Recipes From Down Under

Machbous ala dajaj

2010-12-26T11:37:00.000+11:00

*This is a delicious spiced chicken and rice Middle Eastern dish - it is not spicy, but it is very savoury!*

Serves 5-6

2 large onions, chopped
2 tablespoons ghee or butter
1 tablespoon Baharat (see recipe here)
1 teaspoon tumeric
1 chicken, about 1.5kg (3lb), cut in pieces (I used just chicken breast to save on bothering with bones!)
1 1/2 cups tomatoes, peeled and chopped (I didn't bother peeling)
1/2 teaspoon powdered Loomi (dried lime), or grated lemon zest
3 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
6 cardamom pods
3 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups water
2 cups basmati rice
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

In a deep heavy pan, gently fry onion in ghee/butter until translucent and beginning to brown. Stir in Baharat and tumeric and cook 2 minutes longer.
Add chicken pieces and turn in onion mixture over medium heat to brown lightly. Add tomatoes, Loomi/lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom pods and salt, stirring well to combine.
Add water, cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
Place rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water until water runs clear.
Stir rice gently into pot contents, add herbs and bring back to a slow simmer. Cover with lid and simmer on low heat until chicken is tender, stirring gently once or twice during cooking, 25-30 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
Pile onto large platter with chicken pieces in center and serve hot with salad and pita bread.

*Recipe from Cooking of the Gulf.

Baharat

2010-12-26T11:26:00.000+11:00

Baharat is available in Middle Eastern markets and specialty spice stores, however if you can't get it for whatever reason, this recipe is very easy to put together and can be used for multiple recipes.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups (I halved the recipe - makes plenty if you're not going to use it terribly often)

4 tablespoons ground black peppercorns
2 tablespoons ground corriander seeds
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground cloves
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons paprika

Purchase the freshest possible ground spices. Combine and store in a tightly sealed jar in a cook, dark place. Use within 6 months.

Pollo alla Toscana

2010-12-24T20:44:00.000+11:00

This is a Tuscan-style country chicken dish; it is absolutely delicious! I served it with corn on the cob and this bread (below), and it was a really good accompaniment! As usual, I altered the dish a little, by leaving out the mushrooms - because none of us are big mushroom fans in our household.

Serves 4.

20g (0.70oz) dried porcini mushrooms
1 cup boiling chicken stock
1.5kg (3.3lb) chicken (I used just chicken breast rather than a whole chicken - less fuss - and I had a bit less than this on hand; it was still great!)
50g (1.75oz) butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
150g (5.3oz) button mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano
425g (15oz) can tomatoes
425g (15oz) can tomato puree

Place porcini mushrooms in heatproof bowl, cover with boiling stock, stand 30 minutes. Drain mushrooms, reserve stock, chop mushrooms.
Cut thighs and legs from chicken. Separate legs and thighs. Cut wings from chicken. Using poultry shears or scissors, cut down each side of backbone; discard backbone. Cut breast in half.
Heat butter and oil in pan, add chicken, cook until chicken is lightly browned. Stir in onion and garlic, cook, stirring, until onion is soft.
Add reserved stock, all mushrooms, oregano, undrained tomatoes and tomato puree. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes or until chicken is tender and sauce is slightly thickened.

Pane, Cipolla e Pomodoro

2010-12-24T20:43:00.001+11:00

This is a very delicious tomato and onion bread. It makes quite a good sized loaf, but keeps well overnight in an airtight container.

Tomato Filling
4 medium ripe tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium red Spanish onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (I used a bit less dried as I couldn't get it fresh)

Bread
3 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons dried yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup warm milk, approximately
1 egg, lightly beaten

Tomato Filling - prepare first.
Peel tomatoes, remove seeds, chop flesh (I didn't peel the tomatoes but I removed the seeds). Heat oil in pan, add onions and garlic, cook, stirring, until onions are soft. Add tomatoes, cheese, oregano, cook stirring, 5 minutes. Simmer, covered, about 10 minutes or until tomatoes are softened, stirring occasionally. Cool.

Bread
Sift flour into large bowl, add yeast, sugar, salt and 1/3 cup of the tomato filling; mix well. Stir in oil and enough milk to mix to a soft dough.
Knead dough on lightly floured surface about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place dough in oiled bowl, cover, stand in warm place about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface, knead until smooth. Shape into a round, place on greased oven tray. Cut a large cross on top of dough, fill with remaining tomato filling. Stand, uncovered, in warm place about 40 minutes or until almost doubled in size.
Brush loaf with egg, bake in 180ºC (355ºF) preheated oven about 40 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Cover with foil if over-browning.

The bread will have a lovely golden brown colouring and a shiny appearance - it is very pretty bread!

*From the Australian Women's Weekly Home Library Italian Cookbook No. 2.

Honey Mustard Glaze

2010-12-23T22:28:00.001+11:00

This delicious glaze can be used on chicken or beef or pork.

Use on up to 1.8kg (4lb) of meat.

2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion (1/2 cup), chopped
1 cup honey
1/3 cup white vinegar
225g (8oz) country-style Dijon mustard (I used ordinary Dijon)
2 tablespoons orange juice (fresh if possible)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel

Melt butter in saucepan until sizzling; add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, until onion is tender (6-8 mins).
Stir in all remaining ingredients. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, untill mixture comes to a full boil (6-8 mins).
Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until sauce thickens slightly and flavours blend (8-10 mins). Remove from heat.

Begin cooking meat; when almost done, brush glaze over (about 1/4 cup of glaze) and grill for 10-15 minutes. Turn and repeat glazing process and continue grilling for another 10-15 minutes (until meat is tender).
Serve with remaining glaze.

*Adapted from Taste of America.

Khao pad gai horapa

2010-12-22T09:20:00.001+11:00

This Thai recipe is a chicken and Thai basil fried rice. I didn't have all the ingredients, so I substituted some out, and it was REALLY delicious - all of us enjoyed it, even the children. It's not difficult to make, but there are a few hints that will make it even simpler...
One of the secrets to making great fried rice is that the rice must be cooked and cooled prior to making the recipe - the easiest way to do this is to cook it and spread it on a tray with baking paper underneath and absorbent paper over the top before placing it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This will cause the rice to not only cool off, but dry out, also.
Another secret to great fried rice is that it must be stir-fried over very high heat as quickly as possible. In order to do this, prepare all ingredients before beginning - before you even heat your wok.

Serves 4.

1/4 cup peanut oil
1 medium brown onion, chopped finely
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 fresh long green thai chilies, seeded, chopped finely (jalapeño or serrano chilies work well)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
500g (1lb) chicken breast fillets, chopped coarsely
2 medium red capsicums, sliced thinly
200g (~0.5lb) green beans, chopped coarsely
4 cups cooked jasmine rice (this amount is made with 2 cups uncooked rice, beforehand)
2 tablespoons fish sauce (I didn't have any on hand, so I added an extra 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh thai basil leaves (I didn't have any on hand, so I used ordinary basil - just don't use Italian basil because it is a sweet basil)

Heat oil in wok; stir-fry onion, garlic and chili until onion softens. Add sugar; stir-fry until dissolved. Add chicken; stir-fry until lightly browned. Add capsicum and beans; stir-fry until vegetables are just tender and chicken is cooked through.
Add rice and sauces; stir-fry, tossing gently to combine. Remove from heat; add basil leaves, toss gently to combine.

*From The Australian Women's Weekly's 'Beginners Thai'

Ropa Vieja

2010-12-21T10:23:00.001+11:00

This Mexican recipe is a thick meaty stew. It is delicious, even to a person who is not usually a fan of Mexican spicy foods. "The trick lies in cooking the meat until it is almost falling apart, then teasing it into shreds with two forks. Prepare the meat first." I didn't have any steak on hand, so I used ground beef, and it was very tasty like that!

Serves 4-6.

1kg (2lb) chuck steak, cubed (or ground beef)
1 large onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water or beef stock
1 can (or 500g/1lb fresh) tomatoes

Bring meat to a boil with all other ingredients except the tomatoes. Cover and simmer over very low heat for 2-3 hours (using ground beef shortens this time dramatically as it only needs to simmer until the ground beef is cooked through). After the first hour, add the tomatoes: they should simmer with the meat for at least 45 minutes (even if you use ground beef - this is to make the flavour better). Meanwhile, prepare the following;

2 capsicums, one red and one green (bell peppers)
2 boiled potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil

De-seed, de-vein and slice the peppers. Slice the potatoes. Fry them both together in the oil in a skillet or frying pan until the peppers are tender, then add to the meat. Cook very gently until the liquid has almost all evaporated.

