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Exit Strategy opening lines: Nathan Gilmour knew things that other people did not. People, like his coworkers at the Port Administration in Baltimore. My blurb: Usually, Reacher is at the right place, at the right time. But, this time, even though he is at the right place at the right time. He is the wrong … Continue reading Exit Strategy, Lee Child
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is a chocolate based dessert heavy on the cherries. It served as inspiration for my black forest rusks which are full of chocolate and cherries. As I used a sugar free 80% dark chocolate, these are not overly sweet. Skip ahead to the recipe for Black Forest Rusks Full disclosure These rusks did … Continue reading Black Forest Rusks
You will need a lot of patience to make these dried cherries. The total time they take to dehydrate will be anything from 9 hours onwards, depending on the texture you want. I preferred to use them when they were still soft. Skip ahead to the recipe for Dried Cherries Making dried cherries In December, … Continue reading Dried Cherries
Billion Dollar Ransom opening lines: Elizabeth "Boo" Schraeder couldn't help but smile as she settled the tab at her favourite Beverly Hills salon. My blurb: Everything has to go to plan! At the same time, in three different places, five people are going to be kidnapped. But, despite the kidnapper mastermind getting this correct, he … Continue reading Billion Dollar Ransom, James Patterson
Given that we had salami curing in our kitchen, I felt I really had to make the easy cheesy salami bread from Jan Braai Junior! This bread does not need kneading, making it perfect for young hands. The high hydration recipe results in a soft bread, with texture from the meat. Skip ahead to the … Continue reading Cheesy Salami Bread
The heat was relentless for most of February 2026 and I did very little in my kitchen. We had one day of rain which was most welcome for my garden, and the water tank. On Valentines Day I prepared a meal I have been planning a long time. I made ravioli stuffed with burrata and … Continue reading February 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
Return of the Spider opening lines: My name is Alex Cross. I have been a criminal psychologist for the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit and am currently working - for the second time in my life - as a homicide detective with the Washing, DC, Metropolitan Police. My blurb: No matter where Alex is right now … Continue reading Return of the Spider
These recipes for comfort food are all about the good stuff. Karl says to be a cook, use your own judgement and not follow his recipes to the tee. It is important to think and use your senses, and this is exactly how I cook. Taste what you cook, while you are cooking it. The … Continue reading The Good Stuff, Karl Tessendorf
The key to making the perfect Maître d'Hotel Butter is to use the finest butter you can find. Once all the ingredients are blitzed together you can shape it into a log and wrap it tightly to use when you need a little oomph on a dish. Perfect to use on any steak, a beautifully … Continue reading Maître d’Hotel Butter
Cross & Sampson opening lines: My best friend, Alex Cross, has been my favourite ride-along ever since he joined the force, and that was a long time ago - before we both sported gray hair. My blurb: Damon Cross is missing, and Alex will move heaven and earth to find him. Bree cannot assist him … Continue reading Cross & Sampson, James Patterson
These candied ginger cookies get texture from the candied ginger slices, and extra heat from ground ginger. I absolutely love the flavour ginger brings to sweet treats, and if you are the same, then these are ideal for you. Skip ahead to the recipe for Candied Ginger Cookies Let's talk about candied ginger A few … Continue reading Candied Ginger Cookies
To have a change from my usual smoothie, I made this berry smoothie from Jan Braai Junior. As Jan suggests, this can be enjoyed in the car which is exactly where I have my smoothie every morning. Skip ahead to the recipe for Berry Smoothie Morning routines Do you have a morning routine? I do, … Continue reading Berry Smoothie
These almond cookies have the most amazing texture, reminiscent of marzipan. The key to the flavour in my opinion is using a very good quality almond extract. Skip ahead to the recipe for Almond Cookies Giving gifts The day I posted about not having to buy gifts for Dave's family, I went gift shopping. One … Continue reading Almond Cookies
These polpette in salsa al limone are baked in the oven for 2 and a half hours. That sounds like an impossibly long time for a meatball, but trust me, they will be perfectly moist. Make a double batch and freeze half for a quick weekday meal. Skip ahead to the recipe for Polpette In … Continue reading Polpette In Salsa Al Limone
Kladdkaka is a dense cake with a soft interior. Think of a molten chocolate cake with a crispy crust.You can serve it with a red fruit coulis, red summer fruits, cream, or ice cream. I served mine with an olive leaf gelato. Skip ahead to the recipe for Kladdkaka Sweet treats The name kladdkaka derives … Continue reading Kladdkaka
January 2026 started off with fireworks, and ended with me feeling exhausted. After weeks of good sleep, I told a friend how well I was sleeping, and jinxed it. By the second half of the month I could not get two nights' in a row of quality sleep. At the beginning of January, while my … Continue reading January 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
Gone Before Goodbye opening lines: I don't hear the scream. The nurse does. So does the anesthesiologist. I am too deep in the zone, the zone I can only enter in an operating theatre, when a sternum is cracked open like this, and my hands are inside the boy's chest. My blurb: Maggie knows Marc … Continue reading Gone Before Goodbye, Harlan Coben
Jan Braai Junior In The Kitchen is a recipe book for life's journey, starting in childhood. The recipes are great stepping stones to get youngsters involved in the kitchen. Jan Braai Junior In The Kitchen is a cookbook for the next generation. Written in Jan Braai’s signature style, the easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes can be enjoyed … Continue reading Jan Braai Junior In The Kitchen
To make my microwave cheesecake I went and bought two new bowls from a local wholesaler. Then, to take a pretty photograph I decided to make two of these! I also used the excuse of perfecting the recipe to make them more than once, which meant I had a lot of cheesecake to enjoy. Skip … Continue reading Microwave Cheesecake
The text and photograph for the post on The 2-Ingredient Dessert Hack That Will Impress Your Dinner Guests was provided to me. The 2-Ingredient Dessert Hack That Will Impress Your Dinner Guests (No Baking Required) We have all been there. You have invited friends over for a Saturday night dinner, the wine is flowing, the … Continue reading The 2-Ingredient Dessert Hack That Will Impress Your Dinner Guests