UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion

Simon - I am afraid I already have the custard- but I might make another portion as a bribe for this weeks quiz

i think i might make a plum crumble tonight...

I can just see us all turning up at the Golden Pheasant with plates of food for Simon and Dotti.
Do you think he can be bribed for the quiz or for a lick of his caramac ice cream?

You can scour this group but you will find I have never said I would not accept bribes. I just haven't been offered any. Dotty has no self control and I expect a piece of chicken would do the trick. She is quite partial to pringles too.

I made a Lemon Drizzle cake yesterday, as it was a success (not burnt!) my daughter now wants one to take into work!

Dave is lactose intolerant, so it can be quite challenging finding desserts he can enjoy. I've created a bread pudding recipe for him that I've served to guests a number of times. I'll post it soon. You can decide if it needs sugar on it.

That is ironic that Dave is lactose intolerant. most of the Nigerians I have known over the years (There are quite a few that work in IT) are also lactose intolerant. It seems that many of them cannot digest it.

Its a pain in the nether regions, Geoff. I believe there are several cultures that have general lactose intolerance. Something about not developing the necessary enzymes because dairy products aren't consumed? All I know is that if he eats it, he gets deathly sick. Bless her, even after 20+ years his mum can't get her head round it. The Welsh eat dairy, dammit!
'oh have the beans, Dave. I only put a bit of butter on them...'

By request for Patti:

Strawberries Madagascar

Ingredients

1 teaspoon drained green Madagascar peppercorns
50g / 2oz Butter
50g / 2oz Sugar
2 Tablespoons of Grand Marnier or Cointreau
225g /8oz of firm strawberries, hulled, sliced if large.

1. Crush half of the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or with the flat side of a large cook's knife (as for crushing garlic)
2. Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Add the sugar and crushed peppercorns and allow to dissolve over a low heat and cook briskly until an nut brown colour, stirring frequently.
3. Meanwhile, warm the Grand Marnier in a small pan. Stir into the butter and sugar mixture and set alight.
4. When the flames subside, add the strawberries and cook for about 2 minutes, shaking the pan to coat the strawberries in the sauce so that they become glazed.
5. Sprinkle with the remaining whole peppercorns and serve immediately. Serve chilled pouring cream or vanilla ice cream separately.

(The notes say "Watch Geoff!! This is when I had my eyebrows singed.")

Thanks Geoff! Have added the peppercorns to tomorrow's list. Waddareckon? Waitrose?

I'll have to have a friend fly the strawberries in from Lagos but will be worth it.

Most places sell bottled green peppercorns Patti. Even ASDA!

Flying strawberries from Lagos, now that's style.

Not really, he has to go quite frequently, for work.

I hope can get the peppercorns at the 99p shop tomorrow. Don't really want to go into a supermarket again tomorrow.

I could fly the peppercorn in from biggleswade Asda if that helps :)

I'm afraid you'll almost certainly have to go to the supermarket for them Patti, sorry.

I think Simon's offer would come under the auspices of UN humanitarian aid.

Stinky, fishy, Morrisons is closest to where I'm going this morning. Ewwww.

Got an email from amazon this morning recommending war films. Big brother IS watching!

I'm trying to lose weight! Have a bridesmaids dress I need to fit into - all these recipes are too tempting!

Anyone got any tasty low fat recipes to cheer me up??

:0)

I'll give you loads soon, Karen.

Patti (P E) wrote: "I'll give you loads soon, Karen."

Yay!

I type this covered in blackberry juice and scratches. Have been picking blackberries in the garden (we have a lot of brambles!) to make a blackberry and apple crumble for the hubby!

:0)

I hope he appreciates the pain you've gone through! I think new shoes would be a suitable reward.

Patti (P E) wrote: "I hope he appreciates the pain you've gone through! I think new shoes would be a suitable reward."

Good idea - I'll suggest it to him! :0)

A pair of these, I think.

http://most-expensive.net/womens-shoes

Nice thought - but don't think he'd agree some how! lol.

