Fresh Dilled Lemon Salmon

Fresh Dilled Lemon Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets
  
• 1 tsp olive oil
  
• dash of rock salt
  
• 2 tsp lemon peel (grate fine)
  
• 1/2 cup fresh dill (chopped fine)
  
• 4 thin green onions (sliced thin)
  
• lemon wedges (garnish)
  
• sour cream
  

How to make Fresh Dilled Lemon Salmon

• Preheat oven to moderate heat
  
• Line baking sheet with foil
  
• Place salmon fillet, skin side down on foil
  
• Coat with oil and sprinkle with salt
  
• Stir lemon peel with dill and onions
  
• Make a slit along side of slamon
  
• Stuff about 3/4 of dill mixture into pocket
  
• Place a loose foil over top
  
• Bake in centre rack for 15 mins
  
• Salmon is done when you insert knife into centre of salmon (should feel warm)
  
• Move salmon onto serving plates (leave skin on foil if prefer)
  
• Sprinkle with remaining dill mixture
  
• Serve with lemon wedges and sour cream on side
  

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

I love this recipe! Not only is it delicious to eat, it's relatively easy to prepare. Serve on the side with cranberry sauce and gravy, this is a dish made in Heaven!

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

• 1 bone-in whole turkey breast (4 1/2 to 5 pounds), thawed if frozen
  
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
  
• 1/4 cup dry white wine or apple juice
  
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 teaspoon paprika
  
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  
• 2 tablespoons cold water
  

How to make Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

• 1. Heat oven to 325ºF. Place turkey, skin side up, on rack in large shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of meat and does not touch bone. Roast uncovered 1 hour.
  
• 2. Mix butter, wine, thyme, salt, paprika and garlic. Brush turkey with half of the butter mixture. Roast 30 minutes; brush with remaining butter mixture. Roast about 1 hour longer or until thermometer reads 180ºF and juice of turkey is no longer pink when center is cut.
  
• 3. Remove turkey from oven and let stand 15 minutes for easier carving.
  
• 4. Meanwhile, pour pan drippings into measuring cup; skim fat from drippings. Add enough water to drippings to measure 2 cups. Heat drippings to boiling in 1-quart saucepan. Mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water; stir into drippings. Boil and stir 1 minute. Serve with turkey.
  

This recipe is made possible by Betty Crocker

The Kiss of Vampire Drink

This recipe comes from a friend of mine who hosted a Halloween party last year. She actually made this drink in frosty wine glasses complete with hanging plastic spiders on the rim. An excellent way to treat your adult guest, however, you can make it virginal by using 10 cups of apple juice instead of Vodka and 2/3 cup orange juice instead of orange liqueur.

The Kiss of Vampire Drink

• 10 cups vodka
  
• 5 cups chilled cranberry juice
  
• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
  
• 2/3 cup orange liqueur
  
• ice cubes
  

How to make The Kiss of Vampire Drink

• Get a large chilled pitcher
  
• Mix everything together in the pitcher except for the ice cubes
  
• Put ice cubes into chilled martini glasses
  
• Pour Vampire Kiss into glasses
  
• Serve immediately
  

Pan Fried Trout

This is an easy and delicious way to pan fry a trout. I like using this because it's no fuss and relatively quick.

Pan Fried Trout

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  
• 4 trout fillets
  
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
  

How to make Pan Fried Trout

• Lightly coat the fish with the bread crumbs then set aside
  
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat
  
• Add fish to skillet
  
• Cook till fish flakes easily when you test with a fork (about 8 mins)
  
• Turn fish once after 5 mins
  
• Remove fish from skieet and place on a platter, keep warm
  
• Add nuts to the dripping in the skillet
  
• Cook and stir till nuts become lightly toasted
  
• Sprinkle over fish
  
• Serve with steamed vegetables on the side
  

Pumpkin Spiced Bread

This is an excellent recipe for using pumpkin. Thank you to PL for this recipe.

