What's Cooking Ella
  • Blog
  • About Me-What's New
  • Recipes 2013-2025
  • 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
    • Mushroom and Cheese Omelette
    • Nutella Buns with Mascarpone Frosting
    • Perfect Scrambled Eggs
    • Plum Compote and Granola Crumbles
    • 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
    • Chilli Chicken with BLAT Salad
    • Creamy Chicken and Corn Burritos
    • Crispy Chicken Banh Mi Salad
    • Crumbed Eggplant with Tomato Basil Sauce
    • Egg, Bacon and Cheese Frittata
    • Falafel with Chickpeas
    • 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
    • Nicoise 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
    • Thai Beef Salad
    • Thai Beef Salad
    • Thai Duck Salad
    • Thai Grilled Chicken Burger
    • Thai Pork Salad
    • Tomato Bacon Pasta
    • Tomato, Bocconcini and ​Rocket Pesto Bruschetta
    • Turkey Potato Wedges
    • Vietnamese Chicken Salad
    • Zucchini and Beef Sfougato
    • Zucchini Fritters
    • 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
      • Burek with Meat
      • Burger Night at Our House
      • Cevapi
      • Chinese Beef and Snow Pea Stir Fry
      • Chorizo, Potato and Herb Frittata
      • 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
    • Bread >
      • Bazlama Turkish Flat Bread
      • Cheese and Bacon Rolls
      • Ciabatta Rolls
      • Cinnamon Raisin Bread
      • Croatian Easter Bread
      • Croatian Easter Bread Dolls
      • Croatian Flatbread Lepinje
      • Easy Bread Loaf
      • Easy Crusty No Knead Bread
      • Easy Focaccia Pizza
      • Easy Garlic Butter Breadsticks
      • Easy Same Day Focaccia
      • Focaccia
      • Focaccia Loaf
      • Focaccia with Potatoes
      • Garlic Bread
      • Jam Doughnut Focaccia
      • Jock's Focaccia
      • Medimurski Langusi
      • My Friday Bread
      • Naan Bread
      • No Knead Bread
      • No Knead Bread Rolls
      • No Knead Soft Crust Bread
      • Peci Paje
      • Pide Bread
      • Pita Bread
      • Pizza Scima
      • Pogaca
      • Rosemary Garlic Focaccia
      • Salt and Pepper Breadsticks
      • Soft Bread Rolls
      • Sourdough Bread
      • Sourdough Starter
      • Tomato Focaccia
      • Turkish Pide Bread
      • Twirly Breadsticks
    • Chicken and Duck >
      • Baked Red Chicken Curry
      • 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
      • Coconut Thai Chicken Curry
      • Crispy Chilli Chicken Burger
      • Crispy Skin Duck with Pink Grapefruit and Avocado Salad
      • Croatian Chicken in Tomato and Wine Sauce
      • Croatian Roast Duck with Mlinci
      • Duck Breasts with Red Wine Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
      • Easy Chicken Fajitas
      • Glazed Honey and Soy Chicken with Sweet Chilli Sauce
      • 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 in Tomatoes
      • 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 and Goat >
      • Garlic and Sage Lamb Racks
      • Indian Goat Curry
      • Lamb Racks with Breadcrumbs, Parsley and Lemon
      • Lamb Shank Stew
      • Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary
      • Marinated BBQ Lamb Chops
      • Middle Eastern Lamb Pilaf
      • Ottoman Lamb Shank Stew with Pilaf
      • Slow Cooked Curry Crusted Lamb
      • Slow Cooked Lamb Shank and Bean Ragu
      • Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder
      • Turkish Spiced Cabbage and Minced Lamb Stew with Tomatoes
    • 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
      • Istarski Fuzi
      • 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 alla Vodka
      • 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
      • Quick and Delicious Pasta Bake
      • 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
      • Easy Fall Off The Bone Oven Baked Pork Ribs
      • Ella's Pork Neck in Tomato Sauce with Polenta
      • 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
      • Polpete
      • 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 >
      • Bake Marija's Baked Squid and Potatoes
      • Baked Fish with Lemon Cream Sauce
      • 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 Prawns
      • 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
      • Charred Broccoli with Onions
      • 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
      • Crispy Chilli Oil
      • Crunchy Potato Balls
      • Dandelion Leaves, Potato, Egg and Bacon Salad
      • Easter Salad
      • Four Bean Salad
      • Fried Rice
      • Greek Salad
      • Green Beans in Tomato Sauce
      • Green Salad
      • Grenadir Mars
      • Grilled Vegetables
      • Homemade Chilli Oil
      • Homemade Sauerkraut
      • Infused Chilli Oil
      • Italian Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
      • 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
      • Pan Fried Potatoes
      • Perfect Roast Potatoes
      • Polenta
      • Pommes Anna
      • Potato Beetroot Salad
      • Potato Gratin
      • Potato Stacks with Fresh Thyme
      • Roast Chilli Potatoes
      • Roast Pumpkin, Buffalo Mozzarella, Sage and Hazelnuts
      • Spinach and Pear Salad
      • Super Green Kale Salad
      • Swiss Chard and Potatoes-Blitva
      • Tartiflette
      • Tian Provencal
      • Tuscan Fries
      • Tzatziki
    • Soups >
      • Ajngemahtec s Griz Knedlama
      • 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 Tortilla Soup
      • Chicken Wonton Soup
      • Corn Chowder
      • ​Croatian Bean and Barley Soup with Baked Pork with Baked Pork
      • Croatian Beef or Lamb Soup
      • Cream of Asparagus Soup
      • Egyptian Lentil Soup
      • Erdutski Kotlic s Noklicama
      • Falsa Juha - False Soup
      • Fish Soup
      • Goulash Soup
      • Ham Hock and Cabbage Soup
      • Hearty Chicken 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
      • Quick Beef Pho
      • Seafood Laksa Lemak
      • Slow Roasted Tomato and Turmeric Soup
      • Smoked Ham, Tomato and Butter Bean Soup
      • Smoked Rib and Bean Soup-Pasta Fazol
      • Spinach Soup
      • Tomato Egg Drop Soup
      • Tom Yum Goong
      • Tomato Soup with Pasta and Basil
      • Vietnamese Pho
      • Zuppa di Pesce
    • Stews >
      • Ali Nazik - Lamb Stew
      • Baka Marija's Goulash
      • Beef Cheek Ragu
      • Beef, Barley and Mushroom Stew
      • Beef Goulash
      • Beef Rendang
      • 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
      • Cobanac
      • Chorizo with Lentil and Roasted Red Capsicum
