Tomato Salsa

February 17, 2014 By

It is no secret that I love salsa. As Brooke knows I could quite easily polish off a bag of corn chips and tomato salsa just watching TV or a movie. However I do have to admit, up until recently I was still buying the one from the shops. Why not though? It is just so convenient. The major problem with store bought tomato salsa is it is full of unnecessary sodium, sugar and artificial flavouring. Little did I know though how easy homemade tomato salsa is!

Not only can this recipe for tomato salsa be made is less than 5 minutes its fresh flavours are unbeatable. For our recipe we use one can of tinned tomatoes, red onion, coriander, chilli, garlic fresh lime juice and season with cumin, smoked paprika and salt and pepper. If you’re like me I like my salsa a bit spicier, so we used a combination of red and green chilli. However you can simply just use one jalapeno.

To mix simply blitz in the food processor or with a stick blender. I like my salsa a bit chunky so only blitz for a couple of seconds at a time until you reach a nice consistency. Your salsa may be slightly watery once blitzed. Strain some of the extra liquid leaving you with a rich flavourful salsa.

Chill your tomato salsa for a couple of hours to enhance the flavours. Serve with some oven-crisped corn chips. This recipe can also be used to accompany our simple guacamole or even as a topping for our pulled pork tacos!

Tomato Salsa IngredientsTomato Salsa in BlitzerTomato Salsa with LimeTomato Salsa RecipeTomato Salsa Recipe

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Tomato Salsa
 
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Simple tomato salsa made with tinned tomatoes, red onion, coriander, chilli, garlic fresh lime juice and season with cumin, smoked paprika and salt and pepper.
Author:
Recipe type: Snacks
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 tin tinned tomatoes, diced
  • ½ red onion, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup coriander
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 green chilli, sliced
  • 1 red chilli, sliced
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp. cumin
  • ½ tsp. ground pepper
  • 1 lime, juiced
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients in food processor.
  2. Blitz or pulse for a couple of seconds.
  3. Drain excess liquid from salsa.
  4. Chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
  5. Serve with oven-crisped corn chips.

 

Filed Under: Snacks

Baked Onion Rings

February 3, 2014 By

If you have been on Foodgawker or Pinterest lately you will notice all the food people are making for the Superbowl. Although it isn’t a big deal here, it doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate some of the tasty snacks that come from America. This recipe for Baked Onion Rings will make you appreciate the work that goes into making the perfect snack, yet a whole lot healthier given we baked them.

Onion rings are the perfect accompaniment to burgers, barbeques and well any other casual occasion. The trick to making the perfect onion ring however, is ensuring you soak the raw onion rings in buttermilk before coating them. Through soaking the onion first it will not only soften the onion, it also takes away some the heat and acidity onions have. Lastly, soaking the onion rings in buttermilk allows the more coating to adhere to the rings given your that extra crunch.

To make our onion rings, you need to soak the rings ahead of time. Anywhere from 2 hours onwards is enough if you ask me. You need to make sure the onions are somewhat submerged in the buttermilk, and occasionally stir. Leave in the refrigerator covered tightly. To coat, simply dip the rings in the coating and place on a lined oven tray. Spray the rings with canola oil and bake in the oven, flipping and rotating till golden brown.

Once the rings are cooked you should end up with a crisp outside and soft onion on the inside. Serve with burgers, barbeque or like we did a as a late afternoon snack and a beer.

Baked Onion Rings IngredientsOnion Ring SlicesBaked Onion Rings with ButtermilkBaked Onion Rings with PolentaBaked Onion Rings in BatterBaked Onion Rings with BeerBaked Onion Rings

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Baked Onion Rings
 
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These polenta coated Baked Onion Rings are a whole lot healthier than your typical deep fried onion rings yet they still taste amazing.
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 300 ml buttermilk
  • 2 large onions, thickly sliced into rings
  • ½ cup plain flour
  • 100 g polenta
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
  1. Slice onions into rings.
  2. Soak onion rings in buttermilk. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or more.
  3. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl. Dip onion rings into coating and place on a lines baking tray. Spray with canola oil.
  4. Bake in a 180°C preheated oven, flipping and rotating till golden brown.

 

Filed Under: Snacks

Apricot and Coconut Balls

December 16, 2013 By

Three ingredients? Dried apricots, coconut and condensed milk. This recipe for Apricot and Coconut Balls really is that simple.

There are a few variations for apricot balls out there, some recipes call for additional things like crushed biscuits or white chocolate but I like this one just the way it is. These bite sized treats are great to make any time of year for a sweet treat and make for a great Christmas recipe.

To make these chewy sweet apricot bites, you can either chop the apricots into small pieces or as we did use the food processor. Once you have your mixture, all you need to do is roll the mixture into small balls, then roll through the extra coconut. I encourage you to wet your hands to avoid the mixture sticking as much – but unfortunately if it unavoidable. There will be a mess at the end.

