Chocolate Roulade

Had a request from Miss S who watches Youtube cake decorating videos 24/7, to bake a chocolate roulade. Look at Master J on the laptop in the background!!

So one afternoon we did just that.

Chocolate sponge cake, rolled with fresh vanilla cream and strawberries. And Yep, Master J still on the laptop in the background.

Caramel Swirl Blondies.

This post should come with a warning: do not even bother reading if you are at all health conscious or watching your weight.

Caramel Swirl Blondies
recipe from recipes+ magazine september 2011
150g butter
150g white choccolate
1tsp vanilla
1cup caster sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup plain flour
1/2 cup SR flour
380g can Top 'n' Fill caramel

Oven 160C
Line a 20x30cm slice pan with baking paper.
Place butter and chocolate in a heat proof bowl over a pan of simmering water, stir until smooth. (I actually zapped mine in the microwave)
Stir in vanilla, sugar, egg and flours.
Spoon into slice pan and level top.
Drop small spoonfuls of caramel on top of mixture.(I only used half the tin)
Swirl with a butter knife.
Bake 35 min (mine needed 40 min)
Cool in pan.
Slice to serve.

Chocolate balls

These chocolate balls are so yummy.
My Mum used to make them.
Nice to make them as gifts at this time of year.
Unfortunately, I've been too busy to make them until today.
But, I've been enjoying them, so that's ok!!

Chocolate Balls
6 weetbix, crushed
2 cups coconut
2 tbs cocoa
1 tin condensed milk

Mix it all together, roll/squish into balls, then roll in extra coconut.
Refrigerate until firm.
Eat and enjoy!

Gingerbread Biscuits

We put up the Christmas Tree today after school.
Its starting to look more like Christmas around here now.
Our decorations are a mish-mash of ones from when I was a kid, ones made by the kids, and way too much tinsell.
A bit of a mess really, but just the way I like it.
The kids were so excited, I love listening to them chatting together.
Last week we made some Gingerbread biscuits using Janes recipe.

They are delicious.


Decorated by the kids with some store bought hideously bright coloured icing.
Both school kids requested to take extra the next day for their friends.
This batch didnt last long.
They'll be on the baking list for next week too.

Tomato Relish

Tomatoes were $1.97/kg and were ripe and delicious.
I made some tomato relish.
We eat it as a spread on sandwiches and on the side with grilled steak, chicken or fish.


Ive had this recipe written on an old envelope for years.
I had called my Mum to get the recipe and wrote it down on whatever was at hand.

Tomato Relish
1.5kg tomatos
500g onions
1 tbs salt
2 cups sugar ( only use 1 cup, last year I found it to be too sweet)
3 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp chilli powder
1 tbs dry mustard
2 cups brown vinegar

Chop the tomatoes and onions.
Sprinkle with salt and cover overnight.
Place in a saucepan.
Add sugar and stir over a low heat until dissolved.
Boil covered for 5 minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients and boil uncovered for 1 hour.
Spoon it into sterilised jars.

A good catch

Master J and My Mate went on their Annual Father-Son Camping trip over to Stansbury on the Yorkes Peninsula.
Previous years have not been so lucky with the fish biting!
BUT, this weekend they got a good catch.

2 Squid and 12 Blue Swimmer Crabs.
The good Mother that I am, felt obliged to cook them up!

I made salt and pepper squid.

Cleaned and cut up the crabs.

And made the most delicious Singapore Chilli Crab.
Recipe from Taste.com.auIm going to use the same sauce with prawns over summer.
The crabs are a bit too fiddly for me..... too much work for little reward!
But, caught by my boys...Delicious!
Master J is looking into buying a vintage caravan so he can go more often.

Pizza night

Friday night is pizza night at our house.
It used to be Friday night take-out night, but it often led to expensive, dissapionting quality food.
So......Friday Night Pizza Night was born, and its here to stay!!!

Ive indefinitely borrowed my sisters bread maker (the revolving bread maker that has been to everyones house for a stint, but rarely used and then returned.)
She is on a health kick and is not eating bread so....its mine again.
It makes light work of the dough.
I put it in around 11am and just leave it there to rise all day.
I use Pioneer Womans recipe.

My Mate rolls the dough out really thin.
We always have the same toppings.
Organic tomato sugo, mozzarella cheese grated, fresh tomato slices, mild salami, kalamata olives and when cooked a sprinkle of fresh basil and danish fetta.

I dropped a friend of Master J's home after a play day, and they have pizza nights too!
Only they were roasting tomatos with garlic to make their own sauce......show offs!!!
I bet it was delicious.
I think we need to combine our pizza making efforts one day and have a non-competitive cook-off.

Granola

This granola is good.

Recipe from Ivy nest. I love her blog.
Super easy to make and drop dead delicious.
I may add coconut, chopped dates/apricot and maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon next time.
But it is really good as it is.
Give it a try.

Apple Pie

I made pastry!!

First time ever!
I knew I could do it but just never had.
Thought it would take a long time and it didnt.
Cant be bothered rolling it out, but it didnt take long.
Not sure it would be worth the effort, but it sure was.

