Coconut Cream Cake

by Kiran on March 26, 2013 · 106 comments

in Baking, Cake, Desserts

Hello and Happy Tuesday!!

The Husband turned a year wiser yesterday. And I baked him a 6 inch coconut cream cake. My few baking disasters happened last weekend, but I won’t dwell too much into it. This is after all, a post about the Husband and his birthday celebration.

He’d be the center of today’s blog post. Not the failed baking macaron attempts last weekend.

Two, to be precise.

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My husband and I don’t like store-bought cakes. The frosting is usually thick and super sweet! And a whole cake for the two of us wasn’t enough to justify a purchase.

Though after the failed at baking attempts, I silently wished my horrid baking skills would have nudged us more into store-bought birthday cakes. Seriously, I’m a failure in the baking department.

But I’m known to always try again and again.

And again.

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Looks like I wheeled off the topic — back to the Husband.

It took every ounce of me to NOT overdecorate this cake. I was envisioning a couple of spring flowers, but that would totally freak the Husband out.

I would’ve gotten “the stare”, if you know what I mean 😉

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So I kept it simple, light and easy. We both love coconut and without a doubt, coconut flakes cannot bruise any male ego in the cake decorating department. That’s a guarantee.

I got my satisfaction of decorating the cake and the Husband had his by eating.

A win-win situation.

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Ingredients:

Cake

  • 1+1/3 cup of whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 cup thick full fat coconut cream
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp coconut rum

Meringue frosting

  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 oz agave nectar or honey
  • 1/2 tsp coconut rum

Garnish : Lightly toasted coconut flakes

Directions:

  1. Place oven rack in the middle of oven. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Butter and flour the cake pan. I used coconut oil here, instead of butter. Set the pan aside.
  3. In a stand mixer fitted with a beater, add thick coconut cream and sugar. Beat on medium until fluffy, for a minute.
  4. Add eggs on at a time. Beat to combine.
  5. Drizzle in coconut rum and stir just until incorporated.
  6. Sift all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Remove the stand mixer bowl and using a spatula, make a few folds to combine all ingredients. Try not to overmix. Just enough until combined.
  7. Spread batter evenly into prepared 6 inch cake pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until tooth pick inserted, comes out clean.
  8. Remove cake pan to cool on counter for 15 minutes. Invert cake on a cooling rack to completely cool.
  9. To prepare frosting, add egg white into stand mixer fitter with a whisk.
  10. Gently whisk egg white on medium low for 1 minute or until frothy. Increase speed to medium and whip for 1 minute or until soft peaks.
  11. Add cream of tartar and continue to whip on medium. Meantime, heat agave nectar or honey in the microwave for 45 seconds. Make sure agave nectar doesn’t bubble over!
  12. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high, and slowly drizzle in very hot agave nectar. Continue to whip for a minute.
  13. Drizzle in coconut rum and increase the speed to high and continue to whip for 2 minutes until thick and glossy.
  14. Frost cooled cake with prepared meringue. Gently scatter toasted coconut flakes on the sides and top.
  15. Gobble it up immediately.

 

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Happy Birthday to the love of my life! Wishing you more happiness, great health and prosperous years ahead — including renewed attempts on my behalf to better my baking skills 😉

Yours truly,

A foodie who is still learning how to pipe macarons. Yikes!

Any baking wreckers out there? Don’t tell me I’m all alone in this department.

 

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Comments on this entry are closed.

1 Ina gawne March 26, 2013 at 9:13 AM

Kiran – what a pretty and delicious looking cake…yummmm!
Ina gawne recently posted..CREAMY CHICKEN MUSHROOM CASSEROLE

2 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 1:20 AM

Ina — thank you my dear friend 🙂

3 Rosa March 26, 2013 at 10:09 AM

Happy belated Birthday to your husband!

That cake looks ever so pretty, soft and delicious.

Cheers,

Rosa

4 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 1:20 AM

Rosa — thank you so much my dear 🙂

5 Katerina March 26, 2013 at 11:18 AM

Happy birthday to your husband Kiran! This cake is the perfect way to celebrate! my husband loves coconut too!
Katerina recently posted..Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

6 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 1:29 AM

Katerina — thank you so much, dear friend. Truly appreciate your wishes 🙂

7 Honey What's Cooking March 26, 2013 at 12:16 PM

happy birthday to your hubby! looks like a great cake and i love that you didn’t add oil or butter, but used coconut cream. must have been moist and delicious. i love coconut too, i’m baking up a similar cake I recently made this weekend. 🙂
Baking disasters? of course.. i’m a novice, you’re the baker!!!
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..Blueberry Banana Coconut Oatmeal Bake… bressert!

