¼ cups (310 ml) sugar
4 tsp (20 ml) baking powder
1 tsp (5 ml) bicarbonate of soda
6 tbsp (90 ml) cocoa
2 cups (500 ml) hot water
½ cup (125 ml) buttermilk
5 tbsp (75 ml) sunflower oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) white grape vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla essence
topping:
150 ml sugar
300 ml water
1 tbsp (15 ml) soft tub margarine
¼ cup (60 ml) cocoa
½ tsp (2,5 ml) vanilla essence
3 tbsp (45 ml) cornflour
1 tbsp (15 ml) grated chocolate
Preheat oven to a 180 °C and line a large rectangular (20 x 30 cm) baking tin or oven dish with baking paper.
Sift all dry ingredients together. Mix the liquids together and gradually fold into the dry ingredients. Pour batter into tin or dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Remove from the tin and cool.
Topping: Meanwhile, place all the ingredients, except the chocolate, in a pot and stir over a low heat to dissolve the sugar.
Bring to the boil and simmer gently. Stir until the mixture thickens. Cool slightly and pour over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with grated chocolate.
