25 January 2012

Cottage Cheese Cheese Cake

Overview
This is a smashing cheesecake for those on a diet. Each serve is contains the following (unsweetened)

280 kj
1.0g fat
9.1g protein
5.2g carb


Ingredients (Serves 8)
  • 350g Low fat cottage cheese
  • 150ml Light natural yoghurt
  • 2 tbsp sugar/sweetener (optional)
  • zest of one lemon (20g)
  • juice of one lemon (80ml)
  • 2 egg whites (60g)
  • 2 tbsp gelatine
Method
  1. Using a stick blender, blend the cottage cheese until smooth
  2. Add the sugar (optional), lemon juice, lemon zest and yoghurt to the cottage cheese
  3. In a separate container mix the egg whites until stiff
  4. Mix the gelatine with 1/2 cup boilng water and add to the cheese mixture
  5. Fold the egg whites into the cheese mixture
  6. Pour into a 7" cake tin and refrigerate until set.

Notes
Apparently you can add a few scoops of protein powder if you want to up the protein content, or ommit the lemon rind and zest and use a flavoured powder if you want to change the flavour.

4 January 2012

Caramello Koala Cheese Cake

Overview

They say the way to any man's heart is through his stomach. Feel free to use the recipe, but stay away from my man *cheeky grin*. This is a favourite amongst friends, very very rich.

Ingredients
Base:
  • One packet of chocolate cream biscuits ( If you are feeling really naughty you can use Oreos)
  • One large packet of Maltesers
  • 50g butter
Filling:
  • Two packets of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
  • One small carton of cream
  • Two table spoons of lemon juice
  • 3/4 of a cup of caster sugar
  • One packet of Caramello Koalas
  • One table spoon of gelatine
Method
Base:
  1. Crush one packet of chocolate cream buscuits in a bowl. Make sure you preserve the cream filling as this helps to bind the base and reduce the amount of butter required.
  2. In a separate bowl lightly crush one bag of Maltesers.
  3. Add the crushed biscuits and Maltesers until you have the right amount of Maltesers per biscuit.
  4. Melt 50g of butter in the Microwave
  5. Mix the melted butter and biscuit/Malteser mix in a microwave safe bowl.
  6. Pot the combined mix in the microwave for 30 seconds. This helps the melt the biscuit cream and compensate for the reduced amount of butter used in this recipe.
  7. Spread the warm mix over the base of your spring form tin and place in the fridge to harden.

Filling:
  1. Whip a small carton of cream in a bowl until stiff
  2. Cut the two blocks of Philadelphia cream cheese into small squares and pop it in the microwave as suggested on the packet. Heating the cheese will extend the lifetime of your electric beaters enormously
  3. In a separate bowl combine the cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice.
  4. Whilst beating the above mix add the cream. Continue to mix until everything is combined
  5. In a cup dissolve 1 tablespoon of gelatine in no more than 1/4 of a cup of boiling water
  6. Add the gelatine mix to the cheesecake filling and beat on high until everything is mixed thoughrally. ( I usually beat for a few minutes to try and get a bit of air into the mix ) 
  7. Roughly chop all but one of the Caramello Koalas. 
  8. Using a spoon, gently mix the koala chunks into the cheesecake mixture.
  9. Pour the cheesecake filling over the base and refrigerate over night. 
  10. Once the cheesecake has set, place the remaining Caramello Koala in the centre (assuming it has not been eaten by now) of the cheesecake.

Sweet Potato Cottage Pie

Overview

Apparently I will be hung, drawn and quarted if I loose this recipe. My partner loves it. This is a great recipe for office lunches. Easy to warm up, smells great and the smell makes your co-workers jealous.

Ingredients (Serves)
  • 500g beef mince
  • 2 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp. dried parsley
  • 1 tbsp. chicken stock powder
  • 1 tsp. vegetable stock powder
  • 2 tsp beef gravy powder
  • 1 tsp chicken gravy powder
  • 3 cups mixed frozen vegetables (peas, corn, capsicum, etc)
  • 1 brown onion, diced
  • 1 kg sweet potato, cooked and mashed
Method
  1. In a large stockpot, brown the onion and beef mince.
  2. Add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, parsley, and stock powders. Stir in the mixed frozen vegetables.
  3. Simmer until the frozen vegetables have cooked.
  4. Stir in the gravy powders and transfer to an oven dish.
  5. Top with mashed sweet potato and bake at 180 degrees for 45 minutes.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Overview

A friend of mine gave me this recipe for protein packed pancakes. It is a stellar recipe, a perfect breakfast before a morning sporting event. I have immortalised it here, because I am so scared of loosing the piece of notebook paper it is written on. These are absolutely delicious served with bacon and maple syrup!


Ingredients (Serves 2)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup self-raising flour

Method
  1. Place all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and combine using a hand blender.
  2. Cook until golden brown.