3 Minute Microwave Chocolate Slice

I can remember my good friend Claire telling me about a microwave slice recipe and I was positive I kept a copy of it but couldn’t find it anywhere especially when I had company coming for afternoon tea and I needed something to feed the kids. I did a quick Google search and found this one on Best Recipes.

I can see this recipe being one of my favourites. Mix it all up in a dish suitable for the microwave, press down, cook for 3 minutes, allow to cool, ice and serve. I’ll add some nuts, use different flavoured icings and sprinkles, omit the cocoa, add sultanas, choc chips, dried fruit, you name it.

This is the perfect recipe for the busy Mum or for the kids to make up. (Just be careful when it comes out of the microwave as its very hot.)

3 Minute Microwave Chocolate Slice
(from www.bestrecipes.com.au)

• 1 cup self raising flour
• 1 cup coconut
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 2 tbs golden syrup
• 150g butter, melted

1. Mix all ingredients together in a microwave dish that will double as the slice dish. No need to grease the dish.
2. Cook on medium high for 3 minutes. (I had an 1100w microwave and cooked mine for 2 minutes 30 seconds and checked then I cooked for a further 30 seconds.)
3. Allow to cool slightly and ice with a simple icing of icing sugar, cocoa and milk. Top with sprinkles if desired.

Variations:

• Omit cocoa
• Add sultanas, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips
• Serve uniced or with a drizzle of melted chocolate

26 sweet or savoury recipes using cottage cheese

I first remember cottage cheese in the 1970s when my mother bought it. I think it was because of the diet craze and somehow cottage cheese had all these health benefits. For me, as a teenager, I took one look at it and knew it wasn’t for me but as an adult, I’ve found it to be just as good to use in recipes as cream cheese but lighter and healthier. Here’s 26 sweet or savoury recipes using cottage cheese.

What is cottage cheese?

Cottage cheese has a mild flavour and is made from milk. It is made usually by heating the milk then adding an acid product to separate the curds from the whey. I think a lot of people are put off by the look of it but it can easily be whipped to a smooth consistency with either an electric hand beater or whisk.

Commercially, the product undergoes a few more processes and then mixed with cream ready for packaging and sold in the supermarket as we know it today. There are various levels of fat content available.

It’s easy enough to make yourself at home. It’s also the perfect substitute where ricotta cheese or Greek yoghurt is needed in a recipe. Blend the cottage cheese until smooth and use as required.

Is it healthy?

As mentioned earlier, it is well known in dieting circles as being the perfect light solution to cream cheese because of the lighter fat content. It can be used for both sweet and savoury options.

That doesn’t mean that it can’t be used normally to replace cream cheese in recipes if you don’t have cream cheese.

Many countries around the world use a product similar to what we know as cottage cheese. It’s called quark and used regularly for both sweet and savoury dishes.

If you’re looking for ways to use up cottage cheese, search for quark recipes for more inspiration.

Sweet Recipes Using Cottage Cheese

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl

Cottage Cheese Pancakes (Russian Syrniki)

Healthy Cheesecake Using Cottage Cheese

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cottage Cheese

Cottage Cheese Cookies

Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

Healthy Apple Pancakes

Peaches & Cream Cottage Cheese Breakfast Cake

Vanilla & Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Dip

Banana & Coconut Parfaits

Healthier Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate Crumble Cake

Quick Crumble Bars with Fruit

Cottage Cheese (Quark) Filled Pastries

Savoury Recipes Using Cottage Cheese

Cottage Cheese Omelette

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Cottage Cheese Lasagna

Keto Spinach Pie

Spinach & Cottage Cheese Stuff Chicken Breasts

Cottage Cheese Crisps

Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip

Green Chili Egg Casserole

Cottage Cheese Muffins with Vegetables

Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

Baked Cottage Cheese Mac’n’Cheese

Chia Seed Bread

20 sweet or savoury tahini recipes

If you’re looking for a versatile ingredient that keeps well in the pantry, even after being opened, tahini is it. A perfect alternative to peanut butter and allergy free, tahini is perfect. Here are 20 sweet or savoury recipes using tahini.

What is tahini?

Tahini is ground sesame seeds, usually blended with a neutral flavoured oil to form a paste widely used by Middle Eastern countries and is a common ingredient in hummus. It really is what makes hummus taste so good.

It’s perfect to use as a substitute in every way you use traditional nut butters including spread on toast or in baking.

You can buy tahini from the supermarket reasonably priced but you can also make it yourself if you can find sesame seeds in bulk cheaply.

Check out this recipe to make your own tahini

Savoury Tahini Recipes

Hummus

Spicy Tahini Tofu Stir Fry

Roasted Carrots with Maple Tahini Sauce

Roasted Mediterranean Cauliflower Potato Pitas

Chipotle Tahini Bowls

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Pomegranate & Feta

Carrot Lentil Cakes with Garlic Herb Tahini Sauce

Tahini Caesar Salad with Olive Oil Breadcrumbs

Dijon Tahini Green Beans

Deep Green Lentil Stew

Sweet Tahini Recipes

Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vegan Tahini Cookies

Chocolate Fudge Tahini Cookies

Tahini Brownies

Salted Tahini Chocolate Coated Caramels

Salted Tahini Cookie Dough Fudge

Apple Tahini Toast with Honey & Thyme

Chocolate Tahini Oat Bars

Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars

20 Sweet or Savoury Recipes Using Tahini