Apricot Couscous Pudding

Talking of couscous - if you like it as much as our family does then try this recipe for a change! You can use any dried fruit you like - peaches, pears or even prunes! 1/2 cup milk 3 tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup dried apricots 1 vanilla bean -- pulp scraped or vanilla essence 1 1/2 cups steamed couscous 1 container apricot flavored yogurt - (8 oz) 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon Heat milk, sugar and apricots (chopped) in medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to simmer, remove from heat, cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Add pulp from vanilla bean to milk (or add essence) and whisk to combine. Pour mixture over couscous in bowl and add yogurt. Stir to combine. Divide evenly among 4 custard cups, sprinkle with cinnamon and refrigerate for 1 hour. This recipe yields 4 servings.

Couscous

Want something different to serve with a meat or chicken dishes - try this very easy and tasty alternative to rice or potatoes.

Couscous is a grain that is quick to prepare. try alternatives - use chopped macadamia instead of pine nuts or omit the currents and add some chopped chili or green and red pepper.

Make a full meal by adding cooked pealed prawns! delicious - but leave out the currents again! 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - (1/2 stick) 3/4 cup chopped onion 3 cups Chicken Stock - use a cube

1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper 1 1/2 cups couscous 1/2 cup pine nuts -- toasted 1/4 cup currants Melt the butter in a large saute pan, add the onions and cook for 3 minutes over medium heat. Add the chicken stock, salt and pepper, raise the heat to high and bring the stock to a boil. Off the heat and add the couscous. Cover the pan and let it sit for 10 minutes. Add the pine nuts and currants to the couscous, stir and serve. This recipe yields 6 to 8 servings.

Fudgy Chocolate Delights

100 Grams Butter 25 Milliliters Golden Syrup 200 Grams Tennis Biscuits -- lightly crushed 25 Grams Raisins 50 Grams Candied Cherries 150 Grams Baking Chocolate -- CHOPPED ****Icing**** 50 Grams Baking Chocolate 25 Milliliters Milk 25 Milligrams Butter 175 Grams Powdered Icing Sugar -- sifted Melt butter and syrup and stir in biscuit crumbs, fruit and chocolate - mix well - (chocolate should melt completely but butter not become oily). Press into a cling wrap lined 500 gram loaf tin and refrigerate overnight if possible. Turn out onto a serving plate and remove cling wrap. Place icing ingredients except icing sugar in a bowel and melt. Add icing sugar and beat in well - spread over loaf and mark with a fork - serve sliced - decorate with extra cherries if required or nuts such as pecan halves.

A tot of brandy, rum or whiskey may be added with the melted butter and syrup - this makes it an ideal end to a special meal.

You may serve it with whipped cream or even a good ice cream but be warned it is very rich.

Fresh Fruit Sorbet in Seconds

This is a lovely light dessert for a hot summer's day. It can be made with almost any soft fruit and a tot of vodka, rum. brandy or whisky elevates it to a real dining experience.

4 cups fresh fruit -- see directions 1/2 cup fresh orange juice sugar to taste 1 pinch salt mint or fresh fruit -- for garnish For fresh fruit: Use 4 cups of sliced strawberries or peeled peaches, nectarines, kiwi fruit, bananas, papayas, or mangoes. Before freezing, toss peach, nectarine, or banana slices with about 2 tablespoons lemon juice to prevent browning. 1. Spread sliced fruit in one layer on a baking sheet. Freeze, uncovered, until frozen solid. 2. Place frozen fruit and orange juice in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth, stopping to scrape work bowl as necessary. If your machine struggles to process the frozen fruit, let fruit stand 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature to thaw slightly. Depending on the size of your blender or food processor, you may have to process fruit in several batches. 3. Add sugar and salt (amount of sugar will depend on the sweetness of the fruit). Makes 3 to 4 cups (about 6 servings). Sorbets can be made about an hour before serving and held in the freezer. After about an hour, the edges get icy and the mixture must be re-processed.

