Lime Key Pie

Oooooo I was so excited when I had my first piece of this dessert pie. I have since decided that I love the crust! With the spring lime season just starting here I am looking for ways to use them in everything. This has been sitting in my cupboard for a while and I regret that now! It is so fresh and just lovely.

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients

• 150g plain sweet biscuits (I use Nice Biscuits from Arnotts)
• 75g butter, melted
• 4 egg yolks
• 395g sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tbsp finely grated lime rind
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• whipped cream and lime zest to serve

Method

1Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Process biscuits until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in butter.

Press mixture over base and side of a 3cm-deep, 20cm (base) glass or ceramic pie dish. Bake for 10 minutes or until base is light golden. Cool.

Using an electric mixer, beat egg yolks in a bowl for 3 to 4 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in condensed milk, lime rind and lime juice. Pour mixture over crust. Bake for 12 minutes or until mixture has just set. Remove from oven. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until chilled.

Cut into wedges. Serve with cream and lime rind.

Puff Pastry!

I do so enjoy indulging with puff pastry. I have had this main meal sitting in my recipe box for about a year now. I saw it while I was out and about and copied it down. The poor thing has been collecting dust. Until last week. I ended up spreading it across 2 nights, it was so filling and just lovely to have after a LLLOOOONNNGGG day. So I hope you enjoy these! Will need to photograph these. 

Beef and Vegetable Pastries

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 brown onion diced
•  1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp grounded cumin
• 1 tsp grounded turmeric
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 garlic clove crushed
• 300g beef mince (I use heart smart)
• 400g potato, peeled, diced, washed
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/3 cup coriander leaves chopped
• 3 sheets frozen ready-rolled puff pastry, partially thawed
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Method

1. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and salt. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion is very soft. Increase heat to high. Add cumin seeds, turmeric, chilli powder and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add mince. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until browned.

2. Place potatoes into a shallow microwavesafe dish. Cover. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 5 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Roughly mash potato to mince mixture. Mix well to combine. Transfer filling to a bowl. Set aside to cool completely. Stir in lemon juice and coriander.

3. Preheat oven to 200C. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.

4. Cut each sheet of pastry into 4 squares. Spoon filling into centre of each square. Fold each square in half on the diagonal to form a triangle. Use a fork to press pastry edges together to seal. Place onto prepared tray. Brush with egg. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden. Serve with green salad.

Tea Cake

I have had this cake recipe sitting in my recipe box for 3 years with the intent of making it. 2 nights ago

finally did and was not disappointed. Cake came out the oven and it cooled...about 5 mins later 3/4 of it

was gone. This is such an easy recipe and you need things that should already be in the house. I  would

recommend having this with coffee or tea and it is simple enough to whip up when someone is coming 

over suddenly. I also like this cake because it is not sweet. 

Carrot and Spiced Tea Cake

Ingredients

65g butter, softened

            
1/2 cup caster sugar

            
1 egg

            
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

            
1 cup self-raising flour, sifted

            
1/3 cup milk

            
1 medium carrot, peeled, grated

            
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

            
1 teaspoon ground ginger

            
Butter, to serve

Cinnamon topping

            
10g butter, melted

            
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

            
2 teaspoons caster sugar

Method

1.     
Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced oven. Prepare loaf tin.

2.     
Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla together for 2 minutes. Stir in half the flour, then half the milk. Repeat with remaining flour and milk, adding carrot, cinnamon and ginger.

3.     Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Level top.

4.     
Bake for 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

5.     Stand in pan for 5 minutes. Turn, top-side up, onto a wire rack.

6.     Make topping: Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Brush hot cake with butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon mixture. Cool. Serve.

Pumpkin and Red Onion Muffins

Mmmmm...I love these. Especially the coriander. I have been meaning to post this recipe for the past 2 weeks but sadly have been bogged down with work and a nasty bug. :( But, I am back :) So I hope you enjoy this lovely savoury recpie. Pop me a message and tell me how you go.

