A Smoothie A Day Keeps....

You feeling really good throughout the day I must say! I have always enjoyed smoothies but traditionally for me, smoothies contained yoghurt or milk. I never thought of a smoothie just being made of fruit before. Over the past year and a bit I have realised my body doesn't appreciate dairy. So I have had to adjust to taking dairy out of my diet, which has been hard because while I can easily give up milk and yogurt, ice cream has been a big challenge. I do like chocolate but I can take it or leave it most of the time!!

I have embraced the almond milk, and will endeavour to make my own one of these days! I still consume cheese, but no where near as regularly as I once did. I will have it once a month if that and then I will be cranky with myself afterwards as I my body cramps up and responds to its presence in my system.

I have embraced the smoothies though and dairy free homemade ice creams, which I will also share with you.

1/4 cup Blueberries
Two small white peaches skin on chopped
2 mint leaves
1/3 of a small pineapple skin removed and chopped
Add about 1/2 to 1 cup of ice cubes
Add water to taste preference

Blend up in blender on pulse then liquify or puree if you have that function.

Watermelon - about 1 to 2 cups chopped
1/3 of a small pineapple skin removed and chopped
4 strawberries
table spoon of chia seeds
2 mint leaves
ice cubes and water
 Blend it up baby!!

Watermelon, about 1 to 2 cups chopped
1/3 of a small pineapple skin removed and chopped
4 strawberries
2 mint leaves
ice cubes and water
Blend it good, blend it real good!!

1/2 a small pineapple skin removed and chopped
2 mint leaves
1cm to 1.5cm nib of fresh ginger
1 tbs chia seeds
ice cubes and water
Blend it all up and refresh yourself!

1/2 small pineapple skin removed and chopped
1/2 large banana
2 mint leaves
4 strawberries
ice cubes and water
Blend it and blend it and blend it!

1 small very ripe pineapple skin removed and chopped
2 very ripe pears
ice cubes and water
Blend it and blend it!!

The Bachelor Australia Season 3 Episode 13 Recap and #BachieTreat

Episode 13

Things are heating up in the Bachie Mansion and Bachie has made a decision on behalf of his girlfriends, as that is what the head boyfriend does for his harem. Though, let me think about this for a moment, wouldn't it be so tops to have a man decide where you are going to stay/sleep, where you are going on your dates, and what you are going to eat? Oh,yes, it sounds like an utopian paradise!! That Bachie, I will have to explain, since you like your woman smarter than you, is hell to the modern woman!!

So at the 'holiday' beach mansion, as opposed to the 'work' city mansion the BachieGirls are informed they will be each spending some alone time with Bachie. Before I go on, what is going on with The Bachelor Australia? The last couple of The Bachelor US episodes I watched they went to Europe and Tahiti! Why do these girls only get a 'holiday' beach mansion? What is wrong with stingy Australian television stations? These girls go on the show and are only compensated with 'mansions' in the city and at the beach? What the heck? The US Survivor wins $1M and the Australian one gets $250K? what is wrong with Australian reality TV game shows?? What evs, rant over.....for nows!

At the 'holiday' beach mansion, each girl will get their time to plead their case to  spend time with Bachie and share their true feelings and how much they think he is totes awesome, blah, blah, blah! I think he seriously wants them to know that...

He also reveals another secret he has kept especially, for this episode. He likes his women to be smarter than him. She has to be like...

Anyway, Llama gets the first date and they go to the golfing range because that describes who she is in a nutshell. She does a power swing and hits the target, which I hope is all she is going to hit in this episode. Just in secret I feel a bit like this...

but Bachie gave her a rose so she is still here. Then he decides to ask a tough question (remember he isn't as smart as his future girlfriend), why is Llama still single? She begins to freak out because all she can think is I don't want to tell him...

                                and...

