The (not-so-healthy) Chicken Cheese and Bacon Roll

 

 

"Prepare to battle!!!!!........" well almost... that's how it seems most nights in my house at dinner times. I know I've said it before but I have a fussy family. Miss 18m is not too bad.... Mr 5 and 8 and hubby are pretty bad.

 

So... we tend to have the same things all the time. I get bored. I get bored preparing, bored cooking and bored eating the same things all the time. Me - I don't think I'm fussy. There isn't much that I wont eat, or at least try.

 

So the other night I had a success. I made a (not-so-healthy) Chicken, Cheese and Bacon Roll in puff pastry. Everybody ate it and no complaints! WINNER!!!

I got the inspiration from the blog The Organised Housewife. She made a very healthy Spinach and Chicken Roll. I knew my lot wouldn't have a bar of spinach so I used the ingredients I knew they would like.

And just to add a bit of healthiness into it, I added some pureed cauliflower to the chicken mince (cheeky, cheeky I know, but I've got to get those veg into them somehow!!) So I'll share my recipe with you, and for the healthier alternative, check out The Organised Housewife!

 

Preparation Time : prepare at least 1 hr before cooking

                               allow up to 1 hr for cooking

 

Ingredients:

2 pieces of breast chicken, minced (mine included hidden cauliflower)

1 sheet of puff pastry

1/2 tub cream cheese

1 cup grated cheese

4 rashes of bacon

 

Here's what I did:

 

- spread an even layer of chicken mince over the puff pastry

 

 

- Slightly melt the cream cheese in the microwave for a few seconds, just to soften it.

- Then spread the cream cheese over the chicken and sprinkle with grated cheese

 

 

- Lay your rashes of bacon on top of the cheese

 

- Carefully roll the entire thing up into a tight log. Use a touch of water to seal the pastry at the base if needed

 

 

- Then rap your "log" tightly in some glad wrap, and leave in the fridge for about 1 hour to allow the cream cheese to re-set. 

 



- Bake on 180 deg for at least 40 mins, or until pastry is golden. ( mine took a little longer, adjust time to ensure chicken is cooked through)

 

Definitely a winner in my house!!!
Do you have a fussy family? Whats their favourite dinner?

Bellini Cooking - Yummy Carrot loaf

So I was back in the kitchen yesterday. This time is was to bake my Yummy Carrot Loaf, as requested by Mr 5. Yes he knows there is carrots in it, and he is happy to eat it - unlike anything else that dares to have even the smallest orange speckle.

 

This was the first time I have made it in my Bellini. I must admit, after never owning a food processing machine before, it's taking a bit to get in the habit of actually using it.

But this was the best my loaf has ever turned out - so I thank Bellini for that! 

 

Now you know my style of cooking - its "splash of this" "scoop of that" nothing is ever measured properly - so I'll try my hardest to share the right amount of ingredients with you. But just use your judgement. If you think you need a bit more or less, just do that.

 

 

Note *** If using the Bellini I prepare the carrots by steaming them first until soft. Then chop with the cutting blade until small pieces. I keep the cutting blade in for the entire recipe. If your not using one - I grate the carrots then just cook them for a few minutes in the microwave (with some water) just to take the "carroty" taste away.

 

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1/2 cup sugar (I used 1/4 brown and 1/4 caster)

Splash of Vanilla essence

Spoon full of butter

Squirt of honey

2 cups of self raising flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon ( I think I added a bit more than this - just happily shook away into the bowl!)

3 carrots

 

Add butter, cinnamon, honey, vanilla, eggs and sugar to the carrots. Mix on a low speed for until ingredients are combined.

Add flour and mix until a smooth consistency.

 

Pour into a pre-greased baking tin and bake on 180deg for about 30mins. Used a skewer to test if loaf is cooked through.

 

And here's a piece of mine! YUM!!!



 

 

And finally, I just had to share this picture of Miss 1 enjoying our Yummy Carrot Loaf. (piece number 2)

Cookies!

Baking time again!
This time it is my all time favourite cookie recipe! I just love this one - it is so easy and so versatile! But there is one problem with it..... it is not one bit healthy.... but nevertheless - absolutely delicious!

 

 

Recipe:

 

180g softened butter

100g caster sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla essence

200g plain flour

50g self raising flour

 

Combine butter, sugar, vanilla and egg, then add the flours. Mix with a wooden spoon until it forms a dough.

Roll out dough to be about 1cm thick.

Cut cookies and bake at 180 for 10-15 mins (leave longer for crunchier)

 

As I say this recipe is so versatile. These are some of my favourite extras to add to vary the recipe-

 

:: coconut and raisin

:: instant coffee (dissolve a sachet in 1 tsp hot water first then add)

:: cherry and choc chip (a good one for Christmas)

:: poppy seeds and orange juice



"I'm hungry...."

Soooo sick of hearing 'muuuum.... I'm hungry...' Yes I understand its nearing the end of the the food shopping week, but I'm sure we can scrounge up something good to eat! .... Well maybe not....
So out with the old trustworthy 'scone like dough' recipe for a family favourite...cheesy vegemite rolls!!! Here's the recipe

3 cups self raising flour
Pinch of salt
50 grams butter
375ml milk

Kneed all together to form a dough. Then roll out flat. Spread a layer of vegemite and then cheese.
Roll up dough to make a log. Cut into pieces and top with cheese.
Bake for 10 mins.
The softer the better!!! Yum!!

I also made another batch and used it as mini pizza bases!

No more hungry bellies!!!

Cuppa Tea?

So we got all posh last weekend, for a friends 30th birthday, and attended High Tea! I've never had High Tea before, Im normally much more of a coffee girl!

I must admit - I loved it. I think it had to do with being all dressed up, great company, a belly full of delicious food and just a generally great atmosphere!

I think Im a bit addicted. Im trying to think of any excuse to go back!