Zucchini Slice/Pie

Recipe and Images by Yasmin

This is a delicious snack or meal to serve. We ate this on Boxing Day 2011 with a group of friends along with many other small dishes which I will post at a later date. This slice is also great for pic-nics. Yum Yum!!!

Ingredients:

• 4 large zucchini
• 1 large onion
• 4 bacon rashers
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup SR Flour
• 1/4 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Method:
Grate unpeeled zucchini, chop onion finely, chop bacon. Combine ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into greased flan or slice tin. Bake for 30-40 minutes in moderate oven.

Vanilla Slice

Recipe from '100 Favourite Muffins and Slices'
Photo by Yasmin

Dear followers,
Sorry I haven't been blogging recently, I've been so caught up in school work and life - not having any time for myself. However, since it is the holidays, I will try to post as many delicious treats as possible - particularly Christmas Treats. First, however, I do owe my readers the long awaited recipe for Vanilla Slice. Personally, I don't like custard so this slice doesn't appeal to me, though I know you will enjoy it. I am told it is delicious! Merry Christmas and enjoy cooking my tasty treats!

Cheers,
Yasmin


Vanilla Slice

Ingredients:
Base:

• approx 200g flaky pastry

Filling:

• 1/2 cup vanilla custard powder
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 1/4 cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Icing:

• 1 cup icing sugar
• 2 tsp softened butter
• lemon juice or passionfruit pulp to mix

Method:
Heat oven to 190'C fanbake. Line the base and sides of a loose bottom square baking pan.

For base, roll the pastry out thinly to make two squares each about 2cm bigger than the pan. Prick the pastry evenly all over. Place the two pastry squares on an oven slide and bake for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown on both sides. Trim the cooked squares of pastry to fit the loose-bottomed baking pan. Place on square in it.

For filling, mix the custard powder and the brown sugar together in a heavy bottomed, medium-sized saucepan. Add the milk and stir well until well combined but not foamy. Cook gently over low heat for 2-3 minutes, until the custard thickens. Next, whisk in the beaten eggs, and the vanilla. Again, stir constantly until the custard thickens, then pour it evenly over the pastry in the baking pan. Cover the hot custard with the other pastry layer immediately. Refridgerate until cold.

For icing, put the icing sugar and butter in a bowl. Stir in small amounts of lemon juice or passionfruit pulp until you get icing of spreadable consistency. Ice the top layer of pastry and leave it to set. Cut into squares using a sharp knife.

Serve: from the refridgerator, with coffee or tea, or fo dessert. Store sqaures which are not eaten the day they are made in the refridgerator and eat within the next two days; if they last that long!!!

Belgium Bars

Recipe from 100 Favourite Cakes and Slices
Images by Tammy

This is a delicious slice/bar to eat with friends for afternoon tea. I have passed this recipe on to many of my friends and they have all loved it and found it truely addictive! It is a very sweet slice and I have always found it to taste similarly to gingerbread, but maybe that is just me. You'll have to try it and tell me what you think!

Ingredients:
Base:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 200g softened butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups plain flour

Filling:

• approx. 1/2 cup jam (of your choice)

Icing:

• 2 cups sifted icing sugar
• 25g softened butter
• approx. 3 tblsp lemon juice or water
• red jelly crystals or coloured sugar

Method:
Grease or line with baking paper a large baking tin. For base, measure the brown sugar, softened butter and egg into a large bowl or food processor. Mix well, then add all the dry ingredients except for the flour. Mix again then add and mix in half the flour. Add the remaining flour and mix well. Divide dough into 2 parts, refridgerate in a plastic bag until firm enough to roll. Roll each half out to fit your pan (if you like, work the dough between sheets of floured waxed paper or plastic to prevent sticking).

Place the first sheet in the prepared baking pan and neaten the edges. Spread it with a thin layer of jam, then cover with the second sheet of dough. Prick in a few places.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until the centre is firm when gently pressed. Cool, ice as below and cut into bars.

For icing (if desired), mix icing sugar, butter and enough lemon juice or water to make it fairly soft. Spread evenly over the cooked mixture. If you like, sprinkle a few jelly crystals (or some coloured sugar) on the icing in rows.

Apricot, Date Bars

Recipe from NMAA Cooks
Images by Yasmin

This is a healthy fruit bar to have as a snack in lunch boxes, with coffee, for afternoon and morning tea, or as a snack during the day. It has a crusty appearance and texture similar to shortbread. The flavour is delicious though!

Ingredients:

• 125g dried apricots, chopped
• hot water
• 1 cup raw sugar
• 2 cups self raising flour
• 3/4 cup coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped dates
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 185g butter or margarine, melted

Method:
Soak chopped apricots in hot water for 30 minutes, drain. Put in bowl with sugar, sifted flour, coconut, dates, salt. Add melted butter, mix well. Spread mixture into greased lamington tin. Bake in moderate oven for approximately 25 minutes or until cooked. Remove from oven, allow to cool, and cut into squares.

