These are a few of my favourite recipes. Enjoy!

Main Dishes

Chickpea and Tomato Stew

Lentil Soup

Lentil and Tomato Stew

Malaysian Style Rice Noodle

Moors and Christians (Moros y Christianos)

South African Whole Wheat Buttermilk Bread

Spaghetti with Sweet Cherry Tomatoes


Desserts

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread

Chocolate Drop Cookies

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

Double Chocolate Oat Cookies

Erdbeerschaum (Strawberry Foam)

Giant Chocolate-Toffee Cookies

Kirschsuppe (Cold Sour Cherry Soup)

Nougathoernchen (Nougat Crescents)

Schnecken

Tante Line Plaetzchen (Jam Thumbprints)

Torie's Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies


Chickpea and Tomato Stew

  • 6 medium-size tomatoes or 1 can tomatoes (28 fl. oz)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 medium-size onions, peeled and chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 cups boiled, drained chickpeas or drained can chickpeas (19 fl. oz)
  • 1/2 cup very finely chopped parsley or 1 Tbsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup water
  • If using fresh tomatoes, drop the tomatoes into boiling water for 15 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and peel. Mince the tomatoes.

    Heat the oil in a 7- to 8-inch wide pan over a medium flame. Put in the onions and garlic. Stir and fry for 3-4 minutes or until the onions are soft.

    Put in the tomatoes. Stir and cook them for 3-4 minutes or until they are soft and paste-like.

    Add the chickpeas, parsley, thyme, salt and water. Bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes.

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    Lentil Soup

  • 1/2 cup brown lentils
  • 1 vegetable cube
  • 1 small potato, cubed
  • 1 small carrot, sliced
  • 1 tsp vinegar (optional)
  • Wash lentils. Soak overnight in 2 cups water.

    Bring lentils to boil, using enough water to cover lentils. Add the vegetable cube and simmer for 1 hour. Ensure that the lentils are just covered with water throughout cooking time. Stir occassionally to avoid burning.

    Add potato and carrot and cook for another 1/2 hour.

    Add vinegar before serving to finish.

    Optional: Add cooked noodles, rice and/or meat to soup; heat through.

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    Lentil and Tomato Stew

  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, 28 fl. oz. (or 1 large tomatoes or 2 small)
  • 2-1/2 cups water
  • 1 can lentils, 19 fl. oz.
  • 3/4 to 1 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • Heat oil and cook garlic in large pan until browned. Add tomatoes and cook until paste-like, about five minutes. Add lentils and water and bring to boil. Cook for 10-15 minutes until reduced to half. Add salt and lemon juice and stir to finish.

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    Malaysian Style Rice Noodle

  • 1/2 pkg flat rice noodle
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-2 tsp sesame oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 2-3 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 onion, small
  • 2-3 dried chili peppers
  • 2 green onions
  • 1/2 cup rice wine or apple juice
  • 2-4 Tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2-4 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 2-4 Tbsp chili sauce
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
  • Prepare rice noodles according to package.

    Meanwhile, beat together eggs and sesame oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

    Mince garlic, chop onion, cut up dried chili peppers green onions. Set aside.

    Heat wok. Add some oil. Stirfry egg mixture until sets. Take out, chop up and set aside.

    Reheat wok. Add more oil. Add garlic, onion, chili peppers and green onions. Stirfry quickly. Add in rice noodles. Flavour with rice wine or apple juice, oyster sauce, soy sauce and chili sauce. Mix. Add chicken or vegetable stock. Let simmer until most of the liquid has gone. Mix in egg and serve.

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    Moors and Christians (Moros y Cristianos)

  • 1 pound dried black beans, rinsed
  • 4 cups water
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 pound salt pork, chopped
  • 1 pound smoked ham hocks, cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 3 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Wash the beans and place them in a 6-quart stove-top casserole with 4 cups water. Cover and boil 2 minutes; shut off the heat and let stand 1 hour. Add the remaining ingredients, except the vinegar and salt and pepper, cover and simmer 2 hours until the beans are tender. You may have to add a bit of fresh water to the pot as the beans should be just covered with water when you begin the second cooking stage. At completion, debone the hocks, chop up the meat and return it to the pot.

    Add the vinegar and the salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and heat all through.

    Serve with white rice.

