Chocolate Mud Cake

Chocolate Mud Cake with Swiss Buttercream recipe

Preparing-for-the-baby-shower

I was so sad to say goodbye to Kelly my beautiful daughter in law who has been visiting from California.  I know she’s had an amazing time seeing her friends and family, and fitting in her baby shower, a bachelorette party, and a wedding, all in two weeks. She has also given me some of her super healthy recipes, which I will be sharing with you soon. Try her Healthy Breakfast Granola, you wont eat any other granola once you have tasted it. Also take a look at her collection of African crafts that she sells in the USA – http://www.kithiafrica.com/ Continue Reading

April 18, 2013
Watermelon and feta salad

Watermelon and Feta Salad

Despite the enormous gratification biting into a simple slice of watermelon can bring, there is another ingredient that complements watermelon, and that  is feta.  The salty creaminess of a really good feta turns the simple watermelon into a special treat.  Add olives and red onion and you have the making of an amazing summer salad.  This is a really old recipe that my friend Carol who owns the very beautiful Thistle Hill Guesthouse in New South Wales, Australia, gave me years ago, and this summer I dug it out of my recipe archives, and it “wowed” everyone that ate it. Continue Reading

April 9, 2013
Quinoa salad

Quinoa Salad with Haloumi and Sweet Potato

My first encounter with Quinoa was eight years ago when my daughter,  Michelle,  and I went to Peru and stayed at the beautiful  “Wilka Tikka” , a sanctuary in the Sacred Valley  of the Inka below Machu Picchu. We ate quinoa  in our breakfast muesli, in soups, main courses and baked into delicious desserts. With its abundant healing gardens in the Andes, all meals were vegetarian, with organic home grown vegetables, colorful edible flowers, wholegrains , legumes, and samplings of the 365 varieties of potatoes native to the Andes, including camote (sweet potatoes). Continue Reading

April 3, 2013
sugar art

Sugar Art and Vanilla Cupcakes

 

On Saturday Helen and I spent a great day with Grace from Cupcakes by Design , and  Sandy from Sugar Art Studio, learning the intricacies of Sugar Art.  In the morning we learned how to decorate with buttercream swirls and “Fantasy Flowers” and the afternoon session was  using fondant to create “Couture Cupcakes”. We had such fun and are both totally inspired, after learning some amazing skills from Grace, who pushed me to do a few things I would not normally have done.  Please note Grace, that the blue cupcake didn’t make this post as I couldn’t bring myself to  add it in. Way over the top for my liking. Continue Reading

March 27, 2013
sweet and sour pickles

Sweet and Sour Bread and Butter Pickle

 A kitchen cupboard stacked with delicious jars of home made preserves is a very rewarding sight, but these days its so easy to get a bottle off the supermarket shelf, and there are so many to choose from, so why make them yourself.  Originally it was a necessity to provide food for the lean months, but today there are many reasons why we should preserve foods. It is an economical way of using seasonal food that is cheap, and for those who grow their own , its a way of making good use of  the excess.Its also very satisfying, and you can try out unusual flavour combinations that are unlikely to be found in a commercial product.

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March 18, 2013
Schweine Jane Dusseldorf

Schweine Janes – Dusseldorf

If you are ever planning a trip to Dusseldorf, be sure to take the time to visit Schweine Janes in the city centre. It is conveniently located in the old part of town on one of the main strips.  Here you can sit on the sidewalk and enjoy your food with a cold beer and watch the people going by.  But be warned, you need to get there early  or be prepared to stand in line for one of the delicious pork dishes they serve.  We seriously got there midmorning for our lunchtime meal, as we were on a tight schedule and did not have the time to wait. Continue Reading

March 1, 2013
Carrot cake

Carrot Cake

 It goes without saying that my friend Vanessa makes the best carrot cake I have ever tasted. Carrot cakes never date and everyone loves them.  They are packed with chunky nuts , healthy carrots , coconut, and of course for me, my all time favorite spice, which I cant get enough of CINNAMON.

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February 23, 2013
Pasta with peppers

Pasta with Grilled Peppers and Chili

 If you are looking for a healthy pasta without any frills, this one is for you. There is no cream or tomatoe sauce added, its just fresh and aromatic , and the flavour of the sweet peppers shines through. You can whip this little dish up in a matter of minutes, and if you are into heat, add some jalepenos at the end for an extra little bite.

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February 16, 2013
Angel food cake

Angel Food Cake

  If you haven’t already tried an Angel Food Cake, then you are missing out on something really great.  Its named for its airy lightness that was said to be the “food of Angels”.  And believe me its so soft and ethereal that its the perfect thing to serve to your “Angel” on Valentines day.  Eat it plain with a dusting of icing snow or serve with berries and cream, lemon curd, or with a splash of a creamy liquor.

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February 11, 2013