8 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 1:38 AM

Honey — thank you so much for the birthday wishes. And I refuse the title of a “baker”. No way 😀

9 Donalyn March 26, 2013 at 1:58 PM

Happy Birthday to your husband and this looks so delectable!
Donalyn recently posted..Creamy Spinach Feta Soup

10 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 1:47 AM

Donalyn — thank you so much, my dear 🙂

11 dassana March 26, 2013 at 2:16 PM

lovely cake and with coconut the flavors won’t go wrong. and even i have had some baking disasters…. crumbled cookies, dense gluten cake, icing going over the top and what not. wish you a happy holi kiran. also belated happy birthday wishes to your husband.
dassana recently posted..mango kulfi

12 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 1:51 AM

Dassana — thank you so much! I am so glad we all share similar hiccups in the baking department 😉

13 Ansh | Spiceroots March 26, 2013 at 2:46 PM

My baking disaster has also been the macarons. But I always blame it on the altitude and move on :)) Living in Denver is not easy for bakers.

Loved that you did not give up. And who doesn’t love a coconut cake!!

14 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:28 AM

Ansh — wow, altitude and humidity problems definitely affects baking. Hmph!

15 Monica March 26, 2013 at 3:31 PM

The cake and pictures are beautiful. I love making little 6″ cakes…and love those adorable “cake” forks!!
Monica recently posted..Cocoa brownies

16 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:33 AM

Monica — thank you so much! I got the forks at Amsterdam as a gift while visiting my sister 🙂

17 dixya@food, pleasure, and health March 26, 2013 at 3:44 PM

this is the perfect way to celebrate a birthday together 🙂 Happy Birthday to the hubby. I love everything about this cake… Baking disaster- I am very good at that 😛
dixya@food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Sweet MIMM

18 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:37 AM

Dixya — thank you so much! I think we all share similarities in the baking department 🙂

19 CCU March 26, 2013 at 3:44 PM

what an utterly gorgeous cake my friend and Happy birthday to your husband!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
CCU recently posted..Guest Post #4: Satisfying a Craving, The Healthy Way

20 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:38 AM

CCU — thank you so much my dear 🙂

21 Terri/LoveandConfections March 26, 2013 at 5:17 PM

Happy Birthday to the Hubs. And don’t worry, you are not alone. Even us trained Pastry Chefs have failures in the baking dept (i had 2 this past week also). Just have to keep baking.
Terri/LoveandConfections recently posted..Kennebec – A Big Wheel Pop-Up

22 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:41 AM

Terri — thank you! A little relief to read that I’m not alone, failing in the baking department 🙂

23 Matt @ The Athlete's Plate March 26, 2013 at 7:20 PM

This looks freaking amazing!
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..Sunday Breakfast

24 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:50 AM

Matt — hahaha, thanks 🙂

25 Carol | a cup of mascarpone March 26, 2013 at 7:32 PM

What a gorgeous cake (and photos too)!!! I absolutely love that you used whole wheat flour! Happy Birthday to your husband!
Carol | a cup of mascarpone recently posted..meyer lemon ricotta pancakes with macerated strawberry coulis

26 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:53 AM

Carol — thank you so much!!

27 Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board March 26, 2013 at 8:12 PM

I want to bite into that slice of cake so bad, it looks amazing! I love that you used coconut rum into it to infuse more coconut flavour, I’ve never thought of that before! Gorgeous cake, and as usual, gorgeous photography!

28 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:55 AM

Natalie — thank you so much, my dear. I had some leftover coconut rum after making pina colada’s so I thought a few splashes won’t hurt 😉

29 Laura (Tutti Dolci) March 26, 2013 at 9:03 PM

Such a sweet cake for your husband! I love your styling :).
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..cadbury easter egg phyllo cups

30 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 2:54 PM

Laura — thank you so much, my dear friend 🙂

31 Alyssa (Everyday Maven) March 26, 2013 at 10:14 PM

Happy Bday to your Hubs! I love, love, love coconut cake (even our wedding cake was a Triple Coconut!) and that you added the rum in there.
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) recently posted..Broiled Pineapple with Coconut Whipped Cream

32 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 2:55 PM

Alyssa — thank you so much! Hope you are enjoying Easter 🙂

33 Cass @foodmyfriend March 26, 2013 at 10:41 PM

Super Duper cute! Love this. Coconut cake is the best. I usually toast mine and match it with vanilla. nom 🙂
Cass @foodmyfriend recently posted..Chickpea Curry served on Pappadums

34 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 2:58 PM

Cass — thank you so much!

