Monday, September 30, 2013

Almond Butter Biscuits


This is a recipe I adapted from a 4 Ingredients book and I love that it's so easy and gluten free.  The original recipe uses peanut butter, but it was just as good with almond - or any nut butter would do!

I used whole almonds from Charlies and made them into a butter with my neighbour's Thermomix - but you could just buy it (go for the natural stuff from the health food section of the supermarket).


Ingredients
1 cup (250g) almond butter
3/4 cup (220g) brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg

Method
Preheat oven to 180C. Mix all ingredients into a bowl.

Spoon small tablespoon sized balls onto 2 lined baking trays. Flatten slightly.

Bake for 8 minutes, or until a thin crust forms on the biscuit.  Cool and enjoy.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Cake Balls


I was going through my freezer the other day, when I came across a container full of leftover Fire Truck Birthday Cake  from my little man's birthday last month.  Leftover birthday cake is so delicious, but you can't really serve a deconstructed cake - and my tummy & thighs certainly don't need the extra calories!

So I came up with this - and it was soooo delicious!  Because of the red fire truck icing, the balls came out such a beautiful rich red colour - but you could always add some colour if you just have plain leftover cake.  You can also experiment with the flavour, or just leave it as it.

Ingredients
leftover cake, iced with buttercream
1 teaspoon strawberry essence (or any other flavour - or if your cake is flavoured, just leave it as is)
100g dark chocolate, melted
sprinkles, for decoration

Method
If frozen, defrost the cake.  Place chunks into a food processor or Thermomix and process until fine crumbs form.  Add essence.  Continue to process until mixture comes together in a big ball and is quite moist.

Roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls.  Assess the texture and if necessary, place in freezer for about 30 minutes.

When mixture is firm, dip in melted chocolate, sprinkle with decorations and refrigerate until set.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Black Sapote Muffins


So I got my online order from Charlie's Fruit Online the other day and was curious about a random fruit that was in my box - I had absolutely no idea what it was!

It looked a little like this:

After a bit of research, I discovered it's Black Sapote, which is also known as Chocolate Pudding Fruit.  Sounds pretty good!  However, I have to admit that the taste didn't really float my boat.  So I started the hunt for a recipe and found a super easy one here at Best Recipes and tinkered with it a little.

The result was great!  It's amazing that these actually contain no cocoa or chocolate, because you'd never know - that chocolatey taste is definitely there!

Next time you have some Black Sapote hanging around, you should definitely give these a go :-)


Ingredients
60g butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup black sapote pulp, pureed with ⅓ cup orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour

Method
Place everything in a bowl and mix together.

Spoon into a non-stick muffin tray and cook at 200°C for about 20 minutes.

Optional: once cooled, spread with buttercream icing.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Chicken Cacciatore


Another fantastic weeknight meal from Food Before 5 - this was a huge time-saver for me, because it lasted us for 2 nights, so gave me a day off cooking!  It's delicious, packed with veges, cheap, easy and quick to prepare.  PLUS, without any rice or extras, comes in at just 244 calories per serve!


Ingredients (serves 6 - 244 calories per serve)
1 tablespoon olive oil
600g chicken thighs
1 brown onion
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
200g button mushrooms, chopped
100g bacon, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 x 400g tins crushed tomatos
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 teaspoons mixed dried herbs
250mL chicken stock

Method
Heat oil in a large saucepan.  Brown chicken over medium-high heat, then remove from pan.

Add onion, celery and carrot to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft.

Add mushrooms, bacon and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes.

Serve with steamed brown rice or cauliflower "rice".

Friday, September 20, 2013

Chicken Skewers with Cauliflower Pilaf


I really enjoyed this meal - it's got delicious, strong flavours and is super healthy too!


Ingredients (serves 4)

Chicken skewers:
400g chicken breast, cubed
1/2 bunch coriander, chopped
1 lime, zested and juiced
200mL (1/2 can) coconut milk
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce

Cauliflower pilaf:
1/2 head cauliflower
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, grated

Method
Take 8 bamboo skewers and soak them in water for about 15 minutes.  Thread chicken pieces onto skewers.  Arrange in a shallow dish.

Combine coriander, lime juice and zest, coconut milk, garlic and ginger in a food processor.  Process until well combined.  Pour marinade over chicken skewers and leave for at least 2 hours (up to overnight).

