Archive for the ‘ Snacks ’ Category

Spinach & Cheese bites

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

Summary: Years ago a recipe book by Peg Bracken titled I Hate To Cook Book introduced budding home cooks to the secret shortcuts most cooks use but don’t tell. Among many gems was the suggestion that if the presentation looks posh, guests will decide the dish is posh. “Knee-deep in baby brown orchids” was her recommendation for serving a dish that was basically canned tuna and macaroni cheese. Spinach and cheese pie is today’s version of Bracken’s dish; bake it in a big old pie dish, but cut it into perfect little squares, set them over scattered salad leaves casually arranged on a large white plate and wait for the compliments. Add orchids if available. Or gild the lily by placing a caper berry on each square.

Ingredients

  • 1 envelope of bunched spinach
  • 250g cottage cheese 2 cups of grated cheese; cheddar and parmesan are ideal but add any ends of cheese to the mix
  • 3 eggs, lightly whisked
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Salt and pepper to taste
  2. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
  3. Lightly oil a large baking tin (approx 18cm x 28cm).
  4. Wash the spinach thoroughly ensuring no grit remains.
  5. Chop stalks into tiny pieces, tear leaves into rough pieces and put everything into a saucepan over high heat.
  6. There should be enough water on the leaves to steam-cook them.
  7. Remove and drain as soon as the leaves wilt.
  8. Leave to cool while you mix all other ingredients in a bowl.
  9. Add spinach and mix again.
  10. Bake in the hot oven for 25-30 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the pie a bit wobbly in the middle.
  11. Remove and cool to warm – or cold – cut into small squares and serve.

Diet type: Vegetarian

Meal type: cocktail

Thanks to @elpie for this one

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Lemon Loaf Recipe

Monday, October 26th, 2009

This is a great lemon loaf for every day lunch boxes, morning teas, and similar. Does not do overly well in fan bake oven apparently. This was submitted by Vanessa Liddell :)

Ingredients:

  • 100g Butter
  • 1 Cup Caster Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Cup Self-Raising Flour
  • ½ Cup Flour
  • ½ Tsp Salt
  • ½ Cup Milk
  • Rind off one Lemon

Topping

  • ¼ Cup Caster Sugar
  • Juice of one Lemon

Instructions

  1. Add butter and sugar together and beat until creamy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, beating quite well between each one.
  3. Add sifted flour (normally I use Self-Raising flour and add 1 heaped teaspoon of baking
    powder).
  4. Add salt, milk and rind of one lemon
  5. Put into a greased loaf tin with a lining in the bottom,
  6. place in a hot oven at 180 degrees for 45 minutes.

Topping:

  1. Mix Caster Sugar and lemon together until dissolved (I
    usually put in more juice from another half lemon).
  2. Pour over cake when you take it out of the oven (should be quite hot).

Cooking time (duration): 1 Hour

Number of servings: As many as you need

Meal type: Snack

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Jonos Lunch (quick easy pasta)

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Summary: This recipe originates as something derived from my boss ‘jono’ who used to bring in pasta for lunch most days. This is a quick easy recipe the kids love to eat both hot and cold. It goes along side most other dishes, and is easily customizable.

Ingredients

  • 1 Packet of Pasta (500gm packet)
  • 1 tin of chopped tomatoes (440gm)
  • 1 Tablespoon of sugar (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1/2 cup Grated cheese/Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Cook the packet of pasta boiling it.
  2. When cooked, mix in the can of chopped tomatoes, sugar, and cumin.
  3. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
  4. Microwave for 3-5 minutes until heated through, and cheese is melted.
This meal is primarily pasta with a vague tomato/cheese/herb taste.
Also tastes great with Chilli if you like it hot, and/or Meatballs or chunks of meat,
The sugar isn’t needed if you use pre-flavoured tomatoes of any kind.

Cooking time (duration): 2

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet (other): Reduced fat

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: lunch

My rating: 4.0 stars
****

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