December 31, Stuffed Sausages

Ingredients

6 Pre-cooked sausages
1 egg
3 potatoes, mashed
1/2 cup grated cheese
Sauces
Oregano

Method

Preheat oven to 200C.
Fry sausages till they are just browned.
Cut slit in sausages from end to end (like a hot dog bun).

Recipe 1 - saucy sausages
Line inside of sausage with your favorite sauce, fil remainder of sausage with potato then top with grated cheese.

Recipe 2 - omelette sausages
In a bowl whisk egg then add in potato, cheese and 1/2 tsp of oregano.
Fill sausages with mixture.

Turn oven to grill and put sausages under grill till cheese is melted on saucy sausages and egg mixture is puffed up on omelette sausages.



My Meal

At home, we each got a saucy sausage and a omelette sausage each.

p.s. any left over egg mixture can be used for toasties!

December 30, Mini Ham and Egg Pies

Ingredients

2 eggs
2 thick slice of ham, chopped
1 tsp mixed herbs
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
1/4 cup grated cheese
9 slices of sandwich bread

Method

Preheat oven to 180C.
Whisk eggs then mix in cheese and seasoning.
Cut crusts off bread then use bread to form 9 cups in a medium sized muffin tray.
spoon egg mixture into bread cups.
Bake for 15 minutes or until bread is browned and egg mixture is puffed out.

December 29, Banana and Cinnamon Muffins

Ingredients

2 cups self-raising flour
1 cup raw sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
2 Tbsp margarine, melted
1 small overripe banana
1/2 cup milk

Method

Preheat oven to 180C.
Mix dry ingredients then make well in centre of mixture.
In a seperate bowl mash banana with a fork then mix in remaining ingredients.
Pour banana mixture into well in dry mixture.
Mix until dry and wet mixtures are just combined.
Bake for 12-15 minutes in a well greased 12 cup medium size muffin tray.

December 28, Strawberry Muffin Top Kisses

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour
3/4 cup desicated coconut
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp margarine, melted

1 egg white
1 cup icing sugar
4 Tbsp Strawberry jam

Method

Preheat oven to 180C.
Mix flour, coconut, sugar and baking soda together in a bowl.
In a seperate bowl whisk egg then add milk and margarine.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add egg mixture into well.
Mix ingredients well.
Pour into a medium sized 12 muffin tray (only ~1 and 1/2 Tbsp each).
Bake for 10 minutes or ontil golden in colour.
Let cool.

Filling

Whisk egg white until it forms soft peaks then while still whisking add icing sugar tablespoon by tablesoon and then add jam.

Putting It Together

Once cool cut biscuits in half and spoon on strawberry filling and stick biscuits back together.
Leave in refridgerator to set.

December 27, The Ultimate Cheese Toastie

Ingredients

2 eggs
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp chicken salt
2 tsp oregano
1/2 cup grated cheese
4 slices of toast bread

Method

Preheat oven to 200C
In a bowl whisk eggs then mix in seasonings and cheese.
On a lined baking tray place the 4 slices of bread then spread out egg mixture.
Grill in oven for 6-8 minutes or until toast is crispy and egg mixture is slightly browned.

December 26, The Phlebotomy

Ingredients

Add 1 part blackcurrent (or similar) concentrate/syrup, 1 part Alize Red Passion, and 1 part vodka to a martini glass.
Top off with lemonade.

December 25, Gingerbread House

Ingredients

2x 3 and 3/4 cups plain flour
2x 1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda
2x 3/4 tsp brown sugar
2x 1/2 tsp ginger
2x 190g butter
2x 3/4 cup golden syrup

4 cups icing sugar
3 egg whites
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Pebbles
Coloured drinking marshmallows
2 raspberry liquorice
1 pappermint candy lolly
1 candy cane

Method

Preheat oven to 180C.
Place first lots of flour, baking soda, ginger, butter and golden syrup in a food processor until ingredients mix together.
Put first mixture to one side then mix the second lots of flour, baking soda, ginger, butter and golden syrup in a food processor.
(You can use a mixer rather than a food processor, however, it takes longer).
Knead together both lots of mixture then press into lined/greased slice trays (i used 27 x 18 cm tray).
Cook each tray for 25 minutes.

