QUINCE JAM - AYVA RECELI

In my opinion, quince jam is one of the nicest jams of all. Today I used 3 large quinces, diced into small pieces, sugar,lemon juice and cloves for that extra special taste.. I included the seeds of the quinces to get a lovely dark pinkish colour as seen above.

First wash and peel the quinces then cut them in to small pieces. Place them into a deep pan with 4 cups of water and juice of a lemon. Prepare a muslin bag with 6-7 cloves and the pips from the quinces, tie and drop it into the pan. Bring it to boil. Boil the quinces for 5 minutes then add 1 cup of sugar. Boil it for 10 minutes and then add the second cup of sugar, boil for 10 minutes. Then add the last cup of sugar ( 3 cups of sugar in total ) and boil until it just starts to thicken. After about 30 minutes in total your jam will be ready . Cool it for 5 minutes before transferring the jam into sterilized jar.

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.

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.