Onion Bhajias

Bhajias are a staple at any Indian tea party in South Africa. These light and fluffy savoury bites are also known as pakoras, bhajis or "chilli bites".  Now although I try to eat healthily and avoid deep fried foods, an occasional bhajia cannot be resisted!

There are various ready-made bhajia mixes available in boxes in supermarkets but it is simple to make your own mix with fresh spices. When I was growing up in Durban, every Indian household had a copy of "Indian Delights", an essential book with all recipes for basic Indian meals and festive foods. I still consult my copy regularly and gain inspiration from the recipes in it. This recipe comes from this iconic South African recipe book.

Once you've made the basic batter it's really up to you what vegetables and herbs you choose to make the bhajias with. Here I've made onion bhajias with white onions, spring onions and coriander. You could also use spinach, eggplant slices, mushrooms, cauliflower, etc.

The most essential ingredient is besan flour, also known as chana, gram or chickpea flour. It can be found in Indian grocery stores and I even found it in my local, inner Sydney Coles supermarket in the gluten-free section.

They are usually served as part of an Indian high tea or as a starter before a main course. Chilli sauce or cucumber and mint raita (a yoghurt-based sauce) are good dips to accompany these light and tasty fritters. Be warned... they're very moreish!

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Pyramidal Cheesecake

There are certain desserts that represent a certain country and this cheesecake is an example of a South African favourite. Tennis biscuits are South Africans' favourite coconut biscuit. I have not found a similar buttery coconut biscuit made anywhere else. Being very moreish, they're always welcomed at tea-time. These biscuits are an essential ingredient in this pyramidal cheesecake that yields pretty triangular slices. Any crumbly, square shaped (preferably coconut flavoured) biscuit could also be used if you're unable to find any Tennis biscuits.

I have been fortunate to always being able to locate these biscuits in South African food stores in England and Sydney. Their taste takes me back to my childhood when it was not uncommon for dinner guests to arrive with a pack of these biscuits as a gift. The combination of Tennis biscuits, sweetened cream cheese, fresh cream, chocolate and strawberries is a match made in heaven!

This cheesecake needs to be made a day in advance as it's best if frozen overnight and garnished with whipped fresh cream the next day. This softens the outer biscuits and makes it melt in your mouth!

Be imaginative with the decoration. Glace cherries, shaved chocolate and fruit can be used to garnish the cake as well. I've used chocolate hearts here to create our anniversary cake.  I've been making this cheesecake for my husband from the time I first met him and it still tickles his tastebuds!

It's an easy no-bake cheesecake with a unique appearance and bound to create "wows" at the table!

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Greek Custard Pastry (Galaktoboureko)

There's nothing like eating food you grew up with to remind you of home.  I was only really introduced to Greek desserts when I met my husband but I have grown to love the sweetness and simplicity of Greek sweets. He craves these sweet delights frequently and I have been challenged to make them just like his mother does.

Acquiring a good Greek desserts recipe book was therefore a priority during our courtship. I became familiar with Vefa Alexiadou on Greek morning television and realised that she was to Greece what Martha Stewart is to America or Delia Smith is to Britain. I have tried her recipes for over a decade now and am always pleased with the results.

Galaktoboureko is a deliciously sweet and comforting treat. It consists of a custard layer sandwiched between layers of buttered phyllo sheets and soaked in a lemony syrup after baking. My mother-in-law always makes this for us whenever we visit her in Greece. It is one of my husband's favourite desserts.

It is made in a large Pyrex rectangular glass tray and is ideal for dinner parties, although my husband is quite comfortable eating the whole trayful over a few days!

There are just a few basic ingredients needed. The custard is smooth and creamy, every mouthful a delightfully comforting experience within the syrupy phyllo pastry.

I have cut the galaktoboureko into a circular piece here for a modern presentation of a very traditional Greek dessert. My husband's only complaint about this is that his favourite piece is η γωνία (the corner piece)!

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Banana fritters

There are always bananas in our home. Such a convenient, portable and healthy snack. Invariably though you end up with a very ripe banana that nobody feels like eating. Fritters are a perfect way to make a ripe banana go a long way.

There are various ways I serve up these fritters, largely dependant on the formality of the occasion and on how many guests there are to serve. Recently I had a couple of friends over for an impromptu dinner and when stuck for a quick dessert idea, looked at the lone ripened banana in the fruit tray and decided on fritters! I fried up a batch after the main course, dusted them with cinnamon sugar and drizzled dark chocolate all over! Amazing! 4 forks sharing from a loaded plate, everyone nodding in mutual appreciation, it was really good fun.

For just a quick tea-time treat, roll the hot fritters in caster sugar that you've sprinkled some powdered cinnamon into and enjoy.

These fritters remind me of home. They were usually made on a rainy day to cheer us up. There's no doubt these sunshine-filled fritters will bring some cheer to you too.

When you really feel like indulging, go ahead and drizzle melted chocolate over and don't hesitate to have a large scoop of vanilla ice-cream on the side too.

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