Serve with boiled rice or tortillas - or boiled potatoes if you're not too much of a traditionalist when it comes to Mexican foods!

*From Mexican Cooking by Roger Hicks

Delectable Mini Donut Muffins

2010-12-14T14:10:00.000+11:00

*This recipe is from here on Allrecipes.com. Even though it is just a muffin recipe, it is amazing how much these donut muffins really do taste like donuts - only better!! WARNING: these are so delicious, you might find it hard to stop eating them!!*

Makes about 24.

1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup margarine (or butter), melted
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup margarine (or butter), melted [I found I needed more than this]
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 24 mini-muffin cups.
2. Mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup margarine, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir in the milk, then mix in the baking powder and flour until just combined. Fill the prepared mini muffin cups about half full.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
4. While muffins are baking, place 1/4 cup of melted margarine in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of sugar with the cinnamon. Remove muffins from their cups, dip each muffin in the melted margarine, and roll in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Let cool and serve.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Shortbread

2010-11-30T18:45:00.000+11:00

This recipe is ultra simple if you have a set of kitchen scales that measures in ounces, as there are only three ingredients and they are all measured in multiples of 4!

4 oz (114g) castor sugar
8 oz (227g) butter, melted
12 oz (340g) plain/all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 180ºC (355ºF).
Mix ingredients together thoroughly, press into 16cm x 27cm (7"x11") baking pan.
Bake for 30 minutes (shortbread will be golden around the edges).
Sprinkle generously with castor sugar and cool in pan. When cooled, cut into squares and enjoy!!

Pasta Salad

2010-10-30T20:36:00.000+11:00

*While this recipe was delicious in flavour, my husband and I did NOT enjoy the texture of the seeds from the seeded mustard in this recipe - next time we will make it with ordinary mustard. Also, this makes a LOT of pasta salad - the recipe suggests it serves 6. I would say it serves 8 or so - cut the recipe down if you don't have a huge family or don't want to be eating this for several days in a row! Apart from that, it is a very simple throw-together kind of meal.*

375g (13oz) small pasta (eg. shells, macaroni)
6 bacon rashers, diced
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/3 cup seeded mustard
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 trimmed celery sticks, sliced thinly
1 large red capsicum (red adds colour, but green is perfectly acceptable!)
1 bunch (15g/ 1/2oz) fresh chives, chopped finely
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Cook pasta in large pan of boiling water until just tender. Rinse pasta under cool water. Drain and cool.
Meanwhile, cook bacon, stirring, in heated medium pan until brown and crisp; drain on absorbant paper.
Whisk mayonnaise, mustard and buttermilk in large bowl.
Add pasts, bacon and remaining ingredients to bowl; toss gently to combine.

* From The Australian Women's Weekly's "Salads: Simple, fast and fresh" recipe book.

Clara's Potato Salad

2010-10-09T16:09:00.000+11:00

4 large potatos, cubed
250g (1/2 lb) diced bacon
1 cup creamy whole egg mayonnaise
1/3 teaspoon mustard powder
4 teaspoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons chives, chopped (or dried chives)
1/4 cup finely diced onion (or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder)
2 boiled eggs, chopped

Steam or boil potatoes until just tender (not mushy!). Fry bacon.
Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until cold through.

Pizza Scambled Eggs

2010-10-02T15:06:00.000+10:00

250g (1/2 pound) diced bacon
7 eggs
2 tomatoes, diced
1/4 capsicum (bell pepper), diced
5 pieces sun-dried tomato, chopped
1 cup shredded cheese
1/2 teaspoon onion powder (or you could use a 1/4 cup finely chopped onion)
1/4 teaspoon crushed garlic
2 tablespoon tomato sauce (ketchup)
1 heaped tablespoon creamy mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon mixed herbs

Fry bacon until cooked through and slightly crispy.

In a bowl, beat eggs and add all other ingredients. Mix.

Add egg mixture to bacon and cook stirring frequently over medium heat until cooked through.

Potato Sausage Pie

2010-09-27T10:42:00.000+10:00

*This is an American recipe, and we don't have American sausage here in Australia, however I used Australian style sausages chopped up and it was delicious all the same!*

3 teaspoons oil
3 cups shredded raw potatoes
1 cup shredded cheese
3/4 cup sausage
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup milk
2 eggs (I used 5 eggs to make it go further)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 210ºC (425ºF).
Combine oil and potatoes. Press into pie pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until crust begins to brown. Remove from oven and layer potatoes with cheese, sausage, and onion.
Combine milk, eggs, salt and pepper and pour over layered ingredients.
Bake 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool for 5 minutes before cutting.

*From Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbook

Spaghetti and Meatballs

2010-09-17T19:55:00.000+10:00

*we exchanged the pork mince in this recipe for ground beef, because that was all we had on hand, but it was still very good - the family enjoyed it greatly!*

500g (1lb) pork mince
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsely
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 egg
1 cup stale breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
400g (14oz) canned tomatoes
600ml (20 fl oz) bottled tomato pasta sauce
375g (13 oz) spaghetti
1/3 cup finely grated romano cheese (we used ordinary grated cheese as the romano cheese would have added too much expense to the meal on our budget!)

Combine pork mince, parsley, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs and paste in large bowl; roll tablespoons of meat mixture into balls. Heat oil in large saucepan; cook meatballs, in batches, until browned all over.

Place undrained crushed tomatoes and sauce in the pan; bring to a boil, Return meatballs to pan, reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large saucepan of boiling water, uncovered, until just tender. Drain. Divide pasta among serving bowls; top with meatballs, sprinkle with cheese.

*From Pasta Meals in Minutes by The Australian Woman's Weekly cookbooks.

Chocolate Fudge Brownies

2010-09-13T11:19:00.001+10:00

*These are very rich and delicious brownies; they don't need frosting because of their richness! When I made these, they were so popular that one of Dan's work colleagues paid me to make them for him!*

150g (5.3oz) butter, chopped
300g (10.6oz) dark eating chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten lightly
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup dark choc bits/choc chips
1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 185ºC (365ºF). Line a rectangular pan 19cm x 29cm (7"x11") with baking paper.

Melt butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan; stir over low heat, without boiling, until mixture is smooth. Cool until just warm.
Stir in sugar, egg and essence, then sifted flour, choc bits and sour cream. Spread mixture into prepared pan.

Bake in moderate oven about 40 minutes. Cover pan with foil; bake another 20 minutes. Stand brownie in pan until it reaches room temperature.

Options:
- add 3/4 cup macadamia nuts when stirring in other ingredients.
- dust cooled brownies with 1 tablespoon sifted cocoa powder before serving.

Image courtesy of Google images :)

*Recipe from The Australian Women's Weekly "Biscuits, Brownies & Biscotti" recipe book.

Oven Fried Chicken

2010-09-11T08:56:00.001+10:00

2 cups low fat sour cream

4 cloves garlic, minced

6 chicken drumsticks

6 bone-in chicken breast halves, with skin

4 cups crushed cornflakes cereal

4 tablespoons crushed dried rosemary

3 teaspoons dried sage

3 tablespoons garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place a cooling rack on top of a large cookie sheet. Spray the rack with vegetable cooking spray.

2.In a medium bowl, mix together sour cream and minced garlic. In another bowl, stir together the cornflake crumbs, rosemary, sage, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken with the sour cream mixture, then roll in the cornflake mixture. Arrange chicken pieces on top of the cooling rack.

3.Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, until meat is no longer pink, and juices run clear.

This recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com

Sausage Rolls

2010-08-27T15:18:00.000+10:00

30g (1oz) butter
1 medium onion, chopped finely

1 medium carrot, grated

2 tablespoons tomato sauce

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

450g (1lb) sausage mince

450g (1lb) ground beef

1 cup stale breadcrumbs

salt and ground black pepper
3 sheets ready-rolled butter puff pastry
2 tablespoons milk

NOTE: This recipe makes 18 rolls. Make "stale" breadcrumbs by processing one- or two-day-old bread. This recipe can be made a day ahead.

