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
    • 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
      • 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
      • 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 >
      • 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
      • Easter Salad
      • Easy Garlic Butter Breadsticks
      • Four Bean Salad
      • Fried Rice
      • Garlic Bread
      • Greek Salad
      • Green Salad
      • Grenadir Mars
      • Grilled Vegetables
      • 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 Laksa Lemak
      • Chicken Soup with Mini Meatballs
      • Chicken Soup with Semolina Dumplings
      • Chicken Wonton Soup
      • Corn Chowder
      • Cream of Asparagus Soup
      • Egyptian Lentil Soup
      • 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
    • 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
      • 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
      • 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
    • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • Pita od Jabuka- Croatian Apple Slice
      • 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
    • Satay Chicken Wings
    • Sausage Rolls
    • Savoury Ham and Cheese Scrolls
    • Simple Fried Chicken
    • Simple Peruvian Ceviche
    • Sloppy Joes
    • Smoked Ham Hock Terrine with Gribiche Sauce
    • Smoked Salmon and Caper Pizzas
    • Smoked Salmon Pancake Rolls
    • Spinach and Cheese Scrolls
    • Spinach and Cheese Triangles
    • Spinach and Ricotta Rolls
    • Spinach Ricotta Flans
    • Spring Rolls
    • Steamed Pork Buns
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  • Cookbook Corner

Easy Baked Goulash-Zapeceni Gulas

26/1/2016

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Here is a little about me, for those of you that don't know me, I was born in Australia, but my background is Croatian, (both my parents are from the Dalmatian Coast, mum from Vrsi, Zadar and dad from the island Lastovo), and my food influences of my childhood was nearly always Croatian food. I grew up on a great variety of food all tasting amazing.

My very first trip to Croatia was when I got married, I married Croatian also, my in laws live in Pula but they originally are from Medimurje.

Now Croatian food to me is absolutely delicious, depending on where in Croatia you live, you eat very different food. So when I got married I got to try so many new things from my mother in law. I now cook for my family recipes that I grew up on and what my husband grew up on. My kids love Croatian food to, it is requested very often.

 Now I am also one of those people that is constantly buying cookbooks, so whilst on my honeymoon every bookshop I found, I bought books, my absolute favourite was a large bookshop I found in Rijeka, Zadar also had a really good one. I actually had a small suitcase full of books that I brought back to Australia.

Well this recipe is from one of my Croatian Cookbooks, it is called Zapeceni Gulas and when I saw the picture in the book I had to try it, it just looked so good. As soon as this goulash goes into the oven the house had the most delicious aroma going through it. I honestly hoped it would taste as good as it smelt, and it did. This goulash was delicious, every single bite was so good. The meat was soft and tender, the potatoes cooked, but kept there shape, and it was different to my normal stews, this had a very small amount of tomatoes in it, this makes for a completely different stew, it was delicious.

Now I doubled the recipe as I like to have leftovers when it comes to stews, but you can halve the recipe if you want to make less.

Now I make this in an ovenproof pot, so it is a one pot dinner, if you don't have an ovenproof pot, you can start this on the stovetop then transfer the goulash to an ovenproof dish to bake.

We loved this. I loved how easy it was to make, I loved the aromas in the house, I loved the flavour. So if you like a good stew, this recipe is for you, it was one we all loved.

Recipe

Recipe adapted from the cookbook Tradicionalna Kuhinja 2 by Itana Popic, Eliana Plese and Boris Kauzlaric

Serves 6-8

1.2kg chuck steak, cut into a 3cm dice
700g onions, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
300g tomatoes, roughly chopped
1kg potatoes, cut into a 2-3cm dice
400ml beer
4 tablespoons (80ml) vegetable oil
4 tablespoons plain flour
4 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 teaspoon vegeta
1 teaspoon ground paprika
3 fresh bay leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste


Preheat oven to 190C/170C fan forced.