Birthday Cake For a Diabetic Recipe

I have had several requests about a birthday cake for diabetics - this one is courtesy of Information About Diabetes.com - there are other recipes on this site as well. It sounds so good that even non diabetics should enjoy it. Use ordinary unsweetened whipped cream. Birthday Cake For Diabetic Recipe Ingredients: 2 cup sifted cake flour 2 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 6 tbsp margarine, softened 1 1/4 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp almond extract 1 cup sugar 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup sugar-free strawberry jam 1 cup nondairy whipped topping Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two 8 inch round cake pans with parchment paper or waxed paper. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. With an electric mixer at medium speed, cream together margarine,vanilla and almond extract until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating constantly. Add egg; beat until mixture is fluffy. Then, stirring with a spoon, add the dry ingredients alternately with milk, stirring after each addition until batter is smooth.Turn into the prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until done. When cool spread the strawberry jam between the layers. Spread whipped topping on the top. Store in refrigerator until just before serving. If you want you can add a drop of red food colouring to the whipped topping before putting it on top of cake. Birthday Cake For Diabetic Recipe provided for you by Information About Diabetes.com

Chard Tart

This is a bit complex but really good. i use 'Bright Lights' chard in red and yellow - they have a nice mellow flvour.

=== crust === 1 package active dry yeast 1 teaspoon sugar 1/4 cup warm water 3 tablespoons sour cream 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons butter -- softened 1/2 teaspoon salt === filling === 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion -- thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper -- seeded, sliced thin 1 pound Swiss chard -- (preferably ruby -- chard) 1 egg 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves salt -- to taste black pepper -- freshly ground, to -- taste 3/4 pound cheddar cheese -- grated Combine the yeast, sugar, and water in a small bowl, and let sit until foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the sour cream and egg, then stir in 1/2 cup of the flour and the butter and salt. Add the yeast mixture and mix thoroughly. Gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour until a soft dough is formed. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until it is no longer sticky, adding a bit more flour if needed. Place the dough in a buttered bowl, turning to butter the entire surface. Cover and let dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. For the filling, heat the oil in a skillet, and slowly sauté the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper slices and sauté for 5 minutes longer. Preheat the oven to 350F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully rinse and clean the Swiss chard and chop coarsely, including the stems. Cook the chopped chard and stems for 2 minutes in the boiling water. Drain the chard and squeeze out as much water as possible. Stir together the egg, basil, pepper, salt, and the cooked chard. Grease a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Punch down the dough and roll out on a floured surface to form a 14-inch circle. Fit the dough into the tart pan, trimming the excess from the edges. Spread the onion and pepper slices over the bottom of the tart shell. Cover with the Swiss chard mixture, then top with the cheese. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden. Cut into wedges and serve hot. This recipe serves 10 to 12 as an appetizer or 4 to 6 as a light lunch.

Zimbabwe Fondue

This is a classic with a difference - a clove or two of finely chopped garlic would add to the flavour - if you line this! I often add a teaspoon of dry mustard to the flour as our cheese, at the moment, is very bland - this is a choice you can make - sometimes a bit of salt is also needed depending on your taste and the flavour of the cheese. 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups milk 2 finely chopped red and yellow peppers mixed 1/2 envelope dry onion soup mix 1 pound cheese - cheddar or good tasting Gouda Put flour into fondue pot. Gradually add milk, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Add peppers and soup mix. Gradually add cheese, stir until melted. Reduce heat to maintain slight bubbles during serving. Dip cubes of French bread, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, ham cubes. You can replace the milk with dry white wine - add a very small tot of vodka if you do so that the cheese does not go stringy.

Gluten Free Shortbread

We have friends who cannot take any wheat - and so this is a good recipe to give them - you can coat the shortbread's in chocolate and sandwich them with butter cream for an extra treat!

If you can eat wheat - well they are just as delicious!

½ cup cornstarch 175 grams butter (3/4 cup) 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar 1 cup rice flour Sift the dry ingredients. cornstarch, sugar and rice flour together.

Add butter. Mix with hands until soft dough forms. (or use a food processor) Refrigerate one hour. Shape dough into 2 1/2 cm balls. Place about 3 cm apart on greased cookie sheet Flatten with lightly floured fork. Bake at 150 C for (300 degrees Fahrenheit) 20-25 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Variations Coated Shortbread Form balls as above. Roll in finely crushed corn flakes or crushed nuts. Jelly Shortbread Press top of ball with thumb. Add a dab of jelly. Nuts and or Zest Mix in 2 Tbls. finely chopped peel and/or 2 Tbls. finely chopped nuts. Flatten with lightly floured fork.