Pumpkin and Red Onion Muffins

Makes: 12

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook time: 50 mins

Ingredients

550g pumpkin

1 red onion diced

5 tablespoons olive oil

275g self raising flour

50g cornmeal

15g chopped fresh coriander

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

3 eggs, beaten

150ml milk

Method

1. Line a 12 section muffin tray with paper muffin cases. Cut the pumpkin into small dice, discarding seeds/skin. You should have about 350g flesh. Spread out on a roasting tray with onion and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast in preheated oven 220⁰C for 30-40mins. Leave to cool.

2. Mix together flour, cornmeal, coriander, celery salt and baking powder in a bowl. Whisk together the eggs, milk and remaining oil with a fork in a small bowl. 

3. Stir the cooled pumpkin and onion into the dry ingredient. Add the egg mixture and mix until just combined. Divide muffin mixture between paper cases.

4. Bake in oven for 20 mins or until risen and just firm. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or cold. 

Chicken Milano from ladyb

I love SWAPBOT! Just in case you hadn't caught that vibe from this blog. I am just getting back into it all after the wedding and after wedding recovery (imagine sitting on the couch doing NOTHING). One of my many Swapbot addictions is swapping recipes. It is so interesting to see how food is created across the globe. I have received some wonderful dishes and many have entered my monthly mmmm whats for tea. This is one such recpie. A BIG thanks for ladyb for this yummy simple recipe.

Chicken Milano

Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 skinless chicken breast (1 1/2 inch cubes)
-2 tbsp butter
- 1 med. onion
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tin tomato soup
- 6 fresh sliced mushrooms OR 1 jar sliced mushroom
- 2 medium zucchini (slice)
- 1/2tsp basil
-1/8 tsp chilli powder

Method
1. Prepare rice as label directed.
2. In large skillet over medium heat in hot butter, cook onion and garlic until tender. Add chicken and brown on all sides.
3. Stir in soup and remaining ingredients. Over high heat, bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Serve by spooning mixture over rice in a deep platter.

Chocolate Walnut Cupcakes

I have been using this recipe on and off for the past few years. I love the soft fluffiness of the cupcake with the crunch of the chopped nuts. Enjoy for a bit of crunch on your chocolate cupcakes. This is also lovely to have with coffee after a LONG work day. 

Chocolate Walnut Cupcakes

Ingredients

150g lightly salted butter

150g caster sugar

175g self raising flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

3 eggs

3 tbs baking cocoa

1 tsp vanilla essence

Spare chopped walnuts (to top cupcakes)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180⁰ prepare cupcake tray.

2. Combine butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa and vanilla essence in a bowl. Mix with a hand held mixer until light and fluffy.

3. Gently fold through walnuts. Spoon into cupcake tray. Sprinkle with spare chopped walnuts.

4. Cook for 20-25 mins. Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack. 

Breakfast Muffins

I made these a few weeks ago and have been playing with the recipe to make it work for me. I originally had mushrooms but took them out, however I have not given up on the idea. Patience, patience, patience Mushrooms will appear in one kind of breakfast muffin I make. This one is my left over veggies and bacon muffin, it was a random find. Have a go and let me know how it went.

Bacon, Carrot and Zucchini Breakfast Muffins

Ingredients

3 rashes of bacon small dice
1 tbsp oil (I used olive oil)
1 sml carrot grated
1/2 sml zucchini grated
1/4 cup shallots
1 1/2 cups plain flour
3 tsps baking powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup grated cheese (I use tasty)
80g butter melted
2 eggs lightly beaten
2/3 cup of milk

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200⁰C and prepare muffin tray. Fry bacon until crispy and put to one side.
2. Place flour, baking powder, salt, pepper and cheese into a bowl, mix.
3. Whisk butter, eggs and milk in a mixing bowl.
6. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and combine. Stir through carrot, shallots, zucchini and bacon.
7. Spoon into muffin trays and cook for 20mins.
8. Serve warm or cool for lunches or afternoon tea.