Pumpkin Spiced Bread

• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  
• 1 pinch salt
  
• 1/4 cup molasses
  
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1/2 cup nonfat yogurt
  
• 1/4 cup canola oil
  
• 2 tablespoons shelled pumpkin seeds
  

How to make Pumpkin Spiced Bread

• Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spritz 9" x 5" loaf pan with vegetable-oil spray and set aside.
  
• Combine both flours, baking powder/soda, spices and salt. In another, whisk together the molasses, brown sugar, pumpkin, egg, yogurt, and oil.
  
• Add wet ingredients to the dry and stir just to combine.
  
• Pour batter and sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top.
  
• Bake for 50 to 55 minutes.
  

Cheesy Spinach Burgers

This is an easy way to make a quick and delicious burger.

Ingredients for Cheesy Spinach Burgers

• 1 packet onion soup mix
  
• 2 lbs lean ground beef
  
• 1 package frozen chopped spinach (thawed, squeezed dry)
  
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar or Mozzarella Cheese (or combination of the two)
  
• 8 slices tomatoes
  
• fresh oragnic greens
  
• 8 whole wheat buns
  

Hot to make Cheesy Spinach Burger

• Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl
  
• Using damp hands, shape the beef mixture into 8 good size patties
  
• Grill or broil the patties till done
  
• Toast the whole wheat buns
  
• Layer prepared patties onto the buns, garnish with tomatoes and oragnic greens
  
• Serve hot with baked potatoes or baked wedges
  

How to make Delicious Apple Roll

This month's recipe comes from my mother-in-law who's an awesome cook. Here is her version of Apple Roll that's just a perfect end to any dinner.

How to make Apple Roll

• 1 cup brown sugar
  
• 1 cup hot water
  
• 1 cup plain flour
  
• 2 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 2 tbsp shortening
  
• 1/3 cup milk
  
• 2 apples (peeled & sliced)
  
• dash of brown sugar
  
• dash of cinnamon powder
  
• side of low fat whipping cream (if you wish)
  

How to make Apple Roll

• Combine the brown sugar and hot water in a pot
  
• Stir over low heat till you get a thick syrup (be careful not to burn)
  
• Set aside and cool
  
• In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, shortening
  and milk
  
• Fold with hand till you get a dough-like texture
  
• Roll the dough on a floured board and flatten into a big square
  
• Sprinkle the pastry dough with sugar and cinnamon
  
• Spread the apple slices on the top
  
• Roll it up and slice into 1 inch thick slice
  
• Put the cut side down on a baking tray
  
• Brush surface with butter and pour the syrup all over
  
• Bake in a preheated oven for 30 mins or till it's brown on top
  
• Serve with whipping cream
  

You can actually skip making the pastry part by buying ready-to-go pastry that you can get from the freezer section of your supermarket. That is what I usually do and it saves time and energy.

Best Ever Muffins

Here's my take on the best ever muffins you'll ever bake. They're easy to bake and you can't go wrong. They taste ever so light and fluffy. I use this basic recipe then add in a cup to a cup and half of whatever berries I can find. You can even add chocolate chip to the muffins and make them into chocolate chip muffins.

Best Ever Muffins

• 100g butter (soften)
  
• 2 cups self-raising flour
  
• 1 cup milk
  
• 1/2 cup sugar
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
  
• 1 to 1 1/2 cup of berries of season
  

How to make best Ever Muffins

• Process butter, egg and sugar till light and fluffy
  
• Gradually add in cinnamon powder
  
• Add in 1 cup flour then 1/2 cup milk and mix well
  
• Gradually add in the remaining half flour and milk
  
• Add in 1/2 cup of the berries
  
• Stop food mixer and fold in the rest of the berries
  
• Pour batter into 12 prepared molds in muffin tray (or line with cupcakes paper)
  
• Bake at preheated oven at moderate temperature till golden brown on top
  
• It's ready when you poke a stick into the muffin and it comes out clean
  

Banana Caramel Crepes

This is one of those all-time favorite recipes that you can just whip out for your overnight guests for breakfast the morning after. REally easy to make and just so delicious in every sense.

