What's Cooking Ella
  • Blog
  • About Me-What's New
  • Recipes 2013-2023
  • Breakfast
    • Acai Bowl
    • All Day Breakfast
    • Asparagus Milanese
    • Bacon and Egg Bread Cups
    • Bacon and Egg Roll
    • Bacon and Spinach Omelette
    • Best Ever Berry Pikelets
    • Blueberry Pancakes
    • Buttermilk Pancakes
    • Buttermilk Scones
    • Chicken Livers with Onions
    • Croissant Monsieur
    • Egg Breakfast Cups
    • Eggs in Purgatory-Hangover Eggs
    • French Toast
    • Lemon Souffle Pancakes
    • Medimurski Langusi
    • Mushroom and Cheese Omelette
    • Nutella Buns with Mascarpone Frosting
    • Peci Paje
    • Perfect Scrambled Eggs
    • Salami and Potato Frittata
    • Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus
    • Scrambled Eggs with Chorizo
    • Shakshuka
    • Spinach and Cheese Spirals
    • To Die For Cinnamon Buns
    • Waffles with Berries, Ice Cream and Maple Syrup
  • Lunch
    • Bacon, Egg and Tomato Pie
    • Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks
    • Broccolini and Bacon Tart
    • Cabbage and Prawn Salad
    • Caprese Pasta Salad
    • Caprese Salad
    • Cheats Pizzette
    • Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas
    • Chicken Caesar Salad
    • Chicken Liver, Frisee and Speck Salad
    • Chicken, Mushroom and Bacon Pies
    • Chorizo, Potato and Herb Frittata
    • Creamy Chicken and Corn Burritos
    • Crumbed Eggplant with Tomato Basil Sauce
    • Egg, Bacon and Cheese Frittata
    • Five Spice Pork with an Asian Green Bean Salad
    • Goats Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
    • Italian Chicken Pasta Salad
    • Mince and Feta Gozleme
    • Mini Egg Muffins
    • Mum's Octopus Salad
    • Octopus and Potato Salad
    • Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancakes)
    • Omelette with Stir Fried Shitake Mushrooms and Rice
    • Piadina Romagnola Italian Flatbread
    • Prawn and Avocado Salad
    • Quesadillas
    • Quiche Lorraine
    • Salad of Figs, Prosciutto, Leaves and Toasted Bread
    • Salmon and Avocado Ceviche
    • Sandwich Press Chicken Quesadillas
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Smoked Trout, Potato and Cherry Tomato Salad
    • Spinach and Cheese Gozleme
    • Sticky Pork Belly Banh Mi
    • Sunday Roast Salad
    • Super Green Kale Salad
    • Thai Beef Salad
    • Thai Beef Salad
    • Thai Duck Salad
    • Thai Grilled Chicken Burger
    • Thai Pork Salad
    • Tomato Bacon Pasta
    • Turkey Potato Wedges
    • Vietnamese Chicken Salad
    • Zucchini and Beef Sfougato
    • Zucchini Slice
  • Dinner
    • Beef and Veal >
      • Beef and Bean Burritos
      • Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
      • Beef and Mushroom Pies
      • Beef with Cashew Nam Jim and Asian Greens
      • Bibimbap
      • Burger Night at Our House
      • Chinese Beef and Snow Pea Stir Fry
      • Coconut Beef Curry
      • Easy Steak Fajitas
      • Egyptian Kofta Rolls
      • French Style Cottage Pie
      • Indonesian Satay with Peanut Sauce
      • Korean Beef Short Ribs
      • Layered Beef Enchilada Bake
      • Mongolian Beef and Snow Pea Stir Fry
      • Musaka
      • Penang Curry with Coconut Rice
      • Simple Steak Sandwich
      • Steak Slice with Lemon and Thyme
      • Steak with a Green Peppercorn Sauce
      • Tagliata For Two
      • Veal Saltimbocca
      • Veal with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
    • Chicken and Duck >
      • Braised Chicken Marylands with Wine and Tomatoes
      • Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
      • Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana
      • Chicken and Oyster Sauce Noodle Stir Fry
      • Chicken Bastardo
      • Chicken Cordon Bleu Roll with an Italian Twist
      • Chicken, Eggplant and Green Bean Korma
      • Chicken Fajita Drumsticks with Three Salsas
      • Chicken Kiev
      • Chicken Saltimbocca
      • Chicken Schnitzel Burger with Baconnaise
      • Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
      • Chicken with Garlic Potatoes and Rosemary
      • Chicken with Tomatoes
      • Chinese Style Roast Duck
      • Croatian Roast Duck with Mlinci
      • Crispy Skin Duck with Pink Grapefruit and Avocado Salad