      • Croatian Tripe Stew
      • Easy Baked Goulash
      • Goat and Vegetable Stew
      • Green Chilli Stew
      • Hilachas
      • Josip's Croatian Gulas
      • Mexican Beef Stew
      • Osso Buco
      • Pork Vindaloo
      • Short Rib Bourguignon
      • Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks
      • Stracotto
      • Swiss Beef and Mushroom Stew
      • Turkish Vegetable and Beef Stew with Pasta
      • 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
      • Nutella or Jam Pillows
      • 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 Bundt Cake
      • 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
      • Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
      • Lemon Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
      • Lemon Tea Cake
      • Lemon Yoghurt Cake
      • Nutella Banana Bread
      • Orange Tea Cake
      • Pear and Vanilla Cake
      • Red Velvet Cake
      • Ricotta Crumble Cake
      • Six Layer Chocolate Cake
      • Sticky Date Pudding
      • Sticky Date Pudding 2
      • Strawberry Banana Bread
      • Strawberry Cake
      • 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 Berry Crumble
      • 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 and Rhubarb Crumble Pie
      • 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 and Blueberry Bougatsa Parcels
      • 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 and Raspberry Brownies
      • Chocolate Brownies
      • Chocolate Brownies 2
      • Chocolate Brownies...Without Butter
      • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
      • 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
      • Lime 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 Zucchini Pita
    • Cheesy Crumbed Chicken
    • Chicken Liver Pate
    • Classic Prawn Roll
    • Classic Prawn Roll 2
    • Cocktail Sausage Mummies
    • Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings
    • 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 Bureks
    • Party Pies
    • Peruvian Chicken Wings with a Peruvian Green Sauce
    • Pickled Cucumbers
    • Pickled Green Tomatoes, Chillies or Cucumbers
    • Pizza
    • Pizza Pastry Sun
    • Pizza Rustica with Olive Oil Pastry
    • 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
    • Sausage Rolls with Homemade Puff Pastry
    • 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
    • Soparnik
    • Spicy Chicken Wings with Green Goddess Dip
    • Spinach and Cheese Scrolls
    • Spinach and Cheese Triangles
    • Spinach and Ricotta Rolls
    • Spinach Ricotta Flans
    • Spring Rolls
    • Steamed Pork Buns
    • Steamed Pork Belly Buns
    • Steamed Prawn Buns
    • Sweet and Spicy Sticky Chicken Wings
    • Sweet Chilli Octopus
    • Tandoori Chicken with Mango Salsa
    • Taramasalata Bites
    • Thai Chicken Cakes
    • Thai Fish Cakes
    • Thai Green Curry Chicken Sausage Rolls
    • Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
    • Tuna and Avocado Dip
    • Tuna Pasteta
    • Whiskey and Chilli Prawns
  • Party Cakes
    • Barbie Princess Cake
    • Barbie Princess Ice Cream Cake
    • Boob Cake
    • Cake Gallery
    • Choc Chip Ice Cream Sandwich
    • Choc Ripple Christmas Wreath
    • Choc-Vanilla Slice Party Cake
    • Chocolate Mud Cake with Oreo Buttercream
    • Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake
    • Croatian Checkerboard Cake
    • Cupcake Gallery
    • Daisy Chain Cake
    • Flower Cake
    • Ice Cream Pie Cake
    • Laser Cake
    • Minion Cake
    • Picture Perfect Cake
    • Pinata
    • Pool Party
    • Rocky Road Christmas Tree
    • Sea Shell Cake
    • Sea Shell Cake 2
    • The Kit Kat Cake
    • Watermelon and Berry Tier Cake
    • Watermelon Cake
    • Watermelon Ice Cream Cake
  • What's Ella Drinking-Cocktails and Mocktails
    • Aperol Spritz
    • Apple, Elderflower and Gin Cocktail
    • Appletini
    • B52
    • Bahama Mama
    • Basil and Watermelon Mojito
    • Berry and Lime Fizz
    • Berry Beauty
    • Berry Spritz
    • Blueberry Crush
    • Blueberry Smoothie
    • Caipiroska
    • Campari Crush
    • Champagne Side-car
    • Cherry Bombe
    • Christmas Cranberry Crush
    • Cosmopolitan
    • Cranberry Margarita
    • East Coast Cooler
    • Eggnog-Rompope
    • Emalees Banana Smoothie
    • Envy
    • Espresso Martini
    • Fresh Strawberry Lemonade
    • Frose
    • Frosty's Frappe
    • Frosty's Frozen Daiquiri
    • Fruit Infused Mineral Water
    • Fuzzy Navel
    • Gimlet
    • Gin and Tonic
    • Gin Sling
    • Gin-gle Bells Sparkling Punch
    • Ginger Beer
    • Ginger, Lemon and Honey Soother
    • Golden Margarita
    • Homemade Irish Cream
    • Homemade Lemonade
    • Homemade Limoncello
    • Humid Wind
    • Illusion
    • Italian Lemon Drop
    • Jack Frost
    • Kids Party Punch
    • Lime and Mint Punch
    • Limoncello Blush
    • Limoncello Mojito
    • Limoncello Vodka Collins
    • Long Island Iced Tea
    • Lychee and Cucumber Mule
    • Mai Tai
    • Mango Lassi
    • Mango Pine-Orange Smoothie
    • Margarita
    • Melon Margarita
    • Mixed Berry Smoothie
    • Mojito
    • Moscato Strawberry Lemonade
    • Moscow Mule
    • Mulled Wine
    • North Pole Iceberg
    • Orange Julius
    • Orangecello
    • Orangecello Cocktail
    • Party on the Beach
    • Passionfruit Pisco Punch
    • Peach Margarita
    • Peach Surprise
    • Pina Colada
    • Pineapple Fruit Punch
    • Pineapple Margarita
    • Pineapple Mojito
    • Poison
    • Pomegranate Gin Fizz
    • Porn Star Martini
    • Raspberry and Lime Gin and Tonic
    • Raspberry and Orange Iced Tea
    • Raspberry Lemonade
    • Raspberry Mojito
    • Raspberryoska
    • Refresco de Ensalada
    • Rhubarb and Elderflower Mojito
    • Rhubarb Cordial
    • San Pellegrino Paloma
    • San Salvador
    • Santa's Boozy Watermelon Slushy
    • Sex on the Beach
    • Sgroppino Special Lemon Sorbet
    • Sombrero Spinner
    • Sparkling Fruit Punch
    • Sparkling Rosé Strawberry Punch
    • Spiders
    • Spritzer Slushy
    • Strawberry Agua Fresca
    • Strawberry and Mint Mojito
    • Strawberry and Orange Yoghurt Smoothie
    • Strawberry Daiquiri
    • Strawberry Daze
    • Strawberry Margarita
    • Strawberry Pina Colada
    • Sugar Syrup
    • Summer Berry Sangria
    • Summer Spritzer
    • Traditional Eggnog
    • Triple Berry Margarita
    • Tropical Night
    • Vodka, Watermelon and Lime Slushie
    • Watermelon Agua Fresca
    • Watermelon Caipiroska
    • White Russian
    • White Sangria
  • Cookbook Corner

