hot cross buns

I used this breadmaker recipe again for hot cross buns. I had to go out specially for mixed spice, cinnamon and currants; having already put all the other ingredients in the breadmaker I couldn't just give up and but some! It always takes them ages to rise because I can't find anywhere warm enough so I end up with them in the oven on low. I piped on the crosses using water/butter/flour mixture and as soon as they were out of the oven I brushed them with sugar dissolved in hot milk, which makes them sticky.

ACE smoothie

Joy's been making a lot of this recently. The ACE stands for the vitamins A, C and E, and its based on the famous ACE drink, of LiDL, except it's nicer, of course! It's also inspired by a juice called something like 'energiser' or 'ginger spice' that they make in the the juice bar. It's not too gingery.

2 carrots
1-2 oranges
1 apple
1 pear
1 cm cube of ginger
about a cup of orange juice
juice of 1/2 lemon

blend!
enjoy!

Quintessential Quinoa

Serves 8
4 med. yellow onions, chopped
1 large red pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp of sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups of rinsed Quinoa
4 cups of water
2 vegetarian soup stock cubes

Add finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and salt to olive oil in wok and sauté until onions are slightly brown. Then add chopped red pepper and continue to sauté until onions are caramelized. Add water, stock cubes and rinsed quinoa and bring to a simmer. Stir once after five minutes then simmer for 35 minutes or until water has been cooked in.

(I just found this recipe here) and tried it out. We had it with 1/2 a baked potato, veggie sausage and salad. I thought it was nice and Joy did. The boys managed to eat most of it, which is pretty good for them. I've not tried quinoa before. I was thinking to treat it a bit like couscous, after it is cooked.

Also, I've just been given a load of ready- to-eat dried apricots, so need recipes for these, please!