Country Mum Recipes

Choc-Chip ANZAC Biscuits

2010-02-14T11:25:00.002+08:00

Just like traditional ANZAC biscuits but using shredded coconut and chocolate chips. These ingredients combined nicely with the butterscotch flavour and crispy oats to create a wonderful biscuit.

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup plain flour

3/4 cup caster /fine sugar

1/2 cup shredded coconut

125g butter

1/4 cup golden syrup

1/2 tsp bicarb soda

1 cup combination of milk and white chocolate bits

Method

Preheat oven to 180c / 160c fan
Line 2 trays with paper
Combine dry ingredients (except the chocolate) in a bowl
Melt butter and syrup in a saucepan. Add bicarb soda and stir until foamy
Pour over dry ingredients and mix with a spoon
Stir in chocolate
Place heaped tablespoons onto trays, flattening with hands and allowing for spreading
Bake 8-10 minutes until golden
Cool on trays

Anzac Biscuits

What to do with a Bowl of Figs?

2010-02-09T14:53:00.001+08:00

I was recently given a bowl of figs that my parents had grown in their backyard. I don't normally eat figs, in fact I could hardly remember how they tasted, and wondered what I could do with such a large quantity. I referred to Margaret Fulton's 'Encyclopedia of Food & Cookery' for some ideas. (I don't know if Margaret Fulton is known outside of Australia but she is kind of Australia's equivalent of Julia Child).

Below are the dishes we tried with great success. If you know of anything else I could try, please leave me a comment.

Baked Figs
Arrange 6 whole figs in an oven proof dish. Pour in 1/4 cup water and sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar. Bake in a moderate oven for 20 minutes. Serve with a dollop of ice-cream.

Prosciutto and Figs

Halve figs and arrange paper thin slices of prosciutto around them. The combination of salty and sweet is a delicious.

Figs

Pavlova

2010-02-04T10:16:00.000+08:00

The story goes that this meringue based dessert was created by a local chef in honour of the ballerina , Anna Pavlova, when she was visiting Perth in 1935. Whatever the origins it is a popular dish often served at christmas time as it is well suited to summer fruits. Unlike a crunchy, chewy meringue the addition of cornflour and vinegar gives a foamy melt in the mouth, marshmallow centre. Of course the pavlova is all about the fruits, syrups and cream used for the topping.

For lots of ideas on toppings visit Australian Women's Weekly or click on the Foodista button at the bottom of the page

Ingredients:

4 egg whites

1 cup (220g) caster sugar (superfine sugar)

1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

1 tsp white vinegar

300ml thickened cream

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp icing sugar (confectioners sugar)

berries of your choice

Method:

Preheat oven to very slow
Grease and line an oven tray with paper. Draw an 18cm circle in the centre of the paper
Beat egg whites with a mixer until soft peaks form
Slowly add caster sugar 1 tbsp at a time, beating in between
Fold in cornflour and vinegar
Spread mixture inside circle on tray and level the top lightly with a spatula
Bake about 1 1/4 hours until firm on the top
Cool in oven with door ajar
Beat cream, vanilla and icing sugar until soft peaks form. Spread onto cold pavlova and top with fruit

Back from the Beach

2010-02-01T10:31:00.000+08:00

I'm back from a three week holiday by the sea. The new school year has started today, so back into the routine. Would you like to see where I have been? This is the bottom corner of Western Australia and particularly beautiful as the beaches are protected national park areas. Hence the view is not spoiled by luxury houses or apartments and the ocean life is not disturbed by fishing.

Bussellton

Prevelly, Margaret River

Yallingup

Meelup Bay, Dunsborough

Top 10 Blog Traffic Sources for 2009

2010-01-02T21:49:00.000+08:00

I am always curious to see how people find this blog. When I started nine months ago, I was disappointed to discover that the site could not be immediately found on google the day it was created. How naive! I quickly found that building a presence on other sites was the way to attract visitors. It has also made this hobby more interesting.

Are you curious too? Thought you might like to see my top referring sites for 2009 based on what Google Analytics tells me. It may help you to build more traffic:

TOP 10 TRAFFIC SOURCES

1. Google search

2. blogger.com

3. foodbuzz.com

4. blogcatalog.com

5. friend connect module (when your profile picture is added to other blogs)

6. foodieblogroll.com

7. en.petitchef.com

8. adashofflavour.blogspot.com

9. themomblogs.com

10. cookeatshare.com (interestingly I was not the one to add posts to this site but I have since joined)

I am not very active on the networking sites as I simply do not have the time. However, just having a presence there has increased visitors. These sites are also full of interesting recipes.

Good Luck!

Snapshots of Summer at the Farm

2010-01-01T17:10:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year!

Summer has arrived here in Australia and the heat has hit us with some temperatures of over 40c (104F).

Harvest is over and the vista will remain this brown and dusty until April.

We have had a little shearing work to complete (well at least the contractors did) which my son finds too noisy.

A few more jobs to complete then we are free to take our annual seaside holiday!

Dairy & Egg Free Chocolate Cupcakes

2009-12-21T21:23:00.000+08:00

I am always curious to try and bake a cake with no butter or eggs. Curious to see how such a mix of ingredients will work. I am not vegan but I do like recipes that a very quick to make and this certainly was. Not as good as Best Ever Chocolate Cupcakes simply because they tasted quite plain without the frosting. Here it is naked without its topping to show that it rises into a nice shape quite well.

If you would prefer to cook this recipe as a 20cm cake see Fudgy Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:(makes 24 cupcakes)

3 cups self raising flour

2 cups sugar

2/3 cup cocoa

2 cups water

2/3 cup canola oil

2 tbsp white vinegar

2 tsp vanilla

Method:

place all ingredients into mixing bowl and whisk until smooth
line 1/3 cup muffin tray with cupcake papers
spoon mixture until 2/3 full
bake at 160c fan forced for 20-25 minutes

Will show you some different icing /frosting options in the next post. Until then

Merry Christmas

Secret Ingredient for Salad Dressing

2009-12-14T11:57:00.000+08:00

Whenever I make a leafy green salad I use this dressing recipe and always get asked what is creating the unusual flavour. Well, that ingredient is honey. When combined with the usual tangy salad dressing ingredients it creates a successful flavour combination. It works well with any tossed salad. I have included a serving suggestion for you following the recipe.

