Today's delight is cupcakes. As always we are having a morning tea tomorrow so I thought these would be a nice treat.
So here goes.

Cupcakes

2 cups S/R flour
3/4 cup Sugar
125 g Butter
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla essence

• Melt butter
• Put all ingredients into a bowl and add melted butter.
• Beat until ingredients are mixed should be a thick batter.
• Spoon into Paddy Cake cases (Only fill up to 3/4 do not over fill).
• Bake in oven on moderate heat for about 15 mins or until light brown.
• Turn out onto wire tray and cool.Ice when completely cool (Don't rush or your icing will melt as if you didn't know)

Icing

1 cup icing sugar
3 tablespoons hot water
2 tablespoons cocoa
4 tablespoons chocolate paste(Nutella works well, or dipping chocolate)

Mix all ingredients together and spread on cup cakes.

!!!Enjoy!!!

Hints

Always add a little vinegar to your milk will make your cakes light as a feather.

You can make these into butterfly cake by cutting the top off and cutting in half to make the wings. Fill tops of cakes with wiped cream and put on wings and dust with icing sugar.

Hello Again

Today I thought you might like something Hot and Spicy. Here is my favorite Chili recipe.

Texas Chili

Olive Oil
1 kilo Cubed Beef
250 g Hot Spanish Sausage
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Green Capsicum (Chopped)
1 Red Capsicum (chopped)
1 Tin Red Kidney Beans (Drained)
1 Bay Leaf
1 Teaspoon Oregano
3 Tablespoons Chili Powder (Depending on Taste)
1 Teaspoon Cumin
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 Tablespoon Paprika
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Fresh Chile's Minced
1 Litre Beef Stock (You can buy the Packet stuff works well)
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste

• Heat oil in big pot add beef, sausage, garlic and onion fry until brown.


• Add Capsicum and beans stir reguarly.


• Add all other ingredients to stock mix well.


• Add stock to pot.


• Simmer for about 2 hours or until meat is tender. (The longer you cook the better it tastes)


• Serve with fresh salsa, rice or corn chips. Add sour cream on the side to lessen the heat.

Enjoy!!!

I made this dish for a cooking demo at Inala Library a while back and the customers really enjoyed the sensation of heat and herbs. I do find this is not what most people expect when eating Chili. Most people believe that chili is based on tomato base. I found this recipe in an American Recipe book but have made a few changes that I think do it justice.

Until next time.

This would have to be one of my favourite Cakes. It is easy to make and only take 10 Min's to put together and tastes great.

Foolproof Tea Cake


Cake

3tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups SR Flour
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk

Topping

1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons SR Flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons coconut
2 tablespoons melted butter

• Grease a round cake tin.
• Place the sugar, butter, eggs and milk in a bowl.
• Add flour and beat together for about 3 minutes.
• Pour into cake tin.
• Make topping mix all ingredients together.
• Sprinkle topping over cake.(This will make the top of you cake no need to ice)
• Bake in oven 200 degrees for about 35 min's until golden brown and springs back when touched.

Tips & Tricks

You can add 1/4 cup of chopped dates or pecan nuts if you like.
Or add a bit of muesli to add flavour.
When making cakes that you want to be light and fluffy add a dash of vinegar to the milk.
For the weight conscience you can half the sugar.

I woke up this morning and decided to see how long it took to bake.
Started at 7.00am and ready to eat by 8.05am not bad.

Well today I have decided it is time to share my secrets.
I have worked in libraries for over seven years and have noticed a trend.
Everyone is talking about FOOD. Every day we wait to see what everyone is having for lunch, always looking forward to a special morning tea or even better lunch. We wait for birthdays and any occasion will do to have a snack. I have in the past spoilt many of work mates by bringing in many different special treats. So I have decieded to share these with you all. I will looking forward to you comments.