Easter Cake

Recipe and photos by Yasmin

I understand completely that this is being posted a few days after Easter, but this is when I had time to make it. Also, I understand that I am going completely against my rule that this blog would contain no traces of chocolate whatsoever, however, Easter isn't really Easter without some chocolate. So here is my main Easter recipe that is a little bit naughty but a whole lot of fun. I guarantee that you will enjoy making and serving this dessert because it is full of life and the joy of Easter.

Ingredients:

Coffee cake batter:

• 2 tblsp margarine or butter
• 1 cup self raising flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla flavouring
• 2-3 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 3 tblsp boiled water

Decorations:

• chocolate icing
• melted cooking chocolate
• sugar coated mini chocolate eggs
• cellophane and miniature chicken

Method:
For Coffee Cake; Grease a fluted cake tin. Heat oven 180'C fan forced. Melt butter in a medium sized bowl. Add all other ingredients and beat until smooth. Put in prepared cake tin. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Once cooked turn out onto a wire rack. Prepare chocolate icing while cake is cooling.

For Chocolate icing see Icing and Sauces Page on blog.
Once cake is cooled, ice.

Leave the cake to set. Once set, arrange the cellophane in the middle of the cake to fill majority of the hole. Cover cellophane with sugar coated chocolate eggs. This arrangement of decorations should look like eggs in a nest.

Melt 2-3 tblsp cooking chocolate or cooking choc chips in a plastic zip lock bag (be careful not to burn the chocolate - melt on a low heat). Using scissors, snip a pin prick sized hole at one end of the zip lock bag to create a mess free piping bag. Pipe long lines from left to right until the cake is covered with chocolate lines (as seen in the photo below).

For the finishing touches, place a miniature yellow chicken in the nest near the eggs - giving the Easter and mother hen effect.

Serve.

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.

Zucchini, Ham and Cheese Cups

Recipe from Recipes+
Photos by Yasmin

This is a very unique and clever idea. Essentially this recipe is just another form of mini quiche; however, instead of using pastry to hold the filling, you use ham! I didn't have enough ham for all the mixture this recipe makes so I used pastry cups as well as ham cups. This is the first of my real Easter recipes I'm posting, not because it looks like anything to do with Easter, but because on Easter my family shares a big and beautiful BBQ breakfast which will include this savoury snack. In this way it is linked to Easter. Feel free to share with me what you do on Easter. Do you have a nice breakfast too, or perhaps a special dinner, but more importantly what do you eat while enjoying you family or friend's company? I wish everyone a very happy Easter. Alleluia!
TIP: For something a little different, use pancetta or salami instead of ham or pastry. Also, to make this snack healthier, add other vegetables as well, such as grated carrot or thinly diced capsicum.

(Left side is ham, Right side is pastry)

Ingredients:

• 24 (200g) slices shaved leg ham (or pastry)
• 2 large zucchini
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1/3 cup cream (I used skim milk instead)
• 2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 4 grape or cherry tomatoes, halved (or normal sized tomatoes cut into small slices)
• Mixed salad, to serve

Method:
Preheat oven to 160'C fan forced. Grease a 12 hole mini quiche tray (more if needed). Line each hole with 2-3 overlapping slices of ham to shape the nests. Coarsely grate zucchini; using hands, squeeze out excess liquid.

Whisk eggs and cream in a medium sized bowl. Stir in zucchini and cheese. Spoon mixture into prepared holes. Top with tomato. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked. Remove from oven. Stand for 5 minutes. Serve with salad.

Scrolls

Recipe and photos by Yasmin

Scrolls are a brilliant invention. It is the simplest of recipes; needing only two ingredients and a constant ratio of 1:2 - 1cup of buttermilk to 2cups of Self Raising Flour. From this you can be as creative or subtle as intented; however, the result is undyingly satisfying. I have made this snack or lunch many times before today, yet today is somewhat special because I am sharing a memorable cooking experience with a longtime friend. A caring primary school friend visited and we prepared this dish, alongside many others, as we prepared a feast to celebrate the end of Lenten fasting. As a beginner we made scrolls, followed by the main meal of Chicken and Corn Pie, and finishing with afternoon tea of Apple and Cinnamon Cake and lastly dessert being Incredible Pie. This was a VERY filling and enjoyable experience - as every cooking session should be. I regard my kitchen and cookbook as an old friend as I embrace the task ahead, rather than some people today who believe cooking is a burden and a nuisance. I hope you enjoy the first of many recipes being posted after my Lenten break. It is both sweet and savoury - a perfect balance to start.