It is at this point I want to slap this man out of this Medusa trance she has him in. That kiss she gave him reeks of disgenuity (yes autocorrect, its a word! Dur!). She also said she would date you, not marry you! Is that not what this show is all about? Wake up you crazy man from this Medusa trance, wake up!

Next single date is with Snez, Parmie, Parmagania, or also know to her family as Snezanna. Things are getting intense so Snez decides to show him the picture of her daughter and its like...

Heather and Bachie seem to always have fun but I am worried for Heather. Why does he not open mouth kiss her? She be like..

Bachie zones out at one point with these conflicting feelings that Heather feels like...

As for Sarah's alone date, well this is how I feel about that...

Which brings us to lucky last Nina. Poor Nina, she has been hanging on by the tips of her fingers. We all know she is going home tonight. The date the producers set up for them was yelling this loud and clear. Who wouldn't want to go fishing on a supposedly romantic date? It's every women's fantasy to catch a smelly fish with her hunky man by her side, isn't it? Though, he wasn't by her side. I think they had to get out the old tin cans and string to make sure their conversations were heard by each other. The date increased in awkwardness the longer they were together even the pashing couch didn't get any action. While Nina pleaded (yes she pleaded) her case to Bachie as to why she would make the awesomest girlfriend and future wifey ever, I did feel the question in her mind really was...

Cocktail Party

I won't bore you with more show antics, like when Bachie told the lovely ladies that....

...and he wouldn't be approaching them for chitty chats, they'd have to approach him. Llama practically pounced on him, her cats at home will be so proud of her! Then Snez snagged some time. Then Bachie disappeared and we didn't see him again until the rose ceremony.  Enter our favourite non-Bachie ever...

Osher in da house!! Whoop Whoop!! Did you know Osher is fluent in mathematical type language? He is the only man who can explain difficult mathematical rose equations so I totally understand, and I am most certain that he be like...

So Nina doesn't get a rose, like we didn't see that coming! As she leaves the house she be like..

Then when things have calmed down she be like....

Tomorrow's episodes are the home dates, where Bachie meets the parents and other family members. Personally I think the BachieGirls are beside themselves with glee that they get to eat again, they be like.....

#BachieTreat

A couple episodes late, but its my chocolate Mr Whippy Vegan style. I will post the recipe soon. 

Recap Episode 12
Recap Episode 11
Recap Episode 10
Recap Episode 9
Recap Episode 7&8
Recap Episode 5&6
Recap Episode 4
Recap Episode 3
Recap Episode 1&2

Strawberry, Banana, and Pineapple Dairy Free Vegan Ice Cream

Ingredients
4-6 medium sized strawberries cut in halves
2 small to medium well ripened bananas cut into discs
1 spear of pineapple cut into small chunks
1 teaspoon (or so) coconut sugar (optional)
1 can coconut milk (full fat)

This is a super simple and healthy way to have ice cream without the dairy. Put the fresh strawberries, banana and pineapple and in a container or a zip loc bag and put that into the freezer. Once they are frozen or even if they aren't frozen solid, I place them in a blender with canned coconut milk. I choose canned coconut milk because the cream separates from the liquid and you get the benefits of both. The liquid helps the fruit to blend well and the creamer part makes the creamy texture. To separate the liquid and the cream, you can either put the can in the fridge over night, or if its cold enough in your pantry i.e. not summer, it should solidify and separate just as well. I didn't use all the cream for this serving. Add a couple of dessert spoon heapings at a time and use your senses to work out what you prefer. I also added a bit of coconut sugar, but this is optional.  You could easily have this for breakfast. lunch, dinner, or dessert. So versatile and add the fruit you like best. You can even add some cacao powder for a chocolate taste.