Cut the meat into a large dice. Place the meat into a large snaplock bag, add the flour, close the bag and shake the bag so that the flour covers all of the meat.

Place the oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for 5-8 minutes until it becomes translucent, don't let it brown. Add the garlic and saute a further 1-2 minutes.

Add the meat to the pot, just shake off any excess flour as you are adding it. Cook, stirring regularly, for 5-10 minutes, you really need to watch it here as the flour will stick to the base of the pot, reduce heat if needed and move the pot around. The flour sticking is ok, just don't let it burn like crazy.

Add the bay leaves, ground paprika and the beer. Now reduce the heat and allow this to simmer for 15 minutes. As soon as you add the beer start scraping up any flour bits that have stuck to the pot, the beer will remove the sticky bits and this will be what thickens your goulash. Stir the stew regularly at this stage as the mixture is thick and will catch on the bottom if you forget about it

Add the largely diced potato and the diced tomatoes. Give it a good stir. (If you don't have an ovenproof pot, this is when you would transfer it into an ovenproof baking dish, if you needed to).

Now add the vegeta, salt, pepper and enough water to just cover the meat mixture. All of it needs to be covered with the liquid. Give it a quick stir and bake for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, I taste a piece if meat, if it is soft, it is done, if it is still not soft, keep baking it, it can take up to 1.5-2 hours, it really depends on the meat. Here I taste for seasoning also, add more salt, pepper or vegeta, if needed, and if it looks dry, add a little extra water, but only if needed. Stews are supposed to be thickish, not dry but not too watery either.

Once the meat is soft, it is cooked. Serve it hot sprinkled with the chopped parsley.
Enjoy!
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To save the recipe to your favourites go to www.whatscookingella.com/easy-baked-goulash.html
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​If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #whatscookingella
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Creamy Two Fruits Trifle

22/1/2016

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This is something my mum created many, many years ago. She loves trifles, it is her favourite dessert. She loves how they are moist and creamy. This is something my mum used to take to parties all of the time when I was growing up, and it was a huge hit. I made it into a trifle here, but my mum used to take it to parties as a slice. She would not add a second layer to her slice, she would just have a larger dish and make it in one layer. Then you can slice and serve it for perfect sized slices.

Looking at the picture above, you may think it is too creamy, but it really isn't. The sponge fingers are so spongy, you would think you actually baked a sponge, they don't taste like sponge finger biscuits. The custard and cream work beautifully with the two fruits. The end result is a light, fluffy, moist, gorgeous trifle, each mouthful is lovely. It is quite a refreshing trifle.

Again as with most of my recipes, it is not really sweet. It is perfect in that respect.

This has got to be the easiest trifle to make. It is what I should have called 'my pantry item' trifle.

It is made with a few store bought ingredients, great to whip up when you have people coming over but you don't feel like cooking. As I don't even classify this as cooking, the only thing you actually do is whip some cream.

Your custard needs to be thick if you want to serve it as a slice.

It is best if made the day before you want to serve it. But you can make it in the morning if you need it for a dinner party.


Recipe

Serves 10-12

2 x 800g tins of two fruits in syrup (pears and peaches)
600ml thick cream, whipped
600ml Paul's Premium Thick Custard
1 large packet savoiardi sponge finger biscuits
Grated chocolate or sifted cocoa, to decorate


Drain the compote over a medium sized bowl, to separate the syrup from the fruit. Reserve the syrup in the bowl.

Whip the cream until thick, but not too stiff.

Use any dish you like, I happened to use an oval lasagne type dish, you could use a bowl if you prefer. If you want it to be a slice, use a dish that suits that type of serving size.

Dip half of the sponge finger biscuits into the reserved juice for 4-5 seconds if making a trifle or all of the biscuits if making a slice. Layer the biscuits side by side in a single row in the base of your dish.