      • Duck Breasts with Red Wine Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
      • Easy Chicken Fajitas
      • Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
      • Greek Lemon Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
      • Green Chicken Curry
      • Guatemalan Chicken and Tomatillo Stew
      • Honey Mustard Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Salad
      • Jerk Chicken
      • Mediterranean Chicken
      • Nasi Goreng
      • Peri Peri Chicken Burger
      • Piri Piri Chicken
      • Poached Duck and Cashew Salad with Duck Crackling
      • Portuguese Style Chicken Drumsticks
      • Roast Chicken Marylands with Potatoes
      • Roast Chicken Salad and Chive Mayonnaise
      • Roast Duck Marylands and Potatoes
      • Roast Lemon Chicken
      • Salvadoran Chicken in White Wine
      • Salvadoran Chicken Stew with Red Capsicums
      • Spatchcock with Spicy Corn Salad
      • Tequila and Lime Chicken
      • Teriyaki Chicken
      • Thai Style Chicken and Ginger Stir Fry
      • Thai Style Chicken Burger
      • Woodman's Chicken Pollo alla Boscaiola
    • Lamb >
      • Garlic and Sage Lamb Racks
      • Lamb Racks with Breadcrumbs, Parsley and Lemon
      • Lamb Shank Stew
      • Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary
      • Middle Eastern Lamb Pilaf
      • Slow Cooked Curry Crusted Lamb
      • Slow Cooked Lamb Shank and Bean Ragu
      • Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder
    • Pasta and Risotto >
      • Baba Kata's Pasta Sauce
      • Bacon and Mushroom Pasta Bake
      • Baked Bechamel Pasta
      • Basil Pesto with Pasta
      • Brudet Risotto
      • Calabrian Lasagna
      • Cannelloni
      • Chicken Bolognese Pasta Bake
      • Chicken Pasta Bake
      • Chilli Prawn and Tomato Spaghetti
      • Corteccia or Cavatelli
      • Creamy Bacon and Mushroom Fettuccine
      • Creamy Bacon Fettuccine
      • ​Creamy Farfalle with Chicken and Zucchini
      • Creamy Mushroom Linguine
      • Creamy Tomato Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
      • Creamy Zucchini Spaghetti
      • Cuttlefish Risotto
      • Duck Ragu with Pappardelle
      • Ella's Creamy Chicken Pasta
      • Fettuccine Alla Carbonara
      • Fettuccine with Chicken and Mushroom Sauce
      • Fettuccine with Mud Crab, Garlic, Chilli, Lemon and Parsley
      • Fish Risotto
      • Fregola with Mussels, Vongole and Prawns
      • Fregola with Clams
      • Fresh Egg Pasta
      • Fresh Tomato Pasta
      • Gnocchi Mac 'n' Cheese
      • Gnocchi with Rich Porcini Mushroom Sauce
      • Grated Pasta Dough for Soup
      • Kale, Chilli and Parmesan Pasta
      • Krpice sa Zeljem
      • Lasagne
      • Lasagne with Crepes
      • Macaroni Eggplant Cake
      • Macaroni Milano
      • Mushroom Risotto
      • Orecchiette with Broccoli and Anchovy
      • Oven Baked Meatballs in Cheesy Tomato Sauce
      • Pappardelle Carbonara
      • Pasta alla Norma
      • Pasta all'amatriciana
      • Pastitsio
      • Pearl Barley Risotto with Wild Mushrooms
      • Penne with Pork Ragu
      • Penne with Spicy Tomato Sauce
      • Potato and Caramelised Onion Vareniki
      • Potato Gnocchi
      • Potato Gnocchi with Cheese
      • Prawn and Scallop Linguine with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
      • Savoury Crepes-Ham and Cheese or Spinach and Ricotta
      • Seafood Paella
      • Semolina Gnocchi Alla Romana
      • Short Rib Ragu
      • Silverbeet and Ricotta Gnudi
      • Simple Neapolitan Sauce
      • Slow Cooked Beef Ragu
      • Smoky Mac 'N' Cheese
      • Spaetzle
      • Spaghetti Alla Carbonara
      • Spaghetti Bolognese
      • Spaghetti Marinara
      • Spaghetti Pizzaiola
      • Spaghetti Puttanesca
      • Spaghetti with Clams
      • Spaghetti with Clams
      • Spaghetti with Crab
      • Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato and Basil
      • Spaghetti with Garlic, Olive Oil and Chilli
      • Spicy Garlic Butter Linguine
      • Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni Crepes
      • Spinach and Ricotta Shells
      • Sporki Macaroni
      • Super Quick Fresh Pasta
      • Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese
      • Tomato Prawn Risotto
      • Vegetable Lasagna
    • Pork >
      • Bajan Roast Pork
