Homemade Bounty Bars (With Real Food Ingredients)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 ml) of full-fat coconut milk
• 2 C.  shredded coconut (it was about 130 g coconut)
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil or butter (heaped)
• 1/4 C. – 1/2 C. maple syrup
• Optional: 1/2 tsp. non-gm lecithin granules (this just helps to emulsify the coconut milk & oil together- it is an optional ingredient).
• 200 g dark chocolate

How to:

1. In a saucepan add the coconut milk, coconut oil, maple syrup & lecithin (if using). Heat on medium- low and stir until it all it dissolves together. Leave to cool to room temperature.
2. Stir in the shredded coconut. Pour this mixture into a tin lined with wax paper.
3.  Leave to set in the fridge. When set (it should be fairly firm), slice into squares and then place in the freezer to completely harden (this makes it easier to handle and to keep them stable when covering in chocolate).
4. Temper your chocolate (see below for details on how to do that). This helps your chocolate get a nice crack and shine and to help set the chocolate on your coconut squares (and it makes sure you don’t burn it).
5. Cover your coconut squares with chocolate: place your coconut squares in the middle of the bowl of chocolate. Cover the square with chocolate using a big spoon to make sure it is completely covered. Lift the chocolate covered coconut square of the bowl. Shake a bit of excess chocolate off on the inside of the bowl.
6. Place your chocolates on a piece of baking paper until set. Enjoy!

Tempering Chocolate- You Will Need:

• a metal bowl (wider than the saucepan)
• a smaller bowl, filled with water and ice
• a saucepan, filled with 3 cm of water
• a metal or plastic spoon (not wooden)
• a cooking thermometer
• your chocolate of choice, chopped

How to temper the chocolate:

(Here’s a great video on how to temper chocolate):

1. Place your water onto a boil then turn down to a simmer and turn off the heat.
2. Place your metal bowl over the now hot water (and heat turned off) and add the chocolate. Stir the chocolate with your metal spoon until it melts. Put your thermometer in and make sure it doesn’t go above 48 degrees Celsius (118 F).
3. When it reaches 48 take it off the hot saucepan and put it in your ice water bowl. Keep stirring. Wait till it cools down to 26 degrees.
4. When it has cooled down, turn your saucepan on again and place your metal bowl over the saucepan, now with the heat on. Put the thermometer into the chocolate and wait till the temperature of the chocolate reaches 48. When it’s at that temperature, turn off the heat. Your chocolate is now ready to use!
5. Simply place your coconut square into the chocolate with a fork and completely cover it. Tap your fork with the covered coconut square against the side of the bowl so excess chocolate comes off. Then place your chocolates on a lined tray until the chocolates harden!

Tips for tempering chocolate:

Make sure you don’t get any water or steam in your chocolate at any stage while tempering. Water= chocolate death!

Use only metal or plastic spoons to stir the chocolate.

If you let your chocolate go over 48 degrees C then its gone- you can’t use it any more.

It’s a good idea if you have one to use a thermometer to test the temperature when you’re heating a cooling the chocolate. I used a digital thermometer.

Having said all that, you don’t really need to temper the chocolate- but it does help to coat the coconut squares properly.

Baileys Marshmallow Shots

Just stick a fork through the marshmallow, being careful not to stab through the bottom. Then toast slowly over high heat, browning evenly on all sides, you can use a gas stove to brown the marshmallows. When the mallow’s perfectly browned (and you’ve sent a few flaming mallows sailing down your gullet), set it on a plate to cool. The marshmallow will naturally sink in on itself.

Then fill the cavity with your favorite liquor. We recommend Bailey’s or Kahlua for a sweet dessert treat, but feel free to play things up and try something new.

Oh, and make sure to toss the shot back as soon as you pour it! Otherwise you’ll be left with a soggy marshmallow and no booze (and nobody wants that). 

Home Made Chimichangas

Home Made Chimichangas

Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 white onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, diced (remove seeds for less heat)
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
1 small tomato, chopped, plus more for topping
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup sour cream
1 15-ounce can refried beans
4 10-inch flour tortillas
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese, plus more for topping
Mexi-sauce, for topping (see below)
Shredded lettuce, for topping
Mexican rice, for serving
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Melt the butter with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet; transfer to a bowl. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeno and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon salt; toast 30 seconds. Add the tomato and cilantro and cook until slightly dry, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken and sour cream and warm through. Remove from the heat.

