Apple Crisp/Crunch

Ingredients:

5-6 c. Jonathan Apples (one apple usually equals about a cup)

1 c. White sugar

2 tbs. Flour

1/2 c. Brown sugar

1/2 c. oatmeal

1/2 c. Flour (yes, you use it twice.)

1/2 c. butter (oleo)

1/2 tsp.cinnamon

Directions:

Peel apples and slice. Mix sugar and 2 tablespoons flour (the first mentioned). Place in buttered 8 x 8-inch pan or glass baking dish. Mix brown sugar, other flour, butter, oatmeal, and cinnamon until crumbly. Press over apples and bake 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Sorry I didn't take a pic of the finished product. :) You'll have to make it to see it! It tastes about like apple pie!

Cherry's Dahl

If you make this thinner, it makes a hearty soup. You could use any type of lentil, but the red ones cook quickest, and make the mushiest dahl. I like to put a spoon of yogurt on every plate with it.

1 onion
2-6 cloves garlic
1tsp each curry powder
garam masala
cinnamon
2tbs brown sugar
bayleaf
vegetables such as capsicum, peas, chopped carrot, eggplant...whatever you have.
red lentils (I don't know how much you eat, but the lentils swell up to about 3x the original quantity)
1 can coconut cream
1 can chopped tomatoes

First, fill up the jug and start it boiling.
Chop your onion, and fry it in the bottom of a large saucepan. While it is cooking, finely chop your garlic and other veg.
When the onion is transparent, add the garlic and spices, then the other vegetables and bayleaf.
Wait a few minutes, then stir in your lentils and canned coconut & tomatoes, with enough boiling water to cover everything about 3-4cm deep
Bring to the boil, then turn down and leave to simmer. You will have to stir it every 10 or so minutes, and may have to add more water. It will take about 20 minutes from when you add the water, or half an hour all up.
You will know it is done when the lentils have absorbed all the water and become mushy.

Serve by itself or with rice. If you don't like rice, you could peel and chop potatoes, and chuck them in to cook along with the lentils.

American Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

This might seem a strange recipe to come from a New Zealander; I have no idea if it is actually American. Whatever its origin, it is still a family favourite.

Ingredients:

200g butter 1 cup sugar
½ tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla
1 egg ½ tsp baking soda
¼ cup warm water 1 ½ cups flour
3 cups rolled oats ½ cup chocolate chips
½ cup raisins (optional)

Cream butter and sugar, salt and vanilla, add egg and beat until well creamed. Add baking soda dissolved in water. Add dry ingredients. Roll into balls and flatten slightly. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 12 – 15 minutes.

Caramel Pear Pudding

Don't expect this old-fashioned dessert to last long. The delicate pears and irresistible caramel topping make it simply scrumptious!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup Granulated Pure Cane Sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch ground cloves
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 medium pears, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup Pure Cane Dark Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, optional

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients; beat in milk until smooth. Stir in pears and pecans. Spoon into an ungreased 2-qt. baking dish.

In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter and water; pour over batter. Bake, uncovered, at 375° (180° C) for 45-50 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Yield: 8 servings.

Wild Rice Soup

OK this is one of my favorite soups ever!! My mom has made it so much that she does not even look at the recipe anymore, and I think she plays around with the amount of each ingredients but this is what she started out with.



Ingredients:
3c cooked wild rice
2c cubed cooked chicken
1c cubed 1/2 inch thick cooked ham
1c sliced celery
1 quart of 1/2 and 1/2
2 cans of chicken broth
1 med. onion shopped
1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper
to thicken soup:
1/4 cup of flour
3tblsp butter

Ok, so put the flour and butter to the side and combine everything else and let it simmer. After it gets good and hot combine the flour and melted butter, stir into soup until thicken. Enjoy!!

Zucchini Bread!

Okay girls --- we have got to keep posting recipes! I know I have failed to post in a while, but, we've got followers who want recipes! Let go!

Here's a delicious bread that I have made every day for a week! It makes two loaves, and we have devoured it fast! It is SO GOOD! Here is the recipe. I got it out of a church cookbook.

1 cup oil
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar or 2/3 cup honey
3 eggs
2 cups grated zucchini, raw and unpeeled (I have been using zucchini that we put in the food processor.)
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. cinnamon
3 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Blend oil, sugar and eggs. Add flour with soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Fold in zucchini and nuts. Mix well, but do not beat. Bake in 2 or 3 loaf pans at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center come out clean. Freezes well.

Pizza cassarole!

