Family Mess Hall - whole food meals dinners recipes

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...

Pulled pork - 6 hour slow cooked This spice crusted pork shoulder is slow cooked in the oven for 6 hours until  tender and succulent.  A punnet of cherry tomatoes add sweet and sour liquor to the braised liquid and form that base of the ketchup-y barbecue sauce.  Shred your pork and serve on tortilas, on a burrito, with rice or baked potatoes.. the options are almost endless.   Ingredients: 1.5 kg pork shoulder 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tbsp ground coffee 2 tbsp paprika 2 tsp oregano 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp rosemary ((finely chopped)) 1-2 tsp salt 1 tsp ground black pepper 1-3 tsp chilli powder or flakes ((optional)) 1 punnet grape or cherry tomatoes (500g) 1 cup water 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar BBQ Sauce pan juices 1/4 cup barbecue sauce 1/4 cup tomato ketchup 1 tbsp worcestershire 1 tsp chilli powder ((optional)) Method: Preheat oven to 130 C /  265 F Sprinkle all spices, herbs, gro...

Creamed corn fritters Use your pantry staples to make these delicious creamed corn fritters.  Serve them with poached eggs and bacon for a delicious breakfast or brunch. Ingredients: 3/4 cup cornmeal / fine polenta 1 1/4 cup plain flour 1 eggs 1 tin corn kernals ((approx 400 grams)) 1 tin creamed corn ((approx 400 grams)) 1/2 - 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves 1 stalk spring onion ((chopped)) Method: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Heat 2 - 4 tbsp oil in a fry pan on medium high heat.   Dollop in spoonfuls of creamed corn fritter batters and fry until golden one side.  Turn fritters and continue to cook for approximately 2 - 3 minutes or until cooked through, golden and crisp. Drain the fritters on a wire rack to help them crisp up.  Serve hot.

This fun and tasty meal is delicious throughout the warmer months of the year and will please all members of the family.  The satay chicken wings are marinated in peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, spices and lemon juice to recreate the flavour of traditional satay chicken.  Baked satay chicken wings with slaw rice paper rolls This tasty meal is delicious throughout the warmer months of the year and will please all members of the family. The satay chicken wings are marinated in peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, spices and lemon juice to recreate the flavour of traditional satay chicken.   Calories include chicken wings only. 1 kg chicken wings ((approximately 10)) Satay chicken wing marinade 1 tsp ground turmeric 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ginger ((minced)) 1 tsp garlic ((minced)) 1 tbsp sesame oil squeeze of lemon ((juice only)) 4 tbsp peanut butter ((melted in the microwave 20 seconds)) 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 stalk spring onions ((chopped)) 1 handful...