Episodes 5 & 6 Recap The Bachelor Australia and #BachieTreats

I have to resort to a combined recap this week. I am pretty sure I am not alone with the deduction that this weeks episodes were a bit on the pathetic side. Have we met that mid-season hump? Is this normal that we have boring as heck episodes? Being a Bachelor Greenie I don't know the answers to theses questions but Rosie Waterland feels the same way so I feel normal.  One thing is for sure these BachieGirls are eating on camera as often as I do housework.  Though we are seeing more shots of food, I think Channel 10 are worried the UN will be knocking on their door for challenging humanity on national television. As a public service I think it only right that each week we make and consume Bachie Treats to honour these desperately challenged woman and the sacrifice they have taken in not consuming food on camera - which supposed is the majority of the time.

This weeks Bachie Treats is care of Sergio's Cake Shop. A gorgeous cherry pie which was so delicious I ate a couple of slices. This isn't a sponsored post, I purchased a family pie and was delighted that only my husband and I enjoyed it!

The next Bachie Treat is Golden Gaytime ice-cream in chocolate. So not the traditional caramel which is my favourite. You will find this new release ice cream on sale at Woolies this week but you may not get to taste the caramel. Each Woolies I went to was sold out. I resorted to trying the chocolate but I wasn't disappointed. (not a sponsored post - unfortunately no free ice cream for me!)

Favourite Quote of the week

Sandragon - " I put in 110% when I am with Sam" (not verbatim)


EPISODE 5 - Loco Crazy!
It's getting clearer and clearer as the weeks go by that there is a social division in the house. There are the MeanGirls and the NiceGirls. I don't say mean, because they are always mean or nasty, but they do have a tendency to show their bitchier side at pleasure. Many women have this capacity and I think the MeanGirls just don't remember that the camera is rolling, which, I think, is the best way to capture a real personality. I know we get the rant that the producers cut and paste what they want us to see, but ladies, this is not 'bad lip reading'.  I'm sure they aren't cut and pasting verbal comments to suit.  MeanGirls say mean things about other girls that they usually are threatened in some capacity by. For example, Emily dislikes Hippie Heather, she has admitted it and as a result her not so nice side is openly on show. Emily, who at the beginning I really thought would be in the final three or even two has really opened up to be someone I didn't think she would be. She is an annoying, roll-of-the-eyes princess-type. To say that you won't approach a man is so Jane Austin. Wake up, you are living in 2015! While there is no argument that Emily is gorgeous, her pouting and her comments towards and about Hippie Heather and other aspects of the dates and their daily BachieGirl lives,  shows a bratty side to her, which I hope she is not always like as it's in no way endearing to the viewer.

In this episode, Nina gets her one on one date with BachieWood. She scores a pash to beat the world record for an on screen kiss. Lucky girl! Lucky for us, it went smoothly. No Madonna and Drake catastrophe. Not only does she score a pash, she also scores a rose. Though at this point I do have to ask, who the hell decorated the room where BachieWood gave Nina the rose? I can only guess a high school work experience student was given a list and they locked the producers out and went crazy. It was intensely over the top and I hope I never see it again. Tell that pesky work experience student they will have no place in decorating a rose giving room again, no place!

The group date was the highlight of the season so far. Zorb soccer, so much fun to watch. It was even more exciting to watch because Sandragon was let loose from BachieGirl Prison and I think we have all learnt that she was left there a little too long. Poor Sandragon, when I think of you this is what I picture: (if this doesn't make sense, check out Bad Lip Reading on Youtube, The Hunger Games clip)

Unfortunately for BachieWood, the winners of the Zorb Soccer game won a group date with him. I bet he was praying that Sandragon's team would lose. Unfortunately he must have lied about how many pushups he had done that day as his prayers were not answered. And as I said before, unfortunately for BachieWood, Sandragon's team won. Their group date was a Mexican themed party on a boat, on water, off shore. What is one of the worse things you could think of as a BachieGirl or BachieWood for this season? Being stuck on a boat you can't easily get off with Sandragon I think was high on everyone's list. Though I think it worked out for the better. BachieWood got the chance to solidify his concerns about his feelings for Sandragon, though I doubt he ever challenged them.

