Damson Brandy

Ingredients
1lb damsons
4-8oz sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)
1ltr cheap brandy

Method
1. Sterilise a large jar that is big enough to contain all the ingredients.
2. Put all the damsons and sugar into the jar. Add brandy and fill to top of the jar,
covering the fruit. Make sure the lid is firmly on and give it a good shake to disperse sugar.
3 . Put into a cool dark place; shake daily for a week, then once a week for a month.
4 . The brandy will be ready by Christmas. Decant into sterilised bottles.

Status
Currently steeping - although did end up making mega quantities in order to fill a demi-john.

Apple and Courgette Cake

Ingredients
250g courgette, coarsely grated
200g self raising flour
150g caster sugar
50g soft brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
250g cooking apple, cored and grated
100g sultanas
2 medium eggs, beaten
50ml rapeseed oil

Method
1. Heat oven to 180C / 160C fan / Gas4.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and bicarbonate of soda. Squeeze any excess moisture from the courgettes and add them to the flour with the apple and sultanas. Stir to mix – you should have a fairly wet mixture.
3 Beat the eggs and oil together and stir into the cake mixture. Scrape into the cake tin and bake for 45 minutes–1 hour until risen and firm. A skewer inserted into the middle should come out clean. Turn the cake out and cool on a wire rack.

Status
Tried (21/8/11) - only used 150g of flour and think it needed a bit more - otherwise very nice!
28/8/11 - tried it with all apples instead of courgette / apple - worked fine - very nice, although still quite 'dense'.

Shortbread

Ingredients
130g unsalted butter
60g caster sugar
130g plain flour
60g rice flour
Pinch of salt

Method
1.  Cream together butter and caster sugar

2.  Add plain flour, rice flour and pinch of salt

3.  Smooth together and put into pan (mark / cut into pieces)

4.  Bake in oven at 170C for 30-35 mins

5.  Sprinkle with caster sugar and eat!

Status

Untried - saw this one on a TV cookery programme - looked nice!

Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients
1/2 head raw cauliflower, grated
2 onions

1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp ginger
3 tbsp Soy Sauce
3 eggs, beaten
Cooked Chicken, Prawns, etc.

Method
1.  Fry garlice with finely chopped onions for approximately 1 minute. Add grated cauliflower and fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soy, ginger, and pre-cooked meat or prawns. Stir to mix well and brown a bit. Push mixture to one side of pan. 

2.  Scramble eggs in empty side of pan until done but still moist. Stir eggs into “rice” mix and remove from heat.

Status

Very nice too - works well, and makes a tasty Dukan Diet friendly meal.