Lemon Cake

Simple yet delicious

I used the recipe for Orange Cake from the Australian Women's Weekly 'Easy Cakes and Biscuits' cookbook on page 20. 

Very simple cake to make. Perfect for baking with the kids as its all in one bowl. I substituted lemons for oranges. I also used a larger cake tin, so I doubled the mixture and cooked for a bit longer. 

Ingredients:

150g softened butter

1 tablespoon finely grated rind

2/3 cup or 150g caster sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups or 225g self raising flour

1/4 cup or 60mL milk

3/4 cup or 120g icing sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons juice of lemon

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease 20cm deep cake pan.

2. Beat butter, rind, caster sugar, eggs, flour, and milk in a bowl on low speed with electric mixer until just combined. Increase speed to medium and beat for about 3 minutes or until smooth. 

3. Spread mixture into pan. Bake for about 40 minutes. Stand cake in pan for 5 minutes before turning top side up onto wire rack to cool. 

4. Combine sifted icing sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl to spread over cake.  

I found the cookbook for sale here http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Easy-Cakes-Biscuits-Australian-Womens-Weekly/9781742450629?cf=3&rid=1236807872&i=54&keywords=cookbooks 

Its a great little book with simple recipes and methods. I especially like the section on frostings, icings and fillings for all occasions. 

Bon Appetit!

Chocolate Fondants

This was my first attempt at making Chocolate Fondants. I used tea cups rather than ramekins and only had 6 so tried the rest in a pudding bowl as a family sized dessert. (Recipe says makes 12).

They rose nicely.

Recipe from The Australian Women's Weekly 'Food for Friends' magazine cookbook. I could not find this publication available to buy online anywhere. I did however, find this similar recipe. http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=784062 

Worked out just as well.

200g dark chocolate, chopped
125g butter, chopped
6 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
2/3 cup plain flour
cocoa powder, for dusting 


1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius. Grease ramekins. 
2. Place chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bowl to touch the water); stir occasionally until melted. Remove from heat.
3. Beat the eggs and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer for about 8 minutes or until tripled in volume; gently fold in the sifted flour. 
4. Gradually fold in the chocolate mixture. Divide mixture between the ramekins. Bake for about 10 minutes or until firm to the touch. When the fondants are ready, the outer part should be firm like a muffin and the inner part liquid. Stand for 2 minutes. 


(The recipe also included how to make a Coffee Cream but I didn't do this as I don't drink coffee). 


NOTE ABOUT BAKING TIME: I had the larger pudding on the higher oven rack and the tea cups on the lower rack. The larger pudding took about 15 minutes but the tea cups had to go back in and took about 25 minutes. I suggest you carefully monitor after 10 minutes and see how you go. 

Really Cheesy Scones

Delicious to taste and smell!

I served these with butter and also a mixture of ricotta and fetta cheese with lemon caper oil drizzled over the top. Tip: You need to double or triple the quantities of this recipe or you will not have enough to serve at a party. 

Recipe taken from Belinda Jeffery's 'Mix and Bake' cookbook in the mini collection. You can find the recipe at this link http://www.belindajeffery.com.au/books.html

Ricotta Pancakes

Cooking away nicely.

These were another treat for my birthday brunch. Very fluffy and rich pancakes. The recipe also includes a "Date and Banana Butter" to serve with. Easy to make. 

Once again, recipe was from Gary Mehigan's 'Comfort Food' cookbook in the mini cookbook collection. You can find it here http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9781921382321/comfort-food. 

I tripled this recipe to serve for 12 people and there was plenty, plus some leftover, as you can see with the huge bowl of batter.  

Hot tip: You can freeze leftover pancakes in glad wrap or sandwich bags for another day. Just zap in the microwave til thawed.

Mezzaluna

If you think I just started making my own words, I did not. This actually is a kitchen tool you will use. Your life will be made simpler. You can chop fresh herbs, pizzas and flat breads easily. No skill required! 

As you can see, this one's a bit old and tired but still works a treat.

You can probably pick one up at any reputable kitchenware store. I found this one http://www.petersofkensington.com.au/Public/MasterChef-Mezzaluna-Chopper-Board-Set.aspx.

Raspberry muffins

The only out of the ordinary ingredient you might not have lying around is sour cream or maybe frozen raspberries. You could easily use any type of frozen berry or just completely bastardize the recipe and try... mashed banana, add some nuts, choc chips or smarties, coconut and pineapple. [Although pineapple might change the consistency so you could try a bit less of the wet ingredients. If you are brave, give it a whirl and post a comment.]

Mini muffins make everyone happy.

Recipe taken from Gary Mehigan's 'Comfort Food' cookbook in the mini cookbook collection. You can find it here http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9781921382321/comfort-food. 

I chose this recipe over another because it seemed simpler. A hot tip: you can substitute the cooking oil for melted butter (or vice versa) in muffins. They work out just fine and delectable.

Dill, ricotta & parmesan muffins

Fresh out of the oven!

Recipe taken from Belinda Jeffery's 'Mix and Bake' cookbook in the mini collection. Came free with tokens from Courier Mail a few years ago. Very easy to make. Nothing fancy required. Taste amazing! (The cook should always reserve the right to taste test everything!).  
 

They smell divine!

You can find the recipe at this link http://www.belindajeffery.com.au/books.html or... just google it. Its what us kids do these days. Google knows all!

Cooled and served... and then eaten tomorrow!

Serving these at a brunch tomorrow for my birthday. When eating the first tester, I had some inspiration. 

It would be AMAZING if you cut them in half, spread some cream cheese and put on some smoked salmon... maybe even a caper? Too far for a pedestrian blog?

Pizza

Mmmm...

So delicious and easy to make. Tomato based pasta sauce base, onion, tomato, pitted kalamata olives, shredded salami, lemon caper fetta and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Bake until golden and bubbling. 

Spaghetti Bolognese

Brown a medium onion and crushed garlic with oil in a saucepan. Cook pork mince until brown. Add 2 cans diced tomatoes, 1 large tablespoon tomato paste, salt, pepper and plenty of chopped mushrooms. Simmer for half an hour. 

Simmering away

Cook your favourite pasta and serve with grated cheese. So delicious! 

Great winter comfort food