Risotto with Chicken, Mushrooms and Roasted Pumpkin …

June 15, 2014

I just adore cooking Risotto, it’s one of those dishes that screams “comfort food”. I also love that you can take the basic ingredients and then add whatever vegetables you love to create a beautiful, filling, scrumptious dish. Here’s a family favourite that I’ve been cooking for years. Risotto with Chicken, Mushrooms and Roasted Pumpkin …   Print Prep time 30 mins Cook time 30 mins Total time 1 hour   Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 6 – 8 Ingredients … 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 ½ cups … read more

Macaroni Cheese with Chicken, Bacon and Vegetables …

June 9, 2014

Looking for something yummy to feed the kids? Look no further … this recipe is definitely a winner … and wait till you taste the crunchy, cheesy bacon topping! Most kids love pasta and cheese, it’s such a classic combination but the addition of chicken and vegetables make this a healthier option. The thing I love most about this recipe (apart from the fact that it’s seriously delicious) is that you can add or omit any of the vegetables to suit your family’s tastebuds. You can choose to leave out the chicken and bacon for a vegetarian option and this can also be … read more

What’s My Food and Cooking Philosophy?

June 7, 2014

I bake and cook a lot and I’m often asked by people where I find the time. The answer for me is simple … it’s not easy, however, number one, I enjoy it and and number two I decided a long time ago that my family’s nutrition was something I wanted to focus on. But like I said … it’s hard!! Like a lot of Mums, I’m trying to juggle part-time work, keeping my house looking somewhat respectable (that’s a constant work in progress), looking after the kids and generally doing everything else that us Mum’s have to do! And often, the last thing I feel like doing is … read more

Apricot Bliss Balls …

June 1, 2014

After achieving success with my Chocolate Bliss Balls, I was keen to produce an apricot version to give my family a bit of variety. I searched the internet but couldn’t find exactly the right recipe so I’ve created my own. This version still uses a lot of the common ingredients I noticed in the other recipes but without the sweetened condensed milk that most other recipes called for. My goal was to create an apricot ball that was gluten free and dairy free while still being quite healthy. Once again, you will need a food processor for this recipe so, if you don’t … read more

Pea and Ham Soup …

May 28, 2014

This is one of my favourite soups because it takes me back to my childhood. It’s one of those comfort foods that reminds me of Mum working away in the kitchen while we played nearby. For me it ticks all the boxes: easy, quick to prepare, full of goodness, made in a single pot and suitable to freeze … gotta love that! I always think it’s not the most attractive soup but what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in flavour! Pea and Ham Soup …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 1.5kg ham hock (or bacon bones) 2 medium onions, finely … read more

Nachos (that’s not so naughty) …

May 26, 2014

Apart from being delicious, most Mexican food is quite easy to prepare and, with a bit of “know how”, your kitchen will soon be known as the best “cantina” in the neighbourhood. And nothing is more Mexican than Nachos. It’s always been a popular choice at my house, perfect as a snack, a quick Sunday night meal or great to eat when watching the footy. This Nachos uses a homemade salsa loaded with rich, juicy tomatoes, tangy lime juice, fresh coriander, protein-rich kidney beans and a hint of chilli, so it’s also perfect for anyone looking for a vegetarian option. It … read more

Corn and Bacon Soup …

May 22, 2014

With winter just around the corner, it’s time to share another soup recipe. Corn and Bacon Soup is a family favourite because it’s delicious and full of flavour. I usually serve this with a beautiful crusty Onion and Parmesan Cob from Woolworths … absolutely yummy and fills hungry tummies! Corn and Bacon Soup …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 2 x 425g cans creamed corn 4 cups (1 litre) chicken stock 1 tablespoon butter 1 green capsicum, seeded and roughly chopped 3 bacon rashers, remove rind and roughly chop 2 sticks celery, chopped … read more

