EASY SHORTBREAD.....

This has to be the simplest shortbread recipe ...not traditional , no rice flour.....but with 4 simple ingredients...fool proof and very scrummy.

Ingredients:

1 cup 100% corn flour
2 cups plain flour
1 cup of caster sugar
250 grams real butter

mix all  dry ingredients together in bowl
add melted butter
mix together
press into slice tin

Into 170 degrees oven for 30 minutes
Take out and pricked lightly with fork and slice into whatever shape takes your fancy.
Sprinkle with sugar (optional)
Back into the oven for another 15--20 min...and your done.

Cool in tin ..remove with spatula and  place in fridge for awhile to firm up nicely.

Of course oven times are approximate...


I have another recipe waiting...so stay tuned.....



                                                              

STEAMED PUDDING.....

A beautiful Saturday here...and after a couple of requests for my pud recipe recently....bumping it to the top of the  blog... It was the very first recipe I posted. Ahh nostalgic... way back in 2011...

Ingredients:

TBS BROWN SUGAR HEAPED
2 CUPS OF MIXED DRY FRUIT.
I CUP OF CHOPPED DATES
DASH VANILLA EXTRACT
70 GRAMS REAL BUTTER
1CUP MILK
TBL MIXED SPICE
3/4 TSP of BICARB SODA...TEASPOON
HEAPED CUP OF FLOUR>>>WHOLEMEAL WORKS TOO  I USE SELF RAISING ...
!/2 CUP OR TO TASTE OF SWEET OR CREAMED SHERRY...I RECOMMEND MCWILLIAMS BRAND>

OK....
Add  the fruit...dates...butter...milk..vanilla...sugar..and sherry...into a saucepan
heat till simmering...just takes a few minutes.  Take of stove...add BICARB....watch it froth up...then add the flour...and there you have it...the mixture....now put into a greased pudding bowl...cover with baking paper and alfoil....tie with string....make sure water tight...or if you have a good ol fashioned steamer like me with a lid...well then still add the paper... foil...then the lid!  
Now you can either boil on stove in a saucepan of water for 2 hours...making sure water goes half way up the sides of steamer....or like I do in  a slow cooker  for about at least 6 hours on high......make sure if on stove...water doesn't boil dry!!...slow cooker much more easier...just do the same..1/2 way up the side of pudding tin with water..in the slow cooker.  :)     

I will be back very  soon...have a very easy peasy recipe to share.....

                                                          

BANANA CAKE.........

HIHO!!   A very quick and simple banana cake.... I have to get to the market...so Ill make this short and sweet!  :)

INGREDIENTS

1 and 1/2 cups of self raising flour
1 tsp of bicarb of soda (flat)
1/2 cup sugar..I always use organic raw
1/2 cup of light oil...macadamia...sunflower ect
2 eggs
3 RIPE bananas mashed (the riper the better)
dash Vanilla

METHOD:

add the flour bicarb and sugar into a bowl give it a quick mix
make a well in the center..add your oil and  beaten eggs vanilla and then  bananas
stir in...no over-mixing...you don't want a tough cake,:

I used cold pressed macadamia oil.
don't overdo it on bicarb..not a spec more!

Into a greased and lined tin at approx 170 degrees for around  50 minutes
and your done!  Now I use a 17 cm tin..slightly smaller than the average...but makes a higher more presentable cake!
Now that was easy  and may I say gorgeous with a dollop of whipped cream... I'm a gal who cant eat cake without whipping up the cream! Ok till next time...Im out of here.... vegies wont buy themselves!

BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE CAKE

oh my....I nearly didn't blog this cake....ha ha..lined and greased my cake tin...started to pour batter into it...and noticed the melted butter still in the saucepan!!  As i poured the melted butter onto top of the already mixed batter...my son walks in...I said...if this isn't here when you get home ...don't be surprised....thinking no way it will work and would be promptly deposited in the bin. It passed by a  margin.  and only on hubby's say so!  Ok...waves profusely! Till the next blog! 

INGREDIENTS

CRUMBLE:

50 grams of melted butter exact

1/3 cup sugar granulated..demerra...raw...all good

1/2 cup plain flour

heaped teaspoon of cinnamon.

