Family Mess Hall - whole food meals dinners recipes

A chocolate cake like no other, panforte is packed with dried fruits and nuts and has a rich chewy, chocolatey flavour. Chocolate panforte - Italian Christmas cake Ingredients: 1/2 cup plain flour 1/4 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper 1 cup hazelnuts or pecans 1 cup roasted almonds 1 cup candied mixed peel 2/3 cup coarsely chopped dried figs 1/3 cup dried currants, cranberries or apricots 1/2 cup honey 3/4 cup soft brown sugar 30 grams butter 1/2 cup icing sugar (for serving) Method: Preheat the oven to 150°C/130°C fan-forced. Grease a 20cm springform tin and line the base with baking paper. Sift the flour, cocoa and spices into a large bowl. Add the nuts and fruit; toss to combine. Place the honey, sugar and butter in a small saucepan; stir over a medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a simmer for about 45 seconds. Pour the h...

Festive stuffed pumpkin with rice, bacon, dried fruit and spice This stuffed pumpkin with rice, bacon, dried fruit and spice is absolutely delicious and luscious.  It's an amazing addition to your festive spread and can be served either warm as a salad or hot from the oven.    Ingredients: Roasted pumpkin 1/2 large pumpkin (approx 4kg) ((ie. use 2kg of pumpkin) ) 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp allspice 1/2 tsp ground coriander Rice stuffing 1 cup rice 1 rasher fatty bacon ((chopped) (optional)) 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp honey 1 onion ((finely diced)) 1/4 cup mixed dried fruit ((raisins, currants, sultanas, citrus peel)) 1/4 cup chopped nuts ((almonds, pecans, walnuts)) 1 cup water / stock 1 cup plain greek yoghurt ((for dressing)) 1 cup fresh coriander leaves ((for garnish)) Method: Preheat oven to 180C / 350F Slice your 4kg pumpkin in half horizontally and scoop out the seeds to create a bowl shaped cavity.  Driz...

Caesar Salad with asparagus This epic chicken caesar salad has a light but extremely tasty Caesar dressing  1- 2 heads baby cos (romaine) lettuce ((roughly shredded)) 4 slices sourdough bread ((cut into strips)) 1 large skinless chicken breast ((poached or rotisserie)) 10 spears asparagus ((halved and blanched)) 1 handful bean sprouts 3 rashers bacon 4 eggs ((poached, boiled or fried)) 2 tbsp Vietnamese fried shallots ((optional)) Dressing 1/2 cup greek yoghurt 3 tbsp whole egg mayonnaise 4 tbsp parmesan cheese ((finely grated)) 1 tbsp lemon (juice and zest) 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce 1- 2 tsp minced garlic 1 anchovy ((optional - substitute for more cheese)) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper Preheat oven grill (broiler) to 200 C / 390 F Poach a large skinless chicken breast in simmering water for 15 minutes with a lid on.  Transfer chicken to a bowl and cool.  Shred and set aside.   Place sourdough fingers and bacon rashers on a large tray....

This traditional one bowl Christmas cake is richly laden with dried fruit, nuts and seeds and bittersweet caramel tones.  Bake it four to ten weeks in advance of Christmas to ensure that the flavours can mature, the whiskey can absorb, and the alcohol can evaporate. One bowl, whiskey soaked Christmas cake This traditional one bowl Christmas cake is richly laden with dried fruit, nuts and seeds and bittersweet caramel tones. Bake it four to ten weeks in advance of Christmas to ensure that the flavours can mature. 400 grams sultanas 150 grams raisins 150 grams currants 100 grams dried cranberries 100 grams dried apple ((finely chopped)) 100 grams candied orange / lemon peel ((finely chopped)) 50 gram glace cherries ((halved)) 1 large orange ((zest and juice)) 1 large lemon ((zest and juice)) 250 grams butter 200 grams brown sugar 150 mL your favourite whiskey ((plus extra for feeding)) 2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground coriander 1/4 tsp all spice 1/4 ...

This tasty and super simple chargrilled chicken is broiled under the oven grill for 40 minutes until juicy and tender.  You only need four ingredients (besides salt and pepper) and most are pantry staples.  Season your chicken with fresh lemon, lemon zest, sage, olive oil and chilli. Chicken alla diavolo - Butterflied and broiled This tasty and simple chargrilled chicken is broiled under the oven grill for 40 minutes until juicy and tender. Lemon, sage, olive oil and chilli 1 whole chicken (medium size) ((butterflied)) 2 lemons ((one juiced and zested) (one sliced)) 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp garlic ((minced)) 1/2 - 1 tsp chilli powder 6 sage leaves 1 tsp salt 1 tsp ground black pepper Preheat oven grill / broiler to 230 C / 445 F If the chicken has been refrigerated, take it out and place it on the bench for thirty minutes to raise the temperature closer to room temperature.  This will speed up the cooking time.   Place butterflied chicken on...