:0)

Gorgeous though, aren't they? Of course you'd need a matching bag...

Patti - Just wanted to say thank you for posting the recipe for the chocolate mug cake (: I made it for my mum yesterday (as a special treat due to it being her birthday) and she loved it!

Brilliant, Katy! Glad she enjoyed it and a belated happy birthday to your Mum!

Thanks! (: There are some great recipe's on this thread

I made a Victoria Sponge cake too. I was going to write "Penblwydd Hapus!" on it (happy birthday in welsh) but my brother attacked it with sprinkles before I could make the icing!

Patti - please can you give us your recipe for carrot cake, that is one of my favourite cakes - and have a bread maker ready and waiting - I am afraid the rhubarb crumble was not as nice as my mum used to make, a but to much crumble and not enough rhubarb - but I plan to try again next week, if there is more rhubarb in the shops

Amazing all the recipes I've emailed...

Here's banana bread for the bread machine...


 Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients

3 or 4 ripe bananas
2 tbsp oil
3 eggs
30 ml milk (I use soya milk, of course)
120g brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
100g chopped walnuts (I omit them)
220g plain white flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mash bananas. Add the beaten eggs. oil and milk to bananas and mix well. Add the brown sugar and salt and mix again.
Dump into the bread tin.
Add the flour, baking powder and cinnamon on top of the wet mixture.
I use a spatula to roughly mix the flour in at this point as sometimes the machine doesn't do it so well.
Put the tin in the machine and set it to 'cake' or 'quick'. Crust setting to 'light'.
I give it a few minutes then check that all the flour has mixed in well.

Carrot cake for bread machine

I have taken out the walnuts (50g) and sultanas (100g). I also think it was abit sweet so I use less sugar but this is what it asks for:

Water (tepid) 2 tbsp
Vegetable Oil 1 tbsp
Eggs, (beaten) 2
Pale Soft Brown Sugar 175g
Grated Carrots 200g
Ground Nutmeg 1/2 tsp
Ground Cinammon 1 tsp
Wholemeal Self Raising Flour 220g
(I used 2 tsp of baking powder as my flour wasn't self raising)

Method:
Add the Water, Oil, Eggs, Sugar, Carrots, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Flour to the tin.

Place the tin back in the machine and set program to 'cake'

Set the crust colour to your preference

Press start

After 10 mins, check there is no flour left unmixed at the edges, if there is, scrape into the mix with a plastic spatula.

When ready remove tin from the machine and leave to cool for 10 mins. Then run a spatula around the edge of the cake to loosen and turn out onto a wire rack. Allow to cool for 30-40 mins.

(I mix all the stuff in a bowl first, then dumped in the tin and added the flour, baking powder and spices as I do for the banana bread then mix roughly)

Got this recipe from a friend. Low fat and delicious.

Yummy chicken


A tablespoon of soy sauce
A tablespoon of white wine vinegar
A tablespoon of honey
 
Cube the chicken breast and fry in olive oil until slightly browned.  Mix the above in one bowl and pour over the chicken. Continue frying until mixture has evaporated.  Easy peasy right?
 

Chocolate Chip Cookies


Here's the recipe I use...

Pre heat oven to 325F

1cup shortening or 1/2cup veg oil and 1/2cup butter or marg
3/4cup brown sugar
3/4cup white sugar
2eggs well beaten
1tsp baking soda dissolved in 2tsp hot water
1tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2cups flour
1/2tsp salt
1 cup choc chips

Cream together the fat and sugars. Add the beaten eggs then the dissolved soda and vanilla. Mix well then gradually add the flour to which the salt has been added. Finally add the choc chips. Drop by teaspoonsful onto lightly greased pans and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

I've replaced 1/4 cup of the marg with peanut butter and used chopped unsalted peanuts instead of choc chips and the results were very good.
 