Chocolate Babka

28/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
​My daughter loves cinnamon rolls, it is probably her favourite thing to eat. So when I came upon this chocolate version in our Eating Around the World Adventure: Ukraine, I knew I had to try this.

This Chocolate Babka is perfect. The dough is soft and delicious, the chocolate ganache gets into every gap. It is truly something you need to make.

This recipe makes two loafs, now don't for a second think, it's too much, it goes very quickly in my house and it keeps quite well. But you could always gift one if you prefer.

Although it is easy to make, you need to give it time to rise, so this is the perfect recipe when you are home on a lazy Sunday, you're cooking, but not too hard.

I used US cupsizes here. 1 US cup = 236ml. 1 US tablespoon is 15ml. But as I've added the gram measurements also, you shouldn't have any problems.

This is easy and is something you just have to try.

Recipe

​Recipe adapted from natashaskitchen.com/

Makes 2 loaves

3/4 cup warm milk (NOT hot)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 (7g) packet
4 tablespoons (50g) caster sugar, divided
3 1/2 cups (450g) plain flour (+ 1 to 2 Tbsp, if needed)
2 large eggs, room temp
4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted, divided (3 tablespoons for batter,
​1 tablespoon to brush tops)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache:
1 cup thickened cream
1/4 cup (25g) caster sugar
1 1/3 cup (225g) dark chocolate chips


Grease and line with baking paper a 11.5cm x 21.5cm (base measurement) loaf pan.
​
In bowl of a stand mixer, add the warm milk, sprinkle top evenly with the yeast and let sit for 7 minutes. Whisk in ½ cup flour and 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place, at room temperature for 35-45 minutes. It will be puff up.
​
​Whisk in the eggs, 3 tablespoons of the melted butter, the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, salt and vanilla. Using dough hook on speed 2, add the remaining 3 cups flour (1/2 cup at a time, letting it incorporate between additions). Dough should feel barely sticky to the touch but should not stick to the sides of the mixing bowl. Add an extra 1-2 Tbsp flour if needed. Once all flour is in, continue kneading on speed 2 for 8-10 minutes.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place, room temperature for 2 hours. Dough should double in size. ​
​
Meanwhile,  make the chocolate ganache: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the thick cream with 1/4 cup sugar, stirring until dissolved and cream reaches a simmer then remove from heat.