Scatter over half of the fruit if making a trifle or all of the fruit if making a slice. Spread it out evenly.
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 Dollop over half of the custard if making a trifle or all of the custard if making a slice, spread it out a bit.
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Top with half of the whipped cream if making a trifle or all of the whipped cream if making a slice.
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If making a second layer and serving it in trifle form, repeat with remaining biscuits, fruit, custard and cream.
Sprinkle over the grated chocolate or sifted cocoa. Refrigerate overnight or until needed.
Enjoy!
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Find the recipe at www.whatscookingella.com/creamy-two-fruits-trifle.html
Pin it: www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060677824813/
I'd love to know what you think about this recipe, and please let me know if you have made it, I do like to get feedback. Name and comment only required.
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Barbie Princess Cake

16/1/2016

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I grew up loving Barbie, so when I got a daughter of my own, and she loved Barbie also I started making Barbie Cakes for her birthday.

Although I started with the ice cream version, I moved on to the cake version when I had a party at a play centre for Emalee and needed to have a cake that was easy to transport.

I love the faces on the little girls I made Barbie cakes for (and I have made many).

It is far simpler than it looks, and you can start 1 week in advanced so it is not overwhelming.

You need to also keep a lookout for cheap Barbies that have pretty tops and gorgeous hair dos. I prefer Barbies that have their hair up. The ones below cost only $10 at the time, and you can use them again and again.

In the pictures below I sandwiched the cakes together with a chocolate ganache, and I even iced the cake in a thin layer of the chocolate ganache to keep the crumbs stuck down. Then I just decorated the whole cake with white chocolate ganache. Just make some extra chocolate ganache, if you like that idea.

I have recipes for mud cakes here on What's Cooking Ella, use my recipe or your own favourite cake recipe.

I have been told by a cake decorating store that ganache will keep for as long as your thick cream use by date. So when making something like this, buy thickened cream with a long use by date.

So if your child loves Barbie, here is one for you to try. This is still one of my favourite cakes to make.

Recipe

3 x 20cm round cakes
I like to use three different cakes-white chocolate mud, chocolate mud, marble mud cakes or red velvet cake, that way when you serve the cake you have three different cakes on offer

White Chocolate Ganache:
600g white chocolate
1 cup (250ml) thick cream

Prepared round cake board
1 Barbie, legs removed
1 Barbie top or ribbon to make a top
Decorations:
Food colouring
Sugar crystals, flower lollies, lollies

Make the 3 cakes of your choice. Don't put any icing on them. This can be done 4 to 5 days before the party.

I like to make the icing on the day of the party, but a ganache can be made the day before needed, just do not refrigerate it once it has set.

Put the white chocolate and cream into a mixing bowl, place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Don't allow the water to touch the bottom of your mixing bowl. Stir the chocolate and cream regularly until all the chocolate has melted. Add enough of the food colour (of your choice) until you have achieved the colour that you like. Refrigerate, stirring every 10 minutes until it becomes a spreadable consistency, and is no longer runny. This can take up to an hour.

You can use buttercream-I just don't like it.

On a plate, not on your prepared board, place the chocolate mud cake, spread some ganache on the top of it, top with the marbled mud cake, spread ganache, followed by the white chocolate mud cake, do not put icing on the top yet..

With a teaspoon carefully start digging a hole in the centre of the top cake that is big enough to fit in the barbie to just below her waist. (Wrap the base of the Barbie in cling film so she does not get dirty). Place the Barbie in the hole, use the bits you dug out to fill in any gaps, and to secure Barbie in place.

Now shape the skirt. You only need to cut the top cake. I like to use a bread knife. Trim it carefully to make a rounded appearance at the top. The bits that you cut off can be piled near the waist, then get glued together with ganache around the waist to give a skirt effect.
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Spread a thin layer of the ganache all over the cake, refrigerate. This sticks all the crumbs to the cake so when you put the icing on it you won't get crumbs in it.

Place the cake carefully on to the prepared cake board. Doing small sections at a time, spread the ganache over the cake to form the skirt. It needs to be fairly thick to cover the cake. Smooth out the skirt lightly with a palette knife or keep it ruffled, I like it both ways.
 
