♥ a food, travel and lifestyle blog ♥
I have partnered with Mediterranean Delicacies to bring you a recipe for fish cakes using their amazing range of fish I found at my local supermarket. The theme for my recipe is #AfroChic and it is the reason I chose to use Peppadews® as this piquanté pepper is a uniquely South African product. Skip ahead to the recipe for … Continue reading Fish Cakes
Pastry is one of those things that doesn't work perfectly well if the weather is not co-operating. Given that we have had a very hot summer, and mince pies needed making, I worked on adapting this recipe from Paul Hollywood until it could be used in any climate. This is my adaptation of Paul Hollywood's … Continue reading Paul Hollywood’s Pastry
Looking for something different to have for breakfast that offers variety as well as flavour, then look no further than this recipe for Gluten Free Cereal. Skip ahead to the recipe for Gluten Free Cereal Last year April when my parents came to visit I bought gluten free cereal for my dad. I decided there … Continue reading Gluten Free Cereal
Larousse (page 799) describe Pithivier as a large round puff pastry tart with scalloped edges, filled with an almond cream.This speciality of Pithiviers which is in the Orléans region of France, is traditionally served as a 12th night cake. Head straight on to the recipe for Pithivier ♥ 12 years ago, my friend’s daughter asked … Continue reading Pithivier
To me, Christmas morning has to start with mince pies. I like to make my own and before I can bake, I make Christmas mince. The longer I leave it to stand, the better the Brandy infuses into my mixture. Head straight on to the recipe for Christmas Mince ♥ Some things, like this Christmas … Continue reading Christmas Mince
Rhubarb Crumble Cheesecake combines the best of two worlds with a crumble topping and a rhubarb flavoured centre. Surrounded by a pastry layer, cake eating does not get much better than this. Skip ahead to the recipe for Rhubarb Crumble Cheesecake "First of all," he said, "if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll … Continue reading Rhubarb Crumble Cheesecake
Originating in Venice during the Renaissance, these fine paste treats, known all over the world as macarons, will take you on a taste trip to Paris. Head straight on to the recipe for Macarons ♥ I am never one to shirk away from a challenge! A macaron challenge was issue on my blog in 2010 and I … Continue reading Macarons
The recipe for these apple and jam bars uses almond flour. I made this from scratch using my KitchenAid Blender. Once again I was only going to make half of the recipe and I was not so keen on spending R117 for 350g of almond flour when I only needed 22.5 grams. I cannot believe … Continue reading Apple And Jam Bars
I have a very methodical way of dealing with my emails. I reply to them as soon as possible first and foremost. If they need further attention I leave them in my in-box, and if not, I move them to the appropriate folder. My friends send me recipes to try quite often and those go … Continue reading Gluten Free Nut And Seed Loaf
Blog-checking lines: For the August challenge Susan from The Kiwi Cook dared us to make healthy and wholesome raw ‘cheesecake’ with no cream cheese in sight! I believe fully in eating whole foods and not eliminating any one food group, unless totally necessary. For those of you who have followed this blog for a long … Continue reading Raw Cheesecake
This recipe for cocoa dusted amaretti biscuits has been adapted from Ottolenghi: The Cookbook. When I get a book to review, I choose the recipes I would like to make, or that interest me, based on their titles alone. The actual recipes I make are chosen by the publisher, after I submit a request. I … Continue reading Cocoa Dusted Amaretti Biscuits
Dave loves pistachio, and I decided to make a batch of pistachio brittle for him. And of course for myself. I also made gelato, as this is his favourite to order when we are in Italy. Skip ahead to the recipe for Pistachio Brittle I am one of those people who goes from having a … Continue reading Pistachio Brittle
Larousse Gastronomique (page 598) defines lamingtons as 'a small Australian cake, made from a square of sponge coated in chocolate icing and dipped in desiccated coconut' (abbreviated). Skip ahead to the recipe for Lamingtons The cakes are named after Lord Lamington who was the governor of Queensland from 1896-1901. The idea is to soak sponge … Continue reading Lamingtons
When we are in Italy I make sure that I get to have a gelato every single day. Dave usually has pistachio gelato but I will try a new flavour each visit. Pistachio Gelato Gelato costs in the region of €2 for both of us, which is about R26. For this we get a double scoop of … Continue reading Pistachio Gelato
Making marzipan at home is not a difficult process, and it reminds me of my grandfather and my mother. In the good old days, you would call a company when you had a query and speak to a real person who dealt with your issues. But now, everything we do can be handled online. Last September … Continue reading Marzipan
The last time I made rusks I asked for flavour suggestions and Julie of Gourmet Getaways suggested that I make either date and nuts, or peaches and nuts, and so I chose to make peach and pistachio rusks. Skip ahead to the recipe for Peach And Pistachio Rusks It is quite amazing just how intelligent dogs … Continue reading Peach And Pistachio Rusks
Last year I went for my first job interview in over 20 years. I was contacted by a PA of a company who were looking for someone to upload blog posts for them onto WordPress. I thought this would be a nice source of extra income, and the project sounded really good. In the follow … Continue reading Recipe For Rhubarb Crumble
I did not want to sit out this month's Daring Bakers' challenge, even though I have so many tarte tatin recipes on my blog, both sweet and savoury. I also had planned on making my own pastry, but decided it would be more prudent and cost saving to use what I already had in my freezer. … Continue reading Fig Tarte Tatin
I recently read an article titled 10 habits of the happily married (Fairlady February 2015) where couples were advised what it takes to make a marriage work and were given daily challenges. Some of these included speaking up; laughing together; being attentive; being kind; and appreciating. The daily challenge for the last one was to make … Continue reading Pistachio Paste
I love blogging and the opportunities that have come my way. But in the same breath I find some of the offers I receive to be totally ridiculous. It seems that PR Agencies do not take into account that there are costs involved with writing and maintaining this blog. I do my best to only … Continue reading Sweet Chilli Roasted Cashews