My husband’s birthday was celebrated at home with family this year. I was “released” from full bed rest (which I was placed on due to pregnancy-related issues caused by a subchorionic hematoma) two days before the event. After being largely immobile for over two months, I couldn’t wait to get back into a little light…
Cooking
PROJECT PINTEREST (AKA Just do it!)
Ok, so I have officially been using Pinterest for a year now and despite 396 pins thus far and over two dozen boards, until yesterday I had yet to make even one pinned recipe or complete a single DIY/craft project. It is one thing to simply collect images and ideas that momentarily make you feel…
CHOCOLATE-FILLED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES (AKA can you really go wrong with 3 types of chocolate?)
My husband’s birthday was a simple affair this year. After a long day/week in the office he decided that a visit from his close family, some take-away food and a comfy spot on the couch were all that he wanted in the way of a birthday celebration. I, on the other hand, think that no…
APPLE PIE (AKA autumn perfection)
Autumn. Apple pie. Perfection. Need I say more? APPLE PIE Prep Time: 30 Min, Cook Time: 60 Min INGREDIENTS: 1 quantity of pastry for a 9 inch double-crust pie 115 g unsalted butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 60 ml water 100 g white sugar 110 g packed brown sugar 7-8 peeled, cored and sliced Granny Smith…
EASY DOUBLE-CRUST PASTRY (AKA pastry making for dummies?)
A recipe that I sought out/discovered by necessity (in order to make an apple pie), and one that I will keep and cherish! As a double-crust pastry novice, I experienced the nervousness associated with lovingly making a wonderful apple pie filling yet not knowing whether the pastry would be a success or spell disaster. I…
CHERRY JAM (AKA 3 basic ingredients and a whole lot of love)
A lazy Saturday afternoon on a sunny late summer’s day resulted in an impromptu trip to my in-laws’ place, and an afternoon spent picking cherries whilst my baby (squealing with delight the entire time) felt the grass between his toes. At home later on that day, I came across a recipe for cherry jam that, although…
EASY PEANUT SATAY SAUCE (faster than ordering take-away!)
I have always wanted to make my own satay sauce and this one was so delicious, so easy and inexpensive to make, that I doubt I will ever order a satay dish from my local Thai restaurant again! This creamy satay sauce works well with any stir fried protein/vegetable combination (or grilled skewers) and is…
ONE-WEEK VEGAN ADVENTURE: the results
Firstly, I should mention that I did not embark upon this adventure solo. My husband was happy to join in. We were fortunate enough to have my parents staying with us during this time and they too agreed to support me in eating vegan for a week. Although my parents seemed keen to aid me,…
HUMMUS
HUMMUS Prep Time: 5 Min INGREDIENTS: 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 can chickpeas, with some liquid reserved Juice of 1/2 a lemon 2 tbsp tahini 1/4 – 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cumin Black pepper to taste 2 tbsp olive oil plus extra DIRECTIONS: Combine garlic and chickpeas (with a little reserved liquid) in a blender. Add lemon juice,…
TOMATO AND BASIL PASTA SAUCE
There are plenty of organic ready-made pasta sauces available these days, but nothing beats the taste and satisfaction of a pasta sauce made on your own stove top. This is a highly adaptable basic sauce, yummy the way it is and easily customiseable with the addition of other simple ingredients. TOMATO AND BASIL PASTA SAUCE…