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Cinnamon Hazelnut Biscotti

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Nothing says Italy like biscotti. These long, oval, crunchy, flavoured biscuits can be enjoyed with a cup of coffee, tea, or on their own. Biscotti, also known as cantuccini are twice baked biscuits that originated in the Italian city of Prato.

To make the cinnamon hazelnut biscotti take 3/4 cup butter, 1 cup white sugar, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 cup hazelnuts.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F and grease a cookie sheet. In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy and beat in the eggs and vanilla. Sift in flour cinnamon, baking powder, and salt and mix it into the egg mixture. Add the hazelnuts.

Next shape the dough into logs and place on the baking sheet and flatten to about a ½ inch. Bake for 30 minutes until the edges are brown and the centre is firm. Remove from the oven and when cool enough to handle, slice into long ovals. Return to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container.

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Chili Relleno Casserole, tangy one pot meal

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The casserole (read here other news) is an ideal meal because it requires only “one pot” cooking. The Chili Relleno Casserole brings with it a blend of flavours and tang which help to make it interesting for a quick family meal.

You will need 2 cans of whole green chilis, drained, 1 pound of shredded Cheddar cheese,4 eggs , 2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour, 1/2 cans of evaporated milk , 1 poundshredded Monterey Jack cheese, and 2 cans green enchilada sauce.

First preheat and oven to 400 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Next, split open the chilis and spread half the amount into the bottom of the baking dish. Add the shredded Cheddar cheese and top with the remaining chilis.

Next whish the eggs evaporated milk, and flour and pour the mixture over the prepared chilis and cheese.

Once finished, put the baking dish in an oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until set. Remove the casserole from the oven and add Monterey Jack cheese. Pour the green chili salsa on top and place in the oven for a further 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

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Dutch doughnuts, sweet treat

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Doughnuts are a treat and can be something of a guilty pleasure but enjoyable nonetheless. The Dutch doughnuts add a little extra twist to the classic doughnut.

To prepare you will need 1 cake compressed fresh yeast, 1 cup lukewarm milk, 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 egg, 3/4 cup dried currants, 3/4 cup raisins,1 Granny Smith apple – peeled, cored and finely chopped,1 quart vegetable oil for deep-frying, and 1 cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting.

First break up the yeast and stir into some warm milk. Allow to stand for a few minutes to dissolve. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl and add the yeast mixture and egg and mix into a smooth batter. Add the currants, raisins, and apple, cover the bowl and leave in a warm place to rise until double in size.

Heat oil in a deep-fryer and use 2 metal spoons to shape scoops of dough into balls. Drop carefully into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown.

The doughnuts should be soft but greasy. Drain finished doughnuts on paper towels and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve on a dish.

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Ravioli, magnific italian food

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To make the pasta use 6 cups all-purpose flour, 6 eggs, 3/4 cup water, and 2 teaspoons olive oil.

For the sauce use 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 cup tomato puree, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup tomato paste, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons minced basil, 1 tablespoon minced parsley, 1 tablespoon minced oregano, 1 garlic clove, minced, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

For the filling use 1 carton of ricotta cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, lightly beaten, 2 teaspoons minced basil, 1 teaspoon minced parsley, 1 teaspoon minced oregano, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Place flour in a large bowl, make a well in the center and add beaten eggs, water and oil. Stir to form a ball. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

In a pot combine the sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. In a bowl, combine the filling ingredients and refrigerate until ready for use.

Divide pasta dough into fourths, place teaspoonfuls of filling 1 inch apart over half of pasta sheet. Brush around filling with water, ffold sheet and press down to seal. Cut into squares with a pastry wheel.

Boil salted water and add ravioli. Simmer and cook until ravioli float to the top and are tender. Drain. Cover with sauce and serve.

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Chicken pot pie, one pot delight

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A pot pie is baked savoury dish encased in a flaky pastry and baked in a pie tin to ensure it maintains its shape. There are several varieties including an Australian meat pie and various British regional types. In America, the pot pie can be filled with various types of meat including beef, chicken, or turkey as well as vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and green peas.

The chicken pot pie may be the most popular and is simple to make. The ingredients are 1 poundskinless, boneless chicken breast, cubed, 1 cupsliced carrots, 1 cupgreen peas,1/2 cupsliced celery,1/3 cupbutter,1/3 cuponion chopped, 1/3 cupall-purpose flour,1/2 teaspoonsalt,1/4 teaspoonblack pepper,1 3/4 cupschicken broth, and 2/3 cupmilk.

First preheat an oven to 425 degrees F. Then in a saucepan combine the carrots, chicken, peas, and celery, add water and cook for 15 minute then drain.

In a separate pan over a medium flame cook onions and butter add flour, salt, and pepper. Slowly add the broth and milk and cook until thick. Put the mixture in a pie crust then cover with the liquid, add the top pie crust and make a few slits in the top. Bake for between 30 and 35 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.

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Vegetarian Pizza, a way to eat healthy

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The great thing about a good pizza is that you can choose your own toppings. If you’re not a fan of meat then you can also pile on the vegetables. The basic pizza dough 2 x 7g sachets dry yeast, 2 teaspoons caster sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 5 cups plain flour, and 1/2 cup olive oil.