If you have a steel crepe pan, this is the time to use it otherwise just use a flat level pan. To 'season' the pan, place on medium heat, add 1 tsp of unsalted butter and heat well. Then wipe with a wad of paper towels. Don't wash the pan afterwards otherwise just start the 'seasoning' process all over again.

Banana Caramel Crepes

• 1 1/4 cups plain flour
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 1 cup skim milk
  
• 1/3 cup water
  
• 10g unsalted butter (melted - for cooking)
  
  
  
  
  For the Filling
  
• 3 large or 6 small bananas
  
• Juice of 1 lemon or 1 orange
  
  
  
  
  For the Caramel Sauce
  
• 10g unsalted butter
  
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat cream
  

How to make Banana Caramel Crepes

• Sift the flour into a bowl
  
• Add the eggs, stir with a wooden spoon till 1/2 flour is absorbed
  
• Add in 1/2 milk, beat everything till smooth
  
• Stir in remaining milk and water
  
• Cover and chill for at least 30 mins
  
• Slice the bananas into a different bowl
  
• Add in lemon juice and stir gently
  
• For the sauce, place butter, sugar and cream in a saucepan
  
• Stir over low heat till sugar dissovles and sauce becomes smooth
  
• To make the crepes: Brush a non-stick crepe pan with melted butter
  
• Heat pan over medium heat
  
• Using a metal cooking spoon, pour batter into the pan, tilting pan to coat the base
  
• Cook till golden brown underneath
  
• Remember to shake pan occasionally to loosen the crepe
  
• Turn over with a palette knife
  
• Cook other side till golden brown
  
• Remove and keep warm
  
• Cook remaining batter, brushing the pan every 3rd crepe
  
• Spoon banan evenly over centre of the crepes, fold in half
  
• Serve with caramel sauce
  

Delicious Calzone Recipe

This recipe comes from a good friend, the divine Ms. P who has granted me permission to publish her recipe. Thank you, Ms. P!!!

This recipe will make enough for four servings. You can fill the calzones with whatever you wish.

Delicious Calzone Recipe

• A cup of lukewarm water
  
• 2 and a half teaspoons yeast
  
• A teaspoon of salt
  
• Half teaspoon of sugar
  
• 3 cups of flour
  
• One Tablespoon of olive oil
  

How to make Delicious Calzone

• In a bowl, combine the water, yeast, salt and sugar, and stir to dissolve
  
• Set aside for 15 minutes, then add the flour, and mix until smooth
  
• Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface, and knead for 10 minutes, adding more flour if necessary
  
• The dough should feel smooth and elastic
  
• Lightly oil a bowl, and place dough inside
  
• Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour
  
• Quarter the dough, and shape each piece into a ball
  
• Cover, and let rise another 15 minutes
  
• Roll the dough into a 1/4-inch thick circle, and place filling on one half
  
• Moisten the edges of the dough with water, then fold the dough over filling
  
• Seal by crimping the edges of the dough with your fingers or the tines of a fork
  
• Brush calzone with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 2 teasponns water)
  
• Trim the excess dough, make a small incision on the top, and bake until golden, 18 to 20 minutes at 375
  

Tip from Ms. P who says, "...the olive oil is to oil the bowl and brush the top of the dough when it is rising".

Cherry Shortbread

Here's an interesting way to serve shortbread made with glace cherries.

Cherry Shortbread

• 100g butter or margarine
  
• 50g castor sugar
  
• 50g cornflour
  
• 100g plain flour (sifted)
  
• 40g glace cherries (chopped)
  

How to make Cherry Shortbread

• Cream together butter or margarine, sugar and cornflour till light and creamy
  
• Add in cherries and flour
  
• Knead lightly to form a soft and smooth dough
  
• Chill in fridge for 30 mins
  
• Pat the dough (on baking tray) into small circles of 8 cm diameter
  
• NOTE: They should not be thinner than .5cm
  
• Prick the circles all over with a form and flute the edges (or mark all around with the prongs of a fork)
  
• Bake in preheated oven slowly for 25 mins till lightly colored and firm to touch
  
• Remove from oven and with a sharp knife, immediately cut into small wedges
  
• Cool on wire tray
  
• Serve with your favorite tea or coffee
  

Salmon with Garlic Ginger Butter

Here's another salmon dish that's pretty easy to make and takes just 10 mins to prepare and another 10 mins to cook.

