Tasty and filling

In today's busy world, we rarely have the time to do the things we want - whether it is time with the family or being outdoors. After a busy week or a late night out why not give your family a brunch. You can serve a wonderful mid-morning meal that is a gourmet meal with some organisation and planning.

See that all the things you want for the meal are in your refrigerator. The dishes suggested below are great to look at, taste wonderful and are filling. You can add a bowl of fresh fruit (watermelon, grapes, oranges, apples).

Eggs - Florentine

Ingredients:

Spinach (chopped and steamed)

1 cup Onion (chopped) 1/2 cup

Butter 2 tbsp

Nutmeg (ground) 1/4 tsp

Salt, pepper and chilli to taste

Cream 1/4 cup

Butter 1 tbsp

Maida 1 tbsp

Milk 1 cup

Cheese (grated) 1/2 cup

Lemon juice 1-1/2 tsp

Eggs 6 (boiled and halved)

Method:

Keep the spinach ready. It will stay in your fridge for weeks. Squeeze as much water as you can from it, heat the butter, and onion and fry until soft. Add the spices and cook for a minute. Add the spinach. Cook until mixed well. Add the cream. Put in an oven proof dish. Place egg halves on top.

Melt the butter, add the maida and fry. Add the milk immediately. Stir and let it thicken. Add the cheese, lemon juice, salt and white pepper to taste. Spread over the eggs. Bake for 15 minutes and grill for five minutes or until light brown on top.

* * *

Easy biscuits

Ingredients:

Flour (sifted) 1-3/4 cups

Salt 1/2 tsp

Baking powder 2 tsp

Chilled butter 5 tbs

Milk 3/4 cup

Method:

Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. Cut the butter into dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Make a well in the centre. Add the milk. Stir until well mixed. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently. Roll out dough until 1/4 inch thick. Cut into shapes. Brush the tops with melted butter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Put in a 450'C oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Serve with the eggs or plain with jam or honey.

* * *

Carrot nut bread

Ingredients:

Flour 1-1/2 cups

Baking soda 1-1/2 tsp

Cinnamon 1/4 tsp

Sugar 3/4 cup

Beaten eggs 2

Oil 1 cup

Vanilla 1 tsp

Salt 1/2 tsp

Carrots (grated) 1-1/2 cups

Walnuts (ground) 1 cup

Method:

Sift together the flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Add the sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla and salt. Mix well. Fold in carrots and nuts. Bake in a greased pan for 60 minutes at 350'C. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and turn out onto a rack to cool further.

You can add raisins or other nuts while folding. Top it with butter frooting or flavoured with orange essence for a tea party or serve plain.

NANU BEDI

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