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South African Peppermint Crisp Pie

Peppermint Crisp Pie

Peppermint Crisp Pie is an old favourite for me. It is rich and creamy and comforting, a little reminder of a once-was-home, of my mother, and of many a dinner party, barbeque or braai where it’s been consumed with gusto. The main problem with this recipe however, is that most of it’s parts are – originally – Nestle products, and we are Nestle boycotters, so for many years I stopped making it.Peppermint Crisp Pie

 

These days, however, I’ve found some pretty decent substitutes and I’m happy making it again. This recipe is very forgiving. If you get the amounts slightly wrong, it won’t matter too much. While you can serve and enjoy Peppermint Crisp Pie immediately, making it the day before is ideal as it allows the moisture to soak into the biscuits and gives you more of a firm pudding. Either way, it’s moreish.

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Peppermint Crisp Pie
 
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Author:
Recipe type: Desert, Pudding, Sweet
Cuisine: South African
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1 pack Tennis Biscuits
  • 2 cups/ 500g fresh cream
  • 1x 397g tin of Caramel (or Condensed Milk)
  • 200g mint chocolate (traditionally this one, but I prefer Green & Blacks from an ethical point of view
Instructions
  1. If you're not using caramel, place the condensed milk in a pot of water and boil for three hours. Allow to cool completely (preferably overnight. If you use hot caramel the whole desert will be ruined.)
Thermomix® Instructions
  1. Break the chocolate into blocks and place in the Thermomix® bowl. Speed 7/10 seconds
  2. Wash & dry the bowl and add the butterfly and then the cream
  3. Whisk the cream for 1 - 3 minutes, depending on how fresh it is. Keep an eye on it as you don't want butter. Speed 4/ 1 - 3 minutes.
  4. Add the caramel and two-thirds of the chocolate and mix speed 1/ 30 seconds - just enough to mix but not to whisk again.
  5. Add a layer of biscuits to the base of a glass dish.
  6. Add about a quarter of the cream mixture above the biscuits and spread it evenly.
  7. Add another layer of biscuits
  8. Add another layer of cream, and repeat until it's all finished.
  9. End on a layer of cream, and sprinkle the remaining chocolate
  10. Cover and refrigerate till it's ready to be eaten.
Regular Instructions
  1. Grate the chocolate
  2. Place the biscuits in a shallow glass dish
  3. Beat the double cream till it is stiff, then add most of the grated chocolate and caramel and stir in gently. If you beat it again, the cream will fall flat and won't set properly.
  4. Spoon a layer of the cream mixture on to the biscuits, then add another layer of biscuits, topped again with the cream. Repeat the process 3 or 4 times, depending on the depth of your dish.
  5. Finish with the cream mixture and sprinkle with chocolate.
  6. Place in the fridge for an hour to set, and keep refrigerated.

 

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4 Minute No Bake Lemon/Lime Fridge Cake Recipe

4 minute, no bake, creamy lemon/lime fridge cake

Inspired by a recipe in the Thermomix® Owners UK group on Facebook, and blending the idea with one of my favourite deserts, South African Peppermint Crisp Pie, I came up with this idea for a citrus-summer desert that can be made ahead of time – the day before is ideal, but you could technically eat it straight out the bowl too.

If you eat it immediately it’ll be lighter, but the next day it’s more of a creamy ‘set’ desert. It’s fantastic, quite frankly.

In this recipe I’ve used lime juice, which is what I have, but you could use lemon too. In the South African version there’s also a ridiculous amount of chocolate added, but really this recipe doesn’t need it.

For biscuits I’ve used NICE biscuits, but really, any kind of digestive, shortcake or butter biscuits will do. NICE biscuits are a bit coconutty though, which adds a nice flavour.

I don’t think there’s a ‘wrong’ way to do this desert. Add more condensed milk if you want it sweeter, add more lemon or lime juice if you want it more tart. Either way, it’s delicious, it’s light, it’s summery, and it is oh.so.simple. I’ve whipped the cream in my Thermomix®, but of course,  you can whip it any way you like.

