♥ a food, travel and lifestyle blog ♥
Taking three spices that work really well together, I made these spiced cookies. The recipe only makes 6 but can easily be doubled, or trebled. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Spiced Cookies ♥ Ginger Fresh ginger has a lot more heat than dried ginger, which is what was used for this recipe. … Continue reading Spiced Cookies
I very seldom make a recipe again once I have perfected it. This mainly has to do with my blog, as most things I make are for this space. My recipe for blistered tomatoes is barely a recipe! But I am sharing it here as the result was so good, Dave had me make these … Continue reading Blistered Tomatoes
25 Alive opening lines: Just after six that morning, Warren Jacobi, a sixty-year-old retired homicide lieutenant and former chief of police, parked his Ford F-150 within walking distance of one of the eastern entrances to Golden Gate Park. My blurb: Lindsay will do everything in her power to solve the murder of her friend, and … Continue reading 25 Alive, James Patterson
These beef patties are super simple to make, and extremely flavourful. You can change up the herbs and spices to use what you have in your pantry, so take this recipe as inspiration. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Beef Patties ♥ Making Beef Patties You would think it would be easy to … Continue reading Beef Patties
May 2025 started off with us ending our 5 day trip to explore more of our lovely country. I had been in Johannesburg so Dave collected me from George airport which is along the route to Knysna. We spent a night there with friends before heading into the Baviaanskloof for a night. It took us … Continue reading May 2025 Showcasing In My Kitchen
Open Season opening lines: The images were grainy and blurred. But they told a story. The storyteller was a camera perched above the entrance to Westside Acu-Care Hospital on National Boulevard, a short stroll west of Robertson. My blurb: The question on everyone's mind is how are these seemingly random killings connected? What is the … Continue reading Open Season, Jonathan Kellerman
In January, Dave and I went out for a quick meal at Vilamoura Portuguese Grillhouse. Based in Strand, this small eatery offers up authentic Portuguese food. Vilamoura Portuguese Grillhouse We tend to eat the same meal when we go there, but this visit, I tried to order something new. Dave suggested we start with the Portuguese … Continue reading Vilamoura Portuguese Grillhouse
Adapting a recipe from Angie's Recipes, I made malt bread over the summer. Using Cotswold crunch flour and malt syrup this was a lovely loaf of bread and perfect for toasting. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Malt Bread ♥ My malt bread Summer months for me are all about bread making. My … Continue reading Malt Bread
I have wanted to try tempering using a marble block, and when I got this gold chocolate I thought it would be the best opportunity to do so. The method is quite tedious, and time consuming. And it should be done in cool climatic conditions, and not in the heat of summer! Head straight on … Continue reading Gold Chocolate
Nothing about these sourdough poppadoms are traditional. They are not made with lentil, rice or chickpea flour. And they are not deep fried. But, they are thin and crispy and perfect to go with any Indian food. These are baked in the oven which is perfect for me, as I am not a fan of … Continue reading Sourdough Poppadoms
Today's recipe for sourdough cranberry nut rolls is courtesy of Green Gourmet Giraffe. Not only did I make rolls, but I made a loaf of bread as well. I decided to try this as an alternative to the rolls, and can say I am pleased I did. We had this sliced, toasted and slathered in … Continue reading Sourdough Cranberry Nut Rolls
The recipe for these chocolate oat biscuits comes from Sherry. She is the hostess of our monthly IMK series, a great doodler, and bakes really delicious looking treats. These were really good, and a recipe that can be easily adapted. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Chocolate Oat Biscuits ♥ Oats and the … Continue reading Chocolate Oat Biscuits
We All Live Here opening lines: There is a framed photograph on Lila's bedside table that she hasn't yet had the energy, or perhaps the inclination, to get rid of. My blurb: Lila's life is complicated. Her ex-husband lives down the road, with his new partner and her child. Her step-father moved in to 'fill … Continue reading We All Live Here, Jojo Moyes
The text and photographs for the post on Exploring Japan’s High-Speed Rail: Tokyo to Kyoto by Bullet Train was provided to me. Exploring Japan’s High-Speed Rail: Tokyo to Kyoto by Bullet Train Japan’s high-speed rail network is one of the most efficient and comfortable ways to explore the country, offering a seamless connection between major … Continue reading Exploring Japan’s High-Speed Rail: Tokyo to Kyoto by Bullet Train
When I saw a recipe on Balvinder's blog using maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and rosemary to flavour roasted nuts and seeds, I knew I was going to make them. I use nuts and seeds as a daily snack, to fill the gap between lunch and our early evening crudités. Head straight on to the Recipe … Continue reading Roasted Nuts And Seeds
I so loved the texture of my crown sourdough challah that I used the recipe as a base for these sourdough rolls. These lasted a few days as it was only Dave and I enjoying them over our December break. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Sourdough Rolls ♥ Sourdough Rolls Flashback to … Continue reading Sourdough Rolls
Paranoia opening lines: Ralph Stein tried to swallow. His throat was too dry. He's been in tight spots before, but nothing like this. My blurb: Mary Catherine is trying to keep it together, but life doesn't work the way she wants it to. Confined to bed, she has to let the children get on with … Continue reading Paranoia, James Patterson
April 2025 was quite a month. We had a slew of public holidays, which meant a lot of days off work. Had the weather been perfect for all of them, we could have sat outside with our feet in the pool. But days off work did not bring sunshine. We went out for dinner a … Continue reading April 2025 Showcasing In My Kitchen
In The Table, Elmarie shares with us her memories of her childhood garden. They remind me so much of growing up in a Lebanese neighbourhood. It was so easy for me to chose recipes from this book, as this is how we eat. Embark on a culinary journey with Elmarie Berry that blends the vibrant flavours … Continue reading The Table, Elmarie Berry
The Crash opening lines: I've never killed anyone before. I'm not a murderer. I'm a good person. I don't lie. My blurb: The only thing Polly wants is a child, and she will do anything to have one. She goes out of her way to help Sadie, the girl next door. But it has consequences she … Continue reading The Crash, Frieda McFadden