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My Kitchen

Family Favourite: French Toast

We normally have a hot yummy breakfast on Saturday mornings before my hubby goes off to work for the day as we are lucky enough not to have Saturday sport yet (plus Sundays are always a rush to get to church on time!). French toast is definitely a family favourite and enjoyed by everyone! Here's my best recipe to date... 

Ingredients

4 eggs
2/3 milk
1/3 cup plain flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
6-8 slices of white bread
Butter for pan

Method
  • Mix eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla essence, salt and cinnamon well. I use a blender to ensure there are no lumps in my batter but a whisk would also do the job.
  • Heat frying pan and add butter to melt. Reduce heat if pan appears to be burning butter. 
  • Dip a slice of bread into the batter and allow to soak for around 30 seconds a side. Place in the pan and cook each side until golden brown.
  • Serve with your choice of  icing sugar, maple syrup, sugar & lemon or with some delicious bacon! 

Family Favourite: Chicken Croquettes

Thinking of ways to use that left over BBQ chicken in the fridge? Last night was really hot in Melbourne so we grabbed one for dinner to enjoy with some salad and a little under half was left over. One of my favourite meals growing up was mum's chicken croquettes so I decided to Google a recipe this afternoon and give them a go (could have just called mum but sometimes the internet is far quicker!) So here is the recipe I created which is slightly modified from the original... they were super easy and a massive hit with my 3yo and hubby. 

Ingredients

300g cooked chicken (finely diced)
60g butter
80g plain flour
400ml chicken stock
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup of mayonaise
Salt & pepper
2 eggs, whisked
Plain flour, for covering croquettes
Vegetable oil for frying

Method
  • Melt the butter, then add the flour and mix thoroughly. Add the stock bit by bit and stir well using a wisk to avoid any lumps. When all the stock is added leave to simmer for a further 5 minutes.
  • Add seasoning, nutmeg and a mayonaise. Stir well and then add the chicken.
  • Pour onto a flat dish and leave to cool for a shot while. I used some baking paper under an oven tray. 
  • Make croquette shapes (about 8-10) and pass through bowls with some flour, whisked eggs and then the breadcrumbs. You may find they don't hold their shape 100% but once chilled they are easy to re-work and look perfect for frying.
  • Chill in the fridge for around an hour, if you have time.
  • Heat about 2-3cm of oil in a frying pan (or fryer). Fry croquettes in hot oil rotating for 5 minutes or until light brown. (Handle croquettes carefully so crust is not punctured). Drain on paper towels.
  • Serve hot or cold with vegetables or salad. We enjoyed ours with a simple Caesar Salad.


Simple Yummy Sausage Rolls

Ingredients

7-8 sheets of frozen puff pastry
1kg sausage mince
1 large carrot (grated)
1 large onion (diced)
6 teaspoons mustard powder
Bunch of finely chopped parsley
4 sliced of white bread soaked in milk (squeeze excess out)
Mixed herbs, salt and pepper to season

Method

Lay out frozen pastry to thaw - you may need some damp tea towels on hand if the sides start to look dry cover the sheets. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl (get your hands in there and give it a good squishing). Add mixture to pastry in lines, you can make big sausage rolls or party size. Cut to size and lightly cut along the top of the roll and paint with milk.

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and into the oven they go at 220 degrees. Check them after 15-20 minutes and then every 5 minutes until they look divine. They'll smell unreal and look golden when ready. Mmmmm home made chunky relish with sausage rolls on a cold day...Yummo!

Top Tasting Tomato Relish

Ingredients

12 small vine-ripened tomatoes (skin on and halved)
2 diced red apples (peeled)
2 small white onions (diced)
2 cups of malt vinegar
1 cup castor sugar
1 tablespoon curry powder
2 teaspoons ground mixed spice

Method

Add all ingredients into a large frying pan and simmer for 1 1/5 - 2 hours. Pack into steralised jars.