Something a little different to the normal chip or mash. These little potato stacks are great as a side dish or a snack. Flavor the butter with whichever herbs you like, i personally like thyme. Crispy, soft and tasty, a winner for dinner!

​Ingredients:

6-8 Tablespoons of butter
8 Large potatoes
Salt and pepper
Fresh thyme
1 Small clove garlic, minced 
 
Method:
Preheat your oven to 180’c. Melt the butter in a small saucepan and strip the stalks of the thyme to make 3 Tablespoons and place in melted butter along with garlic. Slice your potatoes on a mandolin (or slice very thinly with a knife). Place the sliced potatoes into a bowl, pour over half the thyme butter mixture and season generously with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat the potatoes with the butter. Use the other half of the butter to grease a muffin tin (or in my case I used 2). Layer your potatoes in a rough circle, building a tower of potato slices. Cover the muffin tin with alfoil and put in the oven, Cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Using a spatula or a butter knife, carefully lift out each stack and move it over onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Place the baking tray back into the oven and crank up the heat to 230’c. After 15 minutes they should be ready. Make sure they don’t burn although you do want colour on them. Once you remove them from the oven, you can serve them immediately or serve cold. 

I had never made a bread mix with buttermilk and i was keen to try it. It's in between a scone and a bread, but oh so delicious! beware these knots are highly addictive!

Ingredients:

Buttermilk bread mix
220g Strong flour
2t Baking Powder
1t Sugar
1/2t Baking soda (Bi-Carb Soda)
1/2t Salt
180g Cold Butter, cut into cubes
3/4 cup Cold, Buttermilk
Garlic Parmesan coating
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt


Method:

In a large combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Using your fingertips, mix in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Using a silicone spatula, stir in the buttermilk just until the flour mixture is moistened. Do not over mix, the dough should be sticky. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and gently knead 6 to 8 times, dusting lightly with flour if needed to keep it from sticking. Place in the fridge for 10 mins then use.

Preheat oven to 200’c. Lightly spray a lined baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, parsley and salt; set aside. Cut the earlier prepared dough into 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and tie into a knot. Place knots onto the prepared baking sheet and brush each knot with half of the butter mixture. Place into oven and bake until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Serve immediately, brushed with remaining butter mixture.

I always see this mexican corn salad when i'm out and im yet to try it, so i thought id give it a go. I love the smokey flavor the paprika give and never had i thought of putting mayo and corn together , but man it works! great with a steak or a piece of cold chicken.

​Ingredients:

4 Cups Frozen Corn
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
70g Fetta (I used Australian)
2 tablespoons lime juice 
2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon Paprika 
salt and pepper to taste

Method:
​
Heat olive oil on a medium heat in a frying pan. Add frozen corn and let cook until corn starts to char, stirring occasionally (it took about 8 minutes before my corn was lightly charred).While the corn is cooking, mix together mayonnaise, cheese, lime juice, red onion, garlic, paprika, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. When corn is done, fold it in with other ingredients. Serve immediately and store any leftovers in the fridge.

I normally have mac 'n' cheese in a massive bowl , but for my daughter this is not acceptable (she's so fussy) so i needed to find a way in which i could entice her to eat it. Put it in a muffin tin! genius! You can add veggies to this if you want to up you 5 a day. Enjoy! 

Ingredients:

250g macaroni pasta
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1½ cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
50g cream cheese
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 egg beaten

Method:
​
Preheat oven to 200’c. Spray muffin tins with cooking spray.
Cook macaroni according to packet directions.
In a medium size pan on a medium heat melt butter then add flour. Whisk until mixture is smooth. Slowly add milk and bring to a simmer. Add 1½ cups of the cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat. Taste for seasoning.
In a large mixing bowl place pasta, cheese sauce, egg and mix until evenly mixed and pasta is coated well.
Spoon the mac and cheese into mini muffin tins and top each with a small pinch of the remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Allow to cool 5 minutes before gently removing the bites serve hot.