Rose Ceremony
The rose ceremony comes down to two BachieGirls. Sandragon, and another girl I have seen a couple of times but didn't know if she was a BachieGirl or a producer that didn't walk off camera when she should have. We all heave a sigh of relief when Sandragon is finally sent home. Blond girl, who we discover to be Rachel lives to fight another day and show us who she really is.

EPISODE 6 - Dang Boring
I so can't be bothered to tell you want happens on this episode. It was BORING, SO DANG BORING! Though one thing I HAVE to mention that annoyed me so badly was when they were changing the limo tire. Why did none of them question the state of the tire? A flat tire looks flat, it doesn't look brand new!

We finally do see some BachieGirls eat something, though it was no buffet and no feast by any means. They must have been so excited to have a sit down meal, it was such an unfair tease. I felt really sorry for them. The only food they have seen no doubt in days has to be weird bug food and animal parts. So I ate another bowlful of Golden Gaytime chocolate ice cream to honour them!

Rose Ceremony
The highlight - well not really but I am dramatising it a bit to make up for such an embarrassingly slow paced and dismal episode. The highlight was the fact there was no rose ceremony. After Jacinda realised her "Groundhog Day" date was 'set-up' she was uncontrollably upset. I think she is upset more so because she realises that BachieWood has #Friendzoned her. Though to keep face and use her feminist powers for good, she volunteers in true Hunger Games tribute fashion to leave the BachieGirl Prison. Osher, actually let me take this time to say that I am having a little trouble writing Osher. Osher is actually Andrew G, why is he called Osher now? When he changed his hair to delicious chocolate brown and embraced the wonderful world of super hold fast hair spray (no. 5) did he shed his name along with his blond unkept hair ? Again, Bachelor Greenie here and no doubt that is a common greenie question....right?
 I digress. So Osher delivers the bad news to the BachieGirls, and informs them because she volunteered as a tribute she can not see anyone and say goodbye (that's what you get for not playing the game).
No  rose is given out yadda, yadda, BachieWood is so sad he didn't get to humiliate another girl on camera and make another girl feel grateful to spend another week waiting to spend time with him, which he probably won't do since he hasn't spent anytime with Rachel so far. Oops, did I just type that out loud? Though, I do have to say I am very much liking Rachel. She is a quiet achiever. She isn't chucking tanties because she hasn't had a date and she doesn't go around saying she is so Jane Austin and the man must come to her, blah, blah, blah! She actually has a sense of humour which is endearing. Nina is the DarkHorse, maybe Rachel is the WhiteHorse??  I hope we get to know her more next week and I hope BachieWood keeps her on, we need the NiceGirls to over power the MeanGirls. Though I would still be ok with a Dalia and Tessa show down - maybe at next week's hoe down?? (that was as bad as the episode so only fitting!!)
PS. Its so sad I can't say #AnalGlands anymore!

Episode 4 Recap and #BachieTreat
Episode 3 Recap and #BachieTreat
Episode 1&2 Recap and #BachieTreat

The Bachelor Season 3 Treats - Rocky Road

I'm not sure if you are watching The Bachelor or not, who am I kidding? Most of you probably are! Well I didn't watch last years season and I felt rather lonely in social gatherings and staff rooms when everyone else was discussing the ladies and all the shenanigans. I wouldn't consider this succumbing to peer pressure, as nobody really has put any pressure on me to watch this season, but I decided to start watching it from the beginning mainly just for some laughs and to try and see why these women are on this show. My hypothesis is that pretty much every single one of the bachelorettes  have an ulterior motive. They all want to boost their public image for their online business, film aspirations, modelling careers, or other more note worthy causes but still require a mass boost in publicity to get the project going. Why else would you go on TV and expose yourself to the relentless media and public? For love...whatever!! Oh, dear me, do I sound like a bit of a negative Nancy?? Oh well, I could be proven wrong.