Ingredients

1 tbsp honey
1 tsp finely grated lemon rind
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed

Method

whisk all ingredients together

Serving Suggestion

Add to the following tossed salad:
200g sugar snap peas, blanched
250g cherry tomatoes, halved
150g baby spinach leaves
200g feta cheese, crumbled for garnish

Old Fashioned Egg Salad

2009-12-10T14:13:00.000+08:00

An old fashioned egg salad using mayonnaise and curry powder served on a bed of shredded lettuce. Soft and crispy at the same time, this was served with a pasta dish at lunchtime. Other serving ideas are: serve on a large lettuce leaf for each individual, use the egg mixture for a sandwich or focaccia filling.

Note the method for boiling the eggs. Eggs will peel easily and keep their shape.

Ingredients:

8 eggs

1 stick celery, thinly sliced

1/2 red capsicum, thinly sliced

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional, I didn't use)

iceberg lettuce leaves

1 avocado, chopped

For curry dressing:

1/ 3 cup light sour cream

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tsps mild curry powder

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives (use half this amount if using dried chives)

Method:

take eggs from fridge and place in a saucepan. Cover with hot tap water and stand for 10 minutes
place pot on stove and bring water to the boil, simmer for 9 minutes
drain water and place eggs in bowl of cold tap water and allow to mostly cool
peel eggs, and slice into quarters lengthways
place eggs in a large bowl with capsicum, celery and almonds if using
to make dressing - simply combine all ingredients and gently add to eggs
to serve - place egg on top of lettuce, top with avocado

Raspberry Banana Muffins

2009-12-08T09:45:00.001+08:00

Before baking these, I didn't think it was possible to really enjoy a muffin that doesn't contain chocolate. However, I combined a few recipes to make these as a 'healthier' muffin choice and they were great.

Ingredients

Makes 20

2 1/2 cups self raising flour

pinch salt

110g butter, melted

2/3 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

3 ripe bananas, mashed (medium size)

2/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

Method:

Preheat oven to 160c (180c for conventional oven)
Sift flour into a bowl
In a separate bowl, whisk butter and sugar together. Then whisk in eggs
Add banana, milk and vanilla to butter mixture
Add flour into bowl and stir until just combined
Fold in berries
Bake 20-25 minutes

Harvest Time

2009-12-01T12:43:00.000+08:00

It is now a busy time at the farm as the crop has to come off. After a late start due to storms (cannot harvest wet seed) the guys have been working frantically to pick up the grain (basically money on the ground to us!) before the weather becomes unfavourable. We will not be able to harvest if it is hot and windy as these machines can spark a fire that will rage through the paddock.

Ginger & Soy Marinade

2009-11-30T13:50:00.000+08:00

Try this easy marinade on your roast meats and avoid the gravy altogether!

Making gravy from pan juices requires some attention that often is impossible for me at dinnertimes resulting in a fatty, lumpy mess. I had resorted to a well known brand of gravy powder but was horrified when I read the list of ingredients. They were wheat, additives, MSG, salt and colours - and that was it! (Hint - if you see 'hydrolysed vegetable protein' or 'flavour enhancers' on the label then know that these are euphemisms for MSG).

This marinade is equally good for chicken or lamb. Squeezing lemon juice over the vegetables is also a tasty substitute for gravy.

Ingredients:

60ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil
60ml (1/4 cup) salt-reduced soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
3cm piece ginger, finely grated
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp sesame oil

Method:

Mix ingredients in a ceramic or glass bowl
Add the chicken or lamb and turn to coat
Cover and put in fridge for at least 2 hours
Once meat is in oven, use remaining marinade to occasionally baste

Australian Wedding Reception Menu

2009-11-18T10:52:00.000+08:00

A couple of weeks ago we attended a wedding on the south coast of Western Australia and enjoyed a wonderful meal at the reception. It was an unusual event for us bushies to have a formal dinner! But I was proud to notice that my two young daughters relished trying something new and were even having a discussion on the ingredients.

I'd thought I'd share with you what I chose off the menu as an example of modern Australian cuisine.

Entree:

Pan-fried Barramundi Seasoned with Moroccan Spices, served on a bed of wilted Asian Greens and Lime Butter Sauce

Main Course:
Breast of Grain Fed Chicken Infused with Camembert Cheese and Sun Dried Tomatoes Wrapped in Bacon and Served with a Creamy Basil Pesto

Dessert:
Individual Pavlovas Topped with Strawberries and Persian Floss. Complimented with a Duo of Mango and Raspberry Sauces and Ice Cream

Freshly brewed coffee was served with the chocolate layer of the wedding cake. The traditional fruit cake layer was sliced and placed into bags for the guests to take home.

Apple Streusel Cake

2009-11-10T14:11:00.001+08:00

This delicious cake is quick to prepare. You will only need a spoon and a bowl. Moist enough that it does not require cream or anything else to serve. This recipe was torn out of Super Food Ideas Magazine May 2003. Yes , it took me that long to get around to it!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups self raising flour

1/2 cup plain flour

3/4 cup sugar

180g butter, chopped

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup milk

440g can pie apple

For Streusel:

1/2 cup plain flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup dessicated coconut

1/4 cup almond meal

1/4 cup chopped pecans (original recipe used walnuts)

60g butter, melted

Method:

Preheat oven to 160c fan forced
Sift flours into a bowl. Stir in sugar.
Rub in butter with fingertips until mixture is like breadcrumbs
Stir in eggs and milk. It is a thick batter
Spread half the mixture into a greased and baking paper lined 23cm round tin (the only 23cm tin I have is a loose bottom cheesecake tin and this is excellent for removing the cake to cool without tipping off the streusel)
top with tin apple then spread remaining batter on top
for streusel - combine all ingredients then sprinkle onto top of cake before baking in the oven for 1 to 1 1/4 hours
Cool on a wire rack

Holiday by the Coast

2009-11-10T10:46:00.000+08:00

Last weekend we travelled a few hours in the car to a town on the south coast of Western Australia to attend a family wedding (I will post on the wedding menu later). We were lucky enough to use a friend's apartment on the canals.

Right next to the apartments, was the restored buildings from one of the first farms in the state. The first photo is of the workers cottage followed by the old homestead built in 1832.

Just a short walk down the riverbank we discovered that the circus was in town. It was very interesting to watch the goings on during our morning walk - performers practicing and kids running around .It was a magical weekend. But now it is back to the brown paddocks of home to start harvest.

Crispy Noodle Salad

2009-11-04T08:56:00.005+08:00

As it is springtime and getting warmer each day I will be making more salads and lighter meals. I had some visitors for lunch yesterday and tried this new recipe. It worked really well and even though the ingredients sound a bit strange the result was crunchy, savoury and with a mild asian flavour.