Cut like this:



Icing

Whisk egg white till they for soft peaks.
Add icing sugar 1 tablespoon while still whisking.
Mix in remaining baking soda.

Putting it together

Hold walls in place using tall jars while piping icing into gaps.
Leave jars in place overnight while icing sets.

Decorate as below:



Pink sides = raspberry licorice
Marshmellows as guttering
Pebbles for door knob and window
Peppermint candy for window above door
Candy cane for door arch

Thanks to the Donna Hay magazine for gingerbread recipe (donnahay.com).

December 24, Coconut Pavlova

A kiwi favourite with my new favourite icing just in time for Christmas.

Ingredients

4 large egg whites
1 cup caster sugar
1 tsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp cornstarch (cornflour)

1 egg white
1 1/4 icing sugar
3/4 cup desiccated coconut
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp lime juice
Zest from 1 lemon
Zest from 1 lime

Method

Preheat oven to 130C.
Beat egg whites, on low speed gradually moving to med-high speed, until they form soft peaks (approx. 5 minutes).
Continue to run mixer on med-high and add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
Once mixture is smooth (rub between fingers to test that the sugar has been dissolved) turn of beater and fold in vinager, vanilla and constarch gently.
Bake for 75 minutes or until the top of the meringue is pale cream in colour.
Allow to cool in a cool dry place.

Icing

Once cool or ready to serve make icing.
Beat egg white until foamy.
Add icing sugar gradually and mix well.
Lightly mix in zest, juices and coconut.
Top with lemon flavored sugar lollies.

December 23, Baked Potatoes, Krystle Style

This is my new favourite recipe. Had it last night for dinner and it was so good.

Ingredients

2 large potatoes
1/4 cup reduced cream
1 Tbsp onion soup mix
1 rasher of bacon
Grated cheese to top

Method

Fry bacon in a small frying pan until crispy.
Poke four sets of fork holes into each potatoes.
Microwave potatoes on high (1100W microwave) for 7-8 minutes with half a cup of water.
Mix reduced cream, onion mix and mixed herbs in a bowl.
When potatoes are finished cooking cut a square out of the top and scoop potato out into the bowl with cream mixture being careful not to damage the potato skins.
Chop cooked bacon into squares and add to mixture.
Mix mixture well then spoon back into potato skins.
Top with grated cheese.

(optional) To crisp up this creation chuck under the grill till cheese is melted.



Leftovers

Leftover stuffed potatoes can be wrapped in glad wrap once cooled and put in the fringe. Either eat cold or reheat in microwave for 2 minutes.

If you brought a full can of reduced cream and a full sachet of onion mix then mix the two together and cover and refrigerate for a great kiwi style onion dip which is great with potato chip, celery sticks or carrot sticks.

Tip Time!

To lower fat content of food when pan frying line the pan with baking paper or use tinfoil shiny side down instead of oil or butter.
Happy Frying!

December 22, Chicken Cordon Bleu Salad

This is a salad dedicated to one of my favourite dishes, Chicken Cordon Bleu.
Chicken breast represents Chicken schnitzel. Bacon represents ham. Cheese represents cheese sauce.

Ingredients

1 chicken breast
1 rasher of shoulder bacon
1 egg
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup plain flour
1 tsp mixed herbs
1/4 cup croutons
1 slice cheese, diced
Lettuce

Method

Preheat oven to 180C.
Cut chicken breast into thumb sized pieces and pan fry until golden.
Beat egg and brush over chicken pieces.
Mix breadcrumbs, flour and herbs then sprinkle mixture over chicken.
Cook chicken in oven for 3 minutes on each side to make coating golden.
Cut bacon into small squares and pan fry until crispy.

Serve

Toss lettuce in a bowl with cheese, croutons and bacon.
Place chicken pieces on top.



