Bookish - The Baker's Companion

Hey Foodies,

I love getting recipe books - I quite like browsing them like you would a magazine.

Allyson Gofton's latest offering The Baker's Companion does not disappoint.

It's a beautiful hard covered book and the images make you feel either like baking immediately and certainly like brewing the kettle and sitting down to some serious eating.

Just after I received it my hubby was scheduled for a work shout so I made a couple of the recipes. Both went down a a treat so I consider that a good advert for the book.

The book has a great general know-how section at the start which is perfect if you have someone wanting to become a proficient baker.

The chapters are Pastry, Tray Bakes/Slices/Brownies, Tea Time Quick Bakes, Biscuits and Baked Puddings (hooray for wintery nights and warm puds), Pavlovas/Meringues, Breads and Yeast Baking.

It's a fabulous hard covered book and would make a great gift, or a gift for yourself if you're a baking type.

Details - Penguin Random House, April 2019 RRP $55.00 HB

love you more than a lemon brownie xxx

Bookish - Family Favourites

Hiya Peeps,

So it's already Autumn here in Chch (apparently - it's not actually that cold yet) and there are some pretty stunning things happening here and there in nature.

I was really thrilled to be sent a copy of Nadia Lim's book Family Favourites. We get her bargain box fortnightly and so I am familiar with her recipes and know they work, on the whole, with my family.

My eldest 11 was very pleased with the book mark that came with it that you can use to mark your own favs, bless him. He also decided to make The Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding immediately - that was most well received. I'll definitely be swapping this one to the go-to position from now on.

We've made quite a few things already from it, Sausage Rolls and Butter Chicken were very well received.

The recipes are clear, photographed and easy to follow.

If you can't bear the thought of having to come up with new ideas for dinner this is full of tried and true, family recommended meals from the bargain box programme.

Details - Penguin Random House, Feb 2018, RRP $35.00

love you more than a dinner someone else made for me xxxx

Cupcake Bouquets

Hi, hi,

So I love doing courses, especially short ones that have tangible outcomes! So I decided to sign up for the Make Company's cupcake class. In it we were to learn how to make a bouquet of cupcakes using buttercream icing. (I paid to do the class just sharing in case anyone wants more details)

this was the efforts from the whole class

It was a really fun night we learnt how to make the cupcake stand/ presentation part too so we could replicate it at home.

It must be said that of everyone in the class I struggled most with executing the rose. It wasn't much of a surprise to me, I have zero expertise with icing and piping bags and I are not what you'd call 'good friends'!

Still I am super impressed with my efforts and my boys and hubby made all the right noises too. The following afternoon we had little friends over for fluffies and cupcakes and I felt suitably professional! (The friends were 6, 4 and 2!)

What have you made lately that was trickier and more happy making than you expected?

love you more than a patient tutor xxx

Yeah I Made It ... 4/52 Peanut butter and strawberry kiss

This is the other stretch wrap over top I decided to make from the Simplicity 9626 pattern. I like the ruches on the side and the little detail on the shoulders.

It's all grey which makes it kind of a boring make but one that will probably get a lot of use because there aren't that many non-colourful, non-printed things in my wardrobe (surprise!). Because I couldn't go totally without a little bit of Miriam I've 'tattooed' the back....

with a strawberry made from sequins. I bought it from a shop that sells buttons in Adelaide - walls of buttons (and sequinned strawberries!). It's a dangerous place to go for a girl that has a thing about buttons.

I also whipped up some peanut butter this morning. It probably works out the same cost as a cheap jar of peanut butter but it only contains dry roasted (by me) peanuts both skin on and off and it's a lot cheaper than the fancy ones that are just peanuts.

Modelled next to a sweet little tray/basket I picked up at the Vinnies the other day for $2 and the perfect size to fit cookies in for afternoon tea - I know because I used it the very next day.

What are you making?

I actually find school holidays less conducive to making because I'm hanging out with these 2 gorgeous boys I know. How about you?

love you more than warm peanut butter on the end of my finger xxxx

Book Week - Janella's Super Natural Foods + Giveaway

Welcome back book lovers.

Before we go on it must be noted I am not on the sugar-free, paleo, carb free, nut free, dairy free, gluten free, add your own train/s. I also have no food allergies and I am partial to a peanut butter sandwich on cheap white bread. I like steak and after a year as a vegetarian my iron levels were fine but my B12s were so bad I had to go on a course of injections - now I just eat meat.

Okay now you know these things here I am with a book all about natural foods.

In fact this book ticks most of the trains I mentioned above. It is predominantly vegetarian, sugar free, vegan, GF and many other 'free's' and it is meatless. (But there are suggestions and variations which include meaty ideas). Janella argues (nicely) for a vegetarian life that is free of processed crap (she put it more nicely than that) but the book is still packed with lots of tasty recipes.