This is SO GOOD!!!! You've got to try it! I got the recipe on Allrecipes.com. I have it set on seven servings, but to change the servings, click here.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups uncooked egg noodles
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup sliced pepperoni sausage
16 ounces pizza sauce
4 tablespoons milk
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese


DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cook noodles according to package directions.
3. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the onion, garlic and green bell pepper. Drain excess fat. Stir in the noodles, pepperoni, pizza sauce and milk, and mix well. Pour this mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes, top with the cheese, then bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.

Super easy salsa!

Hey Girls! This is my quick and easy salsa recipe. You can add jalapenos (and anything else that you like in salsa) if you want, but I don't, because, um, the first time I made salsa I used jalapenos and I made sure to wash my hands afterwards, well, I did not wash then good enough and I rubbed my face and it started BURNING!!!! All over!!!!! I basically had to stick my face in a cup of milk. Well, anyway, enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 tomatoes
• 1 bunch of cilantro
• 1 can of whole tomatoes
• 1 large white onion

Directions:

1. Chop up the tomatoes, cilantro, and the onion.
2. Put everything in the blender, and pulse until all mixed.

That was quick and easy, right?

Announcement :)

Hi Girlies!!! Thanks Amanda, for posting that recipe! It sounds really good!

Okay, this week of Healthy Breakfast recipes is over... Now you can post whatever you want! :P

Just a quick note, girls, if you don't keep up with the blog posts, or you are not sure if a recipe has already been posted, please check. It would really be appreciated, it will help keep the blog organized. :) Thanks!

Post away!

Cinnamon Oat pancakes

Hi girls! This is a great recipe that I found in a cooking magizine called "Food Everyday" (http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/cinnamon-oat-pancakes?autonomy_kw=oat%20pancakes&rsc=header_1) I like that they are really tasty but they are 1/2 the fat and other "bad stuff". My whole family loved them! A great way to add a twist to them is by adding some frozen blueberries, rasins, or blackberries. Enjoy! ~ Amanda
Ingredients
Makes 20
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more for skillet (I use butter instead of oil)
Directions
In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and 1 cup oats and pulse a few times to coarsely grind oats. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and oil. Add dry ingredients and 1 cup oats and whisk just until moistened.
Heat a large skillet (nonstick or cast-iron) or griddle over medium. Lightly oil skillet. Using 2 to 3 tablespoons for each pancake, drop batter in skillet and cook until a few bubbles have burst, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until browned on undersides, 1 to 2 minutes more. Repeat with more oil and batter.

Banana Bread (no milk)

It makes one large loaf or two small ones. We have doubled this recipe before and it works fine. It is SO good!!!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup butter or oleo
• 1 cup (2-4) bananas, mashed (ripe if possible; we always use frozen and thawed)
• 3/4-1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugar
2. add eggs and crushed bananas to creamed mixture, mix well
3. sift together flour, soda and salt
4. stir into banana mixture
5. stir in nuts
6. pour into greased and floured pan(s)
7. bake in 350' oven, large pan 1 hour, small loaves 30-45 minutes

By my great-grandma :) (It was in a private church cookbook)

Remember to post your healthy breakfast recipes this week, girls!!!

Announcement!

Hey girls!!! Thank you, Felicity, for participating last week. :) This week is Healthy Breakfast recipes! So post your favorite (healthy) breakfast recipes this week! I have to run, but I just wanted to tell y'all the plan.

If you have any ideas for future themed weeks, questions, or comments, please comment on a post. I check it frequently. :)

Simple Chocolate Drop Cookies

My Mom has found this exact recipe numerous places by many different people, so I am not sure who came up with it first. :p

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) oleo (butter)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 cups quick oatmeal
• nuts (optional)

Directions:

• Boil sugar, milk, cocoa, and oleo for one minute.
• Remove from fire and add peanut butter, vanilla, quick oatmeal, and nuts if you want.
• Drop by teaspoons on waxed paper.
• Let them get hard and then remove them from the waxed paper.

Remember to post your chocolate dessert recipes this week!!!! Have fun!!!!

Self - Saucing Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients
1 cup (150) self-raising flour
2 teaspoons cocoa
1/4 cup (65g) butter
1/2 cup (125) caster sugar*
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup (125mL) milk

Sauce
1/2 cup (90g) brown sugar
1 tablespoon (10g) cocoa
1 1/4 cups (315mL) boiling water

Directions
Set oven at 175° C. Brush or spray ovenproof dish with oil.
Sift flour and cocoa.
Cream butter and caster sugar until light and creamy.
Add egg and walnuts, mixing well.
Stir in flour mixture and milk alternately. Pour into ovenproof dish

To make sauce
Combine brown sugar and cocoa. Sprinkle on top of mixture in dish ad pour boiling water gently over all this. (Warning - as soon as you put the boiling water on it starts to cook, so if you don't want to put it in the oven straight away leave this step off until you are ready.)
Bake at 175°C for 40-45 minutes.
May be dusted with icing sugar mixture and served with custard sauce or ice-cream

My family always makes a double batch for 14 of us plus visitors and there are always leftovers... if that gives you an idea of how much to make. :D Enjoy!

