Roasted Beetroot Salad

Zucchini Salad

Cut the zucchini into long, thin ribbons using a mandolin or vegetable peeler.

Whisk together lemon juice and olive oil, season.  Pour over the zucchini, gently toss to combine then allow to sit for 10 mins to marinate.

Drain zucchini and arrange on a serving platter.  Sprinkle over pine nuts, sultanas, raisins and feta.  Scatter over mint leaves just before serving.

Chocolate & Hazelnut Meringue

1. Preheat oven to 140°C (120°C fan-forced). Trace 3 x 15cm diameter circles on baking paper and place onto oven trays.
2. Set aside half of the hazelnuts and finely chop remaining half.
3. Place egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until firm peaks have formed. Gradually add sugar a little at a time until all has been incorporated and mixture is thick and glossy. Remove bowl from machine and gently fold in the chopped hazelnuts and cocoa with a large metal spoon, until just combined.
4. Divide mixture between prepared oven trays, spreading it within each of the circles. Bake for 1 hour, then turn the oven off and allow meringues to cool in the oven.
5. For the cream, whip the cream and sugar together until firm peaks form. Roughly squash half of the raspberries with a fork and fold into the cream.
6. For assembly, place one meringue disc onto a serving plate, top with ⅓ of the cream. Repeat process using all meringues and finishing with cream on top. Decorate with remaining raspberries and reserved hazelnuts. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes prior to serving.

Traditional Christmas Puddings

1. Combine mixed fruit, raisins, brandy and cranberry sauce in a large bowl. Cover and set aside overnight or for at least 2 hours.
2. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, beat in maple syrup. Add eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition.  Stir butter mixture, sifted self-raising flour and spices, fresh breadcrumbs and almonds into soaked fruit, mixing well.
3. Grease a 2 litre and 1 litre capacity pudding basin and a line both the bases with a double layer of baking paper.  Fill mixture into the large basin to approximately 3cm from top of basin. Spoon remainder into small basin and smooth tops. Double line each of the tops of the puddings with baking paper rounds.
4. Take a 60cm long piece of baking paper and 60cm piece of foil, layer and fold in half, make a 3cm pleat in the middle (this allows for any expansion of the pudding). Place sheets over large pudding and secure tightly with string. Repeat process for small pudding.
5. Place wire racks onto the base of a large and a medium saucepan and fill both one third with water and bring to the boil. Carefully place puddings onto wire rack in each saucepan making sure the water level comes about halfway up each pudding basin. Cover and simmer  the large pudding 6 hours and the small pudding for 4 hours. Replenish with boiling water when needed.
6. Serve with custard or cream with a dash of brandy added.

Fruit and Nut Easter Eggs

Combine mixed fruit, dates, 90g seed mix, 80g hazelnuts, 20g coconut, coconut oil, vanilla essence, coffee and salt in a food processor and blend until a smooth, thick paste is formed. 

Divide into 25 equal portions and roll each into a ball, then shape into an egg shape.

Place remaining seed mix into a food processor and process to a coarse crumb.  Transfer to a small bowl.  Repeat with remaining hazelnuts.  Pour remaining coconut into a small bowl. 

To decorate, roll 6 eggs in coconut, 6 in seed mix crumb, 6 in hazelnut crumb and leave 7 plain.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving cold.

Traditional Hot Cross Buns

Place your flour, yeast, sugar, allspice, cinnamon and salt in your mixing bowl and briefly mix until combined. 

Add in your melted butter, warm milk, eggs and raisins. 

Mix with your dough hook on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until a dough ball is formed and is coming away from the sides of the bowl. 

Leave the dough covered with clingfilm in a warm place for approximately 1 hour or until doubles in size. 

Knock the air out of the dough and roll it into a log before cutting it into 12 even pieces. 

Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place into a grease proof paper linen baking tray (approx. 30cm x 20cm) in a 3 bun by 4 bun pattern.  

Cover balls of dough with cling film again and let rise for approximately 40 minutes or until it has risen to about 70% of its original size. 

Pre heat oven to 180 degrees after leaving it to rest. 

Right before placing it into the oven make your cross mixture by mixing your flour and water until a thickish paste forms. Using a ziplock bag with the corner cut off or a piping bag, pipe your crosses down the center of each bun horizontally and then vertically. 

Bake in the oven for approximately 20 minutes or until nice and golden brown. 

Meanwhile, place jam and water in a bowl and microwave for approx. 30 seconds until melted and combines. 

Once buns are fresh out the over, brush your glaze over each one to give them a beautiful glossy finish. 

Gingerbread Granola

Preheat the oven to 180℃.  

In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon until all well combined.  

Spread the mixture across 2 large baking trays lined with baking paper. Place into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, tossing the granola after 10 minutes.  

Remove from the oven and allow granola to cool completely before storing in airtight containers, or jars.  

Notes 

Granola will store in an airtight container or jar for up to 2 weeks.