Preheat the oven to moderately hot (200°C/180°C fan-forced). Line 2 oven trays with baking paper.

Heat butter in a large frying pan. Add the onion and carrot; cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes or until onion softens. Combine the onion mixture, tomato sauce, parsley, sausage mince, beef mince, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a large bowl; mix well.

Stand separated pastry sheets on kitchen bench for 5 minutes or until partially thawed.

Place a sheet of pastry on a board, cut in half. Place one sixth of the mince mixture along the centre of the pastry. Roll pastry to enclose the mince mixture, cut into 3 pieces. Repeat with remaining pastry and mince mixture. Place sausage rolls on prepared trays. Brush with milk.

Bake, uncovered, in a moderately hot oven for about 15 minutes or until browned lightly.

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave.

Roast Pumpkin & Capsicum Pasta Salad with Bacon

2010-08-09T18:17:00.001+10:00

*This is a recipe I made up to take with me to a family dinner. It was a big hit! It is very creamy - if you like your salads to have more of a tangy flavour, I would suggest using a tangy mayonnaise instead of the one in the recipe, and I would also suggest reducing the sour cream (making up the difference with mayonnaise) or adding more vinegar. This recipe is very versatile and can be easily changed in multiple ways to suit your tastes*

350g (12oz) uncooked pasta (I chose small shells, but you could use any kind you prefer)
1 large capsicum (bell pepper), cut in strips
600g (21oz) diced butternut pumpkin (you could try another pumpkin if you don't have butternut, but I can't guarantee it will taste as nice!)
olive oil
250g (9oz) diced bacon
1 large brown onion, chopped finely

Dressing:
2/3 cup creamy whole egg mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat oven to 200ºC (390ºF). Grease a baking tray.
Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions. When the pasta is done, rinse it under cold water and set aside.
Place pumpkin and capsicum on baking tray, and lightly brush with olive oil. Roast in oven 30 minutes or until vegetables are just done.
Meanwhile, fry bacon and onion together until onion is soft and bacon is browning.
When done, combine all ingredients together with dressing.
To make Dressing:
Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Can be served warm or refrigerated and served cold. Refrigerate leftovers.

Serves 6 (if using as main part of the meal. If using as a side dish, this salad will serve about 8)

August Menu Planner

2010-08-01T17:20:00.005+10:00

Back at the beginning of July, I decided to try a new idea - making a menu plan for the whole month, and trying to really stick at it in an attempt to be more frugal (using ingredients on hand rather than shopping for special ingredients when they are required on impulse). July's menu plan went really well, so I have set up a plan for this month as well. I thought you might find it interesting to see what we'll be eating this month... And if you think any of these recipes sound interesting, ask and I will post them, if possible! (The links take you to the recipes I've already posted, for your convenience).

Sunday 1st - meatballs with rice and vegies
Monday 2nd - tuna mornay bake
Tuesday 3rd - spicy sausages, rice and vegies
Wednesday 4th - roast pumpkin & capsicum pasta salad with bacon
Thursday 5th - leftovers
Friday 6th - slow cooker beef stew
Saturday 7th - chicken fried rice

Sunday 8th - pumpkin soup
Monday 9th - toad in the hole
Tuesday 10th - bacon cheeseburger soup
Wednesday 11th - leftovers
Thursday 12th - honey mustard chicken with pasta and vegies
Friday 13th - salmon and potato bake
Saturday 14th - pasta with tuna and tomato salsa

Sunday 15th - pot roast meatloaf
Monday 16th - bacon, corn and zucchini medley with baked potatoes
Tuesday 17th - sloppy joes with potato wedges
Wednesday 18th - chicken noodle soup
Thursday 19th - homemade sausage rolls with vegies

Friday 20th - tuna mornay

Saturday 21st - lamb hot pot

Sunday 22nd - fried rice
Monday 23rd - meat pie/tourtiere
Tuesday 24th - Amish potato sausage pie

Wednesday 25th - tuna penne with tomato sauce

Thursday 26th - chicken schnitzel with champ mash and vegies
Friday 27th - baked spaghetti
Saturday 28th - homemade pizza

Sunday 29th - Sunday brunch casserole

Monday 30th - tacos
Tuesday 31st - spicy sausages with mashed potatoes and vegies

What do you think of our menu plan??

Clara's Slow-cooker Chicken

2010-07-16T19:13:00.000+10:00

1 whole roasting chicken, thawed/defrosted
1 onion, sliced
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon roast chicken flavouring

Place chicken, water and onion in slow cooker.
Mix together herbs & spices. Sprinkle over the chicken.
Cook on high for 4 hours or until tender. The meat will be so tender it falls off the bones!

*If you wish, you can add carrots and potatos (chopped into chunks) - and other vegies if desired - and make it a one-pot meal!*

Tuna Mornay Bake

2010-07-08T11:00:00.000+10:00

Even though this recipe might seem a little complicated at first, after making it a few times, it becomes very simple (and once you master it, it doesn't need strict measuring - I never measure anymore!)... This recipe is a BIG favourite with everyone I know, and is even enjoyed by some people who usually don't like fishy flavours!

200g (7oz) penne or other pasta
30g (1oz) butter
1 large can flaked tuna in brine
2 heaped tablespoons flour
1 - 1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs
3/4 cup shredded processed cheese

Cook pasta in water until al dente.
Preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF).
Meanwhile, partially open can of tuna, and drain the brine into a measuring jug. *Do not discard*
When tuna has finished draining (well-drained), add milk to the brine in the measuring jug to make up to 2 cups.
Melt butter in medium saucepan. When it is melted, take the pan off the heat and add flour and stir. Add brine-milk to pan and return to medium-high heat. Stir constantly - at first the flour mixture will appear as lumps in the milk, but as you stir, the lumps will dissolve, and the milk will thicken. Continue stirring constantly until milk is thick. Reduce heat to medium-low.
Add tuna flakes and cheese, stir until cheese has melted through. *Do not leave this tuna mornay on the heat without stirring frequently, as it will stick and burn!*
Drain pasta and place in large oven-proof dish. Pour tuna mornay evenly over the pasta.
Sprinkle with processed cheese and breadcrumbs.
Do not cover dish. Place in the oven until cheese topping has browned a little.

Serve - and enjoy!

Dan & Clara's Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

2010-06-25T10:40:00.000+10:00

1kg (2lb) ground beef
250g (1/2 lb) diced bacon
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 litre (1 quart) chicken broth (or water with 1 teaspoon chicken stock powder added)
2 cups water
4 1/2 cups diced raw potatoes
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper

White sauce:
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
3 cups milk
3 cups processed cheese (eg kraft cheese), cubed

BBQ sauce, to serve

Brown ground beef with bacon and onion; drain.
In soup kettle/large saucepan, combine broth, water, vegetables, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
To make white sauce, melt butter in saucepan; add flour and stir until smooth. Add milk and stir continuously over heat until sauce has thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted.
Add meat mixture and white sauce to soup and stir well until combined and hot through, but do not boil after the white sauce is added.
After serving into soup bowls, add a swirl of BBQ sauce to each serving.

Clara's Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

2010-06-07T07:00:00.027+10:00

5 large potatoes, chopped into chunks
4 large carrots, chopped into chunks
1 large onion, halved
1 1/2 cups water
1kg ground beef/mince
1/2 cup flour
1 dried french onion soup pkt mix
1 heaped teaspoon beef stock powder

Chop each onion half further into quarters. Place all vegetables in the water and allow to soak for 20 minutes (soaking is optional).
Place beef into slow-cooker, sprinkle with the flour and french onion soup powder, and beef stock powder. Pour over the vegies and water.
Cook in the slow-cooker on high for 3 hours, stirring once or twice to combine flavours best. Check the tenderness of the vegies. Cook on low for a further hour if needed, or until ingredients are cooked through and tender.

Serve with soft, fresh homemade bread!

Serves 6.