Cheese lasagna

An entirely vegetarian lasagna! Cheese and vegetables together with sauce and noodles make this an unusual and tasty alternative to meat lasagna. 3 tablespoons Olive oil 1 cup Minced onions 1 cup Thinly sliced green peppers (I like to use red and yellow and often increase the amount) 2 Garlic cloves -- minced (or to taste) 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt 1/4 teaspoon Pepper 1/2 teaspoon Oregano (if using fresh increase the amount to taste) 2 tablespoons Chopped parsley 1 can Tomatoes 1 can Tomato sauce 1/2 cup Grated dry Gouda or Edam cheese 1/2 pound Lasagna (no cook variety) 3/4 pound Swiss cheese -- sliced 1 1/2 pounds Cottage cheese Heat the olive oil; cook the onions, green peppers and garlic in it for 10 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, tomatoes and tomato sauce. Cover and cook over low heat 30 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons Gouda cheese. Spread 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of a 12- by 8-inch baking dish. Arrange alternating layers of the lasagna, Swiss, cottage cheese, a sprinkling of the Gouda and spread with sauce; then repeat until all the ingredients are arranged in layers in baking dish. Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle top with remaining Gouda cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven 35 minutes. Serve hot. Serves 8. Accompany by a good green salad and garlic bread.

Coconut Surprise.

This recipe pairs two unlikely ingredients with each other, red wine and coconut. The acidity of the red wine and the sweetness of the coconut flavored custard together with refreshing mango flesh make this dessert a real summer treat.This is an ideal recipe to serve at the end of a summer meal.

For the gelee 1 bottle, 750 ml (25 fl oz) red wine, a light red wine like a Pinot Noir, Gamay or Beaujolais is preferable ¼ orange, zest only 180 g (6 oz) granulated sugar 5 black peppercorn 2 whole cloves 3 egg whites 3 gelatin leaves, soaked in cold water

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring gently to simmer. Simmer for about minutes. Set aside to cool. Carefully strain the mixture through a cheesecloth. Measure the liquid. You will need 750 mL. Add water as necessary to get required amount.Heat up the wine mixture to 60 C (140 F), then add the softened gelatin. Stir to dissolve the gelatin completely. Place the mixture over an ice bath to cool it. Occasionally stir the mixture. It should firm up slightly after about 15 - 20 minutes in the ice bath For the coconut custard 300 ml (10 fl oz) whole milk 100 ml (3 1/3 fl oz) heavy cream 1 whole egg 6 egg yolks 70 g (2 1/3 oz) granulated sugar 60 ml (2 fl oz) coconut milk and rum mixed in equal quantities 90 g (3 oz) ripe mango flesh diced 30 g (1 oz) granulated sugar For the coconut cream Bring the milk to boil, take off the heat and leave to cool In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, the whole egg and the egg yolks and whisk well until foamy Add the egg mixture to the milk, place back onto the heat and under constant stirring with a wooden spoon bring the mixture to simmering until it thickens. Be careful not to boil the mixture, as the eggs would coagulate. The mixture should cover the wooden spoon well, as a sign that the custard is cooked enough. Immediately transfer in a new bowl, add the cream and the coconut milk and rum and cool over ice until completely cold. Place the chopped mango at the bottom of the serving glass, then top with the red wine gelee. Place in the fridge. Chill for 20 minutes until gelee is firm enough to hold up the coconut cream. Top with the coconut cream and smoothen out the surface with the back of the spoon. Chill until ready to serve.Before serving, sprinkle the granulated sugar over the surface of the coconut cream and then torch it to a nice golden color.

Decorate with grated coconut and glace cherries or any fruit - be inventive!

Serve immediately.

White Chocolate and Macadamia Nut Brownies

This is a change from the traditional brownie - easy to make and easy to eat - you will not have many left in your cake tin once the family gets to them!!!!!!!