Another one I've emailed...

German Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 medium raw potatoes, peeled and shredded
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Directions
In a large bowl, beat together eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Mix in potatoes and onion.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In batches, drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture into the skillet. Press to flatten. Cook about 3 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Date Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease cookie sheets.
In separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together fat and both sugars until light and fluffy, using electric mixer at medium speed.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Blend in vanilla.
Gradually add dry ingredients to creamed mixture, mixing well with spoon.
Stir in oats, dates and walnuts.
Drop dough by teaspoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, on cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on racks. Soft, chewy and healthy! ish...

Bagels

1 egg
100 ml milk
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp sugar
280 g strong white flour
1 sachet dried active yeast

1 Lightly beat the egg and add to the tin with the milk, oil, salt and sugar.

2 Add the strong white flour to the tin, on top of the wet ingredients.

3 Finally add the contents of the yeast sachet to the tin, on top of the flour.

4 Place the tin back in the machine and set the program to 'dough' or 'bagel dough'.

5 If applicable set the loaf size to 500 g (1lb).

6 Press start.

7 When the cycle has finished, remove the dough from the machine and place onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into eight pieces and roll them into balls. Press a thumb through each ball. Leave to rise for a further 10 minutes in a warm area.

8 Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add 1 tbsp of sugar. Add the risen bagels, 4 at a time, to the boiling water and boil for 4 minutes, turning halfway. Remove the bagels from the pan and place on a lightly oiled non-stick baking tray.

9 Glaze the bagels with a little milk and sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds, if desired. bake in a pre-heated oven at 200C/Gas mark 6 for 15 minutes.

Patti's hint...Make sure you poke a sizable hole in the middle or the silly things will close up into a ball again during the second rise.

Christmas Cake


4 bottles of Vodka


1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
lemon juice
4 large eggs


nuts
2 cups of dried fruit



Method:
Sample the vodka to check quality.
Take a large bowl, check the vodka again.
To be sure it is the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Repeat.
Turn on the electric mixer.
Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.
At this point it's best to make sure the vodka is still OK.
Try another cup .... just in case

Turn off the mixerer.
Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Pick fruit off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers pry it loose with a sdrewscriver.
Sample the vodka to check for tonsisticity.
Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something.
Who giveshz a shoot

Check the vodka.
Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
Add one table.
Add a spoon of sugar. Whatever you can find.
Greash the oven and pee in the fridge.
Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over Don't forget to beat off the turner.
Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the vodka and kick the dog.
Fall into bed.
CHERRY MISTMAS! 

 

Canadian Maple Cookies
 
INGREDIENTS:
·                     1 cup butter, softened
·                     1 cup packed brown sugar
·                     1 egg
·                     1 cup real Canadian maple syrup
·                     1 teaspoon vanilla extract
·                     2 teaspoons baking soda
·                     1/2 teaspoon salt
·                     4 cups all-purpose flour
·                     1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
2.     In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add the egg, syrup and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda. Stir into mixture until well blended. Shape into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar. Place on cookie sheets about 2 inches apart (They do spread out!) and flatten slightly.
 
3.     Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Let cool on wire rack.
 
Store in an air-tight container.

That's all I could find in my email.

More in a couple days, if anyone wants...

Canadian Maple Cookies sound delicious!! Thanks Patti (:

ooh you are making me very peckish, i think i am going to spend the weekend in the kitchen

Love the Christmas cake...I'll have to give that one a try...hic!

Haha, Patti - I did wonder why you would want two bottles of vodka in an xmas cake!! :0)

Plenty tasty recipes here for us to try. My husband loves carrot cake so I'll have a go at that for him! The low fat chicken one sounds tasty too.

Good idea to copy ones that you have emailed - I have a few saved somewhere so I will copy and paste them on here too. None are my own recipes though but favourites ones from various cookery books.

:0)

This is one of my favourite soup recipes!