Croutons

Today's croutons were lightly brushed with oil then sprinkled with chicken salt then grilled at 180C until golden.

December 21, Pan-Fried Blue Cod

Ingredients

2 Blue Cod fillets
1 egg
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup plain flour
1 tsp mixed herbs

Method

Preheat a large frying pan to medium heat.
Beat egg with lemon juice until smooth.
Mix breadcrumbs, flour and herbs in a bowl.
Brush egg mixture onto fish.
Dip fish in breadcrumb mixture to cover.
Line frying pan with baking paper.
Cook fish for 5 minutes on each side (or until coating is golden).

Serve

Serve with salad.

December 20, Christmas Stars

Ingredients

200g margarine, softened
1 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
3 cups plain flour
2 different colours of boiled lollies

Method

Beat together margarine and sugar until mixture is smooth.
Beat in eggs on at a time, mixing well.
Sift in flour and mix.
Roll out mixture on a floured board.
Split dough in half, wrap in glad wrap and refrigerate for 1 hr.
Preheat oven to 180C.
Roll mixture out once more and cut out star shapes (as shown below).



Place stars on a lined baking tray and place a lolly in the middle of each star.
Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Let cool before removing from tray as lollies will need to set in place.

This is a modified version of a recipe from Taste.com.au

December 19, Spaghetti Bolognese with Italian Sauce

Ingredients

400g mince
1 can Italian style tomatoes
140g tomato paste
1 clove garlic, crushed
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
250g dried spaghetti, cooked

Method

Brown mince in large frying pan.
In a small saucepan mix tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic and seasonings.
Place on heat then bring to boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to soften tomatoes.
Then mix tomato mixture in frying pan with mince.
Spoon onto a serving of spaghetti and top with grated cheese and enjoy!

December 18, The Dipstick

Method

Add 2 shots of Vodka and 2 shots of Malibu to a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add 1 can of energy drink and top off with pineapple juice.
Stir and do not shake.
Pour into 2 cocktail glasses.
Fill the base of glass with Alize - Red Passion by putting a nip on the bottle and pouring against the edge of the glass.
Decorate and Enjoy!

December 17, Chocolate Christmas Kisses

Ingredients

200g margarine
1 cup caster sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp red food colouring
1 1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda

Method

Preheat oven to 180C
Melt margarine then mix in sugar then egg yolk, milk, vanilla essence and food colouring.
In a separate bowl sift flour, cocoa and baking powder.
Fold flour mixture into margarine mixture then mix well.
Spoon onto a lined tray or use a christmas tree plate in a cookie press.
When using the cookie press, use a tinfoil lined tray, shiny side up.
Bake for 6-8 minutes.

Filling

1 1/2 cups icing sugar
2 Tbsp margarine
1 tsp peppermint essence
1/2 tsp of red food colouring
1/2 tsp of green food colouring
Boiling water

Split the icing sugar, margarine and peppermint essence between two cups/bowls.
To one cup add red colouring to the other add green colouring.
Slowly stir in hot water (pour over margarine to help melt it) in to each cup until mix is of the right thickness.
For this recipe it is preferable to have a thicker filling to help keep the biscuits together.

Putting It Together

Sandwich two biscuits together with peppermint filling in between.

Tip Time!

When defrosting chicken in the microwave it can develop a yucky odor. To prevent this carrying over into your dish sprinkle chicken lightly with coriander before cooking.

December 16, Lemon, Lime and Coconut Cake

Ingredients

250g butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
4 eggs
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Zest and juice of 1 lime
2 cups desiccated coconut
2 1/2 cups self-raising flour

1 egg white
1 1/4 icing sugar
3/4 cup desiccated coconut

Method

Preheat oven to 180C.
Whisk together butter and caster sugar until smooth.
Add each egg individually, beating well between additions.
Mix in first lot of coconut and vanilla essence and 1/2 of zest and 3/4 of juice.
Sift in flour and mix well.
Bake for 30-35 minute or until golden and top raises after being gently pressed with the flat surface of a knife.
Let cool before icing

Icing

Beat egg white until foamy.
Add icing sugar gradually and mix well.
Lightly mix in remaining zest, juices and coconut.