To make the cauliflower pilaf: chop cauliflower and place in a food processor.  Pulse until finely chopped.  Transfer to a frying pan or wok over medium heat, lightly sprayed with olive oil.

Saute for a few minutes, until starting to soften.  Add spices and onion, and continue to cook for another minute.  Add carrot and cook, stirring regularly for 5-10 minutes.

Preheat barbecue or grill pan over medium heat.  Spray with olive oil.  Cook chicken skewers, turning when needed, until cooked through.  Take remaining marinade and put in a small saucepan with 2 teaspoons brown sugar and a dash of sweet chilli sauce.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced slightly and thickened.

Arrange skewers over pilaf and spoon sauce over the top.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Cheesecake Slice


This recipe is from my new favourite cook book, "Food Before 5" by Amanda Arnold. I've been cooking a few things out of it, and find all of the recipes so easy, family-friendly and delicious!

This slice is no exception - super easy to do and super tasty!  You could easily substitute the lemon and passionfruit for other flavours.  Keep in the fridge, or it's also suitable to freeze.


Ingredients
1 cup self-raising flour
1 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 cup caster sugar
125g butter, melted
125g cream cheese
1 x 400g tin condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice
pulp of 1 passionfruit

Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius/160 fan-forced.

In a bowl, combine flour, coconut, sugar and butter.  Press firmly into a slice pan lined with baking paper.

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.  Remove from oven and cool.

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add condensed milk and beat until smooth.

While beating, gradually add lemon juice to thicken the mixture.  Add passionfruit pulp and beat.

Spread over cooled base and refrigerate for about 4 hours or until set.  Cut to size.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Pumpkin & Feta Pastry Roll


I brought this Sausage Roll in to my workmates to taste test this morning and was told in no uncertain terms that it was not, in fact, a Sausage Roll at all.  They thought it was a very misleading label, and as a "Sausage Roll" they scored it a 0/5!  However, as a Pumpkin & Feta Pastry, I was scored 4.5/5 - so apparently, it's all in the name!

I whipped these up after making a Pumpkin & Feta Pizza on the weekend and having leftover ingredients.  They are delicious and a really great alternative to your standard sausage roll.  Just perfect with some home-made relish and a side salad.  Enjoy!


Ingredients
400g pumpkin, peeled, deseeded, cubed
1 tin lentils, drained
2 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped (or substitute dried herbs)
1 egg, lightly beaten (reserve a little bit for brushing)
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
100g feta cheese, crumbled
2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Method
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.  Roast pumpkin for about 20 minutes, until soft and lightly browned.

Reduce oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Place in a bowl with lentils and mash.  Add herbs, egg (don't forget to reserve some!), sauce and feta and mix well.

Lay out the puff pastry and cut each piece in half.  Spoon 1/4 of the filling mixture on each piece, in a log.  Roll up and place, seam down, on a lined baking tray.

Brush with reserved egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake for about 15 minutes, until lightly golden.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Kids Food Ideas #3


I needed another change from the cheese sandwich that my kids would so happily eat every day, so today I threw these fritters together:

1 grated zucchini, 1/2 cup grated cheese, a few slices of leftover corned beef (chopped), 1/4 cup tinned corn, 1 egg, 1 cup SR flour, 1 cup milk - mix together, and dollop into a frying pan over medium-low heat, cook for about 2 minutes each side, until cooked through. 

It was a winner!

Here's some other ideas for the lunchbox: (as well as more in previous posts here and here!)

Rice cakes instead of the usual sandwich, with a range of toppings to mix it up.
I love when the snack box has lots of bright colours - it definitely makes it much more appealing for the kids!  Shown here are mulitgrain rice crackers, dried cranberries, carrot & strawberries.
I love these Tupperware lunchboxes - you can fit so much in, while only taking one container with you (and no excess packaging).  Again, lots of bright colours always go down a treat!
Sometimes making it into a funny shape is enough to get them eating healthily!  Daggy mum, I know :-)
Melted cheese on a wrap to make a quesadilla, accompanied by colourful silicone cups with a range of salad items.
So get a bit creative and mix up your lunch today!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Banana Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Sugar-Free)


I saw this recipe the other day posted here at The Healthy Chef.  It really appealed to me, because while it's a really healthy alternative to standard Banana Cake, it doesn't use strange, expensive, hard-to-source ingredients.  I've made it twice since and it's been a big hit!  I made a couple of changes, but feel free to also check out the original recipe for some other alternatives.  I also made it once in my food processor and once in my neighbour's Thermomix (including making the almond meal) - and it was so quick and easy.

