Tuesday 22 October 2013

Pumpkin and cumin soup

Here's a soup for when you are feeling Hallow'een-y. I don't particularly like soup but this is lovely.

Fry one or two chopped onions over moderate heat until soft. Add peeled, chopped pumpkin (approx 2 kg before peeling) and three crushed garlic cloves. Allow to cook for about 10 minutes. Add one tbsp soft brown sugar and 1tbsp cumin, mix well.

Add about a litre of vegetable stock and simmer until pumpkin is soft (about 30-40mins).

Remove from heat and blend until smooth.

Scatter with pumpkin seeds before serving.

Eat and enjoy.

PS picture doesn't do it justice - it didn't last long.

Friday 18 October 2013

Pork and apple casserole

I made this the other night to use up some apples from the garden. The quantities are a bit vague as I made it up as I went along....

Brown some diced pork in a casserole dish. Add a chopped onion (leeks also work well). Add some chopped apples.

Add stock and a splash of apple juice - enough to ensure you have some sauce once cooked. Finish by adding a coupe of teaspoons of grainy mustard.

Bring to the boil then put in oven at 180c for about 40 minutes or until done.

Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

Thursday 10 October 2013

Afternoon tea cupcakes

If you take a notion for a wee bun with your afternoon tea, these are really quick and easy.

Mix together 4oz (100g) self raising flour, 4oz butter, 4oz caster sugar, 2 eggs and 1tsp baking powder.

Place in prepared cupcake cases and bake at 180c for 15-20 minutes until done.

Cool on a wire rack.

For the icing, combine 6oz butter with 12oz sifted icing sugar, then pipe onto buns.

Enjoy!



Friday 4 October 2013

Irish Wheaten bread - cheating!

I am absolutely rubbish at making wheaten bread so here is my fail safe cheating method. There is no faffing around with yeast or anything either.

1- buy a packet of Neil's traditional wheaten bread mix
2- follow the instructions on the packet!

Hey presto - yummy wheaten bread.

The instructions were mix 330g flour with 280mls milk (real milk or buttermilk). Add 15ml olive oil. Pour into a greased loaf tin. Dust with flour and make a cut along the centre.

Bake at 220C for 30 minutes then turn onto a wire rack to cool.

Eat and enjoy!