This recipe is simple, yummy and easy to get your kids involved!

If you like this recipe than check out our other great treats like Choc Mint Fudge, Raspberry Friands or Blueberry and Lemon Loaves.

Apricot and coconut balls ingredientsBlended apricotsRolling apricot and coconut ballsApricot and coconut ballsTray of apricot ballsApricot balls

5.0 from 2 reviews
Apricot and Coconut Balls
 
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Three ingredients? Dried apricots, coconut and condensed milk. This recipe for Apricot and Coconut Balls really is that simple.
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: Australian
Serves: 20
Ingredients
  • 500g dried apricots
  • 1 can condensed milk
  • 2 ½ cups coconut
  • Extra coconut for rolling
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in food processor.
  2. With wet hands, roll mixture into small ball and coat with extra coconut.
  3. Refrigerate or freeze for 1 – 2 hours.

 

Filed Under: Snacks

Baked Feta with chilli oregano and smoked paprika

November 11, 2013 By

If you are ever looking for something easy to take to a friend’s house or have people coming over look no further! This recipe for baked feta with chilli, oregano and smoked paprika is an easy way to prepare a great entrée or finger food dish that is absolutely moreish!

Baked feta is a traditional Greek way of preparing feta, and through adding simple ingredients to the salty cheese it simply enhances the dish. To make baked feta you don’t have to be fancy and buy the cheese over the counter at the deli. You can simply use the one from the cheese counter from your local store. Next all you do is simply place the cheese in a small baking dish and top with olive oil, chilli flakes, oregano and the smoked paprika. Then simply cover the dish with some aluminium foil and place in a pre-heated oven.

While the feta bakes, simply prepare your plate with either some crackers, fresh bread or bread crisps. I’m a huge fan of kalamata olives, so if you want to jazz up the plate a bit Brooke tends to put a small bowl to accompany the cheese.

After about 10 – 15 minutes the cheese should be warmed through and ready to serve.

We love snacks and if you are looking for something to go with this then try our ham and cheese croquettes.

Baked Feta IngredientsFeta and Olive Oilbaked feta with chilli, oregano and smoked paprikabaked feta with chilli and oregano and smoked paprikaBaked Feta with bread crisps and olivesBaked Feta on bread crisp

Baked feta with chilli – Recipe Instructions

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Baked Feta with Chilli
 
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This recipe for baked feta with chilli, oregano and smoked paprika is a quick and easy way to prepare a great entrée.
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 150 g Feta
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ¼ tspn chilli flakes
  • ¼ tspn dried or fresh oregano
  • ¼ smoked paprika
  • Olives, crackers or bread to serve
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C
  2. Place the feta in an oven proof baking dish and drizzle with olive oil
  3. Sprinkle spices over the feta, and cover with aluminium foil
  4. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes
  5. Serve with crackers, bread or olives

 

Filed Under: Snacks Tagged With: ,

Honey Ginger Almonds

October 28, 2013 By

After making the maple mixed nut granola last week Brooke still had a heap of leftover almonds. To try and get rid of the rest of them, I suggested using them to make some roasted honey ginger almonds. Now this recipe does not restrict you to only using almonds, but if you ever have nuts left over and want to make a great snack, this is a great way to make use of them.

Now the beauty of using almonds is not only are they a nutritious and protein-packed snack. They also contain vitamin E, magnesium, fibre and are low in cholesterol. And of course through adding the wonderful flavours of honey and ginger you will end up with an easy-to-make addictive sweet and crunchy treat!

To start this recipe you need to roast the almonds first, before flavouring them. Through toasting the almonds first it will give them a better flavour, and enhance your recipe. Once your almonds have been roasted and the skins have begun to crack, you can candy them on the stovetop before returning to the baking tray to let crisp.

As I said before this recipe is easy and the flavours can be easily changed to suit your taste or even your preference of nuts!  Roasted honey ginger almonds are a perfect snack for any occasion.

If you are looking for another nut based recipe then try our pecan slice recipe.

AlmondsOven Roasted AlmondsHoney Ginger AlmondsHoney Ginger AlmondsBowl of Honey Ginger Almonds

Honey ginger almonds – Recipe Instructions

Honey Ginger Almonds
 
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These Honey Ginger Almonds make a nutritious and flavoursome protein-packed snack.
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: Australian
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2 cups raw almonds
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2½ teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons grapeseed oil
Instructions
  1. Place the almonds on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven at 325º for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove them from oven and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl combine the dark brown sugar, ground ginger and salt, grind the mixture with a fork until well combined, set aside.
  3. In a medium-sized saucepan heat the honey, water and oil until it boils. Reduce the heat and add the roasted almonds into the saucepan. Stir continually over low heat until almonds are coated and all the mixture is absorbed by the almonds, remove saucepan from stove and add the sugar mixture

 

Filed Under: Snacks Tagged With: ,
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