Roasted Cauliflower Salad

This is a mash of Jamie Oliver's and some other recipes. I want to try roasting cauliflower since reading rave reviews about it. It really has brought out another dimension to cauliflower. If you're a cauliflower hater, like my stepson, give it a go. He finished the box of leftovers. The nut and the pieces of toast give some crunch, and the herb gives a bit of freshness. You can substitute parsley with mint or coriander. The salad can be eaten warm or cold.

Ingredients:

½ cauliflower cut into florets

Drizzle of olive oil

1 tbsp ground cumin seeds

1 tbsp  ground turmeric

1 tbsp ground garam masala

pinch of salt and pepper

½ red onion, sliced

2 pieces of bread

¼ cup of walnuts, roughly chopped

1 handful of parsley, finely chopped

1 tbsp butter

Method

1.          Spread butter on bread, and sprinkle on some parsley, toast for about 5 mins each side, tear into 2cm pieces.

2.          Mix the spices, salt and pepper in a bowl with the olive oil and toss the cauliflower in to mix. Spread on a baking tray and bake in 200C oven for about 20-25mins. Sprinkle in the walnuts in the last 5 minutes over the cauliflower to toast the walnuts as well.

3.          When cool enough to handle, toss through the toast pieces, onion and parsley.

Coffee Ricotta Cheesecake

I baked this for hubby's birthday last month. It was an experiment as it is a newly invented recipe. Luckily it turned out OK.

 Ingredients:

1 packet 200g of Marie biscuit

60g of melted butter

250g cream cheese

250g ricotta cheese

200g mascarpone

¾ cup castor sugar

2 eggs

2 tbsp coffee liquer of your choice

2 tbsp instant coffee in ¼ cup of hot water

Method

1.     Preheat oven to 160C.
2.     Crush the biscuits in a blender, pour in the melted butter and mix.
3.     Press the biscuit into the base of a springform pan with the back of a spoon. Leave in the fridge until ready to bake.
4.     Beat all the cheese in the mixer.
5.     Add in sugar, then eggs and the coffee and liquor.
6.     Pour into the pan on top of the biscuit base.
7.     Bake for 45-55 mins in 160C fan forced oven until the middle is just set.
8.     Open the oven door and let the cheesecake sit in the oven with the door open for 10 minutes.

Crunchy Top Banana Bread

This recipe is fairly low in sugar and fat content, without compromising on the taste. The moistness and sweetness being provided by the bananas. The crunchy walnuts on top adds a nice texture.

Ingredients

4 ripe large bananas, mashed

½ cup brown sugar

2 cups plain flour sifted

1 tsp bicarb soda

½ cup oats

¾ cup walnuts, roughly chopped

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup vegetable oil

Method

1.     Line a loaf pan with greaseproof paper. Preheat fan forced oven to 160C.

2.     Mix mashed bananas, beaten eggs, oil and vanilla extract in a large bowl.

3.     Add the flour, bicarb soda, oats and sugar.

4.     Mix well, and add ½ of the walnuts at the end of the mixing process.

5.     Pour into loaf pan, sprinkle the rest of the walnuts on the top.

6.     Bake for 45-50 mins in 160C oven.

Chocolate Caramel Crispy Nut Clusters

This is a quick but super delicious no bake treat.

Ingredients

300g good dark chocolate

2 cups puff rice

½ cup desiccated coconut

½ chop salted roasted nuts (I used macadamia here)

½ cup caramel bits

Method

1.          Line a rectangular tray with non-stick baking paper.

2.          Mix all dry ingredients in a big bowl.

3.          Melt dark chocolate in the microwave in 20sec bursts.

4.          Pour melted chocolate over the mix and stir to coat evenly.

5.          Pour into the tray and spread flat.

6.          Keep in the fridge for 2 hours until hard.

7.          Break up into chunks or cut into squares.

8.          Tuck in!