35 Kitchen Belleicious March 26, 2013 at 11:48 PM

love the banner for the cake. Makes it even cuter:) I love coconut anything much less a cake devoted solely to it. You are a dream at baking my friend. this looks amazing! Happy birthday to the man who makes you so happy:)
Kitchen Belleicious recently posted..Chocolate Roasted Salted Almond Butter

36 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 2:59 PM

Jessica — thanks a lot my dear. I try to bake and I fail at it most of the times 🙂

37 Poornima March 27, 2013 at 1:16 AM

Belated wishes to your husband! The cake looks and the recipe sounds fabulous. Love the use of Whole Wheat flour.
Poornima recently posted..The Minnie Mouse Party – Cakes, Decorations and Games

38 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 3:02 PM

Poornima — thank you so so much for the birthday wish 🙂

39 Nami | Just One Cookbook March 27, 2013 at 1:42 AM

Happy Belated Birthday to your hubby! What a lucky husband to get this gorgeous cake for birthday… I am also very picky about the store bought cake too. I rather pay good price to get even smaller size cake. I don’t need quantity but quality is important… your cake is so nice. If you are not satisfied with your baking skills, what am I going to do… 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Garlic Miso Chicken Bento ガーリック味噌チキン弁当

40 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 3:05 PM

Nami — thanks for all the sweet things in your comment. And yes, I am still grunting about my baking skills. Really 😀

41 Yohann March 27, 2013 at 4:51 AM

This looks delicious, I like the minimalism. I love coconut!

42 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 3:05 PM

Yohann — thank you so much! We are minimalist ourselves 🙂

43 jehanne@thecookingdoctor March 27, 2013 at 4:58 AM

I think you are definitely being too hard on yourself my dear Kiran- the cake is stunning! I bet the birthday boy is beaming with delight. I should really learn not to take the abundance of fresh coconut here for granted, this beauty is worth the bake! And yes- count me in on macarons disasters, unsmooth fondant, runny buttercream…hmmph
jehanne@thecookingdoctor recently posted..Oregano, Coriander and Parmesan Pizza Balls

44 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 3:06 PM

Jehanne — your words definitely boosts my baking confidence. And yes, there’s nothing better than using freshly grated coconut in any coconut recipes 🙂

45 Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella March 27, 2013 at 5:42 AM

Happy Birthday to your husband! What a stunning cake to have made him 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Cooking For A President: Haute Cuisine’s Danièle Mazet-Delpeuch

46 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 3:07 PM

Lorraine — thank you my dear!

47 Asmita March 27, 2013 at 10:06 AM

Belated Happy Birthday to your husband.
The cake looks fantastic! Where did you get those cake forks. They are adorable.

For a long time, I have been wanting to bake macaroons. On my recent trip to New York, I looked up for a baking class that would teach it. Unfortunately there weren’t any.
Asmita recently posted..Tea Bag Cookies

48 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:29 PM

Asmita — thank you! I got the forks as a gift while visiting my sister in Amsterdam. Perhaps you can try searching in your city where you live, if there’s any classes? I’m searching as I type this. Crossing my fingers 🙂

49 mycookinghut March 27, 2013 at 1:14 PM

Looks great!
mycookinghut recently posted..Bukhara & Taj Mahal

50 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:30 PM

Leemei — thank you!

51 Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking March 27, 2013 at 1:47 PM

Happy belated birthday to your husband, Kiran! What a wonderful, special cake and a lucky guy he is for you to make it for him! Thank you for sharing.

52 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:30 PM

Georgia — thanks a lot for your sweet wishes 🙂

53 Maria March 27, 2013 at 2:54 PM

Great cake for a great person indeed 🙂 very cute cake and the banner is really cute…. yes bakers like us keep trying and sometimes its a great success 🙂
Maria recently posted..Paan Kulfi

54 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:37 PM

Maria — thank you so so much 🙂

55 Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence March 27, 2013 at 3:18 PM

Simple yet lovely 🙂 I love a good coconut cake.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence recently posted..Homemade Crème Fraîche

56 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:48 PM

Brandon — thank you!!

