All posts filed under: In the kitchen

BreakEggfest

What’s for breakfast? This is probably the most simplest recipe I have put on Twistedvines, but one of my traditional favourites. Curried egg on toast. What better way to start the day, no fuss and nothing too fancy! Recipe: Curried Egg on toast 2 boiled eggs, peeled and smashed 1 teaspoon Keens curry powder 2 teaspoons mayonnaise salt and pepper to taste Place a small pot of cold water on stove, place two eggs in water just covered, when water is brought to boil leave for 2 minutes, turn off heat and leave to cool. When eggs are cool, peel and smash with a fork, add curry powder and mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Slice two thick pieces of bread, (no grain) and toast. All done, breakfast is served. Jazz it up by adding a little watercress and make a lunchtime sandwich. Enjoy! Yvette…x

Coconut Macaroons

What is it about shredded coconut, that just makes me think of snowflakes. Could it be its crisp colour of  whiteness of each shred, maybe it’s the softness as you bite into a ‘sweetie’ and shreds of coconut fall cascading from your bite, maybe it’s the softness of it’s touch and it’s melting texture in your mouth.  These wonderful  Coconut Macaroons are delicate and soft, smooth and melt in your mouth. So delicate are these Coconut Macaroons that you’ll forget how many you’ve had. They have a touch of honey ‘sweetness’ and a chewy soft coconut centre. Recipe: Coconut Macaroons 4 egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups shredded coconut pinch of salt 2/3 cup honey, slightly melted, 30 secs in microwave oven 1 teaspoon cream of tartar Preheat oven to moderate temperature of 190°C. In medium bowl, combine coconut, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in honey until well combined. In another bowl beat egg whites until firm peaks form. Fold in coconut mixture, add the cream of tartar. Using an ice cream scoop …

Cherished Chintz and Choc Chip Cookies

I have wanted a piece of chintz for a long time, I know many of you have such a cherished piece already in your keepsakes, a few months ago, an opportunity arose, for a little ‘indulgence’ so I bought this tiered stand and beautiful teapot. What better way to display these delicious choc chip cookies. A beautiful pink/crimson rose and apricot chintz with gold trimmings.   Royal Albert ‘Old Country Roses’ Chintz Collection and even better an original piece Made in England. Top layer Cherry Chocolate Cupcakes, bottom layer Choc Chip Cookies, read on for the recipe…

Kaleidoscope Colours

Mere colour, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways. – Oscar Wilde   Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. – Pablo Picasso The color of the object illuminated partakes of the color of that which illuminates it. – Leonardo di Vinci The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most. – John Ruskin Wishing you a colourful Friday….Yvette x

Frangipani Fig Tart with Almond Crumble

I’ve been changing recipes, adapting, researching and experimenting. The kitchen has been almost like a science lab. I started with an item I had purchased a couple of months ago at a market street stall. I had lots of ideas in mind of how I might use the product ‘tar10’ Sticky Fig, but as I’m limiting my grains, my idea of an upside cake was about to change. I then thought of a frangipani tart using almond meal,  the goddess of cooking had sprinkled her flour dust and I was on the search for ideas. I remember, Gary Mehigan from MasterChef Australia had made a Fig Tart with Pistachio Crumble, so what a great start to a recipe. I had also seen an easy gluten free tart crust made by Elana from Elana’s Pantry. So with a little dabble of one and a dash of another, with a few changes, I’m happy with the result.

Morning Sunshine

Breakfast is one of those meals where we all do something different! Grab a coffee, some cereal, maybe a piece of fruit on the run. Even skip it!  It was the custom in Italy to call into a corner bar, stand and grab a quick espresso and maybe a pastry and head off to work. Here in Australia it’s anything from coffee, toast and vegemite to a cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon and baked beans. I was an oatmeal and yoghurt girl, fresh fruit or toast and vegemite…things are a changing. Bread hasn’t been in my daily diet for approximately three weeks…so of course because I love the texture of bread, I had to research a little and find a non grain substitute. Now, the look of this bread might seem a little bland, but it has a wonderful ‘nutty’ texture, but hey not very exciting for the morning…how about a little boost of sunshine! Slices of ‘no grain’ bread made into delicious french toast. Soaked in two eggs for 2/3 minutes then fry in …

Soup Kitchen: Corn & Chicken

Here’s one of those quick light lunches, for you. One that is going to warm you up. Cuddle you… and we all need cuddling! A very tasty Corn & Chicken Soup. Not a soup that I’ve made before, but was teased to try the flavours. I’ve always seen  it on menu’s but have never tried it. It’s funny how the cooler days, we reach for boiling water, stock cubes and vegetables to satisfy our taste buds. Read on for the recipe…

Autumn Holidays

Busy days of late.  Autumn term break starts at the end of this week, and looking forward to time spent with ‘calmer’ days around home, behind the camera, and in the kitchen. Joining forces with my sister to prepare this morning tea: Fresh home made sushi, spring vegetable rolls, deep fried feta stuffed olives sticks, curried egg, honey leg ham and mustard tiered sandwiches, home made curried puffs, cream corn and tuna vol au vents, mascarpone, sun dried tomato and basil pesto pin wheels. Have a great week, Yvette…x

Coming up Old Country Roses

Trio Royal Albert : Yellow Rosebud I have a few passions in my life…(she smiles) is it more than a few, when you need both hands and feet to count. The first few on top of the list besides art, food, photography, would have to be old antique roses (you know the ones with their fragrant perfumes, the ones that fill the whole room with their scent, and make you turn,stop, and smell the heart of a rose) china, white linen, the Victoriana Era, crystal, silver, and vintage hats and boxes…ok, the list is long. Back to the point of this new addition to the china section. I was cast under a spell, to a discounted sale of items in a shop…I wanted not to buy, but just couldn’t resist this trio, Royal Albert, Bone China, Old Country Roses, Ruby Collection – Yellow Rosebud, Made in England, which is even rarer these days to find. An hour or maybe two passed and yes, I had a number of new additions to my collections. So this …

Baked Banana Cheesecake

How wonderful to share with you my friends, what a lovely day it’s been today. A few rays of Autumn sunshine, although the air is crisp and cool, a little home-style baking,  time to write and hear back from a friend via e-mail and an afternoon ‘happy moment’ with my sister with  coffee and a slice of this baked banana cheesecake. ‘Happy Moment’ a small indulgence while on the Slimmer Mediterranean Diet This baked banana cheesecake, sort of just came together while out shopping, I had decided not to through away those forgotten bananas before not attempting to bake something with them. In my mind, was my favourite banana bread recipe, but while out I picked up one (I have too many!!) of my monthly cooking magazines. And wow! just what I needed a seasonal special on baking with banana’s. Chocolate & Banana French toasties;Banana & Apple friands; Beef vindaloo with coconut & banana sambal; Banoffee trifle; Spiced banana tarte tatin…but I had to use those over ripen banana’s and the recipe to win me …