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    South African Whole Wheat Buttermilk Bread

  • 1 cup white flour
  • 2 heaping cups whole wheat flour
  • 3 Tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 Tbsp toasted wheat germ
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar or honey
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 heaping tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1. Preheat oven to 400F.

    2. Mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly. Make a well in the center and add all of the buttermilk at once. Combine ingredients and add a little water if the mixture is too dry.

    3. Grease and flour a bread pan. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes. Cool and serve.

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    Spaghetti with Sweet Cherry Tomatoes

  • 1 lb. dried spaghetti, spaghettini or linguini
  • 11-14 oz ripe cherry tomatoes, red and yellow
  • 2 good handfuls of fresh marjoram or basil, leaves picked
  • 6-8 good glugs extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely sliced
  • 1 Tbsp. white or red wine vinegar
  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Put your pasta into a large pot of salted boiling water and cook until al dente (check the package for cooking time). While it's cooking, halve the tomatoes, put them into a large bowl, and add your herbs, olive oil, garlic and vinegar. Season to taste, and scrunch with your hands to slightly mush the tomatoes. This can sit now until the pasta's ready. Drain the pasta, and while still steaming hot, mix well with the tomatoes, check the season and serve. Easy peasy.

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    Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

  • 2 cups flour, sifted
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 large bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • Makes 18 muffins.

    Combine dry ingredients and add mayonnaise. Add mashed bananas and beat until smooth. Add chocolate chips and vanilla.

    Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes.

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    Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread

  • 1-1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated peeled ginger
  • 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1-1/2 tsp boiling water
  • 7 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate, in 1/4 inch chunks
  • 1/4 cup granulate sugar
  • Makes 2 dozen.

    Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and cocoa. Beat fresh ginger and butter on medium speed until lightened, about 4 minutes. Add brown sugar; beat until combined. Add molasses; beat until combined.

    In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in boiling water. Beat half of flour mixture into butter mixture. Beat in baking soda mixture, then remaining half of flour mixture. Mix in chocolate; turn onto plastic wrap. Pat out to a 1 inch thickness; seal with wrap. Refrigerate until firm, 2 hours or overnight.

    Preheat oven to 325F (165C). Roll dough into 1-1/2 inch balls; place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Chill 20 minutes. Roll in granulated sugar. Bake until surfaces just begin to crack, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating halfway through. Let cool 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely.

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    Chocolate Cheesecake Muffins

  • 3 oz. pkg cream cheese
  • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. cocoa
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Set aside.

    In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Combine egg, milk and oil. Add all at once to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

    Spoon about 2 Tbsp. of the chocolate batter into each muffin cup. Drop 1 tsp. of cream cheese on top, and then more chocolate batter.

    Bake at 375F for 20 minutes.

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    Chocolate Drop Cookies

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 6 Tbsp cocoa (heaping)
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 3 cups oatmeal
  • Mix together butter, milk, sugar and cocoa and bring to boil (double boiler or stirring constantly). Remove from heat.

    Add coconut and oatmeal. Mix thoroughly and drop from spoon on wax paper. Let dry.

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    Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1-1/4 cups sifted icing sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1-1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup cocoa
  • Preheat oven to 300F (150C). Beat butter with icing sugar until creamy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Stir flour with salt and cocoa. Gradually beat into butter mixture. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until slightly firm. Cool on sheet 5 minutes.

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    Double Chocolate Oat Cookies

  • 12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate pieces, divided, about 2 cups
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup oats
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • Heat oven to 375F.

    Melt 1 cup chocolate pieces in small saucepan; set aside.

    Beat butter and sugar until fluffy; add melted chocolate, egg and vanilla.

    Add combined flour, oats, baking powder, salt and baking soda; mix well.

    Stir in remaining chocolate pieces.

    Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet.

    Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.

    Makes about 3 dozen.

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    Erdbeershaum (Strawberry Foam)

  • Frozen strawberries (margarine container full)
  • 1 egg white
  • 7 Tbsp sugar (or to taste)
  • Place strawberries in blender and mix until in small pieces. Add egg white and sugar, then mix with electric mixer until foamy and stiff.