Roast pumpkin, romaine and miso salad I love this salad so much.  The combination of sweet roasted pumpkin with lemon and miso is a delight.  This dressing is not for the faint hearted though.  It's deeply sour, salty and umami and perfectly complements the caramelly pumpkin.   Make the lemon miso dressing Ingredients: 1/2 lemon ((juiced and zested)) 1 sachet instant miso soup ((or pure miso paste for vegetarians)) 1-2 tsp sugar 1 tsp sesame oil Method: 1. Mix together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.  If you find it too strong, you can add a teaspoon of hot water. The salad Ingredients: 750 grams pumpkin or butternut squash (cut into thin 1cm (1/2 inch) slices) 1/2 lemon ((juice only)) 2 spring onions ((chopped)) 1/4 head cauliflower (in florets) ((microwaved steamed for 6 minutes)) 1 - 2 baby romaine / cos lettuce 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup roasted almonds ((roughly chopped or flaked)) 1 tsp roasted sesame seeds 1/4...

Pecan, oat and chocolate chip cookie These pecan, oat and chocolate chip cookie are crisp and sweet. Their nutty and caramelly goodness is nicely enhanced by an all important dash of salt. This recipe will yield two dozen (48) cookies. I like to bake half and  freeze the other half in a flat disc.  I save that for a rainy day.  When that rainy day comes, simply defrost your cookie dough for about 30 minutes and then cut your dough into pieces then bake. Ingredients: 3/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup white sugar 175 grams butter 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp salt 1/2 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon ((add to your liking)) 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1/2 tsp bicarb soda 1/2 cup oats 1/2 cup pecans ((roughly chopped )) 1 cup dark chocolate chips Method: Preheat oven to 180C / 350F In a bowl, mix together softened butter and sugars until creamy. Mix in salt, cinnamon, egg and vanilla extract. Fold through flour, bicarb soda to combine to form a soft dough.   Mix through oats,...

Yeasted cardamom and cinnamon doughnut recipe These yeasted cardamom and cinnamon doughnuts are crispy on the outside and both airy and chewy on the inside. The heavenly aroma of cinnamon and cardamom made them irresistible and this batch didn't last five minutes in our household. Doughnuts Ingredients: 1 1/14 cup milk ((microwave for 30 seconds or until lukewarm)) 2 1/2 tsp dry yeast 3 tbsp sugar ((raw or white)) 2 eggs 100 grams butter ((melted)) 4 1/4 cup all purpose flour ((plus extra for shaping doughnuts)) 1/2 tsp ground cardamom 1/2 tsp salt Method: Add lukewarm milk, raw sugar and yeast to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.  Allow to rest for ten minutes to activate the yeast.  The mixture should become foamy.   Whisk in the eggs and melted butter. Add flour, salt and ground cardamom to the yeast mixture and combine to form a sticky dough.  You can do this quickly by hand with a wooden spoon. Drizzle over one teaspoon of oil and cover with a da...

Cauliflower, bean and carrot bechamel bake Here is a lusciously creamy cauliflower, bean and carrot side dish to roast or bbq meats. It's more delicate in flavour and lighter in calories than classic cauliflower cheese due to the complete omission of cheese. The result is a gently sweet and creamy steamed vegetable bake that sits perfectly beside heavily spiced, salted (eg corned beef) or marinated meats. Ingredients: 2 carrots (sliced) 1/2 large head of cauliflower (cut into florets) 200 grams green beans (topped and tailed then halved) 500 mL whole milk 50 grams butter 50 grams all purpose flour ((2 tbsp and a bit)) 1/2 tsp nutmeg or mustard powder Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180C / 350F. Make the bechamel (white) sauce Melt the butter in a saucepan and then whisk in flour to make a roux (thickening paste).  Continue to whisk and cook for a minute. At a medium high heat, add the milk to the roux and whisk until the sauce has thickened. This may take ten minutes o...

Peanut butter, cranberry and oatmeal cookies Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter (softened) 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup peanut butter 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups flour 2 cups oats 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cups dried cranberries Method: Preheat oven to 180 degrees C / 350 degrees F In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in one egg at a time until combined. Fold through dry ingredients to create a soft dough.  Roll dough into golf ball sized ball and place onto lined baking trays.  Press balls gently to flatten. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until golden.  Cool completely on cools racks before storing in airtight containers.  

Caprese Salad Ingredients: 6 roma tomatoes (sliced) 1 punnet grape tomatoes (halved) 200 grams baby bocconcini cheese (halved) 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (thick and sticky variety) 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1/2 bunch fresh basil (leave torn) Method: Cover the base of a serving platter in sliced roma tomatoes. Dot with grape tomatoes and halved bocconcini. Drizzle with vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and cracked black pepper and top with torn basil.   Serve at room temperature.  

