My elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) in my veggie garden is a mass of flowers this year.  What better way to use them up, than by making an Elder-Flower cordial - oh so refreshing for our hot climate.
Ingredients
10 Large Elder-flower Heads
900g (2 lb) Sugar
3 Lemons Washed and sliced
25g (1 oz) Creme of Tartar (tartaric acid)
2 liters (3,5 pints) boiling water

Directions:
*  Lightly shake off or pick off any little bugs that may be on the flowers
*  Slice the lemons (peels and all)
*  Put Elder-flowers, lemons, creme of tartar and boiling water in a large bowel.
*  Cover and leave for 24 hours,  Stirring occasionally.
*  The next day, strain the liquid through a muslin cloth into a large jug.
*  Pour into sterilized bottles, and store in the fridge.
Makes about 2 liters
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 months

To Serve:
*  Mix about 30ml or so with water or sparkling water for a very refreshing beverage.
*  For a refreshing sun-downer, try a tot of Elder-flower cordial with a tot of vodka or white rum, topped up with sparkling water crushed ice and lemon.

Tips and Suggestions:
*  For more fabulous recipe ideas have a look at this recipe index page



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Wonderful Wednesday

The smell of freshly baked banana bread wafting through the house is enough to get everyone running to the kitchen.  This is such a super way to use up those very ripe bananas.

Ingredients:
100g butter or margerine
1 cup (250ml) sugar
1 tsp (5ml) Vanilla essence
2 eggs
4 Ripe bananas (chopped)
2 cups (500ml) flour
1/2 tsp (2,5ml) Salt
2 tsp (10ml) Baking powder
1/2 tsp (2,5ml) Bicarb of soda (baking soda)
1/2 Cup (125ml) milk

Ready to go in the oven

Method:
Heat oven to a moderate 180C
*  Cream together the butter and sugar.
*  Add the eggs one at a time and beat in.
*  Mix in the vanilla essence, and chopped bananas.
*  Sift the dry ingredients.  Stir into the mixture with a spoon.
*  Lastly slowly add the milk, whilst stirring the mixture gently together.
*  Pour into a well greased loaf tin and bake for about 1 hour until a sharp knife comes out clean.

Freshly Baked

Tips and Suggestions:
*  Add a few nuts - about 1/2 cup (pecans are yum) in with the mashed bananas.
*  For more fabulous recipe ideas have a look at this recipe index page


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Everyone (well almost everyone) enjoys a good macaroni cheese.  It is just one of those wonderful homely dishes.  And so easy to prepare.  This is my recipe, I love adding fresh veg in the middle of mine for some extra flavour.

Macaroni and tomato Cheese

Ingredients
500g macaroni pasta
dash of olive oil
625ml (2 and half cups) milk
45ml  (3 Tbls) cornflour
salt, white pepper and nutmeg
375ml (1 and half cups) grated Cheddar Cheese
30ml (2 Tbls) grated Parmesan cheese
10ml (2 tsp) Dijon Mustard
4 fresh Tomatoes sliced
1 bunch fresh Spinach leaves chopped

Macaroni layered with fresh tomato and spinach

Method:
*  Preheat oven to 180C (350F)
*  Cook the Macaroni in boiling salted water as per packet instructions.  Drain and stir in a bit of Olive oil to prevent it from sticking.
*  In a small bowl or mug:  add the cornflour.  Mix to a runny paste with a little of the milk.
*  In a saucepan:  Heat up the milk. Add the cornflour paste, and mix with a whisk until thick and smooth on medium heat.
*  Add and mix in: the salt, pepper, nutmeg, half of the cheese, Parmesan and the mustard.
*  Add the Macoroni and cheese sauce together in a large bowl.
*  In a deep sided rectangular casserole dish add:  Half the Macaroni Cheese mix.  Then add a layer of freshly sliced tomatoes and fresh spinach.   Top with the remainder of the mac cheese.
* And  finally sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese
*  Bake in a moderate oven for about 35 minutes, or until the top is a lovely golden brown.

Ready to go in the oven

Tips and Suggestions:
*  Sprinkle a dash of Cayenne pepper on-top to spice it up.
*  You can add other veggies such as onion, garlic and peppers.
*  For more fabulous recipe ideas have a look at this recipe index page
*  For nutritional info, and the shopping list you will need for this recipe, click on the "magic" button


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I much prefer making home-made biscuits to buying them.  At least I know exactly what is in them this way.  I find all those E numbers a  bit scary!  This recipe is one of those melt-in-your-mouth delicious recipes.  And absolute winner with kids.  Hope you enjoy them as much as our family does.