Sticky Date Muffins …

May 18, 2014

I’ve been baking quite a lot lately making sure I’ve got loads of goodies in the freezer ready for lunchboxes. Here is another of my all time favourite muffin recipes … Sticky Date Muffins. These are so delicious, incredibly moist and they also freeze beautifully! This recipe is very versatile as well because I have also served these for dessert as small puddings. Just place one muffin in a bowl, add some strawberries or raspberries to the top, dust lightly with icing sugar and serve with a small jug of Butterscotch or Caramel Sauce (I’ll share these recipes … read more

Hazelnut and Orange Bliss Balls …

May 12, 2014

You will have guessed by now that I love creating Bliss Balls … little balls of yummy that are perfect for a quick snack. These ones are particularly decadent and will have definite appeal for the adults (although my kids love them too). I’ve moved away from the almond meal with this recipe and substituted it with hazelnut meal. The texture of the two is very similar but the hazelnut meal has a lovely “Nutella” flavour that is beautifully complemented with the sweetness of both the orange juice and orange zest. These would actually be great served with coffee … read more

Cherry Ripe Balls …

May 4, 2014

If you’re watching your weight, you may not want to read any further because I’m about to reveal a recipe that won’t be kind to the waistline. These Cherry Ripe Balls are so delicious and seriously addictive, you won’t be able to stop at just one. I created these after stumbling across a similar recipe on the internet but I’ve tried to make a slightly healthier version by replacing the Nice biscuits with almond meal and coconut. These would make a fabulous gift wrapped in cellophane and tied with a pretty ribbon or they would also be perfect for a birthday party … read more

Jam Drops …

April 22, 2014

Jam Drops are an old favourite in my house! I first remember learning to cook these during Home Economics in High School so here is my version that I’ve been cooking for years. It’s a simple recipe using basic ingredients but it turns out perfectly every time! Jam Drops …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 150g butter, softened ¾ cup castor sugar 1 egg 2 teaspoons vanilla essence/extract 1 teaspoon lemon rind, finely grated (optional) 2 cups self-raising flour (I use gluten-free) Jam Method … Preheat oven to 160C. Using … read more

Lamb Shank and Vegetable Soup …

April 16, 2014

I love soup and nothing warms me in winter quite like a delicious, hearty bowl of homemade soup … a little bowl of goodness!! I haven’t had much success with lamb shanks in the past but I was determined not to give up, so I tried again … and boy, I’m glad I did. This recipe produced a richly-flavoured soup with tender, succulent lamb that literally fell off the bone. I served this with thickly sliced Sour Dough Bread (toasted), sprinkled with grated cheddar cheese and a dash of parmesan and then popped under the grill for just a couple of minutes! Yummy, … read more

Lemon and Coconut Bliss Balls …

April 4, 2014

I’m always looking for new and exciting things to add to my daughters’ lunchboxes. These Lemon and Coconut Bliss Balls are a great little healthy snack and you can whip them up in not time at all. These are a particularly great option because they contain no nuts. 5.0 from 1 reviews Lemon and Coconut Bliss Balls …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 1 ½ cups shredded coconut (or substitute desiccated coconut) 3 ½ cups Corn Flakes 1 x 400g can Sweetened Condensed Milk 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from 1 lemon) 3 tablespoons freshly … read more

Chilli Con Carne …

March 27, 2014

This is a favourite in my house and I cook it quite often. Chilli Con Carne is basically a stew containing meat (usually beef), capsicums, tomatoes and beans. While the name suggests that this will be a spicy dish, it’s really up to you whether you make it mild or hot. This recipe is for quite a mild version that my kids gobble up and for anyone who likes it a bit spicier, I simply add sweet chilli sauce to their individual serve. It’s so simple to prepare and is suitable to freeze. And the thing I love most about this dish, it’s perfect for sneaking in extra … read more

Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup …

March 17, 2014

As a young teen growing up, Mum and Dad would take us to our local restaurant for a treat, the Oriental Chinese Restaurant. It was located in Southport and had been there as long as I could remember. If memory serves, it only had room for around eight or nine tables and each one was complete with a red and white vinyl tablecloth, a small vase of plastic flowers and little white salt and pepper shakers. Ahh, the memories! And, of course, our dinner always started with a familiar bowl of hot Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup, so I’ve always had a soft spot for this … read more