Chocolate Cake

2010-05-31T07:00:00.002+10:00

1/4 cup cocoa powder
250g (8oz) butter, chopped
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon golden syrup (can be substituted for corn syrup)
1 1/4 cups self-raising flour (or all-purpose/plain flour with 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder added)
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to moderate. Line 20cm cake pan with non-stick paking paper.
Sift cocoa powder into large bowl; add remaining ingredients. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium; beat until mixture has just changed in colour. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
Bake in moderate (180ºC/350ºF) about 1 hour or until inserted skewer comes out clean. Stand cake in pan 10 minutes, then turn onto rack to cool.

Ice if desired.

(from The Australian Women's Weekly Chocolate Cakes recipe book)

Chicken & Pasta in Creamy sauce

2010-05-24T07:00:00.000+10:00

250g (9oz) fettucine (or other pasta of your choice)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium brown onion, chopped finely
2 cloves garlic, crushed (I use dried equivalent)
1/2 cup chicken stock (or water with stock powder added)
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 cup cream
2 cups frozen peas, thawed
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (350g/12oz)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh garlic chives (I didn't have any of those so I just used 1 tablespoon dried chives)

Cook pasta in large saucepan of boiling water, uncovered, until just tender. Drain.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large saucepan (I used a wok); cook onion and garlic, stirring, until onion softens. Add stock and mustard; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Stir in cream; return mixture to a boil, then simmer again, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly.
Stir in drained peas and chicken; stir over low heat until mixture is thoroughly hot and peas are cooked to your taste.
Place pasta and chives in pan with chicken and pea sauce; toss gently to combine.

Serves 4

Delicious!!

(From the Australian Women's Weekly Barbecue Chicken cookbook - you can use leftover barbecue chicken in this recipe if you wish!)

Pasta with Tuna & Tomato Salsa

2010-05-17T07:00:00.001+10:00

*Such a simple recipe to throw together! If you don't like the balsamic tang so much, add some creamy mayo and combine - takes the edge off! Our children love this salad too!*

375g (13oz) penne or other pasta of your choice
3 medium tomatoes, chopped finely
1 medium red onion, chopped finely
2 cloves garlic, crushed (I use equivalent amount of garlic powder - usually written on the garlic powder packaging)
3 teaspoons dried basil
425g (15oz) can tuna in brine, drained, flaked
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Cook pasta until just tender, drain.
Place all ingredients in large bowl. Toss to combine.

Embellished Baked Potatoes

2010-05-10T06:00:00.028+10:00

*This is a very simple and flexible meal idea that can be altered to suit your taste; we make many different variations!*

whole washed potatoes
butter
bacon, diced and fried
grated cheese
finely chopped green onions (shallots)
sour cream

Preheat oven to 200ºC (390ºF).
Wrap potatoes it aluminium foil. Place on baking tray in oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Carefully open foil and check if potatoes are baked, using a fork to stab the potato. If not tender, rewrap and bake until potatoes are tender.
Cut potato into quarters without cutting through the bottom of the potato. Place on dinner plates.
Using generous portions, top potato with a dab of butter, hot bacon, cheese, green onion, and a dollop of sour cream. The more ingredients on the baked potato, the more delicious it is!!

Variations:
- Instead of bacon, use fried and diced ham, or bolognaise meat sauce, or other meat of your choice.
- Add vegetables: chopped lettuce, diced fresh tomatoes, hot corn, or other cooked or fresh vegetables.

Chicken, Zucchini & Corn Soup

2010-05-03T06:00:00.015+10:00

20g (3/4 oz) butter
1 large brown onion, chopped finely
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 medium zucchini, grated coarsely
1 litre (4 1/4 US cups) chicken stock (can use water and chicken stock powder as an alternative)
420g (15oz) can creamed corn
450g (1 lb) coarsely chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup cream

Melt butter in large saucepan/soup kettle. Cook onion and garlic in butter, stirring, until onion softens.
Add zucchini; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add stock; bring to a boil.
Stir in corn and chicken, reduce heat; simmer, uncovered until chicken is hot.
Stir in cream just before serving.

Serves 4.

Option: If you like, add 1 cup corn when zucchini is added.

Homestyle Meatloaf

2010-04-28T10:45:00.001+10:00

Last night we had meatloaf on the menu, but I just didn't feel like making the old favourites... So I went online and found a recipe I did not regret trying! It is simply delicious!! There are quite a few variations you could try with this flexible recipe, like adding finely chopped capsicum (bell pepper), chopped tomatoes, grated carrot... the options are endless!!

1/2 cup ketchup (tomato sauce)
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 (1 pound) (450g) package Bob Evans® Original Recipe Sausage Roll - this is sausage mince
1 pound (450g) lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion (I just used 1 medium onion)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup uncooked quick oats (some people substitue this with some instant rice for a gluten free version)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF).
Combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard in small bowl; set aside.
Combine 1/3 cup ketchup mixture and remaining ingredients in large bowl; mix well. Shape mixture into loaf in shallow baking dish.
Bake 1 hour and remove from oven. Pour remaining mixture over loaf and bake an additional 10 minutes.
Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers.

allrecipes.com

Citrus Slice

2010-03-22T09:00:00.001+11:00

200g (7oz) butter, melted
1 tin condensed milk
170g (6oz) coconut
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
450g (1 lb) dry biscuits (eg. graham crackers/milk or coffee biscuits/cookies), crushed

ICING -
1 cup icing sugar
2 tablespoons soft butter
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
lemon jelly (jello) crystals

Combine butter and condensed milk. Add coconut, lemon rind and crushed biscuits. Stir until well-combined (will be a stiff, dry mixture). Press into greased 28x20cm (11x8") cake pan and refrigerate until set.

Combine icing sugar, butter and lemon juice. If icing is too dry, add butter until a soft icing texture; if too moist, add icing sugar. Spread icing over slice after it has set, and sprinkle with jelly crystals.

Clara's Vegetable Medley

2010-03-15T08:00:00.001+11:00

2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 large zucchini, chopped
1 small butternut pumkin (squash), chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 teaspoon chicken stock powder
1/2 cup water

Melt butter in wok or other non-stick pan. Add vegetables and saute over medium heat for 6 minutes.
Add stock powder and water, and simmer until vegetables are tender.

*Very simple, but a big favourite in our household!*

Clara's Chunky Chicken Vegetable Soup

2010-03-08T10:13:00.004+11:00

chicken breast (your desired amount - I would use 500g/1 pound)
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion
2 large carrots
2 sticks celery (optional)
1-2 cups mixed vegetables - eg. corn, beans, fresh or frozen
1 cup chicken broth (or alternatively, 1 cup water with 2 teaspoons chicken stock powder)
6 cups water (can substitute with chicken broth instead if desired)
1/2 cup white rice, uncooked

Place chicken breast in saucepan; cover with water and place over medium heat. Cook until tender and cooked through. Do not discard the water if you wish to use the chicken broth rather than chicken stock powder.
In the meantime, chop onions, carrots and celery. Melt butter in soup kettle/large pan. Saute onion and carrots on low for 4 minutes. Add other vegetables, chicken broth/stock, water, rice and chopped chicken. Bring to the boil, then simmer on medium until vegetables and rice are tender.
Add salt and pepper to taste if desired.

Why There Have Been No New Recipes

2010-02-05T20:30:00.000+11:00

I apologise for the lack of recipes posted on this blog for the past month. I took a break during our summer holidays (through January), and since then I have been busy getting my children started on our new homeschooling programme, and been busy dealing with a flair-up in my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (and other health issues). To see what I've been up to, feel free to drop in to visit our family blog.

I'm hoping to post more recipes soon! Thank you for your patience!!

Peanut Butter Crinkles

2010-01-04T16:24:00.000+11:00

*This is a melt-in-the-mouth shortbread textured biscuit (cookie), it is delicious!*

125g (4oz) butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed

1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
1 1/4 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon bi-carbonate soda (baking soda)
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 190ºC (375ºF). Cream butter, vanilla, lemon rind, sugars and peanut butter. With a wooden spoon work in sifted flour, soda and salt, making a stiff dough. Roll heaped teaspoonfuls into small balls with floured hands and place on greased oen trays. Press biscuits down lightly with a fork, first crosswise and then lengthwise, for a crinkled effect. Bake in oven 15 minutes. Cool biscuits on oven trays.