Salmon with Garlic Ginger Butter

• 6 salmon fillets
  
• 150g butter (chopped)
  
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  
• 2 garlic (crushed)
  
• fresh ginger (grated)
  
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
  
• 1 tsp lemon rind (grate)
  
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
  
• steamed vegetables (bok choi) and steamed rice
  

How to make Salmon with Garlic Ginger Butter

• Cook salmon on heated oiled grill (or BBQ) till cooked as desire (I usually like mine a little pink in the middle)
  
• Remove and set aside
  
• In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter
  
• Add in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, lemon rind and juice
  
• Stir well to mix everything
  
• Spoon butter mixture over salmon and serve with steamed rice and vegetables
  

I have used this butter mixture over boiled butter. It works for any type of seafood.

German Apple Sponge Cake

Our neighbor, Mrs. D swears by this cake recipe that's been in her family for ages. So I asked if I could try her recipe and see how it goes. Much to my surprise, it actually worked even for a person like myself who have never made a German cake before.

Mrs. D has given me kind permission to publish her German Apple Sponge Cake Recipe. She offers this advice: "When it comes to choosing baking essence, you should go to a German delicatessen and buy the products that come from German." Good advice.

German Apple Sponge Cake

• 4 1/2 oz butter
  
• 4 1/2 oz sugar
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 7 oz plain flour
  
• 1 to 4 tbsp milk
  
• 4 drops of Oetker bakign essence (lemon flavor)
  
• 2 tsp Oetker baking powder (Backin)
  
• 1 1/2 lbs apple
  
• dash of icing sugar
  

How to make German Apple Spong Cake

• Cream teh butter and gradually add in sugar, eggs, salt and essence to it
  
• Mix and sieve together the flour and baking powder
  
• Add a tbsp at a time to the creamed ingredients
  
• As the mixture becomes firmer, add milk but only use as much milk as required to give a firm dropping consistency
  
• Fill mixture into a well greased round cake tin
  
• For the topping: peel apples and cut into squares
  
• Make a number of shallow slits on back of the quarters lengthways and lay them on the mixture
  
• Bake in moderately hot oven for 40 to 50 mins
  
• When cake is cool, dus with icing sugar
  

Salmon Quiche

I hail from a place where salmon is always fresh and available so it is no wonder that we get a lot of beautiful quiche that is made from salmon. Try this wonderful salmon quiche recipe for a change from the usual ham and cheese one. Instead of making the pastry from start, I opt for using those ready-made pastry that you can buy frozen from the store.

Ingredients for Salmon Quiche Filling

• 2 tsp butter
  
• 5 scallions (finely chopped)
  
• 1 piece of fresh salmon (chopped) or canned flaked salmon
  
• dash of paprika
  
• salt & pepper
  
• 2 tsp parsley
  
• 2 tsp dill weed
  
• 4 eggs
  
• 1/2 cup milk
  

How to make Salmon Quiche

• In a saucepan, melt butter and saute scallions till soft
  
• Remove from heat and set aside
  
• In a bowl, mix the salmon, parsely and dill weed till well incorporated
  
• In another bowl, break the eggs and whisk them
  
• Add in the fish mixture and paprika
  
• Add salt & pepper (adjust to taste)
  
• Add in milk
  
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 mins or till golden at the top
  

I usually like to serve my quiche with seasonal green salads.

Mimi's Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mimi took one look at my chocolate chip cookies and claims she can do better. She said her's was easy and a sure way to win a crowd. Not that I complained! Her cookies certainly tasted just as good. This is her sercret recipe which never fails.


Mimi's Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 250g butter
  
• 1.5 cup sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 small bag of chocolate chips
  
• 1 small bag of crushed walnuts (or any nuts you wish) - optional
  

How to make Mimi's Version:

• Cream butter and sugar together till creamy mixture
  
• Add in eggs one at a time
  
• Add in flour (sieve first)
  
• Mix to smooth consistency
  
• Add in chocolate chips and/or nuts
  
• Bake in moderate oven till cookies turn golden brown
  

Mimi warns that she uses flour within 3 months of opening the package as she's a true believer in using baking items before the expiry date. Plain flour will keep longer stored ina cool dry place however, if you choose to use self-raising flour, she suggests using it within 2 months of opening or else you'll loose its raising agent.