Blackberry and blueberry pie recipe Ingredients: Pie crust 250 grams butter 2 1/2 cups plain flour 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp sugar 1/4 cup water Pie filling 2 cups frozen blackberries 2 cup frozen blueberries 1 tsp cinnamon zest of 1/2 an orange 3 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar / lemon juice 2 tbsp plain flour Assembling the pie 1 tsp raw sugar 50 grams butter Method: Pie crust In a bowl, rub cold butter into flour until is resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Add salt and sugar. Add water and mix to create a soft dough.  Place in an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Pie filling Combine apple pie filling ingredients in a bowl and allow berries to defrost until the crust is prepared.   Assemble the pie Remove the pie crust dough from the refrigerator and divide it into two pieces - one (2/3 of dough) in size and one (1/3 of dough). On a floured surface, roll our large piece of dough until it is the right size for your pie dish.  I use ...

Cheat's no-cook tiramisu  I love the bittersweetness of tiramisu, the lightness of the cream layers and the soft, sponginess of the coffee soaked savoiardi.  It's definitely comfort food.  This version is kid-friendly and doesn't contain alcohol.  However, you're welcome to add a shot (or two) of Italian masala wine (as is traditional), sweet dessert wine or brandy to the coffee at the soaking stage. Ingredients: 500 g large packet of savoiardi ((Italian sponge finger biscuits)) 1 cup double strength black coffee 250 g marscapone 600 mL thickened cream ((whipped)) 300 mL store bought custard 2 tbsp sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 100 grams dark chocolate Method: In a mixing bowl, combine mascarpone, 300mL whipped cream and custard. In a large serving bowl, make a single flat layer of savoiardi biscuits.  Sprinkle 1/3 cup coffee evenly over the biscuits. Pour over 1/2 of the mascarpone mixture and spread to cover the surface evenly.   Grate over a fine...

Beef Sausage Wellington Ingredients: 3 sheets frozen puff pastry 500 grams "Aussie beef" gluten free sausage meat ((or uncased beef sausages)) 75 gram chicken liver pate 300 grams sliced mushrooms 2 large silverbeet leaves ((shredded without stalks)) 1 beaten egg Method: Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees C / 390 degree F. Lay out three sheets of pastry on lined baking sheets. Spread a line of pate down each sheet of puff pastry about one third from the edge of the pastry. Divide your package of sausage meat into three equal amounts and lay a log of sausage meat on the pastry, just off centre. (See photos) In a hot pan, fry sliced mushrooms and shredded silverbeet (swiss chard) in a little oil and with a clove of minced garlic.  Top your sausage meat with the vegtables. Sausage meat is already seasoned so don't add any further salt.  Firmly roll up the filling in the pastry to make a thick log being careful not to squeeze the ingredients out the ends. Cut eac...

 Roasted pumpkin and vegetable soup Ingredients: Method:

These honey almond cookies have a delicious honey nut flavour and are lightly scented with warm cinnamon and vanilla. They have a crunchy in texture and are quick and easy to make. Enjoy a honey almond cookie with a hot cup of tea or coffee or pop them in your lunchbox for a tasty, sweet snack. These one bowl cookies are very easy to make and result in a deliciously golden and crunchy cookie.  Ingredients: 2  cup   self raising flour 1/2 cup ground oats 175   grams softened   butter 1   egg 1/2 cup   honey 1/2   cup   brown sugar 1/2   cup   white sugar 1/2   tsp   cinnamon 1/2   tsp   salt 3/4 cup ground almonds Method: 1. Begin by preheating your oven to 180 C.  2. Combine the wet ingredients and spices in a bowl.   3. Fold through your flour to form a crumbly dough and set it aside to rest for ten minutes.   4. Roll dough into golf ball sized balls and flatten slightly by pressing...

Light and crispy toasted coconut macaroons are a delight to eat If you ever find yourself with leftover egg whites, you must make these delicious coconut macaroons.  They're perhaps the quickest and easiest cookie to make and they're an excellent lunchbox filler. Ingredients: egg whites white sugar vanilla extract shredded dried coconut Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180C. 2. Beat eggwhites and sugar in a bowl until they form stiff peaks. 3. Gently fold in coconut. 4. Spoon onto lined baking tray and bake for 15 minutes. 

  You'll need: 5 hours, lamb shoulder, mixed coleslaw vegetables (eg red cabbage, zucchini, celery, broccoli, carrot), potatoes, dried spices and herbs, cocoa powder, plain yoghurt, lemon, garlic Make the spiced lamb shoulder 1. Preheat your oven to 150 degrees C or 300 degrees F. 2. Prepare the spice rub by mixing together 1 teaspoon each of cumin, ground coriander, paprika, brown sugar, cocoa, dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon of chilli powder in a bowl. 3. Place the lamb shoulder in a lidded casserole dish and massage the spice mix into the meat with a splash of oil. Leave you lamb to marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.  It will reduce the cook time if your meat isn't refrigerator cold. 4. Add one cup of water to the dish and put the lid on.  Place the casserole in the oven and allow the lamb shoulder to cook slowly for 4 hours. Baste the lamb shoulder with juices after two hours. 5. When done, remove the casserole dish from the oven and wait for slaw to...