Brush a rimmed baking sheet with some of the butter-oil mixture. Spread 2 tablespoons refried beans down the center of each tortilla, leaving a 2-inch border on both ends. Top with 1 cup chicken mixture and 1/4 cup cheese. Fold in the ends and roll up.

Put the chimichangas seam-side down on the baking sheet; brush with the butter-oil mixture. Bake 8 to 10 minutes per side, brushing again after you flip. Top with the sauce, more cheese, lettuce and tomato. Serve with rice and the remaining beans.

Make Chi-Chi's Mexi-sauce:

Saute 1/2 cup chopped onion and 2 chopped garlic cloves in a skillet with vegetable oil. Add a pinch each of chili powder, cumin, sugar and salt; cook 30 seconds. Stir in two 4-ounce cans chopped green chiles (drained and rinsed); cook 2 minutes. Add 1 cup chicken broth and simmer until thickened, then puree. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/almost-famous-chimichangas-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Low Fat Christmas Recipe - Cranberry Apple Glazed Pork

Cranberry Apple Glazed Pork

Glazed with a seasonal cranberry apple sauce, this lean pork roast makes an ideal holiday centerpiece. Serve with roasted vegetables and low fat mashed potatoes or with steamed green beans and wild rice.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp ground sage
• 1/2 tsp ground thyme
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 3-pound boneless top-loin pork roast, trimmed
• 1 16-ounce can cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup apple cider

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Combine herbs and seasonings to make a rub. Sprinkle mixture over all sides of the meat. Place pork in roasting pan and roast for 1 hour.

Combine cranberry sauce and apple cider in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened. Spoon 1/2 a cup of the sauce over the meat to glaze. Return meat to the oven and roast for a further 30-40 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 155 degrees. Remove pork from the oven and cover with foil. Let stand for 15-20 minutes. The meat will continue to cook and reach a safe 160 degrees while it rests. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Serves 10-12

Per Serving: Calories 218, Calories from Fat 55, Total Fat 6.1g (sat 2.1g), Cholesterol 64mg, Sodium 62mg, Carbohydrate 15.9g, Fiber 0.4g, Protein 24.8g

Choc Strawberry Santa Hats - Cute Recipes For Xmas!

Ingredients (makes 24)

• 100g red glace cherries, finely chopped
• 400g sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup (250g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons glucose syrup
• 125g butter, chopped
• 180g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup (30g) shredded coconut
• 380g white chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup (125ml) cream
• 18 strawberries, stems removed

Method

Line a 20cm by 30cm slice pan with baking paper.

Place condensed milk, sugar, syrup and butter in a saucepan over a low heat. Cook, stirring, without boiling for 10 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is glossy.

Increase heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer, stirring. Cook, stirring constantly, for 6 minutes or until the mixture thickens and comes away from the sides of the saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in dark chocolate, cherries and coconut until combined and the chocolate has melted.

Working quickly, pour the mixture into the prepared slice pan and smooth the top. Be careful when trying to lick the remaining fudge from the saucepan as it will be hot… Refrigerate fudge for 30 minutes until slightly firm. The fudge should only be about 1cm high in the pan – if you are making the fudge on its own and wanted it to be a thicker slab, just use a smaller slice pan.

Using a 5cm round cutter, cut rounds of the fudge and place onto a plate or tray lined with baking paper. Set rounds aside.

To make whipped chocolate ganache for the hats, place the white chocolate and cream in a small saucepan and stir constantly over a low heat until chocolate has melted and mixture turns glossy. Place into a mixing bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Once ganache has fully cooled, beat at high speed for 2 minutes or until mixture resembles smooth whipped cream.

Place a tablespoon of ganache onto a round of chocolate fudge and use a spoon to smooth to the edge. Place a strawberry cut side down into the ganache and press down firmly. Then roll a small amount of the ganache into a ball (roughly 1cm in diameter) and place firmly onto the top of the strawberry. Repeat this process to make a scrumptious collection of Santa Hats. Refrigerate “Santa Hats” for 2 hours for fudge to go firm and ganache to set. Enjoy!