4 Minute No Bake Lemon/Lime Fridge Cake Recipe
 
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Light, summery, and superbly easy, this no bake fridge cake won't add to the summer heat but will bowl you over with it's simplicity.
Author:
Recipe type: Desert, Pudding, Sweet
Serves: 9
Ingredients
  • 500g of double cream (you can use whipping, but adapt the whipping time!)
  • 120g condensed milk
  • 80g lime juice
  • 1 packet of biscuits
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, lay a layer of biscuits side by side, loosely covering the surface.
  2. In a food processor, whip the cream until it stands at stiff peaks (Thermomix®: about 40 seconds/speed 4 with a butterfly whisk) Don't over-whip
  3. Add the condensed milk and lime (or lemon) juice, whisk briefly to mix. Again, don't over whip
  4. Scoop half the cream mixture on top of the biscuits
  5. Lay another layer of biscuits on the cream mixture
  6. Top off with the rest of the cream.
  7. Spread the mixture so that it is flat, then cover and refrigerate.
  8. The longer you can leave it the better. I like to make it a day in advance, but a couple of hours is sufficient
  9. Decorate with fruit

I hope you love this recipe!

 

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Flourless Grain-Free Dairy Free Almond Lemon Drizzle

Grain Free Dairy Free Almond Lemon DrizzleSince my gall bladder problems started, I’ve been focusing a lot on grain free recipes, but that means I really miss things like cake. Fortunately almond flour is easy to come by – I have a Thermomix®, so I make it from whole almonds – and it’s good for gall bladder health too.

There’s a fair bit of sugar in this one. I want to try it with Rapadura, but my husband doesn’t like Rapadura so I don’t want to try it on a cake he has to eat.

I made these in a brownie pan, which I use for a lot of our snacks because they are then cut into squares and the children recognise them as snacktime treats. You can of course use a round pan or anything you fancy.

Also, I pour the drizzle over the hot cake so it will sink in. If you like it to look drizzled, you can wait till the cake is cool. 

Flourless Grain-Free Almond Lemon Drizzle
 
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Author:
Recipe type: Desert, Snack
Cuisine: Free From, Gluten Free
Serves: 20
Ingredients
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom/5 cardamom pods
  • 1½ cup (170 g) almonds or almond flour
  • 4 room temperature eggs, separated
  • ½ cup (100g) white sugar
  • 1 lemon's zest
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon white or cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 50g Powdered sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
Thermomix® Instructions
  1. If you are using cardamom pods, put them in the Thermomix® on reverse/speed 5/ 10 seconds. Remove the husks from the bowl, add the almonds. Speed 8/10 - 20 seconds to make almond flour.
  2. If you have a second bowl, now's the time to use it. Otherwise pour the flour out and add clean the bowl thoroughly.
  3. Separate the egg whites and yolks.
  4. Add the whites to the Thermomix® bowl. Put the butterfly in, and whisk at speed 2 for 15 seconds, then go up to speed 4 and whisk until they start to look firm (around 2 minutes)
  5. Meanwhile, add half the sugar to the egg yolks along with the lemon zest.
  6. Returning to the egg whites, when they form peaks, add a pinch of salt, and the vinegar. This will help the egg whites keep their form. Add the other half of the sugar gradually - over about 20 seconds. This whole egg white process shouldn't take more than 3 minutes.
  7. Now for some manual work. You could do this in the Thermomix®, but I love watching the transformation of the 'flour'.
  8. Mix the egg yolk mixture into the almond mixture. It'll be quite pasty and hard to work with.
  9. Add two dollops of the egg white in the mixture, and stir. Then add two more and stir again. As you stir the whole mixture will become amazingly light and fluffy. Keep adding egg white till it's all mixed in.
  10. Transfer to your baking pan and put in the oven for 35 minutes.
  11. When there are 5 minutes left on the clock, cut your lemon in half and extract all the juice. Add the icing sugar and make a runny paste. When the lemon cake comes out of the oven, pour the sugary juice over it and leave to cool before tipping out the cake.
Regular Instructions
  1. If you are using cardamom pods, crack them open and remove the cardamom seeds. Crush them between two spoons or with a rolling pin (or use the ground cardamom spice!).
  2. Add to the almond flour.
  3. Separate the egg whites and yolks.
  4. Using an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until they start to look firm.
  5. Returning to the egg whites, when they form peaks, add a pinch of salt, and the vinegar. This will help the egg whites keep their form. Add half of the sugar gradually - over about 20 seconds.
  6. Add the other half of the sugar to the egg yolks along with the lemon zest.
  7. Mix the egg yolk mixture into the almond mixture. It'll be quite pasty and hard to work with.
  8. Add two dollops of the egg white in the mixture, and stir. Then add two more and stir again. As you stir the whole mixture will become amazingly light and fluffy. Keep adding egg white till it's all mixed in.
  9. Transfer to your baking pan and put in the oven for 35 minutes.
  10. When there are 5 minutes left on the clock, cut your lemon in half and extract all the juice. Add the icing sugar and make a runny paste. When the lemon cake comes out of the oven, pour the sugary juice over it and leave to cool before tipping out the cake.