Strawberry Pie, so simple!

I adore strawberries! Punnets, punnets and punnets of strawberries. In QLD at the moment they are in season and smelling amazing. I have had 4 punnets in the fridge ALL day and not had a single one. I wanted to save them for a Strawberry Pie. This recipe was nothing like what I was expecting, but it is so simple and amazing. Plus, I made sure I had extra strawberry and warm syrup left over so I could have half a bowl of the mixture warmed. YUMMY! 

Soak your strawberries

If you love strawberries have a go because this is such a refreshing dessert. I received this recipe from a partner in a swap on Swapbot. She also sent me a surprising hint when using strawberries in cooking. You need to soak your strawberries for at least an hour before use in cooking. I usually just wash it under the tap and then go but, it makes a different to the flavour. The strawberries absorb some moisture and it throughly cleans them. I will be doing this from now on.

Strawberry Pie

Ingredients:

Baked and cooled sweet pie crust (you can make your own or buy pre done)

3 punnets strawberry

1 cup of water

1 cup of of sugar

2 tbsp of cornflour

1/3 cup strawberry jelly crystals  (jello)

Methods:

1. Ensure you cook your sweet pie crust so it is browned. Set aside to cool.

2. Slice strawberries (you can use whole if you wish but I find more flavour when sliced) and set aside.

3. Mix sugar and cornstarch.

4. Place water in sauce pan and begin to heat. Add sugar/cornflour mixture until softly boiled. It will start off cloudy and then become clearer consistency.

5. Once clearer stir through jelly crystals (jello) until all dissolved. Take off stove top and cool. 

6. Place strawberries into pie crust.

7. Pour over jelly mixture and place in fridge overnight. 

8. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. So glossy.

Slow Cooked Chicken Paprika

I think I have an obsession, I love my slow cooker. I can make all this yummy food with it. Chuck in ingredients and then BAM! 2,4,6 or 8 hours later, with me barely lifting a finger food it produced. Yummy food too. You can literally chuck in random things and hope for the best or follow a recpice. I am beginning to experiment with drier recipes in the slow cooker.

Here is one I tried last week with Scott. I really like this for something different, although I only had smoked paprika last time I made this which totally changed the taste. Have a go and let me know what you think.

Chicken Paprika 

Ingredients

1 tsp of butter

1 tbsp paprika

3 tsp of sugar

2 tsp of salt

1/2 tsp grounded oregano

1/2 tsp mustard powder

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1kg of chicken breast (skin removed)

Method:

1. Grease the inside of the slow cooker with butter.

2. Combine the paprika, sugar, salt, oregano, mustard powder and pepper in small bowl. 

3. Cut chicken breast in half length ways. Coat with the paprika mixture. 

4. Place in slow cooker for 2 hours on high.

5. Serve with creamy mash potatoes and steamed greens (beans/snow peas/broccoli) and carrot. 

Baked Banana Dessert/Arvo Snack

Okay, I have to admit I LOVE sweet things but, I also need balance. So I am attempting to change my approach to cooking and in particular dessert. I adore chocolate, ice cream, cake and every other 'bad' kind of dessert. So instead of chowing down on these things I am trying to adjust. Though this particular dessert is not 'healthy' it is a better option. I present to you the simple Baked Banana.

Baked Honey Banana

Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp of butter
- 3/4 cup of mixed nuts

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180⁰C.
2. Peel and halve bananas, place onto baking tray.

3. Combine honey and butter, drizzle over banana. Place in oven for 10 mins.
4. Take out of oven, place onto serving plate. Sprinkle with nuts.

Optional: Serve with vanilla ice cream or sorbet.

Muffin Fix- Cranberries and Almonds!

