Croutons - What do to with leftover bread

This is a bit like... as the saying goes "teaching  your Mother how to suck eggs" 

But just another way to use up your leftover baguette.

Yesterday I forgot I had bought a baguette to have with our lunch...silly me... so there it was sitting on the stairs. Shame to waste, so this morning I made croutons 

So so simple, just slice the baguette,  lay them on a tray, spray with olive oil and 

sprinkle sea salt flakes over them 

As easy as that

Bake in 160 degree C oven for about 15 minutes

turn the tray around for even baking

and back in for about another 5 mins

They should be golden and crunchy 

Pop them on a rack to cool

Great with soup

or with your favourite dip, in this case Hummus dressed with Lemon Olive Oil

And a couple of leaves of Coriander and few littles of Fresh Chili

Just to pretty it up

Yum

Not Only Spinach But Also Mushroom - Little Pastries to Have with Drinks

Two of my favourite appetizers to have with drinks.
Mushroom Savouries and Spinach Puffs

Both have been particularly popular when I've served them

I had some mushroom filling leftover, so what better way to use it up try the Spinach Puff Method

So here ya go...yet another idea to feed those guests

Mushroom Filling.
¼ cup unsalted butter
4 green onions chopped
2 tablespoons minced parsley
2 tablespoons minced chives
250 gm mushrooms finely chopped
3 tablespoons flour
¾ cup cream
¼ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme finely chopped
¼ teaspoon cayenne
1 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt
1 tablespoons lemon juice
Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets
Grated Parmesan Cheese.
2 tablespoons butter at room temperature

1 large tomato deseeded and cut into cubes

Parsley chopped 

1 egg beaten with a little water

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat
Add green onions parsley and chives

Cook until wilted about 3 minutes
Add mushrooms
Cook 10 minutes, or until liquid evaporates.
Sprinkle flour over mixture, stir till blended
Cook 2 minutes stirring it will be dry be careful it doesn’t stick to pan.
Stir in cream, thyme cayenne freshly ground black pepper, salt and lemon juice.
Reduce heat to low cook 5 minutes or until thickened.
Cool
Meanwhile defrost the pastry and cut into 9 squares

Lightly grease mini patty tins, Press each square into a hole
Fill with Mushrooms and put a little cube of tomato on  top

Finely grate Parmesan Cheese over the top

Fold the edges in and pop a piece of parsley on top

Brush with egg wash and bake at 190C
Turn the tray once after 15 mins, then continue to bake until Golden
About another 10 minutes

Here they are all packed up ready for me to deliver today

Can't wait to try them

Have You Tried This Dip It’s Amazing - Hot Black Bean Tex Mex Dip

That was the cry from a satisfied guest
We were holding a celebration drinks party for my Daughter’s Graduation
I was on food,
I made some of the usual Suspects
Chicken Sandwiches, Spinach Puffs, Mushroom Tarts, Guacamole, Blinis with Creme Fraiche and Smoked Salmon
We thought we should try something new... A Hot Bean Dip perhaps?
So I surfed the Net and found this recipe on the Allrecipes site
This is a keeper and we will make it again
It’s not the prettiest dish but look at the wonderful ingredients

So you will need
1 400 gm can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh corn kernels
3/4 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup mild picante sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup shredded Tasty cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 


Place black beans in a medium size mixing bowl,
partially mash beans -- beans should remain a little chunky.
Add cumin

In a medium size frying pan, heat oil over a medium heat. 
Stir in onion and garlic and sauté for 4 minutes.
Mix beans, corn, tomato, picante sauce, and chili powder into the frying pan; 
Cook for 5 minutes or until thickened.

Remove the pan from the heat,
Mix in cheese, cilantro and lime juice; 
Stir until cheese is melted. 

Corn chips best on the side