 

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Raw Pecan Pie

raw pecan pie

Raw Pecan Pie
 
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Mmmmmm Pecan Pie! I was in a cooking mood (Well, technically 'Uncooking' hehe) but my cupboards were looking rather bare. Pecans! I had loads of pecans. So naturally the first thought to pop into my head was PECAN PIE. Yum. But not any old fatty, creamy pie, this pie is raw, sugar free, vegan, gluten free, made with a couple of wholesome, healthy ingredients. You can make them as big or small as you want. You could double the recipe and make one big pie or lots of mini ones. I put mine into silicon cupcake cases and it's a great size and made them easy to take out, Perfect!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert or Snack
Cuisine: Raw
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
  • For the base:
  • 1 Cup Nuts - I used half cashew, half almond and that worked well
  • 3 Medjool Dates - Or if not medjool, use a few more and soak in water for 30mins before using
  • Pinch of salt
  • For the Filling:
  • ½ Cup Pecans
  • ½ Cup Medjool Dates (about 6) same as above if not using medjool
  • ½ Vanilla bean pod, scrape the seeds out - or a couple of drops of vanilla extract
  • 1-2 Tbsp Water - enough to make the paste soft and smooth
  • Also don't forget some extra Pecans for the top - amount varies on how big or small you make your pies
Instructions
  1. For the base : In a Thermomix® or food processor combine all of the ingredients and blend until the pieces are broken down and stick together when pressed. Spoon evenly into your desired pan or cupcake cases. I used silicon to help with removal.
  2. Press down gently to create a thin, even crust on the bottom and sides.
  3. Put them in the freezer while making the filling.
  4. For the filling: Place the dates, vanilla & pecans in a Thermomix® or food processor.
  5. Add about 1-2 tbsp fresh water and blend until smooth and gooey, scraping down the sides often.
  6. Spoon into the chilled crusts and top with extra pecans.
  7. Place in refrigerator and allow pies to set for at least 1 hour.

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Raw Strawberry Cheesecake

If you fancy a healthier cheesecake, you’ve come to the right place. This is a dairy free, vegan, sugar free cheesecake alternative. And it’s pretty darn good.Raw Strawberry Cheesecake

I make it in the Thermomix®, but you can make it in any high powered blender. It’s both labour intensive and totally not. It’s a perfect dinner party recipe, especially for people not familiar with raw food. Check out The Rawtarian from time to time – this is an adaptation of her recipe.

Raw Strawberry Cheesecake
 
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Take this desert out of the freezer half an hour before you expect to eat it and don't forget to return it to the freezer when you're done. If it's for snacks rather than dinner, freeze in single portion sizes
Author:
Recipe type: Desert
Cuisine: Raw Food
Serves: 18
Ingredients
  • Crust ingredients:
  • 1½ cups cashew nuts
  • ½ cup pitted dates
  • ¼ cup dried, unsweetened coconut
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • White cheesecake filling ingredients:
  • 3 cups cashews
  • ¾ cup lemon juice
  • ¾ cup agave or honey
  • ¾ cup coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • Up to a ¼ cup of water, as needed for blending
  • Fruit topping ingredients:
  • 2 cups frozen strawberries
  • ½ cup dates
Instructions
  1. Sprinkle coconut into a large glass dish to serve as a base for your cheesecake.
  2. In your food processor, place 1.5 cups of cashews, salt and dates, and blend to a crumbed consistency.
  3. Pour into dish on top of coconut and press down to form a good, firm base.
  4. Next, blend together the 'cheesecake filling, adding as little water as possible and as required to make your blender work. In the Thermomix® you shouldn't need to add much water at all. This needs to be smooth and creamy in consistency.
  5. Spread the mixture on top of the base.
  6. Freeze for about an hour to allow it to firm up.
  7. When you're ready for the last step, blend the berries and dates until they are nice and smooth. Pour this mixture on top and freeze again for another few hours at least.
  8. Take out of freezer about half an hour before eating, so that it's still firm, but edible.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 349.0 Fat: 24.9 g Carbohydrates: 31.6 g Sugar: 18.7 g Sodium: 65.7 mg Fiber: 2.2 g Protein: 5.4 g Cholesterol: 0.0 mg

Reposted from Diary of a First Child