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Cooking, Recipe and Food Blog

Couscous Salad

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Couscous salad is a delicious dish which goes well with meat. If you do not have dried apricots, you may use raisins or dried cranberries instead.

 

Serves 8

Ingredients:

2 cups chicken stock

2 cups couscous

1 tablespoon olive oil

75g chopped dried apricots

2 cups baby spinach leaves

75g blanched, lightly roasted almonds or pistachios

75g feta cheese

75g roasted red capsicum, cut into small strips

 

Place the apricots and chicken stock in a medium sized saucepan over high heat. Bring it to a boil. After, remove from heat and add the couscous and the olive oil. Cover the pan for five minutes. Allow the couscous to absorb the oil.

Meanwhile, roughly chop the baby spinach leaves, almonds and feta cheese. Once the couscous has rested, transfer it to a salad bowl. Add the baby spinach leaves. Let it stand for 10-15 minutes. After, stir in the almonds, feta cheese and capsicums. Gently toss until combined. Serve immediately.

 

Photo Courtesy Of:  jules:stonesoup

Dried Fruit Scones

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Dried fruit scones make delicious snacks. They are perfect with coffee or tea. If you cannot find dried cherries, any type of dried fruit mix will do.

 

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, cubed

2 eggs

1/2 cup cream

2 tablespoons pancake syrup

1/2 cup dried cherries

1/2 cup raisins

For the toppings:

2 1/2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons pancake syrup

 

Preheat the oven at 425F and then line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Sift the flour, salt and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Add the baking powder and baking soda. Mix well. Cut in the butter and stir until it starts to resemble crumbs

In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, cream and syrup. Pour it into the bowl with the flour mixture. Mix well. Fold in the dried fruits.

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and then form a circle. Flatten it around 3/4-inch thick. Slice it into 2 1/2 inch wedges. Transfer it to the lined baking tray.

Next prepare the toppings by combining the sugar, syrup, water and vanilla in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Brush it over the scones and sprinkle with oats. Bake it in the oven for for 15-20 minutes or until it is golden brown. Serve immediately.

 

Photo Courtesy Of:  rayb777

Oatmeal, Banana and Dried Fruit Cookie

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Oatmeal cookies are always pleasant treats. Chocolate chips, nuts and dried fruits are the most common ingredients added to it. I personally like my cookies soft and chewy. My taste buds tend to drift away when they are hard no matter how delicious they are. Here is a fruity oatmeal cookie recipe that I hope you enjoy. Feel free to add some nuts if desired.

 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1 cup wholemeal plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3/4 cup mixed dried fruit

1/2 cup, firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup skimmed milk

1 egg, lightly whisked

1 ripe banana, well mashed

 

Preheat the oven at 200C and line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger into a large mixing bowl. Add the oats, dried fruit and sugar. Mix well.

Gradually add the oil, skimmed milk and egg into the bowl while whisking the mixture with a fork. Add the mashed bananas and mix until the ingredients are well combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for 30 minutes or until the cookie dough is not runny.

Spoon some dough and form small balls. Place them on the baking tray, making sure that they are 3cm apart. Lightly flatten the dough balls to form small discs.

Bake the cookie dough in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown and cooked. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for 15 minutes before serving. Store in an airtight container or jar if desired.

 

Photo Courtesy Of:  Gudlyf

Scandinavian Muesli

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I come from a country that eats rice and fried food for breakfast. We like to eat a heavy meal at the start of our day.  I’m talking about hotdogs, eggs, garlic fried rice –the works. Unfortunately, it ca n be bad for the diet as these are greasy. These days I try to eat more high fiber meals, not just to lose weight, but to be healthier. I am not getting any younger, so I am trying to improve my eating habits.

Muesli is a high fiber breakfast which can give you enough energy to start your day. They aid digestion too. Eat it with yogurt or fresh milk and you are good to go. Fresh fruit is also goes perfectly well with it.

 

Ingredients:

2 cups old-fashioned or quick-cooking (not instant) rolled oats

2/3 cup rye flakes, or wheat flakes *

1/3 cup coarsely chopped almonds

1/2 cup dried cranberries or mixed fruit

2 tablespoons flaked coconut, (sweetened or unsweetened)

1/2 cup raisins

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of cinnamon

1/4 cup flaxseeds*

 

Preheat the oven at 350F, after grease a baking sheet using a cooking spray. Place the oats and rye on the baking sheet and bake it for 10 minutes. Add the almonds and coconut. Cook it for another 5-8 minutes or until the oats are fragrant. Turn the oven off and add the raisins, cranberries/dried fruit.

Heat the honey in the microwave for 10 seconds. Add the vanilla and cinnamon. Mix well. Drizzle honey over the muesli. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and let the muesli cool for 2 hours. Add the flaxseeds. Place the muesli in individual bowls or you may store it in an air-tight container for 1 week.

* Rye or wheat flakes resemble oatmeal and they are found in health stores. As for flaxseeds, you     may use a coffee grinder to grind them.

 

Photo Courtesy Of:  DJane88