More pantry basics

I have found a couple more pantry basics that I thought might be useful!

We put some thai coriander on the bagel crisp layered with a sundried tomato. Delicious!

Gingerbread men

Ingredients

• 125g dairy free spread (Olivani), at room temperature
• 100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
• 125ml (1/2 cup) golden syrup
• 1 egg, separated
• 375g (2 1/2 cups) plain flour
• 1 tbs ground ginger
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• Plain flour, to dust
• 150g (1 cup) pure icing sugar, sifted
• 8-10 drops red liquid food colouring (if desired)
• 8-10 drops green liquid food colouring (if desired)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Get two baking trays ready.

2. Use an electric beater to beat the dairy-free spread and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined. Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Press dough into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.

3. Meanwhile, place egg white in a clean, dry bowl. Use an electric beater to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add icing sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Divide icing among 3 bowls (if desired). Cover 1 bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Add red colouring to 1 bowl and stir until combined. Add green colouring to remaining bowl and stir until combined. Place in plastic bags with a seal and place in the fridge.

4. Place the dough between 2 sheets of baking paper (baking paper should be cut to be same size as baking tray) and roll out until about 4mm thick. Peel off 1 sheet and place baking paper with dough on baking tray. Use a 9cm gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes and remove excess dough.

5. Repeat for the second tray.

6. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven. Transfer to a rack to cool.

7. Cut a small hole in a corner of each icing bag. Pipe icing over gingerbread men to decorate.

Lamb mince patties

Ingredients

Lamb mince 1kg
1 onion finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon dry chilli flakes
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 egg

Method
Mix and form into six patties.
Fry in a frying pan with some oil until cooked through.