~ The Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits - by the Australian Women's Weekly (?1986)

The Winning Meal - Created by Jennifer

2009-12-16T09:32:00.001+11:00

Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Asparagus and Lemon Rice

Lemon Rice:

½ cup long grain rice

1 cup chicken stock

3 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp dried parsley

1 pork tenderloin

6 asparagus stalks

Olive oil

Mix chicken stock, lemon juice, and parsley in saucepan. Add rice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes or until rice is tender. COOL IN REFRIGERATOR FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR.

Preheat oven to 180˚. Butterfly pork tenderloin and spread open. Place asparagus tips at the edge of tenderloin, three at each end so that when tenderloin is rolled up, asparagus tips will be visible at each end. Moisten rice with a teaspoon or two of olive oil and spread over pork. Roll up tenderloin and fasten closed with small metal skewers. Wrap in tinfoil and bake in roasting pan for about 45 minutes or until pork is no longer pink.

White and Sweet Potato Wedges

2 white potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
¼ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp of dried rosemary

Preheat oven to 180˚. Mix olive oil, garlic, and rosemary. Spread potato wedges across baking try and brush with oil mixture. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Avocado and Tomato Salad

1 avocado
1 tomato
1 tsp lime juice
1 tsp dried oregano

Chop avocado and tomato into cubes, reserving avocado skins. Pour lime juice over avocado and tomato. This will prevent the avocado from turning brown, as well as add flavour. Add dried oregano and stir. Serve mixture in reserved avocado skins.

And the Winner is...........

2009-12-15T11:06:00.000+11:00

Jennifer C.!

Thank you all for your entry into the competition, all entries were great recipes, it was hard for us to choose just one winner!

Tomorrow the winning meal recipes will be posted, so keep tuned!

What is Your Favourite?

2009-12-07T11:06:00.000+11:00

Thank you to those of you who entered the competition; we are in the process of sorting through them and working on deciding which recipe(s) will be winners. The winner will be announced in just over a week.

In the meantime, what is your favourite food to cook? Dessert? Mains? Snacks? Appetizers? Do you enjoy making new and different drink combinations? Do you enjoy cooking summer foods or winter foods most?

Do you like simple meals or prefer making gourmet foods?

Extending the Competition

2009-11-30T09:56:00.001+11:00

The competition is supposed to be finishing tonight, however considering I've had the disappointment of only having ONE entry into the competition, I've decided to extend it for a further 5 days. The competition will now close on Saturday 5th December at 11:59pm Sydney Australia time.
Please send you entries in, just for fun!

More about the Competition

2009-11-13T10:20:00.000+11:00

I've had some responses from readers lamenting the fact they couldn't enter the competition because even though their cooking tastes great, it just never looks artistic... Please don't stress! We will be judging not only the photo of your meal, but also the taste of it!

A hint: don't make a meal that's all brown or all green (or all any one single colour)... Colours or simple garnishes make a meal look extra tempting!

This is not supposed to be stressful - it's supposed to be fun!! :)

A Competition Giveaway!

2009-11-11T16:21:00.002+11:00

I decided it would be fun (and hopefully create some interest in this blog) to hold a competition (my first giveaway!). This competition requires a little work from you if you wish to enter - but not too much!

*This competition is open to readers worldwide*

Firstly, the final prize will be decided by the winner because he/she will have a few options to choose from:

#1 An Aussie Recipe book:

#2 A one-year subscription to Taste of Home magazine

#3 A one-year subscription to Taste of Home's Simple and Delicious magazine

#4 A one-year subscription to Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking magazine

#5 A one-year subscription to Taste of Home Holiday magazine

So, what do you have to do to enter?

Create a tastefully artistic and delicious meal, take a photo of it and send the photo and the recipe(s) to studyinghisword@gmail.com . I will be trying the recipes (if I possibly can!), but the competition will be judged by both the photo AND the taste of the recipe, so be creative!

Each contestant can only enter once. The winner will be decided by myself and my husband Daniel.

Have fun in your kitchen! :) Please advise me if you don't wish for your recipe and the photo of your cooking being published on this blog in the future when you send your entry. The winner's recipe WILL be published. If you have not made up your own recipe, please indicate the source of the recipe. Please do not send copyrighted pictures from other sources, the photograph must be your own and your entry must be a main meal - eg. meat and vegies (not just the meat or vegies on their own unless that is how you would eat it for your main meal of the day).

Competition closes 30th November, the winner will be announced on this blog on December 15th, Sydney Australia time.

Chicken Schnitzel

2009-11-06T09:38:00.001+11:00

chicken breast fillets
plain flour
egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup milk for each egg required

For each quantitiy of crumbing required:
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (grated to a fine powder)
1 teaspoon fresh or dried parsley

olive oil or coconut oil

*This recipe does not have strict quantities because it can be made for any amount, but don't be overwhelmed, it's still very simple. I make this up from my head, never measure the quantities because I have made it SO many times. Once you have made it a couple times you will get the hang of it and be able to estimate quantities yourself - it is a very simple recipe!*

Cut the chicken into thin slices to the size of schnitzel pieces you require. Use a meat tenderizer to make the chicken extra tender.
Thoroughly coat the chicken in plain flour (this can be done in a bowl or by placing the plain flour and chicken pieces in a plastic bag and shaking it up until it is well-coated.
Next the chicken must be coated in a mixture of egg and milk. Start with one egg and one quantity of milk, and if you run out (i.e. if you have a large amount of chicken being made into schnitzel), just make up a second quantity when you need it. The egg milk mixture will go a long way though, so just make the one quantity to start with.
After the chicken is thoroughly wet with the egg-milk mixture, it must be coated with the crumbing. Start with one quantity of crumbing. Coat each piece of chicken well and place on a plate or in a container. Make up more if it is needed. Cover and refrigerate chicken schnitzel for at least 10 minutes before cooking.
Heat oil in frying pan - use plenty of oil so the chicken doesn't dry out. Fry chicken schnitzel in hot pan on medium-low heat until golden brown and cooked through. Use paper towelling to take extra oil off schnitzel before serving.

*This recipe is great hot or cold, and can easily be frozen and reheated (over low heat to prevent burning!).*

An Apology

2009-11-04T10:08:00.000+11:00

I apologise for the lack of recipe posts lately - life has a way of getting busy sometimes and projects and events have been keeping me very occupied lately. During this break from posting recipes, I have been trying to go back and cook the recipes already posted again so I can take pictures of them. You might notice the posts are slowly one-by-one having pictures added to them.
In the meantime, feel free to email me with your favourite recipe to studyinghisword@gmail.com . I would love to try some new recipes myself and add yours to the blog. If you do send a recipe, please let me know if you would like me to post your name with your recipe - I can post them anonymously if you would prefer.
I'm hoping to get back to posting a recipe each day soon!
Don't forget to let me know what you think of the recipes when you try them!

Lamingtons

2009-10-27T12:20:00.002+11:00

*This is an Australian recipe for a type of cake that is absolutely delicious - people always seem to come back for more!*

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1/3 cup cornflour (cornstarch)
185g (6.5oz) butter, softened
1 cup castor sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup thick cream

Icing
4 cups icing sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
30g (1oz) butter, melted
2/3 cup milk, extra
3 cups desiccated coconut, approx

Preheat oven to 180ºC (355ºF). Brush a shallow 23cm (9in) square cake tin with melted butter or oil. Line base and sides with baking paper.
Sift flour and cornflour (corn starch) into large bowl. Add butter, sugar, essence, eggs and milk.
Using electric beaters, beat on low speed 1 minute or until ingredients are just moistened. Beat mixture on hight for 3 minutes or until mixture is free of lumps and increased in volume. Pour mixture into prepared tin; smooth surface.
Bake 1 hour or until skewer comes out clean when inserted into centre of cake. Leave cake in tin for 3 minutes before turning onto wire rack to cool.
Cut cake in half horizontally (ready to make it into a sandwich). Using electric beaters, beat cream in small mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Place first layer of cake on a board, spread evenly with cream (when cake is cool!). Place remaining cake layer on top. Cut cake into 25 squares.

Icing:
Sift icing sugar with cocoa. Combine with butter and milk in medium sized heatproof bowl (to the top of a double boiler saucepan). Place over saucepan of simmering water, stirring until icing is smooth and glossy; remove from heat.
Place 1 cup of coconut on a sheet of greaseproof paper.
Using 2 forks, dip a piece of cake in hot chocolate icing; hold cake over mixture to allow excess icing to drain. Roll cake in coconut, place on wire rack. Repeat with remaining cake, add extra coconut for rolling as needed.

