Daz Switalla Flavour Secrets No.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz

The recipe folder has some recipes that I have not used for years.

One of the most used in all the cafes has been a carrot cake recipe.

Carrots are famous for containing beta carotenes, vitamin A and minerals and antioxidants in ample amounts. Carotenes are converted to vitamin A in the liver and are well known for helping protect against skin, lung and oral cancers.

The link between eyesight and carrots started during the second world and according to experts it's a load of hogwash, but during the Second World War consumption of carrots rose as the population experienced black-outs. Even pilots were said to swear by the excessive consumption of carrots.

The myth probably came about as the vitamin content is consistent with eye and skin health. With posters and advertising like 'carrots keep you healthy and help you see in the black-out”, the ministry of health pushed carrots as the vegetable to eat and many wonderful and weird carrot recipes and potions came about. Even a few years ago in Europe I remember using carotene based sunscreen and, as you guessed, I did turn a bit orange.

When we visit our favourite cafe however, we seek out our favourite cake and it's often a carrot cake, with cream cheese icing. Now here is a great recipe so you can make your own.

Carrot Cake

Ingredients

1cup wholemeal flour

1cup flour

½ cup walnuts

2 tsp baking soda

2cups raw sugar

4tsp salt

1tsp cinnamon

½ cup oil

4 eggs beaten

3 cups grated carrot

Method

Sift dry ingredients add oil and mix. Stir in beaten eggs and carrot.

Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about one hour or until a skewer comes clean.

Frost with cream cheese icing (recipe below).

Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients

½ cup soft butter

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup shifted icing sugar (plus extra, if required)

½ cup softened cream cheese

Method

Beat the butter, lemon juice and icing sugar together until mixed well then add cream cheese and more icing sugar to get the right consistency.

Keep in the fridge and ice when nearly set.