Bacon & Zucchini Slice with Mr Kenwood

I love my food processor. I do.

Most people will have their toaster and kettle living on their kitchen bench but my food processor owns top spot on my kitchen bench. I use my food processor (with all its fantastic attachments) pretty much everyday.

I was bought up with the conception that these 'things' (food processors) were annoying to use. Because, 1) you have to pull the big bulky thing out of a cupboard from a really awkward spot. 2) Then all the clunky attachments, which seem to be annoying. 3) And then the hassle of hand washing all the pieces because that's the way it should be done.

Ah Fooey! All lies. Lies I tell you!

How great to have all my things.... diced, chopped, mixed, grated, sliced, whisked, juiced, blended.... within seconds! And I put it all (except the rubber of the blender) into the dishwasher... no hassle at all!

Jamie Oliver's show 30 Minute Meals specializes in fast meals made specifically using the help of our friend The Beloved Food Processor. I love this cook book and have enjoyed many meals out of it so far... with the help of my trusty friend Mr Kenwood, of course.

I whipped up this delicious bacon and zucchini slice for lunch with the help of Mr Kenwood. He grated the cheese and zucchini, And diced the bacon, onion and garlic. Easy, made in less than 10 minutes. Yum.

Recipe
375g (or 2 medium) Zucchinis
1 Cup Grated Cheese
1 chopped Onion
5 Rash diced Bacon
1 clove Garlic
5 Eggs
1 Cup SR Flour
Season with Salt & Pepper
Sesame Seeds

Combine all ingredients, stir to combine well.
Pour into a baking dish and sprinkle top with sesame seeds.
Bake for 30-35 mins on 180 degrees C.

OTHER THINGS I use my food processor for:
Onions - to chop or slice onions any time I need too. I have a Tupperware one but I find this so much faster and easier.
Spaghetti bolognaise - to chop onion and capsicum. To grate carrot and zucchini. And finally grate cheese. No need to rinse between processes.
Banana cake - to purée the banana. Works a treat.
Pesto - the whole lot is made here.
Potato bake - in minutes it's in the oven! To finely slice whole potatoes and onions. And once again grating the cheese.
Cakes - some cakes are made partially or completely with the use of my food processor.
Sugar - to make my own castor sugar or icing sugar if I am desperate.

Please let me know if I have inspired you to pull your food processor out and give it a go for a week! They become such a handy tool to have in the kitchen.

Quiche

Quiche, easy peasy and no recipe needed? I think yes.
Don't think too hard about quiches, just think scrambled eggs with some additions.

Blind bake your puff pastry, then bake for another 5 mins.

I like to leave a nice pastry overhang for extra goodness.
Add your ingredients and cook for a good 30-40 mins on 180 degrees.

Ingredients guide:

About 4-6 eggs depending on the size of dish

A good pour of cream and a teaspoon of Lemon Pepper and a bit of salt

Meats: Ham, Bacon, Salami, Prosciutto 

Veg: Red/White Onion, Shallots, Spinach, Capsicum, Olives, Chives

Additional: Chopped Cream cheese, pine nuts, other herbs

I love using my Maxwell & Williams Microstoven dish. The quiche, or whatever you cook, does not stick to the dish, so I don't need to grease. If you have never seen Microstoven, you must look it up. You know how Jamie Oliver always cooks in a dish and then puts it into the oven? This is the stuff you can use. Which is the only reason why I bought it. Can be used in the microwave, on the stove top and in the oven. Genius!

To see the Microstoven range click here

Cake No More (for now)

It seems that I have enjoyed my winter baking just a little too much, so to get a kick start into summer I am working on my savory dishes and finding that these can be just as tempting... mostly thanks to Mr Oliver.

Yummo, I don't usually eat mushrooms but these stuffed mushrooms with a kick of chilli are the bomb. Accompanied by steak with some homemade jarred bell peppers.