Add chocolate chips to a medium bowl and pour the hot cream over the top, wiggling the bowl around to ensure chocolate chips are covered. Cover the bowl and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove cover and whisk starting from the center and moving outward until a smooth chocolate sauce has formed. Cool completely to room temperature or until sauce has thickened. To speed set, refrigerate ganache for 10 minutes at a time, whisking to check the consistency.
​

​Once dough has risen, divide it in half. Generously dust flour on a clean work surface and place 1 piece of dough in the center. Sprinkle dough with flour (just enough to keep rolling pin from sticking) and roll into an even 30cm wide by 40cm long rectangle. Spread with 1/3 of the room temperature ganache. Roll the dough up tightly starting with the shorter side. Repeat with second piece of dough, now you spread the dough with 1/2 of the remaining ganache.
​
Cover both loaves with plastic wrap and refrigerate 15 min. Cut each chilled roll in half lengthwise with a sharp knife, keeping the top 1.5cm of the roll connected. Twist halves together a few times.

Carefully transfer dough to your prepared loaf tins. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temp for 1 to 1½ hours or until puffy. 

 Preheat oven to 175C/155C fan forced.

Brush loaves with remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter and bake at 175C on the center rack for 30 min or until browned. Brush hot loaves with remaining chocolate ganache over the tops.
Picture
Picture
​Slice. Eat hot or at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Picture
To save the recipe to your favourites go to​​​ www.whatscookingella.com/chocolate-babka.html 
Pin it: www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060700286142#
​​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
0 Comments

​Leche Poleada or Salvadoran Vanilla Custard

26/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
​This is delicious. This was amazing in my Latin Style Trifle, truly delicious. But I loved it also on its own, just dusted with ground cinnamon, it was so nice, a perfect custard. A simple, delicate dessert that was just yum. 

Our Eating Around the World Adventure has lead us to some amazing new foods that we would never have tried if we had never started this journey.

This is one of our new discoveries. Now you can say, it's custard, surely you've had custard before, which I have, but it was on the side of pie or with a pudding etc. But by trying out foods from El Salvador, I got to try this custard, which is delicious, in a new trifle and as a stand alone dessert. 

​This is simple and delicious, something you need to try.

Recipe

​Recipe adapted from deliciouselsalvador.com/

Serves 4-6

2 egg yolks
4 tablespoons cornflour
¾ cup caster sugar
3 cups cold milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
​

In a small bowl beat the egg yolks well and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, off the heat, whisk together the cornflour and sugar. Slowly add in the milk and whisk until smooth.

Place the mixture over a medium heat, whisking continuously until it thickens. Once it reaches a boil, take 2 tablespoons of the custard mixture and quickly whisk into the egg yolks; this will temper the egg yolks to avoid them curdling when they come in contact with the boiling custard.

Now, briskly whisk the egg yolks into the custard. Reduce heat to medium low, continue cooking, and constantly whisk for 5 more minutes. Turn off the heat, add the vanilla and cinnamon, and continue whisking for another 2 minutes to release the steam.​

Transfer the custard to a bowl, cover with cling film, make sure the cling film is touching the surface of the custard to stop the custard from forming a skin, allow to cool, then refrigerate until needed.
Enjoy!
Picture
To save the recipe to your favourites go to​​ www.whatscookingella.com/leche-poleada-or-salvadoran-vanilla-custard.html 
Pin it: www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060700263422#
​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
0 Comments

El Salvador

26/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Week 7 of my Eating Around the World adventure took us to El Salvador.

El Salvador is a small central American country. Before this adventure I knew nothing about the food that was eaten there. Now after trying some of their dishes, I have to say, it was quite nice. The food was simple, but really tasty. Many of the dishes below my family would happily eat again, actually I only ever post the ones we loved.


This little adventure of ours has been really exciting, discovering foods we would never have eaten before. My family is loving this. 
​
So here is what I cooked on our little adventure into El Salvador.

​Pupusas 
Salvadoran Guacamole
Ejotes con Huevos-Green Beans and Eggs 
Salvadoran Chicken Stew with Red Capsicums 
Salvadorian Chicken in White Wine 
Semita de Pina
Marquesote-Sponge Cake
Leche Poleada-Vanilla Custard
Latin Style Trifle
Refresco de Ensalada 
Rompope-Eggnog with Cinnamon 
San Salvador 
​
​Pupusas: This is El Salvadors national dish. Now I really liked these, it reminded me of polenta, if it were fried and with a filling.  I have yet to truly master pupusa making, so I will share a link to the recipe, but I found rolling out two circles and joining them together easier than making it in the palm of my hands and enclosing the filling. This is something I would definitely make again. I tried it with a meat filling, but we preferred cheese or beans as a filling.
Picture
​Salvadoran Guacamole: I love guacamole, it is just brilliant as a snack, great on toasted bread for breakfast, brunch or lunch. The salvadoran version is not smashed avocado, rather it is gently cubed avocado. The addition of the egg and cheese to it, is what makes it salvadoran. This is a great meal idea, it's simple, fresh and tasty.
Picture
Picture
Here is the recipe:
Serves 6

