Beetroot Cake with Lemon Icing..

Beetroot.. this magical vegetable.. contains high sources of vitamin C, A, & Beta carotene. It's high in minerals such as, calcium, magnesium, potassium and Amino Acids. 
This Antioxidant does wonders for your cholesterol and the health of your skin.. 
So.. enough said.. it's time for our healthy yummy dessert recipe...


Cake Ingredients:
225g Self-raising flour
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
180ml Vegetable oil
225g Brown sugar
3 Eggs, separated - Yolks separated from the whites
1/4 tsp Vanilla extract
150g Raw beetroot, grated
1/2 lemon, juiced
75g Sultanas - Raisins 
75g Hazelnuts, Chopped



Icing Ingredients:
10 tbsp Icing sugar, sifted
1-2 tbsp Boiling water
a few drops of lemon juice
some lemon rind


Method:
- Set the oven on 180c.
- Greece the loaf tin with butter and then cover it lightly with flour to avoid the cake from sticking or line the loaf tin with baking paper.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, & cinnamon.
- In a mixer, beat the oil & sugar together then add the egg yolks one by one while mixing well between each addition ans add the vanilla extract.
- Fold the beetroot into the mixture and add the lemon juice, raisins, and hazelnuts. 
- Fold the dry ingredients into the mixture and mix them well.
- In the mixture, place the egg whites and beat until almost stiff then fold hem into the previous mixture using a metal spoon - do not use a wooden spoon because it won't allow the air to go through.
- Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 50 minutes at least - it could need more than 50 minutes depending on the oven used.
- Half way through cooking the cake, place a foil on top it prevent it from browning too much while the inside is not fully cooked.
- While the cake is in the oven, prepare the icing by mixing the sifted icing sugar, the lemon juice & rind and using enough boiling water to create a sticky shiny icing to smooth it on top of the cake.


Yum!
Enjoy...

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.

My Happy Carrot Cake Cupcakes.

Just last night I baked those lovely and heavenly tasting cupcakes, everyone raved about them and the process of making them was so easy.
The ingredients below make around 1 dozen cupcakes, so double the ingredients if you want more !!

Ingredients:

3 or 4 large carrots, peeled and grated finely
1/2 cup ground walnuts - or chopped to small pieces & toasted
2 medium size eggs
1/4 Leban or buttermilk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon baking soda ( found in sultan center - Arm & Hammer is the one I use)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
zest of one orange
1&1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

& for the frosting:  

1/2 stick butter (unsalted)
1 cup cream cheese (Philadelphia)
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Method:

- You start off by preheating the oven at 180C.
- In a bowl, place the carrots, eggs, leban (buttermilk), sugar, oil, orange zest & vanilla and whisk well.
- Then seperetly, in a different bowl whisk your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda & powder, salt, ground cardamom & cinnamon.
- mix both the dry ingredients & the carrot mixture together gently to incorporate.
- add the toasted walnuts, folding them in gently.
- Using cupcake pan (regular size) and paper baking cups, scoop 3/4 of the mixture into each paper cup.
- Bake for 28 minutes at 180C.
- While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting by combining 1/2 stick of butter, 1 cup of cream cheese (Philadelphia cream cheese) and 3/4 cup powdered sugar beat until well combined. set aside.
- Remove cupcakes from oven when done. Allowing them to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Take them out of the pan and on to a wire rack.
- When fully cooled, spread the cupcakes with the frosting

Enjoy...

Lamb Curry ~ Indian

Ingredients :

1oz butter
1 tablespoon oil
1 pund cubed lamb
1 medium onion, chopped
1 stick cinnamon, broken in 2
6 cardamom pods, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon chili powder


Method :

- Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the oil.

- When it starts to sizzle fry the lamb until it colors on all sides. Remove with a draining spoon and set aside.

- Add the onion and fry until golden, scraping up any residues.

- Add the garlic and fry for another minute.

- Add the whole spices and cook for about 2 minutes, then add the ground spices.

- Cook until fragrant but be careful not to burn.

