Marius' Butternut Soup (Wheat, Gluten & Dairy Free)

We have beautiful memories of fantastic family holiday's with our extended family, from my husbands side. And on these holidays we usually take turns cooking to share the load. My Brother in Law, Marius, has on more than one occasion treated us to his delicious version of Butternut soup!

Photo credit: amuse -your-bouche.com

Marius'Butternut Soup

Ingredients:
45g Butter (DF: Olive oil)
1 Medium Butternut, diced into cubes
2 medium Onions
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled & diced.
1 Orange, grated rind and juice.
Pinch Nutmeg
5ml Curry powder
10ml Corn flour (Maizena)
500ml Chicken stock
500ml Hot milk, or half cream. (DF: Use Rice Milk)

Method:
1. In a large soup pot melt the butter. Add onions, butternut and apple and stir to coat. Cover and cook over the lowest possible heat for 10mins. Check that it doesn't burn.
2. Stir in curry powder, nutmeg and maizena, together with orange rind. Cook for 1 minute - to develop spices.
3. Pour in chicken stock and hot milk and bring to the boil, stirring. Adjust heat to simmer, covering to prevent too much evaporation. Cook for another 20 mins.
4. Remove from heat and purée soup.
5. Add the orange juice, and reheat, but do not boil.
6. Taste, and season if necessary.
7. Serve while piping hot!

Serves: 4 (Make x 4 to feed 16 people at Soup Socials!)

Day 6 Bonus! Chocolate and Orange Pudding (gluten & dairy free)

Photo Credit: Pick n Pay.co.za

OOh la la! This dessert is such a treat and it's super easy to make. The best way for me to describe it is to say that it's very much like a chocolate mousse, but it's baked and delicious warm. I've altered it to be made without dairy! I found the original recipe for Chocolate Orange Pudding in a Fresh living Magazine (Issue 62, June 2013). The recipe can easily be halved for a smaller crowd.

Chocolate Orange Pudding (gluten, wheat & dairy free)

Ingredients:
200g Dark chocolate
110g Sugar
3 large Eggs, separated
60ml Coconut milk (or yoghurt)
1 zest of Orange
6 tsp Butter, for greasing

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Melt the chocolate in a small saucepan, then whisk in the sugar.
3. Allow it to cool slightly then stir egg yolks and coconut milk, and orange zest.
4. Whisk the egg whites until light and fluffy. Fold into chocolate mixture.
5. Spoon into 6-8 greased ramekins or ovenproof pudding bowls and bake for 12 minutes until the outside is just set but the center is soft.

Serves 6-8

Marmalade!

It is oranges season, and they're selling them off in huge quantities. My kids are loving them fresh, but seeing as there's so much to go around I figured that when life throws you Oranges, MAKE MARMALADE!!! This is my Oma's recipe and since having made a couple of batches, I have recieved so many compliments. This recipe is really easy, and worthwhile.

Oma's Marmalade

Ingredients:
6 Oranges
2 Lemons
2 Litres water
2,5kg Bag Sugar
8 Sterilized Jam Jars

Method:
1. Thoroughly wash the fruit.
2. Slice the orange in half from top to bottom.
3. Now slice it finely, repeat with remaining oranges and lemons.
Beware to discard the pips!
4. Put the fruit and it's messy juices into a large cooking pot and cover with the water for 24 hrs.
5. The next day, bring the pot to the boil and gently simmer the fruit until soft (1hr)
6. Now add the sugar, stirring so that it doesn't catch on the pot.
7. Turn up the heat and keep stirring.
8. You know it's thick enough when you insert a spoon and the jam bubbles up around it, threatening to overflow!
9. Remove from the stove and carefully pour into 8 sterilized jam jars. Seal while hot.
10. Enjoy on fresh toast or give away as gifts!