Ingredients:

• Buttermilk (a carton)
• Self Raising Flour
• Fillings of choice

Filling Combinations:
Sweet:

• Plum Jam, shredded coconut, shredded apple and sultanas (as featured in photo)
• Shredded apple, cinnamon and sugar
• Nutella and choc chips
• Apricot jam, diced apricots and shredded coconut
• Strawberry Jam and mixed dried fruit
• White chocolate and passionfruit pulp
• Honey and sliced banana

Savoury:

• Vegimite and cheese
• Shredded ham, cheese and pineapple
• Salami, ham and cheese
• Semi-dried tomatoes, low fat feta cheese, ham, salami and cheese

Method:
In a bowl, combine 1 cup of buttermilk and 2 cups of flour with a fork until a soft dough forms. Flour a mat and rolling pin and roll out the dough until 1-2cm thick. Spread with a filling of your choice, sweet or savoury. Pick up pastry from one end and roll it up to the other (as shown in the photo above). Once the dough is now one big scroll, use a sharp knife to cut the scroll into 2-3cm slices. Place these lying flat on a non-stick baking tray as you cut (as shown in the photo below). Cook in an oven at 180'C fan-forced 4 for 20-25 minutes. Once cooled a little, serve.

This process can be repeated until all of the buttermilk is used. It makes approximately 2 1/2 batches. For the half batch make sure the measurements maintain that ratio of 1:2, in this case it will be 1/2:1. If you don't simplify the ratio evenly, then the dough will either be too sloppy or too hard.

The Passion

 By Basher Eyre

As a result of me wishing away these last 40 days, I have been looking for the first opportunity to end the fasting and satisfy my cooking cravings. Before today I was not certain when Lent officially ended; at the start of The Passion or at the end with Easter? Instead of using my handy assistant, Google, I decided that one of the most knowledgeable people that I know would be my mother; as she is a religion teacher I believed her to be well suited for the task.

So what is my answer? For all of those who cannot wait a few days longer, Lent ends on Thursday at the Last Supper and washing of the disciples feet. From here on in is the upsetting happenings of The Passion, as cruelly depicted in the movie 'The Passion of Christ', directed by Mel Gibson.

By Stefano Costanzo

This answer was exactly what I was looking for and is very exciting news. It is amazing to imagine what Jesus must have witnessed and suffered during his time with us on earth. I have felt nothing compared to what Jesus went through, and although my small fasting was difficult, it has widened my understanding of Jesus' actions and enabled me to appreciate what he gave up for us.

One way to show my appreciation and thanks with this new found knowledge is by accepting the invitation to have my feet washed tonight at Church. It is an honor to be offered a position as one of the twelve disciples tonight as we reenact the celebration of the Last Supper.

On this night Jesus said to his disciples that one of them will betray him and the prophecy will be fulfilled over the coming days. He said that they will be scared and saddened by the consequences but that he will come again and they will be happy once more; this would happen on the third day.

I am just amazed at Jesus mental, physical and emotional strength to be able to cope with all of this pressure and hardship so that the prophecy could be fulfilled and mankind saved. There is one time when we see that Jesus needs reassurance and guidance from his Father; after The Last Supper Jesus takes his disciples to a garden to watch out for him (because he knew the betrayers time was soon) while he prayed. During this time Jesus says, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

The “cup” in this pray refers to Jesus' suffering and death at the hands of sinful men. Therefore, a simple interpretation of this pray can be concluded. Jesus honors and trusts his Father's judgement for the good of mankind, but is scared of his fate, therefore, he confides in his Father to, if possible, change the path that has been chosen for him; however, Jesus understands that God is all powerful and loving and knows best for his people. Thus, let God's will be done.

