Thai Pumpkin & Kumara Soup (slow cooker)

Ingredients:
non-stick spray oil
1 onion, chopped
2 t oil
1-2 t red curry paste
2 c vegetable or chicken stock
250 - 300 g pumpkin, peeled and cut into 6 - 8 pieces
250 - 300 g kumara, peeled and cut into 6 - 8 pieces
400 g coconut cream or coconut flavoured evaporated milk
salt to taste
brown sugar to taste
spring onions, sliced garnish

Method:

1. Coat slow cooker with non-stick spray oil (if you remember, I often don't bother).
2. Cook onion in 2 t oil in frypan until transparent.
3. Add curry paste and about 1/2 c stock to the onion. Stir well to combine curry paste evenly.
4. Transfer to slow cooker.
5. Add remaining stock, pumpkin, kumara and sugar.
6. Cook on HIGH for 3 - 5 hours or LOW 6 - 8 hours. 
7. Add coconut cream or evaporated milk and salt. 
8. Puree until smooth.

Chicken and Filo Pie (s)

Serves 4 
You decide - make 1 large pie or 4 individual ones


Ingredients:
olive or canola oil spray
500 g skinless chicken breast, cubed
1 leek, sliced
250 g mushrooms, quartered or sliced 
1 red pepper, chopped
1 packet Maggi Chicken and Mushroom soup mix
375 ml can light and creamy evaporated milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 filo sheets
olive or canola oil spray, extra
1 t sesame seeds


Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C
2. Spray a large non-stick frying pan with oil and heat. Add chicken and cook until browned.
3. Add leek, mushrooms and red pepper. Cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring.
4. Add combined soup mix and evaporated milk. Bring to the boil, stirring. 
5. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. 
6. Stir in parsley.
7. Spoon into 1 large or 4 individual dishes. 
8. Lightly spray filo sheets with oil and scrunch over tops of dish.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until pastry is golden.
10. Serve with a greed salad or your favourite seasonal vegetables.

Chocolate Coconut Slice

Makes about 20 slices


Ingredients:
250 g butter
1 cup sugar
1 T cocoa
1 T golden syrup
2 cups flour
2 t baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup coconut


Icing:
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
1 T cocoa
1 T soft butter
1 1/2 - 2 T boiling water


1/4 c coconut to sprinkle over icing


Method:

1. Melt the first four ingredients in a pot. Do not let boil. Cool.
2. Preheat oven to 160°C fan bake.
3. Grease an 18 x 27cm baking pan and line with baking paper for easy lift out.
4. Add dry ingredients to coca mixture and press into pan.
5. Bake for 25 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, mix the icing ingredients together and beat well.
7. Ice the slice while warm, not hot, with chocolate icing and sprinkle the additional coconut over the top..
8. Cut into small pieces when cool.

Notes:
You don't need as much icing if you ice while warm this helps "melt" the icing making it go further. 
I have a gas oven, no fan, slice cooked nicely in 25 minutes at around 170°C.


Like this recipe? You may want to try Morriss' Fudge Squares or Chocolate Truffle Fudge Cake!