*we use normal sugar and it works fine!

This is from Cookery the Australian Way (7th edition) by Shirley Cameron and Suzanne Russell

Announcement

Hi Everyone! First I just want to tell y'all how proud I am of you for posting all these recipes. :) We have nearly forty already!

One of our new authors (Amanda) had a great idea. She thought that we should have themed times, like Mexican dishes for one week, English foods for two weeks, etc. Thanks, Amanda!

So, for the rest of this week and next week, we are going to have Chocolate Desserts week! I thought we should start with something fun. :D You can always post anything else, and you can post Chocolate dessert recipes anytime, but this is just for fun.

Just have in mind, that you need to say where you get your recipes from. For example: All Recipes.com or a cook book, please say where you got it and/or who wrote it.

Have fun y'all!

By the way, if anyone has any ideas for future themes please reply to this post. :D

Tararua Biscuits

These high energy biscuits are standard New Zealand tramping/hiking fare. They don't crumble easily and will last for weeks, as well as being simply scrumptious!

Ingredients:
250 g butter
250 g (1½ c) brown sugar
½ tin (200g) condensed milk
250 g (2 c) flour
190 g (2 c) rolled oats
2 tsp baking powder
45 g (½ c) coconut


Melt butter, sugar and condensed milk together in large pot. Add flour, rolled oats and baking powder. Divide in half. Spread each half onto a greased tray – spread with a knife into 30 X 30 cm square, keeping edges neat and straight. Repeat with the other half.

Cook at 150° C for 10-15 minutes till light to golden brown. Cut each tray into 25 biscuits – 5 X 5.
Gently loosen, move and leave on tray. To harden biscuits a little more, return to oven which has been turned off – leave for another 5-10 minutes.

Options: Add ½ c chopped nuts and/or ½ c currants.

Cinnamon Apple Bars

Ingredients
· 3-4 apples
· 2/3 cup margarine
· 1 cup brown sugar
· 2 eggs
· 1 cup flour
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
· 2 teaspoons cinnamon
· 1 teaspoon nutmeg
· 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
· 1 cup rolled oats
· sliced almonds, to garnish (optional)

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C).
Peel and core apples; dice.
Cream margarine and sugar; add eggs and beat well.
Mix dry ingredients together in small bowl; then add to creamed mixture.
Stir in oats and apples; press into greased 9 by 14-inch pan; garnish with sliced almonds.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Cake Mix Oatmeal Cookies

By Hannah

Oven 350 F (180 C)

1 Box of cake mix (note: please don't use chocolate cake mix, I don't know what it is, but they taste like bricks if you use a chocolate mix)
1 Egg
1/3 cup of water
1/4 cup oil
1 cup of Oatmeal

Mix everything together and bake.

Easy Muffins

By Kimberley

Serves: 12
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Great for lunch boxes or morning/ afternoon tea.

Ingredients
1 3/4 cup self-raising flour
1/2 cup milk choc bits
1/2 cup white choc bits
1 1/4 cup milk
75g butter, melted
1 cup Milo
1 egg

Method
1. Combine sifted flour and choc bits in a bowl.
2. Combine milk, butte and Milo. Add to dry ingredients with lightly beaten egg, mix well.
3. Spoon mixture into deep lined muffin pans.
4. Bake 200 degree Celsius for 20-25 minutes.

For an extra surprise place a Caramello square or Rolo in the centre of muffin before baking. I've been using choc buttons instead of bits for mine. And also dark choc instead of milk choc to cut down some of the sweetness. You can alter the recipe slightly to your liking. Have fun!

Cherry Coffee Cake

This is a delicious desert! And you don't have to use cherries.....

Ingredients:

• 1 24oz can of any pie filling, such as: cherry or apple
• 2 containers of crescent rolls (the kind where you pop the container open)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 8oz pack of Cream Cheese
• 1/2 tsp flavoring (such as: vanilla extract, almond extract.)
• 1 egg

1. preheat oven to 350'
2. lay out the crescent rolls in your pizza platter, cake pan, or whatever you are using. And roll it out flat.
3. pour your pie filling on top, and spread it out, leave a little room on the sides.
4. mix together the Cream Cheese, egg, flavoring, and powdered sugar, and pour on top of the pie filling, spread it out.
5. if you have extra crescent rolls, then you can be creative with it!
6. bake for 20 minutes.