This week I have made:

The Bicher Muesli - I liked it. Flip had a go but decided it was not really his thing. Nice and simple soak overnight and then enjoy in the morning. As a non morning person I like this approach.

Broccoli and Mint pesto - simple and quick to make stirred through wheat pasta (shhh don't tell Janella about that it was supposed to be spelt pasta). We all loved this. Bounce said - Mama this smells yuck but it tastes good. 

Bliss Balls - all the boys gave them a go. They all like them. I on the other hand keep going back to the fridge for seconds and thirds - I like them that much.

Also Vege Fritters - I think I over processed these a little so I needed to add more rice flour to firm them up and so they were more like a falafel texture than a fritter texture but they were very nice. Bounce said I like these mama but I think Dad will really like them. Flip didn't have them because he'd been sick so he didn't have tea. When The Atlas got home we had them in wraps with aioli and they were good - definitely one to do again.

and Kale Chips - these have real potential but I was a little (lot - oops) heavy handed with the salt. Also the Kale I bought was really past its best so I think that didn't help

I like that the recipes in this book are achievable. They aren't complicated to make although some of the ingredients are harder to source. But depending on how you shop already you may well have a lot of the staples already on your shelves. For starting out with these kind of recipes I recommend shopping in places that sell loosely/ in bulk rather than packets. This means you can buy just a little for a specific recipe rather than ending up with 500g of something you needed 2 tsps of and really have no idea how to use.

Will I make more things from this book? Yes I will. Probably not everything because I never make everything from a recipe book unless I have to, and it's my life so probably I don't have to, right?

Will I still make indulgent, 'wicked' recipes like double chocolate and raspberry brownies? Heck yes, I will. I am very lucky to have a family that doesn't have food issues and I love to bake and I believe in enjoying food and not feeling scared of or guilty about food .... but I do think there is more space in my repertoire for 'good' recipes.

I like the layout of the book but wish there were more photos of the recipes. It may be noted Janella and I could not share a wardrobe... but then who do you know who would share a wardrobe with me?

Things I have discovered making the recipes:

1. Hemp Seeds - which are used widely in the book are not allowed to be sold in SA
2. Goji Berries - 'super food' also known as Lycium barbarum costs $43 kg at the supermarket, $45 kg for organic ones at the health food store and $28 kg at the Asian food warehouse.
3. I'm not really a careful measurer - I already knew that but all the recipes turned out fine with my liberal approach so I am sure you will be fine making them.

If you'd like a copy of the book Allen and Unwin are prepared to send a copy to one lucky reader. You must have an Australian address or a lovely friend who will send it on I suppose (sorry non Aussie readers).

Leave a comment here and I'll do a draw on Friday or Saturday.

Details - Janella's Super Natural Foods by Janella Purcell. Published Allen & Unwin November 2014 RRP $39.99 Aus.

Fun right?

love you more than a bliss ball, or 4 xxxx

Reading and Making

I'm a start messy, finish neatish baker - I get out all the ingredients and everything I need before I start and then put it away/in the sink as I go. (It's important you know these things about me right?)

As I currently have no 'baking' recipe books (and these are the kind I like most of all) I was very happy to receive The Australian Blue Ribbon Cookbook which is a collection of winning recipes from 'show' bakers. The show and its baking is clearly a popular part of the 'country comes to town' shows around Australia. The book also includes tips and tricks from judges and winners as well as a bio of each person (not all women) featured. I love the social history element of this book and the huge collection of historical photos throughout.

In terms of the book as a recipe book I really like that they include measurements in cups as well as weights. Having no scales here and preferring a cup of this and that style for my own baking. Personally I would prefer a layout that was by type (biscuits, cakes, etc) than the way it is laid out  in alphabetical order.

The first recipe I tried was the lemon slice (which is The Atlas favourite type). It was really good but I under cooked it the first time and it was super gooey, as in eat with a spoon. We didn't mind until The Atlas remembered he had to take morning tea the next day and so he took a slice to share that really didn't have the right qualities for sharing in a work environment where you can't wipe your hands on your trousers and you are likely to get coated in lemon goo.

The second try was consumed in record time and cooked for longer was a greater success. (i used brown sugar rather than caster sugar which is why it looks so caramel coloured).

I also made jam drops (I put too many on the tray so they are not the uniform perfection one might be expected to produce).

Finally I made 'plain biscuits' which I added cocoa and peanut butter to, to make a very popular lunchbox biscuit. Although I doctored the recipe I like to think it's in keeping with the tradition of the show, home cooks doing what works, with the ingredients they have.

