Chocolate magic cake

4 eggs, separated
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup caster sugar
125g butter, melted, cooled
3/4 cup plain flour
1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
3/4 cup milk
Pinch of cream of tartar
1 cup thickened cream, whipped, to serve


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Wild Rice and Vegetable Casserole

 4 Tbsp butter
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
2 carrots
2 stalks celery
8 oz. button mushrooms
1/2 tsp salt
Freshly cracked pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried sage
4 Tbsp flour
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup whole milk
salt, to taste
4 cups cooked wild rice blend
3 oz. fried onions

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Loaded Zuppa Toscana

INGREDIENTS

6 slices bacon uncooked
1 pound bulk/ground spicy Italian sausage
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped (approx. 1 ½ cups)
3 stalks celery, chopped (approx. 1 ½ cups)
4-6 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 pounds/3 medium russet potatoes chopped into bite size cubes
1  15 oz. can cannellini beans rinsed and rained
1  15 oz. can can sweet corn rinsed and drained
1  15 oz. can creamed corn
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
3 cups milk
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
1 tsp EACH dried parsley, salt
1/2 tsp EACH dried basil, dried oregano
1/4 tsp EACH dried thyme, pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste (optional if you like heat)

Add later:

2-3 cups half and half
4 cups loosely packed  fresh chopped spinach or kale

Garnish (optional)

remaining bacon in directions
fresh parsley
Parmesan cheese

Vegetable Pot Pie Skillet with Cheddar Biscuit Topping

FILLING

3 Tbsp butter
1 onion
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp dried sage
Freshly cracked pepper
1 cup vegetable broth
1 lb. frozen mixed vegetables

CHEDDAR BISCUIT TOPPING

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
6 Tbsp cold butter
½ tsp salt
1 cup shredded cheddar
2 Tbsp chopped chives (optional)
1 cup milk


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Chicken Mac and Cheese

 300g dried rigatoni pasta
400g broccoli, cut into small florets
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small brown onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 teaspoons wholegrain mustard
4 cooked chicken thighs, cut into 2cm pieces
3/4 cup frozen peas
1 cup grated pizza cheese

Bechamel sauce

50g butter
1/4 cup plain flour
2 1/2 cups milk

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Banana Split Lasagna

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons + 3 1/2 cups cold milk, divided
16 ounces Cool Whip topping, divided
1 (23-ounce) container of frozen sliced strawberries, thawed and drained well
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained well
2 (3.4 ounce) boxes of banana cream pudding instant pudding
Chocolate syrup
Maraschino cherries (optional, but encouraged!)
Nuts (optional)



Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir the mixture until it’s evenly moist. Then, dump the crumbs into your baking dish and press them into an even layer. Then, place the baking dish into your refrigerator until you’ve prepared your next layer.
In another medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, 2 T of milk, and vanilla with a hand mixer on a medium speed. Mix together until fluffy and light. Then, using a rubber spatula, completely mix in 8 ounces of the Cool Whip. Once the mixture is completely combined, remove your baking dish from your refrigerator and evenly spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the graham cracker crust.
Pour your drained strawberries and pineapple on top of the cream cheese mixture and spread it evenly. It doesn’t matter which fruit you put in first.
Mix the two boxes of banana cream instant pudding with 3 1/2 cups of cold milk. Whisk for a few minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Then, use a rubber spatula to spread the pudding over the fruit layer. Let the dessert sit for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up a bit more.
Spread the remaining 8 ounces of Cool Whip over the top of the dessert as evenly as possible. Drizzle (or pour, your choice) the chocolate syrup on top of the Cool Whip layer. Allow the dessert to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving or overnight.









Notes
You may end up having more of the cream cheese mixture than you need, depending on the exact size of your dish. If you do have extra, it makes for a delicious fruit dip.
I didn’t try it, but if you’d like to add more chocolate into your lasagna, consider mixing in a bit of cocoa powder in with the graham cracker crust or sprinkling the dessert with mini chocolate chips.
To make sure the pineapple and strawberries are drained well, try running water over them while they’re in a colander or strainer. It’s an easy way of removing the juices they’re packaged in.

Ham & Swiss Crustless Quiche

Budget Bytes book, pg 27

Sweet Potato Cornbread

1 medium sweet potato (about 1 lb.)
1.5 cups yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
¾ cup milk
2 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
½ Tbsp canola or vegetable oil for the skillet


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Beet Bread

Ingredients

3/4 cup warm water
1 1/2 cups raw beet puree (about 2 1/2 peeled medium beets)*
3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast


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Chocolate Dump-It Cake

2cups sugar
4ounces unsweetened chocolate
1stick unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
2cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pan
2teaspoons baking soda
1teaspoon baking powder
1teaspoon salt
1cup milk
1teaspoon cider vinegar
2eggs
1teaspoon vanilla
1 ½cups Nestle's semisweet-chocolate chips
1 ½cups sour cream, at room temperature



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Mushroom and Taleggio macaroni cheese

20g dried mixed forest mushrooms
2/3 cup boiling water
375g orecchiette (or other short pasta)
65g butter
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 cup milk
200g brown mushrooms, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to serve
150g taleggio, diced (see Note)
50g stale sourdough bread, finely chopped
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil


*** Taleggio is an Italian washed rind cheese. It has a strong aroma but a mild taste. There is no need to discard the rind as it will impart flavour. You could replace the taleggio with another washed rind cheese ***

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Autumn Delight Baked Oatmeal

Budget Bytes book, pg 20

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal

Budget Bytes book, pg 18