Decorate with whatever you like, lollies, sugar crystals etc. I don't refrigerate the cake if using the same day, as some lolly decorations start to bleed into the skirt. If it is a hot day, I turn on the air conditioner to keep the room cool.

To serve, take out the Barbie, separate the cakes, slice and serve.
Enjoy!
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My first attempt at the cake version of the Barbie Princess cake was for my daughter Emalee
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This one was for a friend of mine
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This was for another friend of mine
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This one was for my niece.
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This one was for Emalee again
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This one was for a friend
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This one was for my daughter Emalee
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To save the recipe to your favourites go www.whatscookingella.com/barbie-princess-cake.html
Pin it: www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060675761030/
​​​​If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #whatscookingella
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Nutella Pastry Sun

14/1/2016

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So after first trying to make a Nutella Christmas Tree, which we loved, I decided I cannot keep making that all year round as I love Christmas cooking and making things all special for Christmas.

So after trying out the sun shape in a ham and cheese version first, I then immediately went back into the kitchen and made this Nutella version.

This was delicious, absolutely delicious. The kids loved pulling off the sun ends and eating them, it was a fun and tasty snack to make them. Super easy to make also, which is always a bonus for me, I do love simple cooking.


Now you can trim the pastry to make it round, more sun shape, but I find that just a waste of pastry and in all honesty, I'm okay with imperfection.

Now the recipe is a guide, I really don't measure anything except the pastry. I put on as much Nutella as I like, sprinkle on the chocolate and almond meal without measuring. This is supposed to be simple. If you don't have chocolate at home, I even sprinkled on 2 tablespoons of Milo instead.

If you are having kids over, like I had my nieces, and you want something that looks and tastes great, give this a go, it is delicious.

Recipe

2 sheets Pampus Puff Pastry, slightly thawed
2-3 large dessert spoonfuls Nutella
1/4 cup almond meal
1/4 cup chopped chocolate
1 egg, beaten
Icing Sugar, for dusting


Preheat oven to 200C.

Line a baking tray with a sheet of baking paper.

Place 1 sheet of pastry on the baking paper.

Spread Nutella all over the pastry. Sprinkle over the chopped chocolate and then the almond meal.


Brush the remaining pastry sheet on one side with egg. Place the egg side down over the filling, pressing the edges down slightly to seal.

Now place a drinking glass in the centre of the pastry, don't press it down, you don't want to cut the pastry, just mark it.

Now cut out from the glass to the edges, making sure you cut through to the bottom pastry sheet. Make the slices thinner, rather than thicker.

Remove the glass.
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Now take each strip and gently twirl them, press the ends down a little.

Brush all over with beaten egg. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until browned and puffed.
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Carefully place onto a serving plate and dust with icing sugar. Serve hot, or at room temperature, but it is better hot. Remember just let your kids or guests tear the strips off, it is a fun way to eat it.
Enjoy!
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Find the recipe at www.whatscookingella.com/nutella-pastry-sun.html 
Pin it: www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060682997422/ 
I'd love to know what you think about this recipe, and please let me know if you have made it, I do like to get feedback. Name and comment only required.
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Ham and Cheese Pastry Sun

12/1/2016

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So after making my Nutella Christmas Tree I had an idea that I would like to make one with ham and cheese or with spinach and ricotta. Now the Christmas tree branches are quite thin, so I didn't think it would work with a thicker filling. The branches would be hard to twist if too thick.

I had seen Careme Pastry do a version of this with a square sheet, using shortcrust pastry. So I tried it. We liked their recipe, but did not love it, but I liked their idea. They cut the square into triangles, to serve.

Now somewhere in the back of my mind I must have seen this and I thought why not make it into a sun shape. I didn't want to use shortcrust pastry, I wanted to use puff pastry.