I friend of mine who loves The Bachelor would share here Bachelor treat each week on Facebook. I looked forward to seeing her desserts both healthy and unhealthy. I figured this was one of the bonuses to The Bachelor being on air. With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to make or buy and share my Bachelor Treats each week. You'll have to find me on Instagram if I don't have time to post here.

On Tuesday, Episode 1 we munched on Maoam chews which can be purchased at Aldi. I love the strawberry and cola ones the best. Wednesday night was a little more organised and I made my infamous rocky road (kind of fitting). This is no ordinary rocky road in my opinion. I have a precise ratio of dark and milk chocolate which nobody I know can replicate. I also must have quality nuts like macadamias, which is what I used this time round. I also like Allens Raspberries, and yes, they have to be Allens it's as important to me as having Pascall marshmallows. Don't ask me why, just do it and thank me later!!

As for my recap on the last two episodes ( I in no way wish to compete with Rosie Waterland but would still like to share my views).  It seems a lot of the buzz is that Heather, the aspiring film maker is on the cards to be in the final 2 or 3. My view on this is Hippie Heather may crack by the end. She has fallen rather too quickly for this "dude". She is a little too cocky in how she talks about him with the other girls. The irony of this show is that most girls fall too quickly. What is it about women who say they have a game plan, then that disappears as soon as the guy turns up? Though if she doesn't crack from seeing him enjoy himself with other girls she might just end up in the final 3. The best part about this show so far is good old Sandra, or I like to refer to her as Sandragon. She is a rather attractive girl, with great hair and and nice teeth, but once she opens her mouth, the fire is released and all crazy hell breaks loose!!  It is cringeworthy to watch but so entertaining at the same time. I have been a primary school teacher for 13 years and I have never come across a breed of PE Teacher quite like Sandragon!!

From the first episode I had decided that Emily was a favourite. She seemed sweet and quiet, but since the second episode her sweetness is turning ever so quickly into bitterness. She is a cute girl but really has a jealous sting. I hope she stays focused on being the nice girl, I would hate to see her lose her temper with Hippie Heather and lose it altogether.

Amongst the mix are some quiet achievers. Until Episode 2, I had no idea who Madeline was. I was left to question if she was from planet earth as she had never seen nor heard of a Bond Girl nor watched or heard of any of the Bond movies. She has made it though to the next episode though, but I am putting money on her going next rose ceremony.

Like a lot of people, I gun for the underdog and for this season, I do believe that label can be awarded to Jacinda. She is a very funny girl and while she is a little bit loud, she has nothing on Sandragon! I hope she gets to spend more time with Bachie Wood in the next episode and for entertainment value of the good kind, she stays for a couple more episodes. Some of the other girls while they sport pretty faces and athletic figures, Jacinda trumps them in the personality department.

Who Went home?

Poor Tessa, after pouring out her heart about being single for 4 years was not given a rose. Poor girl, I hope she finds love real soon. The Sophie Monk look-a-like was also sent home. I forgot she was there until I saw she was left standing there with the other girls. I have to say though, a random discovery left me with information that Krystal (Sophie Monk look-alike) is also a mum, not just Parmigiana. Sadly we didn't get to her big reveal. Then we have Reshael. The one who wouldn't fight the good fight with Sandragon. Poor girl, if only she snapped a little at Sandragon she may have lived for another episode, but boring people don't stay. Reshael has pretty eyes but she was not suited in anyway to Bachie Wood.

So that is my recap for last weeks episodes. I am getting into this show, perhaps a little too much! Would love to hear what your Bachie treats have been and who you might think Bachie Wood will propose to.

