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!!