It was brilliant. I had my nieces over for a few days, the kids finished this off in minutes. They loved it. They would all tear off an end and eat it, it was perfect as a light snack after a morning at the beach. The centre piece had to be shared as they all wanted it.

Now you can trim the pastry to make it round, more sun shape, but I find that just a waste of pastry and in all honesty, I'm okay with imperfection.

Don't make the strips too thin, use the picture below as a guide.

This recipe is a guide only, use whatever ham you like and as much as you like. With the cheese, I didn't really measure it, just put on a good sprinkling.

If you are looking to make a quick snack for your kids, or you have some leftover ham to use up, try this, it is delicious.

Recipe

2 sheets pampus puff pastry
8 slices doubles smoked ham
1-2 cups grated tasty cheese
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1 egg, beaten


Preheat oven to 200C.

Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Place one sheet of the puff pastry onto your baking paper.

You can either place the ham slices on whole or shred them first, just place the ham on the pastry evenly spreading it out.

Scatter the cheese all over. Sprinkle the mustard powder over the cheese.

Brush the remaining pastry sheet on one side with egg. Place the egg side down over the filling, pressing the edges down slightly to seal.

Now place a drinking glass in the centre of the pastry, don't press it down, you don't want to cut the pastry, just mark it.

Now cut out from the glass to the edges, making sure you cut through to the bottom pastry sheet. Make the slices thicker, rather than thinner.

Remove the glass.
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Now take each strip and gently twirl them, press the ends down a little.
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Brush all over with beaten egg. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until browned and puffed.
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Carefully place onto a serving plate and serve hot, or at room temperature, but it is better hot. Remember just let your kids or guests tear the strips off, it is a fun way to eat it.
Enjoy!
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Find the recipe at www.whatscookingella.com/ham-and-cheese-pastry-sun.html 
Pin it: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060682983193/
I'd love to know what you think about this recipe, and please let me know if you have made it, I do like to get feedback. Name and comment only required.
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Nutella Christmas Tree

12/1/2016

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I am always on the lookout for easy new things to make my kids. I first saw this puff pastry Christmas Tree on Facebook, but in a savoury form using pesto. Now my kids don't love pesto, but they do love Nutella so I really did need to try this with Nutella.

Well it was delicious. I have made this numerous times now, even though Christmas has come and gone, my kids just keep asking for it.

Now with the offcuts, do not throw them out, you can cut them into star shapes and use as decorations around the tree or as my family likes it, bake them as is and eat them straight away.

To eat this, you just put it on a large plate and your guests (or your family) just tear off the branches one by one. My daughter tries to claim the trunk as hers all the time, as she finds that the best bit.

Now the recipe is a guide, I really don't measure anything except the pastry. I put on as much Nutella as I like, sprinkle on the chocolate and almond meal without measuring. This is supposed to be simple.

I use three sheets of pampus puff pastry to get the tree the size that I like it, so if you don't have that brand, use what you have and adjust the pastry amount. You need to work quite quickly, as you do not want your puff pastry getting too soft, if it does, you won't be able to work with it.

Blitz the chocolate in a food processor, use any chocolate you like.

If you are having guests over and you want something that looks and tastes great, give this a go, it is delicious.

Recipe

3 sheets Pampus Puff Pastry, slightly thawed
2-3 large dessert spoonfuls Nutella
1/4 cup almond meal
1/4 cup chopped chocolate
1 egg, beaten


Preheat oven to 200C.

Line a baking tray with a sheet of baking paper.

Cut 1 sheet of pampus puff pastry in half.

Place 1 sheet of pastry on the baking paper, place one of the half sheets of pastry, slightly overlapping, onto the puff pastry sheet on the baking paper, press on the join gently to form one big sheet of pastry.