Free form tarts always look so delicious.
Ripped this recipe from Australian Womans Weekly July 2011.
Looks just like the photo!


Ice-cream and custard. YUM.

Chicken Curry

This is one of my easy meals to put together if Ive had a busy day.

This brand can be hard to find, so when I do I stock up a few cans for the pantry.
Then all I have to buy is fresh chicken thighs and Im good to go.

Malaysian Chicken Curry
This recipe came from an advertisment for Ayam Brand curry sauce in a magazine.
1 tbs peanut oil
650g chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite size pieces
1 brown onion cut into wedges
1 large potato, peeled and diced
1x 250ml Ayam Malaysian Curry Sauce
1x 270ml Ayam Coconut Milk
1/2 cup water
Steamed rice, raita, mango chutney and papadams to serve.

Heat the oil in a wok over high heat.
Add half the chicken and cook until golden.
Transfer to a plate.
Repeat with other half of the chicken.
Add the onion and stir fry until soft.
Add potato and stir to combine.
Add curry sauce (I tip the extra layer of oil off the top), coconut milk and water.
Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 25 minutes, or until potato is tender.

Raita
1 small tub natural yoghurt
1 lebanese cucumber, grated
sprinkle ground cumin

Grate cucumber.
Squeese out excess liquid and discard.
Mix all ingredients together.

It tastes good.

LCM bars

I dont buy my kids the "real" LCM bars!
These on the other hand are delicious and I know whats gone into them.
So with school going back next week, heres a good quick recipe for the lunch boxes.

LCM Bars
This recipe came from my friend Sally who has it in one of her Thermomix books.

110g butter
100g sugar
2tbs honey
1tsp vanilla
150g rice bubbles
50g coconut

Melt butter, sugar,honey and vanilla in a saucepan.
Mixx into rice bubbles and coconut.
Press into a lined slab tin.
Refrigerate until firm.
Cut and eat!

School Holiday Fun

Although I have 3 children at home to feed and entertain during the school holidays, that does not negate the fact that I get to sleep in until around 8.30.....or whenever I start to get the guilts that My Mate is up, dressed and trying to get out the door to work, and is having to get the kids breakfast! Not that he would complain....but it is a bit lazy isnt it??!!!


We have planted our summer vegie patch. Mixed lettuce, truss tomatoes, beetroot, basil, snow peas, beans, corn, cucumber, strawbwrries and rockmelon.

The kids got their bathers on one warm day and played on the trampoline.

A trip to the beach, walk/skateboard along the promenade and compulsory coffee.

We also made delicious burgers! I found a wholesale butcher who makes their own Wagu burgers. $10 for 4 huge patties. Bargain and they are great.

We have also had a few days at the beach house.
A good time had by all.

Chinese Chicken

Now this meal is totally worth trying.
Really easy and so tasty.
Doesnt it look like restaurant quality chinese!!?
Well, it tastes like it too.

Chinese Chicken
Better homes and gardens, Feb 2004

1 whole chicken
1/2 cup ketjap manis
1 tsp five spice

Wash the chicken inside and out and pat dry with paper towel.
Using strong scissors, cut down either side of the backbone.
Turn chicken over and flatten.
Place into a baking dish, and paint with your marinade.
I did this in the morning and let it sit and marinate in the fridge all day.
Oven 180C.
Cover chicken with foil and bake for 25 min.
Remove foil and baste again with the marinade.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 min until cooked through.
Cut up into portions and serve.

Fried Rice
(loosely based on the recipe "chop-shop fried rice" Poh's kitchen my cooking adventures by Poh Ling Yeow)

1 cup jasmine rice, cooked and cooled
1 onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
handfull beansprouts
couple of spring onions, sliced
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs light soy sauce
pinch sugar

Heat oil in a wok over medium heat, and fry onion until tender.
Add carrot and spring onion, fry quickly.
Add cooked rice, salt, soy sauce and beansprouts.
Few quick stirs until cooked through, sprinkle with pinch sugar, cook further 30 sec.
Serve.

Next time I will probably stir fry up a few chinese greens in garlic and a splash of oyster sauce as well.

Let me know if you give it a try.

Yesterday I climbed Mt Lofty with my sister.
Its 3.7km up, up ,up!!
It took us 1hr 10min to get to the top.
I cursed and swore and nearly cracked a tantrum.
She was a great motivator, and kept me going.
Coming down was lovely, time to enjoy the beautiful bush and waterfalls.
Will take my camera next time.
The best part was spending 2 hrs alone with my sister.
No interuptions.
Lovely time to open up to each other and discuss a few things.
So needless to say Im sore today, but you know how it feels like good sore, so its OK.

Linking up with Tea Rose Home and Lady Behind the curtain.

Lamb pasta bake

This is the Lamb pasta bake, which was well received by 4 out of the 5 people in our family. The other had to make her own cheese on toast!

