Zucchini and Parmesan Muffins

Recipe from 100 Favourite Muffins and Slices
Images by Yasmin

This is a really scrumptious and filling savoury bite of goodness. The different types of cheese just take this muffin to a whole new dimention! I really enjoy eating these muffins because I can have the satisfaction of eating something delicious without feeling guilty about eating something sweet and unhealthy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups standard (plain) flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup grated tasty cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 zucchini, grated (250g altogether)

Method:
Heat oven to 200'C fanbake, with the rack just below the middle.

Sift or fork together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Grind in black pepper to taste, then add the grated cheeses and stir to combine.

Break the eggs into another large bowl, add the milk and whisk together with a fork, then add the grated unpeeled zucchini.

Tip the dry ingredients into the liquid mixture, then carefully fold everything together, taking care not to overmix. As soon as all the flour is moistened, spoon the mixture  into 12 lightly buttered or non-stick sprayed regular muffin pans or 24 mini muffin pans.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the tops are golden and the muffins spring back when pressed in the centre.

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.

Zucchini, Cheese and Chorizo Twist

Recipe from Recipes magazine
Images by Yasmin

This is a truely scrumptious dinner! It's texture is similar to rizotto, but in pastry! This meal is perfect for taking a plate or dinner over to someone's house to share, it is really big and very filling. Dig in!

Ingredients:

• 3 large zucchini
• 2 tblsp vegetable or olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 cup cooked long-grain white rice
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 2 sheets of frozen shortcrust pastry, thawed
• 100g packet of chorizo slices, or 1 chorizo sliced
• 3-4 hard boiled eggs, peeled, halved
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 tsp sesame seeds

                                                                         (Uncooked)                                                                       

                                                                          (Cooked)

Method:

Preheat oven to 180'C fan forced. Grease and line a large baking tray with baking paper. Coarsely grate zucchini; using hands, squeeze out excess liquid. Heat oil in large frying pan over moderate heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir mixture for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add zucchini; cook for 2-3 minutes or until zucchini begins to wilt. Drain excess liquid. Cool to room temperature. Add rice, cheese and chives. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

Place pastry on prepared tray. Allow the ends to overlap for approximately 4cm (this will make the dinner longer to hold all of the filling).  Gently press pastry together to seal. Arrange chorizo slices in centre of pastry, leaving a 7-8cm boarder. Spread half of the zucchini mixture over chorizo, top with hard boiled eggs, then remaining zucchini mixture.

Using a sharp knife, make cuts at 2cm intervals in the pastry surrounding the filling. Bring ends up to enclose filling and bring alternating strips up over filling to enclose. Brush with egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Remove tray from oven. Stand for 5 minutes. Slice to serve.