      • Baked Meatballs in Tomatoes
      • Bolognese Pie
      • Chinese Roast Pork Neck
      • Meatzza
      • Mince and Potato Burek
      • Mince and Potato Pita
      • Mince Stuffed Capsicums-Punjene Paprike
      • My Favourite Pulled Pork
      • Nachos
      • Paprika and Lime Pork Enchiladas
      • Perfect Baked Pork Belly
      • Perfect Roasted Pork Fillet with Apples
      • Pork Campagnola
      • Pork Schnitzels with Lemon and Parsley
      • Roast Pork Belly with Sauerkraut
      • Roast Pork with Crackling
      • Roast Pork with Garlic and Rosemary
      • Salt and Pepper Pork
      • Samoborski Kotleti
      • Sarma-Cabbage Rolls
      • Slow Roasted American Ribs
      • Spicy Pulled Pork and Black Bean Tacos
      • Sung Choi Bao
    • Seafood >
      • Baked Snapper with Parsley, Chilli and Oregano
      • Brudet-Croatian Fish Stew
      • Chilli Crab
      • Chinese Style Fish with Coconut Rice
      • Confit Salmon
      • Croatian Octopus Peka
      • Cuttlefish Stew
      • Fish and Chips
      • Fish Burger
      • Fish Cakes
      • Fish Tacos
      • Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce
      • Fried Calamari
      • Garlic Squid with Parmesan
      • Korean Fish Stir Fry
      • Mexican Fish Tacos with Guacamole
      • Mussel Buzara
      • Pan Fried White Fish with Roasted Vegetables
      • Popara
      • Prawn Buzara
      • Prawn, Coleslaw and Pico de Gallo Tacos
      • Prawn, Ginger and Snow Pea Stir Fry
      • Stir Fry Crab
      • Tempura Fish
      • Thai Prawn Curry
      • Whole Baked Fish with Lemon Salt and Aioli
      • Whole Baked Ocean Trout with Fennel and Pomegranate
    • Sides, Salads and Accompaniments >
      • Asian Cabbage, Bean and Carrot Salad
      • Baka Marija's Trganci
      • Baked Beans and Frankfurt Bake
      • Beetroot and Feta with Herb and Pistachio Dressing
      • Bok Choy with Garlic, Honey and Soy
      • Broccoli and Cauliflower
      • Broccoli Salad
      • Cheesy Potato Gratin Stacks
      • Chef's Salad
      • Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce
      • Chinese Chicken Salad with Crispy Wonton Skins
      • Chinese Cucumber Salad
      • Coleslaw with a Mayonnaise Dressing
      • Coleslaw with a Vinegar Dressing
      • Crazy Corn
      • Croatian Easter Bread Dolls
      • Crunchy Potato Balls
      • Dandelion Leaves, Potato, Egg and Bacon Salad
      • Easter Salad
      • Easy Garlic Butter Breadsticks
      • Four Bean Salad
      • Fried Rice
      • Garlic Bread
      • Greek Salad
      • Green Salad
      • Grenadir Mars
      • Grilled Vegetables
      • Homemade Sauerkraut
      • Infused Chilli Oil
      • Josip's Spinach
      • Lastovsko Zelje-Cabbage and Potato Salad
      • Luxurious Mashed Potato Bake
      • Macaroni and Bean Salad
      • Marinated Garlic
      • Mashed Potatoes Baked with Bacon
      • Mexican Tomato Salsa
      • Microwave Chilli Jam
      • Miso Roasted Eggplant
      • Muffin Pan Potato Gratins
      • No Knead Bread
      • No Knead Bread Rolls
      • Pan Fried Potatoes
      • Pita Bread
      • Pogaca
      • Polenta
      • Pommes Anna
      • Potato Beetroot Salad
      • Potato Gratin
      • Potato Stacks with Fresh Thyme
      • Roast Chilli Potatoes
      • Rosemary Garlic Focaccia
      • Salt and Pepper Breadsticks
      • Spinach and Pear Salad
      • Swiss Chard and Potatoes-Blitva
      • Tartiflette
      • Tian Provencal
      • Tomato Focaccia
      • Turkish Pide Bread
      • Tuscan Fries
      • Tzatziki
    • Soups >
      • Bacon, Lentil and Cabbage Soup
      • Baka Marija's Cuz Pajz-Cabbage Soup
      • Baka Marija's Zelje-Cabbage Soup 2
      • Beef and Bean Goulash Soup
      • Beef, Barley and Cavolo Nero Soup
      • Cabbage and Bacon Soup
      • Cauliflower, Leek and Bacon Soup
      • Cauliflower Soup
      • ​Chicken Egg Drop Noodle Soup
      • Chicken Laksa Lemak
      • Chicken Soup with Mini Meatballs
      • Chicken Soup with Semolina Dumplings
      • Chicken Wonton Soup
      • Corn Chowder
      • Cream of Asparagus Soup
      • Egyptian Lentil Soup
      • Erdutski Kotlic s Noklicama
      • Fish Soup
      • Goulash Soup
      • Ham Hock and Cabbage Soup
      • Jota-Sauerkraut Soup
      • Kaq'ik
      • Leftover Lamb Soup