2/3 cup macadamia nuts (almonds and pecans also work well) 1 cup plain flour -- plus 2 tbsp. 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons water 9 ounces white chocolate (use slab chocolate or chocolate chips) 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. If nuts are salted, blanch in boiling water to cover for 30 seconds to remove salt. Rinse under cold running water and transfer to a baking sheet. Toast in a 325 degrees F oven until golden brown. Let cool, then coarsely chop. If nuts are unsalted, just toast and chop. 2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. 3. Place butter, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cut 6 ounces of the white chocolate into large (1- or 2-inch) chunks and the remaining 3 ounces into small (1/4-inch to 1/2-inch) chips. 4. When butter has melted, remove from heat, add the 6 ounces white chocolate chunks and stir until chocolate melts. 5. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until just blended. Stir in the 3 ounces of white chocolate chips and the nuts. 6. Spread batter in a greased 8- or 9-inch square baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, then cut into squares.

You can ice them and place in paper cases for a festive touch! * Time saver Tip: Brownie batter can be made ahead and frozen before baking. Line an 8- or 9-inch square pan with heavy-duty foil. Spoon batter into pan. Freeze batter, uncovered, until frozen solid. Remove from pan and wrap tightly. Label and date package. Freeze at 0 degrees F up to 4 weeks. To bake, peel foil from batter and place in greased pan. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven until skewer inserted in center comes out clean (40 to 50 minutes). Microwave Version: Chocolate may be melted in a microwave oven. Place butter and chocolate in a small glass bowl. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute, stir, then continue microwaving 1 to 3 minutes more. Stir until smooth. Do not overheat or chocolate will scorch around edges and won't blend smoothly. Stir in sugar and water and continue with step 5.

Crispy Garlic

Ever wondered how the restaurants make the crispy garlic they serve with steak or other dishes?

Well here is a simple and quick way to make it! We serve it on steak or chicken, pork or almost any meat and also on spaghetti!

Very tastly and garlic is so good for you!

Take a tablespoon of butter - must be butter - marg does not work! Put into a pirex or other very heat proof dish. Add about a large handful of chopped (not too finely) garlic.

Place in a microwave and microwave on high for two minutes - then microwave at minute intervals until the garlic is brown but not dark brown or it will be bitter.

Remove from the microwave and cool.

Serve over meat or spaghetti!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas - will post again very soon

Chocolate Mini-Puffs

Very easy and good with either afternoon tea, morning coffee or after a meal with a good expresso!

This is a good change from mince pies and Christmas cake.

1/2 (17.3-ounce) package Frozen Puff Pastry 3 tablespoons sugar -- divided 1 cup heavy cream 1/3 cup cocoa Thaw pastry sheet at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Unfold pastry on a lightly floured surface. Roll to make a 14 × 9-inch rectangle. Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut into 24 rounds. Prick rounds with fork tines. Brush with water; sprinkle lightly with sugar, using a total of 1 1/2 teaspoons. Place pastries on an ungreased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake 10 minutes or until puffed and golden. Meanwhile, in a small bowl with electric mixer on high, beat cream, cocoa and the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Split each round in half. For each mini-puff, spoon about 2 teaspoons of chocolate mixture on bottom half; top with remaining pastry half and 1 teaspoon of chocolate mixture; repeat with remaining rounds. Decorate with chocolate curls or chocolate sprinkles and a dusting of cocoa, if desired.

Old Fashined Beef Stew

This is a make ahead meal in one dish - serve with a salad and garlic bread.

1 1/2 pounds cubed beef - this can be any cut you like but the more tender the better 2 onions sliced 6 garlic cloves 1 packet brown onion soup - dried 5 carrots -- cut in chunks 1 glass wine - red or white water to cover ingredients well ( about 250 ml less than the soup packet recommends for soup)

potatoes - grated Mix all ingredients, except potatoes , and place in casserole. Cover top with raw potatoes. Cover and bake at 250F for about 4 hours

Crustless Spinach Quiche

Ideal for a summer lunch served with a tomato and olive salad!

1 large onions -- chopped 1 tablespoon oil 10 ounces spinach cooked and finely chopped 5 eggs 12 ounces strong cheese -- shredded 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 dash black pepper Thaw and press spinach dry. Preheat oven to 350. Saute‚ onion in oil in large skillet until tender. Add spinach and cook until excess moisture evaporates; cool. Combine eggs, cheese, salt, and pepper; stir into spinach mixture. Pour into greased 9" pie plate. Bake 30 minutes, until set.