So i'm going a bit off the normal submitting recipes topic that i normally do and before i start forgive me for my grammar (im shocking, i know! but isn't that what blogging is for?). 

I want to share with you one of my food obsessions.... 

COOKING SHOWS!!!

I am utterly and completely obsessed with cooking shows, and i mean obsessed! My close friends know that when they come to my house i either have the tv playing masterchef, have the great british menu on my laptop playing or a random show streaming on my galaxy tablet. Either way as long as i have some sort of food fix during my day i will stay sain ( having a 3yr old and 6mth old life gets rather hectic).

As i've never had any formal training everything i have ever learnt has either been from watching a screen or reading a book. From jamie oliver to mary berry and all the cooks and chefs between, i always learn something new to do with food and to me that is what makes me happy and content.

I wanted to share with you my top 10 cooking shows i have either watched or am watching at the moment (majority of them are competitions i've realised but i do watch them for the food, promise!).

10. The Next Food Network Star 
       This cooking competition allows 10 chefs a chance to compete in a series of challenges to get their own tv show on the food network. I am addicted to this show, i have only seen 2 seasons so far but it shows how hard it is to put your cooking and personality to screen.
 
9. Iron Chef America
    Chefs from all around the world (including a few good aussie chefs) go to a place called kitchen stadium to compete in a 1hr battle/challenge to which they have use a specific item, eg. fish, eggs or a theme like bbq. The competitor goes against an iron chef to deliver 5 dishes to a panel of judges and who ever reins supreme wins.

8. Top Chef
     Another show where chefs battle it out against each other to win a load of prizes. I have been watching this series for many years and i love all the different types of food they cook (even though i could prob never cook it). Each week they do challenges judged by a panel and someone goes home until the last remaining chef wins.

7. My Kitchen Rules (Australia and UK)
    The most controversial cooking show on telly in oz. Teams of 2 compete against each other to create menus to show off to Pete Evans (that paleo guy) and Manu ( ooh la la). The first few round are the instant restaurant rounds and then into kitchen HQ. It can sometimes be a bit boring as they have the certain teams you hate (The bitchy divas) but i watch this because they cook damn yummy dishes. I just overlook the nastiness.

6. Masterchef USA
     We all know the masterchef franchise. How could you not its HUGE! i only watch this one as well as the oz one because i love to see the difference in culture and the americans cook some delicious food! 

5. Jamie and Jimmy's Food Fight Club 
    If you want to watch a cooking show with a difference this is it! Jamie Oliver and his best mate Jimmy  Doherty cook amazing food, travel round the uk doing challenges (saving ugly veg) and challenge other countries produce against the brits! Its funny, interesting and really makes you want to eat everything they cook.

4. Food Fighters
    Man vs Food host Adam Richman hosts this show about a home cook (just like us) with their signature dishes against some of america's most talented professional chefs. Each time they win a challenge they get money in the kitty. Beat all 5 and they walk away with 100k!

3. The Great British Menu
     Chefs from all around the UK and Ireland compete against each other to get a dish onto the banquet menu. The banquet this year (2015) is for the Women's Institute Centenary. Im highly addicted to this show because it shows different techniques i'd really like to try at home.

2. The Great British Bake Off
     12 Bakers are set 3 challenges each week by Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry to compete to win star baker. Each week a person goes home and star baker is crowned. Last man or woman standing wins. This show is where i get inspiration from for my baking. Flavor and things like a tennis cake that i've never heard of  before, but am so intrigued to try. The australian version is almost about to start and i cannot wait.

1. Masterchef Australia
   My ultimate cooking show! i have very fond memories of watching masterchef at 2am when my daughter was born. It made night feeds so much more fun! The Australian one is so much better than any other countries masterchef i've seen. Not only do our aussies cook much more impressive dishes but there is always a sense of family and friendship. I would love to apply for Masterchef but at the moment with my 2 rugrats i just couldn't, one day i wil! 

so as you can you can tell... competition shows seem to take my fancy. But i always watch a show for the food and not the actual competition. Inspiration can be found anywhere and for me seeing food visually is what appeals to me most.