Well back into the hum drum of reality with work, cleaning, gardening, work, not sleeping and basically not enjoying it all so much. So I took some time out to bake some yummy more savoury type of muffins and enjoy the foggy rain. The weather looks like it is trying to clear but, it was a lot of fun today weeding the front garden bed in the wispy rain. One of these guys jumped on me however, once I realised it was on the glove he was so cool to look at. 

I have been craving dried cranberries all week for some random reason and low and behold I stumble upon some in the quick sale section. :) This made my day. But what to do with them...I could put them in a trail mix for school over the week, I could dip them in chocolate, I could eat them one at a time and enjoy the tart taste...So many choices. Eventually, after much debate, I decided to try out combining 2 different recipes to make Spiced Cranberries and Almonds Muffin. I LOVE the result. They hit my savoury craving just right. Although this idea won by a nose to the Cranberry and Almond Loaf. That may have been due to the loaf tin growing legs and running away from home. That's my story anyway.
I hope you like. 

Spiced Cranberry and Almond Cupcakes

Prep: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Makes: 10 large muffins, 20 cupcakes

Ingredients

150g butter, softened
150g white sugar
175g self raising flour
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup of dried cranberries
1 cup of slivered almonds
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180⁰C, prepare cupcake/muffin tins with butter or paper/foil

2. In a large bowl add butter, sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla essence, ground ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Blend with hand mixer until creamy.

3. Stir through almonds and cranberries.

4. Place mixture into muffin/cupcake tin, place a small dried cranberry on top of each muffin/cupcake.

5. Cook for 20-25 mins or until golden brown. Serve warm or cooled. 

I may also be stupidly excited about my new electronic scales from 'Three Hats'. Most importantly it is red and I finally have something to measure weight instead of esimating. I haven't had an official scale for 2 years and this has resulted in me not trying some recipes. Woot woot!!!

Margarita Pizza

I love using fresh ingredients on pizza, particularly herbs. I have become lazy and really need to clean up the garden and get back into growing what I can from home. This is my all time favourite pizza to make. It smells amazing while it is cooking and that smell hangs around for days. Recently I have lent towards using pre made pizza bases with whatever is on sale at the local supermarket. However, this is my dough recipe.  

Pizza Dough

Prep Time: 15 mins
Makes: 3 round doughs (or 2 of my rectangle)

Ingredients
375ml (1 1/2 cup) warm water
2 tsp dried yeast
Pinch of caster sugar
600g (4 cups) plain flour
60ml (1/4cup) olive oil, plus extra for brushing

• 
  
• Method
• 1. Combine the water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes or until foamy. 
• 
  
• 2. Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the yeast mixture and oil. Use a round-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until the mixture is combined. Use your hands to bring the dough together in the bowl.

3. Brush a bowl lightly with oil. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in the prepared bowl and turn to coat in oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draught-free place to rise for 30 minutes or until dough doubles in size.

Margarita Pizza

Ingredients
Pizza Base
Tomato Paste
Fresh Basil Leaves
Roma tomatoes/ vine ripened tomatoes
Finely diced garlic (optional)
Mozzarella cheese shredded


Method:
Preheat over to 200 degrees Celsius
Prep pizza base (as directions on packet or see above)
Smear tomato paste over base, sprinkle on garlic
Place whole basil leaves across base then add thinly slice tomatoes
Sprinkle on cheese to taste.
Cook fro 20 mins or until cheese is golden.
Serve warm with fresh salad and garlic bread.

Roast Pumpkin Sauce on Pappardelle...mmmm

I have been craving warm creamy sauces this winter. I have been meaning to share this recipe for a good while now but just keep forgetting to post it. I made this up for Scott and I one night. I love the creamy texture but next time would add more garlic and spice to off set the pumpkin flavour. I hope you enjoy and if you make any changes let me know. 