      • Lemon Chicken Soup
      • Lentil Soup
      • Mushroom Soup
      • Pasta and Chickpeas with Tuscan Cabbage
      • Pea and Ham Soup
      • Pea and Ham Soup 2
      • Pho Ga
      • Potato and Leek Soup
      • Prawn Bisque
      • Pumpkin Soup
      • Pumpkin Soup 2
      • Pumpkin Soup 3
      • Seafood Laksa Lemak
      • Smoked Ham, Tomato and Butter Bean Soup
      • Smoked Rib and Bean Soup-Pasta Fazol
      • Tomato Egg Drop Soup
      • Tom Yum Goong
      • Tomato Soup with Pasta and Basil
      • Vietnamese Pho
      • Zuppa di Pesce
    • Stews >
      • Baka Marija's Goulash
      • Beef Cheek Ragu
      • Beef, Barley and Mushroom Stew
      • Beef Goulash
      • Bigos Polish Hunters Stew
      • Braised Beef Short Ribs in Red Wine Sauce
      • Chicken Cacciatore
      • Chicken, Chorizo and Bean Cassoulet
      • Chicken Paprikas with Pljukanci
      • Chilli Con Carne with Corn Dumplings
      • Chorizo with Lentil and Roasted Red Capsicum
      • Croatian Tripe Stew
      • Easy Baked Goulash
      • Green Chilli Stew
      • Hilachas
      • Mexican Beef Stew
      • Osso Buco
      • Short Rib Bourguignon
      • Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks
      • Stracotto
      • Swiss Beef and Mushroom Stew
      • Vinski Gulas
  • Desserts
    • Biscuits >
      • Almond Bread
      • ANZAC biscuits
      • Choc Chip and M&M Cookies
      • Chocolate Chip Cookies
      • Chocolate Chip Cookies 2
      • Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
      • Chocolate Hazelnut Flowers
      • Chocolate Salami
      • Christmas Sandwich Cookies
      • Christmas Star Tree
      • Citrus and Coconut Nut Bread
      • Cookie Dough
      • Gingerbread Men
      • Hazelnut Scrolls
      • Lemon Macaroons
      • Melting Moments
      • Mira's Jam Biscuits
      • Mixed Nut Biscotti
      • Monte Carlos
      • Peruvian Alfajores
      • Polka Dot Cookies
      • Vanilla Crescent Biscuits
      • White Chocolate and Macadamia Cookies
    • Bite Sized Treats >
      • Cheesecake Balls
      • Chocolate Crackles
      • Chocolate Marshmallow Brown Sugar Fudge
      • Chocolate Rum Truffles
      • Chocolate Strawberries
      • Coconut Truffles
      • Crunchy Chocolate Truffles
      • Mini Christmas Puddings
      • Rocky Road
      • Tim Tam and Milo Fudge
    • Cakes and Tortes >
      • Apple and Cinnamon Pie Cake
      • Apple and Strawberry Crumble Cake
      • Apple Cake
      • Banana and Raspberry Bread
      • Banana Bread
      • Banana Bread 2
      • Banana Bread 3
      • Banana Cake
      • Blackberry and Plum Streusel Cake
      • Blueberry Banana Bread
      • Cannoli Cake
      • Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
      • Choc Banana Bread
      • Chocolate Babka
      • Chocolate Banana Bread
      • Chocolate Crunch Cake
      • Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
      • Christmas Fruit Cake
      • Ciambella
      • Coconut Lime Syrup Cake
      • Dairy and Egg Free Chocolate Cake
      • Easy Apple Bundt Cake
      • Easy Apple Cake
      • Five Layer Chocolate Espresso Cake
      • Flourless, Chocolate, Pecan and Raspberry Torte
      • Irish Apple Crumble Cake
      • Italian Breakfast Banana Bread
      • Lemon Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
      • Lemon Tea Cake
      • Lemon Yoghurt Cake
      • Nutella Banana Bread
      • Orange Tea Cake
      • Pear and Vanilla Cake
      • Red Velvet Cake
      • Six Layer Chocolate Cake
      • Sticky Date Pudding
      • Sticky Date Pudding 2
      • Strawberry Banana Bread
      • Strawberry Cloud Cake
      • Tiramisu Torte
      • Torta Tenerina
      • Tres Leches Cake
      • Tres Leches Cake 2
      • Ultimate One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
      • Upside Down Blood Orange Cake
    • Cheesecakes >
      • Baka Marija's Gibanica
      • Baked Ricotta Cheesecake
      • Cafe Latte Cheesecakes
      • Chocolate Cheesecake
      • Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
      • Margarita Cheesecake
      • New York Cheesecake
      • Nutella Cheesecake
      • Passionfruit Cheesecake
      • Passionfruit Cheesecake Slice
      • Pineapple Jelly Cheesecakes
      • Strawberry Cheesecake
      • Sunny Lemon Cheesecake