I asked Mimi how you can tell when a flour has gone bad and she says, "It should have an unhealthy smell. But if you're in doubt, just throw the whole thing away and buy a new package."

Thanks, Mimi. I owe you one!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Right. The best ever chocolate chip cookie. This was passed down from my mother's mother to her then to yours truly. It has never failed me! So I'm going to break my family's recipe vault and share these delicious best ever Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe with you.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie

Ingredients for chocolate chip cookie

• 75g butter (or margarine)
  
• 75g white vegetable shortening
  
• 150g soft brown sugar
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
  
• 200g all-purpose flour
  
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 1 cup chocolate chips
  
• 1/4 cup nuts (chopped) - optional
  

How to make the Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie

• Preheat oven to moderate
  
• Mix and sift all the flour ingredients (flour, bicarbonate soda, salt)
  
• Set asside
  
• Using an eletric mixer, cream together the butter, vegetable shortening and sugar
  
• Add in the egg and vanilla essence
  
• Continue to beat till the mixture changes color (ie. becomes lighter)
  
• Add the rest of the ingredients (chocolate chips and nuts) and mix well
  
• Using two tsp, drop the mixture into little mounds onto a greased tray
  
• Bake for 12 to 20 mins or till golden brown and firm to touch
  

These cookies will store well in a tight-lid container for a week or so. Best eaten with a friend or family and a glass of cold iced milk!

Fish and Chips Your Kids will LOVE!

I kid you not! This twist on the classic fish and chips recipe will have your kids begging for more.

Fish and Chips Your Kids will LOVE!

Ingredients for fish and chips

• 4 potatoes (cut into even strips)
  
• 1 lb fish fillets (cod, pollock even salmon works fine)
  
• 2/3 cup flour
  
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
  
• 1 tbsp vinegar
  
• 2/3 cup water
  
• enough oil for deep-frying
  

How to make the best ever fish and chips

• Heat oil in deep fryer
  
• Deep fry the potatoes (chips) - put in one at a time so they don't stick together in basket
  
• Use a long metal stick or fork to stir to keep them from sticking more
  
• Fry till golden brown
  
• Drain on paper towel
  
• Place potatoes in a single layer on cookie sheet and keep warm in oven
  
• Do the rest till you finish with all the chips
  
• Cut fish fillets into bite-size pieces
  
• PAT DRY with paper towel
  
• In small bowl, mix in baking soda with vinegar
  
• In a larger bowl, add the flour
  
• Slowly add in the water to the flour, whisking as you go
  
• Add in baking soda mix and whisk till there are no lumps
  
• Dip fish into batter, allow excess to drip off
  
• Fry about 4 to 5 pieces at a time (don't use the basket), turning fish once till golden brown
  
• Drain on paper towels
  
• You can broil the fish and chips in oven for a bit to make them warm and crispy
  
• Just before serving, sprinkle with sea salt or kosher salt
  

Strawberry Crepes

This delightful recipe came from France. I've made quite a few batch for a morning breakfast. Though it takes a bit of time, the results are well-worth the effort. You can freeze leftover crepes in your freezer.

Strawberry Crepes from France

Ingredients

• 1 egg
  
• 1 1/4 cup milk
  
• 1 tbsp butter (melted)
  
• 1 1/4 cup sifted flour
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 4 cups fresh strawberries (or frozen)
  