Sorry I didn't take a photo for you because it looked good as well.

Crispy Noodle Asian Style Salad

Ingredients for Salad:
1 chinese style cabbage, shredded
125g silvered almonds
250g sunflower seeds
2 spring onions
200g crispy cooked noodles (in the dried food section of supermarket, sometimes called Fried Noodles)

Ingredients for dressing:
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil (I used canola oil and it was fine)
1 tbsp soy sauce

Method:

Mix salad ingredients in a large bowl
Whisk dressing ingredients together
Toss dressing through salad just before serving. Noodles only stay crispy for about an hour once dressing is applied

Chocolate Cupcake on Petitchef Menu of the Day!

2009-11-02T10:50:00.003+08:00

I have recently joined the Petitchef website which is a resource for finding many recipes and blogs from around the world. I was delighted to open my email and find my cupcake blog post on the 'menu of the day'. Here is the email. Click on the links to find more recipes.

You are receiving this mail because you've signed up daily menu of Ptitchef

Menu of Ptitchef 30/10/2009

Petitchef proposes the menu of the day, among last recipes

Starter

Mussel Soup

Mussels. One of the reasons I try to be at Costco on weekends. It makes for good “ba...

>Show this recipe<

Main Dish

Stewed hakka fried pork belly with black fungus recipe

1. Blend ginger, shallot and garlic finely (approximate proportion should be 2:1:1) to become...

>Show this recipe<

Dessert

Best ever chocolate cupcake recipe

* Preheat oven to 160c fan forced and line a muffin tray with paper cases * Whisk to...

>Show this recipe<

Call the Pest Control Man

2009-10-29T14:36:00.003+08:00

I haven't had my house and garden sprayed for bugs in 18 months as I delay it for as long as possible. No matter how much they tell me the pesticide is 'safe' , 'natural', 'non toxic', I just don't fully believe it. However, after finding many of these little pea size spiders both inside and outside of our house I think it is time to call the pest control man and handover my $250!

This is the Red Back spider, one of the most dangerous spiders you can come across. A close relation to the Black Widow in America, you will need a shot of anti venom if you get bitten.

This Golden Orb spider has woven a beautiful web in our garden. It's body is about 5cm in length and those black spots are insects and spiders caught in its web.

It is also ladybug season and in the countryside this means having hundreds attached to your flywire door and eating some of the garden plants to death.

All these insect plagues are nothing compared to December and January when harvest unsettles swarms and the soaring heat brings out the flies and some other more exotic bugs.

Will keep you posted on those as they arrive

Raspberry White Chocolate Cake

2009-10-28T14:20:00.001+08:00

I love the combination of raspberry and chocolate, even the batter looks delicious. So, I decided to make a raspberry white chocolate cake using my regular muffin recipe. It worked well. I used a 20cm square tin and the only other adjustment to the recipe was to use half white sugar and half brown. It had the desired effect of adding a golden look to the cake.

Due to the strong raspberry flavour there is no need to ice, just dust with icing sugar.

Click here for ingredients and method just change the sugar and tin. Check after 20 minutes baking, you may need to cook longer

Chocolate Date Cake

2009-10-26T10:06:00.002+08:00

This recipe was given to me by a friend some years ago and I have regularly made it ever since. The combination of dates and chocolate makes it moist and sweet. Best eaten the day it is made or the next. After that it becomes too moist.

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup water
1 tsp bicarb soda
155gm butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
220gm self raising flour
1 tbsp cocoa
1 cup chocolate dark chips
Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160c
Boil dates, water and bicarb then let cool
Cream butter and sugar with electric mixer
Add eggs and vanilla. Beat
Add date mixture, flour and cocoa. Gently mix
Stir in chocolate chips
Bake for 30 minutes then check if edges are browning too quickly. If so, reduce heat and cook until centre is just firm. (With my oven I cook the cake for 40 minutes at 160c then for another 15 minutes at 150c)
When cool dust with icing sugar as this cake is best left without icing

Bobtails are Out

2009-10-22T14:52:00.007+08:00

This is what greeted me on my doorstep on the weekend- a bobtail lizard. Numerous in these parts, they have come out of hiberation to bask in the sun and sniff out the dog food on my verandah!
This one is small and although they look a bit scary they are not poisonous and will always leave you alone if they can. If threatened they use their strong and persistent grip. The bite leaves a bruise. I know because when our dog was a pup he managed to get one gripped to his lip!

Weirdly they can be tamed as shown by some neighbourhood kids who have them as pets.

Here is one in our garden. This is why my kids are taught not to walk through long grass or the garden bed. Sometimes it is not a harmless lizard but a snake hiding there.

Fish Pie by Jamie Oliver

2009-10-17T14:18:00.002+08:00

This is a Jamie Oliver recipe found in the his book 'Ministry of Food'. I have omitted the chilli and changed the seafood simply because I don't have access to a range of seafood. So go and see the original recipe on the Jamie Oliver website if you are lucky enough to have a choice of fish and shellfish.

This meal is completely fresh. No packet or tinned anything! As you can see it is worth making sure you don't leave any crumbs!

Ingredients:
1kg potatoes
1 or 2 carrots
2 sticks celery
150g cheddar cheese
1 lemon
flat-leaf parsley
750g snapper
2 tomatoes &
a full handful of spinach

Method:

Preheat oven to 180c (fan forced)
Peel and cut potatoes into chunks and boil until tender
Cut fish into chunks and place in the bottom of a large casserole dish
Grate the carrots and celery (I used a food processor) and add to the casserole
Grate the cheese and add to dish
Using a fine grater, grate the zest from the lemon into the dish
Chop parsley and add to dish
Juice lemon and add to dish
Drizzle in some olive oil and shake in some pepper
Add spinach and tomatoes
Gently mix ingredients in casserole together
Add some olive oil to the drained potatoes and then mash until smooth
Spoon on to the grated vegetables and fish mixture
Bake for 40 minutes until golden and starting to crisp on top

Veal Parmigiana

2009-10-12T13:04:00.001+08:00

A delicious dish that was cooked in my childhood for special occasions. Mum would always make the pasta sauce herself, however, I often cheat and use a jar. If you do so, check contents for salt and sugar because some are high in both and it affects the flavour of the dish. Another tip - veal or beef schnitzel cuts are essential here. I have tried this dish with other veal cuts and it is no where near as good.

