FINYS FABULOUS FOODS AND FINDS

Fish pie on it's own can sometimes be a bit tasteless.  So because I love prawns, I decided to add some prawns to a fish pie. Now, I have to admit I tried this twice as it did not turn out the first time!  This was really annoying as I wasted the prawns, but it made me more determined to get it right the second time. This fish pie is made more tasty by the addition of  these king prawns.  The two textures go very well together, and the prawns are nice and soft if not overcooked.  I have served it with my  quinoa salad . If you do not like prawns, I would put some soy sauce in, or extra salt and pepper, or even a bit of chili or curry to give it some extra taste. Or, the prawns could be replaced with a similar quantity of extra fish if you do not like prawns. Preparation Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes Makes: 3 servings Ingredients 400g potatoes, peeled 1 medium leek, washed 65g butter 250g king prawns  20 g plain flo...

These small pumpkin pies are an ideal snack and could be eaten hot or cold.  They are therefore also great for lunch boxes instead of buying, spending money and getting food with chemicals in it. I usually make my own pastry for the same reason, however once again I was in a hurry and decided to use a frozen one.  When I use this type of pastry I always roll it out, as I like pastry to be nice and thin, and not take over the whole meal.  The bought pastries are always way too thick for me to cook with, and although I do not like buying processed ingredients, sometimes, my lovelies, it has to be done! You can cut everything up as large or as small as you like, and it works every time!  Basic beginners: attention - this recipe is also for YOU to impress someone. Team it with many other dishes as an accompaniment, or I generally eat them on their own with a salad, for lunch, or dinner.  They are also good when you just feel like "something" to snack on as th...

These apple pie samosas or parcels are quite fast to put together and use a tart apple, such as a Granny Smith here in Australia - or a green apple. The combination of apples and cream is another delectable one! This is another recipe that you don't end up with enough food to "feed an army", and that is what I concentrate on mainly in my recipes.  Who wants to eat the same meal over and over!  With many of my recipes, quantities are for 2 or 3 so if you are alone, you can freeze one, or if there are just two of you at home, it is convenient and no wastage, and no eating the same meal several times! I mostly use coconut sugar in my baking as this is a natural product, unrefined and much healthier than ordinary processed sugar. These parcels are, in comparison to a lot of desserts, a fairly low calorie treat and perfect if you need something to stop the sweet cravings.  I have added cream as cream is one of my weaknesses however they are still very nice without the ...

This is an apricot upside down cake or pudding,  whichever you call it, and if you want it as a cake you drain the apricot pie filling first.  If on the other hand, you prefer a pudding, you leave the liquid from the tin of apricots in the cake - the choice is yours. I personally like the pudding as it is very moist however the cake is also delectable. Apricots have a slight tart taste which makes them ideal to use in cakes as it takes away from the sweetness and makes it delicious! In other words, it has the taste of the sweet dough mixed with the tart apricots. Although I used apricot pie filling, you could also use apricot halves, and particularly if you want to use it as a cake. Either way, you cannot go wrong with this beauty! Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 40  minutes plus custard Makes: 12 servings Ingredients 425g can apricot pie fruit filling 90g butter ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed ½ cup castor sugar 1 cup plain flour 1 t...

Clafoutis is really a French pudding and you usually see it made with cherries or other similar  fruit, and in this recipe I have used peaches. It is similar to a pastry-less flan, and a bit like a creme caramel in texture, but not as sweet. I have made several clafoutis using different fruits and they have all been delectable, and quite easy to make. You need not have fresh fruit as my recipes use the tinned variety so you can make them all year round. This sweet is delicious with vanilla ice cream, or even rich thickened cream. I have made it with tinned peaches to give it a different slant! Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes Makes: 6-8 servings Ingredients 400g can peach quarters, (or halves) drained ¼ cup plain flour 5 tbsp caster sugar 3 extra large eggs, beaten (70g) 450 ml milk grated nutmeg 40 g unsalted butter Method First of all, drain the peaches so they are nice and dry by the time you need them. Pre-heat the oven to 2...