• 3 firm ripe bananas
  
• 3/4 cup water
  
• 2 tbsp corn starch
  
• 1/2 cup sugar
  

How to make Strawberry Crepes

• Beat the egg, milk, butter, flour and salt till smooth
  
• Lightly grease a small skillet with oil
  
• Heat skillet, remove from heat then pour in 1/4 cup of batter
  
• Tilt pan to cover bottom quickly
  
• Return to heat, browning on 1 side only then cool on paper tower
  
• Makes about 7 or more crepes
  
• Stack between wax paper
  
• Make Strawberry Crepe Glaze: Crush 2 cups strawberries in a saucepan
  
• Add water and bring to a boil
  
• Simmer for 2 mins
  
• Sieve strawberries
  
• In the same saucepan, add in sugar and corn starch
  
• Add in the sieved strawberries, stir constantly till mixture bubbles
  
• Remove from heat
  
• Reserve 1 cup of the glaze
  
• Stir in 1 cup sliced berries into remaining glaze
  
• Spread 3 tbsp on unbrowned side of each creap, place them on a serving dish
  
• Add last cup of halved berries and sliced bananas
  
• Pour remaining glaze over all
  
• Cover and keep warm till serve time
  

Sesame Cookies from Greece

Martha from Greece gave me this recipe which was handed down from her grandmother then her mother and now to her. Thank you Martha for letting me share this recipe with the rest of the world.

This recipe makes a lot of cookies, depending on how big you make them so share them out with friends and family during teatime.

Sesame Cookies or Koulourakia

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb butter
  
• 6 eggs (keep 1 egg white aside)
  
• sesame seeds
  
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
  
• 6 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 6 cups flour
  
• 1 tsp vanilla essence or 2 tsp grated orange peel or 1 tsp nutmeg
  

How to make Sesame Cookies or Koulourakia

• In a food mixer, cream the butter
  
• Add in sugar gradually
  
• Beat in eggs one at a time
  
• Add in the vanilla essence (or orange peel or nutmeg)
  
• Sift the baking powder, flour and salt together
  
• Add them to the mixture to make a medium dough so it can be handled
  
• Pinch off pieces to a size of a walnut
  
• Roll the piece between hands and shape into twists (or whatever shape you want)
  
• Brush lightly with beaten egg white
  
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds
  
• Place on a greased cookie sheet
  
• Bake for 20 to 30 mins at 350 degree F. till golden brown
  

Easy Peasy Short Bread Cookies

Unbelievable as it may sound, you too can make your own easy short bread cookies. They're so delicious and you can store them in cans or bake enough to impress your boss or co-workers.

Short Bread Cookies

• 1 cup butter
  
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
  
• 1 1/2 cup instant white flour (I use Robinhood flour)
  
• 1/4 cup corn starch
  
• 1/4 cup rice flour
  

How to make Short Bread Cookies

• Knead all above ingredients till soft and blended
  
• Alternatively: use a mixer to mix everything well then place on floured board and knead for 10 mins
  
• Roll out into 1/2 inch thick and cut into small rectangles
  
• Baked them on a greased tray for 1 hour in moderate heat oven
  

As soon as it comes out of the oven, you can sprinkle with superfine sugar if you want.

The Oh My Goodness Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake is unbelievable. If sin is the word, then this chocolate cake fits the profile. I made this the other day and everyone just loved it! I adjusted the sugar quantity so it's a bit less sweet but you can add more sugar if prefer. Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and stawberries on the side and watch this disappear within minutes!

This makes a big quantity of cake so start off slow with your mixer then up the speed and make sure everything's incorporated.

The Oh My Goodness Chocolate Cake aka Rich Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 185g butter
  
• 2 tsp vanilla essense
  
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 2 cups self-raising flour
  
• 2/3 cup cocoa
  
• 1 cup water
  
  
  
  
  Chocolate Icing
  
  
• 90g dark chocolate (chopped)
  
• 30g butter
  
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
  
• 2 tbsp hot water (approx)
  

How to make The Oh My Goodness Chocolate Cake:

• Grease a 23cm deep round pan
  
• Combine butter, essence, sugar, eggs, flour and cocoa and water in a large bowl
  
• Beat on low speed till everything's combined
  
• Increase speed to medium till everything's smooth and changes in color (creamy brown)
  
• Spread into pan
  
• Bake in moderate oven for 45 mins or till done
  
• Stand 5 mins on wire rack to cool before you start with the icing otherwise icing will melt!
  