    • Crepes and Pancakes >
      • Banana and Hazelnut Cream Crepes
      • Chocolate Crepe Cake with Hazelnut Cream
      • Crepe Cake with Citrus Cream and a Berry Salad
      • Crepes
      • Lemon Curd and Poppy Seed Crepe Cake
      • Lemon Curd Crepe Cake
      • Ricotta filled Crepes
      • Strawberry and Hazelnut Cream Crepes
      • Strawberry and Nutella Crepes
    • Crumbles >
      • Apple and Passionfruit Crumble
      • Apple Crumble
      • Apple Crumble
      • Apple, Berry and Rhubarb Crumble
      • Plum Crumbles
    • Cupcakes and Muffins >
      • Apple Crumble Muffins
      • Banana Crumb Muffins
      • Blueberry Muffins
      • Chocolate Brownie Muffins
      • Chocolate Chip Muffins
      • Chocolate Cupcakes with a Chocolate Ganache
      • Chocolate Cupcakes with a White Chocolate Ganache
    • Doughnuts >
      • Appelbeignets
      • Apple Fritole
      • Chocolate Churros
      • Churros
      • Cinnamon Doughnut Puffs
      • Doughnut S'Mores
      • Fritule
      • Hot Cross Bun Doughnuts
      • Mini Baked Chocolate Doughnuts
      • Nutella, Jam or Custard Filled Doughnuts
    • Ice Creams, Sorbets and Granitas >
      • Berry Salad
      • Blood Orange Granita
      • Blueberry and Pink Lemonade Ice Pops
      • Blueberry Ice Cream
      • Chocolate Coffee Fudge Ice Cream Cake
      • Hot Chocolate Ice Pops
      • Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream
      • Lime Cheesecake Ice Cream
      • Limoncello Bombe Alaska
      • Mango and Banana Yoghurt Gelato
      • Mango and Strawberry Ice Pops
      • Mixed Berry Ice Cream
      • Morenitas
      • Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream
      • Orange Granita
      • Orange Sorbet
      • Raspberry Cream Pie
      • Raspberry Lemonade Ice Blocks
      • Rocky Road Ice Cream Slice
      • Splice Ice Pops
      • Strawberry Banana Ice Pops
      • Strawberry Ice Cream
      • Strawberry Ice Pops
      • Summer Berry Lime Compote
      • Tequila and Orange Granita
      • Tropical Jelly Pops
      • Watermelon Granita
    • It's all about the Fruit >
      • Caramel Poached Peaches with Blueberries
      • Fresh Fruit Salad with a Vanilla Lime Syrup
      • Peach Melba
      • Poached Pears with Chocolate Sauce
      • Vanilla Poached Apricots
      • Vanilla Poached Pears
    • Jams, Custards, Puddings and Curds >
      • Berry and Custard Jelly Pots
      • Chocolate Creme Brulee
      • Chocolate Mousse
      • Chocolate Self Saucing Puddings
      • Coffee Creams
      • Crema Catalana
      • Creme Brulee
      • Fresh Orange Jelly
      • Halloween Chocolate Mousse
      • Jelly Custard Cups
      • Leche Poleada or Salvadoran Vanilla Custard
      • Lemon Bavarois
      • Lemon Curd
      • Lemon Pudding Cake with Berries
      • Orange and Almond Self Saucing Pudding
      • Peach Melba Buttermilk Puddings
      • Raspberry Bavarois
      • Strawberry and Vanilla Panna Cotta Fruit Cups
      • Strawberry Jelly Mousse
      • Strawberry Mousse Jelly Delights
      • Strawberry Pannacotta
      • Triple Chocolate Panna Cotta Mousse
      • Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
      • Vanilla Pannacotta with a Berry Compote
      • Vanilla Pannacotta with Strawberry Champagne Jelly
      • Yoghurt and Vanilla Panna Cotta with Raspberry and Pomegranate Jelly
    • Mud Cakes >
      • Caramel Mud Cake
      • Chocolate Guinness Cake
      • Chocolate Mud Cake
      • Double Decker Mud Cake
      • Mochaccino Marbled Mud Cake
      • Triple Choc Marble Mud Cake
      • White Chocolate Mud Cake
    • Pavlova >
      • Australia Day Pavlova
      • Chocolate Berry Pavlova
      • Forgotten Pudding
      • Meringue Christmas Tree
      • Pavlova
      • Pavlova Roll
      • Pavlova Wreath
      • Raspberry Mousse Torte
      • Strawberry and Watermelon Cake
    • Pies and Tarts >
      • Apple and Cream Cheese Strudel
      • Apple Crumble Pie
      • Apple Danishes
      • Apple Pie
      • Apple Roses
      • Berry and Apple Crumble Slice
      • Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastries
      • Blueberry Crostata
      • Blueberry Crumble Pie
      • Blueberry Custard Pie
      • Bougatsa Parcels
      • Cherry Pie
      • Chocolate Custard Pie
      • Chocolate Ganache Tart with a Pecan Crust
