Aprils favourite recipe thread !!!!

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MAVETAS YOGHURT CAKE - YUM!

I make a yoghurt cake which is the easiest cake in the world to make - no weighing at all (yay!).

1 lemon yoghurt
1 yoghurt pot of veg oil (I know it sounds gross but just do it)
2 y.p of sugar (or less if you want)
3 y.p of plain flour
3 eggs
1.5 teaspoons baking powder

Tip yoghurt into bowl. Add oil and stir in. Add sugar and stir in. Add flour and egg alternately, bung in baking powder, pour into greased and floured bundt tin and bake at 180 for 40mins.

For the icing mix icing sugar with juice of a lemon to whatever consistency you like (the thicker the better!) and pour over. For added touch sprinkle flaked almonds all over.

Homemade Hummus

2 tins Chick Peas
6 cloves garlic
2 dsp tahini (sesame seed paste)
4 dsp lemon juice
Olive oil (only need a drop)
Pinch salt
Drop of water

Zap altogether in blender. Add the water last and only a drop at a time. Can also add a whole green/red fresh chilli (ouch) or olives.

I also add cayenne pepper or chilli powder for extra kick.

This is totally yummy, and a tiny fraction of the calories of shop bought hummus as there is hardly any fat in it. Fab as a snack on ryveta/crackers. Can make double as it freezes well.

Avocado & Creme Fraiche

OK so I pinched this one from a dinner party but scrummy all the same.

(Note: Tis not often I get to go to a dinner party .)

1 large avocado
200 ml creme fraiche
1 clove peeled garlic
1 tsp sherry/flavoured/raspberry vinegar
Salt and pepper

Crush garlic and add pepper and vinegar.Add avocado and beat together.Fold in creme fraiche and cover tightly with clingfilm and refrigerate.

We had this with salmon, but would be great also as a starter or a dip. Totally bloody gorgeous.

Hot Pesto Pasta with Ham

Med to Lg sized pan of swirly pasta
Half a jar of green pesto
3 large dsp cream cheese/philly
2/3 slices ham, chopped in thin stips.
Cayenne pepper

Cook and drain the pasta,cook pasta well.Add a drop of olive oil whilst cooking. Stir in half a jar pesto,over the heat until mixed well. Add the cream cheese. Add cayenne pepper to taste. Finally add the ham and stir.

Be warned this is tooo yummy especially when you have a carb craving.

Rum and Raisin Chocolate Muffins

350g sr flour
50g cocoa powder and an extra little bit
1/4 cup rum
1 cup raisins
200g brown sugar, I used white
2 eggs
125g butter
250ml buttermilk
2 tsp baking powder
Pinch salt
150g dark chocolate (mixture could esily handle twice this amount )I used green & blacks but any choc would be ok

Pre heat oven gas mk 6.

Soak raisins overnight for extra juicy rumness otherwise 20 mins ok

Sift flour and cocoa into lg bowl.Stir in sugar and chocolate. Then add raisin mixture along with the rum. Mix together eggs, melted butter and buttermilk and add to mixture until well combined. Spoon into greased muffin tray/muffin cases. Bake 20-25 mins.

(Tip.Invest in a couple of muffin pans/trays as this makes all the difference. Use also with muffin cup things for the shop bought look .If you don't use muffin cups then spray with 1 cal spray and they will just lift out easily)

Makes 18

Knew I forgot sth, the chocolate is chopped up as in choc chips.

Large choc chips. Large soft slightly melted choc chips.(Can you tell I'm deprived .)

Sweet Chilli Salad

For the dieters amongst us:

Iceberg lettuce
Green pepper
Cherry tomatoes ¼ ed
Gherkins ¼ ed
Red onion or shallots
Tin mixed beans (rinsed)

Add white wine vinegar to sweet chilli sauce. Add usual french dressing. Add small amount of hot pepper/hot chilli sauce and mix well. Pour over combined salad. YUMMY!!

Mixed Bean Salad

Iceberg lettuce
Tin mixed beans. Washed and drained.
Iceberg
Cherry tomatoes ¼ ed
Cucumber ¼ ed
Shallotts or small red onion

So mix salad and add small amount white wine vinegar. Sprinkle with parmesan. Add low fat Newmans Caesar salad dressing. ALSO YUMMY!!

Sweet Lime and Coriander Stir Fry

2 large breast chicken
2 peppers any green/red/yellow/mix
2 boxes mushrooms
Large onion
4 cloves garlic, crushed
One bottle Nandos Lime and Coriander marinade
2 tsp sugar

So chop chicken. Stir fry till almost cooked. Add crushed/minced garlic and chopped onion. Add chopped peppers and mushrooms. Add small 2 tablespoons water and sauce. Add 2 tsp sugar. Simmer 15 mins.

Serve with rice.

Tiffin

8oz Crushed Digestives
4oz Butter
1oz Drinking Chocolate
2oz Raisins
3 Tablespoons Syrup

Topping
6oz Chocolate

Melt butter and syrup. Add the remailing ingredients. Press into tray.
Melt chocolate and spread over base.
Set in fridge

Custard Creams

6oz Plain Flour
6oz Margarine
2oz Custard Powder
2oz Icing Sugar
Vanilla essence/extract
Pinch of Salt

Filling (butter icing)

4oz Icing Sugar
2oz Margarine

Cream the butter and sugar.
Mix the flour, custard powder and salt together and work this mixture into the creamed butter/sugar mixture.
Add the vanilla and mix well.
Roll into small balls and place onto a greased baking sheet.
Press each ball with a fork to flatten slightly.
Bake 15-20 mins at 180*C.
Cool then join with the butter icing.

OK here goes, and it is lurverly!

1 butternut squash
3 leeks
6 potatoes
1 pint veg stock
1/2 pint milk
Garlic salt
Cayenne pepper
Ground allspice
Nutmeg

Cook butternut squash/leeks/potatoes. Transfer to large pot. Blend in blender (will take two lots and use some of liquid from leeks/b.n sq). Transfer back to pot and add stock and milk,then add (to taste) 1 lg tsp garlic salt, 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp cayenne pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Add each gradually, according to taste. Leave to simmer for 15 mins.

Makes 10 portions, can freeze.

If desired, add plain yoghurt/cream/sour cream when served.

Spicy Butternut Squash/Leek/Potato Soup