As always - almonds, bananas, honey & eggs from Charlie's!

Makes 1 loaf - 12 slices (193 calories per serve)

Ingredients
300g over-ripe, mashed banana
3 eggs
60g honey 
1 teaspoon vanilla
60 g olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda
1 tbsp lemon juice
150g almond meal
50g desiccated coconut
25g chia seeds

Method
Preheat oven to 160 C.

Combine banana, honey, oil, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs, bicarb and lemon in a food processor.

Add the almond meal, coconut and chia and mix well.

Line a loaf tin with baking paper and spoon in the batter. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour (a skewer inserted into the centre should come out dry).

Allow to cool before turning out the loaf.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Trio of Truffles


I've been getting back on track with clean eating lately - trying to stick with real, whole foods.  But of course, I still love my sweets - so these little delights are my not-so-naughty treats.  They're not strictly truffles - but close enough!

I did some experimenting last week, trying out the flavours - but of course, I didn't write down what I was doing...so the quantities here might not be exactly what I used.  Do some experimenting and just add more wet/dry ingredients as needed.

The recipes are a combination of a couple from the 4 Ingredients "Gluten & Lactose Free" book and online.  Just be careful not to go overboard - 1 or 2 at a time will satisfy the sweet craving without breaking the calorie bank :-)

Get all your nuts & dried fruit from Charlies!

Basic Chocolate Truffles
1/4 cup almonds
1 cup dates
1/2 cup coconut
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup crushed peanuts

Combine almonds, dates, coconut and cocoa in a food processor or Thermomix and blend until mixture comes together.  Add a dash of water if necessary.  Roll into balls, coat in nuts and refrigerate.


Lime Truffles
1/2 cup almonds
3/4 cup dates
zest and juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup coconut

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or Thermomix and blend until mixture comes together.  Roll into balls and refrigerate.


Peanut Butter Truffles
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons coconut flour
1 tablespoon cocoa (plus extra for rolling/dusting)
1 tablespoon chia seeds

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or Thermomix and blend until mixture comes together.  Roll into balls, coat or dust with cocoa and refrigerate.

Combine all ingredients in a food processor

Friday, September 6, 2013

Puffed Rice Slice


You know those rice bubble bars you buy at the shops?  Sure they're convenient for the lunchbox, but have you ever actually looked at what's in them?  Hopefully you can zoom in enough to see the ingredients list:


Yep, absolutely filled with unnecessary extras.  When you realise how easy it is to make your own, you won't need to buy them any more!  It'll save you heaps of money, heaps of plastic packaging & takes hardly any time at all.  These keep well in the fridge and are also suitable to freeze, so you can always have them on hand.  You can get puffed rice in the health food section at the supermarket - it's better than rice bubbles, because the only ingredient is rice!  You'll love these ones :-)

Ingredients
100g butter
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 tablespoons honey
100g puffed rice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup desiccated coconut

Method
Combine butter, sugar and honey in a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes, until butter is melted OR combine in a small saucepan.

Add puffed rice, vanilla and coconut and mix well.

Pour into a lined slice tin and refrigerate until firm.

Cut into slices and serve.  Keep in the fridge.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Roast Vegetable Frittata


This was a bit of a throw-together meal that turned out really well!  Super easy - a bit time-consuming because of the cooking times, but the actual prep time is not much.  Loved by the whole family and would suit breakfast, lunch or dinner - it comes in at just 265 calories per serve.


Ingredients (serves 4)
300g pumpkin, peeled, seeded and chopped
300g sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1 red onion, chopped
olive oil spray
2 tablespoons relish/chutney (I used this home-made capsicum & onion relish)
100g feta cheese, chopped
6 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons dried herbs

Method
Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius/200 fan-forced.

Combine pumpkin, sweet potato and onion in a baking dish and spray with olive oil. Bake for about 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender and golden. Reduce oven to 180 degrees Celsius/160 fan-forced.

Add relish to vegetables and mix until combined. Top with feta.

In a separate bowl, combine eggs and milk and whisk well.  Pour over the vegetables then sprinkle the herbs on top.

Bake for about 30 minutes until egg is set and top is golden brown.


