A while ago Dimples made Spanakopita at her cooking class, the savoury version. And at the time it didn't go down well in DG Manor because both she and her daddy were allergic to cheese. DH still is, but he loves chocolate- another thing he and Dimples have in common-so when I had some filo pastry left over from making Baklava a couple of weeks ago, I was struck by inspiration. You need to chop- I used … [Read more...]
Leprechaun Hot chocolate
I recently saw a post on Cool Whip Snowflakes, which gave me a great idea for making Leprechaun Hot Chocolate. We're off to Galway over half term and this is an ideal opportunity to talk about all things Irish, including the colour green and leprechauns. And the recipe is really very simple, yet has a little Leprechaun magic too. All you need is whipping cream, some caster sugar and food colouring. You whip the cream and sugar: I used … [Read more...]
{Recipe} Apple Heart Tarts.
I saw this super idea on Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom and fell in love. So today, I rolled out a sheet of puff pasty and cut out four large hearts using my heart cutter. You could cut any size you like obviously, since these pies are individual-sized tarts. Next I laid a pair of hearts on a baking sheet (Lakeland's I Can Cook range, since you ask.) I piled on a couple of dessert spoons of apple sauce. From the remaining pair of … [Read more...]
Pomegranate, Moroccan-style
Christmas is not Christmas without DH cooking Moroccan Tagine, from Nigella's recipe. The key ingredient is pomegranate juice and the addition of pomegranate seeds just before serving. It has a rich ruby colour that I love and tastes sublime. And it is the reason that our Girls love Pomegranate seeds, or jewels- as they are known in our house. All of which takes me back to my childhood in Cyprus and eating pomegranates, freshly picked, … [Read more...]
{Recipe} Reindeer Nose Cookies
If I'm honest, these are just vamped-up Snickerdoodles, but the name has stuck. So in honour of Dimples, who was an excellent Reindeer in her first Christmas Show, I would like to share a very easy recipe for Reindeer Nose Cookies with you. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour 1 tsp cream of tartar 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda pinch salt 115g unsalted butter, at room temperature 3/4 cup caster sugar 1 egg 1/2 tsp vanilla … [Read more...]
Gingerbread Tree Decorating
This is a lovely activity which brings Christmas into our home on the 1st December every year. The smell of the gingerbread is divine, and the children love decorating, eating and hanging their trees. Ingredients: 350g plain flour 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp Mixed Spice 100g butter 175g light brown sugar 1 large egg 4 tbsp Golden Syrup Method: Blend all the ingredients in … [Read more...]
Children in Need cupcakes 2012
'Tis so the season to make cakes. Which is why I am happy to support Children in Need by baking some (read: many) for various fundraising cake stalls. I note with interest that the charity has had a little re-brand this year though: those spots are looking a lot less uniform in size. So whilst I adore my Pudsey Bear cupcakes for Children in Need last year, I have come up with Children in Need 2012 Cupcakes. You will need: a batch of … [Read more...]