You may add mushrooms if wished - saute with the spinach and onion.

Garlic is also a very good addition to this recipe.

If you like a crust then place the mixture into your favourite savorty pie crust.

Potato Peels

In a country struggling for food we use everything we can. If potatoes have to be peeled we save the scrubbed peels and fry them until crisp in the deep fryer. Drain them well and sprinkle with salt. Very good served with sundowners!

African Apricot Chicken

This is simplicity itself. A good entertaining dish as all the preparation can be done beforehand and the cooking is quick. It is very delicious too! Ideal for our hot lazy days!

3 pounds boneless chicken breasts -- cut into 4 inch chunks 2 cloves garlic -- minced salt and pepper to taste 4 medium onions -- finely chopped 2 tablespoons oil 1 1/2 teaspoons coriander 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons hot curry powder 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 4 tablespoons apricot jam 2 tablespoons flour 30 dried apricot halves 1 onion -- cut into 2 inch 2 bay leaves In a large bowl, combine chicken pieces, garlic, salt and pepper; set aside. In a medium frying pan, fry onions in oil until golden. Stir in coriander, cumin and curry powder. Stir to coat onions, then add brown sugar, lemon juice and jam. Add 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. When cool, pour over chicken. Add bay leaves and refrigerate overnight. The next day, thread meat with onions and apricots on skewers. Grill over coals or broil in oven (7 minutes on each side). While meat grills, remove bay leaves from marinade and transfer it to a heavy pot. Bring to a boil. Serve over rice.

Harare Bananas

As usual with my recipes this one has several variations. You have to be prepared in Zimbabwe! This can be made in a saucepan on a gas or electric stove or over an open fire in a black pot!

A lovely dessert ideal for family and friends 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 3 tablespoons brown sugar 1/4 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon dark rum or brandy -- (optional) 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 bananas ice cream or pound cake Melt butter in a pan. Stir in brown sugar, orange juice, rum or brandy (if used), and cinnamon. Bring to a boil; cook and stir over medium-high heat for several minutes, or until mixture is reduced by about one quarter. Sauce will be slightly syrupy. Peel bananas, split in half lengthwise, then cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces, or slice bananas crosswise into 1-inch chunks. Add bananas to sauce in pan. Cook bananas just enough to heat through, basting with sauce. Do not overcook, or bananas will be mushy. Spoon bananas and sauce over ice cream or cake. Serve immediately. Recipe can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead. Just before serving, reheat sauce and add bananas. Variation: Split 3 bananas lengthwise, then cut in half. Follow directions above, adding 2 tablespoons whipping cream or half-and-half along with ingredients in step 1. Arrange 3 banana slices per serving on dessert plates. Spoon on sauce. Garnish with mint sprig. Microwave Version Place butter in a 9- or 10-inch glass pie plate. Microwave on 100% power 30 to 45 seconds to melt. Stir in brown sugar, orange juice, rum (if used), and cinnamon. Microwave on 100% power 2 to 3 minutes, or until mixture is reduced by about one quarter. Stir once during cooking. Sauce will be slightly syrupy. Meanwhile, peel bananas. Split lengthwise, then cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces, or slice bananas crosswise into 1-inch chunks. Add bananas to sauce, spooning sauce over bananas to baste. Microwave on 100% power 30 to 45 seconds, just to heat bananas through. Do not overcook, or bananas will be mushy. Spoon bananas and sauce over ice cream or cake. Serve immediately.

Berry Jam

A very good and easy recipe for jam which uses up the excess berries on the bushes and trees.

4 cups crushed berries (Mulberries are in season and very good) 4 cups sugar To prepare fruit. Sort and wash berries. Crush the berries. Put very seedy berries through a sieve or food mill. To make jam. Measure crushed berries into a pan or microwave proof dish. Add sugar and stir well. Boil rapidly, stirring constantly, to 9 degrees above the boiling point of water (221 degrees), or until the mixture thickens - if using microwave this will probably be about 25 minutes. Remove from heat; skim. Fill and seal containers. This recipe yields 4 half-pint jars. To preserve for a longer period add a tablespoon of vodka or brandy to the finished jam.