Peanut Butter Biscuits

Ingredients:
125g Butter
1/2 tsp (2,5ml) Vanilla essence
1/2 tsp (2,5ml) Grated Lemon Rind
140g (2/3 cup) Brown sugar
80ml (1/3 cup) Crunchy Peanut Butter
185g (1 and 1/4 cup) Flour
1 tsp (5ml) Bicarbonate of soda (Baking Soda)

The ingredients

Method:
* Preheat the oven to a moderate heat (180 degrees C)
* Beat the butter, vanilla, lemon rind, sugar and peanut butter together with a mixer until smooth and creamy.
*  Sift the flour and bicarb of soda into the ingredients and stir in with a large spoon.
*  Roll out a heaped teaspoon full of mixture into balls.
*  Place about 4 cm apart on a greased oven tray.  Flatten with a fork.
*  Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
*  Cool and enjoy.
Makes about 40

Tips and Suggestions:
*  For more fabulous recipe ideas have a look at my recipe index page
*  For nutritional info, and the shopping list you will need for this recipe, click on the "magic" button



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Perhaps you are more familiar with the name 'Passion Fruit'.  But I'm not... so Granadilla it is.... And my granadilla vine is overflowing with fruit at the moment.  All of which just has to get eaten.  This recipe is so easy and quick it can easily be done whilst cooking a main meal.  You know how good we all are at multi-tasking! Ha-ha!



Ingredients
1 tin condensed milk (397g)
250ml cream
1 sachet gelatin
60ml Boiling water
3/4 cup (185ml) Granadilla pulp (about 7 granadillas)

Ripe Granadillas on my vine

Method:
- Beat together the condensed milk and cream until well mixed
- Dissolve the gelatin in the hot water
- Add gelatin into the condensed milk and cream whilst mixing.
- Mix in the granadilla pulp
- Refrigerate until set (about 90 minutes)
- Decorate with extra fresh granadilla pulp (or kiwi fruit also looks great)

Tips and Suggestions:
*  For more fabulous recipe ideas have a look at my recipe index page

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The smell of fresh bread baking in an oven is one of those simple irresistible smells.  This is a simple bread recipe which can then have almost anything added to it.  I find that by adding the bicarb of soda the bread seems to be softer and lasts longer.

Ingredients
500g white bread flour
1 tsp (5ml) salt
1/2 tsp (2,5ml) sugar
1/2 tsp (2,5ml) Bicarbonate of soda
1 sachet dry instant yeast granules
3 Tbls (45ml) Olive oil
200ml Luke warm water
10 Anchovy fillets, broken up
1 Tbls (15ml) capers
1/2 cup olives, pip-less, and sliced
Method
* Sieve the flour, salt, sugar, bicarb of soda and yeast into a mixing bowl
* Make a well in the center and add the olive oil, olives, anchovies and capers
* Mix on low speed with a dough hook, or knead by hand.
* whilst kneading, slowly add in the water.
* Knead for about 10 minutes.
* Cover top of bowl with some glad wrap and a kitchen towel.
* Leave to rise till doubled in size in a warmish spot (about 45 minutes)
* Knock back down, knead again for a few minutes.
* shape into the shape you wish, or put into a floured pan, or a large ceramic pot.
* Leave to rise until doubled again.
To Top (optional)
* I like to sprinkle things on top at this stage, like maldon salt, or feta, or more olives.
* Bake for about 50 minutes in a 190 degree C oven

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I love making pies, such an easy way to make a really fab meal, that the whole family enjoys.  The recipe below is wonderful and an adaption of a few recipes all put into one.  Fish is full of those fabulous brain boosting omegas, and most kids live a pie.

MEILIE 'PAP' or 'PUTU'
This is the staple diet of the majority of South African's, made from maize meal, which is ground up dried corn.  It is also the most popular side dish at a braai (barbeque) in Africa.  SA Kids and adults love it!  It is usually served with a tomato and onion relish or gravy.  Or served with a stew, to soak up all that delicious gravy.  It is even eaten for breakfast with milk and sugar as a porridge.