Ingredients:
Veal schnitzel
Breadcrumbs - homemade in processor or dried
eggs & flour for crumbing
500ml pasta sauce
block of cheddar cheese

Method:

Place three plates on the counter (or wipe over counter to dampen and place some baking paper down to save on cleanup)
to one plate add some plain flour, to the next, two beaten eggs and on the third the breadcrumbs
wipe over slice of meat with a paper towel, then dip into the flour, egg and breadcrumb
place crumbed meat in the fridge for 30 minutes to help crumb stick
Heat some olive oil in a pan then brown both sides of meat and place in a casserole dish overlapping slightly
Using a spoon spread some pasta sauce on top of each piece of meat. Lift each slice and place sauce under overlap as well. You may not need all of the sauce
Cut slices of cheese and place on each schnitzel so that completed dish looks like photo
Grease some foil and cover dish
Place in oven preheated to 180c fan forced
Bake for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake for a further 15 minutes

Moving Sheep

2009-10-11T10:30:00.000+08:00

After a good response from other photos of the farm, here is another post...

On this day we had to move sheep from the home farm to a paddock down the road. As it involved crossing over a public road we had to adhere to legal requirements regarding signage and a warning vehicle. So that was my job. Drive the ute down the road, set up some flashing lights, set up a sign as the sheep cross, then follow behind with hazard lights flashing.

Here is my helper in the backseat patiently having a snack

The farmer, wishing he didn't have to do this job. The sheep jump fences , decide to go down driveways etc. Of course, just like the cliche, they follow each other like sheep!

No horses only a motorbike

Quick Mix Lemon Cake & Vintage Plate

2009-10-05T10:07:00.008+08:00

Easy one bowl lemon cake , a favourite at our house. No need for icing as the lemon rind and cream cheese give it enough flavour. This is not my own recipe. It is from the Australian Women's Weekly Cookbook and I have not changed anything about it, including the use of the baba tin (23cm diameter) . It wasn't easy to locate a baba tin but the effort has been worthwhile. It can make a plain cake look special. I suppose a 20cm tin of another shape would suffice but you will have to experiment with cooking times etc.

Ingredients:
125g butter, chopped, softened
125g cream cheese, chopped, softened
3 tsp grated lemon rind
220g caster sugar
2 eggs
110g self raising flour, sifted
75g plain flour, sifted

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160c
Grease baba tin
Combine all ingredients in bowl of electric mixer
Beat on low until combined
Beat on medium until smooth and changed in colour
Pour into tin and smooth top
Bake for 55 minutes
Stand in tin a few minutes before turning on to a rack
Dust cold cake with sifted icing sugar

For special occasions serve with cream and fill hole in centre with fresh strawberries.

The glass plate I used was found in the local op shop and I purchased it for $2 (Australian). I am not a plate collector, I just buy what I think is unusual or cute. I did a little online research and think it dates to the 1960's. It is stamped with 'Duralex, Made in France'. Does anyone know anything more about it? Did I get a bargain?

Enjoy!

Savoury Lamb Chops

2009-10-01T13:28:00.000+08:00

Another vintage recipe from the Country Women's Association cookbook. Although so quick to prepare it does take 2 hours to cook for a tender result.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 tsp mustard powder
sliced onions
pepper
400g tin tomato puree
water
6 lamb cutlets or chops

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160c
Combine flour, mustard and pepper on a plate
Coat lamb in mixture
Place in a casserole dish and cover with sliced onion
Pour over tomato puree and add enough water to just cover meat and onions
Cover and bake for 2 hours

ANZAC Biscuit or Oat Cookie

2009-09-25T14:20:00.001+08:00

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and it is believed that these biscuits were created to honour those men during WWII. There are many variations of the recipe involving different quantities of butter, oats and shredded or dessicated coconut. The recipes always include the essential ingredient of golden syrup which gives them the butterscotch taste. I always stick to this recipe as it is relatively healthy (as far as biscuits go!). Kids love them just as much as chocolate chip cookies.

You will get about 30 biscuits from this recipe. I like them a bit soft and chewy, so I use baking paper. Without the paper they are quite crunchy.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups (135g) rolled oats
1 cup (150g) plain flour
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
2 tbsp dessicated coconut
2 tbsp golden syrup
80g margarine or butter (I used a canola spread)
1 tsp bicarb soda
2 tbsp boiling water

Method:

Preheat the oven to slow (130c fan forced)
Combine oats, flour, sugar and coconut in a bowl
In a saucepan, combine margarine /butter and golden syrup and stir over low heat until melted
Using a cup, combine bicarb soda and water then add to the golden syrup mixture in the saucepan
While still warm, stir contents of saucepan into the dry mixture
Roll two tsp of mixture into balls. Place on baking paper lined trays about 5 cm apart as they do spread. Flatten a little
Bake about 18 minutes until golden
Loosen while warm then cool on trays

Will keep well for 3 or 4 days

Springtime at the Farm

2009-09-22T13:01:00.004+08:00

Come and have a look at what our Western Australian farm looks like now in Spring. The brown, dusty paddocks have gone!

Luckily we have had spring rain this year so the crops are looking great. As canola prices were good at seeding time there are lots of flowering yellow fields in the district. Combined with the flowering of the native wattle shrubs and trees the paddocks are glimmering golden.

Now it is not so cold the kids are keen to 'work'. My city nephew brings along a plastic shovel to help out!

Our pet, who has always considered himself a sheep dog, needs lots of care during spring. It takes a while to pick out all of the grass seeds from his coat.

Hope you have enjoyed the visit to the farm. More recipes and new photos coming soon.

Pizza Topped Chicken

2009-09-21T13:35:00.003+08:00

I got this idea from A Dash of Flavour and changed the recipe slightly to suit what I had in the pantry. Everyone enjoyed this dinner and ate all the vegies as well. I tailored it a bit to each member of the family - the boys didn't get the avocado they loathe and the girls got some thick slices, just the way they like it. For a bit of variety try it with the ingredients as used in A Dash of Flavour. (A lot more appealing than the photo looks, stylist/photographer I'm Not!)

