Baileys Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS

·         250g pkt Arnott’s Choc Ripple biscuits

·         100g butter, melted, cooled

·         3 tsp gelatine powder

·         500g cream cheese, at room temperature, chopped

·         100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar

·         125ml (1/2 cup) Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur

·         300ml thickened cream

·         Dark chocolate, grated, to sprinkle

Step 1

Grease a 16 x 26cm slice pan and line with baking paper, allowing the paper to overhang the sides. Place the biscuits in a food processor and process until resembles fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and process briefly until combined. Turn out mixture into the prepared pan. Spread out mixture with the back of a spoon, pressing firmly to smooth the surface. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until firm.

·         tep 2

·         Place 2 1/2 tablespoons water in a small microwave-safe bowl and sprinkle over the gelatine. Set aside for 2-3 minutes to soften. Microwave gelatine mixture on High for 20 seconds or until hot. Use a fork to whisk until dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

·         Step 3

Place the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl. Use electric beaters to beat until well combined. Add the Baileys and 125ml (1/2 cup) cream. Beat until well combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the side of the bowl occasionally. Beat in the cooled gelatine.

·         Step 4

Pour cream cheese mixture over the biscuit base. Use a spatula to smooth the surface. Place in the fridge for 3 hours or until set. Lift from tin and cut into squares. This slice will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

Baked Gnocchi

500g packet gnocchi
bunch of spiach or silverbeet
250g or a little more ricotta
a little lemon juice
chopped ham or bacon
sun dried tomatoes (or alternatives)
grated melting cheese (a couple of large handfuls


cook gnocchi according to directions

mix all ingredients together.
Stir through cooked gnocchi.
add a little hot water if too stiff to mix
place in casserole dish (e.g. lasagna pan)

top with
fresh dill sprigs
breadcrumbs (lightly)
parmesan or feta

cook in 190 -200C oven for 15- 20 mins till cooked through and browned on top

Lamb Korma

Ingredients:

I kg cubed lamb (or beef or chicken)
4 cm fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic,
1/2 cup korma paste
3 - 6 tomatoes, chopped
300 ml cream
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tab poppy seeds
1/2 cup ground almonds (or other nuts)

Optional:
Other vegetables, such as potato or spinach

Method:

For slow cooker:
Place all ingredients in cooker + 1/2 cup water
low 8 hrs, high 4 hours

For casserole:
Brown meat in batches with a little oil and flour
Cook korma paste, garlic and ginger for a couple of minutes, then add other ingredients
plus about 1 cup water.
Cook in oven (about 160C) 2-3 hours

Slow Cooker fudgey chocolate pudding

1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1/2tsp salt
3/4 cup milk (any kind)
1/3 cup light flavoured oil
1tsp vanilla

grease slow cooker.

mix together dry ingredients

add milk, oil and vanilla and mix till just combined

place batter in slow cooker

sprinkle 1 cup (=small packet) dark chocolate chips over the top

mix together
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup sugar (I used brown)
3 tabs cocoa

pour carefully over batter
cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours

when cooked, remove ceramic insert. Leave to cool a few minutes, then serve

Apple and cinnamon slice

INGREDIENTS

• 340g pkt golden buttercake cake mix
• 1 cup (90g) desiccated coconut
• 125g butter, melted
• 400g can apple pieces
• 300g sour cream
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar

METHOD

• Step 1
  Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 20cm square cake pan. Line base and the two opposite sides with baking paper, extending the paper 5cm over edge of pan.
• Step 2
  Combine cake mix, coconut and butter in a medium bowl. Press mixture evenly over base of prepared pan. Cook for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool slightly.
• Step 3
  Spread apple evenly over base, then spread sour cream evenly over apple and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Cook for further 20 minutes, or until sour cream has set.
• Step 4
  Cool in pan. Cut the slice into fingers to serve.

Mamaghannouj

Ingredients

• 750 g. zucchini, grilled whole until softened and lightly charred on the outside
• 1/4 c. tahini
• Juice from 1 large lemon
• 1-2 garlic cloves (2 if you want your mama ghannouj to be extra garlicky)
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling on top

Instructions

1. Cut the top and the bottom off of each zucchini and allow them to cool. Once cooled, cut them into large chunks.
2. Combine zucchini, tahini, lemon juice, garlic cloves, and olive oil in blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and drizzle additional olive oil over the top, if desired. (I also like sprinkling mine with a little smoked paprika. It’s not traditional, but it’s delicious!) Serve with fresh veggies, pita bread or chips, or crackers.

Zucchini Pho Soup

INGREDIENTS

1. 2 litres good quality  stock 
2. 1 stick of cinnamon (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
3. 2 star anise
4. 4 whole cloves
5. Thumb sized piece of ginger, peeled and grated
6. 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
7. Zest of 1 lime
8. 2 tablespoons fish sauce 
9. Handful of green beans, cut into small pieces
10. 1 zucchini, spiralized

Garnish

1. Handful of coriander (cilantro), finely chopped
2. Handful of cashews, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the stock, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, ginger, garlic, lime zest, fish sauce,  in a large pot. Heat on high until the mixture comes to a boil then turn down to simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves. Add in the sliced beans and cook for a further 2 minutes.
2. Divide the spiralized zucchini and soup among 4 bowls. Garnish with the chopped coriander, and cashews,