Monday, September 2, 2013

Capsicum & Onion Relish


This relish is a bit of a combination of a recipe from the latest Super Food Ideas magazine and my favourite home-made Tomato Relish.  It is simply delicious and I think it's our new favourite relish.  Even better when you can get capsicums & onions on special at Charlie's!  It's perfect on sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, with eggs & toast, quiche...or anything else you can think of.  And how gorgeous does it look in these preserving jars from www.kitchenwaredirect.com.au?


Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1kg brown onions, sliced thinly
1kg red capsicum, chopped finely
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
1/3 cup sweet chilli sauce

Method
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for a further minute, then add capsicums and cook, stirring, until softened.

Add the rest of the ingredients. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, or until reduced to a thick, spreadable consistency.

Spoon into sterilised jars and seal. Once open, keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Peach Blossom Cake


Wrapping up a week of cakes, I'm sharing with you one of my favourites!  It's called Peach Blossom, but it's not the traditional style of peach blossom that you see in show baking competitions etc.  This is from one of my mum's old-school cook books, and is one I always used to request as a birthday cake.  I tried out this giant cupcake mold I was given and it worked a treat!

Ingredients
250g butter
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
1 cup milk
3 cups self-raising flour
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon raspberry essence
2 tablespoons raspberry jelly crystals

Method
Beat butter and sugar to a cream, then add eggs and essence.

Add flour and jelly crystals, then milk and beat until well combined.

Pour into prepared tin and bake in a moderate oven for about 45 minutes.

When cold, ice with pink icing and sprinkle with more jelly crystals and shredded coconut.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Hummingbird Cake


This amazingly moist & flavoursome cake got rave reviews at my Big Cake Bake earlier in the week.  It has 2 types of fruit in it, so must be healthy ;-) and nothing - NOTHING - beats cream cheese icing.  Do yourself a favour - make this cake!

Ingredients
400g can crushed pineapple - or fresh pineapple, crushed in a food processor/Thermomix
1 cup plain flour
½ cup self-raising flour
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup desiccated coconut
2 large over-ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs, beaten lightly
¾ cup vegetable oil (or other oil of your choice)

Cream cheese icing
25g butter, softened
100g cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups icing sugar mixture

Method
Preheat oven to moderate. Grease and/or line a medium square/round or ring cake pan.

Drain pineapple over medium bowl, pressing with spoon to extract as much syrup as possible. Reserve ¼ cup syrup.

Sift flours, soda, spices and sugar into large bowl. Using a wooden spoon, stir in drained pineapple, reserved syrup, coconut, banana, egg and oil; pour into prepared pan.

Bake cake in moderate oven about 40 mins. Stand cake in pan 5 mins before turning onto wire rack; turn cake top-side up to cool.

Spread cold cake with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Icing
Beat butter, cream cheese and extract in small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy, gradually beat in icing sugar.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Lime & Pistachio Cheesecake


This morning I took part in the Red Cross "Big Cake Bake".  Basically, it's an excuse to eat cake and support a great cause!  So, I got baking, had some friends around - and it was a big success.

This was the most popular cake of the day.  I'm a bit proud of it, because I made this one up all by myself and was so happy with the result!  I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as we all did today :-)


Ingredients
250g arrowroot biscuits
1/2 cup pistachios
150g butter, melted
3/4 cup caster sugar
4 eggs
500g cream cheese, at room temperature
300g sour cream
1 large lime, zested & juiced
4 drops green food colouring (optional)

Pistachio & Lime Brittle
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
juice 1 small or 1/2 large lime
1/4 cup pistachios, crushed

Method
Grease a 9 inch round springform tin.

Place pistachios in a food processor and crush until fine.  Add biscuits and process until it's a fine crumb.  Add butter and mix well.

Press mixture into the base and sides of tin.  Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together eggs and sugar in a small bowl.

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream and zest & juice until well combined.  Add the food colouring (if using) with the egg mixture and beat well.

Preheat oven to 140 degrees celsius, fan-forced.

When the base is firm, pour the mixture over.  Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.  The top will be firm but the cheesecake might have a bit of wobble - that's okay!

Leave in the oven to cool, or at room temperature.  Refrigerate for about 3 hours.

Meantime, make brittle:
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water, salt and lime juice over high heat.   Don't stir until it starts to bubble around the edges.  Stir to make sure sugar has dissolved.  Reduce heat slightly and boil, without stirring, for about 10 minutes, until it browns and thickens slightly.

Remove from heat, stir in pistachios and pour onto a baking tray/tin lined with baking paper.  Leave to set.

