Sure to please both chocoholics and shortbread fanatics, these biscuits can be left plain or decorated with melted chocolate, which of course was my choice! Ingredients:Makes about 40250g butter, softened1 cup icing sugar, sifted1 tsp vanilla essence2 cups plain flour, sifted1/2 cup cocoa, sifted 100g milk chocolate, for decoratingDirections: Beat butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix...

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A versatile dish, great as a side to Asian dishes, and as great as a main by itself.  Ingredients:Serves 4 (sides) 1 1/2 cups rice, cooked2 carrots, sliced thinly 1 red pepper, chopped 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp oyster sauce 1 egg 1/2 cup peas1 tsp cayenne pepper salt pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp paprika Directions: Heat some olive oil in a large pan or wok....

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This is a different version of the Blueberry Delight, equally easy to make and as tasty!Ingredients:Serves 2380 ml plain, non-fat yoghurt1/2 tsp vanilla essence1 tsp whiskeya sprinkle of cinnamon 2 tsp honey2 tbsp butter4 digestive biscuits6 strawberries, chopped2 tbsp Kirsch liqueur1/2 cup almonds, sliveredDirections: Crumb biscuits by placing them in a bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. Meanwhile melt the butter in the...

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Traditional Maltese dish, with a retro twist. The more common version of the dish is done without potatoes, or with pastry for the traditional Timpana.Ingredients:Serves 4 (10x8 inch dish)Ragù Bologese2 potatoes, sliced thinly400g penne, cooked1 egg, beaten1/4 th cup grated parmesanDirections: Line the base and sides of the greased dish with the potato slices. Mix the cooked penne with the ragù, egg and...

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Easy summery dish, great for BBQ's :) Ingredients:Serves 4 1 cucumbers, chopped  1/2 onion, finely chopped 10 cherry tomatoes, quartered 3/4 cup pitted black olives, sliced 1 cup Italian-style salad dressing1 mozzarella di bufala, chopped1 small can cornDirections: Combine cooked and cooled pasta with the all the ingredients except the dressing in a large bowl. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Season...

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Great easy dish with a nice peppery flavour from the rucola pesto.  Ingredients:Serves 4 8 pittas, halved and opened 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 tsp lemon zest 1/2 cup Rucola Pesto4 chicken breasts, diced into 1/4-inch pieces a packet cherry tomatoes, quartered 1 cup rucolaDirections: Preheat the oven to 150 degrees C. Arrange the pita halves on a baking sheet and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until warmed through. In...

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A nice change from the usual basil pesto. The rucola pesto makes a great pasta sauce. Ingredients:Makes 1 cup 2 cups packed rucola 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper Directions: Blend the rucola and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the oil until well blended. Transfer...

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A traditional Maltese dessert created originally to use left-over, stale bread. Every Maltese family has a version of this recipe, however this one is the recipe my boyfriend made to follow his grandmothers' recipes, with little tweaks here and there. Ingredients:Makes a 10x8 inch dish 1/2 a slightly stale loaf of bread2 tbsp cocoa powder2 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp almond...

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No cook pasta sauce, which tastes just as great cold.  Ingredients:Serves 4 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 1 cup medium green olives, halved 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil zest and juice of 1 large lemon 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese salt and freshly ground back pepperDirections: In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, basil, garlic, oil, lemon zest,...

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The wraps are composed of 3 elements: spicy peanut sauce, fresh veggie salad and chicken strips hot off the pan. Ingredients:Serves 46 wrapsFor the Chicken:2 chicken breasts1 tbsp soy sauce1 tbsp vegetable oilFor the Peanut Sauce:1/4 cup chunky peanut butter (room temp) 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar (or white vinegar) 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 2 tbsp vegetable oilFor the Salad:2 cups bean sprouts 1 cup...

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Everyone loves this super healthy soup, perfect for an easy supper.  Ingredients:Serves 41 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 1 tsp ground coriander 1 potato, chopped 450g carrots, peeled and chopped 1.2l vegetable or chicken stock handful coriander Directions: Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion, then fry for 5 mins until softened. Stir in the ground coriander and potato, then cook for 1 min. Add the...

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Pork chops with a savoury rub and a sweet glaze which complement each other perfectly.  Ingredients:Serves 2 4 pork chopsFor the Rub:1 tsp salt1/4 tsp pepper1/2 tsp ground cumin1/2 tsp chili powder1/2 tsp cinnamonFor the Glaze:1/2 cup brown sugar1 tbsp finely chopped garlic1/2 tbsp TabascoFor the rice:3/4 cup basmati riceabout 200ml coconut milk1/4 cup sugar1/2 cup milkDirections: If rice is not pre-rinsed (the bag...

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A traditional Maltese dish made usually on Good Friday when meat is not eaten.   Ingredients:Makes about 18 medium qassatat1 large onion, chopped1 tin anchovies, chopped2 large tins tuna, crumbled300g frozen peas1 tbsp tomato paste1 egg, beaten1 batch Savoury Shortcrust PastryDirections: Fry the onions in a pan for 3-4 minutes. Add the tuna and anchovies, and add about 6 tbsp water to make the mixture a...

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I tried this pastry with classic cooking margarine and also with the spreadable one. I found the spreadable one to make a much softer and elastic dough which is much easier to roll out.  Ingredients:450g plain flour 230g margarine2 eggs1 tsp saltDirections: Cream the butter with the eggs and salt. Add the flour and knead well. If necessary add water to hold dough together....

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