I am really looking forward to trying some more recipes from this book and I think they'll be achievable and have that wonderful good old fashioned flavour you can't go past in home baking.

Am I cut out to be a 'show cook'? Not a chance, nothing I make is uniform, but it won't stop me enjoying and making the recipes and learning more about the ladies and men behind them.

The Australian Blue Ribbon Cookbook is published by Allen and Unwin and came out at the beginning of this month. RRP $ 39.99, you can also get it by ebook if that's more your flavour (he he pun intended!)

love you more than eating warm baking straight from the tin 

(for quality control purposes only mind!) xxx

We Recommend - For Baking Babes (and a giveaway my honeys!)

Now a baking babe may be a smoking hot mama who knows her brownies from her blondies ( I don't like white chocolate so you're getting no blondies from me!)

or... a baking babe could be a littler person who loves the chance to get let loose in the kitchen.

Anyway, this week I'm recommending something we've had a huge amount of pleasure from Edible Ink Pens. Basically they are like felt pens that you can use to write on food with and the food is still edible. The gift that goes on giving all year round.

Now and again I use these to smuggle a marshmallow into the boys' lunchboxes with a love note on them.

We've used them to make snow men

they are also super fun for adding features to faces

I imagine the fondant icing artist types could have an absolute field day designing things.

or you could draw on lickable tattoos! (that comment isn't supposed to be R18 either!)

and we used them recently for the party - little people drew their own teddies on a fondant cup cake topper.

My friend also used these to make this amazing cake for her wee one.
She said: The americolor pen I had was one of the blue ones, it was great for colouring the larger areas, had plenty of ink/good ink flow and kept working!!

Of course you could always buy a 10 pack separate them out and give them to friends with a packet of marshmallows or cupcake cases. Perfect for the food loving friend or the kind of present I'd actually be stoked to get in those 'bring a $5 gift' Christmas parties. (Which I know I should roll my eyes about but I totally love. Last year The Atlas had one at his work where you take other people's presents - you know the one? - and he felt so bad about taking something someone wanted the next day he took it into work and gave it back to them, so they got 2 gifts and he got none!)

Now I know these things aren't the easiest to locate - believe me I have tried.  So I am very excited I found a fab place to buy these and they post so if you think Santa would like to sneak some of these into your stocking then send him this way. (Or if you live in Hawkes Bay they have a store as well).

or...... you could win a pack of 10!!! I know, busting your gumdrop-buttons right??? Right here. Because Cake Stuff are awesome, yes, yes they are.

Now I know you are really thinking of how much your children would love a set of these for biscuits and cupcakes and marshmallow snow men making, and you're not thinking at all of how much fun you are going to have planning your next party and never sharing them....I have mine hidden in a secret place in the pantry and I'm not telling you where!

So you could win a pack of 10 Americolor food pens - as featured in the photos above, usually $34.95.

How you ask me? Well here are your 4 chances:

1. Visit Cake Stuff and tell me something you'd like Santa to put in your stocking (don't get lost over there okay there is a lot to look at and you may need a tissue for the drooling!).
2. Link up a recommendation post this week
3. If you follow me some how (email, RSS, Bloglovin...whatever) then I want to give you another chance because I appreciate your company for the journey.
4. Tell me a way you would use these - go on inspire me.

Separate comment for each please :o) you know you want to make it easy to be picked.

I will draw the winner on Nov 20th and send them out to you in the mail. I have also drawn the winners for the Sami's giveaway - congrats to Therese T, Jackie, Louana, Alex, lil Abs and Sunshine Leonie. Holly won (and has received) the cufflinks from Linkz. If you are a winner please flick me an email with your address and I'll do my best to get them in the post this week.

We Recommend for Christmas 

our posts about genuinely lovely things

If you'd like the code you can find it on the right.

Love you more than a chocolate and marshmallow hangover 
(the only kind of hangover I've ever had!) xxx

Turkish Delight

So we had some friends over for a shared Turkish dinner and I attempted Turkish Delight.

Are you impressed?

I mainly used this recipe - except that when I got to simmer for 30-45mins mine was so thick it wouldn't simmer.

So I kind of skipped that vital step and kept my fingers crossed.

It looked pretty good and tasted okay - I really like proper Turkish Delight but this really didn't cut the mustard for me.

I also made 2 chocolate brownies - one infused with orange and the other infused with fennel - to give them a slightly Turkish feel.

Joining in with Ange.

Love you more than pistachio Turkish Delight xxx

Is There Anything Better Than Home Baking?

Perhaps there is but really a good home baked something-er-rather (which is how I say it) lavishes love in a very special way.

So.... have you heard about the sisterhood ninja bake off? I failed miserably at stealth last year but I did enjoy the joy. Nominate, bake, ninja...do them all.