Spread Nutella all over the pastry. Sprinkle over the chopped chocolate and then the almond meal.
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Place the remaining other one and half sheets of pastry over the filling. Press gently on the overlapping parts to seal the sheets together.
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Cut out your tree, do not discard the offcuts, after you bake the tree, you bake them as off cuts or cut them into star shapes to decorate the tree.
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Now cut out slits up both sides of the tree, do not let the slits meet in the centre, leave a gap for the trunk.
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Now carefully twist each slit, this needs to be neat, but it does not need to be perfect.
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Brush the tree all over with a beaten egg.
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Bake for 20-23minutes. Until browned and puffed. Then bake the offcuts.
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Dust your tree with sifted icing sugar and decorate with berries or m&m's and if you made star shapes, decorate with them also. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Enjoy!
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Find the recipe at www.whatscookingella.com/nutella-christmas-tree.html 
Pin it: www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060682982328/
I'd love to know what you think about this recipe, and please let me know if you have made it, I do like to get feedback. Name and comment only required.
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My Easy Birthday Cakes-Anyone Can Make These

10/1/2016

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I grew up on homemade birthday cakes, my mother made them for me my entire childhood. She made simple cakes, but very tasty cakes. My first ever store bought cake was for my 21st birthday, the only other two store bought cakes I have had were for my engagement and wedding, and that is it.

So when I got married I started making birthday cakes, first for my husband and me, then as I had children I made theirs also.
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First ever birthday cake I had ever made. Very simple.
As you can see my first ever attempt at making a birthday cake was simple, but my husband loved the effort. What I find with homemade birthday cakes, people don't need perfection, kids especially just love the effort. They love that a cake was made for them, and they especially love a cake that tastes great. I love how excited they get when they first see their cake.

I have a three simple go to cakes that I make that are easy, these I call my lazy cakes, as they are so easy anyone can make them and they take very little effort.

Your first cake is the hardest as you don't know what you are doing, but with each and every new one you make you get better and better. I now make cakes not only for my family, but for my extended family and friends. They know they won't get store bought perfection, but they will get a great cake that tastes great to.

So here are my 'lazy' cakes, the ones that take very little effort, but look great and taste even better than they look.

1. Picture Perfect Cake

I love this one, just ice your favourite cake with a white coloured icing and decorate with whatever bright coloured lollies that you love. You can even make it themed like red and white for valentine's day, how you decorate it is up to you.
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Find out how to make it at http://www.whatscookingella.com/blog/picture-perfect-cake2
Pin it: www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060677131723/

2. The Kit Kat Cake

Again ridiculously easy. Just make your favourite cake, ice it with your favourite icing. Place kit kats all around the kat and fill the centre with whatever you love, whether it be m&ms or Ferrero rochers or fruit. If you want a higher cake with less m&m's just bake two cakes, the cakes just need to be lower than the kit kats. Any cake trimmings I freeze and make chocolate truffles with.
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You will need a lot of M&Ms for this cake, But that is okay, store uneaten ones to eat at a later date. I actually use a spoon to remove the ones that haven't touched the icing and place them in a bowl in the centre of the table, then serve up the rest of the cake.
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This one I made for my niece, she is born in winter when raspberries cost a fortune. In summer when berries are cheaper I would pile on many more raspberries than you can see here.
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Instead of kit kats I used wafer biscuits and Ferrero rochers on top
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Find out how to make it at http://www.whatscookingella.com/blog/kit-kat-cake
Pin it: www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060675864071/
So these are my suggested cakes to make for beginners, you can decorate them however you like, but

Simple Smartie Cake

Again just ice your favourite cake with your favourite icing and decorate with smarties however you like, from simple to decorative. I like a Chocolate Mud Cake with a Chocolate Ganache here, as you can make it in advance and it doesn't need refrigeration. This cake below is a single cake, make it higher by baking two cakes and it will look even more impressive.
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Find the cake recipe at http://www.whatscookingella.com/blog/chocolate-mud-cake2
Pin it: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060682361005/
So there you three simple cake ideas that will get you started on your way to making lovely birthday cakes that are super easy to make, but look like you made a huge effort. And although we are trying to cut down on sugar, for me birthdays are the exception, be healthy other days.
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Watermelon Cake

10/1/2016

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My youngest who turned 9 yesterday does not like eating cake, he doesn't like ice cream, he doesn't like chocolate cake, he doesn't like a lot of icing. That is not saying he doesn't like dessert, but if he is going to eat a dessert, it has to be a fruit based dessert like apple pie, berry slice, raspberry Bavarois....

