What are you cooking today?

[fundj&e]

JD have you ever made limoncello?

[judydawn]

No I haven't Uni.  I thought there was a recipe for it in the UK Fast & Easy but just looked and couldn't find one, I know I have seen one somewhere though.

[Vivaroo]

JD I'm happy you get free lemons, I wish same for me.  We have a little tree that only grows black mould so far.  Lucky we get limes from my parents (last I saw in a fruit shop $1.60 EACH!!).  Maybe next year we'll have free bananas courtesy of the 3 babies I have in the back yard given by my uncle who has wonderful tasting bananas.  After the last cyclone I decided I absolutely must grow them myself.

Hally I'm not so sure about the washing powder.  I have a grotty boy.  I have a complaining husband who hates the smell, that's the smell of laundry soap without the perfumes.  Smell improves by using white vinegar as a rinse with a dash of eucalyptus/lavender.  Maybe my measures are too scant and I need to add more, my top loader is quite large.    

I'm eating Penang curry (bought paste but homemade coconut milk) with pan fried tofu marinated in Leon9's satay sauce.  
I made a lemon yogurt cake for DS to take on his cub scout camp tomorrow.

[johnro]

Uni I have a great recipe for limoncello, but I did not make it in thermie, however there is no reason why it would not be a success. Great in Christmas hampers for those I know like vodka - be sure not to use the lemon pith as it remains very bitter. It tastes great poured over some strawberries / raspberries with a sorbet as a dessert. Yum!    

[fundj&e]

No I haven't Uni.  I thought there was a recipe for it in the UK Fast & Easy but just looked and couldn't find one, I know I have seen one somewhere though.

Can you get your hands of pure alcohol? Or you can use vodka
300mls of alcohol
Zest of 3 large lemons (unsprayed)
400mls of boiling water
200 mls of sugar
Soak zest in alcohol for 7 days (i do 5 days only)
Mix water and sugar let cool
Strain lemon zest and add alcohol to the cooled water and sugar mixture
I will only use lemons that have not been sprayed with any chemicals (backyard one are the best) i have tried shop bought organic lemons was not happy with the taste of the end product.


For sambuca just add ½ bottle of queens aniseed essence or sambuca essence from an Italian deli, to the alcohol

[fundj&e]

 

[judydawn]

Thanks Uni, all printed off and ready to go in the morning once I buy some sugar. I have no idea where to buy pure alcohol Uni but I have vodka in my cupboard. It looks easy enough to make.
I know Italians like to drink it neat but it would knock my socks off so what can it be mixed with for a tall drink?
Same goes for Sambucca, neat over ice or as a mixer.

Oops, just re-read the recipe.  5-7 days to soak the zest so it will have to wait now until we get back from our little break next week.

[fundj&e]

jd if you r going to make the  limoncello you will not need the sugar for a while

[judydawn]

No but we are going away next Wednesday so I will leave it now until we get back.

[Cornish Cream]

I have weighed out the dried fruit for my Christmas Cake and have it macerating in Cognac.

[tarasis]

Steamed Garlic Rice
Meatballs (from the Meatballs and Tomato sauce recipe, didn't have time to make the sauce earlier due to fudge)
Tablet Fudge

I need to make Butter but that may wait to tomorrow now, knackered.

[fundj&e]

JD you can leave it soaking, while you are away the longer the better (up to 40 days)
When i 1st started to make it i infused it for 21 days

[andiesenji]

I'm cooking beans again, a huge batch.  Not yet in the TMX but as these are destined to become "refried beans" the final processing will be done in it.  I have previously only used a masher or a food mill because I don't like the texture I get in a food processor. 
I plan to keep the speed low and the temp moderate and see how it goes.

The beans are going to my neighbor tomorrow as she is making some interesting Mexican dishes and asked me to help as her entire stovetop is going to be in use non stop all day today. 

There are, of course, refried beans in cans but they simply do not have the flavor or texture of "real" home-cooked beans.
The variety I am using is called "Bolita" and is a product of indigenous farmers on small tracts in Mexico. 
They are sweeter than pinto beans and have a rich "meaty" flavor. 

[Jude59]

My recipe for limoncello is to mix all the ingreds together and then leave for a month  its very very nice 

Ingredients

6 lemons
700ml vodka
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup lemon juice

Method

Clean and wipe lemons. Finely grate the lemon. Combine lemon rind and vodka in a jug.

Meanwhile, place the sugar and water and lemon juice in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium and bring to the boil. Cook, without stirring, for 3 minutes or until the syrup thickens. Set aside to cool.

Add syrup to the vodka mixture. Pour into sterilised airtight bottles. Seal and store in a cool, dark place, shaking occasionally, for 1 month to develop the flavours.

There's a pic on my blog here http://judefamilycafe.typepad.com/judes-family-cafe/2011/09/index.html.  You have to scroll right down to the bottom of the page

[DizzyGirl]

Just making some Cooked Tomato Sauce (EDC)
Carrot Cake for my sons birthday
Noodle and Cheese Slice for his BBQ party
Sun dried Tomato and Capsicum Dip

Then perhaps may try and make coffee for the guests in thermie (I usually use my coffee machine, but with so many coffee drinkers I might try thr thermie)

Have a great Saturday everyone

DG xxxx