3 large ripe avocados
½ cup chopped onion, diced
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
1 hard-boiled egg, thin sliced or crumbled
1 tablespoon grated Romano cheese
¼ teaspoon dried oregano (optional)

Peel, pit, and chop the avocados into small cubes. Add the onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and mix gently so as to keep the guacamole chunky rather than mashing it.
Garnish the guacamole with the sliced or crumbled hard-boiled egg and sprinkle over the cheese. If using oregano, sprinkle the oregano on top also.
​

​Ejotes con Huevos-Green Beans and Eggs: As we grow beans in our garden, when I came upon this recipe I wanted to try it. Was it the best thing I have ever eaten, no, but was it nice, yes it was. So I will add the recipe here because I will make this again, when I have an abundance of beans. 
Picture
Here is the recipe:
Serves 4-6

4 cups green beans (about 450g), tips off, cut in 1.5cm pieces
4 cups of water
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped ripe Roma tomatoes
½ cup chopped coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chicken stock powder
4 eggs
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook uncovered for 8 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse in cold water and set aside.

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over a medium flame. Add the onion, sauté for 30 seconds, then add the tomato and coriander; cook and stir together for 1 minute. Add the cooked green beans, salt and chicken stock powder and sauté for about 1 minute.

​Crack all four eggs on top and gently stir everything for 2 to 3 minutes until the eggs are cooked. Sprinkle the pepper, stir, and remove from the stove. 

​Salvadoran Chicken Stew with Red Capsicums: This was so simple that I originally thought it would not work, but not only did it work we absolutely loved it. Now I served it with cous cous, which is not something you would serve it with in El Salvador, but it worked so well together. The sauce here is more of a broth, than a sauce, this is a great mid week meal, definitely something I will be making again and again.
Picture
Picture
​Salvadorian Chicken in White Wine: This simple, yet delicious dish is one of our favourites from El Salvador, truly delicious. Served with mashed potato (or cous cous) this was a great mid week meal.
Picture
Picture
​Semita de Pina: This was actually really nice. Now mine looked nothing like the perfect one from the link, but flavour wise, I really liked it. It is like a bready tart, so slightly sweet bread like dough filled with a delicious pineapple jam. My family enjoyed this, it was great for breakfast or a sweet snack. I would definitely make this again.
Picture
​Marquesote-Sponge Cake: This recipe I made when I made my Latin Style trifle. This is probably my first ever truly successful sponge cake. It was an easy recipe to follow and it came out perfect. It is a great cake to use in a trifle as it soaks up the flavours in a trifle, without it falling apart. This cake I will definitely be making again.
Picture
Here is the recipe:
1 cup plain flour, sifted
1½ teaspoons baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 cup caster sugar
5 egg yolks
5 egg whites
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 175C/155C fan forced. Combine the sifted flour with the baking powder and salt, re-sift everything, and set aside.

Grease a 22cm round, or 22cm x 18cm rectangular pan, or an 20cm square pan.

Beat the yolks in a small bowl, with an electric mixer, for about 2 minutes until very light and pale in color. 

After beating, add in the lemon zest and lemon juice and mix or whisk for 10 seconds. Set aside.


Whip the egg whites in a large bowl, with an electric mixer, clean beaters, until stiff but not dry.

Into the whipped egg whites, gradually fold in ⅓ of the sifted flour mixture, ⅓ of the yolk mixture, and ⅓ of the sugar. Repeat this process until all ingredients are incorporated.

Pour evenly into the greased pan. Bake at 175C/155C fan forced for 25 to 30 minutes or until firm and the top is golden. Remove immediately and carefully from pan, place on a rack to cool. 

Keep scrolling down for the Lain Style Trifle recipe.
​
​Leche Poleada-Vanilla Custard: This is delicious. This was amazing in my Latin Style Trifle, truly delicious. But I loved it also on its own, just dusted with ground cinnamon, it was so nice, a perfect custard. A simple, delicate dessert that was just yum. 
Picture
​Latin Style Trifle: When I first thought about making this dessert I was concerned about all the different flavours that were in this. I mean you have a sponge cake that you combine with a blood orange juice reduction, some rum, a pineapple and mango compote, chocolate ganache, vanilla custard, chantilly cream and toasted coconuts, what was this going to taste like, will it be too much confusion with all those flavours. Well, it was delicious. I could not stop eating this, it is like no other trifle I had ever eaten. I truly loved this, it was different, it was delicious. Now I made this with no party happening, so I ate this for days, it was breakfast, sometimes lunch, then dessert. This is a great party dessert as it is delicious but more importantly, it can be assembled two days in advance. If you want to try something different, give this a go.
Picture
​Refresco de Ensalada: Now my kids absolutely loved this drink. I absolutely loved this drink. This is a drink and a fruit salad all in one. I made this on the weekend, this was a drink to sip and enjoy with lunch and then it was a dessert in the form of a fruit salad after lunch. The flavour is so refreshing. I know this will be made again and again.
Picture
​Rompope-Eggnog with Cinnamon: I love eggnog. While I was looking for traditional dishes from El Slavador, I came across their version of eggnog which they call Rompope. Now I'm not saying eggnog originates from El Salvador, but this recipe came from someone who lives there and was served this by her grandmother and aunts and it was a family recipe, so that was good enough for me to want to try it. I love it and will be making this again and again and again.
Picture
San Salvador: I really liked this drink, it had a tropical feel to it and was refreshing. Not a weak drink, so you can add more orange and lime juice if needed. But I quite liked it at full strength. I love a simple drink.
Picture
So El Salvador turned out to be a country with new flavours for us to try, we found some absolutely delicious meals and desserts there. My family loved it and now a little bit of El Salvador will remain in our family for a long long time.