Hints:
Lamingtons are easier to make if you bake the cake a day in advance. This means the cake will not crumble when you are cutting it into squares. My mother would freeze the cake, as this would prevent the cake crumbling and falling apart in the warm icing.

*From The Little Aussie Cookbook

Please participate!

2009-10-15T12:27:00.000+11:00

So... have any of you tried any of these recipes?
Does this recipe blog interest you?
I would really love to get some feedback! Please participate in the poll at the top of the blog honestly (how can I create an interesting blog if I have no idea what interests you?), and please let me know if you try the recipes and what you think of them!
Also, if anyone has an interest in seeing their recipe posted on this blog, or your favourite recipe if you don't make up your own recipes, please email me the recipe(s) at studyinghisword@gmail.com I will try any recipe sent to me before I post it (with proper acknowldegment of the author/sender of the recipe) so I can tell you how I enjoyed it too!
In appreciation,
Clara

Scalloped Potatoes

2009-10-14T09:00:00.002+11:00

5 cups raw potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste
1 can cream of mushroom soup (or other cream soup)
1/2 cup sour cream
fresh parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 190ºC (375ºF). In greased 23x33cm (9x13 inch) baking pan, layer half the potatoes and onion and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Repeat layer. Combine soup and sour cream and pour over potato mixture. Cover and bake for 1 hour. Uncover and bake for a further 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

* From Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbook

Chicken Chowder

2009-10-13T10:02:00.000+11:00

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 1/2 cups carrots, diced
1 1/2 cups raw potatoes, diced
2 chicken boullion cubes (or 2 teaspoons chicken stock powder)
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups water
3 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups milk

Melt butter in large soup kettle/pan. Add onions and saute until tender. Add chicken, carrots, potatoes, boullion cubes, salt, peppeer, and water. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk in a jar. Cover and shake until blended. Add to vegetables along with remaining 2 cups milk. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.

*From Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbook

Clara's Restaurant-style Green Salad with options

2009-10-10T09:00:00.005+11:00

*While on holidays, when we had to eat out we tried to choose salads from the menu because not only are they healthier than the alternatives, but they are delicious! In the past few days since getting home I've been enjoying trying to recreate some of the delicious salads we ate out at restaurants and cafes... No quantities are suggested in this recipe, as all should be done to taste - the recipe is merely a suggestion of what tastes good together!*

mixed lettuces - eg. red oakleaf lettuce, green oakleaf lettuce, baby spinach, etc.

tomato, cut into slices

green capsicum, cut into thin strips

cucumber, sliced thinly

carrot, peeled and chopped into thin strips or peelings

red onion, sliced thinly

sunflower seeds or pine nuts

whole egg mayonnaise

french herb dressing

olive oil

optional - bacon or chicken pieces or beef strips

Place lettuces on dinner plates or wide bowls. Gently toss in capsicum, cucumber, carrot and red onion, and arrange tomato on the side. Gently brown sunflower seeds or pine nuts in hot oil. Sprinkle seeds/nuts over salad. Drizzle french dressing over, and place a dollop of mayonnaise on the side.

Optional:
Bacon - fry bacon and dice. Place on the side of the salad or gently toss through salad.

Chicken - Heat oil in a pan, add a little soy sauce (to taste), garlic powder and chopped chives. Gently stirfry chicken until tender. Place chicken pieces over the salad and serve immediately.

Beef strips - Fry in olive oil, place over salad and serve immediately.

Clara's Iced Mocha Coffee with a Cinnamon Twist

2009-10-09T09:00:00.017+11:00

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon sugar (or equivalent sweetner), or to taste
2 cups brewed warm coffee
2 cups milk
ice, to serve

Combine dry ingredients with a little hot water until smooth. Add to warm coffee and mix well. Add milk, mix, and refrigerate until icy cold. Serve with ice cubes.

Chocolate Snowballs

2009-10-08T11:50:00.000+11:00

8 weet-bix (can be substituted with 120g (4oz) cornflakes), crushed
1 cup sultanas or raisins
1/2 cup coconut
2 tablespoons cocoa
400g (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup coconut, extra

Place all ingredients except extra coconut into a large bowl. Mix well.
Form mixture into balls and toss in extra coconut.

Clara's Summer Salad Wraps

2009-10-07T09:00:00.001+11:00

*This recipe will contain no quantities, as it depends how many servings are being made; we love eating these for a healthy summer lunch or light tea (supper)*

tortilla wraps
mayonnaise
sliced or shredded cheese
tomatoes, sliced
carrot, grated
capsicum (bell pepper) cut into strips
sliced preserved (canned) beetroot
sliced ham or other lunch meat, or sliced boiled eggs
shallots (green onion), chopped
lettuce leaves

Begin by spreading mayonnaise on wrap, then pile ingredients along the centre of the tortilla, finishing with lettuce leaf (to help hold other ingredients in). Fold up the bottom of the tortilla first, then sides, and eat!

Clara's Velvety Rich Hot Chocolate

2009-10-06T09:00:00.002+11:00

1/2 cup thickened (whipping) cream
1/4 cup dark chocolate melts
1/4 cup milk chocolate melts
3 1/4 cups milk
8 marshmallows
cinnamon sugar

Place cream and chocolate melts into a saucepan over low heat. Heat, stirring, until chocolate pieces are melted, but do not allow to boil. Add milk to pan, and heat until bubbling (or to desired temperature if for children). Pour into mugs. Place 2 marshmallows in each mug, and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon sugar.
Serves 4.

*Beware, this is VERY rich!!*

English Tea Cake

2009-10-05T09:00:00.001+11:00

1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 generous cup self-rising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
butter, extra
cinnamon sugar

Preheat oven to 190ºC (375ºF). Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and mix well. Sift flour and baking powder, adding a little at a time to the mixture while stirring. Add milk slowly and mix.
Line loaf pan with greaseproof paper. Pour mixture into lined pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until skewer comes out clean. When baked, while still hot, spread with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Serve with a cup of tea (or a glass of milk!).

Clara's Gourmet Pizza

2009-10-04T09:00:00.007+11:00

1 premade 12" pizza base

8oz bacon

1 tomato

1/2 green bell pepper

1 small onion

6 slices sundried tomato

tomato paste

barbecue sauce

1/2 teaspoon dried mixed herbs

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/2 cups mixture grated cheeses - mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan

Preheat oven to 220ºC (425ºF). Dice bacon into small pieces and fry until browned. Chop tomato, bell pepper, onion and sundried tomatoes into small pieces and place each in separate small bowls.
Spread desired amount of tomato paste over pizza base, and squirt liberally with barbecue sauce (to taste). Sprinkle with garlic and herbs. Sprinkle pizza evenly with vegetables and bacon, and finally top with grated cheese mix.
Place in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Cut into slices and serve.

*This makes a far healthier (and tastier, my husband tells me) pizza than anything you could buy, and it is very simple, taking only about 20 minutes to prepare.*

Glazed Meatloaf

2009-10-03T09:00:00.021+10:00

750g (1.5lb) beef mince (ground beef)
2 eggs
1 carrot, grated
1/2 brown onion, chopped finely
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/3 cup tomato relish or chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon parsley

Glaze:
1/3 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon mustard

Preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Combine meatloaf ingredients. Press into loaf pan.
Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes. Meanwhile combine glaze ingredients and mix well. Drain excess fat off meatloaf. Pour glaze over meatloaf and return to the oven for a further 15 minutes.
Serves 6-8

Australian Anzac Biscuits

2009-10-02T09:00:00.005+10:00

*These "cookies" were originally made in WWI by Australian wives, mothers and sisters and sent overseas to the soldiers in Gallipoli and other fronts of the war. They were made to withstand being posted and not perish or fall apart. They are delicious and 100% Australian!*

1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup dessicated coconut
3/4 cup caster sugar (ordinary white sugar in USA)
125g (4.4oz) butter
1 tablespoon golden syrup (can be substituted with corn syrup where golden syrup is unavailable)
1 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate soda
2 tablespoons boiling water

Preheat oven to 150ºC (300ºF). Brush 2 baking trays with melted butter or oil. Place flour, oats, coconut and sugar in a large mixing bowl, stir until combined. Combine butter and golden syrup in small pan, stir over high heat until melted. Mix soda with boiling water, add to melted butter and syrup. Add to flour mixture, stir until combined. Shape level tablespoonsful of mixture into balls and flatten slightly; place onto prepared trays, about 5 cm (2") apart.
Bake 15-20 minutes or until crispt and golden. Remove from oven, stand on trays for 2 minutes. Loosen biscuits and cool on wire rack.
Makes about 25 biscuits.