What shows do you watch? I'd love to watch shows i've never heard of before.

You know when you have a great paella when you have a caramelised crust on the bottom of the pan, this one does just that!
This paella is quite simple but looks like it could be quite hard. Its the perfect one pot wonder and once cooked, simply place the pot in the centre of the table and let your loved ones enjoy. 

Ingredients:
500g Chicken thighs, diced
3 Spring Onions, chopped
1 Garlic Clove, Crushed
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Chorizo Sausage, diced
2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
2 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 Cup White Wine (Cook with a wine you would drink)
400g Short Grain Rice (I use risotto rice)
4 Cups Chicken Stock
1 Cup of Frozen peas
250g Prawns, uncooked and shelled
Bunch Parsley to serve
1/2 Lemon to serve

Method:
In a large saucepan, heat oil on a medium heat. Add chicken and cooked until golden. Add spring onions, chorizo and garlic and cook for 3mins. Stir in tomato paste and paprika and cook for 1 min. Pour in wine and cook until almost evaporated. Stir in rice and stock, stir and cook covered for 15mins. Add peas and prawns and cook, covered, for a further 10mins or until rice is tender.
Sprinkle with parsley and a squeeze of lemon to serve.

Note: You can change up any of the meat and seafood ingredients in this recipe to suit your tastes. Pork, beef and all types of seafood work well. 

The best thing about making your own jerky is 1. You don't have all the extra nasties that the shop bought ones do and 2. You can flavor the jerky with whatever you heart desires. The recipe below is a simple basic as that's how i like it, but you can add anything else you want. Beware its addictive!

Ingredients:

1 KG Heart smart Silverside ( it is a nice meat and has no fat)
1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
1 Tablespoon Liquid Smoke (optional)
1 teaspoon Garlic, crushed

Method:

Cut meat into thin strips.
In a container mix together the rest of the ingredients. Add sliced meat and marinate for 8 to 24hrs (this is optional but it does give the best flavor). 
Arrange the meat strips on the tray of a dehydrator and dry at your dehydrator's highest setting until done to your liking, at least 4 hours. 
Store in an airtight container or resealable bags.

A traditional potato salad, simple and delicious. Can be served with almost anything. Perfect for the whole family.

Ingredients:

3 Medium Potatoes, diced, 
1 Spring onion, thinly sliced
1/4 Onion, diced
2 Tablespoons Mint, shredded
3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons French Dressing
1 Slice Prosciutto, diced (optional)

Method:

Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water, bring to the boil. Turn off heat and allow to stand for 5mins. Drain potatoes and cool for 10mins. Add onions, prosciutto and mint to potatoes. Mix mayo and french dressing together and pour over potatoes mix so all potatoes are coated. Serve

Note: If you don't have fresh mint, add a tablespoon of mint sauce.

A tasty open faced sandwich of turkey and bacon smothered in a warm creamy cheesy sauce. A great arvo snack or on that cold winters day to warm your tummy up.

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup Butter
1/4 Cup Plain Flour
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Chicken Stock
1/2 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
3/4 Cup Cheese, grated
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon White Pepper
8 Slices Bread
600g Cooked Turkey
8 Bacon Slices, Halved, cooked
2 Medium Tomatoes
1 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

In a large saucepan melt butter over a low heat. Stir in flour into a smooth paste, gradually add milk, stock and worcestershire sauce. Bring to the boil and then simmer until sauce has thickened. Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper and cook until cheese has melted. Remove from heat. Place slices of bread on a baking sheet, layer with turkey, bacon, cheese sauce, tomatoes and parmesan cheese. Grill for 3-4mins or until cheese has melted.