The Naranga Newsletter

Home Economics 

with Ms Athiniotis

CINNAMON APPLE CAKE MADE IN THE MICROWAVE

This week our senior students learned how to make a cake in the microwave. The recipe is easy to prepare and cook. The students did a wonderful job preparing the silicone pan, making the cake batter, and preparing the apples. The cake is moist with apples and sultanas. Cinnamon and sugar work well with apples. 

Ingredients:

For the cake

Sunflower or vegetable oil for greasing

100g butter, cubed.

3 medium eggs

100g caster sugar

150g self-raising flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla essence

80g sultanas

For the topping

400g cooking apples (2 medium apples), peeled, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced.

2 tablespoons caster sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon    icing sugar, to serve (optional)

Instructions how to make:

 

 

  1. Lightly oil the inside of a 20cm square microwaveable dish. Line the base with baking paper so that two opposite sides are long enough to rise about 4 cm above the rim of the dish. 
  2. Put the butter in a microwavable bowl, cover and cook for 20 secs or until softened but not melted. Put the remaining ingredients, except the sultanas, in the bowl with the butter and beat hard with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until smooth and creamy. 
  3. Spoon into prepared dish and sprinkle the sultanas over the top. Put the apple slices in a large bowl and toss with the sugar and cinnamon. 
  4. Arrange the spiced apple slices over the cake batter. Cook the cake uncovered for 7 minutes or until the cake has risen and is firm, and the apples are soft. If too wet, return to microwave for another minute. Leave to stand for 5 minutes. Serve warm or cold, dusted with icing sugar, if you like. 

 

 

SLOPPY JOE MEATBALL SUBS     

Upper Juniors learned how to make meatballs in a spicy sauce. They enjoyed this on a toasted hamburger bun. You can substitute ingredients to make this recipe Gluten, Egg and Lactose friendly. Students enjoyed the mild flavours used in the sauce. You can increase the chili if you prefer it hotter.

 

 

Ingredients

2 eggs, lightly beaten.

1/4 cup canola oil, divided.

1 medium onion, finely chopped, divided.

1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs

1 teaspoon dried oregano or mixed herbs

500 g ground beef

1 can of tomato sauce

2 teaspoons mild Taco spice mix

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon mild tomato salsa

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (for each serving):

1 hot dog or hamburger bun, split and toasted.

2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions: 

In a large bowl, add the eggs, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 cup onion, breadcrumbs, and herbs. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. With wet hands, shape into balls.

Place meatballs on greased racks in shallow baking pans. Bake, uncovered, at 200° until no longer pink, 20-25 minutes or cook in an electric frypan.

Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, sauté remaining onion in remaining oil until tender. Stir in the tomato sauce, garlic powder, Taco spice mix, and tomato salsa and salt, (you can add a small amount water and brown sugar to cut the acidity). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. 

Drain meatballs on paper towels; add to sauce and stir to coat. To serve, place meatballs on a toasted bun and sprinkle with cheese.