One quote I love from Alicia Maher who many of these recipes came from, is 

"I firmly believe that the time I have spent cooking for the family was well worth it; they love and respect food, as sustenance and art, but more importantly they each carry lasting memories of love, comfort and sharing. Long live traditions and family!!!"

​​​​Now to add another sticker to my world map.
Picture
Next stop Ukraine
0 Comments

Berry Beauty

23/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
​This is delicious.

Super easy and quick to throw together, this Christmas Cocktail is a great way to start a party.

I use frozen berries to, they work just the same. Also if you can't find raspberry-cranberry juice, just use cranberry juice.

Serve it in a punch bowl or in several jugs, then let your guests enjoy the Christmas Season with this refreshing summer cocktail.

Recipe

Recipe adapted from Christmas Cocktails Cards

Serves 15+

Ice
500ml Vodka
900ml Lemonade
900ml Raspberry and Cranberry juice
Fresh mixed berries
​
Chill all ingredients in advance.

Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl.

Add fruit.

​Serve over ice.
Enjoy!
Picture
To save the recipe to your favourites go to​ www.whatscookingella.com/berry-beauty.html 
​Pin it: ​www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060711248658/
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
0 Comments

Salvadoran Chicken in White Wine

22/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
This is one of those dishes that is so simple, yet so delicious. We loved this.

Our Eating Around the World Adventure took us to El Salvador and we are loving it.

This chicken is fried first, quickly, just to give it some colour, then it is poached in white wine to finish cooking it.


The original recipe used only two chicken thighs, I added in an extra two, there was still enough sauce for us. The recipe is easily doubled though. I like to use large chicken thigh fillets here.

Now I served it with cous cous the first time I made it, not very traditional, but I forgot to buy potatoes. The cous cous was delicious with it. The second time I made it with potatoes, and it was equally delicious. So serve it with whatever you prefer to eat.

So if you are looking for mid week meal that is easy and flavour full, give this Salvadoran Chicken dish a go.

Recipe

​Recipe adapted from ciaoflorentina.com/

Serves 4

4 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
1 red onion, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt to taste
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
2 cups white wine dry
2 bay leaves
Black pepper, to taste
1 lime, halved
1 tablespoon (14g) cold butter
10 sprigs fresh coriander, roughly chopped
​
Take the chicken thighs out of the fridge for 30 minutes, leave them on the counter to come to room temperature while your prepare your other ingredients.

After 30 minutes, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Drizzle them with a little of the olive oil and season them all over with the sea salt, black pepper and paprika.

Heat up a medium frying pan over low heat and add 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the sliced onions with a pinch of sea salt and sauté until they start to caramelize all over, about 25 minutes.

Meanwhile heat up a cast iron skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and brown the chicken thighs until golden brown on both sides, transfer them to a plate and keep warm.

Deglaze the pan with the white wine making sure to scrape all the brown bits from the bottom with a spatula or wooden spoon. Transfer the onions to the pan with the wine, add the bay leaf and return the chicken on top. Cover with a tight lid and simmer gently over very low heat for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes move the lid half way to the side and cook the chicken partially covered for another 15 minutes or until the sauce is reduced to your liking and the chicken falls apart tenderly when stabbed with a fork.

Remove the pot from the heat and add the cold butter on top. Cover with the lid and allow the butter to melt into the sauce, to create a smooth silky sauce. Squeeze the juice of half a lime all over the top and sprinkle with the chopped coriander.

Serve hot with extra limes on the side, some mashed potato (or cous cous) or some crusty bread to soak up all that sauce.
Enjoy!
Picture
To save the recipe to your favourites go to​ www.whatscookingella.com/salvadoran-chicken-in-white-wine.html 
Pin it: ​www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060700222310#
​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
0 Comments

Eggnog-Rompope

21/12/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
Growing up I watched a lot of Christmas movies, I love them, and one thing I noticed in these movies was how people drank eggnog around Christmas. 

So recently I was doing my Eating Around the World Adventure and we made a stop in El Salvador. While I was looking for traditional dishes from there I came across their version of eggnog which they call Rompope. Now I'm not saying eggnog originates from El Salvador, but this recipe came from someone who lives there and was served this by her grandmother and aunts and it was a family recipe, so that was good enough for me to want to try it.

I love eggnog, it is absolutely delicious, and I will be making this again and again and again. I love the rum in it, I love the cinnamon on top, I love that it is cold, it's great for a hot Australian Christmas.

One tip I will give is do not let the milk mixture boil once you have mixed it with the eggs, if it boils, it will curdle, so low heat and watch it, until you are done. Other than that, this is easy to make, and is the perfect Christmas drink.