Roast Pumpkin Sauce on Pappardelle

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 35 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1.4kg of butternut pumpkin, cut into 2cm cubes

4 garlic cloves

3 tsp fresh thyme

100ml olive oil

500g pappardelle

2 tbsp of cream

185ml of vegetable stock (can also use chicken stock)

30g shave Parmesan Cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Place pumpkin, garlic, thyme and 60ml of olive oil in a large bowl and toss until pumpkin is covered. 

2. Season with salt. Transfer to baking tray and cook for 30 mins.

3. Cook pasta al dente, drain and return to pan, toss through olive oil and keep warm.

4. Place cooked pumpkin and cream in blender and process until smooth. Add warmed stock and process until smooth and combined. Season with salt and black pepper. 

5. Toss through warmed pasta, serve immediately with Parmesan cheese.   

On another note. 8 DAYS UNTIL MY WEDDING!!!! I may be getting excited, here is a hint of something else...

Crunchy Spiced Chicken Nuggets

I love chicken nuggets, always have but I wanted to try and find a healthier alternative because those frozen ones, not so good for you. Enter Women's Weekly Low Fat Cooking. I adjusted their Crunchy Spiced Chicken Recipe to a nugget format. Their is the health way, and not so healthy way. I will put both sets of ingredients in.

Crunchy Spiced Chicken

Healthy                                                                           Not So Healthy                 

700g of chicken breast cut                                        700g of chicken breast cut

into nugget size pieces                                                into nugget size pieces

1/4 cup plain flour                                                      1/4 cup plain flour

1 cup wholemeal breadcrumbs                                1 cup breadcrumbs 

1/3 cup Corn Flakes crumb                                      1/3 cup Special K crumbs

1 tsp grounded coriander                                         1 tsp grounded coriander

2 tsp grounded cumin                                               2 tsp grounded cumin

2 tsp garlic salt                                                           2 tsp garlic salt

3 egg whites beaten lightly                                        2 eggs beaten lightly

Method

1. Cut chicken breast into nugget size pieces. Place chicken in large sauce pan of cold water, bring to boil; drain. Pat dry with absorbent paper.

2. Toss chicken in flour, shake away excess flour. Combine crumbs, spices and slat; mix well. Dip chicken in egg/whites then crumb mixture. Place chicken on oven tray which has been coated with cooling oil spray, cover, refrigerate for 1 hour

3. Coat chicken lightly with cooking oil spray, bake, uncovered, in moderately hot oven about 30 mins or until tender. 

Cherry Choc Slice Heaven

DELENN APPROVED RECIPE

It was a good friends birthday this week. She is studying to become a teacher so not only did a few colleges and I get together and give her the most awesome prac teacher survival pack ever, I also made her a sweet treat for having to come in and work on her special day. So not only did she get her stationary fix she was also introduce to this amazing Cherry Choc Slice.

I have no idea where I got this recipe from, it could be from a number places. I think most likely the same book I used to make this Choc Lovers Cake  but, I have lent it a friend. This slice was super simple to make and tastes amazing. It is quite rich (esp because I melted 2 blocks over the top of it) but well worth it for a ladies afternoon tea or quick sugar fix.

Choc Cherry Slice

Ingredients

185g plain sweet biscuits, crumbled

1/4 cup baking cocoa

90g, butter

1 1/4 cup red glace cherries, chopped (1 cut into quarters)

395g sweetened condensed milk

2 1/2 cup desiccated coconut

200g dark chocolate, melted

1 tbsp vegetable oil

Method

1. Line a 20cm square cake pan with baking paper.

2. Combine biscuits, baking cocoa and butter in a medium bowl, mix well. Press evenly into base of pan and pop i the fridge until cool. 

3. Meanwhile, combine cherries, sweetened condensed milk and coconut, spread evenly over biscuit layer. Refrigerate until firm.

4. Combine chocolate and oil in bowl, melt. Pour over slice evenly. Refrigerate until set. 

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do. We will be eating it all of next week.