• To make chocolate icing: Melt chocolate and butter in bowl over hot water
  
• Gradually stir in shifted icing sugar
  
• Mix enough hot water to a spreadable consistency
  
• Spread icing on top of chocolate cake
  

Almond Biscuits

I can't believe this recipe is so easy to make and the biscuits taste extra yummy! This is an awesome recipe to make with kids.

Almond Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
  
• 225g flour
  
• 75g butter
  
• 50g sugar
  
• 1 to 2 tbsp condensed milk
  
• Handful of almonds (chopped)
  
• Egg yolk for glazing
  

How to make Almond Biscuits:

• Using an electric beater, cream the sugar and butter
  
• Add in egg
  
• Slowly add in flour and condensed milk
  
• Should be a firm dough-like consistency
  
• Roll out dough on a floured board to 1/2 cm thickness
  
• Use a cookie cutter to cut out the biscuits
  
• Glaze biscuits with egg yolk and sprinkle with chopped almonds on top
  
• Place in baking trays
  
• Bake in moderate oven for 20 to 25 mins or till brown
  
• Cool before storing
  

Nutty Cornflakes Bars

So easy, your friends won't believe it!

Nutty Cornflakes Bars

Ingredients:

• 100g chocolate chips
  
• 25g sultanas or raisins
  
• 25g walnuts (chopped)
  
• 75g cornflakes (crushed)
  

How to make Nutty Cornflakes Bars:

• Melt chocolates into a bowl using microwave
  
• Mix sultanas, walnuts and cornflakes into chocolate and stir gently till all cornflakes are covered with chocolate
  
• Lightly greased a 12 cm square tray
  
• Press cornflake mixture into tray
  
• Place tray into the refrigerator to set
  
• When mixture is firm (after about 1 hour), remove tray from refrigerator and cut into bars
  
• Use knife in jug of warm water to cut
  
• Store bars in air-tight container
  

Souvlaki

This easy to make souvlaki is one of my favorite recipe. No need to buy store-made marinate when you can make this at home easily.

Greek Souvlaki

• 1 lb lamb or beef (cut into cubes)
  
  
  
  
  Marinade
  
  
• 3 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
  
• 1/2 tsp marjoram
  
• freshly ground pepper
  

Soak meat in marinade for several hours or overnight. Place meat on skewers and broil 3 to 4 inches from heat source. Broil for about 5 to 7 mins per side till done. Brush with marinade while broiling.

Rosemary Massage Oil

Found this delightful concoction of Rosemary, Lavender and oil. I made a few batches for a few friends who love them.


Rosemary Massage Oil

• 1 handful freshly cut rosemary
  
• 1 spoonful thyme
  
• 1 spoonful lavender flowers
  
• a few mint leaves
  
• 1 cup sweet almont or sunflower oil
  

Mince the leaves and flowers, place in a bottle or a jar. Cover in oil and allow to soak in sun for a few weeks, stirring from time to time. Filter and pour into attractive bottles.

Vietnamese Coffee

What is a Vietnamese Filter?

A Vietnamese filter is a small coffee pot. It looks like a hat and sits upon the top of a coffee cup. Inside is a chamber for coffee and room for hot water. It is very basic and simple, and works!

This is a great website that shows you how Vietanamese Coffee works. I love this drink but be warned, it can get to be really strong!

Classic Butter Cake

This basic classic butter cake recipe can be cooked using a variety oc cake pans. All pans should be greased, the base lined with paper and then the paper greased. However, if using baking paper, you don't have to grease it again.

INGREDIENTS:

• 125g butter
  
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
  
• 3/4 cup castor sugar
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 1/2 cup self-raising flour
  
• 3/4 cup milk
  

How to make Classic Butter Cake:

• Cream butter, essence and sugar in a bowl with electric mixer till light and fluffy
  
• Beat in eggs one at a time
  
• Beat till fully combined
  
• Stir in half sifted flour and half milk, then stir in remaining flour and milk
  
• Pour mixture into prepared pan
  
• Bake at moderate heat
  
• To test for doneness: insert a steel stick into centre, it is done when the stick comes away clean