To make the dough combine the yeast, sugar, salt and 1 1/2 cups warm water in a bowl. Cover and let it stand for 20 minutes or until the mixture is foamy. Then add flour and oil in a bowl and stir. Make a well in the centre and add yeast mixture. Knead onto a lightly-floured surface.

When the dough has risen, use fist to flatten and knead until smooth. Divide into quarters; roll to form four, 30cm round pizza bases and place on greased baking trays.

For the toppings use 1 small onion, finely chopped, 1 clove garlic, crushed, 1 small zucchini, grated, 200g of diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon shredded basil, 1/2 medium red capsicum, thinly sliced, 1/2 medium green capsicum, thinly sliced, 4 (120g) bocconcini cheese, sliced, and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.

In a saucepan heat oil and add onion, garlic and zucchini. Stir until onion has softened then add tomatoes. Bring to the boil; reduce heat until sauce has thickened. Add basil. Then spread pizza base with tomato mixture and add capsicum, bocconcini and mozzarella. Bake until cheese has melted and base is crisp.

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Cornish pasties, British delight

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Cornish pasties are a British delight loved in the isles and Ireland and make a good boxed lunch or a main course. To make the pastry it needs 4 oz all purpose flour, salt, 2oz butter, cubed, and 2-3 tbsp cold water. Ingredients for the filling are ¼ cup onion, finely chopped, 1/2 cup potato, cut into 1/4 inches, ½ cup swede cut into 1/4 inch dice, 4oz rump steak, cut into small cubes, salt and pepper, and 1 egg, lightly beaten.

Pre-heat oven to 425 °F and make the shortcrust pastry. First add flour, butter, and salt in a bowl. Rub the butter into the flour with fingers until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add water and use a cold knife to stir until the dough binds together. Add more cold water if the mixture is too dry.

Wrap the dough in Clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes. Divide the pastry into 4 and roll each piece into rounds of 6-7 inches.

Add onion, potato, swede, and meat in a bowl. Season well with salt and pepper, then divide between each pastry circle and place to one side of the circle.

Brush the edges with a beaten egg and fold dough in half over filling so the edges meet. Crimp together to create a tight seal and brush with the remaining egg. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes until golden brown.

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Fried chicken, crispy fried comfort

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Forget about always eating healthily! Sometimes you just want some real comfort food and there is nothing more comforting than deep fat crispy fried chicken! The recipe requires one 4 pound chicken, cut into pieces, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 cups all-purposeflour, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper to taste, and 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying.

Put flour in a plastic bag and add salt, pepper, and paprika. Dip the chicken pieces in buttermilk and then in the bag with flour and shake to coat. Allow to sit until the flour is of a paste-like consistency.

In a large skillet add oil and heat until very hot. Add as many chicken pieces as possible and brown the chicken on both sides. Turn down flame and cover skillet allowing chicken to cook for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and turn up flame again, cooking until chicken is crispy.

Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Keep the already fried chicken in a slightly warm oven until ready. Fried chicken can be eaten alone, with french fries or potato wedges or with fresh bread rolls. As a side dish you can add potato salad and cole slaw.

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Crepe suzette, desert with a twist

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Nothing says “France” quite like a crepe. The wafer thin pancake is a staple of French cuisine as a desert that can be enjoyed at home or away.

The crepe Suzette adds a little more romance to the classic crepe with its sauce of beurre Suzette made from caramelised sugar and butter, tangerine or orange juice, zest, and Grand Marnier or orange Curaçao liqueur served flambé.

The crepe can be made from scratch or store bought but for a more authentic flavour homemade is best. All that is needed are 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup flour, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons of liqueur, and butter to coat the pan.

Blend eggs, flour, milk, until it will pour smoothly from a mixing bowl. Put batter in the fridge. Heat a frying pan with sweet butter and pour in batter to cover the bottom of the pan. Tip the pan from side to side to allow the batter to spread thinly. After a minute, turn the pancake upside down, then turn it again, until brown. Fold crepes in a triangular shape and store.

To make the Sauce Suzette, melt 1/4 butter in a saucepan, after it has boiled, add combination of liqueurs and orange and lemon zest.

Pour sauce over crepes, add brandy and light. When crepe is cool it is ready to serve. 

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Yummy Cheese Fritters

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Cheese fritters are a great meal that can be enjoyed if you prefer to have something filling or a snack sans meat or fish. The best thing is that fritters can be made with any left-over bits of cheese whether it is cheddar, feta, gruyere, pepper jack or mozzarella.

They can also be served with marmalade or chutney to give them a little extra zest. First in a bowl sift flour, salt, and cayenne or black pepper, chopped onions, chopped scallions, and thyme. Make a hole in the centre of the blended flour and add two eggs. Whisk batter combining the eggs with two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of milk. Next grate in the cheese and stir all together.

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes while you heat a saucepan with oil. Once the oil is hot use a large spoon to scoop up batter and drop medium size dollops in the pot. Fry until golden brown. Once cooked, remove the fritters and place in a sieve or silicone paper to drain off extra oil. The marmalade can be bought or you can make you own using sugar, cider vinegar, sweet peppers, oil, and garlic. Over a medium heat carmelise sugar and onions, sweet peppers, and garlic. Turn down flame until sauce is thick. Do not allow the mixture to burn. Turn off stove and allow marmalade to cool.

Serve and enjoy!

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