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
3 tbsp pizza sauce
1 tsp dried oregano
1 onion, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
sliced capsicum, zucchini, mushroom and avocado, in quantities that suit you
grated cheddar cheese

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 170c
Thin chicken with a meat mallet until even in thickness
Place onto a tray lined with baking paper
Combine pizza sauce and oregano and spread onto top of chicken
Gently combine vegetables and place on top of sauce
Sprinkle with cheese
Bake for 20 minutes

Chocolate Chip Cookie with No Butter

2009-09-14T13:23:00.004+08:00

This cookie uses canola oil instead of butter. The original recipe called for roasted pecans and raisins. I didn't have these on hand so put some rolled oats instead (preferred by kids) . They turned out great. Crunchy and large. I know I have recently posted a chocolate chip recipe but these had just as good results and were easier to make. Makes 30.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
275g brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup (150g) plain flour
3/4 cup (110g) self raising flour
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
1/2 cup (125ml) canola oil
1 1/2 cups mixed (dark, white, milk) chocolate bits
3/4 cup rolled oats

Method:

Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer about 1 minute or until lighter in colour.
Sift in flours & bicarb soda. Use electric mixer until just combined.
Add oil and mix briefly until combined.
Stir in oats and chocolate with a spoon. Making sure there are no chocolate bits loose at the bottom of bowl. Mixture will be soft and pliable.
Cover bowl and place in fridge for one hour.
Preheat oven to 160c fan forced & lightly grease oven trays
Take a tablespoon of mixture and press into a flattened 6cm round. Place on trays about 6cm apart as they will spread
Cook for 10 minutes. Let stand on tray for about 5 minutes before moving onto a rack to cool

Chicken Curry Soup

2009-09-14T11:52:00.001+08:00

Quick tasty soup from the Country Women's Association cookbook. The curry is enough to warm your chest and throat. So reduce quantity if required. Hope to bring you more vintage recipes from the CWA as soon as I have tried them out.

Ingredients:
3 rashers bacon, chopped
2 chicken breasts, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 tsp curry powder (reduce if you don't like it hot)
30g butter
2 tsp flour
5 cups water
2 chicken stock cubes, crumbled
1 large carrot, grated
420g can creamed corn
1/2 cup rice, rinsed
pinch dried herbs

Method:

Melt butter in pan
Fry bacon, chicken, onion, garlic and curry powder
stir in remaining ingredients
bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer
simmer 40 minutes

Banana Cupcakes

2009-09-08T16:44:00.000+08:00

This is a basic banana cake mixture baked in a muffin tray. I was planning to ice them with a vanilla glaze but the kids insisted that they were ready to eat NOW and did not need icing. Who was I to force them to consume more sugar? So here they are bald. They taste better than they look.

I saw this recipe at Fun Foods on a budget!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 cups mashed banana, approx 3 ripe medium sized bananas
1 1/4 cups caster sugar
1/2 cup (113g) butter, softened
1/2 buttermilk (I used this substitute - 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tsp lemon juice mixed in)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs

Method:

Line 1/3 cup muffin tray with cupcake papers (I got 18 out of this mix)
Place all ingredients in an electric mixer. Once combined and sides of bowl have been scraped, beat on medium high for 3 minutes.
Fill papers until 2/3 full
Bake at 160 degrees (fan forced oven) for 20 minutes

Best Ever Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

2009-09-03T08:45:00.002+08:00

When I saw this on the Martha Stewart website I just had to have a go. It looked so easy and I knew that using vegetable oil and vinegar would result in a nice moist cake. Very similar to the Fudgy Chocolate Cake recipe but using more water for a thinner batter. I have combined it with buttercream icing, experimenting for my son's birthday party coming up soon. But there a lots of icing recipes that would suit these cupcakes. Use your favourite.

Cake
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups plain flour
3/4 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp bicarb soda
1/2 tsp salt
5 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups water

Method:

Preheat oven to 160c fan forced and line a muffin tray with paper cases
Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, bicarb soda and salt. Set aside
With an electric mixer, mix together oil, vinegar, vanilla and water. When well combined, add flour mixture to the bowl and mix until smooth. This is a watery batter. Make sure you have scraped the sides of the bowl and mixed again so it doesn't have lumps.
Spoon or pour batter into muffin tins. Fill until between 1/2 and 3/4 full.
Bake for 20 minutes and immediately remove cakes from tin onto a wire rack.
Let cool completely before icing

Buttercream
Ingredients:
110g butter softened
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
1 tbsp milk

Method:
Cream butter until starting to turn white in colour. Add vanilla, 1 cup of the icing sugar and milk. Mix. Add more icing until taste and consistency are what you want.

Chicken Cheese Broccoli Pasta

2009-09-01T10:00:00.000+08:00

On my way home from the city last week I bought a BBQ chicken thinking it would suffice for a quick dinner. Realising it was only about the size of a parrot, I looked in the pantry to see how I could expand it to feed a large family. Here's what I came up with.

Ingredients:
2 quantities of cheese sauce. For recipe click here
2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
2 cups broccoli florets
30g sun dried tomatoes, chopped
300g spiral pasta
1 takeaway BBQ chicken

Method:

Shred meat off chicken
Soften broccoli in microwave
Cook pasta
Prepare sauce and add mustard into sauce as it is thickening
Gently mix above ingredients together with sun dried tomatoes and put into a large rectangle casserole
Sprinkle cheese of your choice on top and bake until heated through and cheese starts to brown

Creamy Lemon Slice

2009-08-26T10:40:00.000+08:00

With only a hint of lemon, this slice is still liked by those who usually don't go for lemon flavours. Nice with a coffee or tea.

Ingredients:
1 cup self raising flour, sifted
1 cup dessicated coconut
1/2 cup sugar
125g butter, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
395g can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Method

Preheat fan forced oven to 160c
Grease and line a 3cm deep, 20 x 30cm slab pan
Combine flour, coconut, sugar, butter and vanilla in a bowl. Mix well.
Press into base of pan with a large spoon. Wet back of spoon if you are having difficulty.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Cool until only lukewarm.
Reduce oven to 130c
Combine condensed milk and lemon juice. Mix well.
Pour over base.
Bake for 10 minutes or until edges start to turn golden.
Cool completely in pan before cutting into slices. Store in airtight container.

Quick Mix Chocolate Muffins

2009-08-21T23:35:00.000+08:00

Chocolate velvety muffins. But be careful, if you over cook them they taste plain and dry. Mine are slightly overcooked. Still managed to taste good but the perfect ones end up with a pointed top with a crack on top. A bit like a volcano. Not rounded like mine. So yes, it is a quick mix recipe but a slightly temperamental one! Cook until a skewer comes out mostly clean and muffins are only slightly springy. This is recipe is straight from Taste.com.au.