- Return lamb to the pan and add 8oz water or stock. Stir well, reduce heat to medium and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened.

- Serve with bread or rice.

Enjoy...

Chocolate Strudel

Ingredients:

1/4 lbs. butter - melted, clarified
4 sheets filo dough
1/3 cup ground almonds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon sugar
8oz. semi-sweet chocolate - coarsely chopped
3/4 cup almonds - toasted, slivered


Method:

- Preheat oven to 375°F. Melt and clarify butter. Set aside. Have filo sheets unrolled and covered with a damp cloth.

- Mix ground almonds, cinnamon and sugar together. In another small bowl, combine chopped chocolate and toasted almonds.

- Lay out one sheet of filo. Brush generously with melted butter. Sprinkle on some of the ground almond mixture. Lay another filo sheet on top. Brush with butter and proceed as with the first sheet.

- Once on top layer, brush again with butter. Place chocolate/almond mixture on the lower third of the stacked filo sheets. Lift the pastry gently over the chocolate to cover it. Fold in the left and right edges of the filo about 2 inches towards the center.

- Roll from the bottom in jellyroll fashion. Place seam side down on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 35-40 minutes until lightly browned.

- Let cool before slicing. Use a serrated knife. Dust with icing sugar before serving, if desired. Cool thoroughly.

Enjoy...

Marinated Lemons ~JO

An aromatic marinate to add to your chicken or fish .. by Jamie Oliver..
I have my jar of those amazing marinated lemons and I always add them to my chicken.


Ingredients:

1 handful of coriander seeds
1 handful of fennel seeds
whole, black pepper
some whole cinnamon
1 package of coarse sea salt
dried thyme
bay leaves


Method:


- Wash the lemons. Cut them almost through - into 4 pieces. Put the spices in a cloth and smash them 3-4 times to release the aroma.

- Put spices in a bowl together with salt, some twigs of thyme and some bay leaves. The salt will suck out the aromas and the juices from the lemons.

- Push the mixture into the lemons - as much as will fit in. Pour some of the salt mixture into a large jar, press as many lemons as possible into it. Put the rest of the salt mixture on top.

- Close the jar with a tight lid, and shake it to spread the salt evenly. It will take about a month to soften the skin of lemons. After this they'll be ready for use.

- You can preserve the lemons up to about 2 years. Cut the lemons into thin slices when using them with your dish as desired.


Enjoy..

Apple Crisp

I have taken this recipe from Cooking Pleasures magazine, August/ September 2005 issue.
I have tried it a while ago ...it was yummy and the aroma ... OMG!


Ingredients:


Topping:
1&1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1&1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup butter, cilled, cut up

Apples:
6 cups peeled chopped apples - (1// inch) (4 large apples)
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:
1(8oz)pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons milk

Method:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F, in large bowl, stir together oatmeal, 1&1/3 cups flour, brown sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Press half the mixture into bottom of 13x9-inch glass baking dish; reserve remaining mixture for topping.


• In large bowl, toss together all apple ingredients until apples are coated. spread over crust.


• In large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar at medium speed until smooth. Add aggs, 2 tablespoons flour and milk; beat until combined. Spread over apple mixture; sprinkle with reserved oatmeal mixture.


• Bake 40-45 minutes or until gloden brown and apples are tender. Cool on wire rack.

Enjoy....

Strawberry and Avocado salad

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar (you can use apple vinigar if not available)
1 1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 head romaine, torn into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup mandarin oranges
1 cup strawberries, stemmed and quartered
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
1/2 avocado, sliced

Method:

Combine the olive oil, vinegar, sugar, hot sauce, salt, pepper and cinnamon in a jar. Shake well & refrigerate for 2 hours. Combine the romaine, orange, strawberries, onion, pecans and avocado in a large bowl.
Top with half the dressing; toss well. Serve with the remaining dressing.


Tip:

De-stem strawberries with a drinking straw. Just push the straw up through the bottom of the strawberry and push through until the stem ops off.

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....