*From the Little Aussie Cookbook*

Homemade Tomato & Bacon Soup

2009-10-01T09:00:00.008+10:00

*I found this recipe originally in an Amish cookbook, but then I changed it to make it more like a full meal than just a soup on the side*

5 rashers bacon, diced and fried
1 cup chopped brown onion
1 carrot, shredded or very finely chopped
1 small capsicum (bell pepper), chopped
1/4 cup butter
4 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided (or water and chicken stock powder)
4 cups chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons sugar
small 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup flour

In large saucepan (or soup kettle), cook onion, carrot and capsicum/pepper in butter until tender. Add bacon, 4 cups of the broth, tomatoes, sugar, curry powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. In a jar place flour and remaining 1/2 cup broth, screw lid tightly shut. Shake jar until flour and water are well combined. Gradually stir into soup, stirring immediately. Bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until thick and bubbly.
Serves many!

Banana & Berry Smoothie

2009-09-30T09:00:00.010+10:00

2 ripe bananas
200g (7oz) fresh or frozen mixed berries
3 tablespoons low-fat vanilla fromage frais or whipped yoghurt
2 cups milk

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend for 2 minutes, or until fruit is blended and smoothie is thick and creamy.
Serves 2-3.

Zucchini Slice - Gluten Free

2009-09-29T09:00:00.021+10:00

2/3 cup pre-cooked rice
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small brown onion, finely chopped
1 medium zucchini, grated
3 eggs, lightly beaten
4 rashers bacon, diced

Preheat oven to 170ºC (340ºF). Line a loaf pan with baking greased paper. Heat oil, add onion and bacon and fry until cooked through. In a bowl mix all ingredients together; press into lined loaf pan. Bake in the oven for 30-15 minutes or until golden brown and just set.
Serve warm or cold.

Chicken & Celery Casserole

2009-09-28T09:00:00.018+10:00

1/2 cup flour
1kg (2.2lb) chicken, chopped
60g (2oz) butter, chopped
1 large brown onion, diced
4 rashers bacon, diced
1 1/2 cups water
410g (14oz) can cream of celery soup
2 carrots, peeled & diced
3 celery stalks, diced
1/2 cup grated cheese

Preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Place flour, salt and pepper in a plastic bag. Shake to combine. Add chopped chicken to the bag; toss to coat. Place coated chicken in greased casserole dish.
Melt butter in large (high-sided) frypan over medium heat. Cook onion and bacon, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion is softened. Add to chicken. Add remaining flour from bag to butter remaining in frypan. Cook stirring until paste is formed. Combine water and soup. Pour into frying pan, stirring until mix comes to boil. Pour over chicken. Add carrots and celery. Stir to combine.
Cover and bake for 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through. Remove lid. Sprinkle with cheese and bake for further 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve with hot steamed rice or pasta.
Serves 4-6

*From Super Food Ideas, 2004*

Garlic Butter

2009-09-27T09:00:00.012+10:00

*We found this recipe on allrecipes.com and have used it countless times since; when spread on bread rolls and baked in the oven, it makes excellent garlic bread, but also tastes wonderful when used to fry eggs or to fry potatoes or vegetables!*

1 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika

In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic and parmesan cheese. Season with garlic salt, Italian seasoning, pepper and paprika. Mix until smooth.

Chocolate and Coconut Fudge Bars

2009-09-26T09:00:00.004+10:00

1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup dessicated coconut (dehydrated & finesly shredded coconut)
1 tablespoon cocoa
185g (6oz) butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate icing:
1 cup icing sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
30g (1oz) butter
1 1/2 tablespoons hot water
coconut

Preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Sift dry ingredients into bowl, add melted butter and vanilla, mix well. Press mixture into greased 28cm x 18cm (11" x 7") cake tin. Bake in oven 20 minutes. Cool in tin. When cold, spread with chocolate icing and sprinkle with coconut. Cut into bars when icing has set.

Chocolate icing:
Sift icing sugar and cocoa into small bowl, add melted butter and water, mix until the icing is smooth and glossy.

*Recipe from The Australian Women's Weekly's The Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits*

Pumpkin Soup

2009-09-25T09:00:00.001+10:00

40g (1.4oz) butter
1 large brown onion
1.5kg (3.3 lb) pumpkin, coarsely chopped (we enjoy this recipe made with butternut but you could use others)
2 large potatoes
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup cream

Melt butter in large saucepan; cook onion, stirring until soft. Stir in pumpkin and potato; cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Stir in broth, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes or until pumpkin is soft, stirring occasionally.
Blend or process soup, in batches, until pureed. Just before serving, add cream. Stir over heat until soup is hot. Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream and chives, if desired.
Makes 6 servings.

Fettucine Carbonara

2009-09-24T09:00:00.001+10:00

*We love Italian dishes, and this is a fantastic one for a quick meal. We serve it with freshly steamed vegies or salad*

4 bacon rashers, diced
375g (13 oz) fettucine pasta (or an alternative pasta)
3 egg yolks, beaten lightly
1 cup cream
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (we often use other cheese - whatever is on hand)
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh chives or 2 teaspoons dried chives

Cook bacon in heated small frying pan, stirring, until crisp. Drain on absorbent paper towelling. Cook pasta in saucepan of boiling water until just tender. Drain. Combine pasta in large bowl with all ingredients. Serve hot.
Serves 4.

German Potato Salad

2009-09-23T09:00:00.004+10:00

*this is an Amish recipe from an Amish cookbook; it has become our favourite potato salad, and is most delicious refrigerated and eaten cold - the flavours seem to blend best and it becomes very creamy...mmmm...!*

4 boiled potatoes, cut in chunks
Dressing:
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
dash of pepper
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumbers or onions (we prefer onions or alternatively, 1 teaspoon onion powder)
2-3 slices bacon, fried and diced

Combine dressing ingredients and pour over warm potatoes. Toss lightly until coated. Serve warm with a dash of paprika (or alternatively, refrigerate and serve cold!)
-Ruth Martin, PA

A Recipe From Little House on the Prairie*

2009-09-22T09:00:00.003+10:00

Creamed Carrots

3 pounds carrots, tops cut off

1 cup chicken or veal broth (or water)

2 tablespoons butter, softened

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup heavy or sour cream

salt and freshly gound pepper, to taste

Scrub carrots with a stiff brush and slice them into a saucepan, cutting disks about 1/8" thick. Add broth (or water), cover, and simmer until a fork will puncture a slice (about 15 minutes). Meanwhile in a small bowl blend butter and flour with a fork. Gradually work in cream to make a thin paste.

When carrots are tender remove pan from heat and stir in paste: blend well with a wooden spoon, but be careful not to bruise the carrots. Return to heat until the cream bubbles.
Turn into a serving dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

*From The Little House Cookbook

Chocolate Bavarian

2009-09-21T09:00:00.003+10:00

*This is a delectible light chocolate dessert which resembles a mousse in texture but tastes ever so much better with the biscuit base and smothered in whipped cream!*

180g plain biscuits (6 oz plain graham crackers)

80g (3oz) butter, melted

1/4 cup milk

100g (3 1/2 oz) white marshmallows, chopped

200g (7oz) milk chocolate, chopped

1 teaspoon gelatin

1 tablespoon cold water

300ml (10 1/2 oz) thickened cream (whipping cream), whipped

200ml (7oz) thickened cream (whipping cream), extra

shaved milk chocolate, to decorate

Process biscuits to crumbs. Combine with butter in a bowl. Mix well. Press into base of lightly greased 20cm (8") springform pan. Refrigerage for 30 minutes.
Heat milk, marshmallows and chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (or a double-boiler), stirring, until smooth. Remove. Combine gelatine and water in a heatproof cup. Stand cup in the saucepan of simmering water until gelatine is dissolved. Stir warm gelatine into warm chocolate mixture. Cool for 30 minutes.
Fold whipped cream through chocolate mixture. Pour over biscuit base. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, or until set.
Whip extra cream. Spread over bavarian. Top with chocolate shavings.
Serve and enjoy!