Variations:

• Omit dried apricots and double quantity of dates
• Omit 1/4 cup flour and substitute 1/4 cup wheatgerm

Coffee Square Slice

Recipe from Rae Barr (friend)
Photos by Yasmin

This is a recipe from my Grandma's friend. It is a combination of a coffee cake and a fruit cake. Delicious idea, perfect with coffee and friends. My sister went to Japan recently and she brought me back some mini hello kitty cake tins. So in this cake I transferred some of the mixture into these pans and put the rest in a lamington tin. They turned out so cute!

Ingredients:

• 180g butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 350g mixed fruit
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp garam marsala
• 2 cups walnuts
• 1 cup milk, thickened with juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp bi-carb soda
• 1 1/2 cups flour

Method:

Into a saucepan put butter, sugar, fruit, spices and walnuts. Simmer for a few minutes, then cool. In a separate bowl, add milk, lemon and bi-carb soda. Add to saucepan and combine.

Bake in a lamington tin for 35-45 minutes at 180'C fan-forced. Ice with lemon icing and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Anzac Slice

Recipe from Lesley Palmer (family friend)
Photos by Yasmin

I love this recipe. It is full of spirit from Anzac day and is very wholesome and filling. It is very similar in regards to ingredients to Anzac biscuits (also featured on my blog); however, it is just displayed differently - in slice form. A beautiful enhancer of this hearty snack is lemon icing. The sour flavour of lemons compliments this oat filled slice perfectly. I really love this combination. I thank my friend for sharing this recipe with me from all those years ago. I still use it every year (along with Anzac biscuits) to commemorate the Anzac troops hard work in Galipolli. Lest we forget.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup self raising flour
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 tblsp golden syrup, melted
• 1 egg
• 113g margarine, melted

Method:
Beat together. Spread evenly in a bake tray, lined with non-stick baking paper. Cook for 20-25 minutes at 180'C fan forced. When cool ice with lemon icing (optional). For lemon icing recipe, see Icing and Sauces Page on Blog.

Butterscotch Squares

Recipe from 100 Favourite Muffins and Slices by Simon and Alison Holst
Images by Yasmin

This is a sweet, caramel flavoured slice that is very addictive. It tastes fantastic plain and in small slices as a snack. I make this slice often and everyone enjoys its sweet taste.

Ingredients:
Base and Topping:

• 125g butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla flavouring
• 1 cup SR flour
• 1 cup flour

Filling:

• 100g butter
• 2 tblsp golden syrup
• 400g sweetened condensed milk

Method:

Heat oven to 180'C fan-forced. For base, cut butter into pieces and melt. Take off heat and beat in sugar, egg, vanilla flavouring until evenly mixed. Stir in the flours until mixture is crumbly, then squeeze into a ball. Break 3/4 of the dough into bits and spread evenly in the pan. Put the rest in the fridge.

For filling, melt butter in a pot. Add in syrup and stir. Add condensed milk, mix well, then pour the filling over the unbaked mixture in the tin.

For topping, grate the cold remaining dough on tip of the filling. Bake for 30-45 minutes. Cool on rack for 2 hours. Cut into slices. Store in the fridge (sometimes it is best to refridgerate first and then cut into slices).

Dried Fruit Balls

Recipe from Great Aunt Marie
Image by Ifood

(makes about 35)

I'm sure everyone is well educated in the many variations of the classic Rum Balls. This is a very old and much healthier varitation given to me by my Great Aunt Marie. Although I do love the classic, this recipe has a naturally sweet and scrumptious twist. These are perfect for something to nibble with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried fruit medley (apples, apricots, sultanas)
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dates, chopped
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 cup skim milk powder
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup desicated coconut

Method:
Combine dried fruit medley, raisins and dates. Pour boiling water over fruits and leave for 15 minutes. Add skim milk powder, nuts and half the coconut and mix thoroughly. Using clean hands, form into 2cm balls, roll in remaining coconut. Refrigerate, covered, for a few hours before serving.

Variation: Press mixture into a slab tin which has been sprinkled with coconut. Press remaining coconut on top.

Zucchini Slice

Recipe from Karen and Yasmin

I love making zucchini slice for picnics or family lunches. My Aunty and I made this slice to share on Christmas Eve for a late lunch - very special and very tasty! For picnics this dish can be prepared in a slice dish and sliced to serve or it can be poured into individual quiche pans or cupcake pans - easy finger food but still yummy! However you serve it, this dish is meant to be shared and gobbled.

