Its Pesto time!

With summer finally here - Basil is starting to flourish! I am very very proud of this Pesto recipe - I load it full of garlic so you may want to go a little easier on the garlic if your not super keen!

1C Basil Leaves - Packed Cup
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
60gms Pine Nuts
2-4 Cloves of Crushed Garlic (Make to taste, I use 2 very large gloves of 4 if they are smaller)
1 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil (you may want normal olive oil depending on taste preference)
50gms Parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper

Blend first 4 Ingredients until chopped finely (I like mine more like a paste to spread on bread)
Pour oil in gradually while blender is on
when combined add Parmesan and blend until you have desired consistency.
Add salt and pepper to taste - I wouldnt suggest putting too much salt in as the Parmesan is already quite salty.

I love this spread on top of Sliced Ciabatta, which has been chucked on the grill to lightly toast..Always great with a few slices of tomato on top!

Coconut and Jam Muffins

This was kinda an experiment but turned out surpringly well!

1.5C Flour

2tsp Baking Powder

1/2 White Sugar

100gms Butter

1Dspn Golder Syrup

1 Egg

1/2 C Milk

Cocunut

Jam



Preheat over to 190 degrees

Melt butter and Golden Syrup together - I just did this in the microwave

Sift flour, Baking Powder and Sugar together in a bowl

Add Butter and GS mix

Fold together to lightly mix

put 1 Dspn of batter in each muffin cup and then add 1tsp of Jam in the centre - try not to let this touch the edges, top with another Dspn of batter. Sprinkly Cocnut on top.

Bake for 15-20mins, watch until muffin springs back when touched.

Mini Pikelets - Easy peasy! Serve with Jam and Mascarpone

I made Pikelets this morning and thought I should post up my recipe!
1C Flour
1tsp Baking Powder
2 Tbsp Caster Sugar
3/4 C Milk
1 Egg

Heat non stick frypan to a medium heat
Sift Dry Ingredients
Seperately whisk together Milk and Egg
Mix all together
Drop teaspoon size amounts onto fry pan - as soon as bubbles appear, flip them over. About 40secs each side.

I have served mine with a Mascarpone & Jam - Mix 1C Mascarpone with 1/4 C Caster Sugar and 1tsp Vanilla essence, spread on piklets and top with Jam - YUM!

Most Dangerour choc cake ever! As found on zm!

The Most Dangerous Cake In The World
http://www.zmonline.com/WhosOn/MorningCrew/Highlights/Detail.aspx?id=10287#
Hey Guys, they talked about this on the radio so i HAD to try it and oh my gosh - all in the microwave in less than 5 mins a gorgeous moist choccie cake!
With easy to find cupboard ingredients! Naughty!


INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1-2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous). And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!