Cakes and Puddings for A Happy Christmas

5th RECIPE: MELT N MIX CHRISTMAS PUDDING

500g mixed fruit
125g dates
125g butter
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1.5 cups day-old soft bread crumbs
1 Granny Smith apple
1 cup self raising flour
1/3 cup brandy

      Chop fruit and dates, place in large basin. Melt butter, add to fruit with sugar and eggs, mix well. Stir in breadcrumbs, peeled and coarsely grated apple, sifted flour and brandy; mix well. Boil (or steam in well greased 10 cup capacity basin) for 4 hours. Boil or steam pudding further 2 hours on day of serving.

Cakes and Puddings for A Happy Christmas

4th RECIPE: CHERRY WALNUT CAKE

250g butter   
1 table spoon grated lemon rind  
1.25 cup castor sugar
4 eggs
125g glace cherries
125g walnut pieces
300ml carton sour cream
0.5 tea spoon bicarbonate of soda
2.5 cups plain flour

Cream butter, lemon rind and sugar until light and fluffy, add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, stir in finely chopped cherries and walnuts, then sour cream. Lightly stir in sifted soda and flour into two lots. Divide mixture evenly between two well greased 20cm X 10cm loaf tins, bake in moderately slow oven 1 - 1 hours and 15 minutes, or until cooked when tested. stand 5 minutes before turning on to wire rack to cool. Serve cake dusted with icing sugar. Store cake in air-tight container for up to 1 week, or it can be frozen for up to 1 month.

Unexpected Harvest

Several months ago I threw some orange seeds on to the compost heap in the front yard. Now we have a heap of plants. The fun of this accidental happening is manifold. A bright spot in the garden. Free veggies, the joy of watching something grow, my son even measures one plant's progress and every day  it seems a centimetres bigger. And all this from something that was just thrown away.

The Derwent Valley's Muted Tapestry

A large percentage of the rain that falls on Tasmania flows into the sea along the magnificent Derwent River. Before the river  reaches sea level, it irrigates thousands of hectares of verdant forest and vertile farmlands and provides residents and visitors alike with beautiful scenery.
In 1813, the New Norfolk island settlement, several hundred kilometers north east of Sydney, was abandoned and many displaced islanders were granted land in the Derwent Valley area of the Van Diemen's Land settlement. They built New Forfolk 48 km from Hobart on the Derwent River.
Development hasn't spoiled its rural character and the district retains the quaint atmosphere of a century ago. Many farm properties are built in the style of 1850s. Mellow old homes that sit settings of English trees surrounded by olderly hectares of hop vines, are protected from the wind by tall poplars.
In autumn when the trees are turning to gold, the ever beautiful New Forfolk districts become a sight that you'll always remember.

Treating Nose Bleeds

Any nose bleed that keeps on keeping on requires proper medical attention. It sometimes heralds the onset of disease, and leukimia must be considered, particularly in older person. Fortunately most are due to simple causes. This is usually the case for youngsters. Frequent bumping when at play is the usual cause. The scab may form, only to be dislodged again a few days later. Picking and fiddling with fingers is another common reason in children. During spring and summer when airborne pollens abound, allergies are common. These lead to an itchy nose and the desire to rub the nostrils. Cold and nasal infections increase the blood supply and also the risk of bleeding. Recurrences should be checked out by the family doctor or ear, nose and throat specialist. Sometimes cautery of the offending blood vessel will effect a prompt and lasting cure. It is usually the same vessel each time in small region just inside the nose called Little's Area. Firm, even pressure for 10 minutes using the thumbs and forefinger will usually stop most nose bleeds.

Cakes and Puddings for A Happy Christmas

3rd RECIPE: IRISH FRUIT CAKE

375g raisins
375g sultanas
90g glace cherries
90g dates
60g prunes
30g glace pineapple
60g mixed peel
1 tea spoon grated lemon rind
1 tea spoon grated orange rind
2 table spoons lemon juice
0.25 cup orange juice
0.33 cup whisky
0.5 small green apple
30g walnut pieces
60g ground almonds
185g butter
0.75 cup castor sugar
3 eggs
1.5 cups plain flour
0.25 tea spoon nutmeg
0.5 tea spoon cinnamon
0.25 tea spoon salt
1 table spoon whisky (extra)

       Stone prunes, chop all fruit, combine in large screw top jar with rinds, juices, whisky and peeled and grated apple, cover with plastic lid. Shake jar well to mix ingredient evenly; store in cool, dry place in 3 weeks. Reverse jar each day. Line deep 20 cm square cake tin with two thickness of greaseproof paper, bringing paper 5 cm above edges of tin. Chop walnuts. Beat butter until soft, add sugar, beat only until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Place fruit mixture into large basin, add walnuts, almonds, and creamed mixture; mix well. Stir in sifted dry ingredients. Spread mixture evenly into prepared tin, bake in slow oven 3 to 3.5 hours. Remove from oven, brush evenly with extra whisky. Cover with aluminium foil, leave until cold. Remove from tin, wrap in plastic food wrap, then in foil to keep airtight until required.

Saltimbocca

Italian in origin, the name, literally translated, means "jump in the mouth". In other words, a dish that is easy to eat. If fresh sage is available, use one or two leaves for each steak in place of the dried sage suggested in the recipe. Quantities given serve four. Here we go:

4 veal steaks
125g prosciutto or ham de luxe
1 tea spoon dried sage
salt n pepper
90g butter
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup dry white wine

Flatten meat with meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle sage over meat, season with salt n pepper. Place ham over veal, skewer the layer together with toothpicks. Melt butter in pan, add crushed garlic and veal, cook until lightly browned on each side and cooked through. remove and place on serving plate. Add wine to pan; cook, stirring, 1 minute or until syrupy, pour over the veal.