57 john@kitchenriffs March 27, 2013 at 7:39 PM

Happy Birthday to Hubby! Great looking cake – I love coconut. I’m OK with overdecorated cakes, but at heart I prefer simpler ones, too. Good job with this! Thanks so much.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Eggs Benedict

58 Kiran March 31, 2013 at 11:56 PM

John — thank you so much for the wishes. And for now, simpler cakes are the only ones I can actually handle in the baking department 🙂

59 Gemma @andgeesaid March 27, 2013 at 8:04 PM

This is stunning! Beautiful photography <3
Gemma @andgeesaid recently posted..The Liebster Award (:

60 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:17 AM

Gemma — thank you!

61 Juliana March 27, 2013 at 9:37 PM

Happy Belated Birthday to your husband Kiran…the cake looks delicious and I like the idea of using whole wheat flour and agave in the meringue…looks awesome.
Hope you are having a fun week 🙂
Juliana recently posted..Florentines Cookies

62 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:18 AM

Juliana — thank you so much my dear! I love experimenting with healthier ingredients from time to time. Hope you had a great week!

63 Natasha March 28, 2013 at 9:12 AM

This cake looks delicious! I like that you used whole wheat pastry flour.
Natasha recently posted..Peanut Butter Oreo Cupcakes

64 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:19 AM

Natasha — thank you so much 🙂

65 Marly March 28, 2013 at 11:34 AM

Coconut cake is what my mom always made for my birthdays when I was a kid. I don’t know where that tradition fell off, but now it seems the only way it happens is if I make it for myself…which is exactly what I like to do. This recipe looks so good and your photographs are beautiful! And you obviously have excellent skills at negotiation too: win-win is the best way to go…especially with hubbies!
Marly recently posted..Gluten Free Molten Chocolate Cake

66 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:20 AM

Marly — thank you for sharing your memories with coconut cake. And as far as my negotiations skills go — well, there’s only so much I can compromise 😉

67 The Squishy Monster March 28, 2013 at 3:01 PM

Happy birthday to the hubs…and I LOVE this cake + the bunting!!

68 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:26 AM

TSM — thank you so much!!

69 Radhika Vasanth March 28, 2013 at 4:39 PM

You are not alone Kiran. Even when everything comes out good, I have screwed up the cake by not lining the pan. And the swiss meringue butter cream still seems like a dream that doesn’t come true. But as you said I am not giving up 🙂

Beautiful cake and belated wishes to your husband. Hope you guys had a bash.
Radhika Vasanth recently posted..Weekly Meal plan – Making everyday cooking easy

70 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:30 AM

Radhika — thank you so much my friend. Glad to know I am not alone in the quest to “perfect” my baking skills 🙂

71 Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ March 28, 2013 at 5:37 PM

This can be renamed “Coconut Dream Cake”. It got stuck on my mind, I’ll probably dream of it!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Lebanese Sweet Potato Wrap with Mint Tzatziki and Toasted Almonds

72 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:34 AM

Daniela — lol, thanks a lot!!

73 Viviane Bauquet Farre- Food and Style March 28, 2013 at 6:13 PM

What a delightful birthday treat, Kiran!
Viviane Bauquet Farre- Food and Style recently posted..Goat cheese soufflés with fresh thyme and lemon

74 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:34 AM

Viviane — thank you so much!

75 Maureen | Orgasmic Chef March 28, 2013 at 7:44 PM

What a great idea. I always make too much cake or any dessert and we toss too much away. That cake looks wonderful and we’re all proud you didn’t overdecorate and get the “look”. We all know what that is. We are unafraid. 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Easter Memories

76 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:37 AM

Maureen — thanks so much for the words of encouragement. It totally made my day 🙂

77 Monet March 28, 2013 at 8:02 PM

I just pulled a coconut cake out of the oven, my friend. Thank you for the inspiration!
Monet recently posted..Sweet Potato Crumb Muffins

78 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:39 AM

Monet — bon apetit and you are welcome, my dear 🙂

79 Daytona @ Outside Oslo March 28, 2013 at 8:18 PM

That looks delicious! Way to go, persevering through what you consider a lack in baking skills. From the looks of it to me, you’re great at baking. And yes, homemade is much better than store-bought. Way to go!

(And thanks, by the way, for stopping by Outside Oslo and leaving a comment. I hope you’ll check back soon for more Scandinavian recipes and stories!)
Daytona @ Outside Oslo recently posted..Travel: New Zealand

80 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:45 AM

Daytona — thank you so much for such sweet comments & words of encouragement 🙂

81 TasteofBeirut March 29, 2013 at 1:32 AM

I dont know why i dont make coconut cakes more often; yours look so pretty and I love that you baked it in a 6 inch pan, it makes it even prettier!

