I have always considered myself quite a nice person. I like food of all shapes, flavours and colours. From every country and continent. I don’t discriminate, I am an equal opportunity eater. It’s only the doctors who say I’m intolerant. And certain foods who refuse to tolerate me. They certainly refuse to recognise and respect my right to eat them without major physical discomfort and distress.


Gluten and lactose are not my friends.


Despite the negative attitudes surrounding me from many of those I love best, (cakes, ice cream, hot toast) I decided to become a chef. Not always easy when you live in a bread and milk filled world. I like to think that this has helped me become a better person as I embrace my differences and refuse to let the gluten get me down. I believe InTolerance. I am the InTolerant Chef.

Food should not be about what you can’t eat, but what you can and what you enjoy eating. This blog is about my journey of cooking and eating and discovery. It’s not a definitive guide to allergy awareness nor do my intolerances make me an expert. Your body is your responsibility, not mine. I only know what works for me.


I can tell you this..... No glutens were harmed in the making of this website.

August 13, 2012

Afternoon-Tea Tea Cake

















I am a tea lover


MiddleC is very well trained and puts the kettle on as soon as she stumbles into the kitchen in the morning so it's ready for when I stumble into the kitchen in the morning. I don't feel ready to start the day until I've had at least one cup of my favourite Dilmah Earl Grey...... or maybe two.

I have a fancy-pantsy De Longhi coffee machine that does everything a coffee machine should do and more, but it sits there on the bench while I dunk my little baggie into my mug of hot water and wait for the magic to happen.




I needed to make a cake for afternoon tea, for when littlej stumbles into the kitchen after a hard day at school. This one has dried fruit, fresh fruit, and Tea. Just what you need mid-afternoon to keep you going until dinner, with a bit of an extra kick from the tea.



















Afternoon Tea Tea Cake

2/3 cup dried Dates
2/3 cup Sultanas
2 Apples
1 1/2 cup SR gluten free Flour
150g Butter or dairy free alternative
4 Eggs
3/4 cup strong Tea
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Bicarb Soda


First things first, boil the kettle and brew a good, strong cup of tea. I used Dilmah Earl Grey, my absoloute favourite tea in the world. So fragrant and refreshing, perfect for a pick-me-up any time of the day or evening

























Put the dates, sultanas, hot tea and bicarb in a bowl and let steep for about 10 minutes. This will soften the fruit and help break down the fibres





















Blitz in a food processor/blender/ or even easier use a stick blender to whizz it all up until nice and smooth





















Add in the eggs, butter, vanilla and sugar and beat well





















Grate the apples- I don't bother to peel them,






















then add in to the mix with the flour and mix through until thouroughly combined






















Pop into a greased loaf pan and bake at 160*C for about 50 minutes until nicley browned and cooked through all the way




















I burnt mine juuuust a little, but nothing that a quick trim and flipping the cake over can't fix.  My excuse is that I was trying out my new Convection/Grill/Microwave Oven and it was the first time I baked anything in it. I think I've figured it out now, and next time will know to pop it on the rack to allow for even cooking instead of opening the door all the time to fiddle with it :)




















Serve your cake with, of course, another lovely cuppa for a lovely afternoon tea snack. A smear of butter is yummy, but not strictly necessary- I'll leave that to you and your wasteline to decide. I think I'll sit in the sun and read a good book while I nibble and sip my steamy cup of Earl Grey, then I'll be ready to take on the rest of the day.


















So Dear Readers, are you a tea or coffee fan, and which blend is your favourite?







.

35 comments:

  1. I have recently become quite a tea lover!

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  2. Im obsessed with tea. Im a regular black or English Brekkie tea girl myself. Although I can be swayed with some of the flavoured green teas. This cake would be perfect with anything though really ;)

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    1. Some of those green teas are lovely aren't they Nic? I just heard of a green earl grey and can hardly wait to try it!

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  3. Definitely a tea fan! I drink 1-2 cups a day and I look forward to it :D

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    1. I look forward to mine too Lorraine, I NEED it to help start my day!

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  4. What a lovely cake and treat to come home to after a cold and long day at school. And I loved your comment on my blog post today - yes, in Sydney we are wimps when it comes to the cold xx

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    1. Don't worry Charlie, I'm a complete wuss about humidity :) It just about leaves me gasping on the floor in a puddle!

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  5. What a great cake for any occasion. Yum! I would have that with coffee or tea!

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  6. I'm with you Bec - I need at least two cups of tea in the morning before my brain reaches optimal performance. Cake helps too.

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  7. Coffee please, strong-dark-rich (I like my men the same way :-) )
    I can smell that cake from here - and I would slather it with butter... I a Kiwi - it's the law!

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    1. How about milky looking and sweet Janet? That's more my kinda guy :) The butter slathering is optional :P

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  8. oh! I adore tea. This is beautiful, love the way you wrote this post :) stumbling into the kitchen, I shall put on the kettle now too.
    Heidi xo

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    1. Thanks Heidi! That's really the way it is though :) I wish I could pop around for a cuppa with you!

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  9. We have a well trained middle C too. Nothing like your first cuppa int he morning! Anne Marie @FD

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    1. That's so true! The scented steam helps to pry my eyes open Anne Marie :)

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  10. The day doesn't start until I've had a coffee, but I loves me some Twining's Traditional Afternoon tea. To me it tastes like tea is supposed to (and most don't).

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    1. It sure is hard to get just the right blend of tea isn't it? Twinings make some great ones for sure

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  11. Delicious Becca! I'm always up for a cup of tea, although it's always herbal these days.. :)

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    1. I've been trying out some lately too Celia, but I still need a hit now and then :)

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  12. Any ideas what I could replace the dried fruit with? Being fructose intolerant I cannot have them.

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    1. Hmm..I think you could probably replace them with any thick fruit puree or even sweet potato or pumpkin puree. Sweet potato would also help keep down the GI index, dates are very high! Hope that helps?

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    2. Thanks! I never thought of pumpkin puree. Awesome idea!

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  13. chai for stumbling out in the morning for me and decaf coffee for out and about.
    I recently bought myself my first teapot... feel like a real adult now!

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    1. Real caffine coffee gives me the shakes something dreadful Brydie! A tea pot is a real investment in the future isn't it? Now you just need a pretty cosy :)

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  14. I like coffee and tea on equal grounds. I know... it's really odd behaviour but I can't choose!

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    1. Maybe you should try a Yuanyang drink, it's a tea/coffee hybrid mix! That way you can love them both equally :)

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  15. Tea has been on my list of things to explore more in my cooking for such a long time. I can imagine this tastes great and would be such a nice thing to give the little ones after a big day at school. You are such a nice mummy....

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    1. Awww thanks Sherilyn! I sure hope my kiddies think so too! They better,that's for sure if they want more cakes :)

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  16. i've always wanted to cook something with tea!
    but i am a coffee lover, although chai can sometimes challenge my love...

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    1. Chai almost straddles both sides of the fence doesn't it Muppy? My older daughter just loves it too :)

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  17. Dear InTolerant Chef,

    I'm not a coffee drinker although I love the aromas. My favourite is tea, honey and lemon.

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  18. Coffee does smell awesome, doesn't it? I make tea like that when I don't feel well, and it makes me feel better just with the taste :)

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