Ingredients:

200mls milk
125g butter
100g dark chocolate
35g cocoa powder, sifted
3 eggs at room temperature
300g self raising flour
160g brown sugar

Method

Preheat fan forced oven to 160c
Line standard muffin pan with papers or grease
Place milk, butter, cocoa and chocolate in a saucepan. Stir over heat until smooth.
Cool 5 minutes
Add eggs and mix with a fork
Sift flour into a mixing bowl and stir in sugar. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and fold with a large metal spoon until just combined. Important not to overmix.
Spoon into muffin pans and bake for 18 minutes. Stand in pan for 2 minutes before turning onto a rack.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-08-17T13:39:00.000+08:00

These delicious chocolate chip cookies are crispy on the outside yet chewy in the middle. I thought they would be a flop but I am pleased with the result. My baby did not sleep as planned so I cooked while he crawled around picking through the bin and opening drawers. As a result of these distractions, I did not read the method correctly and made an error in converting the american recipe to metric. However, they were a hit so I will share this 'wrong' recipe with you. This makes 30 large cookies.

Ingredients:

310g plain flour
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
180g butter, softened
200g brown sugar
100g caster sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla
230g dark choc chips

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160
Sift flour, salt and bicarb soda together
In a separate bowl cream butter and sugars
Mix in egg, yolk and vanilla
Add dry ingredients. Mix with spoon. Mixture will be crumbly
Stir in chocolate chips
Using damp hands, take about a tablespoon of mixture and roll into a balls
Place cookies onto baking trays lined with baking paper. Place apart and flatten slightly, as shown in picture below. They spread and thin themselves nicely.

Bake for 15 minutes. They will still appear soft. Take them out anyway, they harden while cooling. Let sit on tray for 2 minutes, then place onto wire rack to cool.

Quick Crustless Quiche

2009-08-15T14:15:00.000+08:00

A delicious quiche without the hassle of making pastry. This is versatile as you can add whatever combination of vegetables you like. You could even add meat, although I haven't tried this myself. You can make it as bland or as fancy as you like depending on the occasion.

I cook it in a glass pie dish and it is easily cut into wedges. I have regularly cooked it in a muffin tray which is great for finger food, however, to be honest they are time consuming to remove from the tray. As in the photo, I have tried them in cupcake papers. The kids loved this idea but the quiche did not lift easily from the paper. I think I will stick to the pie dish as it was easy to serve hot or cut a cold wedge for the school lunchbox.

Ingredients:
1 cup pastry mix (some people know it as Robor pastry. Next to the flour and bread mix in the supermarket)
2 cups milk
4 eggs
1 small chopped onion
Chopped vegetables and herbs to your liking (I used zucchini, capsicum. mushroom and semi dried tomatoes)
1 1/4 cup grated cheese

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 170
Soften veggies a little in the microwave
Mix pastry, milk and eggs together with a wooden spoon. Mixture will be runny and a bit lumpy.
Mix in veggies
Pour into greased pie dish or muffin tray
Cook for 35 minutes
Serve hot or cold

I was recently introduced to a new website in which you can review and store recipes you are interested in. I think you'll like it. Here is the link

Winter Scenes of an Australian Farm

2009-08-14T16:05:00.000+08:00

The public road through the farm.

Freshwater lake. Quite rare in these parts, we have scientists from the university come to visit and study the habitat.

The original homestead, circa 1920, now empty. We started our married life there but it is no longer structurally sound.

View of paddocks with the native wattle tree in the foreground.

Chocolate Orange Muffins

2009-08-08T13:38:00.000+08:00

Delicious choc orange muffins that remind me of the Jaffas we used to eat at the movies when we were kids. I found the basis for this recipe on the blogosphere and changed it to my liking. So if you don't find it sweet enough use dark chocolate or add more sugar.

Ingredients:
2 cups self raising flour
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup fresh orange juice (approx. 2 oranges)
1/2 cup full cream milk
1/3 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1 tsp grated orange peel (don't skimp)

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160
Line 12 hole muffin tray with papers
Mix dry ingredients together
Mix other ingredients together in a jug
Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until just combined
Spoon into muffin cases
Bake for 20 minutes

Basic Chocolate Brownies

2009-08-02T20:42:00.001+08:00

Unlike other brownie recipes, this one makes a large slice and keeps fresh for a day or two. It doesn't have too much butter and contains no chocolate (although you can easily add some chopped up pieces if you like). A 'healthier' brownie for the school lunchboxes.

I've had great success recently with a muffin recipe that I adjusted for my tastes. I will share it with you on this blog soon. In the meantime have a go at the Basic Brownies & post a comment on your results.

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup (4oz) butter melted
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160
Grease and line the base and sides of a 33 x 23 slice tin
Beat eggs with sugar until pale
Add in other ingredients and mix until just combined
Stir in nuts and/or chocolate if using
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the surface begins to crack
Cool and cut into squares

Oven Baked Fish

2009-08-01T20:03:00.000+08:00

Here is a healthy dinner idea that is very quick to prepare. When I'm really rushed, I serve the fish with a packet of oven fries and mixed frozen vegetables.

Ingredients:
Approx 700g fish fillets. I like to use Dory.
Almond meal
Grated cheese
lemon wedges to serve

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees
Lightly grease casserole dish with melted butter
Place fish fillets in dish
Sprinkle with almond meal and grated cheese
Bake for 25 minutes until golden on top and fish cooked through

Country Mum on Holiday

2009-07-21T10:04:00.000+08:00

There will be no posting for the next 10 days or so while I am away. If you subscribe by email, you will be notified when there is a new recipe.
Until then, best wishes & happy baking

Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake

2009-07-20T12:43:00.000+08:00

I was surfing through cooking blogs yesterday and came across an idea that I have put on my 'to bake' list and thought I'd share it with you.

The recipe was a Ferrero Rocher cheesecake. I was inspired to use the idea of adding chopped Ferrero Rocher chocolates to my own plain baked cheesecake recipe. Maybe I will also try incorporating the chocolates into my Cheesecake Cupcake recipe (in picture). Perhaps omitting the vanilla and reducing the sugar. I will let you know the results at a later date.

The blog contained beautiful pictures of the cheesecake and the recipe. The cake recipe is almost the same as the one I use. Although it looked fantastic, I think the nutella topping will be too much. You can have a look at the recipe by clicking here Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake

For my posting on Cheesecake Cupcake, click here Cheesecake Cupcake

If you try any of these recipes leave a comment by clicking on 'comment' below this posting and let me know how you went.

Cheesecake Cupcake

2009-07-17T15:14:00.000+08:00

A quick and easy recipe for individual creamy, vanilla cheesecakes. This dessert could be dressed up by serving with a raspberry coulis or blueberries and syrup. 1/3 cup capacity muffin tray makes just the right size cupcake per serve. Makes 12.