Recipe

​Recipe adapted from deliciouselsalvador.com

Serves 4-6

5 cups full cream milk
1 ½ cups caster sugar
1 large cinnamon stick
10 egg yolks
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 cup white rum
Pinch of ground cinnamon


I​n a 3-4 litre saucepan, combine the milk, sugar and cinnamon stick. Place over a medium-low fire, stirring often, heat until it comes to a full boil. Turn off heat and remove the cinnamon stick.

Immediately, whisk the egg yolks in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Slowly, add the hot milk, whisking rapidly at the same time, until all the liquid has been incorporated.

Place the mixture back into the pan and return to the stove over very low heat. Stirring frequently, continue cooking, not boiling, for another 5 minutes. Make sure that at this point it does not boil, because it will curdle.

Remove from the stove and let it cool. Add the vanilla and rum and mix well. Chill in the refrigerator overnight and serve in your favorite holiday glass, sprinkle the top with the ground cinnamon.
Enjoy!
Picture
To save the recipe to your favourites go to www.whatscookingella.com/eggnog-rompope.html 
Pin it: www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060700211411#
​​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
1 Comment

Poached Duck and Cashew Salad with Duck Crackling

20/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Recently we have been doing an eating around the world adventure, where countries are randomly chosen and we cook food from that country for a week. But for December I decided I wanted to cook from my Christmas cookbooks and this is the first recipe I decided to try.

This duck salad is delicious, it is perfect for the hot December weather we get in Australia. This is a delicious salad for Christmas, it looks festive and the flavours are so fresh and just yum. 

To the original recipe I added on a large bowl of mixed salad leaves that I serve separately, but dress with the same dressing. I serve it separately because I didn't want to put hot noodles on top of fresh salad leaves. I doubled the dressing amounts, so that I could dress the salad also, so if you don't want to serve it with the mixed salad leaves, halve the dressing quantities.

I say 3-4 duck breasts as they are usually sold in packs of 2 so you have to buy 4. I add all 4 in the recipe as we all love duck, and it isn't too much, especially when you add on the salad leaves.

The rice vermicelli noodles come in a pack of 200g, I add all of it, if I want to bulk up the meal. There is enough dressing to cover for the additional noodles.

If you can't find purple shallots, buy french shallots or small red onions.

This is simple, delicious and looks amazing. Give this a try soon.

Recipe

​Recipe adapted from The Australian Women's Weekly Cookbook 'CHRISTMAS The Complete Collection'

Serves 6

3-4 duck breasts (about 450g)
2 cups (500ml) chicken stock
1/2 cup (125ml) salt reduced soy sauce
1 star anise
1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable oil
1/2 cup (65g) grated palm sugar
1/2 cup (75g) roasted unsalted cashews
150g dried rice vermicelli noodles
2 lebanese cucumbers (260g)
1 large carrot (180g), cut into matchsticks
2 purple shallots (50g), sliced thinly
1 fresh long red chilli, sliced thinly
1 cup (80g) bean sprouts
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup fresh coriander leaves

200g mixed salad leaves 

Lime dressing:
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons grated palm sugar
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2/3 cup (160ml) lime juice
1/2 cup (125ml) peanut oil
​
Remove the skin from the duck breasts.

Place the duck breasts, stock, soy sauce and star anise in a medium saucepan; bring to the boil. Reduce the heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool duck in the poaching liquid.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a small frying pan; cook duck skin until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towel. Drain fat from pan.
​

Heat a cleaned frying pan over medium heat; cook sugar and nuts, stirring, for 5 minutes or until caramelised. Pour onto a baking paper lined oven tray. Cool.
​

Make the lime dressing: Place all the dressing ingredients in a screw top jar, close lid and shake until the sugar dissolves.
​

Wash salad leaves, place in a serving bowl.
Place noodles in a large heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water, stand until just tender. Drain, place noodles on a serving platter.
​

Halve cucumber lengthways; remove seeds. Cut cucumber into matchsticks. Add cucumber to noodles with carrot, shallots, chilli, bean sprouts and 1/2 cup of the dressing. Toss gently to combine.

Thinly slice the duck and duck skin. Coarsely chop the nuts.

Add herbs to the noodle salad, toss gently to combine.

Dress the mixed salad leaves with just enough dressing to coat the salad.

Serve the noodle salad topped with the duck slices, sprinkle with skin and nuts, drizzle with remaining dressing.

Place the mixed salad leaves and the noodle salad on the table. To serve place some salad leaves on your plate, top with the noodle salad.
Enjoy!
Picture
To save the recipe to your favourites go to www.whatscookingella.com/poached-duck-and-cashew-salad-with-duck-crackling.html 
Pin it: ​www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060700201046#
​​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
0 Comments

Chocolate Rum Truffles

19/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
​When I make a mud cake, I usually cut off the top of the cake to make it level before icing it. These truffles are my favourite thing to make with that left over chocolate cake.

This is simple and delicious.

My choice of rum is Croatian rum, but you use whatever rum you love.

Double the recipe if you like.

It is important to finely chop the chocolate or it may not melt quick enough. If this happens, just place the bowl with the chocolate mixture over a saucepan of simmering water, until the chocolate melts and is smooth.

