MAKE IT PERFECT GIVEAWAY!

I came across this site a little while back due to a friend via Facebook. I figured I would check it out and see what is was all about. Now, I am a regualr to see what Toni makes and at some stage I very much intend to purchase some of her great patterns, basically, I won't buy the pattern unless I know I have the time to make it!!! I like her Shear Water Kaftan and her Versatile Wrap skirt. You should really take a look at all her designs at her website. I am also blogging about her stuff today because I wanted to invite you all to take a look at her blog and enter her FREE GIVEAWAY of her latest pattern, Sprout. Its super cute! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment, its that simple.  Take a look and good luck if you enter:)

WHAT THA.....?

I miss Rove and I miss this segment he used to have. Not sure why he stopped doing this segment, it was always hilarious! For those of you who don't know what or who is Rove. An australian comendian, Rove McManus had a live variety show here in Australia, much like a Dave Letterman show. One of the segments was called, What tha....? It is similar to fail.org and sites where they show weird photos or funny adds in magazines, or engrish translations in other countries, that kind of thing. Anyway, I was looking through my junk mail catalouge, I think it was the Reject shop, or something like that. Sidetrack, I love junk mail!
Back to my story. I came across this picture advertising some interesting coloured wool and the jumper you could make using it. I wondered, What tha....? Who would ever make a jumper like this and make their kid wear it? I don't know, you be the judge, but I would never be that cruel to my kid!

Something Sweet! Lemon and Coconut Slice

I think I could easily say this recipe is a good old aussie favourite. I will however be cautious in saying its an Australian owned recipe. We could have stolen it from our British relatives somewhere along the way, who knows? Well actually who cares!

Whenever I bring it to gatherings everyone lines up for it! Its such a simple and inexpensive recipe and everything that goes into it is a storable item and it takes very little time to make. I always have the ingredients in my store cupboard becasue it is such a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients
1 packet sweet biscuits - marie, scotch finger, arrowroot etc
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 shredded or dessicated coconut
100g butter
1-2tbspns lemon juice or lemon concentrate
1 1/2 cups iciing mixture.

Method

1.  Line slice tray with baking paper (not sure of size off hand, but will note when I measure it!!!)
2. Process biscuits in processor until resembles bread crumbs. Could also beat biscuits in a ziploc bag with a rolling pin.
3. Add coconut and mix through.
4. In a medium saucepan on med/low heat melt butter and condensed milk. Stir until well combined. You will know its combined when the colour becomes one.
5. Add this mixture to the biscuit crumbs and coconut mixture and stir through until combined.
6. Press and smooth into prepared tray and refridgerate until set.
7. Sift icing mixture and add lemon juice a little bit at a time. If too running add extra icing mixture, add extra juice if too dry.
8. Spread icing onto biscuit base and sprinkle with a little bit of coconut(optional).

I do have to admit that I make this slice so often now, I can't remember the exact quantities for the icing mixture and juice. I am one of those cooks that tend to not measure, I just go with the flow! Trial and error has got me to this point, but if you try this recipe and something goes horribly wrong please do contact me and I will adjust it to what you think is right!

But my main point is, that everything on this list can be stored in your cupboard or fridge for an extended period of time. Just make sure your coconut is in an airtight container. Enjoy!

What do you do with your Convenient White Sauce Mix, I hear you ask?!

Well I did promise a savoury recipe to show you how versatile your white sauce mix can be. My family loves tuna bake, especially my husband. Whenever I make my tuna bake I make up my own white sauce. Now that I have my white sauce mix, it has saved me so much time. This is what you will need.

Ingredients
1 cup white sauce mix
1-2 cups tepid water
2 tbspn mayo - can add more if prefer
1 tbspn dry dill and /or parsely - can also use fresh
1/2 cup + 1cup grated cheese plus
salt and pepper to taste
I large can of tuna
500g cooked pasta

Method

1. In a medium saucepan on med/low heat put white sauce mix(WSM) in and add a bit of water and stir. As the mixture takes the water add more and stir continuously.
2. Keep stirring until the mixture starts to thicken. If you have used skim milk powder in your mix then it will take a bit longer to thicken.

3. Add mayo, 1/2 cup cheese, dill, salt and pepper and stir through.

4. Add tuna and mix through.

5. Using a baking tray or dish(spray with oil) add cooked pasta then Tuna mix on top.
6. Sprinkly cheese on top and bake in oven 180C for 15-20mins or until cheese melted and brown.

Eat by itself or have with a green salad.

This is a super easy recipe and having the white sauce mix on hand is so great and saves extra things taking up the bench space!

You can easily use chicken instead of tuna or make it a vege bake with your choice of vegetables.

Everthing in this recipe is a storable item. Even grated cheese or block cheese can keep in your refridgerator for a couple of months unopened - check the usedby date if you have some in the fridge!

PS. The formula can contains my white sauce mix!

Frills In the Hills Wonderwoman Giveaway!

If you are after another givaway, I don't have ! Hehehe, but over at Frills in the Hills, there is an awesome one going on.  If you just post a comment with a fav recipe from her site then you could win a WonderWoman shopper bag and a copy of  Heston Blumenthal's Family Food! What a giveaway:)

AND WINNER IS................

Well, I have had one of my busiest weeks of 2010! I have finally had some spare time to actually organise my draw for my egg powder giveaway. Thanks to all who commented. I know it was one of the more unusual giveaways, but it was my first and there was a good purpose behind the giveaway. I plan on organising more, not sure at this stage what they might be but some will be purposeful and others will be just for fun! 

Not sure what the general procedure is for picking a random name, so I went about it the old fashion way and wrote the names on paper and drew one out of a bowl - couldn't find a hat! The winner of the 250g of egg powder is.....Danimezza, Congratulations! I will be in touch with you shortly for your details. Thanks again and I will post again soon:)