Find out all the very exciting details here. You don't have to be a blogger to do this and you don't even have to be a baker - that's what bakeries are for my lovelies!

Sign up - be on the in - start practicing your ninja moves.

Because as Mother Teresa says:

Love you more than a sticky iced bun with a jam volcano hidden inside. xxxx

Tasty Tuesday - Pebble Cake

We had a second birthday celebration for Flip and I wanted to make another cake.

So I did my interpretation of a cake I've seen online. I used my never-fail Sophie Grey Chocolate Cake.

Add in 2 packets of chocolate fingers and 2.5 packets of pebbles.

I tied it up with baker's twine to stop the weight of the pebbles pushing the chocolate fingers off.

As an aside cutting this cake was a shocker - pebble avalanche with every slice. If one must be caught in an avalanche a pebble avalanche has to be the best kind of choice - don't you think?

So easy, so effective - just the way I like it :o)

Joining in with Ange at fun with food.

Tasty Tuesday - Fruit Ninja Cake

So I had a birthday cake to make for a very special 7 year old.

He wanted a fruit ninja cake and so I thought I'd have some fun with the new icing gels

A watermelon cake with pink insides and chocolate chips to look like watermelon seeds.

Then 2 types of green to design the watermelon outer.

Cut and split the cake fruit ninja style and make some juice splatters, sprinkle in some mini fruits.

I was quite pleased with the result and so was the birthday boys which is after all the point of these activities (especially when you are left with a rather overcooked cake to eat for the next... forever!)

Joining in with Ange for fun with food.

what's with sponge?

Aside from the fact you can dye your sponge all sorts of colours to make a pretty looking cake....

sponge is a completely disappointing kind of cake

it's like ready salted chips

and the colour beige

what credentials does it bring to the table?

light and fluffy? (read: nothing to it - those calories are real but really are you getting any flavour)

perfect with cream and strawberries - what was wrong with the cream and strawberries that they needed an accompaniment that was like eating something you use to wash your car?

sponge is really like me on a touch team - I add nothing to the game, I bring no skill and when I do actually (miraculously) manage to touch someone it's a slap on the face (true story) and disallowed. The only reason you'd want me on your team is for my side kick The Atlas who is all the things I'm not and will run from the other end of the field to get the touch I missed.... 

I've tried sponge

I don't like it 

you cannot convince me it's any more than a boring beige in the line up of moist, dense, sticky and other wonderful invitations

sponge - my dance card is full - just stay there and blend in with the flowery wallpaper.

Still Baking and A Winner

I've been a bit slack with sharing how my baking challenge is coming along.

Fan's Date Loaf from Ladies a Plate was an absolute hit. I neglected to tell of the dates and so with the thoughts it was a ginger loaf (which it is indeed like) it meant there was no date hating before trying.
Actually last time I made a date-y slice there was a lot of date hate in the comments too - people you are missing out!!

I have also tried one of the versions of ANZAC biscuits from Ladies a Plate. They were suitably chewy which I really like and disappeared rather before I had a chance to take any pictures.

I've also made a couple of incarnations of the Chocolate Cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook as well. These ones we called our 'new life' cupcakes for Easter.

There were rather a lot of batches of Hot Cross Buns over Easter and today a Handmade batch of Muesli - recipe here - for some special people who are staying at my place this weekend. (Here's hoping they like muesli - I've given the boys one bowl and told them they aren't allowed any more until after the weekend)

and of course the winner of the wonderful Penny Scallan giveaway congratulations to Laura please watch out for an email from me.

Linking in with Foodie Fun over at Ange's place.

A Valentines Dinner

The Atlas had surgery just before Valentines Day so I thought I'd postpone our Valentine's dinner for a month.

Last year we did our first one and this year I wanted to do something new.

Each couple was asked to submit (independently of each other) the following information

1. A song that reminds them of their partner (The Atlas used these to make a playlist for the evening)

2. A quote, saying, line.... that means something to them
3. The place they were when they realised they were in love with that person
4. A place they would like to take their partner

Over the course of the evening we played a few rounds where people had to match up the couples with the answers, people also had to do a place card for their partner with things they loved about them on one side (just for their partner to read) and the worst pick up line they could think of on the other side.

It was a really nice night and I enjoyed doing some simple decorating and prepping dessert (it was a planned potluck). It's amazing what some candles can do!

We're very blessed to have a good stack of couples in our lives to do this kind of stuff with.
Above you can also see my Tasty Tuesday creation from the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook - Raspberry Cheesecake Brownie - mmmmmmm (see the photo under No.1) Oh. So. Right!

And the prize for the winning couple? 'Date Night in a Bag'....

Have you ever been to a Valentines Couple's Dinner - what did you do?

Joining in with Ange