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    Giant Chocolate-Toffee Cookies

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pound bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1-3/4 cups (packed) brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 5 1.4-ounce chocolate-covered English toffee bars (such as Heath or Skors), coarsely chopped
  • Makes about 18

    Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl; whisk to blend. Stir chocolate and butter in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Cool mixture to lukewarm.

    Using electric mixer, beat sugar and eggs in bowl until thick, about five minutes. Beat in chocolate mixture and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture, then toffee. Chill batter until firm, about 45 minutes.

    Preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto sheets, space 2-1/2 inches apart. Bake just until tops are dry and cracked but cookies are still soft to the touch, about 15 minutes. Cool on sheets.

    Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

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    Kirschsuppe (Cold Sour Cherry Soup)

  • 500 g sour cherries, washed and pitted
  • 1/4 L water
  • 1/2 L red wine
  • 1 vanilla pod, or vanilla sugar
  • 100-200 g sugar, to taste
  • 1 Tbsp corn starch
  • lemon juice
  • Add water, wine and vanilla pod to large pot and bring to a boil. Add cherries and boil for 5 minutes.

    Wet the corn starch by stirring in minimum water in a small bowl, then add to the pot. Keep simmering until the corn starch thickens the liquid.

    Remove the vanilla pod.

    Sweeten to taste. A little bit of lemon juice and another bit of red wine can be added to finish off.

    Cool and serve.

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    Nougathoernchen (Nougat Crescents)

  • 100 g butter, softened
  • 200 g nougat (like Nutella)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbsp vanilla sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 300 g flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • Mix the butter and the nougat together. Add to this the egg, vanilla sugar, the cinnamon and the salt. Mix the flour and the baking powder, then add it to the other ingredients through a sifter; stir until mixed. Cover the dough and let stand for 3 hours.

    Preheat the oven to 325F. Grease the baking sheets with butter. Roll small portions of the dough on a lightly sugared working surface until pen-thickness logs are created; cut these to a length of 6 cm. Form these pieces to look like a quarter-moon; lay them on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the middle of the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes. Place on a wire rack and allow to completely cool.

    If desired, each end of the cookie can be dipped in melted chocolate; allow to set on parchment paper.

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    Schnecken

    Dough:

  • 150 g Quark Cheese, liquid removed
  • 6 tbsp Milk
  • 6 tbsp Oil
  • 75 g Sugar
  • 3 tsp Vanilla Sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 300 g Flour, sifted
  • 3 tsp Baking Powder
  • Remove most of the liquid from the cheese (Note: weight of cheese is without liquid). Combine cheese, milk, oil, sugars and salt. Stir until smooth.

    Combine flour and baking powder. Add half the flour mixture by tablespoonfuls to the cheese mixture. Knead in the rest of the flour mixture.

    Filling:

  • 30 g Butter, soft, for brushing on
  • 50 g sugar
  • 50 g currants
  • 3 tsp vanilla sugar
  • 50 g almonds, ground
  • 75 g raisins
  • Roll out the dough to a size of 45 X 35 cm; brush on the soft butter. Mix together the rest of the filling ingredients; spread out on the dough. Roll up the dough into log form by the short side. Cut the log into 1/2 inch circles. Place onto greased sheet and press down slightly to flatten. Bake at 350 F for 15 - 20 minutes.

    Topping:

  • 175 g Icing Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Water, hot
  • Add the hot water to the icing sugar, mix until smooth. Brush onto hot Schnecken.

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    Tante Line Plaetzchen

  • 2 cups butter
  • 4 egg yellows
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 cups flour
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • Vigorously stir the butter, then add the other ingredients, the vanilla coming last. Roll the dough into balls after kneading it for several minutes. Press a small hole in the ball with the thumb and fill this hole with raspberry jam. Bake at 300F (150C) for 15 minutes.

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    Torie's Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies

  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups oats
  • 1 cup dried cherries
  • 4-1/2 ounces (4-1/2 squares) bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup toffee pieces (4 Skors bars)
  • 1. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour and baking soda.

    2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides once or twice during mixing. Add the egg; mix on high speed to combine. Add the vanilla; mix to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

    3. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, and mix on low speed until well combined. Add the oats, cherries, chocolate and toffee pieces; mix to combine after each addition.

    4. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of dough onto a baking sheet. Repeat, spacing 2 inches apart.

    5. Bake cookies until golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes, rotating halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.

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