Break into pieces.  Scatter brittle over the cheesecake just before serving.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Sausage Casserole


This is a new recipe from a fabulous cookbook called "Food Before 5" by Amanda Arnold, which I highly recommend you check out!  The book is full of family-friendly, budget, easy, delicious meals which are suitable to make ahead.  She's a mum living on the Sunshine Coast and has some great recipes.  This is one of the most delicious sausage dishes I've ever had and the kids absolutely LOVED it.  I will definitely make it again!


Ingredients
6-8 sausages
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 cup beef stock
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons mixed herbs

Method
In a large saucepan, add sausages and cover with water.  Bring to the boil then reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.

Remove sausages from water & whilst still hot, peel off sausage skin.  Slice thickly and place in slow cooker.

Add all remaining ingredients and stir.  Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours.  Serve with rice, mashed potato and/or vegetables.

OR

Cook in a large saucepan over medium heat for 25 minutes.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Fire Truck Cake


My gorgeous little man turns 2 this week - how did that happen?!  Seriously, it feels like he was just born the other day!

He is a stereotypical little boy through and through - he loves anything with wheels.  Cars, trucks, tractors, motorbikes, planes...you name it!  So for his 2nd birthday, he requested a fire truck cake.

There's no fire truck in the good old Women's Weekly Kids' Cake Book, so I turned to the internet for inspiration.  I gathered ideas from here and there, and was really happy with the end result.

It's certainly not as professional as many you see (namely, the fondant ones!) - but my heart lies with butter cream icing, so that was my weapon of choice!

I baked the cake and made the icing the day before, so when I came to actually create the fire truck, it only took me just over an hour.  It was pretty straightforward really, so I'll take you through it step by step!

Start with a slab cake.  I used Women's Weekly Butter Cake (triple recipe) - I used my deep roasting pan which is about 40cm x 30cm.



Level the top, then cut into half length-ways, to have two long rectangles.

Place one on a cake board.  Cut the other into halves, then one of those into halves again.  Arrange into fire truck shape, as below (use a bit of icing in between each part to help it stick in place).



Make a double batch of buttercream.  Tint two thirds red (I used pillar box red).  Split the rest in half, keep one part white and tint the other part grey (using black food colouring).

Ice as shown.


Decorate as desired.  I used chocolate biscuits, red & orange jelly lollies, licorice rolls, smarties and white buttercream.


Put in the candles and enjoy!


The happiest little birthday boy you'll ever see :-)

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Banana Oat Biscuits (& photoshoot sneak peak!)


 This recipe is courtesy of Maria, my workmate's wife, who saved the day last week.

The radio station I work for, 96five, is doing a giveaway for the duration of the Ekka, of a "Mums In the Kitchen Showbag".  It includes an apron, oven mit, tea towel, shopping list, radio and Romeo the Radio Dog toy - pretty cool!  So, we had a photo shoot last week to showcase the showbag.


We were doing the shots with the oven...but had an empty tray!  Thankfully, Maria had sent her husband to work with some freshly-baked biscuits, so we were able to use them for the shoot :-)  They also taste great!

Tune in to 96five for your chance to win a Mums in the Kitchen Showbag!



Ingredients
150g butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking trays.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and mashed banana, then stir in vanilla.

Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves; stir into the banana mixture. Mix in rolled oats and walnuts. 

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared trays. Leave room for spreading. 

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.





Monday, August 12, 2013

Lemon Shortbread Slice


I had some leftover passionfruit butter from my entry at the Pine Rivers Show and didn't want it to go to waste, so I made it into this delightful shortbread slice. I've kept the recipe as lemon butter, but I used the passionfruit alternative, which is divine. It's easy to make and a perfect mix of textures & flavour - you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients
150g butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup icing sugar
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 1/4 cups plain flour
250g jar lemon or passionfruit butter/curd (home-made recipe here - or if you have a Thermomix, it is simple amazing, check out this recipe)

Lemons & passionfruit courtesy of Charlie's :-)


Method
Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius.

Cream the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Mix in the flour in two parts, until incorporated.  Press into a 20cm x 20cm line tin, or standard slice tin.

With a fork, prick the dough all over.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned and the top is pale golden.

Remove from the oven, and lower temperature to 140 degrees Celsius.

Spread the lemon butter on top and return to the oven for about 15 minutes.

Cool in the pan, then refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting into squares.  Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve.

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