Foccacia bread

Ok so this is a cheat's foccacia but it works for me. I just made the dough in the breadmaker and then shaped it into a circle, then baked it for an hour or so at 180. Next time I will make it thinner and cook it for a bit less. It was still very tasty.

This was the perfect accompniment (I can't spell that word!) to our spicy sausage and lentil soup! Thanks to Sophie for anothe great recipe. I'm getting so much use out of her latest book 100+ $10 meals.

Recipes

I've not been publishing specific recipes due to time constraints but if you want any please just let me know and I'll happily send it to you. :-)

Apple upside down pudding

In our family everyone gets pudding on Sunday night so I am always on the lookout for tasty, healthyish new ideas. The other day I was looking through the good old Edmonds (kiwi favourite!) and came across a recipe for upside down apple pudding. We served it warm with whipped cream on the side and it was so so yummy - perfect for a cold winter evening.

English muffins

Nick and I love tasty treats to eat but our modest way of living doesn't allow us to buy them as often as we'd like so any chance I get to make them I give it a go. I found this recipe for English muffins on Sophie Grey's website  http://www.destitutegourmet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=90     They're a little time consuming but easy to make. They taste delicous when toasted, just as good as the bought ones. And at about $1.50 for 12 about quarter of the price.

 

Sticky lemon slice

Well I apologise for not doing much blogging lately. The cursor jumps all over the place mucking up my blog when I'm trying to type. If anyone knows how to fix this, please tell me!

A while back we had some lemons so I had a go at Julie Biuso's sticky lemon slice. It was absolutely delicous and very easy to make. http://www.juliebiuso.com/recipes/recipe.php?rid=42&pref=nz to check it out.

Breadsticks

I was looking for some yummy savoury treats to make and found these on the DG website. http://www.destitutegourmet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=90   I think Sophie Grey is fantastic. She's such an inspiration and has so many things to share. She is also wonderfully generous about sharing her recipes for free on her website and blog.  
Back to the breadsticks, the dough is easy to make and quick to prepare. I did find the breadsticks time consuming and a bit fiddly to make however the results were definately worth it!

Chewy chocolate button cookies!!

I've been searching for a chewy cookie recipe and someone put me on to this one http://allrecipes.com.au/recipe/4807/best-big--fat--chewy-chocolate-chip-cookie.aspx I tried it out last night and it was great.

The first version I did was double chocolate with milk and dark choc buttons which are everything a choc chip cookie should be!

The second half of the mixture I did white chocolate and craisins. These are equally good so now I'm torn between the two and don't know which to eat first. These cookies are so good, I'd really recommend trying them.

Raspberry cream buns

One of the main reasons I wanted to make white bread rolls was to have another go at raspberry buns. Once the buns were cooled I split them in half, placed raspberry jam in the bottom then filled them with whipped cream. I then topped with a variety of icings. I did a couple with plain raspberry icing and a couple with raspberry coconut icing. I also did a couple with straight icing sugar for those with a less sweet tooth! (not me!!) Any way you had them, these were fantastic and a perfect weekend treat!

Awesome bread rolls!

These ones turned out perfectly! This was a white bread mix, again with the dough made in the bread maker. I then lightly kneaded it, and shaped into balls, then placed them on the baking tray and left them to rise for another hour or so. I then baked them for about 20 mins at 180 until risen and golden - YUM!!

Roast vegetable and chicken soup with warm rolls

Have been having some yummy soups lately. I discovered that if you throw all the leftovers from a roast in a pot together, add some chicken stock and water and boil it for a few hours it turns into absolutely delicious soup! The secret is to take out as many bones as possible, then wizz it all up and put it through a sieve to catch any small bones. It doesn't look super appealing but man, it tastes good!

The best thing to go with it is some hot, fresh, home made rolls. These ones are a basic bread maker dough which I then shaped and baked for 20 mins on 180 degrees.

Banoffee pie

Thought I would finish off our fabulous mothers day feast of roast chicken and veg with a banoffee pie. I made a shortcrust pastry last night and baked it blind for about 30 mins till golden. I removed it from the dish once it was cool. This afternoon I mixed up a butterscotch instant pudding and filled the pastry case with it. Once set I topped with banana slices then piped whipped cream into rosettes on the top. I was going to drizzle melted chocolate over the top but the chocolate seized! However we thought it looked and tasted great just how it was! This was my first real attempt at pipng and I was pleasantly suprised how well it turned out!

Raspberry buns

I discovered raspberry essence in the supermarket recently so I thought I'd have a go at Raspberry Buns. I googled them and found most of the recipes were the same. It turns out it was a basically a scone type mix for the buns.

I then made icing using the raspberry essence and a bit of extra red food colouring. I did a couple with icing then coconut

then decided to mix the coconut into the icing instead.

These were different to what I expected but quite tasty all the same. The kids especially thought they were good.

I also made a large version. I preferred this as it was a bit more of a bread texture than a scone. I iced it, then cut into slices and spread it with butter so it was more like a Sally Lunn. This was more to my taste, though of course, the kids preferred the small version with more icing!

