Spiced Currant Biscuits
Preparation 10 Minutes
Cook 20 Minutes
Serves 15
Method
- Sift the flour and spices into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric beaters until thick and pale, then add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold ii the flour mixture slowly, then stir in currants and lemon zest. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 180Β°C. Roll out dough 4-5mm thick then cut with a round biscuit cutter and place on the trays. Repeat with remaining dough, re-rolling the trimmings.
- Sprinkle biscuits with extra sugar. Bake for 10 minutes until firm to touch but still pale. Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Ingredients
3 cups plain flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
225g salted butter, at room temperature
1 cup caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp extra to sprinkle
2 eggs
3/4 cup Sunbeam currants
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Recipe Collection
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.Β
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.Β Β Transfer to a small bowl.Β Β Repeat with remaining hazelnuts.Β Β Pour remaining coconut into a small bowl.Β
To decorate, roll 6 eggs in coconut, 6 in seed mix crumb, 6 in hazelnut crumb and leave 7 plain.Β Β Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving cold.
Festive Fruit Cake
Preheat the oven to 150Β°C. Line the base and sides of a 20cm springform cake pan.
Mix nuts, dried fruits, glace cherries, peel in a bowl. Sift in flour, baking powder then stir in sugar. Lightly whisk eggs with vanilla, then stir into the cake mixture until well combined. Pour into pan. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Cool cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a rack over a plate and remove baking paper. Pierce all over with a skewer. Drizzle with brandy, then wrap tightly in foil and leave in a cool, dry place for 2-3 days to mature.
For the topping: Soak fruit in Maple syrup, add boiling water to cover and let soften. Closer to serving, warm jam in a pan over low heat or in the microwave until runny. Arrange the maple-soaked fruits over the top of the cake in a decorative pattern, then brush with warm jam to set in place.
Christmas Fruit Cake
Pre-heat oven to 150Β°C (130Β°C fan-forced). Use an oil spray to grease a deep bunting cake tin.Β
Combine mixed fruit, raisins, dates and currants in a large saucepan. Add water and port, mix through.
Place over a low heat for 5 minutes until liquid is absorbed and fruit softened.
Set aside to cool.
Using electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy. Add eggs one at a time until all incorporated.Β
Fold in flours and spices. Remove from mixing stand and fold in the fruit mixture with a large spoon.
Mixing until well combined. Spoon batter into prepared bunting cake tin and tap on counter to remove air bubbles and ensure bater has filled the tin evenly.Β
Bake for 2 hours or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.Β
Allow to cool in the cake tin placed on wet tea towel before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.Β
**To serve drizzle with your favourite glaze by mixing 1 cup of icing sugar & 2 tbsp lemon juice
Easter Chickens
- Combine mixed fruit, dates, seeds mix, hazelnuts, coconut, coconut oil and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor. Blend well until a thick paste is formed. Roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls and refrigerate.
- Place chocolate into a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Mix until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Combine coconut and food colouring, tossing until well distributed.
- Using a fork, pierce balls and dip into melted chocolate. Sprinkle with coloured coconut and set aside on a tray. Decorate with almonds, eyes and beaks. Refrigerate until required.
Sticky Date Christmas Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce
TO MAKE THE PUDDING
1.Β Combine dates, mixed fruit, 280ml water, sugars, salt and butter in large saucepan.Β Bring to the boil then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 8 mins.
2.Β Add bicarbonate of soda, stir well and allow to cool completely (preferably overnight).
3.Β Once completely cool, add eggs, flours, spices and rum.Β Mix well.
4.Β Generously grease inside the pudding bowl.Β Pour the mixture into tin then cover with a layer of baking paper and a layer of foil and secure tightly with kitchen string.
5.Β Place a small cooling rack or an upturned oven-safe dish into the base of a large saucepan.Β Place pudding bowl on top so that it is not directly touching the bottom of the pan.Β Fill saucepan with boiling water to come half way up the sides of the pudding bowl. Bring water to the boil then reduce heat to low, cover and allow to simmer for 3 hours.Β Remove pudding from water, allow to cool completely before removing pudding from tin.
TO MAKE SAUCE
1.Β Combine cream, butter and sugar in a saucepan. Stir over a low heat until all ingredients combined.
2.Β Stir in salt.
Nutty Barramundi with Coconut Greens
- Preheat oven to 200Β°C/400Β°F. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
- Place macadamia nuts, almonds, ginger and rind in a food processor; pulse until mixture forms a chunky paste.
- Place fillets on an oven tray; season with salt and pepper.
- Press nut mixture evenly on each fillet.
- Bake fish for 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
- Meanwhile, place sugar snap peas and beans in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain well; refresh under cold running water.
- Combine all coconut ingredients in a small jar. Shake.
- Serve fillets topped with micro herbs and dressing, sugar snap peas and beans.
