Sunday, May 3, 2009

Chocolate cherry torte


680g jar morello cherries

200g unsalted butter, softened

1 cup caster sugar

4 eggs

1 cup SR flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

100g dark eating chocolate, grated (or chocolate flakes)

120g flaked almonds

1-2 tablespoons rum


Rich chocolate icing

150g dark chocolate, chopped

1/3 cup cream


Drain the cherries in sieve or colander. To remove excess liquid from cherries, line a tray with absorbent paper, add well drained cherries in a single layer, stand while preparing the cake.

Beat the butter & sugar with an electric mixer until light & fluffy. Add eggs one at a time until just combined.

Fold in combined sifted flour & cinnamon, then chocolate, almonds & rum.

Fold in the cherries.

Spread mixture into well greased 22-24cm springform pan (lined with paper)

Bake in a moderated oven for about an hour. Stand cake for 10 mins before transferring to a wire rack to cool.


Combine chocolate & cream in heatproof bowl, stand over a pan of simmering water, stirring until combined. Spread the icing over the top of cooled cake.


This is quite a special cake, dense & moist. Beautiful served with a dollop of cream. I originally found this recipe in the Womens Weekly (as do most of my favourites) Reader 's contributions.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Pea soup

My pea soup is very loosely based on my mothers' recipe. We often had a steaming bowl of pea soup for a weekend lunch.

I soak one full bag of green split peas overnight.

The next day I dry fry one medium diced onion with a packet of diced bacon (cheating I know but I can't stand to deal with a ham hock & I get a lovely flavour)
Then I add the soaked peas


After stirring I add an equal amount of water & simmer until the peas are beginning to get mushy. Add to the mushy mix 1 diced potato & 1 diced carrot. Continue to simmer until the vegetables are soft.

Add black pepper & salt to taste.


Enjoy with some crusty bread.
When Erin was little she said we were having 'poo seep' for dinner, much to our amusement & the label has stuck! Peas are a good source of fibre!


Friday, March 6, 2009

Blondie

You've heard of Brownies now you can make this delicious Blondie

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
60g butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Sift together dry ingredients & add nuts.
Add brown sugar to melted butter & mix well, then add egg & vanilla.
Add flour mixture a little at a time to wet ingredients until mixed well.
Stir in choc chips.
Spread dough into an 8 or 9" slice pan.
Bake 20-25 minutes at 180 degrees.