29 December 2009

Anabel's lemon cordial

wow this was one of my favourite Christmas gifts - homemade lemon cordial & it tasted sensational.

  • 4 cups (1 litre) water
  • 5 cups sugar
  • 4 lemons (rind & juice)
  • 5 tsp citric acid
  • 3 tsp tartaric acid
  • 3 tsp epsom salts
  1. Bring water, sugar & finely grated lemon rind to the boil.
  2. Stir to dissolve sugar.
  3. Remove from heat & add other ingredients. Stirring well until acids & epsom salts dissolve.
  4. Allow to cool & then pour into glass jars.
  5. To serve dilute with hot or cold water.

03 July 2009

Lemon Yoghurt Cake


This is the BIGGEST cake I've ever made. Recipe from a work colleague & I'm making it for my team Extravaganza tomorrow.

Mix the following until just combined:
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • juice & grated rind of 4 lemons
  • 1-½ - 2 cups of flavourless oil e.g grapeseed - I used 1-½ C Rice Bran oil
  • 1-¾ cup plain unsweetened yoghurt
  • 4 cups self raising flour
  • pinch salt
Transfer to a greased 28-30cm tin & bake 160° C for 1-½ hours until springy to the touch. Cool before turning out.

Ice with cream cheese icing if desired - mix in a food processor (or serve with thickened cream).

  • 75g soft butter
  • 250g cream cheese (not spreadable)
  • juice & finely grated rind of 1 lemon
  • 4 cup icing sugar

29 June 2009

Slow cooked pork chops with peaches

Coat slow cooker with non-stick spray & turn onto HIGH to preheat.

  • 6 large pork chops ~1.2kg total
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp white pepper
  • 2 Tbsp flour
Mix all together & lightly brown the chops in ~1 Tbsp oil. Then add the chops to slow cooker. Overlap if necessary.

  • Add 1 diced onion to hot pan & cook until softened. Sprinkle on top of the chops.
In a separate bowl mix:
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp tomato sauce
  • 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 x 400g can sliced peaches in juice
Add all to the slow cooker, cover, turn the heat down to LOW & cook for 8 hours. Turn once. Thicken with cornflour before serving.

22 June 2009

Banana & Chocolate Chip Muffins


  • 1 cup white flour
  • 1 cup wholemeal flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips/buds
  • 1/2 cup caster sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
Mix all together in a large bowl.

  • 100g melted butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1tsp vanilla essence
  • 2 mashed bananas
Mix together & then add to dry ingredients. Fold until just dampened, don't over mix.

Spray 12 medium sized muffin pans. Add approx. 1/4 cup of mixture to each pan.

Bake at 220°C for 12-15 minutes.

02 February 2009

Brown Rice Salad

My friend Cathy made this for a BBQ on Saturday night & it might possibly be the nicest rice salad I've ever tried!

1 cup uncooked brown rice
1-3/4 cup water
1/4 cup light soy sauce
1/2 medium onion - finely chopped
3 spring onions - finely chopped
1 red capsicum - chopped into tiny cubes
1/2 cup sultanas
1/2 cup roasted peanuts - coarsely chopped
1/2 cup each of roasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds & sesame seeds

Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 clove crushed garlic
1 tsp grated fresh root ginger
1 tsp honey

  • Combine and process until smooth (or shake in a jar).

Method:

  • Place rice and unsalted water in a tightly covered pot.
  • Simmer 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and water absorbed.
  • Add soy sauce and finely chopped onion to hot cooked rice. Mix well.
  • Leave at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Add remaining ingredients.
  • Just before serving, toss through the dressing.