Healthy Christmas Desserts - Vanilla-Pomegranate Parfaits

Vanilla-Pomegranate Parfaits

Makes: 6 servings

Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 3 3/4 hours (including 3 hours chilling time)

INGREDIENTS

POMEGRANATE COMPOTE

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds (see Tip)
• 2/3 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

PUDDING

• 1 cup low-fat milk
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds for garnish
• 6 mint sprigs for garnish

PREPARATION

1. To prepare compote: Mix 2 tablespoons sugar with 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a small saucepan. Add pomegranate seeds, pomegranate juice and lemon juice; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Refrigerate while you prepare the pudding.
2. To prepare pudding: Combine milk and half-and-half in a medium heavy saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean (or add vanilla extract). Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat, cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, whisk egg, egg yolk, 1/3 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch in a medium bowl. Reheat the milk mixture just until steaming. Carefully whisk one-third of the steaming milk into the egg mixture. Pour the egg-milk mixture back into the pan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until very thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in butter.
4. To prepare parfaits: Divide the pomegranate compote among six 6-ounce (3/4 cup) parfait glasses, ramekins or other small dessert cups. Spoon the pudding mixture over the compote. Cover and refrigerate until the pudding is well chilled and firm, at least 3 hours. To serve, garnish each parfait with pomegranate seeds and a mint sprig, if desired.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the compote (Step 1), cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Cover and refrigerate parfaits for up to 8 hours.

• Tip: To seed a pomegranate, fill a large bowl with water. Lightly score the fruit into quarters from crown to stem end, cutting through the skin but not into the interior of the fruit. Hold the fruit under water, break it apart and use your hands to gently separate the plump seeds (arils) from the outer skin and white pith. The seeds will drop to the bottom of the bowl and the pith will float to the surface. Discard the pith. Pour the seeds into a colander. Rinse and pat dry. Seeds can be frozen for up to 3 months.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 209 calories; 8 g fat ( 4 g sat , 2 g mono ); 88 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrates; 15 g added sugars; 4 g protein; 1 g fiber; 48 mg sodium; 189 mg potassium.

Simple Christmas Treats - Chocolate Candy-cane Hearts

These are one of my favorite simple Christmas treats.  A perfect addition to a plate of Christmas cookies, and so simple they are a project the kids can help with too.

You’ll need…

A box of mini candy canes (see “note” below)

White Chocolate

Semi-sweet Chocolate

Sprinkles

~Directions ~

1.  Place waxed paper liner on a baking sheet.

2.  Lay two mini candy canes next to each other, creating a heart.  Continue filling the baking sheet with heart shapes.

3.  Melt the white and semi-sweet chocolates (in separate bowls), using short intervals in the microwave, or in a double boiler.

4.  When the chocolates are melted, spoon or pour into a piping bag or thicker ziplock type bag. Cut off a tiny tip from the bag, and begin filling in the heart shapes with chocolate.  I like to use both flavors of chocolate for each heart.  So if I do a layer of white chocolate first, then after it cools a bit, I add a layer of semi-sweet chocolate on top.

5.  After adding both layers of chocolate, top with sprinkles of your choice.

6.  Set the baking sheet (of chocolate filled hearts) in a cool place (or the fridge) while the chocolate cools. Once cool, remove hearts from baking sheet and store in an airtight container.

NOTE-  I have found that the candy canes that work best for this project are ones with a dull finish (not shiny).  It seems candy canes with a shiny surface tend to get sticky after a day or two.

Christmas Trifle Recipe

Christmas Trifle Recipe 

Ingredients

• • 4 x 85g packets strawberry jelly crystals
  • 2 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1/2 x 800g light fruit cake, cut into 3cm cubes
  • 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
  • 2 cups Pauls Double Thick French Vanilla custard
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 125g fresh strawberries, hulled, sliced
  • 300ml thickened cream
  • 1 teaspoon icing sugar mixture, sifted
  • 50g white chocolate, grated fresh raspberries and hulled, quartered strawberries, to decorate
  
  
• 1. Step 1
     Place jelly crystals in a heatproof bowl. Add boiling water. Stir to dissolve crystals. Stir in 400ml cold water. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until just starting to set (it should have a thick, syrupy consistency).
  2. Step 2
     Arrange cake in a 13 cup-capacity serving bowl. Drizzle with brandy, if using. Spoon half the jelly over top. Top with custard. Sprinkle with raspberries and strawberries. Spoon remaining jelly over top. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
  3. Step 3
     Using an electric mixer, beat cream and sugar in a bowl until soft peaks form. Fold through chocolate. Spoon mixture over trifle. Top with raspberries and strawberry quarters. Serve. You could use leftover fruit cake or pudding in this trifle. Pauls Double Thick custard is twice as thick as pouring custard, and ideal for the whole family. Check out the handy resealable pack for recipe suggestions. You could replace brandy with orange juice. Top trifle with grated chocolate.