CAKE:

1 1/2 cups of self raising flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 free range eggs

1 cup whole milk

125 grams of butter  (melted)

liberal dash of vanilla

cup fresh blueberries

METHOD:

CRUMBLE TOPPING

add the melted butter to the sugar..flour..and cinnamon...mix till all combined.

Put aside.....

CAKE MIX

add all dry cake( sifted) ingredients to a bowl

add blueberries...give it a stir...

beat eggs...add to milk and melted butter and vanilla

add all wet ingredients GENTLY with a spoon to dry ingredients...DON'T OVERMIX..nothing worse than a rubber cake!!  :) 

sprinkle crumble mixture over batter

cook in oven at 180 degrees for approx 55 minutes,,till skewer comes out clean. Of course every oven is different...so adjust accordingly!

I used a 17cm cake tin  

 

HOMEMADE KIT KATS.........

Yummo....I had a sweetie craving...and oh so simple...2 ingredients...so easy you don't need a recipe , but ill write it down anyway ....

Chocolate melts
Wafer fingers

melt your chocolate the way you usual do...I do mine over hot water...not a fan of microwaves
dip your wafer bikies in , drain with a fork...put on baking paper to set in refrigerator ... (wait patiently).....  dip in your espresso!  divine  :)  
how simple is that...why have I not made these sooner... :)
Till the next post! 

RASPBERRY COCONUT SLICE.......

Hello again  :)    Whipped up a  slice this morning...haven't made this recipe in literally years!  so quick and easy...I had mine warm with whipped cream...as you do!! ... onwards with the recipe.


INGREDIENTS

BASE...

125 grams real butter
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar  I always use organic raw.
1 egg
1 1/2 cups SR flour
dash vanilla
raspberry jam  or whatever takes your fancy   :)

TOPPING...

1 1/2 cups dessicated coconut
1/4  cup of sugar...
2 eggs


Beat together your butter and sugar
add egg...mix ... add a dash of vanilla
then your flour...mix together with a spoon.
Press into a lined slice tin

spread a few spoonfuls of jam on the base

Mix together 2 eggs.. sugar and coconut for the top
spread it out evenly.

Bake at 180 C  for 25 minutes...or until browned on top.

There you go...

I find the less amount of sugar the better...because jam makes it so sweet...so feel free to use less.   :)   

FESTIVE TRIFLE........

HI again.....a bit late for the recipe for a xmassy trifle.... I only make one a year.....jelly and cream and cake and custard...lol...wicked combination of no no"s...... The lighting in my kitchen taking  pics was atrocious! dark and cloudy day....not conducive for fabulously light photos. But one must carry on   :)  as they say...dont sweat the small stuff....and its all small stuff!  I did think of getting hubby to take pic of me outside in better light holding it 
but I envisioned myself tripping and a most delightfully funny pic would of been the result....but I dont think family members keen on eating it would of been too amused....

on to the ingredients....

Sweet sherry  1/3 cup  or to taste

home made custard... about a litre..depends on your bowl size

jelly...I chose port wine...raspberry and lime...festive colours

thickened cream...whipped

sponge roll...or sponge cake (broken up) or sponge fingers....

crushed nuts...or in my case grated chocolate ...


line the base and sides of your bowl with sponge..and extra layer on the base....
sprinkle over the sherry till all sponge is moist...
add cooled custard
then jelly(cut into little squares)  
add whipped cream....
top with nuts or chocolate....  :)  simple!

I make the jelly and custard day before...and also sherry up the cake then too....then put it all together xmas day. 

Its the new year....yay!  Its always a good feeling when I think of a fresh new year ahead....full of possibilities!  Ok till the next post...onwards.................  :) 

GINGER SNAP COOKIES ......

HI!!   yep  been a looooong time.....but here we are....and with a very simple cookie recipe, old fashioned ginger snaps ....


INGREDIENTS:

90 grams of real butter
1/3 cup of golden syrup (115 g)
1/3 cup brown sugar (75 g)
1 1/3 cups plain flour (200 g)
3/4 teaspoon bi carb soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves...or 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice


METHOD:

preheat oven to 170 C
line baking tray
Stir butter..sugar...and golden syrup on low heat in saucepan till melted
Remove from heat
stir in sifted dry ingredients...
cool for a minute or 2..
roll into heaped teaspoon sized balls
put on lined tray...flatten with a fork
Bake for approx. 15 minutes...depending of course on your oven...