Jesus final act on earth would open up the gates of heaven for everyone; Gentile or Jew, woman or man, sinner or beggar. The moral to his actions is that everyone is welcome to the house of God, it is ok to make mistakes on earth - just repent and all will be forgiven.

I wish everyone a safe and happy Easter with family and friends. May God watch over us all. If possible, I encourage everyone to attend mass at some point this week, if not every day from Thursday to Sunday. People are encouraged to attend mass on each of these days because each mass is connected; all of these days are The Passion. Hence why there is no entrance hymn or concluding hymn; because The Passion hasn't ended yet.

God bless and take care.

Happy Easter.

Lenten Season

Painting by Sabina Becker

Lent is now upon us, and its meaning and purpose are once again relived. This is the time when Jesus fasted for 40 days, and today we follow in his footsteps. Lent is a time for people to stop and reflect, preparing ourselves for the Easter celebration. It is also a time when we show our love to the Holy Trinity by giving up something that is most dear or embracing a new action for the duration of 40 days.

This fasting is not meant to be an easy task and begins today, Ash Wednesday. There are two acts that are repeated on this day to mark the beginning of Lent; eating no meat (also on Good Friday) and receiving an ash imprint of the cross. The ash cross marked on our foreheads is a symbol that explains we are all dust and will be returned to dust when we are born to eternal life.

For this years Lenten duration, I have decided to give up something that is really hard and that I love dearly. This is why, from today and for the next 40 days, I will not baking or eating sweets. I strive to achieve this goal, not back down. It will be an extremely hard and devastating task to complete, however, with your support and prayers, I will succeed triumphantly.

May God be ever closer to us at this time as we complete individual sacrifices in memory of the many sacrifices He made for us.

Amen.

Orange Cake Bites

Recipe and Images by Yasmin

I was so excited about preparing this sweet snack because I invented the recipe. What gave me this idea was founded by my mother for two reasons. One, I was originally baking a cake for her birthday and it turned out as a flop - but it still tasted fantastic, too good to waste. Which leads to reason number two, I saved the cakes and turned them into little balls of goodness, as my mother suggested. To do this I gathered a basic idea for additional ingredients from an ancient and falling apart cookbook (which is no longer in print!), called Nmaa Cooks.

This recipe was an experiment but turned out to be a success! Remember that you can always salvage previous errors in cooking, the bin doesn't need to be fed!! Another example of a way to salvage this cake catastrophy would be to make a triffel, but if you decide to do this be sure that the cake is spongy enough and not a complete flop (like mine!). I encourage everyone to have a go and see what you can do with a bit of a mess, have fun! HINT: Make sure with this recipe that the mixture isn't sloppy or too moist, otherwise it will fall apart. If it is too moist then simply add more almond meal or, if none is left, and enough quick cook oats and oatbran to allow the mixture to stick firmly together.

Ingredients:

For cake pieces:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cups plain flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk 

For snack mixture:

• 470g orange cake (made from ingredients above and method below)
• 100g sugar
• 115g almond meal (more if needed)
• 2 tblsps hot apricot jam
• 1-2 tblsps orange juice
• rind of half an orange
• desicated coconut, to coat
• oatbran and/or quick cook oats (if needed to combine mixture)

Method:

For Cake: cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, in a large glass bowl. Slowly add whole eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Stir in vanilla extract. In another bowl, mix flour with baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to the creamed ingredients, while alternatively adding milk. Grease and flour two round cake tins and evenly divide mixture between both. Cook in an oven at 180'C fan-forced for 20-30 minutes (longer if needed). Remove from oven and turn onto wired racks to cool. Then refridgerate for at least one day.

For snack mixture: Use hands to crumble cake mixture into a big bowl, until it looks like bread crumbs. Using a wooden spoon, combine sugar, almond meal and orange rind to the cake. Stir in jam and juice until thoroughly combined. At this stage if mixture is too sloppy or moist add as much oatbran and quick cooking oats as required, until firm. In spoon fulls, roll mixture into balls and then roll in desicated coconut to coat. Place balls into a tupperwear container and refrigerate for 24hrs until hardened.