Healthy Choc Frosting Shots! YUM!

Healthy Chocolate Frosting

(or chocolate mousse!)

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk (or coconut cream)
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp cocoa powder or cacao powder
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• sweetener to taste (Use stevia or powdered sugar for thickest results.)

Healthy frosting recipe: Open your coconut milk, and if it’s not already super-thick, leave the can (or transfer to a bowl) uncovered in the fridge overnight. Try not to shake the can too much before opening. It should get very, very thick. (If it doesn’t, you’ve gotten a bad can that won’t work for the recipe. I recommend Thai Kitchen Organic. Hint: shake the can when you’re at the store. If you can hear the liquidy contents swishing around, it’s probably too thin to work for this recipe. Or if you want a no-fail option, buy coconut cream instead, at Trader Joes or an Asian market.) Once thick, transfer only the creamy part to a bowl, leaving the watery part out. Whip in your cocoa, vanilla, and sweetener with a fork, or even beaters if you want to be fancy. For the photos on this page, I didn’t use beaters. But I did pipe the chocolate frosting shots out using an icing tip. Stored uncovered in the fridge, the mixture gets even thicker.

Slow Cooker - Coconut Roast Chicken Recipe

How To Make Coconut Roast Chicken In Your Slow Cooker

Coconut Roast Chicken - http://tastylicious1.blogspot.com/

Ingredients 

1 Whole Chicken 

1 Onion

2-4 Cloves of garlic 

1 Can coconut milk

4 Potatoes

2 Carrots

Method

1. Place the whole chicken upside down in the slow cooker and cover with coconut milk. Leave overnight to marinate in the fridge.
2. Pour coconut milk out into a bowl and rinse the slow cooker, place onion and garlic inside the chicken and put back into the slow cooker. 
3. Peel potatoes and carrots, cut and place around the chicken. 
4. Turn slow cooker on high and cook for approximatley 4hours or until juices run clear.

*This recipe can also be done in the oven however you must baste with the coconut milk throughout the cooking time and keep on low. Please note the chicken may look a little black from the coconut milk cooking however it does not mean it is burnt.

Serve chicken with the roasted vegetables and bread or rice.

How To Make Homemade Cheese Sauce

http://tastylicious1.blogspot.com/

How To Make Homemade Cheese Sauce 

Ingredients

4 Tablespoons of butter

4-8 Tablespoons of flour

500ml Fresh milk

1 Cup tasty cheese

Method

1. Melt butter in saucepan and remove from heat. 
2. Stir in enough flour to make a thick wet paste.
3. Add milk and return to medium heat on the stove.
4. Stir continuously for 5 minutes ensuring the butter paste is removed from the bottom.
5. Add cheese and stir in until combined.
6. Remove from stove and sit for 2 minutes.

* For a bit more flavor you can also add in some of your favourite herbs just before adding the cheese.

Serve on top of vegetables, corned beef or use as sauce in pasta or lasagna. 

Fresh French Onion Dip Recipe

Fresh French Onion Dip Recipe

Ingredients

1 packet of french onion dip

1 tub of sour cream

Method

1. Add all ingredients to bowl and mix well.
2. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour for flavors to infuse.

Serve with your favorite vegetable sticks, crackers, chips or pretzels.

How To Make Fresh Homemade Aoili

Tastylicious Aioli - Homemade Recipe - http://tastylicious1.blogspot.com/

How To Make Fresh Homemade Aoili....

Ingredients

2 Cloves of garlic

1 Teaspoon of sea or rocksalt

2 Egg yolks

1 Cup of extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons of Water

2 Tablespoons of lemon juice

2 Tablespoons of wholegrain mustard 

Method

1. Add garlic, salt and the egg yolks into a food processor or blender and process until combined well.
2. With the processor or blender still running slowly drizzle in the olive oil forming a thick mayonnaise, transfer to a bowl or jar.
3. Stir in water, lemon juice and wholegrain mustard. Cover with plastic or place lid on the jar and refrigerate until you are ready to use it. 

* For best results to allow flavors to infuse i recommend refrigerating for 1 hour before serving.

You can serve Aoili with your favorite vegetable sticks, on crackers, with fries or wedges, use as a spread on sandwiches and much more! Enjoy!