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These are tried, tested and much loved recipes. Our families and friends are always unselfish and devote themselves to taste-testing these delicious creations and demand them repeatedly time and time again.

Our aim is to share with you our favourite meals and the little tricks and tips we have learnt along the way.
Time is precious.
Food is expensive.

Both are resources too valuable to waste.

We want to share recipes that deliver delicious, nourishing meals - making the most of your time and ingredients.

Life is way too short for bland, disappointing food.
So ... Feed your inner cook - and Enjoy!

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Mango, Lime and Yoghurt Fool

How sublime are mangoes?  Juicy, yellow golden flesh - a special summertime treat.  Nigel Slater's simple dessert adds a zing of lime and yoghurt to mangoes creating a creamy treat  easily topped with chunks of fresh mango  - summery and just a little bit indulgent.  

Enjoy! Colleen


Prepartion         10 minutes 
Cooking             NONE
Chilling              at least 2 hours
Serves               4 - 6 depending on glass size.  

Ingredients

2 ripe large mangoes 
PLUS 1 mango - ripe, peeled and flesh cut into cubes for garnish chunks

1 lime  - juice and zest
150 ml Greek yoghurt     (I might try a thick coconut yoghurt next time?)
150 ml thickened cream 
mint leaves for garnish - optional  
OR some toasted coconut flakes - optional

Method

I used a stick blender to mash that  also had a whisk attachment.  
OR   you could use a blender, food processor  then  also whisk cream separately.

Put the Greek yoghurt into a large bowl.
Peel the 2 mangoes and using a stick blender jug or food processor -  mash the mango flesh with the lime zest and juice. Pour into the bowl with the Greek yoghurt.
Whisk the cream until it thickens but NOT to stiff peaks. 
Stir the cream into the mango yoghurt until well combined and smooth.
Spoon the mango mixture into wine glasses, water glasses etc.
Top with cubed mango and chill for at least 2 hours
Garnish with mint leaves or toasted coconut flakes if desired.

Enjoy!   Colleen







Wednesday, 17 November 2021

Sweet Potato, Pumpkin and Sage Tart

This savoury tart, inspired by a Donna Hay recipe, is simple to make, delicious and can be made ahead of time. This is one of the recipes where I use my pre-roasted sweet potato, potato and pumpkin saved in the freezer.
Serve with lots of steamed greens or a simple salad. It might not look very pretty in the photos but tastes great! Comfort food loaded with veg - yum!  Enjoy! Colleen




Preparation    15 minutes (if veg already cooked)  30-40 mins if raw
Cooking          35 - 40 minutes depending on your oven
Serves             4 - 6

Ingredients

NB vegetables need to be cool-ish NOT hot - so egg etc can be added ok

PS  I roast a stash of pumpkins, sweet potatoes and potatoes then pop in freezer for recipes like this. Defrost and mash.
OR
you could grate the above veg and fry in frypan with a splash of oil until cooked through, then roughly mash.

1 cup cooked pumpkin - mashed
1 potato - baked or cooked - diced
500 gram sweet potato - peeled, baked and mashed

1 sheet Shortcrust pastry - you can omit if you prefer or if avoiding pastry

1/4 cup Greek yoghurt
1 clove garlic - crushed
2 handfuls of chopped baby spinach leaves OR 1 handful chopped kale leaves OR combo
1 tablespoon honey
2 eggs - beaten
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh sage leaves PLUS extra sage leaves for topping  
1 stalk rosemary  - leaves chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Moroccan spice mix   (a little more if you prefer -depends on brand)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
shake of dried chilli flakes - your preference
cracked black pepper
tiny pinch salt  - to your preference

flaked almonds for topping - optional

Method

Preheat oven 190-200 ℃

oil a 22 cm pie dish - my enamel one is 5 cm deep.
Place pastry in base and ease into sides. Trim.  Extra can be dotted over top later if you like.
Pop pie dish in fridge whilst you prepare the filling.  
If making ahead of time, only add the filling just prior to baking.

In a large bowl, combine the (not hot) mashed pumpkin, potato and sweet potato with the Greek yoghurt, garlic, spinach, kale and honey.
Stir through the beaten eggs and remaining herbs and spices.

Pour into the prepared pastry filling.
Garnish with reserved sage leaves - TIP - put a splash of olive oil on your hands, roll the sage leaves in oil and they won't burn as quickly
Also garnish with some flaked almonds - use the oil hint again
If desired - garnish with any torn bits of remaining pastry - patted with a little oil

Bake approx 35 mins until centre of filling is cooked and top golden. 
Depends on width/depth of pie dish.

Allow to sit for 5 minutes before cutting.

Serve with steamed green veggies or salad.  Any leftovers are delish next day too.

Enjoy!   Colleen
















Monday, 8 November 2021

Healthy muffins

Wednesday's are Gigi day. I get to babysit my 14 month old granddaughter. So I try and have the fridge packed with an array of home cooking to tempt the very specific pallet of this toddler (which changes weekly).  Sweet treats are a very now again option.  Belinda Jefferey's granola muffins are my go to, as they have very little sugar and I can pack in some healthy additions.  Why not give these easy muffins a try. They freeze very well.  And my taste tester has no complaints.  I have to make sure the remaining muffins are out of sight to avoid a confrontation :)







Ingredients

2 cups of muesli or granola
1 cup plain flour
2 scant teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup natural sultanas or dried cranberries
2 free range eggs
1/4 cup (55g) rapadura or brown sugar
150ml light olive oil
300ml buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sunflower seeds, coconut flakes, pepitas for topping

Method

Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius
Line a 12 hole large muffin tin with paper cases.
Place granola, flour, baking powder, bicarb and salt into a food processor. Whiz to combine, tip into a large mixing bowl and add the dried fruit.

In the food processor combing the eggs, rapadura, oil, buttermilk and vanilla and whiz.  
Make a well in the dried ingredients and pour in the egg mixture. Stir to combine but don't over beat.
Let the mixture sit for a minute to have the granola swell a little.
Scoop/spoon mixture evenly between the paper cases.
Sprinkle with chosen topping.
Bake the muffins for 18-20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
Let cool in the tin and then remove to a wire rack.

Enjoy
Mamma Gigi (Marmalade)