Sugary, salted peanuts - Yummy (unhealthy) snack!

So, I am trying to be a bit creative for snacks as we don't have any crackers or chips in the cupboard!

2C raw peanuts
1C raw sugar (I had none of this, so used  normal white sugar)
1/3C water (had some of this, funnily enough)
1/8t salt
1/8t cinnamon
1/2t vanilla

Prepare a bowl or tray with greaseproof paper.

In a heavy pan combine peanuts, water and sugar over a low to medium heat. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.

Continue to cook, stirring frequently. After approx 10 mins the mixture turns grainy (happens quickly, keep an eye on it!)

Keep cooking, stirring, until they are a deep golden/amber colour. Just before they get to the desired colour add the cinnamon and salt. Keep stirring!

When they are the colour you want remove from heat and add the vanilla. Stir just some more.

Scrape peanuts onto prepared tray/bowl. When they are cool break up and store in airtight container... if you don't eat them all first!

Home-made peanut butter!

 Easy peasy!

Roast some peanuts, whizz in food processor then add some oil, salt and honey (Salt and honey are optional). Wa-la! Done!

I used
500g natural peanuts, roasted in 200degree oven for 15 minutes, turning/shaking every 3-4 mins.
1/2c oil
1T honey
1 pinch salt.

Make sure the peanuts are coldl, then whizz in food processor slowly adding oil (and honey and salt) until it is the desired consistency. Store in clean, dry jar, in fridge.

Muffins! Apricot and Walnut

Went to a lot more trouble than usual making these muffins!
Took more time cracking the walnut shells and chopping the apricots than they were cooking in the oven!!

2C plain flour
1t baking soda
1C brown sugar
1tsp cinnamon (which I forgot to add!!)

1/2C chopped dried apricots
1/4C water or orange juice
100g butter
2 eggs
1C yoghurt
rind and juice of one orange (make juice up to 1/2Cwith water)
1/2C chopped walnuts

Oven at 190.

Mix first four ingredients together - make sure the brown sugar is really well mixed in!

Microwave the apricots with the water/orange juice for about 1 minute then add the butter microwaving again if necessary. Mix in eggs, yoghurt, rind/juice and walnuts.

Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients - DO NOT OVER MIX (as per usual muffin mixing).
You may need to add a little water to make mixture a bit wetter. I needed about 1/8C.

Spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

I dusted with icing sugar once I removed from the oven. 

Enjoy!

Shane's Slice

This is an easy slice.. and kids like it. (But not husbands for some reason!)

115g butter

1T golden syrup

1C flour

1C ricies

1/2C sugar

1C coconut

1tsp baking powder

In a medium sized saucepan melt butter and golden syrup together. Add sifted dry ingredients, then ricies. Press into greased square pan, and bake at 180 for 15 minutes.

When warm, drizzle with lemon icing and slice.

Apple fritters - old school!

When it is wet and cold (or snowy and cold) these are ideal to fill tummies!
1C flour
1/4C sugar (white)
1t salt
1t cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3C milk
1 egg
1T lemon juice
1c finely chopped apple

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together.
Mix in egg and milk.
Fold in chopped apple and lemon juice.

Heat a pan with a thin layer of oil.
Fry spoonfuls of the mixture for about 2 mins each side.

When cooked sprinkle with about 1/2 tsp cinnamon sugar...
Cinnamon sugar is...
1/4C brown sugar
1/4C white sugar
1t cinnamon.
Put into airtight jar, shake.

Enjoy!

Tea tonight - One Step beef casserole!

So, sometimes I change recipes... just a bit... and only sometimes.... just cos I don't have the 'right' ingredients in the cupboard, but just want to make it anyway!

Tonight we are having a One-Step Beef Casserole.
Not sure why it is One Step, I never do casseroles that you have to cook stuff for them first! Lazy!

So, my version of the recipe is this....

600g (or thereabouts) of  stewing steak (or blade) cut into cubes
1 packet of soup mix... they say tomato I only had chicken vegetable!
1T wine vinegar
2tsp mixed mustard
2tsp soy sauce
1t marjoram or oreganum
1/2 tsp thyme (I use basil!)
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 1/2 C water

Toss meat in soup mix, then put into casserole dish. Put other ingredients into dish in order listed. Stir well.

Put lid on casserole dish with a piece of tin foil under lid.
Cook at 150 for 2 hours stirring once during cooking. Leave to stand for 10  mins before serving.

Can add veges/potatoes etc to casserole, but they may overcook...

Enjoy!
(I will add photo when it is cooked...)

Macaroons, daaaahling?!

So, while waiting for my meat to be ready to prepare for tea I decided to make some posh Coconut Macaroons... combining just a few of my favourite things (pavalova and coconut!).

3 egg whites (at room temperature).
1/4 t salt
1C castor sugar
1/2 t vanilla essence (or almond essence)
2T flour
1 1/2C coconut (dessicated)
40 blanched almonds (or similar, or nothing!)


Oven at 150 degrees centigrade.

Beat egg white with the salt until soft peaks form. Add half the sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Stir in the vanilla essence.

Mix together remaining sugar, flour, coconut then fold into egg mixture.

Shape the mixture into 30 - 40 biscuits onto well greased (or lined) baking trays. (Use one spoon to help the mixture off another spoon). Top each biscuit with almond. (i only had slivered almonds so used a couple for each).

Bake for 20-25 mins. Biscuits should be firm on outside and soft and chewy on inside. The bigger the biscuit the longer it will take to cook.

After cooking, place on cooling rack until cold, then store in airtight container.