Mielie pap topped with Tomato relish and melted cheese

Ingredients for the Pap (Maize meal)
2 cups (500 ml) water
1/2 tsp (2,5ml) salt
1 cup (250 ml) maize meal 
1 Tbls (15ml) butter
Optional extras: 
1 x tin sweetcorn
1 x tsp Crushed Garlic
1 x 400g Tin Tomato and onion mix 
200g grated cheddar cheese

Method:

FABULOUS PIZZA
I love Pizza, and living out here in the bush, we seriously lack restaurants or any take-out places, which means making your own.  This recipe is my favourite.  It is super easy and makes 4 wonderfully thin pizza bases which can be topped with whatever topping tickles your fancy.  After making this very easy recipe, you may wonder why you ever go out for pizza, when you can make it even better at home.

Ingredients:
6oog White bread flour
10g Sachet dry instant yeast granules
2ml salt
350ml luke warm water
30ml olive oil
Crushed garlic
Tomato paste
salt
Cheese (Mozzarella, Cheddar, Gouda)
Parmesan cheese

Method:
- Put flour, yeast and salt in a mixing bowl, mix up evenly.
- I put mine in a mixer which is equipped with a dough hook, and leave it running on low.
- Add olive oil and warm water slowly.
- The dough will form into a big ball, It must not be sticky.  Keep kneading with the mixer, or by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough is quiet pliable.
- Put a tea towel over the bowl and leave in a warmish spot to double in size (about an hour)
- Preheat oven to 220 degrees C
- beat down the dough and roll into a short fat sausage.  Cut evenly into 4 pieces and roll into 4 balls.
- sprinkle some flour on the kitchen top surface
- sprinkle flour on baking tray
- Roll each ball out into a thin circle shape - place on the baking tray
- Spread some garlic, and tomato paste over the base, sprinkle with salt.
- Add your toppings of choice (see below for some cool ideas)
- Sprinkle a healthy dose of cheese (whatever you choose or a mix).
- bake in a hot oven (220 degrees C) for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese just starts getting golden splodges.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, top with fresh rocket or Avo

Topping ideas
- Sliced pear and blue cheese, (with fresh rocket added after baking)
- Fig, brie cheese & walnuts
- Brinjal  (Egg plant), sun-dried tomatoes and  pepperdews (mild chilli)
- Artichokes, Capers, olives and anchovies, (with fresh avocado after baking)
- pizza is a great way of using up bits and pieces in the fridge!  Anything goes really.

Tips:
- I do 2 pizzas at a time, and freeze the dough of the other two pieces.  Next time  I just take the dough out the freezer in the morning, put in a bowl covered with a tea towel to allow to defrost and rise.

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Cooking for the Seven Dwarfs

PERFECT PANCAKES
Pancakes remind me of lovely Lazy Sunday mornings at home.  Hot pancakes with cinnamon & lemon is just such a wonderful weekend breakfast treat.

Ingredients:
1 Tbls (15ml) Sugar
2 Eggs
300ml Milk
125g Cake Flour
Pinch of salt
Butter for frying

Method:
- Cream together the eggs and sugar, gradually stir in milk
- In a separate bowl, Sift Flour and salt.
- add, egg, milk mixture gradually to flour mixture, beating continuously.
- Continue beating for about 2 minutes, then allow to rest for about 10 minutes.
- Heat butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Ladle some batter into the pan, swirling the pan to get a thin even layer covering the surface.
- Cook for about 1 minute until mixture has set, turn over and cook another minute.
- transfer to a plate, and pile them up in an oven to keep warm.  set at about 80 degrees C.

To top: 
- sprinkle with cinnamon, lemon juice and sugar and roll up.
- or how about yoghurt and honey for a real breakfast treat.
- or get decadent with berries and cream.


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This is a very typical South African dessert.  Quick, simple, very yummy and looks fabulous!  



Ingredients:
3 Peppermint Crisps
1 Pkt. (200g) Tennis biscuits
1 Box (2 pkts.) Orley Whip (or 250ml fresh cream)
1 Tin Caramelized condensed milk
Method:
* Whip Orley Whip.
* Add condensed milk, and crushed peppermint crisps.
* Add layer of biscuits and mixture.
* Leave in fridge to set.
Serves: 8
Tips:
* For those living out of SA.  Tennis biscuits are square thin biscuits made with lots of coconut
*  For more fabulous recipe ideas have a look at my recipe index page

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