Yoghurt berry crunch

I decided the kids needed a little treat for afternoon tea so I simply put some greek yoghurt in a bowl, topped it with cornflakes, added some frozen berries and drizzled it with lemon honey. Quick and easy and the kids thought I was supermum!

butter chicken

This was a delicious variation of the butter chicken pies. We had decided to have these with rice instead of as pies. Instead of using 1 cup of evaporated milk I used a whole tine of coconut milk to make it extra saucy! Yum!!

Girly cupcakes

Brooke and I had a go at making girly cupcakes! We were inspired by Destitute Gourmet's blog http://www.destitutegourmet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=129&Itemid=90#carnival_cupcakes I'm afraid ours were not anywhere near her standards, still we had fun making them and eating them and that's the main thing! We'll have to see how we go next time!

Banana mini muffins - with optional choc bits!

An old favourite.

Combine

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup sugar

in a bowl. Make a well in the centre.

In a different bowl beat together:

2 mashed bananas

1 tblspn golden syrup

1 tspn vanilla essence

2 eggs

Stir this into the dry ingredients then add 150gms melted butter. Bake at 220 for 12 minutes.

Variations:

Reduce sugar and add chocolate bits (I use chopped choc buttons). Lately I've been using only 50 gms of butter and adding approximately 2/3 cup of yoghurt which seems to work just as well. Yum!

Chewy choc slice

This is so so good. Every time I make it for anywhere they love it. I found the recipe in a mag ages ago.
200 gms chocolate
150gms butter
Melt these togther over a pan of simmering water.

Combine:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsps baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut
1 can condensed milk
with the chocolate and butter mix.

Spread into a 20cm x 30cm greased tray. Bake at 180 for 25 mins. Don't overcook, the mixture will be soft when you pull it out. Let it cool in pan before removing, then cut into small squares. ENJOY!

Butter chicken pies

Another scrummy recipe from Sophie Grey's new book 100+ $10 meals. This one uses filo pastry but I just made mine in shortcrust pastry as didn't have any filo. Leftovers are great served cold for lunch. The chutney definitely adds a bit extra.

I tried a couple of sizes of pie, both seemed to work well.

Mini lemon meringue pies

I thought it was time to stretch myself a wee bit so todays effort was mini lemon meringue pies for an afternoon tea. The first thing was to make Sophie's fabulous shortcrust pastry http://www.destitutegourmet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=68. I cut into circles using a glass then placed into mini muffin tins. Bake these blind for 20 mins at 190.

Next I filled them with the lemon honey.

Then I topped with the meringue. I piped the meringue on using a plastic bag with a hole cut in it for the nozzle, to make them look pretty.

Lastly bake in the oven for 8-10 mins at 190. Watch carefully to make sure they don't burn. Enjoy!

Lemon meringue pancakes!

Last night I had a hankering for something delicous for dessert. Seeing as I had some lemon honey I'd made earlier I thought I'd make lemon meringue pancakes. Nick made some crepes while I made meringue, then I just spread them with lemon honey, filled the middle with meringue, rolled them up and baked them for about 5 minutes until the meringue was set. I drizzled the top with a little more honey and ate straight away. Perfect!!

Smoked fish mornay

This was so easy and so good! I just made a thick white sauce, flavoured it with salt, pepper and mustard powder and added tinned fish and spring onions. Cooked for a further couple of minutes, then poured into individual ramekins and topped with mozarella. I baked them on 180 for about 30 mins as we were in no rush for dinner. YUM! You could do with salmon or tuna or any combination.

Chicken pie

Another recipe from Destitute Gourmet Sophie Grey's new book. Supposed to be chicken, leek and bacon pie but I didn't have leeks or want to use bacon so it was just chicken pie and it was delish! Mum, Dad, Nick, the kids and I all wolfed it down! Nice one Sophie! The shortcrust pastry was so quick and easy to make and the filling likewise. Will definitely be making this again by request.

Cinnamon pin wheels

Have been trying to find baking that doesn't use so much butter now that butter has got so expensive and have this great recipe for cinnamon pin wheels from an old Parenting Magazine column by Sophie Grey of Destitute Gourmet. Basically it's a scone type mixture that you roll out thin, then brush with melted butter, cinnamon and brown sugar. For a change I sprinkled in some sultanas and dark chocolate bits. Then roll it up, cut into slices and bake. The kids love it!

For variation I've also spread with chutney and sprinkled with ham and cheese - also very yum!

Ricotta and Spinach Calzone with Chicken and Vegetable soup

This one had a mixed reaction. Nick loved it, I thought it was ok and the kids turned their noses up at it. First I made the ricotta by heating milk to just below boiling, adding white vinegar and a bit of salt, mixing for a bit, leaving for 2 hours and then letting it drain.

The calzone just used Destitute Gourmet's basic pizza dough http://www.destitutegourmet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97 and the filling was just some cooked onion, garlic and wilted spinach mixed with ricotta, beaten egg and seasoning. Will make this again, perhaps with a different filling for the kids!

