All posts tagged: cook

Coconut Macaroons

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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

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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…

Frangipani Fig Tart with Almond Crumble

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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

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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 …

Ch.Ch.Ch.Ch….Cherry Bomb!

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These Cherry Chocolate Cupcakes are the start of something big! I’m experimenting more and more limiting grains from my diet and researching more into using different flours. Hence the use of coconut and almond flours in this recipe. Searching and researching the alternatives to grains I found many changing lifestyle alternatives… Mark Sisson’s: Mark’sDailyApple –Primal Living in the Modern World; Danielle Walker’s: Against All Grain;  Jenny McGruther’s – Nourished Kitchen. I’m not very experienced cooking with other flours, so I just had to try something…after travelling a few kilometers to the nearest organic retail shop, I found coconut flour, coconut oil,coconut sugar, almond butter and a new world was introduced to me. After reading and trying the ‘normal’ every day meals, I needed to try a little dessert. Danielle at ‘Against All Grain’ (see her original recipe here) used cocoa butter,(note to self) have to buy and find this product. From my own experience of using almond meal for Macaroons, sifting  twice or even three times aerating the flour leads to better results. Isn’t there …

Orange & Almond Cake

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This is a fantastic recipe, and one I needed to share with you. A Gluten-free flourless Orange & Almond Cake. With a small challenge in time management, I know you’ll be able to cope with this recipe. It needs an overnight cooling time, but the taste is well worth the wait. Your home will be filled with the delicious scent of citrus oranges, after baking this cake. Read on for the recipe…

Soup Kitchen: Corn & Chicken

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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

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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

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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

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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 …