They will harden as cooled...to a snappy like consistency  :)  Putting them in the fridge speeds up the process....
I made approx. 16 cookies....

Go ahead make some..... have a munch.....  Its all good....till next time!

GOLD.....

All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down, you can make it right
And that makes you larger than life....

a lil Backstreet Boys this morn... a few lines of awesomeness...oh yeah....
and dare I say it...another perfect day... another gold inspired piece of perfection...
This day rocks!....

A QUICKIE......

 

HI!!  Spring is here...at last at last!!...but I'm not here to ramble on...Have a few travels coming up, blogging nirvana!...but today one of my favourite quotes.....

TO THE MIND THAT IS STILL...THE WHOLE UNIVERSE SURRENDERS.... Lao Tzu

See...just a quickie....short and sweet....sometimes that's all that is needed...  :)

Kerry

FRUIT AND NUT BARS.....

 

 

I made these this morning... simple..wholesome and delicious!  The sun is still beaming brightly...skies ever so blue!  Its been brilliant here.  Onto the recipe...

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups whole rolled  oats
1/2 cup plain flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon bi carb
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash vanilla extract
125 grams real butter
1/2 cup of honey
2 cups of a mixture of... sunflower  seeds..nuts. pecans.....dried fruit . cranberries...dried apricots....coconut ect....whatever you wish!

I used walnuts...sunflower seeds..mixed fruit and coconut..

METHOD:

combine all your dry ingredients in bowl

melt the butter and honey in a saucepan till just  boiling...turn off the heat...cool for a minute...then plonk in your  vanilla
add to the dry ingredients.  Mix till thoroughly combined....pour into a lined slice tray. Bake at 180 celcius for approx. 30 minutes......or until golden brown. sit in tin till cooled it will firm right up......  melted chocolate if you desire...but they are awesome with....so go ahead!!  indulge...  when chocolate is set...cut into pieces...and munch!

Store in the fridge in an airtight container......they stay crunchy that way...

That was easy!  Its sunday here... so onwards I go into the day!.......

ITS NEARLY SPRING!

HIHO!!   popping by to say HI!....I've cut back on the baking...well it is that time of the year...spring nearly here...  lol....I'm bursting at the seams with expectations of the coming months...new grandchild on the way...warmer weather...plenty to grow and gather...places I want to see... More trips to take...Ill blog them this time!  Last summer went by so quick!

The sun has been beaming down for several days now...oh soooo delightful...after the longest greyest cloudiest winter I can ever remember....hasn't been cold...just not blue! A gals gotta have the blue skies...planted a sunflower yesterday in a pot...yup...just one....and some roma tomatoes...nothing like the taste of home grown tomatoes...produce has to have soul!  and love.... ok folks....short one ...have a most fantabulous day!...and don't forget to smile!   Its all good!

LIGHT FRUIT CAKE....

 

 

 

Monday..start of a brand new week....yesterday I made a light, very tasty fruit cake...now its more cakey than a traditional fruit cake..and oh so easy!

INGREDIANTS:

350 grams dried mixed fruit.
2 cups black tea
1/2 cup brown sugar
125 grams butter
1 egg (free range)
1 1/2 cups of  organic SR flour
1/2 teaspoon Bi CARB
teaspoon each of mixed spice..cinnamon..ground ginger.
dash vanilla concentrate.
150 mls water

METHOD:

In a bowl  pour tea over your mixed fruit....let soak for several hours...till all plump and nice.

drain the fruit...and discard the liquid.

In a saucepan add the fruit, butter, sugar, spices  and  150 ml water. Bring to boil...then turn of heat
add 1/2 teaspoon of bi carb...let cool...

add  the beaten egg and vanilla....sift flour and add...  stir  till well combined.

Pour into well greased loaf tin...or whatever takes your fancy...I used a small loaf tin...

Into the pre heated  oven it goes at 170 degrees Celsius  for  well...you know what...I didn't take note of that!!...  :)

until a knife comes out clean...45 minutes or so...just guessing there!