      • Chocolate Ganache Tart with an Oreo Crust
      • Chocolate Hazelnut Croissants
      • Chocolate Portuguese Custard Tarts
      • Cindy Crawford's Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
      • Jalousie
      • Jam Macaroon Tart
      • Lemon Meringue Pie
      • Lemon Tart
      • Lemon Tart with Blueberry Compote
      • Lime Tart
      • Mini Lemon Meringue Tarts
      • Nectarine Shortcake
      • Nutella Christmas Tree
      • Nutella Pastry Sun
      • Peach Pie
      • Pear and Apple Pandowdy
      • Pear and Chocolate Galettes
      • Pear and Raspberry Pandowdy
      • Pita od Jabuka- Croatian Apple Slice
      • Polish Szarlotka
      • Portuguese Custard Tarts
      • Quick and Easy Plum Tart
      • Quick Apple Strudel
      • Quick Apple Tarts
      • Raspberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels
      • Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries
      • Strawberry Cream Cheese Tart
      • Strawberry Rhubarb and Apple Crumble Pie
      • Summer Berry Tart
    • Slices >
      • Apple Slice
      • Baklava
      • Banoffee Slice
      • Berry and Apple Slice
      • Berry Custard Slice
      • Blueberry Crumb Bars
      • Cheesecake Brownies
      • Cherry Ripe Brownie Bar
      • Choc-Hazelnut Meringue Slice
      • Choc-Vanilla Slice
      • Chocolate Brownies
      • Chocolate Brownies 2
      • Chocolate Brownies...Without Butter
      • Chocolate Coconut Brownies
      • Chocolate Fudge Brownies-Gluten Free
      • Chocolate Mousse Squares
      • Chocolate Oatmeal Slice
      • Galaktoboureko
      • Hello Dolly Bars
      • Kit Kat and Tim Tam Brownies
      • Krempita
      • Lemon and Coconut Brownies
      • Lemon Delicious Slice
      • Lemon Meringue Slice
      • Madarica
      • Mallow Roll
      • Milo Slice
      • Peach Crumble Bars
      • Salted Chocolate Caramel Slice
      • Salted Chocolate Cashew Caramel Slice
      • Strawberry Crumb Bars
      • Vanilla Slice
      • Wagon Wheel Slice
    • Trifles >
      • Ambrosia
      • Christmas Trifle
      • Citrus Meringue Trifle
      • Creamy Two Fruits Trifle
      • Latin Style Trifle
      • Mocha Tiramisu
      • Tiramisu with Frangelico
      • Two Layered Jellies
  • Entertaining
    • Artichoke Spinach Dip
    • Avocado and Tomato Salsa
    • BBQ Chicken Wings
    • Beef and Pea Hand Pies
    • Bocconcini, Basil and Prosciutto Balls
    • Bread and Butter Pickles
    • Buffalo Wings
    • Buffalo Wings 2
    • Buttermilk Fried Chicken
    • Cheese and Bacon Rolls
    • Cheese and Zucchini Pita
    • Cheesy Crumbed Chicken
    • Chicken Liver Pate
    • Classic Prawn Roll
    • Classic Prawn Roll 2
    • Cocktail Sausage Mummies
    • Crumbed Prawns
    • Crunchy Baked Chicken Wings
    • Eggplant and Olive Bruschetta
    • Eggplant Dip
    • Eggplant Relish
    • Erbazzone Reggiano
    • Frankfurt Bake
    • Fresh Guacamole
    • Gravlax
    • Gyoza (Pot Stickers)
    • Halloumi with Chilli
    • Ham and Cheese Garlic Bread
    • Ham and Cheese Pastry Sun
    • Ham and Cheese Sliders with Garlic Butter
    • Ham and Green Onion Fritters
    • Hoisin Chicken Wings
    • Homemade Focaccia Pizza
    • Honey Soy Chicken Wings
    • Kingfish and Radish Carpaccio
    • Kingfish Carpaccio-Japanese Style
    • Korean Chicken Wings
    • Kransky Sausage Rolls
    • Lemon and Oregano Chicken Wings
    • Lutenica
    • Marinated Mini Bocconcini With Basil and Prosciutto
    • Mini Chicken Burgers
    • Mini Pizzas
    • Mini Quiches
    • Mussels in a Vinaigrette Dressing
    • Oysters (The Way I Love Them)
    • Party Pies
    • Peruvian Chicken Wings with a Peruvian Green Sauce
    • Pickled Cucumbers
    • Pickled Green Tomatoes, Chillies or Cucumbers
    • Pizza
    • Pizza Rustica with Olive Oil Pastry
    • Pizza Scima
    • Pizza Scrolls
    • Polenta Chips
    • Polenta Chips with Mushrooms
    • Prawn and Corn Cakes
    • Prawn Salad Roll
    • Pretzel Crusted Chicken Fingers
    • Quick Kimchi (Fermented Cabbage)
    • Roast Beef Canapes
    • Roasted Capsicums
    • Salami, Provolone and Mascarpone Schiacciata
    • Salmon Rillettes
    • Salt and Pepper Prawns
    • Salt and Pepper Squid
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  • Cookbook Corner