So when I asked him what cake he wanted for his birthday, he said 'I don't want cake', so I went away and thought about it and came up with this. I had seen it before and in all honestly thought, just let kids eat cake for their birthdays, I thought people were just being over the top 'healthy', but now I realised maybe they aren't, for in my situation I made it because my son doesn't like cake.

Anyway it was brilliant, my son was so excited, it looked beautiful as I had decorated it with his favourite berries. He told me not to tell anyone as he wanted to surprise his cousins with his cake. It was quite funny as I took a photo of him slicing his cake and I have all these kids staring at the cake, wondering what it was made out of.

This 'cake' was made quite big as my son wanted it big, however you make it whatever size you like, it would look great even if it was smaller.

Also I decorated the cake with fresh berries, but you can make star shapes out of the offcuts of the watermelon and decorate it with watermelon stars. If you make the star shapes about 1 cm thick, they will stand upright.

Now I did make other desserts that night, all were fruit based. I made a Creamy Two Fruits Trifle, a Pavlova and Vanilla Pannacotta with Strawberry Champagne Jelly, so all my guests got dessert. But his birthday cake served two purposes, one he had something to blow candles from and two it was the fruit part of my evening. All the kids ate the berries off of the cake, then I sliced it up and everyone had a slice of 'cake' and some fruit all in one.

A few notes: when whipping the cream, make sure it is to firm peaks, you need to time it so that it is as thick as can be before it goes too far and becomes butter. If the cream is too soft, it will slide down the watermelon. Even when it is whipped to firm peaks it will slide a little, but you can move it back and it will stay put. I put the cut watermelon uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before icing it, to dry out a little. As it was my first time in trying to ice a watermelon I wasn't sure if the cream would stick to the watermelon. And once you have it iced place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to 'set' the cream, then you can start decorating it. Once decorated place back in the refrigerator. The recipe also states 600ml thickened cream, buy an extra one just in case, you don't want to not have enough. If you don't need it, you can always use it for something else.

So if you have a kid like mine, give this watermelon 'cake' a go, it was a real crowd pleaser and with a little care and patience is very easy to make.

Recipe

1 whole watermelon, the size of the watermelon depends on the size of the cake you want to make
For a 20cm high cake you will need at least 600ml thickened cream
1 teaspoon caster sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assorted fresh berries, to decorate


Cut off the ends of the watermelon. You want to be left with a cylinder shape, how big you want it is up to you,  you just want it to be even in size from top to bottom.

Place upright on a chopping board and remove the rind carefully and any of the white part of the watermelon.

Place on your serving plate.

Place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 3 hours. I do this to dry out the surface a little.
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Place the cream, sugar and vanilla in a medium sized mixing bowl. Beat with electric beaters until firm peaks form. Be very careful as if you take it too far, it will turn into butter and you will not be able to use it.

Now starting from the top, place dessert spoonfuls of cream on the watermelon, and carefully spread it on the top. Then spoonful at a time, start working your way down the sides of the cake. The cream will want to slide down, but as it is thick, you can push it back up and it will stay where you want it, be patient. You only need enough cream to cover the watermelon. I did it in sections down the side, so where I started going down the side, I continued that line down, then started back at the top for the next section.

