CHOCOLATE AND NUT MERINGUES

I made these meringues and this time tried them with normal table sugar rather than caster sugar. My dear friend Ozlem in Turkey mention that her meringues were not turning out right using normal sugar, so this is for you Ozlem, hope you like them.

YOU NEED

• 3 large egg whites
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 level tsp of cream of tartar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios or walnuts
• 1/2 cup chocolate drops or grated chocolate

Preheat the oven to 150 C. Line the baking tray with greaseproof paper.

• Beat the egg whites until fluffy and foamy in a bowl. Make sure the utensils and the bowl is completely grease free.
• Add cream of tartar and vanilla. Beat until soft peaks.
• Sprinkle sugar little at a time, beat until the mixture is shiny and stiff peaks are formed.
• Fold in chocolate and the chopped nuts.
• Place a 1 heaped tsp on baking tray leaving 1-2 cm space between the meringues.
• Bake for 20- 30 minutes. Leave in the oven to cool completely. Makes 40- 42

MICROWAVE CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Hi all, firstly I must mention that my camera is a big miss since I dropped and broke it and hoping to get a new one of SANTA LOL!!! In the mean time we will make do and get those festive recipes going.

This Christmas pudding is so easy and quick to make in the microwave and it is  as good as conventional pudding. This pudding was cooked  and tested on full power at 650 Watt Microwave.

YOU NEED

• 2 dessert apples, grated
• 150 g bread crumbs
• 100 g raisins
• 100 g sultanas
• 100 g prunes, chopped
• 100 g vegetable suet
• 50 g almonds, chopped
• 50 g candied peel
• 50 g soft brown sugar
• 2 tbsp black treacle or pekmez
• 3 eggs
• 125 ml Guinness
• 1tsp grated nutmeg
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1/2 tsp gravy browning

Place all pudding ingredients into a bowl and mix. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased, base-lined 1.25 litre basin. Level the top with a spoon. Cover with cling film and pierce. Cook for 8 minutes on full power in a 650 watt microwave. ( Or adjust your time for lower or higher watt. ) After 8 minutes, leave to cool and remove the cling film. Cover with fresh cling film and foil before storing.

Serve with Brandy Sauce.

ASURE ( SWEET CEREAL- LEGUME PUDDING )

Hi all, this pudding is one of the most traditional and oldest of deserts in Turkey. It is made during the religious month of 'Kurban Bayrami.' About 10-15 ingredients go into this desert and the more ingredients we have, is the better.

Every household makes this pudding in large amounts and then distributed amongst neighbours and relatives. It is served when family and friends visit during bayram to celebrate the holy month.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup dovme ( wurled wheat )
• 1/3 cup small white dried beans
• 1/3 cup chick peas
• 4 tbsp rice
• 1/2 cup seedless raisins
• 1 small orange peel, chopped finely
• 1 small lemon peel, chopped finely
• water
• 5 dried figs, chopped into small pieces
• 6-7 dried apricots, chopped finely
• 1 packet of vanilla or 2 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp rose water
• cinnamon
• desiccated coconut
• walnuts
• hazelnuts
• pistachios
• pomegranate seeds.

First soak dovme, white beans and chick peas separately in plenty of water ,overnight. Wash them several times and boil them to cook separately. Then transfer all 3, into a large sauce pan. Add the rice, orange and lemon peel. Add water to the top, to cover the ingredients and bring it to boil. Turn the heat to medium, stir  it well and  simmer for 30 minutes. Add sugar and washed raisins  mixing thoroughly. Simmer for further 10 minutes. Add washed and chopped figs, apricots, vanilla  and boil for another 5-7 minutes. Rewove from heat and add rose water. Pour the pudding into individual desert bowls while it is hot. Then cool it. Sprinkle with cinnamon, then decorate and garnish with coconut, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios and pomegranate seeds just before serving. Serves 10.