Apple Crostata with a Twist

Winter.. winter.. Brrrrrrrr..

Ingredients

For the pastry:
• 2 cup flour
• 4 tablespoons Caster sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks very cold unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:
• 4 Large Green apples
• 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons Icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Method:
1- Starting out with the pastry by placing the flour, sugar, orange zest and salt in the food processor and pulse to combine.
2- Add the butter and mix.
3- Add the 4 tablespoons of water gradually while mixing until combined and the dough starts to form.
4- Remove the dough from the food processor and form into a disk.
5- Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for one hour.
6- Prepare the filling by peeling the apples and cutting into wedges.
7- Toss the wedges with the cinnamon and icing sugar.
8- Once the dough is cool, remove from fridge and flour the rolling pin and the surface to roll the dough into a circle and transfer it into a baking sheet.
9- Place the apples in the middle of the dough away from the edges.
10- Role up and fold the edges to hug the apple mix and enclose the dough to form a circle.
11- In a preheated oven 180 degrees, place the crostata to bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust turns golden and the apples are tender.
12- Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Serve with icecream or whipped cream.

Mango Smoothie ~ Indian

Serves 4


Ingredients:

1&1/2 cups diced fresh mango
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup ice cubes
2 tablespoons honey
1&1/4 teaspoons rose water
1&1/2 cups plain yogurt


Method:

- In a blender, combine the mango, orange juice, ice, honey, and rose water. Process on high speed until it's well-combined, about 30 seconds.

- Add the yogurt and process until frothy, about 45 seconds.

Yum...

Smoothies & Shakes ~ Diet

Serves 3


These smoothies will supply most of the vitamins and amino acids you'll need for a day.

Smoothie #1

1 cup soymilk
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 apple, cored and diced
3 bananas
8 frozen peach halves
1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
1 mango, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

Blend all ingredients together. Drink and enjoy!


Smoothie #2

1 cup pineapple/coconut juice
1/2 cup apple or orange juice
2 frozen bananas
1/2 cups frozen strawberries

Pour juices into blender. Add fruit and blend well. Enjoy!


Strawberry & banana Shake

1&1/2 cups soy milk
3/4 cups frozen strawberries, unsweetened
1&1/2 frozen bananas
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
maple syrup (to taste)

Whiz all ingredients in a blender. Serve immediately. Shake should be fairly thick.

Easy to do ..Strawberry Trifle

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Marinated strawberries:
1 quart fresh strawberries, halved
1/3 cup aged balsamic vinegar

Whipped cream:
3 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1 (1 pound) fresh pound cake
1/3 orange or pineapple juice
2 cookies, for garnish
Sugar-Cane sugar, for garnish (demerara)



Method:

- In a small bowl, toss the strawberries with vinegar and let stand at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.

- After the strawberries have marinated, check for sweetness, adding sugar if desired.

- In a large bowl using an electric mixer, whisk the cream to soft peaks. Add the
vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Whip until stiff peaks. Set aside.

- Slice pound cake lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices.
You will only need 4 slices. Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out circles from
each cake slice.

- Line up 2 high ball glasses and place 1 cake circle in the bottom
of each. Brush cakes with orange or pineapple juice. Add 2 tablespoons of marinated
strawberries and spread evenly.

- Using a different tablespoon, add a large dollop of whipped cream and spread evenly. Add a second layer of cake, pressing down lightly. Brush with juice.

- Add 2 tablespoons of marinated strawberries and spread evenly. Top with a large dollop of whipped cream, spreading evenly.

- Cover trifles with plastic wrap and refrigerate for impromptu indulgence, Keeping
in mind that it will store for up to 2 days.

- To serve, remove and discard plastic wrap. Grate some cookies or chocolate flakes on top and sprinkle with demerara sugar.


Enjoy...

Lobster with mango mint chutney

Ingredients:

1 680-900g lobster, cooked, shelled, chilled and cut into 1.25cm chunks (about 225g lobster meat)
8 medium lettuce leaves, washed in clod water and drained
2 canned artichokes hearts
½ cup mango mint chutney (recipe follows)

Mango mint chutney ingredients:

3 tablespoons cider vinegar
½ small red onion, finely chopped
1 large orange, grated zest & juice
2 small lemons, grated zest & juice
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 stick cinnamon
½ cup raisins
2 cloves garlic
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch ground coriander, toasted
3 large mangoes, peeled, pitted and cut into medium dice
1 ½ tablespoons light brown sugar, plus extra as needed
2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint

Method:

Divide the lettuce between 2 plates. Place an artichoke heart in the center of each plate and top with the lobster meat.
Prepare the chutney by combining all the ingredients except the mangoes in a medium saucepan. Add brown sugar and mint. Cook slowly over low heat, stirring occasionally until almost dry. Add mangoes & sugar. Add more vinegar or brown sugar to taste.
When the mangoes are heated through, remove from heat and let cool. Stir in chopped mint & garnish the lobster with it & serve.

Enjoy....