Once you have covered the entire cake, refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set the cream. I did not need to, but save any extra cream just incase you need to spot fix any cream that moved.
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When the cream has set, decorate the top and bottom with the assorted berries. If you are tempted to decorate the sides, I suggest using toothpicks to keep the fruit up as they will slide down.
Enjoy!
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To save the recipe to your favourites go www.whatscookingella.com/watermelon-cake.html 
Pin it: www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060682931110/
​​If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #whatscookingella
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Spaghetti Marinara

9/1/2016

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The only ever marinara sauce I have ever loved was my mothers, I have never actually asked her how she makes it, not sure why, just never have. So when my husband went off to the fish markets one day and said he felt like spaghetti marinara, I went on a search for a recipe as I had no idea how I was going to make it.

As per normal he bought too much seafood. I told him not to get the premade marinara mixes, as 1. they can be sandy and 2. not all seafood cooks at the same rate. When you individually buy the seafood, yes, it is more expensive, but you add the seafood when it needs to be added, so it does not overcook.

Now also as per normal I always follow a recipe as it is written the first time. So the photo below is what we served up. It was nice, looked great, but it just wasn't perfect. For me, it wasn't saucy enough and I now know I don't like calamari in my marinara sauce, it just didn't work for me, all the other seafood was perfect, just the calamari I could do without. 
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So the following day, as I had enough of the seafood to make another sauce, I decided I would change the way I cooked this sauce. Now I combined a recipe I use when I make spaghetti with clams with this recipe. And the results were amazing. This time the flavours were all there, the pasta was saucy and all the seafood was perfect, I left out the calamari this time.

Now for a few notes: I used a whole bottle of tomato passata, as I did want it really saucy, you could use half a bottle if you want it a little less saucy. Also with the prawns, I always have frozen Australian prawns in the freezer, they defrost quickly and are perfect for dishes like this. Please do add chilli as the sauce will taste better with it. With the fish, I like to use a thick fillet, as it is less likely to overcook. Prep and chop everything you are using before you start, as once you start adding the seafood, this dish will cook quickly.

Recipe

Recipe adapted from www.taste.com.au

Serves 4-6

60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
6 anchovy fillets
1 small red chilli, finely chopped
1 large bottle tomato passata
200ml dry white wine
1 teaspoon vegeta
200ml water
500g spaghetti
300g mussels, scrubbed, debearded
250g pipis or vongole
300g firm white fish fillet, cut into 2-3cm pieces
200g peeled green prawns
250g scallops
4 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley


Heat the olive oil in a large frypan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, anchovies and chilli, cook, stirring for about 1-2 minutes, you want the anchovies to melt away, but you don't want the garlic to burn.

Add the tomato pasata, season with salt and pepper. Once it comes to the boil, simmer 10 minutes.

Add the water, vegeta and wine, bring to the boil, simmer 10 minutes.

Add the pasta now to pot of boiling water, cook it until just cooked, please don't allow it to overcook. Once your pasta is cooked, drain it, then place in a serving dish, drizzle it with a little extra oil, then toss, this stops the pasta sticking together.

While your pasta is cooking, add the mussels to your sauce, cover with a lid (if your frying pan does not have a lid use a round pizza/baking tray as a lid, works just fine) and simmer for 3 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. Now add the pipis, fish, prawns and 3 tablespoons of the chopped parsley, cover again and simmer for 2 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.

Finally add the scallops, cover and cook for 1 minute. By now the mussels and pipis will have opened and all the other seafood is cooked.

Taste your sauce for seasoning, add salt and pepper if needed. Add your sauce onto your pasta, toss lightly, I like to have the seafood showing. Scatter over the remaining parsley leaves.

Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
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To save the recipe to your favourites go www.whatscookingella.com/spaghetti-marinara.html 
Pin it: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060682931033/
​If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #whatscookingella
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My Easy Birthday Cakes-Anyone Can Make Them

5/1/2016

8 Comments

 
Simple Birthday Cake ideas for novice bakers. They look amazing and are quite simple to make.
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Click on the link below to find the recipes for the cakes I make that are easy and tasty.

http://www.whatscookingella.com/blog/my-easy-birthday-cakes-anyone-can-make-these 
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