Carrot Cake - MS Word document for downloading

Here’s another of the recipes I was asked for at Presentation Evening, followed by the recipe I use at home. Carrot Cake always seems to be popular! I was amused to see how peoples’ faces lit up at the sight of Carrot Cake and Lemon Drizzle Cake (to follow!).

So few people seem to make cakes at home, now. I think that’s a real shame. You only have to look at the aisles in the supermarkets devoted to cakes and biscuits to see that there is a real demand for these foods. It doesn’t have to take up much time and all you need is a reliable recipe, (which I am providing!)

A friend has asked why I use a different recipe at home. The reason is quite simple - I don’t have the size of trays I have in school. I prefer to make more “loaf” style cakes, which fit into the freezer more easily.

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Moroccan Casserole - MS Word document for downloading

Moroccan Casserole is so quick to prepare! It’s a substantial meal and the raisins add an unusual flavour. With all the spices, you might like to add a little crème fraiche at the last moment, (or if you think it is going to be too spicy for children). No time is wasted sprinkling the aubergine with salt and then rinsing - it just goes straight in to the casserole.

Serves 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 55 minutes on the hob

Chopping the fresh herbs can be very time consuming. Try putting them in a small bowl and cutting them with scissors - it’s much faster than chopping! A dish like this really does benefit from fresh herbs, but dried ones are better than nothing. Read more »

Iced Christmas Puddings - MS Word document for downloading

I first came across Iced Christmas puddings in Australia. A friend served a delicious one, which was ever so simple and made in the bought ice cream container:

1. Soak about 100g (4oz) mixed dried fruit overnight in 4 fl oz (125ml) brandy.
2. Then stir into a pint of double cream.
3. Scoop out about half a carton of vanilla ice-cream, returning this scooped out ice-cream to the freezer
4. Add the brandy mixture to the ice cream in the container, smoothing out as a layer.
5. Freeze until firm.
6. Top up the container with as much of the reserved ice cream as possible.
7. Freeze until required.

To serve: to turn out, dip the container into very hot water for about 5 seconds. Loosen the pudding by twisting a fork in the centre, before turning upside down over the serving plate. Serve immediately.

The photograph is for Iced Christmas Pudding (from BBC “Good Living” with
Jane Asher), ready to go in the freezer. Read more »

Mincemeat Loaf For Christmas Morning - MS Word document for downloading

I think this recipe originally came from a Reader’s Digest cookbook. Christmas Lunch in our house is a very movable feast. It gradually dawned on me that it would be lovely to start Christmas Day with a special breakfast. I came across this recipe and couldn’t wait to try it.

Be warned, though - it can have consequences if served for breakfast with lots of Buck’s Fizz and black coffee! The friends who shared it with us that first year staggered home. Even though they spent much of the rest of the day recovering, they did ask to be invited again! I tucked in, like everyone else. As I hadn’t prepared the Brussel Sprouts the night before, I ended up feeding my family frozen ones! That is something I have never been allowed to forget (amongst other things!).

Mincemeat Loaf is made like garlic bread, but with brandy butter and mincemeat, (homemade, of course). Allow about half a French stick or baton per adult, plus a bit. It’s difficult to give quantities accurately for the mincemeat and brandy butter. It’s according to taste, really. It’s very rich and filling, so you need to bear this in mind when making it up. A little bit of plain bread with each slice is very refreshing.

Preparation time: about 10 minutes for 3 loaves. I prefer to make the loaves up and pop them in the freezer (for up to 3 months), allowing them to thaw out overnight, in the fridge. You could make them up on Christmas morning and pop them straight in the pre-heated oven for 10-15 minutes at 180C- Gas Mark 4.(The fruit will be very hot, so take care!)

Cooking time: as above, immediately before serving. Turn the oven right down and keep unopened loaves warm until required.

This quantity serves 4 adults.

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