DUKKAH

Ingredients......50 gm of sesame seeds, 1 tbs of coriander seeds, 1 dsp of cumin seeds, 1 tsp of ground cumin, 1/2 tsp of fennel seeds, 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of cracked black pepper, 80 gm of granulated nuts. Combine the seeds, spices, salt and cracked black pepperin a pan. Stir over a low heat until the seeds are toasted. Cool completely. Combine the nuts and seed mixture in the bowl of your processor and process until the mixture resembles a coarse powder. Serve the dukkah with turkish bread and olive oil for dipping. This mix also makes for a delicious crumb for chicken schnitzel.

ZUCCHINI, CHILLI AND BASIL ROLLS

These rolls can be served as a starter, I serve them alongside grilled fish and salad. They are sure to please, however you serve them. Ingredients.....2 medium zucchini, 250 gm of ricotta, 1/3 rd of a cup of sweet chilli sauce, 12 fresh basil leaves. Use a vegetable peeler to peel 12 even ribbons from the zucchini. In a non stick pan, over a medium heat, grill the zucchini ribbons for 10 seconds on each side. Remove and lay the ribbons out flat to cool. At the base of each ribbon place a spoonful of ricotta, a small dollop of chilli sauce and a basil leaf. Roll the zucchini ribbon up over the filling, repeat with remaining ingredients. Sprinkle lightly with cracked black pepper and Italian herb mix.

COCONUT SLICE

Ingredients....4 cups of shredded coconut, 1 cup of maple syrup, 8 tbs of coconut oil, melted, 1 tbs of vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp of salt. Line a square 24 cm pan with baking paper. place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well combined with a slightly sticky cocsistency. Scrape the mixture into the lined pan and press down firmly to create a smooth, even finish. Transfer to your refrigerator to set, about 90 minutes. When firm remove and slice into squares. The slice is best kept in your refrigerator and is also freezer friendly.

FLAVOUR FILLED CHICKEN MANGO LOAF.

Ingredients.....500 gm of chicken mince, 2/3 rds of a cup of chopped onion, 2/3rds of a cup of frozen mixed vegies, 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp of ground cumin, 1 tsp of ground coriander, 1 tsp of ground turmeric, 2 tbs of chopped fresh mint / 1 tbs dried mint, 1 egg, lightly beaten, 8 fresh whole mint leaves, 4 tbs of mango chutney. Preheat your oven to 180 deg C. Line a loaf pan ( 11 cm x 21 cm ) with baking paper, so the paper overhangs the ends. Put the chicken mince, frozen mixed vegies, chopped onion, breadcrumbs, spices, mint, 2 tbs of mango chutney and egg in a large bowl. Mix well to combine. Press the chicken mixture into the prepared pan. Spread the remaining 2 tbs of mango chutney over the top. Press the whole mint leaves down the centre of the log. Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven or until tender. Oh the aromas wafting through the kitchen. Drain off any excess liquid and remove the chicken loaf from the pan. Serve hot or cold. I love to serve this chicken loaf with mashed potatoes or if I am serving it cold, it is perfect with sliced cucumber and plain yoghurt.

BANANA, CHOC HAZELNUT SMOOTHIE.

One of the ingredients in this recipe is oat bran, oat bran is available in all major supermarkets. You can substitute rolled oats or quick oats, just blend the quick oats / rolled oats until you get a coarse powdery mixture. Ingredients.....2 medium ripe bananas, 2 tbs of oat bran, 2 tbs of hazelnut chocolate spread, 500 ml of chilled milk, 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream. Put the bananas, oat bran, chocolate hazelnut spread, milk and ice cream into a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Serve in chilled glasses. Once you have made this smoothie, you will be making it again and again. Young and old love it.

SALMON , FETA AND PASTA PIES

Ingredients......Cooking oil sray, 200 gm of spaghetti, 100 gm of baby spinach leaves, 1 tbs of fresh parsley, chopped, 1 tbs of mint, fresh / dried, 210 gm can of red salmon in springwater, drained, 75 gm of crumbly feta cheese, 80 gm of fresh / frozen peas, 2 eggs, lightly beaten,cracked black pepperto taste, 125 ml of milk. Preheat your oven to 180 deg C. Lightly spray 4 x 1 cup sized muffin holes. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain well and cut into short lengths. Roughly chop the baby spinach leaves. Put the pasta, spinach, herbs, salmon, feta and peas into a large bowl and mix to combine. Season with cracked black pepperand divide the mixture between the prepared muffin holes. Finally whisk together the eggs and milk and pour over the mixture in the muffin holes. BVake for 40 minutes or until the egg is set. These are really tasty.

SIMPLE ONE BOWL EASY MIX BUTTER CAKE.

Ingredients......125 gm of butter / marg at room temp, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, 275 gm of castor sugar, 3 eggs, lightly beaten, 150 gm of plain flour, 75 gm of self raising flour, 1/4 tsp of bi carb of soda, 125 ml of milk. Preheat your oven to 160 deg C. Lightly grease a 20 cm round or square cake pan and line with baking paper. Place all the ingredientsin the bowl of your electric mixer. Beat on a low speed until all the ingredients are just combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat until the batter is smooth and pale in colour. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 75 minutes or until tested with a skewer,( one inserted and coming out clean ). Leave the cooked cake in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wir rack, turn the cake top side up to cool. Sprinkle the cake with icing sugar to serve.