Cheese or beef pasty

A pasty makes a nice quick and easy meal. It can be served on its own or with a good green salad or fresh or frozen peas, or tomato salad. Everyone loves it and it will be a sure hit with your family and friends. it can be served cold if you want to take it ona picnic. 1 roll puff pastry 1 packet instant potato 2 large onions sliced 250 grams cheese (cheddar or what available) or 250 gram lean beef mince minced parsley salt and pepper to taste Egg to glaze Unroll puff pastry and place on an oiled backing tray. Cover with cold potato, onions, and sliced cheese or beef (or use both if you wish!) Cover with parsley and season to tste with salt and pepper. Fold over the pastry till it meets in the middle and press edges together to form a pasty. Glaze with egg glaze Bake in a preheated oven for about 25 minutes until golden Serve with tomato sauce,mayonnaise., or gravy

Honey and Carrot Cake

Carrot cake seems so much a Zimbabwe food that I have to include my favourite recipe! Great for a snack or with a cup of coffee. 1/2 cup butter or margarine -- softened 1 cup honey 2 eggs 2 cups finely grated carrots 1/2 cup golden raisins (nice but optional) 1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional) 1/4 cup orange juice 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Cream butter in large bowl. Gradually beat in honey until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine carrots, raisins, nuts, if desired, orange juice and vanilla in medium bowl. Combine dry ingredients in separate large bowl. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with carrot mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Pour batter into greased 13 × 9 × 2-inch pan. Bake at 350ºF 35 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean.

Tomato Snack

This is just right for a snack at lunchtime or for an evening snack on a day when you have had a large lunch!

6 slices bacon 4 medium ripe, firm, tomatoes -- washed and cored 6 slices whole wheat or sourdough bread 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese -- grated - or use cheddar if preferred Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make sure the rack is in the center of the oven. Spread out bacon slices in the baking pan. Put on oven mitts and place pan in the oven. bake for 10 minutes, until crispy. Remove, wearing oven mitts, and place pan on a heatproof surface to cool. When the bacon has cooled remove with a fork and place on paper towel to drain excess grease. When bacon is cool to the touch, crumble and set aside. On a cutting board cut the tomatoes into thick slices. Place the slices of bread on a cookie sheet Arrange two slices of tomato on each slice of bread, sprinkle bacon crumbs over the tomato and top with grated cheese. Put on oven mitts and place cookie sheet in center of oven. Bake for approximately 7 minutes, until cheese. melts. Remove from oven, wearing oven mitts, and transfer to a cutting board using a spatula. Cut each slice in half and serve.

If you do not want to use bacon omit the bacon and sprinkle the cheese with curry powder - tastes great!