December 15, Kahlua and Choc Chip Biscuits

I'm assuming these biscuits are good because I took them to work (fellow employees make good testers) and they were all gone before I could try one.

Ingredients

200g butter, softened
1/3 cup caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 Tbsp Kahlua
2/3 cup plain flour
1 cup self-raising flour
1/2 cup chocolate drops
1 Tbsp coffee powder

Method

Preheat oven to 175C.
Beat together butter, sugar, vanilla essence and Kahlua.
In a separate bowl, sift together flours then fold into butter mixture.
Mix in chocolate drops and coffee.
Spoon mixture onto a lined tray, each biscuit uses the equivalent of a heaped tablespoon of mixture.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.

For Non-Coffee Lovers

Just skip the coffee and Kahlua to make some damn fine choc chip cookies.

December 14, Homemade Mince and Cheese Pies

This is a kiwi classic and I've put my own twist on it. I plan on taking these tomorrow for our shared lunch at work, hopefully they'll go down well.

Ingredients

400-500g mince
2 Tbsp gravy powder (I used Bistro's)
1 cup of water
A handful of cubed cheese
A pack of golden flaky pastry sheets
Grated cheese to top

Method

Preheat oven to 220C.
Brown mince in a medium-large sized frying pan over medium heat.
Mix gravy powder with 1/4 cup of water whisk until smooth.
Heat 3/4 cup of water in the microwave for 2 minutes on high.
Mix gravy paste and hot water then whisk until smooth.
Pour gravy into saucepan then sift flour over top. Mix in well.
Throw in cheese cubes and lower heat.

Pastry

Cut pastry sheets to size (cookie-cutters may come in handy). Then use to line greased muffin trays (you can use whichever size you want I went with the regular sized muffin tray this time round).

Putting It Together

Scoop a spoon full of mince mixture into each pie.
If your a cheese lover like me you may wish to add a slice of cheese on top of the mince.
Then top with pastry lid, poke fork holes into the lid so your pies can breathe and top with more cheese (grated this time).
You may also like to try topping the pies with a frozen potato medallion instead of the pastry lid.
Cook for 15 minutes or until golden.
(makes 12 pies in a regular muffin tray)

December 13, Breakfast Zest Pancakes

Ingredients

1 egg
1 cup milk
1 cup plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 tsp grated lemon zest

Method

Preheat a frying pan to medium heat and melt 1 tsp margarine to grease pan.
Separate egg and whisk egg white till light and fluffy.
Mix in milk and egg yolk then stir thoroughly.
Sift in flour and baking powder mix till mixture is smooth.
Mix in salt and lemon zest.
Before cooking use a paper towel to spread melted margarine over the entire surface of the pan this will stop your first pancake from being a oily nightmare.
Cook pancakes, wait till first side is lightly browned before flipping then wait till other side is lightly browned before moving to a plate.

Serve

Pile pancakes on top of each other then drizzle golden syrup or maple syrup over top. You may also like to use whipped cream or yogurt and berries to top your stack.

December 12, Individual Lasagna

This is a spin off of last nights meal plus if you have fussy eaters in the house you can cook one meal with potato and one with pasta the same night with out too much hassle.

Ingredients

4 Tbsp margarine
2 Tbsp plain flour
1 cup milk
1 cup grated cheese
1 tsp mixed herbs
400-500g mince
Rich Tomato Soup or jar of pasta sauce
Fresh lasagna sheets, cut to shape
Grated cheese and herbs to top

Method

Preheat oven to 180C

Cheese Sauce
Heat margarine in a small saucepan then mix in flour once melted.
Add milk, lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add cheese heat till melted

Mince Sauce
Brown mince.
Lower heat.
Mix in pasta sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.