Truffles can also be rolled in sifted dark cocoa powder, if you prefer.

This is a perfect sweet treat to take to a party and they can be made a week in advance, just keep them refrigerated until needed.

Recipe

Recipe adapted from The Essential Christmas Cookbook

Makes about 25

200g dark cooking chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 cup (60ml) cream
30g unsalted butter
150g chocolate cake crumbs
2 teaspoons dark rum, brandy or whisky
1/2-1 cup chocolate sprinkles

Line a baking tray with foil.

Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl.

Combine the cream and butter in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until the butter melts and the mixture is just boiling. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
​
Stir in the cake crumbs and rum. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until firm enough to roll into balls. Roll heaped teaspoons of the mixture into balls.
​

Spread the chocolate sprinkles on a sheet of baking paper, or pour into a small bowl. Roll each truffle in sprinkles then place on your baking tray. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm.

​Serve in small paper patty cups, if desired.
Enjoy!
Picture
To save the recipe to your favourites go to ​www.whatscookingella.com/chocolate-rum-truffles.html 
Pin it: www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060700190729#
​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
0 Comments

Christmas Star Tree

18/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
​My daughter absolutely loves gingerbread. She loves Christmas time, because she gets to indulge in gingerbread. I love it to, as she joins me in the kitchen and together we make gingerbread men, houses, nativity scenes, bells, angels or this year it was this star tree.

This was quite easy to make, I did it with my special cookie cutter set. The brand was Soffritto, it is a 10 piece star tree cookie cutter set. But in all honesty my 11 year old son just got this little Christmas tree below as a gift from a school friend and they would equally look gorgeous as mini trees, if you don't want to go out and buy this large set.
Picture
I put icing between each layer as I like gingerbread with icing, but it does make it difficult to separate if you don't allow the icing to dry. So allow it to dry before assembling. If you want it to stick, so it doesn't fall over if travelling with it, the icing acts as a glue, if still wet while assembling, it makes it messier to pull apart, but I kind of find that fun.

I like to work with cold dough as it is easier to cut and move things when the dough is cold. You can either cut out shapes, then remove the excess and place the the shapes on the baking tray, or you can transfer the cut out shapes onto clean baking paper lined trays. Just make sure the dough is cold, it will save you a lot of heartache.

If by chance your stars break, don't stress too much as the icing glues it all together when assembling. This can happen if you transfer to a wire rack, too soon, so allow to cool on trays for a few minutes.

This makes a large batch, if you just want to make gingerbread shapes, men, then halve the dough recipe.

This is a simple fun way to spend time with your kids and it is a great centrepiece for the Christmas table.

Recipe

​Makes 1 tree plus a few Gingerbread men or Reindeers

250g unsalted butter, at room temperature
200g (1 cup firmly packed) brown sugar 
250ml (1 cup) golden syrup
2 egg yolks
750g (5 cups) plain flour
2 tablespoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons mixed spice
2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
​plain flour, for dusting, if needed

150g (1 cup) pure icing sugar, sifted

Icing:
185g pure icing sugar, sifted
​25-30ml boiling water​
​
Place butter and brown sugar in a large bowl, using an electric beater, beat until pale and creamy. Add the golden syrup and egg yolks and beat until combined. 

Stir in flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda.

Place on a clean bench lightly dusted with plain flour, if needed, if the dough is too sticky, and knead until smooth. Divide the dough in half, press dough into 2 discs. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
​
Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced.

​Line a baking tray with baking paper.
​

Place one dough disc between two sheets of baking paper and roll out until about 4mm thick. Place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. Repeat with second dough disc. Once the dough is cold, use a cutter to cut out the shapes, you will need two of each cutter for the large tree. Lift away the excess and place paper with gingerbread shapes directly on trays. Keep excess dough. Repeat cutting out shapes with second batch of dough.

Combine all excess dough, re roll between two sheets of baking paper, get it cold and repeat until you have enough stars, then you can make any shapes with excess dough.

Bake the gingerbread for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

​Remove from oven, allow to cool for 5 minutes, then carefully, I use a large egg flip, to transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely.


To make the icing: sift the icing sugar into a medium bowl. Gradually add the boiling water and mix until smooth. The icing should be a coating consistency. If it is too thick add a little more water. 

Place prepared icing in a small piping bag. Cut a small hole in the corner of the bag. Pipe icing over the cookies to decorate. 

For the tree, place the largest star down on a serving plate. Top with another of the same size star but turn it so the points are not alligned. Place the next largest star with the points alligned with the first star, then the next same sized star with the points alligned with the second star placed down. Repeat with all stars, except the two smallest stars.

The two small stars get iced together and decorated to form the star on top of the tree. Just make sure to place the top icing on just before you add the 'star' on top of the tree as it will 'glue' it in place.

Dust with sifted icing sugar.
Enjoy!
Picture
To save the recipe to your favourites go to www.whatscookingella.com/christmas-star-tree.html 
​Pin it: www.pinterest.com.au/pin/399413060700178742/
​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
0 Comments

    Author

    I am simply someone who loves to cook, and loves seeing my family and friends enjoy my food.

    Picture
    Instagram
    ​
    Whatscookingella

    Archives

    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    July 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly