Nut Crusted Cheese Log
Preparation 15 Minutes
Cook 1 hour Minutes
Serves 8-12
Method
Let the cheeses soften on your bench while you dice nuts and herbs. Whip the cheeses with liquor to combine until smooth.
Mix chilli with herbs and nuts, then sprinkle onto a 30cm piece of plastic wrap, leaving a 2cm border.
Spoon cheese along one end of herbs. Lift wrap and roll cheese away from you into a log, pressing gently to coat well in herbs, shape the mixture into a log, then wrap and refrigerate for about an hour, until the mixture is firm. (NOTE: Can be made up to 2 days ahead of time)
Serve with your favourite crackers.
Ingredients
250 g cream cheese
150g Castello Double Cream Brie
2 tablespoons port, brandy or sherry
2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
1/2 cup finely chopped mixed soft herbs (such as parsley, chives and basil)
1/3 cup finely chopped SUNBEAM pistachios, diced
1/3 cup SUNBEAM macadamia, diced
Recipe Collection
Gingerbread Almond Wreath
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Pre-heat oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced). Lightly grease and line a 22cm ring tin.
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Beat the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition.
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Stir in the almond meal, coconut, bi-carb and spices. Mix well, then stir in the currants and sultanas. Pour into prepared pan and scatter the top with flaked almonds. Bake for 55-60 minutes until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
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Serve on a platter surrounded by fresh rosemary sprigs and fill the cavity with raspberries.
Mini Fruit Mince Tarts
To make the fruit mince filling, add all ingredients to a large bowl, mix well, cover and allow to soak for at least 1 hour.
To make the pastry, add the flour, ginger, cinnamon, butter and sugar into a food processor and blitz until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Whisk the egg and chilled water together in a small bowl, then slowly add to the food processor while it’s running until the mixture comes together into a dough. Remove from the food processor and shape into a disc. Wrap in cling wrap and place into the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 160℃.
Remove from the pastry from the fridge and roll out to a thin 0.3mm dough. Cut into 7cm circles using a cookie cutter or other round object, then place into lightly greased mini muffin tins (30ml capacity). Scoop the fruit mince between the pastry cases. Cut stars from the remaining pastry and place on top of each fruit pie. Brush with milk.
Place into the oven and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown. Remove and place onto wire racks to cool.
Moroccan Chicken with Raisins, Almonds and Honey
Pat chicken dry with paper towel, and sprinkle both sides of meat with salt and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil into a large heavy-based pot over medium-high heat.
When oil is shimmering, add half the chicken pieces and cook 5 – 7 mins per side, until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining chicken pieces.
Reduce heat to medium, and add onion, garlic, ras el hanout, cinnamon stick, and ginger to the hot oil. Stir well, then cook for 5 mins, until onions have started to soften.
Return chicken and any resting juices to the pot. Add stock, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1.5 hrs, until the chicken is tender.
Remove cinnamon stick and add raisins and honey to the pot. Gently stir to combine and increase heat to medium. Simmer uncovered, for a further 30 – 45 min, until the sauce has reduced and the raisins are plump. Stir through lemon juice.
Garnish with almonds and parsley. Serve with crusty bread, rice, or couscous.
Almond Joy Cookies
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line cookie trays with baking paper.
Beat butter, extract, sugars and egg in a small bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; stir in sifted flour and soda, in two batches. Stir in Sunbeam Flaked Almonds, coconut & chocolate.
Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls; place 5cm apart on trays.
Bake cookies 15 minutes or until golden; cool on trays.
Feel the joy!
Date & Raisin Liquor Truffles
Place the dates, raisins and liqueur in a small food processor and process to combine.
Place the mixture in a bowl with the melted chocolate and mix to combine.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until just set.
Using a tablespoon, roll the mixture into balls.
Roll the truffles in the almonds to coat and place on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
Makes 20. Store in refrigerator and bring to room temperature when you serve.
White Christmas
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Grease and line base and sides of a 27cm x 17cm slice pan with baking paper, extending paper over sides.
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Place chocolate and coconut oil in large heatproof bowl over a saucepan one-third filled with simmering water. Stir until melted and remove from heat.
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Add sultanas, almonds, cherries, rice cakes and coconut. Stir to combine and spread into prepared pan. Press down firmly.
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Set aside to cool for 1 hour or until set. Refrigerate if weather is hot. Cut into 18 pieces to serve.