Lamb and pasta bake with roast tomatoes
From delicious magazine

1.2 kg diced lamb (I only used about 600g)
1 onion thinly sliced
juice of a small lemon
3 tsp oregano
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp sweet paprika
1 L chicken stock
2 tbs tomato paste
400g can chopped tomatoes
400g risoni
cherry tomatoes
2 tbs chopped flat leaf parsley
natural yoghurt

Oven 180C
Place lamb in a single layer in a large baking dish,cover with onions, drizzle with lemon juice and a little olive oil.
Sprinkle with oregano, cumin and paprika, season with salt and pepper.
cover with foil and roast 40 min.
Whisk stock and tomato paste together.
Pour over lamb, add canned tomatoes, cover and return to oven for 1 hr.
Add pasta and return to oven for 20 min until most of liquid is absorbed.
Bake cherry tomatoes on a tray for last 10 min of cooking time.

To serve, stir through parsley, top with a few roasted tomatoes and a dollop of natural yoghurt. Serve with crusty bread and salad if desired.


So tonights offering is Flat out chinese chicken.
Ive taken out the backbone of the chicken and flattened it out. Its marinating in ketjap manis and chinese five spice. Serving with fried rice.

Dinner

I was reading over on Ivy Nest this morning, Tania writing how she wants to limit her computer time and use her time more wisely.
I too have the same problem.... I think most of us who read blogs do!! I can waste hours of the day (as enjoyable as that is) reading blogs and pinning on pinterest and checking facebook!
And I really enjoy all the inspiration from other blogs, but rarely do I actually make anything or use these great ideas.
So its off with the computer for me as well. Because I really do feel better when Im getting things done in my real life.
Kids are growing up before our eyes, spring is here and Im off to enjoy it.
Well not off all together, just only checking blogs once a day.
Ill be busy catching up on work around the house, decluttering (because there is no better feeling, than chucking out some old shit!), playing trouble and scrabble with my kids and snuggling with my Mate in the evening.

And whilst Im making a few changes, Im sick of the same old food Ive been cooking. You know how it is with small kids, the same rotation of a few meals that they will all eat...well thats boring.
If you dont like it ...tough...or you can have cheese on toast or an egg!
Ive got 3 new recipes to try this week.
Tonights is Lamb and pasta bake with roasted tomatoes.
I bought some beautiful Lamb backstraps and have diced them up and they are marinating with onion,olive oil, oregano, cumin and sweet smoked paprika.
Yum, I cant wait.
Ill show you the finished product tomorrow when I log-on next!!
Until then I shall be quietly rocking in the corner in the foetal position withdrawing from cyberspace.

Berry Muffins

I had mixed berries left over from the Bircher Muslie I made on Fathers Day.
So I searched the blogosphere for a berry muffin recipe and I found Sweet Peas Kitchen.

BERRY MUFFINS

2 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/8 cups sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
4 tbs butter melted
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk (i just used milk with a squeeze of lemon)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup berries (any kind you like, mine were frozen mixed berries)

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together sugar and eggs until thick.
Whisk in butter and oil until combined.
Whisk in buttermilk and vanilla.
Fold this mix into the flour mix and add berries..
Divide batter into muffin cases, batter should fill the cups.
Bake muffins 200C for 15 - 20 min until tops are golden.

White chocolate and cranberry cookies

I am a massive Bill Granger fan. Love his food, have 6 of his cookbooks and he is a bit of a spunk too!!

Baked these babies today, have made them several times before and they are delicious.

White chocolate and cranberry cookies

150g softened butter

3/4/cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup white chocolate chunks

2/3 cup dried cranberries

Oven 180C.

Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and creamy.

Add egg and vanilla, beat until smooth.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.

Add oats, chocolate and cranberries and stir together.

Add to butter mixture and mix well.

Roll small tablespoons of the mixture into balls, and place on lined baking trays.

Flatten the balls a little.Bake 12 minutes until golden.

cool on the tray for 5 min before cooling completely on wire rack.

This little guy looking for a crumb or 2.

Rain,Rain...

The rain was so heavy last night.

I was'nt surprised to see this flooding in out back yard this morning.
It was hailing when I dropped the kids off to school...(dont you love that, always at drop off or pick up time!!)

So a cold wet day deserves some play time at home with Mum for Miss E.

And an Orange Cake to be baked.

At Kindergym this week, one of the Mums bought in a whole box of delicious oranges from her tree.

I had to have some and they are the juciest oranges I have ever had.
Got to love homegrown!!

A while ago, my friend Judith, gave me this recipe for Orange Cake and it is a real winner.

Orange Cake

Cake

1/2 cup coconut

1/2 cup milk

125g butter

1 cup caster sugar

1 tbs grated orange rind

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups SR flour

1/2 cup milk

Combine coconut and first lot of milk and stand for 1 hour.

Cream butter, sugar and orange rind until light and fluffy.

Beat eggs into mixture.

Add flour, milk and coconut mixture, and combine.

Bake at 180C for 43 minutes.

Icing

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

1 tbs butter melted

1 1/2 tbs orange juice

Mix together until smooth.

Slather on top of the cake when just taken out of the oven and still hot, to form a glaze.

Each time Ive baked this week, Ive been searching for my spatulas.

Could'nt find them anywhere in the kitchen.

But I did find them here....