Sunday, 7 June 2015

Must Know Summer Recipes

Hi, Miri here,

Sorry I haven't been around lately, I had to do my GCSEs......

Anyway, I'm back now, with more fresh, delicious ideas for you!!!
In this post I will share some of my all time favourite recipes. These recipes are simple but tasty, that even the most ungifted cook can perfect. I'll start with the easiest, but some do take a bit more time and patience.




Scrumptious Smoothies



True to our name "Smoothies and Sparkles", here's a yummy smoothie recipe for you to try. You can edit it depending on taste.


Ingredients:

~Frozen or Fresh fruit - of your choice (Mangoes, bananas, strawberries and blackberries are always nice)
~Non concentrate, no additives fruit juice (use something with a weaker flavour, such tropical or mango passionfruit rather than orange or apple juice)
~Ice cubes

Put the cut up fruit or berries into a blender and then add your juice (fill it just below where the fruit goes up to)and mix until it has a smooth consistency. Pour it into a glass and drink it outside in the sun.(With a straw)





Cheesy Muffins (makes 6) 



Deliciously simple, these cheesy muffins will have you begging for more.


Ingredients:

~1 cup self-raising flour
~1 cup grated cheddar cheese
~1 cup milk

Heat your oven to 180C. Line six holes of a muffin tray with a square of baking paper 14cm by 15cm. 
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl (remember to sift the flour!)and then share the mixture equally in the muffin tray.




Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy as a snack or lunch.



Mac & Cheese (serves 4-6)



This one is a little more difficult, as you have to use several methods.


Ingredients:

250g Macaroni
100g ham bits
500ml milk
30g butter
30g plain flour
150g grated cheddar cheese

Heat your oven to 180C. Cook the macaroni according to the instructions on the packet. Put the pasta into an ovenproof dish and sprinkle with ham.

Make an all in one sauce by placing the flour the milk and the butter into a pan and gradually bring to a boil, stirring all the time. When the sauce is thick and glossy add in 1/2 of the cheese and stir. Pour the sauce over the pasta in the dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 15-20 mins and serve hot with a salad or vegetables.




Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes (makes 6)



Ingredients:

~75g self raising flour
~75g butter
~75g sugar
~2 eggs
~1 teaspoon vanilla essence
~1 bottle of whipped cream
~Jam

Heat your oven to 180C. Cream the butter and sugar, add the vanilla essence. Add the eggs and mix well. Sift in the flour and mix. Spoon into a muffin tray and bake for 15-20 minutes. When they are cool cut them in half horizontally and spread with jam and whipped cream. Dust with powdered sugar.

 


Elderflower Cordial (Makes 2 Litres)


This recipe is by far the most difficult. It requires keen devotion and patience.

Ingredients:
~15 elderflower heads with their stems trimmed (the buds should be JUST opening)
~Finely grated zest of 1 unwaxed lemon and 1 orange, plus their juice (about 75ml in total)
~500g sugar

Inspect the elderflower heads carefully and remove any insects. Place the flower heads in a large bowl together with the orange and lemon zest.Bring 1 litres water to the boil and pour over the elderflowers and citrus zest. Cover and leave overnight to infuse.Strain the liquid through a scalded jelly bag or piece of muslin and pour into a saucepan. Add the sugar and the lemon and orange juice.Heat gently to dissolve the sugar, then bring to a simmer and cook for a couple of minutes.Use a funnel to pour the hot syrup into sterilised bottles. Seal the bottles with swing-top lids, sterilised screw-tops or corks.



TIP: Ratio of syrup to water is 1:2 or 1:3 depending on how sweet you like it.

Hope you enjoy these fun easy recipes as much as I do!

Hugs and Kisses,
Miri