Split pea and Ham Soup

INGREDIENTS

200g split peas soaked overnight

1kg ham hock

2 onions roughly chopped

2 carrots roughly chopped

2 large potatoes cut into chunks

1 stick of celery

2 bay leaves

2l chicken stock

300g frozen peas

METHOD

1. Cover the ham hock and being to the boil. Discard the water.

2. Put all ingredients except frozen peas in the saucepan and being to the boil.

3. Summer for approx. 2 hours

4. Remove ham hock, cutting off ham into chunks

5. Add frozen peas, simmer five minutes then purée 

6. Add ham and serve 

Family Mince and Rice Bake

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped
1tbl Paprika
500g mince
1c uncooked rice
2 packets cup of soup tomato flavour
750ml water
2tsp wocerstershire sauce
Cheese


Method

1. Cook onion for a few moments, then add mince, cooking until brown
2. Add paprika and rice and stir
3. Add remaining ingredients (except cheese) and stir
4. Transfer all to an oven dish and bake at 180c for 45 minutes
5. Sprinkle with Cheese and cook for another 15 minutes until golden on top


*Check halfway through cooking - if it looks too dry, add a bit more water.

Swedish Meatballs and Noodles

Swedish Meatballs and Noodles
1 pack of meatballs, cooked and kept warm
1 pack of spiral pasta
2tbl flour
3tbl butter
1/2c cream
1c beef stock
salt/pepper/paprika
2tbl soy sauce
mustard to taste (optional)

1. Put the pasta on to cook
2. Melt butter in a saucepan
3. Add flour and cook until combined
4. Add remaining ingredients and cook until thick
5. Combine the drained pasta, meatballs and sauce together and serve.

(I paraphrased this recipe but the link can be found here)

Cashew, Parmasan and Basil Dip

An email from mum after she brought this around for afternoon tea.

Grate 10 g Parmesan cheese.  Set Aside.
Crush 1 small garlic clove.
Add 100g raw cashews and process to desired texture.
Add  parmesan cheese,
15 -30g grape seed oil, ( you could use olive, or macadamia etc)
1 tsp white vinegar (I used apple cider Vinegar)
A good handful of basil, ( or more)
Salt to taste
And process

Upside Down Apple Cake

Ingredients
4 eggs separated
1c caster sugar
zest of 1 lemon
80ml olive oil
80ml fruit juice (any kind)
1c plain flour
(for gluten free half cup of rice flour and half cup of almond meal)
3/4tsp baking powder (gluten free)
4 apples peeled, cored and cut into slices
Juice of half a lemon
4tbl brown sugar

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180c, Line and collar a round cake tin (springform if you have it works best)
2. Mix your apples, lemon juice and brown sugar together, and place on the bottom of the cake tin
3. Beat egg yolks with 1/2c caster sugar until very pale.
4. SLOWLY add oil and juice (slowly or it will curdle)
5. Add in flour and baking powder, beating one minute or until smooth. Set aside
6. Whisk egg whites until soft peaks form (not stiff or the cake will be tough)
7. Add 1/2c caster sugar slowly until incorporated
8. Fold into cake mixture 1/3 at a time GENTLY
9. Cook for 40-45 minutes

Leave in the pan for an hour before turning out.

THE Best Minestrone Soup Ever

Ingredients:

4 rashes of bacon, sliced into small squares
2 carrots peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery peeled and sliced
1 large potato cut into cubes
2 garlic cloves crushed or finely chopped
1 red onion finely chopped
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 tbl basil
2 bay leaves
1L Beef Stock Liquid
1c cooked rollini pasta
Salt
Pepper

Method:

1. With the exception of the pasta, throw all ingredients into a deep saucepan and bring to the boil
2. Turn down and simmer for around half an hour, or until the potato is cooked (but not falling apart)
3. Add the cooked pasta and simmer for a further 4 minutes
4. Remove the bay leaves and serve immediately with hot crusty bread.

Beef Porcupine Balls

A favourite!

Ingredients

1kg minced beef
1/2c uncooked rice
1/2c water
1 chopped onion
1 tsp salt
pinch garlic powder
pinch pepper
1-2 can tomato soup
1c water
2tsp wostershire sauce


1. Mix beef, rice, water, onion and seasonings and make into golf size balls
2. Stir together in another bowl, the soup, water and wostershire sauce and pour over the balls in an oven proof dish
3. Bake at 180c for around 45 mins covered in foil
4. Uncover and bake for a further 15 minutes.

Serve with Mash Potato!