I served the calzone as a side dish with chicken and vegetable soup. The soup was delicious!

Home made mince pie

was the yummiest ever! Just used the good old Edmonds recipe and the kids scoffed it - as did Nick and I! I forgot to take photos - oops - but it looked just like a pie should. Will definitely be making this again, so easy and sooo good!

Breakfast Bars

It seemed a good idea to try and find some healthy options to bake that we all like so have tried these breakfast bars. They're from the fabulous Destitute Gourmet's website and are simple to make. http://www.destitutegourmet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120&Itemid=93 I drizzled the top with chocolate icing to fool the kids into thinking they're a treat!! Brooke and Nick love them, Josh yet to be convinced!

Lemon Honey

Lemon honey was beautiful. Combine all ingredients and simmer for a bit. Check out BBC food website for recipe. Can be used for lemon meringue tarts, sandwich spread and other tasty treats. http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/lemoncurd_460.shtml

Home made apple pies

So easy! Store bought puff pastry rolled out extra thin, partially cooked apple slices laid out with brown sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top and then the left over pastry laid lattice-wise over the top. Brush with milk and bake at 180 for 20 mins. YUM!!

Slack blogger!

So I'm a slack blogger – what can I say! There just didn't seem much point when nobody was reading it anyway, and the computer was making it difficult to type. However I've decided to give it another go – mainly because I can't remember all the yummy things I've made lately and need a place to keep my notes!!

 

A quick update – have been eating very well lately and keeping within the budget (yes!). Have rediscovered the joys of couscous and Moroccan flavours, Greek yoghurt can be used in place of almost anything creamy and is delicious with cucumber and beetroot added and flash desserts are my new thing!

 

Will add some of my most memorable efforts separately!

Menu 13/1/10

This weeks menu is feta & thyme roast chicken, chicken & apricot pizza (using leftover roast chicken), curried sausages, macaroni cheese, beef nachos and home made fish and chips. Total grocery cost $166 including $30 of nappies (ouch!)

 

Courgette and Feta Fritters with Sweet Chilli and Lime Salsa

Another quick and easy throw together that tasted great. Basically a pikelet mix with grated courgette and feta added in. Make sure you put the grated courgette in a tea towel and wring it out before adding. You'll be amazed at how much liquid comes out. The salsa was just diced tomato, avocado and spring onion combined with fresh lime juice and sweet chilli sauce – yum!

Tuna Stir-fry, Sausage & Salami Pasta and Stonefruit & Meringue Tarts

Noteworthy meals from the last couple of weeks (see previous post) have been tuna stir-fry which the kids loved (much to my surprise). Very loosely based on this tuna and pineapple BBC - Food - Recipes: Stir-fried tuna with pineapple recipe from Ready Steady Cook I used tinned tuna, omitted the fresh herbs and ginger (through necessity) and added noodles and carrots. Will definitely make this quick and easy recipe again.
Also a winner with the kids is sausage and salami pasta. All we do is cook the pasta, grill the sausages, fry a small amount of salami and combine with some pesto and parmesan. One block of parmesan has given us 5 pastas and 1 packet of pesto 4 meals so it's been quite affordable. We bought a whole salami which we'll use for 6 meals so it works out really cost effective and makes a delicious meal. We serve it with salad on the side.
I also attempted nectarine tarts with poached meringue topping. Having seen this being cooked once on Ready Steady Cook, I decided to give it a go. Perhaps I should have checked the recipe BBC - Food - Recipes: Peach meringue tart is the closest I could find. Anyway I don't know how they do it in 10 minutes as it took me close to an hour, but the results were delicious! I used puff pastry (note to self – for future reference, cook it on a high heat!), poached nectarines in water, cinnamon, brown sugar and red wine condiment, added them to the pastry and baked them while I poached the meringue. Then I placed the meringue on top and returned to the oven to brown. Hopefully I will find some shortcuts next time as this was too scrummy not to cook again!

Weekly menus

We have been managing our food budget and eating quite well lately so I thought I would share my meal plan. This week was tuna stir-fry, burritos, chicken chasseur, courgette & feta fritters and sausage & salami pasta. We were also supposed to have bbq'd prawns but I haven't made it to Toops yet. Total cost of groceries was $146 including nappies for 2 kids. Last week we had roast chicken, chicken & apricot pizza, corn & vege fritters, pasta again and a party tea. Grocery cost was $136 including nappies. Look out for more weekly menus in the future.

Christmas Baking

Well firstly please forgive my lack of blogging lately. The combination of new house, new baby and school holidays has kept me busy!

However we have had some successes over the Christmas period. Brooke and I made our very first pavlova following the good old Edmonds recipe. It turned out absolutely perfectly and 6 of us ate the whole thing in one go! We also had our first attempt at making shortbread which also turned out beautifully. Thanks to Debbie for her great recipe and also her helpful tip – if you want it less floury increase the cornflour and decrease the flour.

Sadly that was about it for holiday baking – hopefully we do better in 2010!