82 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:48 AM

Joumana — thank you so much, my friend 🙂

83 Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen March 29, 2013 at 3:02 AM

Aw, Happy Birthday to the hubs. He’s a lucky man, that’s one delicious sounding and looking cake. Oh and the cake forks are adorable by the way!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Fresh Herb Aïoli with Spring Vegetables | Le Grand Aïoli

84 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:50 AM

Sylvie — thank you so very much my dear 🙂

85 Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon March 31, 2013 at 1:17 AM

This looks like my size and I love coconut so I think I will need to try this.

86 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:51 AM

Ms. Lemon — thanks and do let me know how it tastes 🙂

87 Jamie March 31, 2013 at 1:57 PM

Mmmm I love coconut cake and your recipe looks wonderful, the cake looks so good! And pretty. Happy birthday husband!
Jamie recently posted..Passover Lemon Almond Sponge Cake with Warm Lemon Sauce

88 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 12:52 AM

Jamie — thank you so much, dear friend 🙂

89 amy @ fearless homemaker March 31, 2013 at 7:48 PM

Happy Birthday to your husband! And what a perfect dessert – he’s one lucky guy!

90 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 1:02 AM

Amy — aw, thanks a lot my dear 🙂

91 Mallika April 1, 2013 at 12:36 AM

Happy belated Birthday to your husband Kiran!

That cake looks ever so pretty, soft and sinfully delicious in its gorgeous white frosting! I loved your simplicity in the frosting, that snowy white frosting brings out such grandeur and elegance.
Mallika recently posted..Garlic Spaghetti in Basil Almond Pesto

92 Kiran April 1, 2013 at 1:03 AM

Mallika — thank you so much! I love simple frosting too. Nothing too thick and rich! That way, I can justify eating more slices 😉

93 Raymund April 1, 2013 at 3:48 AM

Can I have some slice of those, that looks so amazingly good
Raymund recently posted..Orange Chicken

94 Kiran April 3, 2013 at 11:18 PM

Raymund — I seriously wish we could deliver!

95 Caroline @ chocolate & carrots April 1, 2013 at 7:56 AM

What a fabulous cake and what a great wife you are! I love that our husbands are birthday twins! 😀 So fun!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots recently posted..Chocolate Beet Cakes for Two

96 Kiran April 3, 2013 at 11:19 PM

Caroline — aww, thank you so much. And we have birthday twins in our life. That makes our friendship even more special!!

ps: Can’t wait to meet you and your cute little fella at FBFORL 2013!!

97 Caroline @ chocolate & carrots April 4, 2013 at 7:31 AM

I love that! Can’t wait to meet you too! 😀 Weeee!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots recently posted..Caprese Panini

98 Heide M. April 1, 2013 at 10:41 AM

Sounds yummy.

99 Kiran April 3, 2013 at 11:20 PM

Heide — thank you!!

100 Sophie April 1, 2013 at 11:25 AM

A happy beltaed Birthday to the Birthday husband! yeah!
What a fantasticly looking coconut cake! So lovely decorated too! 🙂

MMMMMMMMMM!
Sophie recently posted..Happy Easter from Sophie’s Foodie Files!

101 Kiran April 3, 2013 at 11:21 PM

Sophie — the Husband conveys his “thank you so much”!! 🙂

102 The Duo Dishes April 2, 2013 at 1:06 AM

One of our baking disasters involved cookies with only egg yolks, no whites. They were definitely not the best, but definitely not the worst. You’ve probably never done anything as silly as that. Love the coconut cream in the cake. That makes for a great flavor and very tender crumb.
The Duo Dishes recently posted..Pumping Up Our Fruits and Veggies

103 Kiran April 3, 2013 at 11:23 PM

TDD — Can I say how glad I am that we all sort of share similarities in baking disasters? So so glad, in a right way. 😀

104 Sonia April 6, 2013 at 9:27 PM

I’m bit late for party. Wishing you a belated happy birthday to your hubby! The cake looks so divine and beautiful. Should try for sure 🙂
Sonia recently posted..How To Make Phulka (Roti/Chapati) At Home | step by step | Tips

105 Emily ( Jelly Toast ) April 11, 2013 at 1:50 PM

Wow, this is a stunning cake!! I totally wish I had some celebration cake skills. Absolutely beautiful!

106 My Kitchen Stories May 3, 2013 at 8:16 AM

Looks utterly delicious
My Kitchen Stories recently posted..Slow cooked Lamb with Black Tahini and Quinoa Salad

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