A couple of my sisters favourite Recipes...

Christine wrote a few recipes out for me last week.... I am looking forward to trying them....

Eggless Date Loaf
1 cup chopped dates
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon Bicarb Soda
1 tablespoon Margarine
Salt
1 cup boiling water
2 cups SR Flour

Method
Heat oven to moderate temperature.
Place dates, sugar, bicarb soda, margarine and salt in a basin.
Add Water and stir well.
Leave for a short time to soften dates..(my sister sometimes microwaves a little)
Fold in Sifted flour.
Place in a greased loaf pan.
Cook in moderate oven for approximately ¾ hour or until skewer comes out clean.

Chrissie tells me this is very nice heated with butter...
Can also add ½ - ¾ cup walnuts/ pecans when you add the flour if you want...


Christines Savoury Scones
20gr melted butter
¾ cup milk
1 egg , lightly beaten
1 carrot grated
1 cup grated Cheese
¾ cup chopped Bacon
2 tablespoons chopped Parsley
Salt & Pepper
2 cups SR Flour
½ or a small onion chopped

Method
Combine butter, milk egg, carrot, onion, cheese, bacon, parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl.
Add Flour & Mix
Place level tablespoons on trays
Cook for 12 minutes at 240˚C

Chrissie says they are Yummy when heated in the microwave and buttered....

More recipes from Christine to  add later....Cheers

LumberJack Cake Just taken out of the Oven..

Photo is only small because I had to take the pic on my iphone as the Battery in my camera had gone flat!
I have a huge problem with the battery going flat in the camera really quick.....I can charge it one day and not use it and it will be flat in a couple of days....anyway the iphone can suffice for the time being....
I just hope this cake tastes as good as it looks....Took longer in my oven than the recipe said  but then my oven is OLD!
Cheers

LumberJack Cake

I have had a busy morning...Chai Latte at Macca's along with a slice of banana bread....then across to Woolies to buy the ingredients for the Lumberjack Cake...Arrived home and realised that I had not bought the Shredded coconut....tis the blonde side of me and the fact that my husband was trailing along with me...He was more worried about what to buy for lunch...he decided to have one of his favourites...Hot Dogs...

Anyway Here is the recipe for the LumberJack Cake taken from the  Sweet Old-Fashioned Favourites Woman's Weekly Cook Book... I will let you know how it turns out.

LumberJack Cake

Prep Time: 15 to 30 mins
2 large Granny Smith Apples, cored and finely chopped
1 cup Dates chopped
1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
1 cup Boiling water
125 gm butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 cup caster sugar
1 egg
1½ cups plain flour sifted

Topping
60gr Butter
½ cup Brown Sugar
½ cup milk
⅔ cup Shredded Coconut

Method

1. Grease and line a deep 23cm square cake pan
2. Combine Apples, dates and Bicarb Soda in a bowl
3. Add the water and leave for 10 mins
4. Beat butter,sugar, vanilla and egg until light and fluffy
5. Add butter to apple mixture and fold in flour.
6. Pour into prepared pan and bake in moderate oven for 50 mins 
7. Topping: Combine ingredients in a saucepan and stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
8. Remove cake from oven and carefully spoon topping mixture over cake. Return to oven and bake for another 30 mins.
9. Stand cake for 5 mins before turning onto a wire rack.

Recipe can be made a week ahead.
Storage: Covered, in fridge
Freeze: Suitable
Not suitable for microwave.
This cake can also be made without the topping

If I get a chance I will take a photo of the cake when done.

Cheers Annette

A Recipe for Cajun/Creole Spice

Another perfect day in Port Macquarie...Great for all those holidaying in the area...BUT...Traffic on the highway is an absolute nightmare!  

I Found a Cajun/Creole Seasoning online today.... Called Emerils Essence...Compliments of Chef Emeril Lagasse. He is chef-proprietor of 12 restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami, Gulfport and Bethlehem.  www.emerils.com

2½ tablespoons Paprika
2  tablespoons Salt
2  tablespoons Garlic Powder
1  tablespoon Black Pepper
1  tablespoon Onion Powder
1  tablespoon Cayenne Pepper ( I would probably reduce this - as I think it would be too hot for me)
1  tablespoon Dried Oregano
1  tablespoon Dried Thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly...store in an airtight container.
This is a blend of spices and herbs to compliment meat, chicken, veggies and pasta.
I am thinking I will try it on chicken first....

I have lots of recipes I want to try.....I just need to find the time.....

What beautiful weather we are having in Port Macquarie....Had a great Good Friday just relaxing...going for coffee..Chai Latte which is my favourite....pigging out on Jaffa Torte...Yummm!
Just worked outside today for a while....spraying weeds and ants....then went shopping bought some cookie cutters for me..as I keep giving mine away....Also bought a good pastry mat and a sieve for sifting flour.
Found an easter egg mould and a bunny rabbit mould..so I am going to make chocolate crackle easter goodies for my grandson..next time we go up to Brisbane - which I hope is in a couple of weeks time....Better late than never I say.
John went fishing last night and caught a huge taylor so he is going to fillet it and I am going to try making tempura batter for the first time...Fish and Chips again tonight! 
Thought I might add some pics today of Port Macquarie...so I hope this works  lol

Pelicans at the Boat ramp behind WestPort Park

Looking in towards town from WestPort Park

Looking at Town Beach from the end of the Breakwall

Banana Jam Recipe

1 kg very ripe bananas
¼ cup Caster Sugar
2 Oranges juiced
1 Lemon Juiced

Place all ingredients in a saucepan and stir until ingredients have thickened and coated the back of spoon.
Pour into sterile glass jars. (Jars that have been placed in cold water and brought to the boil. Boil for 10 minutes)

I just pour my jam into tupperware type containers as it does not last long in my home.
Can be used on toast for Breakfast....as fillings for cakes.....as a topping...

TURNS

I was given 2 tickets to the Glasshouse for a show called TURNS..So not being Johns cup of tea I asked a girl friend to accompany me.  The actors were Nancye Hayes and Reg Livermore...and the play was written by Reg Livermore...We had no idea of what to expect..but it was a reflection on identity, family and showbusiness...in other words a mother with dementia whose son was trying to cope with looking after her.....there was not as much singing or dancing as I would have expected from both these actors. The dementia actually reminded me of some days at work!  Our tickets also included an invitation to the after show VIP Party where we met both Nancye and Reg...both very lovely people and both very complimentary on the Port Macquarie area.  Nancye in particular said she woul love to come back here for a holiday.
Today I am driving over to Kempsey to see my Mum and Sister....and we are going out for lunch at the RSL Club...My sister tells me they have really great meals there....I am reserving my judgement until after lunch...and I will let you know the results later today......
Cheers
Annette