Ingredients:

450g cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
6 chocolate cream biscuits. I used Arnotts 'Delta'

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160
Line muffin tin with paper cases
Twist apart each biscuit and place into papers as the base of the cupcake
Combine other ingredients in electric mixer and mix until smooth
Spoon filling into cases
Bake for 15 minutes and leave in oven with door ajar
Refrigerate until cold
Serve with or without paper case and topping of your choice

White Chocolate Muffins

2009-07-12T14:37:00.000+08:00

These white choc chip muffins have a lovely vanilla, buttery taste but they don't actually contain any butter. Once again I have used canola oil. I like these lazy recipes as you can get a quick result when you don't have to cut, measure and cream the butter. My nine year old made these ones with only a little instruction from me. For more baking recipes using oil instead of butter click on the label 'Baking with oil'.

Ingredients:

2 cups self raising flour, sifted
1/2 cup caster sugar
3/4 cup full cream milk
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup white choc chips

Method:

Preheat oven to 160 fan forced
Use paper cases to line a 12 hole muffin pan
Mix together dry ingredients (not chocolate) in a mixing bowl
Whisk together wet ingredients then stir into mixing bowl
Mix through choc chips
Bake for 20 minutes until edges are golden

Subscribe to get Recipes via Email

2009-07-12T13:25:00.000+08:00

I have added a new feature on the side of the page that will allow you to receive any new posts via email. This means that you do not have to keep checking the webpage to see if anything new has been added since you last looked. You will only receive an email when I add something onto the blog. Coming soon - more easy muffin recipes and a book review...

Muesli Slice with Chocolate

2009-07-10T19:17:00.000+08:00

This slice contains healthy olive oil and rolled oats. It does contain sugar and chocolate but is still a better choice than other cakes or biscuits for the kids lunchbox. It is a crumbly slice so make sure it is cold when you cut it.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup dessicated cocnut
1 cup chocolate chips (you can choose the chocolate. I like a mixture of dark and white)
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup light olive oil ( light tasting, not virgin olive oil)
1/3 cup milk
1 egg

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160. Grease a slab pan 18cm x 28cm and line with paper
Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl
Whisk oil, milk and egg together
Mix into dry ingredients
Spoon into pan. Press with a large spoon
Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden
Stand in tin for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool before slicing into squares

Apple Crumble

2009-07-03T09:14:00.000+08:00

Delicious dessert served hot with a scoop of ice cream melting through it.

Ingredients:
4 1/2 tbsp plain flour
4 1/2 tbsp dessicated coconut
3 tbsp rolled oats
1 1/2 tbsp caster sugar
60g butter melted
800g tin pie apple

Method:

Place pie apple into casserole dish. If you prefer a sweeter apple crumble, mix with some sultanas and/or tbsp caster sugar.
Mix rest of ingredients in a separate bowl until it resembles the picture above. If too dry add more butter.
Place in oven preheated to 160 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden.

v328wndez7

Chicken Noodle Soup

2009-06-26T22:00:00.000+08:00

Great soothing winter soup and good for the lunchbox thermos.
Your choice of stock cube will impact how salty and tasty your soup is. I used Massel Salt Reduced Chicken Style stock cubes which are actually made of vegetables. When using a different brand, check the label for suggested amount of cubes per water content.

Ingredients:
8 cups water
4 stock cubes
1 onion diced
1 garlic clove crushed or 1tsp from jar of garlic
1 1/2 cups of diced carrots
3 stalks celery, diced
pepper & dried basil to taste
Approximately 1.7kg skinless chicken drumsticks
175g fresh asian noodles (from the fridge pasta section of supermarket)

Method:

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until soft
Add the remainder of ingredients & bring to the boil
Simmer covered for 1 hour
Leave to cool for about 20 mins until meat starts to fall off the bones
Remove meat from drumsticks and put back into soup
Put noodles into bowl of boiling water & stand for 3 minutes. Drain and add to soup

Chocolate Muffins

2009-06-21T22:16:00.000+08:00

The greek yoghurt is essential for the success of these muffins. I have tried traditional plain yoghurt and although it works they do taste like the low fat diet version. In fact you could make a diet muffin by using low fat margarine, milk, yoghurt and slightly reducing the sugar and choc chips.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
1/4 cup cocoa
3/4 cup castor sugar
1 cup dark choc chips (a mixture of white and dark also works well)
2 tbsp margarine, melted
1 cup milk
1 egg
200g greek yoghurt

Method:

Preheat oven to 160 degrees fan forced
Line muffin pan with paper cases and lightly spray with oil. Makes 18
Sift flour, bicarb and cocoa into large mixing bowl
Stir in sugar and chocolate
In a microwave jug, melt butter. Cool slightly
Add milk, egg and yoghurt to jug and combine
Mix into dry ingredients
Spoon into pans. Cook for 20 minutes. Cool on wire rack

Mince and Vegetable Pie

2009-06-21T21:03:00.001+08:00

This pie while easy to make will need some time for cooking and cooling, so not a good one for a last minute dinner. Try any combination of vegetables you like. I added peas and sweet potato to this pie in the photo. However, it wasn't as popular as the way I usually make it. Here is my usual recipe:

Ingredients:
1 onion chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
500g mince
1 3/4 cup tomato puree (which is a regular size can)
1/2 cup beef stock
2 1/2 sheets puff pastry
grated cheddar cheese
grated zucchini
grated carrot
1 egg, lightly beaten

Method:

Heat a large saucepan. Add oil. Cook onion and garlic. Cook until soft
Add mince and cook until browned
Add puree and stock
Bring to the boil, then simmer for 12 minutes until slightly thickened
Set aside to cool for about 20 minutes
Preheat oven to 180 degrees fan forced
Defrost pastry and ease one sheet into greased pie dish. Cut the half sheet into 4 rectangles to use on the sides of the dish that aren't covered
Spoon meat mixture into dish
Sprinkle carrot over the filling. You be the judge of how much
Squeeze some the liquid out of the grated zucchini then sprinkle over the carrot
Next add the grated cheese
Top with the sheet of pastry and fold edges
Brush with beaten egg and prick with fork
Bake for about 35 minutes

Scones

2009-06-13T14:47:00.000+08:00

This is not the traditional recipe. You do not need to handle the dough much and have the 'light' touch. I've had success every time with this one.