Baba Kata's ​Pasta Sauce

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My mum's pasta sauce, what can I say about it, all I can say is everybody loves it.

My mum is a great cook, I just don't recall ever eating anything that wasn't great growing up. With no cookbooks or internet back then, coming from a small village in Croatia, I have no idea where she learnt to cook the way she did. She is a woman that could do anything. Honestly the woman doesn't know the words 'I can't' her motto for everything was always 'if it has to be done, just get it done'. Growing up she always cooked dinner, take out was a treat, and was a sometimes thing. She worked, but she planned ahead, whoever came home first (either my dad or her, and later on me), started dinner and once she came home she took over. The woman was never tired, or at least she never showed it. Remember, she could do anything. Even now at 74, she still does big holidays, she just tells us to come a little later as she's a little slower, and I'm in the kitchen with her these days, but she gets it done, no complaints.

Back to the recipe, this is one of those recipes my mum makes when tomatoes are cheap. She loves to use roughly 70% roma tomatoes, her favourite tomato, and 30% cherry tomatoes, she says it makes the sauce taste better. But she will use all roma tomatoes if cherry tomatoes aren't on sale. Now this is a labour of love, although it is not a hard recipe, it takes time to chop up all the vegetables, it takes time to cook the sauce low and slow. So this is a project for those days when you have time. When we make it at my house, my mum comes over and we spend the day together making this.

With the tomatoes, make sure they are ripe. They ripen by just leaving them on your kitchen bench for a few days.

I can't tell you when this sauce entered our lives, one day it just appeared, with my mum probably making it to use up tomatoes she had at home, and as we loved it, she hasn't stopped making it. 

Recently my daughter has taken an interest in family recipes, so the other day mum made this with my daughter and my sons girlfriend (who also loves the sauce) watching and taking notes.