:0)

Fragrant Asian Carrot and Lentil Soup

(Antony Worrell Thomspon)

SERVES 6-8

10g (1/2 oz) unsalted butter

1 1/2 tablespoons grated fresh root ginger

½ teaspoon each ground allspice, cumin and chilli powder

½ teaspoon curry powder

½ teaspoon ground coriander

2 onions, finely chopped

1 parsnip, finely chopped

1 stick of celery, chopped

500g (18oz) carrots, sliced

175g (6oz) red lentils, washed

50g (2oz) brown basmati rice

1.8 litres (3 pints) vegetable stock

400ml (14fl oz) tin of reduced-fat coconut milk

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

1 Melt the butter in a heavy-based saucepan, add the ginger, allspice, cumin, chilli powder, curry powder and ground coriander. Cook over a medium heat for 3 minutes.

2 Add the vegetables, stir to combine and cook for a further 8 minutes. Add the lentils and rice and stir in, before adding the stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the lentils have started to break down.

3 Blend half the soup in a liquidiser or food processor until smooth. Return to the rest of the mixture, and add the coconut milk, lime juice and coriander. Heat through but do not let it boil again – this is important. Serve immediately.

My mum used to make those potato pancakes regularly - they are totally delicious!

Can you make the christmas cake with raspberry vodka? If so I think it will be christmas in my house every week!

I'm sure the recipe wouldn't suffer if you substituted, Gingerlily. ;)
Thought of you when I posted it, of course!

Karen, that soup looks great! Think I'll try it this weekend.

Just read it out to Dave. Yes, I'll definitely be making it.

Patti (P E) wrote: "I'm sure the recipe wouldn't suffer if you substituted, Gingerlily. ;)
Thought of you when I posted it, of course!

Karen, that soup looks great! Think I'll try it this weekend.

Just read it out ..."

It is yummy! I've realised that I don't have as many recipes stored as I thought I did - they were on my old laptop which crashed and I hadn't backed them up. They were all copied out of my recipe books though so they weren't lost forever. When I get time I'll type up some more of my favourites - including my favourite vegetarian recipe of devilled mushrooms!!

:0)

thats a lot of recipes...

Maybe someone could print a forum cook book? :0)

I make this soup and it's really nice. I got it from my friends other half after he made it for us.

Spiced Red Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup



12 oz. potatoes
1 large sweet potato
2 table spoons Madras paste
1 onion – chopped
4 oz. split red lentils
1.5 pints vegetable stock
7 fl. oz. (200ml) reduced fat coconut milk
1 – 2 table spoons fresh coriander leaves – chopped
black pepper


cube (1/2”) potato and sweet potato
heat paste in pan & stir in onion – cook 5 minutes
Add potatoes & sweet potato, lentils & stock – bring to boil then simmer 20 minutes
Stir in coconut milk and heat gently
Stir in coriander and pepper and serve

Once cooked I mash it down a bit with a potato masher or I suppose you could liquidise it if you wanted a smooth soup.




I usually double up the quantity so that I can use up the whole can of coconut milk, then I can freeze half of it. Although it doesn't always reach the freezer as I keep dipping into it.

.

Vanessa wrote: "I make this soup and it's really nice. I got it from my friends other half after he made it for us.

Spiced Red Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup



12 oz. potatoes
1 large sweet potato
2 table sp..."

That sound yummy! I love homemade soups in the winter :0)

November Casserole

3/4LB pigs Liver cut into 2" strips
4oz Streaky Bacon chopped
1 tin Oxtail soup
1oz lard
1 Onion sliced
2 level tablesp plain flour seasoned
1 level teasp mixed herbs


Fry onion in lard, coat liver with flour
Add to to onion with bacon cook for 2 mins
Sprinkle over remaining flour
Stir in the soup Add herbs and check seasoning
Bring to boil stirring all the time
Turn into casserole dish, cover and bake centre shelf for about 1 hour

Oven 180C 350F or gas mark 4

Very tasty