The mess

One of the problems with cooking with kids is the mess. Grit your teeth and enjoy it. It's all part of the fun - although mum and dad have to wash up when the little ones are fast asleep!

Queen of puddings

3 Tbps jam
450 mls milk
1/2 cup sugar
25g butter
3 eggs, separated
100g Madeira or sponge cake (or breadcrumbs)
Tin pie apples

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.

Spread the jam over the bottom of a baking dish.

Heat milk, butter and five table spoons of sugar in a saucepan, stirring until all ingredients are dissolved. Place the egg yolks in a bowl and crumble the cake over them. Pour the hot mixture over this while stirring. Bake in oven until set.

Remove to cool.

Spoon the pie apples over the mixture.

Whisk egg whites and sugar. Spoon over the pudding.

Bake until meringue is brown.

Cottage pie

8 medium potatoes
Frozen veg. (soaked in boiling water)
1 onion
1 pepper
Ginger / garlic
Herbs / spices
500 g mince
1 cup grated cheese
Milk

Quarter the potatoes and boil until tender.

Brown the onion, ginger, garlic, mince and pepper. Add herbs / spices. When warm add frozen veg.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.

When potatoes cooked, mash with milk and cheese until smooth.

Place mince etc. into oven-proof pot.

Cover with mashed potatoes and brown in oven. (About 20 minutes)

Calzone

Puff pastry
Ham / salami
Red pepper
Onion
Garlic / ginger
3 tomatoes

Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees C
Fry all ingredients until cooked and tender
Cut a square of pastry, place ingredients down one side, fold over in half, moisten edges and seal.
Bake for 20 minutes or until pastry is golden.