Sometimes my mum adds chicken wing tips into her sauce. My parents never buy cut up chicken wings, as they cost more, so dad's job is to cut up the wings, and wing tips always get frozen to either make a soup or she adds them to her sauces. She would add the wing tips in when she adds the garlic to the other vegetables. Remove wing tips, before blitzing Her sauces are never the same. Recipes are guides for her. You will see below, I have given three sets of ingredients, as every time she makes this, she makes it similar, but there's differences, but she writes them down for me. So I will give you all three versions, one is using 2kg tomatoes, the beginners version, one is when you have 5kg of tomatoes, I want some for the freezer version and then we have the 7kg of tomatoes version, which is the tomatoes were really cheap and if I'm spending the day cooking, I'm making it worthwhile. You will notice sometimes she adds parsley and bay leaves, sometimes she doesn't, it all depends on what she has available. If you don't have fresh bay leaves, use 1/2 the quantity of dried bay leaves.

This is how you will find the pasta sauce in my house. My mum packs them in these snap lock bags and she freezes them. Then when I don't feel like cooking dinner, or the kids have friends over and they are hungry, and I don't feel like cooking or when I forget to buy bread for school lunches....I just pop one of these bags out of the freezer, put it (out of the bag) to defrost in a saucepan over a low heat, put on water to boil for pasta and by the time the pasta has cooked the sauce has defrosted and my family is fed.
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So if you grow your own tomatoes or if tomatoes are really cheap, here's something you might like to try that my family loves.

Recipe

Tomato Sauce using 2kg tomatoes:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 medium sized onions, finely chopped
1 red capsicum, diced
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 bunch parsley leaves, chopped, to taste
1.3kg ripe roma tomatoes, peeled
500g ripe cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 bunch basil leaves, leaves torn, to taste
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, extra
1 fresh bay leaf
1 teaspoon vegeta
Salt and pepper, to taste

Tomato Sauce using 5.5kg tomatoes:
300ml extra virgin olive oil
5 x 200g onions, finely chopped
2 red capsicums, diced
1 whole head garlic, finely chopped
4.5kg roma tomatoes, peeled
1.2kg cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup basil leaves, firmly packed, to taste
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, extra

2 teaspoons vegeta
Salt and pepper, to taste

Tomato Sauce using 7kg tomatoes:
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

8 medium sized onions, finely chopped
3 red capsicums, diced
2 carrots, peeled, finely diced​
3 sticks celery, finely diced

1 garlic head, finely chopped
1/2 bunch parsley leaves, chopped, to taste
7kg roma tomatoes, peeled

1/2 bunch basil leaves, leaves torn, to taste
1 cup extra virgin olive oil, extra

3 fresh bay leaf
1 heaped tablespoon vegeta
Salt and pepper, to taste
​
Now although the ingredient lists differ, slightly, the method is pretty much the same. Depending which ingredient list you choose, some things you will need in the method, some you won't. Ignore the ingredients you are not using.

Peel roma tomatoes: Put a large pot of water over high heat, bring to the boil. 
Score a small cross into the top of the tomato.  Once your water comes to the boil, turn off the heat. Place tomatoes, in batches, in the boiling water, allow to sit for 30 seconds to a minute, then remove from the water and peel away the skin. It should come off easily. Remove the bit where the stem was connected, my mum always does, but it is optional.

In a large bowl, that will fit all of your tomatoes, use your hands to crush the tomatoes, this will break up your tomatoes and remove the liquid. Do not throw out the liquid. Place the crushed tomatoes into this bowl after they are crushed.

You do not need to peel cherry tomatoes.


​Add oil to a large saucepan, it needs to cover the base of your pot. Place over a medium heat. Add onion, capsicum, carrot and celery, sauté for 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Add garlic and parsley, continue to sauté until the vegetables have softened, about a further 4-5 minutes.

When the vegetables have softened, add in the crushed tomatoes, but not the liquid, at this stage, the cherry tomatoes and the basil. Stir through to combine.​ Add in the extra oil, stir through. Simmer about 10 minutes, stirring regularly.

Add in the reserved tomato juices now, the bay leaf and vegeta, season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir to combine. Cover with a lid, bring to a simmer and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. After this time, remove the lid and continue to cook for a further 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the sauce is cooked to your liking. My mum says a sauce is not done until the oil appears on the surface.

Remove all the bay leaves. Using a stick blender, blitz until thickened to your liking. If your sauce seems too watery, just continue to cook it uncovered, stirring, until it has thickened to your liking.
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Serve immediately over cooked pasta. Leftover sauce, ​we freeze, I place the quantities I need in snap lock bags and freeze them until I need them.
Enjoy!
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