I'm not one for exact measurements or cooking times...and everything seems to work out just fine!

Cold , spread with real butter...hmmm yum!

as for the spices...your own combination and whatever you like really....no set rules .

Ill be back soon with another recipe...but boy am I itching for spring! the sunshine...the flowers... the warmer weather...not that its cold here in sunny Queensland...but my legs need to see the light of day!

Till next time...!!

WHATS IN SEASON...JULY

Back so soon!...

I'm very dedicated to fresh food..green living..and doing whats best for the body..and planet.  I was wandering around the web...and thought hmmm...we all need to know whats fresh now..because these days we seem to be able to get everything...whether in season or not...and I for one don't like to eat produce that's been stored covered in a chemical concoction..out of cold storage!

FRUIT:
cumquats, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, nashi, oranges, rhubarb, tamarillo, tangelos.

NUTS:
Hazelnuts.

 

VEGETABLES:

Asian greens, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, carrots, celery, celeriac, fennel, Jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi (green), kohlrabi (red), leek, olives, onions, parsnips, pumpkins, silver beet, spinach, spring onions, swedes, turnips.

 

HERBS:

Bay leaf, parsley, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, oregano, marjoram, sage, bronze fennel, dill, fennel, garlic, whitlof, coriander.

 

 

I found the list on the Victorian Farmers Association website...

 

I cant wait for spring...I have seeds galore from Eden Seeds....link over the side there  :)...heirloom seeds...from dedicated home growers....

 

and on that note...I will say adieu! 

 

 

SIMPLE CHOCOLATE CAKE.....

Hello again!...ok... a very easy chocolate cake...just had a piece with ice-cream...quite yummy. Now that was a decadent breakfast!!  Hay why not...life too short for tea and toast!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup water
3/4 cup of sugar ..  more or less...depending on your sweet tooth!
125 grams real butter
1/3 cup cocoa
2 eggs (lightly beaten)  free range
1 1/2 cups plain flour
3 level  teaspoons baking powder
dash vanilla




METHOD:

Combine the cocoa water..butter..sugar  in saucepan and warm till butter melted...do not boil.
Transfer to a bowl...let cool down ..beat the eggs and vanilla...pour into mixture..stir in sifted flour and baking powder and mix well.

bake in moderate oven  180 Celsius approx. 40 minutes...give or take...

done!!  how easy was that!

I used a 20cm spring form pan...but if you want a higher cake...I defiantly would use a smaller pan...I will next time...I like height!!  :)

I have a few more recipes up my sleeve... coming soon!

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS.....

Hay its Sunday!...ok looking outside the weather...well hmmm...could be sunnier...but if I need an excuse not to mow the backyard...I have one. That chocolate cake didn't get baked yesterday...cocoa was non existent in my pantry...will pop down the store...in the meantime....muffins....very quick to whip up...

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups of organic SR flour
1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
dash vanilla concentrate
cup of milk
1 large egg (free-range)
120 grams real butter.. melted
full cup of blueberries......I used frozen (Australian..not imported)

teaspoon of grated lime rind...optional... I did use  :)

METHOD...

sift your flour and add  sugar, rind and blueberries into bowl

melt your butter add to milk and beaten egg and vanilla ...wisk..add to dry ingredients

bake approx. 35 min or so... at 180 Celsius...

DONT OVERMIX...you don't want rubbery muffins!
It makes 6 large muffins...or 12 small.....

simple....

Had a quick impromptu BBQ yesterday for lunch... how come when one cooks outside the kitchen seemed in worse shape when lunch was over! 

Have a fantastic day!!  

CREAMY HOME MADE ICE-CREAM....

 

 

I'm back already...that was quick....Yesterday I made a delicious creamy bourbon splashed ice cream....4 ingredients and easy peasy...I just had to share,and it certainly doesn't taste bourbony..  :) more like a French vanilla....really nice.

INGREDIENTS:

600ml of full fat  cream
splash of vanilla concentrate
can of condensed milk
2 tablespoons of Bourbon.

METHOD:

Pour the condensed milk into a large bowl...add vanilla and Bourbon....mix till combined.

In another bowl  whip the cream till peaks form

FOLD the cream into the milk mixture...till well mixed.....

put into whatever container you like...