Layer and Cook
Half fill small ceramic bowls (ie. creme brulee bowls)with meat sauce, add sheet of lasagna top with layer of cheese sauce, add sheet of lasagna fill rest of bowl with meat sauce, add sheet of lasagna. Top with grated cheese and herbs then cook for 10 minutes.
(serves 4-5)

December 11, Individual Shepards Pies

Ingredients

400-500g mince
Rich Tomato Soup or jar of pasta sauce
Frozen potato Medallion
Grated cheese and herbs to top

Method

Brown mince.
Lower heat.
Mix in pasta sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spoon mixture into small ceramic bowls (ie. creme brulee bowls) top with potato medallion.
Cook for 5 minutes then top with cheese and herbs and cook for a further 5 minutes.
(serves 3-4)

December 10, Movie Muffins

Another lazy post tonight for me to clean up in the weekend.
These muffins get there name because they look like the ice creams you get at the cinema.

Ingredients

2 cups self-raising flour
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup caster sugar
200g butter/margarine, softened
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp red food colouring

3 cups icing sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 Tbsp Margarine
Boiling water
Dish of chopped nuts

Method

Preheat oven to 160C. Place 18 muffin casings into muffin trays.
Sift flour and cocoa.
In a separate bowl beat together sugar and butter then add eggs one at a time and stir well after adding each egg.
Gradually add flour mix and stir well.
Mix in vanilla essence and food colouring.
Spoon into muffin casings.
Bake for 20 minutes.

Icing

Mix icing sugar with cocoa powder.
Make hollow in the middle of the mixture.
Place margarine in the centre of the mixture.
Add boiling water till mixture is dissolved but not to 'runny'.
Spread icing onto each muffin then dip into a dish of chopped nuts.

December 9, Lemon and Herb Chicken Schnitzel

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C
Fillet breast into two thin slices.
Use a sieve to sprinkle flour over chicken slices.
Melt margarine in a bowl then add egg and beat till smooth.
Brush egg mix oven chicken (alternatively you can dunk the chicken in the egg mix).
Cover chicken slices with lemon juice.
Mix together breadcrumbs and seasonings then sprinkle over chicken.
Place in oven for 15 minutes then turn slices over and cook for a further 10 minutes.

Serve

I served my Schnitzel with mashed potato (seasoned with chicken salt), lettuce from the garden and shaved carrot.


Alternatives

This seasoning would also work well on fish like blue cod or hoki. Coat fish in the same way then pan fry until cooked.

December 8, Caramel and Candy Cane Tarts

Method

Preheat oven to 180C

Bases
Mix or process self raising flour, 1st lot of plain flour, 1st lot of margarine and icing sugar together in a bowl (end result should be crumb like).
Press mixture to form a lining in a greased muffin tray and cook for 20 minutes.
Allow to cool.

Filling
Mix sugar, 2nd lot of plain flour, 2nd lot of margarine, vanilla essence and egg yolks in a small saucepan.
Slowly add milk and mix well.
Put over heat and stir continuously for 10-15 minutes until sauce is thickened and glossy.
Allow to cool.

Final Steps

Spoon caramel sauce into centres in the tarts. Top with broken up pieces of candy cane. Allow to set in fridge. These should also be stored in the fridge.


Not Cooking Related

A sheep I made in the weekend (so ugly its cute)

December 7, Curry Pasta Sauce

Method

Place margarine and garlic in a small saucepan heat until margarine has melted then remove from heat and stir.
Add Worcestershire sauce, other seasoning and milk then return to heat.
(Worcestershire sauce is optional but preferred as it gives the pasta sauce a richer taste)
Sift in flour and stir vigorously (a Wizz Stick may come in handy).
If sauce is too thick, mix in extra water.
Add cheese and simmer for 2 minutes.
Serve over cooked pasta and topped with grated cheese.
(serves 2-3)

December 6, Parmesan and Herb Muffins

Method

Preheat oven to 175°C. Grease 12-cup muffin tray.
Mix flour, salt and sugar in bowl.
In a separate bowl mix milk, oil, egg, parmesan and herbs.
Fold flour mixture into milk mixture until nearly combined.
Spoon mixture into tray and top with a mixture of salt and parmesan.
For extra flavour sprinkle a little paprika on top too or use rock salt instead of table salt.
Cook for 20 minutes.


