Hummingbird Christmas Cake
Preparation 20 Minutes
Cook 35 Minutes
Serves 8
Method
Preheat 170ºC (150ºC fan). Grease and line 2 x 17cm round cake tins.
Combine flour, sugar, coconut, bicarbonate of soda and spices in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre, add fruit and vegetables, lime zest, nuts, Angas Park Fruit Medley, oil, eggs and salt, stirring until combined. Divide evenly among the two pans then bake for 35 mins. Allow to cool completely in tins before turning out.
To make icing, in a stand mixer (or using a handheld mixer) beat together the cream cheese, butter, coconut essence and lime juice, then, with motor running, gradually add icing sugar 1 tbsp at a time until fully incorporated.
To assemble, spread icing onto the top of one cake, top with the second cake and spread icing on top. Arrange flowers, Angas Park Fruit Salad and extra cashews on top, to decorate.
Ingredients
200g self-raising flour
150g caster sugar
65g desiccated coconut
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp mixed spice
330g crushed pineapple in natural juice
1 small banana, mashed
1 small carrot, grated
150g roasted sweet potato flesh (about 2 sweet potatoes)
1 small zucchini, grated
Zest of 1 lime
80g Sunbeam Raw Cashews, plus extra to decorate
200g Angas Park Fruit Medley
140ml coconut oil
3 eggs
Pinch of sea salt
Australian native flowers and Angas Park Fruit Salad, to decorate
CREAM CHEESE ICING
375g cream cheese, room temperature
120g cultured butter, room temperature
150g icing sugar, sifted
Natural coconut essence, to taste
Juice of 1 lime
Recipe Collection
Date & Raisin Liquor Truffles
Place the dates, raisins and liqueur in a small food processor and process to combine.
Place the mixture in a bowl with the melted chocolate and mix to combine.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until just set.
Using a tablespoon, roll the mixture into balls.
Roll the truffles in the almonds to coat and place on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
Makes 20. Store in refrigerator and bring to room temperature when you serve.
Bunny Garden Platter
Start by placing french dip and small bowl and both cheese on the platter in a zig zag.
Pull apart cos heats into individual leaves and cut carrots into halves.
Arrange the ingredients on the platter around the cheeses.
Garnich brie with fresh honeycomb onto it when serving.
Rum & Raisin Trifle
Place the raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed peel, almonds and dates in a bowl and pour over 3/4 cup rum. Cover and allow to macerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Keep additional raisins seperate and add 1/4 cup rum these will be used for garnishing the trifle.
Pre heat the oven to 140 degrees C.
Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and creamy. Gradually add the eggs and beat well.
Place the butter mixture, soaked fruit mixture, flour bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and allspice in a large bowl and stir to combine.
Line a 20cm square cake tin with two layers of non-stick baking paper.
Spoon in the mixture and bake for 2 hours or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
Cool in the tin. Once the cake has cooled remove from tin and freeze to semi-firm
Cut the fruit cake into 3cm pieces and decoratively line the base of trifle bowl & pour over the extra rum
Layer custard over fruit cake and repeat cake & custard layers if desired.
Whip caster sugar & thickened cream until stiff and add to trifle
Garnish with rum soaked raisins, and crushed ginger snaps
To make spun sugar, combine sugar with the water in small heavy-based saucepan. Stir over heat, without boiling, until sugar dissolves; bring to the boil.
Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, without stirring, until mixture is golden brown. Remove from heat; stand until bubbles subside. To make spun sugar, drizzle toffee between 2 wooden spoons over baking paper-lined oven tray.
Shape & stand at room temperature until set.
Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Cashew Cream
Preheat oven to 425°F. Set aside a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Prepare cauliflower by trimming away any green leaves. With the cauliflower sitting on it’s stem, use a knife to slice it in half. Cut one thick slice from either side – so that you have two “steaks”, each about 1 ½” (4 cm) thick. Set cauliflower steaks aside.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons olive oil, and once hot, add cauliflower steaks. Let them sear, undisturbed, for 3-3 ½ minutes on each side (cooking for approximately 6-7 minutes total). Remove once they’ve developed a golden crust on either side. While the cauliflower cooking you can assemble the harissa glaze. In a small bowl combine 2 teaspoons water, maple syrup, paprika, cumin, coriander and smoked paprika. Mix well. Once the cauliflower is seared, transfer steaks to lined baking sheet. Brush harissa glaze on both sides, coating all the nooks and crannies. Transfer to oven for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
While the cauliflower steaks are in the oven, prepare the warm chickpea salad. Add the spinach and chickpeas to a large bowl.
Squeeze lemon and drizzle avocado oil over the greens and beans. Add Himalayan sea salt and black pepper. Toss well to combine.
Assemble your dish with chickpea salad, seared cauliflower steak and drizzle with cashew cream.
30 Minute Christmas Pudding
- Place fruit and brand in microwavable bowl and heat for 1 minute or until warmed through. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.
- Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Sift flour and mixed spice over butter mixture, then stir in breadcrumbs and fruit mixture. Mix well. Grease and flour a 1.5L microwavable bowl. Spoon mixture into bowl and smooth top. Cover with a pleated, double layer or baking paper secured with kitchen string.
- Cook in microwave on defrost setting (300W) for 30 minutes, rotating the bowl after 20 minutes. Test with a skewer inserted into pudding. If it doesn’t come out clean, microwave at 5 minute intervals until done. Leave pudding to stand for 10 minutes before turning onto a plate.
Optional meringue peak: In a heatproof bowl combine 90g egg whites with 150g caster sugar, place over a small saucepan of boiling water and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Use a stand mixer or handheld beater to whisk until very stiff peaks form (about 8-10 mins). Dollop the meringue on top of the pudding and use a kitchen blowtorch to toast.
Fruit Mince Brownies
In a small saucepan heat mixed fruit and maple syrup until bubbling then remove from heat and set aside to infuse.
Approx 2 hrs
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 22cm square cake or brownie pan and line the base with baking paper.
Place chocolate, sugar and butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until melted and well combined. Remove from heat, cool slightly, then stir in eggs until well combined. Add flour, baking powder, cocoa, fruit mince, vanilla paste and nuts, stirring to combine. Spread into the pan and bake for 25 minutes or until just set.
Cool in pan, then dust with cocoa. Cut into 12 squares and serve. Brownies will keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
