SUNDRIED TOMATOES

Sun dried tomatoes are my favourite amongst dried peppers, dried aubergines and dried green beans. Every year I enjoy drying my own vegetables to last me until the next summer. I use them in casseroles, stir fries, rice, even in salads in olive oil. This year I used beef tomatoes. First I washed the tomatoes and slice them about 1 cm thick. Place all the sliced tomatoes on a clean cloth and sprinkle salt on them ( normal table salt is fine ). Make sure all the tomatoes salted on both sides. Then leave them to dry on a sunny spot. It takes about 4-5 days on hot days. Turn them over after 2-3 days for other side to dry.

Place them in airtight bags before storing.

TAHIN VE PEKMEZLI KEK

Bugun misafirlere ne yapayim diye dusunurken dolapta tahin ve pekmez gozume carpti. Kuru uzumde ekleyerek bu keki yaptim ve sonucda guzel oldu. Ben 37 x 37 cm capinda buyuk tepside pisirdim ama malzemeri yarilayarak daha kucuk bir kek yapabilirsiniz.

MALZEME

• 4 su bardagi tepeleme un
• 2 paket kabartma tozu
• 1 paket vanilya
• 2 yemek kasigi tarcin
• 1 bardak cekirdeksiz kuru uzum
• 3 yumurta
• 1 bardak pekmez
• 1 bardak seker
• 1 bardak tahin
• 1 bardak sivi yag
• 1 bardak sut
• Uzeri icin hindistan cevizi ve seker tarcin karisimi.

1) Tarcin, vanilya ve kabartma tozunu unla karistirip eleyin. Uzumu de unla karistirin.

2) Mixerde veya elde yumurtalari cirpin. Pekmez, seker, tahin, yag ve sutu ilave ederek biraz daha cirpin.

3) Bu karisimi unlu karisima yavas yavas ilave edin ve kekin hamuru olunca yaglanmis tepsiye aktarin.

4) Uzerine hindistan cevizi, sonra tarcin ve seker karisimi serpip, onceden isitilmis firinda 175C derecede 25-30 dakika pisirin.

5) Pisip soguduktan sonra kesip servis yapin. Afiyet olsun.

FRESH FIG MUFFINS

YOU NEED

• 2 1/2 cups of flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 cups of chopped figs
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 1tsp vanilla essence
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup yogurt
• slices of figs for decoration
• cinnamon and sugar mixture for sprinkling.

1) Sift flour with baking powder and cinnamon. Mix chopped figs with flour.

2) In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, add oil, sugar, yogurt and vanilla and whisk well.

3) Pour the wet mixture into the flour little at a time.

4) Place the muffin mixture into muffin cases and decorate with fig slices. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon mixture and bake at preheated oven 180 C, for 25- 30 minutes or until golden brown.

5) Cool on a wire rack before serving.

LEMON AND PINEAPPLE CHUTNEY

YOU NEED

• 1 large pineapple diced into small chunks
• 1/2 a lemon, cut into small pieces
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 pepper, diced
• 1 chopped apple
• 4 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tsp grated ginger
• 1 cup water
• 3 tbsp sultanas
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp mix spice
• pinch of chili powder
• 2 cups of cider

1) Place pineapple, lemon, onion, apple, tomatoes and ginger into a large pan. Add the water and bring it to boil. Then simmer for 10- 15 minutes.

2) Add the sultanas, sugar, chili, spices and cider. Simmer gently further 15-20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.

3) Let it cool for 5 minutes and then store the chutney in sterilized jars.

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM

INGREDIENTS for 2 servings

• 2 tubs of strawberries
• 6 tbsp natural yogurt
• 2 tbsp cherry liqueur
• 6 tbsp light cream cheese
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp icing sugar
• extra strawberries for decorating

1) Wash and chop up strawberries. Mix yogurt, cherry liqueur and add the strawberries. Divide them into two serving dessert dishes.

2) Mix cream cheese with milk and sugar. Pour over the yogurt and strawberry mixture.

3) Decorate with strawberries and chill in the fridge before serving.