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Showing posts from March, 2014

Jerk Chicken with Black beans and Rice

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This recipe was an experiment that turned out perfectly! You'll need to get this started a day ahead, but it's worth the extra time to give the chicken time to marinate.  You will also need a Weber or other kettle barbecue for best results, as cooking with coal helps give this chicken the beautiful colouring and flavour and also gives you the opportunity to add some hickory peices and lightly smoke it while it cooks. You will need... (4-6 serves) 1 whole free range chicken 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 large knob ginger (50gr), peeled 1 tbs allspice 2 tsp peppercorns 1 heaped teaspoon of dried chilli flakes 3 tbs honey 1 tbs brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped coriander 1/2 cup chopped parsley 1/2 tsp lime zest 2 tbs peanut oil For the salad... 2 cups brown rice, uncooked 2 1/2 cups canned black beans in brine 2 shallots, finely sliced 4 small round tomatoes, seeds removed and cut into small cubes 1 finely diced jalapeño, I like to use them o

Mixed-Berry Clafoutis

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It's been a while since I posted a dessert, this is one I don't make very often, but it's an easy one to make with ingredients in your fridge and pantry. Traditionally, this dish is made with cherries, but I usually have frozen berries in my freezer for smoothies so I used a mixture of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. You will need.. 300gr berries or pitted cherries 1/2 cup sugar 1 nip Cointreau or another spirit of your liking such as Brandy or Marsala 1/4 cup flour 2 eggs, plus 1 extra yolk 1 cup full cream milk 1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste 2 tbs butter pinch salt Method... 1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees celsius (170 fan-forced), this recipe works best if all your ingredients except the fruit are room-temperature- the fruit should be frozen for best results! 2. Sprinkle 2 Tbs of the sugar over the fruit, and the Cointreau, carefully mix with your hands and leave in the freezer while you prepare the custard. 3. Sift the remaining sugar with

Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Chicken Stir Fry

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You will need... (2 portions) 1 chicken breast, cut into small cubes 1 tbs lemongrass paste* 2 garlic cloves 1 red chilli pinch salt 2 tbs rice-wine vinegar 2 tsp soy sauce 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp fish sauce 2 tbs peanut oil 200gr noodles - I used a Hokkien style even though Hokkien are Chinese, but you could use thin rice noodles if you prefer to keep to a more Authentic Viet style stir fry. 8 green beans, top & tails removed, cut into 1in lengths 1 carrot, peeled, cut into 1inch matchsticks a few small broccoli florets capsicum, baby corn, bamboo- whichever veggies you like really! 1/2 cup coriander and mint, washed and roughly chopped 2 large iceberg lettuce leaves 8 slices cucumber more red chilli and coriander for garnish Method... 1. Crush the garlic and roughly chop the chilli, mix with the lemongrass paste and rub all over the chicken, season with some salt and sprinkle a little bit of the rice vinegar over. Cover and leave in the fridge to marinate for

Easy Alphabet Chicken Soup

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This one is a life saver for whenever someone is sick at home! Alphabet soup is a cure-all! You will need... 1Lt chicken stock (if you're not making your own, use Campbell's Real stock or similar- I used the Aldi brand) 2 small skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2cm cubes 1 large carrot, peeled, and diced into 1cm cubes 2 sticks celery, diced into 1cm cubes 120gr pumpkin diced into 1cm cubes 120gr potato, peeled and cut into 1cm cubes 1 sprig parsley 1/2 cup alphabet pasta, uncooked 1/2 cup peas Method... 1. Bring the stock to the boil in a saucepan on the stove, add the chicken, cover with a lid and reduce to a low simmer. Cook for 20 minutes. 2. Bring two cups of water to the boil in a separate saucepan. Cook the alphabet pasta to al dente, drain and run under cold water to refresh. 3. Add the vegetables to the chicken stock and cook until just soft, add the peas last. 4. To serve, spoon some alphabet noodles into a soup bowl, then ladle th

Choc Chip Cookies

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I'm not claiming this recipe, my husband mentioned a few times that he had a craving for them, so being the awesome wife that I am I decided to make them for him haha! 150gr butter 1/2 cup caster sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 egg 1 3/4 cups plain flour 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips 1/2 cup white chocolate chips Method... 1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees celsius and line two oven trays with greaseproof paper, sticking to the tray with a little bit of water 2.Cream the butter and the sugars together using an electric mixer 3. Add the egg and beat lightly 4. Sift and fold in the flour then fold in the chocolate chips last. 5. Using a teaspoon, take a spoonful of the mixture and place it on the baking tray, repeat, making sure there are a few inches of space between each cookie to allow room for spreading. 6. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool in the tray, they will crisp up as they cool. Recipe taken from  http://www.t

Roast Pork with Pumpkin, Pine nut and Rocket Cous Cous Salad

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This is a relatively simple dinner for two! You will need.. 500gr pork fillet 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 sprig rosemary 1 sprig sage 1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes 1 tbs apple cider vinegar 2 Tbs seeded mustard 1 tbs olive oil salt and pepper 1 cup cooked cous cous 100gr peeled and chopped pumpkin 100gr peeled and chopped sweet potato 100gr chopped squash (optional) 1 small handful of baby rocket 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts For garnish, assorted Dutch carrots, I used normal and purple for contrast- this is optional. Method... 1. Pick the sage and rosemary and roughly chop, rub into the pork with the garlic, oil, vinegar, seeded mustard, chilli and seasonings. Cover with glad wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hr. 2. Once pork is finished marinating, heat a frypan on hot and seal the pork on all sides. Place on a lined oven tray and cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour on 160 degrees celsius. Once cooked, remove from oven, leave covered and rest for 10-15 minutes 3.

Best Ever Beef Burgers

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I know my last post was also a burger, but I had a craving and went with it...  Is there anything more Aussie then sitting in the backyard with burgers on the barbie and a beer in your hand? I think not! You will need... for 4 burgers 600gr premium beef mince 1/2 brown onion, grated 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 sprig fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/4 tsp dried oregano 1 egg 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs 1/4 cup grated tasty cheese 4 hamburger buns (I used tiger rolls that you can get from Coles or Woolworths) 8 lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry 2 large tomatoes 4 Tbs caramelised onion 4 Tbs tomato relish 4 slices American cheddar cheese (If you can get it- if not, use any cheddar) Method... 1. Combine the mince, onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, egg and cheese. Work together with your hands until well combined, then add the breadcrumbs. You may need to add an extra egg or more breadcrumbs depending on the breadcrumbs you use- the burger mince needs to be moist and hol