Ingredients:

• 5 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup flour
• 4 small or 3 medium zucchini
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup cheese, grated
• 4 bacon rashers, remove fat, chunky square slices

Method:
Whisk eggs and oil in a large bowl. In a seperate large bowl combine all other ingredients. Add to the egg mixture. Mix well. Pour into a sprayed pie, slice or 12 cupcake pan dish. Bake in a moderate oven (150'C fan-forced) for approximately one hour. Serve hot or cold for lunch.

Lemon Shortcake

Recipe from 100 Favourite Muffins and Slices by Simon and Alison Holst
Image by Yasmin

This is my one time favourite slice in the whole world. It is lemon flavoured, very simple and inexpensive. Three pluses in my books! I have tried many other lemon slices and shortcakes but none measure up to this one. It is perfect for afternoon tea with friends and family as well as sweet treats in a busy work day.

Ingredients:

Base and Topping:

• 1 cup SR flour, sifted
• 1 cup plain flour, sifted
• 1 cup sugar
• 100g cold butter
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tblsp milk

Filling:

• 100g butter
• 2 lemons, grated rind and jucied
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Method:
For base, mix the sifted flours and sugar in bowl. Grate in cold butter, then rub it in until it resembles rolled oats. Make a well in the centre and add the lightly beaten egg. Add just enough milk so that the particles will stick when pressed, making a dough. Press 3/4 of this over the bottom of the pan, keeping the rest in the fridge to crumble on top.

For filling, melt butter on stove on a medium-sized pot. Take off heat. Mix in the grated lemon rind and juice, sugar and eggs, then heat again, stirring constantly, until first bubbles form. Pour it evenly over the base and crumble remaining dough mixture on top.

Heat oven to 180'C and bake slice for 35- 45 minutes, until golden brown, with centre almost as firm as the edges. Remove from loose bottomed pan. When cool, dust with icing sugar (optional).

Coconut Slice

Recipe from 100 Favourite Muffins and Slices by Simon and Alison Holst
Images by Yasmin

This is recently my most favourite slice. It is very cheap to make, tastes fantastic and only requires everyday ingredients in a normal household. The only downside is that personally I have not yet mastered how to make this slice without it being a little bit messy to eat. My HINT is: Don't spread too much jam on the base - it is absorbed and makes it soggy and sloppy. Also NOTE: this slice is very hard to cut up into slices - it splits easily - edge pieces are the hardest to cut.

                                                                                      

Ingredients:

Pastry:                                                                                                

• 1 cup plain flour                                             
• 75g cold butter                               
• about ¼ cup cold water                                                                     

Filling:

• 1/2 cup raspberry jam
• about 1/2 cup currants or sultanas

Topping:

• 175g butter                                     
• 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla flavouring
• 3 large eggs
• 3 cups coconut                                                                                                                        

Method: 

Heat oven to 220°C  (210°C fanbake). Spray 23cm square pan with non-stick pan. For pastry, put flour and cubed butter in the food processor, then process in bursts, while adding water in a slow stream. Refrigerate dough 5-10 minutes while you mix the topping. For topping, soften but do not melt the butter. In the unwashed food processor or bowl, mix butter with the sugar, vanilla and eggs, then mix the coconut. Roll out pastry to cover the base and sides of the pan. Spread it with jam and dried fruit.

Drop the topping over it in blobs (Topping will spread during cooking). Bake for 10-15 minutes, then turn down to180°C (170°C fanbake) and cook for 15-30 minutes or until the topping has browned evenly, and the centre feels firm.

Serve:

Serve warm for dessert with whipped cream or ice-cream, or cool completely before cutting into pieces of the desired size. Store in a shallow container between layers of paper, in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Sour Cream Apple Slice

Recipe from Yasmin
Image by Patricia Scarpin and Yasmin

This recipe has been passed down from one of my grandparent's friends to at last me and I can understand why it has not been forgotten. The recipe is really easily made and one of the best slices I have tasted. It has very few ingredients but still can entice anyone, even a chocolate lover will enjoy this just as much as plain chocolate! I do warn any taste tester of this particular slice, it is very addictive!!! This is the perfect slice for sudden afternoon tea arrangements with friends or if you receive an unexpected visitor. Once you serve this, I promise that your friends will visit you more often and demand the secret to this success!

(with coconut)

Ingredients:

·         ¼ pound (115g) melted butter

·         1 packet buttercake mix

·         1 cup coconut

·         Tin of pie apples

·         1 egg, lightly beaten

·         1 cup sour cream

·         Vanilla

Method:

Combine butter, buttercake and coconut in a bowl. Press into a greased lamington tin and cook in a moderate oven for 10 minutes. Spread the apple over the partly cooked base. Combine the egg, sour cream and vanilla in the empty bowl. Spread the sour cream mixture over the apple layer. Sprinkle with coconut and/or cinnamon. Cook for 20 - 25 minutes.

Serve for cold for dessert or afternoon tea.

 (with cinnamon)