All-Australian Damper with Cocky's Joy!

2009-09-20T09:00:00.001+10:00

*Damper is Australian colonial bush-bread made without yeast using basic staples. Drovers (cowboys) would bake it in a camp oven (hot ashes) while in the outback. It is very simple and very delicious and can be made in a civilised kitchen using an oven, too! We love having this for a breakfast, brunch or lunch from time to time.*

3 cups self-rising flour (or flour with baking powder added)
1 small teaspoon salt
90g (3 oz) butter, melted
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
milk, extra for glazing
flour, extra for dusting
butter, extra for serving
golden syrup (can be substituted with corn syrup in USA if no golden syrup available)

Preheat oven to 210ºC (410ºF). Brush oven tray/baking sheet with melted butter or oil.
Sift flour and salt into large mixing bowl; make a well in the centre. Combine butter, water and milk and add to flour. Stir with a knife until just combined.
Turn onto lightly floured surface; knead 20 seconds or until smooth (do not knead too much or damper will be heavy). Transfer to tray; press out to a 20cm (8") round. Using a sharp pointed knife, score into 8 pie sections 1cm (3/8") deep. Brush with milk; dust with flour.
Bake for 10 minutes. Do not open oven door; reduce heat to 180ºC (355ºF). Bake 15 minutes or until damper is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
Serve with butter and syrup (cocky's joy), or alternatively try with butter and honey or butter and vegemite!

Delicious Quiche

2009-09-19T09:00:00.002+10:00

4 large eggs or 6-8 small eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup soft butter
1/2 cup flour
250g (9 oz) diced bacon, cooked, or leftover roast ham, diced
1 x 400g (14oz) can corn kernels (or frozen/fresh corn kernels, precooked)
1 shallot (green onion), chopped
3/4 cup grated/shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 180ºC (355ºF). Lightly grease pie plate or quiche pan.
Blend eggs, milk, butter and flour with electric mixer. Pour into pan. Sprinkle evenly with bacon/ham, corn and shallots. Lastly sprinkle with cheese.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until quiche looks firm when gently wobbled.
Serve hot or cold with salad.

*We like this both hot and cold, but our favourite way is cold. Be sure to prepare this ahead if you want it cold, refrigerating it once it has cooled from the oven until ready to serve!*

Tasty Roasted Ham

2009-09-18T09:00:00.001+10:00

2kg (4 1/2 lb) shoulder or other ham
1/3 cup Australian mustard or other prepared mustard
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 heaped tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon onion powder

Preheat oven to 170ºC (325ºF). Rinse the ham and pat dry with paper towels. Place ham in large roasting pan. In a small bowl, mix together glaze ingredients. Coat the ham with the glaze using a spoon or brush.
Roast the ham uncovered for 2 - 2 1/2 hours in oven or until tender through. Recoat the ham with the glaze, then allow the ham to roast for about 15 minutes before carving to keep it from drying out.

*This recipe can be roasted covered or uncovered. Come back tomorrow to see an excellent recipe for the leftovers!*

Clara's Chicken & Pasta Goulash

2009-09-17T09:00:00.002+10:00

400g (14 oz) uncooked shell pasta or macaroni pasta
3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic granules/crushed garlic
2 teaspoons onion flakes or 1/2 brown onion finely chopped
3 zucchini, thinly sliced
500g (1 lb) chicken breast, chopped
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon chicken stock powder
40 g parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to packet instructions, until al dente in base of steamer, while steaming carrots in the top of the steamer (if you don't have a steamer, cook the pasta and the carrot in water in separate saucepans). Meanwhile put a dash of oil into a frying pan or wok, over high heat. Add garlic and onion, saute for 1 minute. Add zucchini to frying pan, reducing heat to medium high, and cook stirring until tender. Place zucchini in a bowl, keeping remaining oil in the pan; add a little oil or butter if necessary. Add chicken to pan and stirfry until tender. When all ingredients are cooked to desired tenderness, combine all ingredients in large wok or frying pan and stir until heated through.

*I'm a firm believer in being flexible and this dish can easily be changed to accomodate your ingredients or your tastes. I prefer to use a wok rather than a frying pan as woks tend to cook tenderly without removing all moisture. A frypan will probably require more oil to prevent the goulash sticking*

Clara's Sausage Stew

2009-09-16T13:24:00.001+10:00

6 sausages (English links), chopped into 1/2" chunks
1 tablespoon butter (can be substituted with olive oil for a healthier alternative)
1 brown onion, finely chopped
5 large washed potatoes
2 carrots, peeled
1 x 400g (14oz) can diced tomatoes (or 2 cups freshly chopped tomatoes)
3 cups hot water
3 tablespoons roast meat gravy powder
1 1/2 teaspoons beef stock powder
2 tablespoons plain flour
1/2 cup water, extra

Fry sausage pieces until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Meanwhile, melt butter/heat oil in large stew pan. Add onion and cook over low heat while chopping potatoes and carrots into medium-sized pieces. Add vegetables and water to pan, cook stirring over medium-high heat until boiling.
When boiling, add gravy powder, stock powder and stir immediately to prevent lumping. Cover pan and allow to simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are starting to get tender.
Put flour and extra water in a lidded jar and shake well to combine. Add flour water (thickener) to the stew pan and stir thoroughly until stew thickens. Allow to simmer for a few minutes extra until vegetables reach desired tenderness.
Serve hot. Makes 5 servings.

Scones!

2009-09-15T19:52:00.002+10:00

Foolproof Scones

1 egg
1 dessertspoon sugar
1 level tablespoon butter (1 oz)
1 cup milk
2 large cups self-rising flour (or make your own using flour and baking powder)
1/2 teaspoon salt
flour, extra

Preheat oven to 240ºC (450ºF).
Beat egg well with sugar. Melt butter and add to milk. Sift in flour and mix all ingredients together using a knife, to a soft dough. If necessary, add in a little extra flour - dough must not be too sticky and wet, but not too firm either.
Dust bench and rolling pin with flourto prevent dough sticking. Using the rolling pin, lightly roll out the dough until about 1/2 inch thick, and cut into shapes.
Lightly dust baking sheet with flour, place scones on tray and bake for 8 - 10 minutes.

*This recipe really is foolproof. It is quite a 'forgiving' recipe and seems to always turn out!*

* * * * * * *

Savoury Scones

1 tablespoon butter
3 cups self-rising flour
1 large carrot, grated
1 medium brown onion, grated
1 cup cheese, grated
1/2 cup zucchini, grated
1 egg
1 small cup milk (*just* a hairbreadth below 1 cup)

Preheat oven to 200ºC (400ºF).

Rub butter into flour using fingertips. Add carrot, onion, cheese, zucchini, egg and milk and mix through with a knife. Turn out onto lightly floured board/bench, roll to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into pieces.
Bake for 12 minutes on lightly floured baking sheets.

*Grated = shredded.
*My mother didn't put all the cheese in the mixture, she saved some and sprinkled it on top, which I also do - it is delicious that way! These taste great spread with butter and a little vegemite +/- sliced cheese*

* * * * * * *

Pumpkin Scones

1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 egg
3 cups self-rising flour
1 cup boiled and mashed pumpkin (we usually use butternut pumpkin/squash)

Preheat oven to 240ºC (450ºF).
Beat butter and sugar to a cream. Add pumpkin and beaten egg. Sift in flour. Knead mixture then roll it out (on lightly floured surface). If the mixture is too stiff, add a *little* milk. Cut out the scones with a cutter.
Bake for about 10 minutes on lightly floured baking sheet.

*Butter can be melted and added to ingredients if desired, the results seem to be the same, my mother always melted her butter and got perfect scones still!*

* * * * * * *

Sweet Scones

To make sweet scones with sultanas/raisins in them, make foolproof scones, but instead of 1 tablespoon of sugar, make it 1/2 a cup of sugar. Add 1 cup of sultanas to the recipes and bake the same as the foolproof scones.

Easy as pie!