P.S. Thanks to Amelia for help with this recipe

December 5, Seasoned Roast Chicken Breast

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C.
Brush tinfoil lined tray with oil.
Sprinkle half of the salt, pepper and rosemary.
Place chicken breast on tray and drizzle lemon juice over breast.
Sprinkle remainder of seasoning on to breast.
Cook for 30 minutes.

Serve

To serve slice breast and place over salad. I had lettuce fresh from the garden, croutons, shaved carrot and cubed cheese.


Croutons


Tonight's croutons were lightly brushed with oil then sprinkled with salt and garlic powder before grilling.

December 4, Rich Tomato Soup (...or is it Pasta Sauce)

I'm coming down with a cold so... tonight I'm making nice hot soup that's quick and easy to make.

Method

Tip tin of tomatoes into a small saucepan and bring to boil.
Wizz stick tomatoes. If you don't have a wizz stick a food processor will do the trick or go manual labour and mash after mixture has simmered (results may vary).
Reduce temperature, add in tomato paste, garlic, mixed herb, oregano and cheese and simmer for 5 minutes.
Pour into a bowl top with croutons, grated Parmesan and parsley (for decoration :D).
(serves 2)



Croutons

Tonight I cut a bread crust into crouton sized pieces, placed then on a tinfoil lined tray, brushed on a little canola oil, seasoned with a little salt and thyme then grilled them till they were crunchy.

Alternatives

For a tasty pasta dish pour mixture over cooked pasta then top with grated tasty cheese.
If you would prefer a thinner soup just skip the tomato paste.

December 3, Krystle's Special White Pasta Sauce

Method

Melt butter and saute garlic and spring onion in a medium saucepan until soft.
Add seasonings and worcestershire sauce.
Mix together flour, milk powder and water then mix into saucepan.
Add cheese and ham and lower heat.
Stir until cheese is melted and sauce has thickened.
Mix with cooked pasta (I love Riccioli) and top with cheese.
(serves 2-4)

December 2, Orange Devil Cake

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C.
Beat butter and caster sugar till light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time and beat.
Stir in sifted flour, baking soda, and cocoa powder, orange juice, vanilla essence and milk.
Pour into to lined 20cm round cake tins.
Bake for 45 minutes.
When cool join with icing.
Then cover with whole cake with icing.
For decoration grate orange zest and white chocolate over iced cake.



Icing

Mix 3 cups of icing sugar with 1/4 cup of cocoa powder.
Make follow in the middle of the mixture.
Place two tablespoons of margarine in the centre of the mixture.
Add boiling water till mixture is dissolved but not to 'runny'.

Tips

Add a teaspoon of red food colouring to cake mixture to give it a richer colour.
To get cakes to rise more evenly cover cake tin with tinfoil (thanks to Donna Hay for this tip!!)

Future Developments

Hey there, my aim is to get a printable recipe card for each recipe since keyboards and ingredients don't generally mix very well.
Cheers, Krystle

December 1, Satay Chicken Pieces (and Salad)

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C
Mix flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
Mix melted margarine and peanut butter with hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce in another shallow bowl.
Cut chicken into finger sized strips and fry in oil.
Brown chicken.
Coat in flour mixture.
Return to pan to brown coating.
Place chicken on lined baking tray and coat sauce mixture.
Sprinkle with extra breadcrumbs.
Cook for 10 minutes.

Serve

Serve with salad. I like to have lettuce (fresh from the garden), with peeled strips of carrot and sunflower seeds. You may also like to add small cubes of cheese and cherry tomatoes.
(serves 1-2)



Alterations

For those who don't like peanuts just skip the peanut butter to create "Buffalo Chicken Strips".