This is not a difficult dish to make, and is worth every minute you put into it.  The chicken is baked in the oven, then sliced and it is nice and moist. Not only is this a distinctive meal, but it is another recipe that will also impress your visitors, as it looks so stunning and difficult to make.  Be a "Master chef" with this meal! You can serve this sliced with any roast vegetables, and it makes a tasty and professional looking meal. Carve it at the table to make it even more impressive looking. Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 35 minutes Makes: 2-3 servings Ingredients 40 g unsalted butter 1-2 shallots 2 garlic cloves, chopped finely 100g white button mushrooms, finely chopped 1 tbsp chopped parsley ½ tbsp chopped thyme leaves or dried thyme 2  x 180g chicken breasts, or 1 large one 1-2 tbsp olive oil Roast vegetables, to serve (optional) Method Chop all the ingredients and preheat your oven to 200°C/180° fan forced. Melt half ...

Cabbage rolls are traditionally a European dish filled with mince meat and/or rice.  For this recipe, I have changed the meat to potato mash with a creamy, cheesy sauce.  I have also added crispy pieces of bacon scattered on the top, however for a vegetarian dish, just omit this bacon. These are easy to make, though a little bit fiddly, however they are scrumptious and were very popular with our dinner visitors! Preparation Time: 40 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes Makes: 4 servings as a main Ingredients 1 kg potatoes, peeled, chopped 40g softened butter 1 egg yolk 4 large cabbage leaves 4 bacon rashers, or 8 short cuts bacon (less fat) ¼ cup grated tasty cheese Creamy Cheese Sauce 20g butter ¼ cup plain flour 1½ cups chicken stock ½ cup cream ½ cup grated cheese ¼ cup finely chopped parsley Method I like the bacon very crispy, so I cooked this first, if you don't need it so crispy do not cook first. Boil the chopped potatoes until they are tend...

This recipe is a healthy version of rissoles as you only use a bit of oil to brown the rissoles and then cook them in the oven. If your children, or partner do not like vegetables, these are "hidden" and may be a way to get them to unknowingly eat them.  I make several recipes like this when I have my grand children over for a meal as they do not like vegetables.  I hide them in a pizza base and several other meals as when cooked with many other ingredients, a lot of vegetables will taste different, and hence the term "hidden". You could also serve these in a hamburger or eat them with a salad or any vegetables. Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Makes: 3 -4 servings Ingredients 500 g chicken mince 75 g tin corn kernels, drained,  rinsed ¼ cup grated reduced-fat cheese 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 1 medium carrot, grated 2 spring onions, finely chopped 100 g mushrooms, grated 1 tbsp olive oil Sweet chilli sauce and salad, to s...

Fresh salmon is supposedly very healthy as it is full of Omega3 which contributes to healthy brain function, and much more. It also contains protein, minerals and vitamins, which are good for overall health, and as such I am always on the lookout as to different ways of making this versatile fish. This recipe is ideal for children who are not so "fussed" about fish, as it does not have a strong fish taste, and it also has some vegetables included.  The vegetables are almost "hidden" so people who do not like eating vegetables on their own, may just like this way. Preparation Time:  15 minutes Cooking Time:  30 minutes Makes:  3 servings Ingredients 250 g skinless fresh salmon ½ cauliflower 30 g butter 1 ½ tbsp plain flour 1 cup milk 1 tbs chopped parsley ½ tbsp dill 1 egg, lightly beaten ½ tsp Dijon mustard ½cup breadcrumbs ¾ cup grated cheese Method Grease 3 ovenproof dishes (you could do it in one dish if you prefer but I think it look...

Chickpeas are a healthy product, and as such are a great snack when made this way. They are also good as a snack in between meals, and are full of nutrients.  They are a far better snack than say, potato chips, and they are just as moreish. I like to buy my chickpeas fresh, however  if you want to save time, you could use rinsed tinned ones. If you do use the fresh ones, make sure you soak them overnight in cold water, then drain them and put in a saucepan with water to cover, then bring to the boil over a high heat and cook for about 10 minutes or until tender. Preparation Time:  5 minutes Cooking Time:  35 - 45 minutes Makes:  A quantity Ingredients 1 tin chickpeas, drained, rinsed and completely patted dry 1 tbsp sesame seed oil (or oil of choice) 1 tbsp ginger 2 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tsp paprika Lemon zest from ½ lemon Pinch of cayenne pepper Salt & pepper Method Preheat oven to 200. In a large bowl combine the chickpeas, ...