Ingredients:
3 cups self raising flour
pinch salt
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup lemonade

Method:

sift flour and salt into large bowl. Make a well in centre
Pour in cream and lemonade
Stir with a knife until comes together
Knead until smooth and make into a disc about 2cm thick. Do this on a lightly floured surface and lightly flour fingers if too sticky
Use a scone cutter to cut rounds. Dip the cutter in flour for easy use
Arrange scones close together onto a lightly greased tray
Bake at 200 degrees fan forced for 10 minutes or until golden on top
Wrap in a clean tea towel until serving

Fudgy Chocolate Cake

2009-06-10T16:32:00.000+08:00

WOW no butter, no eggs, no chocolate-

yet tastes great with the dense and smooth qualities of a mudcake. The only equipment needed is a whisk and mixing bowl. No need to ever make a packet cake again!

I have copied this from a fundraising booklet that I was lucky enough to find in a second hand bookstore. It is called 'Bountiful Baking from Bencubbin'. So thankyou to the Bencubbin Ladies Hockey team of 1996 for this gem of a recipe.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups SR flour
3 tbsp cocoa
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I used canola)
For icing:
1 cup icing sugar
1 1/2 tbsp cocoa
1 tbsp butter
hot water

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160 degrees
Grease and line bottom of pan with baking paper. Grease again. This is a small cake that works well in a 20cm round or 17cm square or you can double the ingredients for a larger cake
Put all ingredients in mixing bowl. I didn't even sift the flour! Mix with whisk until smooth
Bake for 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from tin
When cake is cold mix icing ingredients together with enough hot water until smooth & spread onto cake

Make a comment and let me know how you go with this one

Good Websites

2009-06-09T13:57:00.000+08:00

To my friends who have not used blogs before -

On the right you will see 'My Blog List'. These are interesting blogs that I have found. They have plenty of recipes that I will eventually get around to trying out. I think you will find them useful too. Just click on the title to go there. I will be adding more as I find them and only adding the best.

Raspberry White Choc Muffin

2009-06-09T11:52:00.001+08:00

Ingredients:

2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
90g butter, melted
1 egg
1 cup milk
2/3 cup white choc bits
1 cup frozen raspberries (do not thaw)

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160 degrees
Sift flour into mixing bowl. Add sugar and stir
In separate bowl or jug, melt butter and cool a little. Add egg and milk. Mix
Mix wet ingredients into dry
Add choc and raspberries and stir
Using paper cases, scoop mixture into muffin trays. Makes about 15 1/3 cup capacity muffins.
Cook for 20 minutes or until firm and slightly golden. Adjust cooking time to about 15 minutes if using mini muffin pans

Hummus Dip

2009-06-09T11:40:00.000+08:00

Try this for afternoon tea on crackers, rice cakes or with carrot and celery sticks. Adapted from a recipe on Taste.com.au

Ingredients:

300g canned chickpeas, drained, rinsed
1 garlic clove, crushed
50ml olive oil
1 tbsp tahini paste
1/2 tsp ground cumin
juice of half a lemon
30ml water

Method:

place all ingredients except for water in a food processor and process until combined. Add water and process until very smooth. Taste: add more garlic or lemon juice if needed.

Shortcut Cheese Sauce

2009-05-26T11:12:00.000+08:00

Do you find making a smooth cheese sauce difficult? Here is an easy shortcut to the usual way, with no significant taste difference. Sauce will be ready in 5 to 10 minutes and with no lumps.

Ingredients:

25g margarine
1/4 cup plain flour
2 cups skim milk
3/4 grated cheese

Method:

Place margarine, milk and flour into a saucepan. Bring to the boil whisking constantly with a whisk
When sauce thickens add cheese and whisk some more. Sauce is ready when smooth.

Tuna Casserole

2009-05-25T20:20:00.001+08:00

As the saying goes 'It's not fancy but it's cheap!'

Ingredients:

400g pasta of your choice
425g tin tuna in springwater
580g jar pasta sauce (I like Raguletto Napolitana)
1 quantity shortcut cheese sauce (for recipe, look under label titled 'other')
3/4 cup grated cheese

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 170 degrees
Cook pasta and place in the bottom of a large rectangle casserole dish
Drain tuna and spread over pasta
Evenly empty pasta sauce over tuna
Spread cheese sauce over the top
Sprinkle with grated cheese
Cook in oven until top is browned to your liking; about 25 minutes

Poll

2009-05-25T20:02:00.000+08:00

Take a look at the poll in the side bar to your right and take a moment to let me know which recipes you would like to look at.

Hope seeding is going well & there is more rain to come

Quick Pumpkin Soup

2009-05-20T14:41:00.000+08:00

Quick to whip up as an entree. There is no need to be exact with ingredient quantities. I have always had success with this one. Two of my children hate pumpkin but love this soup.

Ingredients:

Half a butternut pumpkin or any other type
1 large onion
1 large carrot
2 small potatoes
2 sticks celery
2 stock cubes
optional: one small sweet potato

Method:

Chop all vegetables and place in a large saucepan
Crumble stock cubes over the top
Pour enough water into pan to just reach the top of the vegetables (do not cover veggies as soup will be too watery)
Bring to boil, then simmer until vegetables are very soft
Let cool before pureeing with a hand held blender
When serving, swirl a small amount of full cream milk over the top

2009-05-19T12:38:00.000+08:00

Large Basic Chocolate Cake

This is my favourite chocolate cake recipe as it is quick and makes a large cake that stays fresh for a few days. You can also make two smaller cakes with this quantity. It freezes well.

Ingredients:

2 1/3 cups SR flour
3/4 tsp bicarb soda
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup cocoa
1 3/4 cups caster sugar
165g butter melted
1 1/3 cups full cream milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
4 eggs lightly beaten

Method:

Preheat fan forced oven to 160 deg
Spray a baking tin with canola oil and line base and sides with baking paper. For one large cake use a tin 20 x 30 x 5cm.
Sift flour, bicarb, salt and cocoa into mixing bowl. Add sugar and stir
Add butter, stir. Add milk, vanilla and eggs then beat on medium speed for one minute
Spoon into pan and level surface. Cook for 45 to 50 minutes
Cool in tin for a few minutes before turning onto rack. Nice with most types of chocolate icing.

About Country Mum Recipes

2009-05-17T14:09:00.000+08:00

Why?

A fun project for me to share easy, fast recipes and discover how to use and create a blog.

I'm interested in recipes that do not make my evenings descend into chaos and that my kids will eat. My recipes do not have exotic ingredients as I live 80km from major grocery chains! I also like to keep processed sauces and flavours to a minimum.

Keep coming back to check on new postings as I add recipes for cake stalls, school lunches, tractor dinners and more.

Eventually I hope you will share recipe ideas and cooking shortcuts as well.