I chose an old corning ware oven dish....perfect size! Cover with a lid or plastic wrap ect...

Keep in freezer overnight...or until frozen! 

Done!...and its ever so yummy!...decadent...calorie filled...but oh so yummy and so easy!

Oh  ...had to add the pic of condensed milk...forgot to include in group shot...duh! lol  :)

I'll be making chocolate cake soon...so be sure to drop by.

SPOONS...SWANS...and SUNLIGHT SOAP.....

 

 

 

Hello again!....ok so this morning...no recipe...I just had to  have a spiel about teaspoons...well any piece of cutlery hiding in the bottom of the sink, really...doesn't matter...after a day BBQ..ing with family ...cutlery at a premium...the draw empty... one dives into the sink full and after several attempts still coming up without the elusive teaspoon....Now I know we've all done this...  numerous times... brought out every piece except what your after.....ahh yes....in frustration one thinks of emptying the sink...convinced the spoon fairy has made off with them all.  But just when you give up...and try one more time... the spoon.. yay ..its like finding buried treasure!

On the subject of sinks....Ive been using good ole fashioned Sunlight soap...when I ran out of dishwashing liquid...may not look the same...no bubbles...and sink all cloudy...but does a marvellous job....you can even put your hands in the sink without fear of chemical overload!  Just give everything a rinse...as one should always do anyway..and whalah...I may not go back to conventional dishwash liquid....and the price..cheap cheap... I just heard a bird in my head!    :)  grate a little bit or just swish it  of the bar....marvellous!  ( and no..ha ha  I have no affiliation with the  Sunlight soap company)

Snapped a pic of the local swans and their offspring yesterday whilst we were frolicking in the local park ...So FUZZY....so very cute! (clicking on pic makes it bigger)

 

 

 

Also went to Toowoomba over the weekend....I could write a short story..on the GPS giving wrong directions and hubby on motorbike disappearing ahead, taking us way out and around the beautiful inland city... wrong way...over an hour late...and daughter having to come find us to show us the way from the other end of town!!  lol... It was a comedy of errors!!  Pic ......up the lookout   at Picnic Point...surveying the countryside towards Brisbane. Next trip will have a whole range of snaps of the beauty of the place....time was at a premium this day!

Ok fellow bloggers...Ill be back this way very soon...with another recipe..as to what .....your guess is as good as mine!! ...till then...may your week be as sunny and warm as a beautiful spring day.

DATE AND PECAN LOAF.......

 

 

HI!!    Happy day to all........I have  a date loaf in the oven...so until I get it out and pic up...Ill start on the blogging...

hmm lets see...I didn't follow a specific recipe...I like to make things up as I go along sometimes....

INGREDIANTS:

2 cups of organic SR flour..
125 grams of real butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup of boiled water
11/4 cup  chopped dates
1 cup chopped  pecans...or walnuts...I had pecans in my pantry.
1 beaten egg
1/2 teaspoon bi carb of soda
teaspoon of mixed spice
cinnamon. ginger..whatever your fancy...I used mixed spice and extra ginger for more of a kick.
dash vanilla (I use extract concentrate)

METHOD:

chop up your dates...add to a saucepan with cup of  boiled water... butter...and spices...and dash of vanilla.....bring to the boil....take of heat and stir till all combined and mushy....

transfer to another bowl... add your bicarb...watch it froth...always fun  :).....let cool for 5 minutes...

when reasonably cool...add beaten egg quickly stirring....then add your sifted flour...one cup at a time...folding in with a fork...to well combined....don't use a mixer here...nope...just a fork....then add your pecans last....

transfer to greased and lined loaf tin....I used a 23x13x6cm tin....larger size..

bake for approx. 40 minutes in a 180 degree oven...that's celcius.. 

and don't forget fellow bloggers....organic and fresh is best...free range eggs at all times...and real butter...not plastic margarine...ughh.......quickly steps off that soap box.... :)

Its a gorgeous day outside here today...Ill be in the garden doing some weeding ...fresh air...and some rays...getting my D's...lol....best kind, fresh from the sun!

Ok I best go check on that loaf!!....

oh yes...cold spread with butter...yummy!

All stay as awesome as you are...till next time!