Pina Colada Moist Vegan Cake Dairy Free and Egg Free

Ok, let's get one thing straight. I am not a Vegan, though I do embrace certain aspects of veganism. My body no longer deals well with Dairy. It has taken me a while to come to this conclusion, but I have finally accepted that Dairy is now my frenemy. I say frenemy, because I really wish it could be my bestie. I love ice cream, cheese, chocolate, and all that dairy goodness. I wish I could enjoy it without the consequences! So I have decided to lower my dairy intake. I suppose I should cut it out altogether, but realistically, I can't. I drink almond or coconut milk and only drink dairy if its unavoidable. I cut out cheese whenever possible. I don't consume camembert or brie or any other specialty lovely or artisan cheese that I once enjoyed. I limit my chocolate intake and I am proud to say I am good at this. I avoid butter where ever possible. I am not allergic thank goodness, though I haven't had this tested by a medical professional. I just know from my own experience and experiments that dairy no longer has a good influence on me and I have to limit my contact to benefit both of us. It was a hard break up, but I am surviving!

There are some great benefits to the Vegan diet, but I still enjoy my eggs, and I can't exist without meat, though I do limit my intake, much more than I used to. I also try to include more fish into my diet, which again is a no no for Vegans.  So while I can't be a fully fledged Vegan, I still enjoy the vegan recipes I come across. This cake I made the other night came about because a Vegan friend of mine, shared her discovery of whipping chickpea brine, with some sugar to replace eggs. The guy behind this all is Goose Wohlt, who now has a blog. This was insane! How could chickpea brine with sugar be whipped to look just like whipped egg white? But I do not lie. Check the links for yourself and see the Facebook group for more experiences. This concept is so revolutionary because cans of chickpeas or any beans apparently, replacing eggs or egg whites for baking is simply genius! Its so easy to store cans of beans in your cupboard and have them on hand. There are countless ways to use chickpeas and beans for your cooking and now, you can reserve your brine for cooking too! I know some of you are saying, "Grosse me out" and my kids would too, had I told them I used cannellini (white beans) brine to make the cake, but I didn't, and they liked it!!! I found the cake had good texture and was pleasantly moist. While I used pineapple, I think canned apricots, pears, peaches, mangoes etc could be used. Just as long as the syrup/juice is pleasant.  This is a great food storage recipe to keep on hand.

Piña Colada Cake 

 2 cups SRF 

1/4 cup caster sugar 

1 1/4 cup full fat coconut cream (no need to refrigerate)

1 can canallenni bean brine (or chickpea)

 1 Tbsp icing mixture 

400g pineapple pieces or crushed with juice

 2 Tsp vanilla extract 

1.Oven to 180C, line cake tin with baking paper. 

2. Whip brine and icing mixture and 1 tsp of vanilla until soft peaks form 

3. Mix SRF into whipped brine. Stir in coconut cream, caster sugar, tin of pineapple pieces and juice, and 1tsp vanilla until smooth.  

4. Pour into tin and place in oven for 30-35mins. Test with skewer if centre is cooked through. Allow to cool a little before serving. 

ANZAC Cookie Sundae Sandwich

My son is a budding chef! He has really got into trying new and interesting foods and creating new ideas. Last night was dessert night and we have ANZAC cookies as its ANZAC Day tomorrow. These cookies are purchased from Woolworths, personally they are my favourites but I am not sure that the CWA (Country Women's Assoc) would approve of them. I have discovered the original ANZAC biscuits were not chewy but crisp and had to crumble in a particular way so that they would last in the battlefields. Americans had their Hershey Bars, but the Aussies won out with handmade biscuits! However, I still like the chewy versions!!  For my non-Aussie readers, these cookies are pretty much the same as oatmeal cookies.

All you need for this dessert is two ANZAC cookies that have been microwaved for 15 secs. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to one cookie and a swirl of chocolate topping then sandwich the other cookie on top and Bob's your sweet uncle!! Very simple and irresistibly delicious!

Pancake Cupcakes....is it possible?? My copy of Profitjes

I grew up going to second hand markets and garage sales. Every second Saturday of the month I was woken up by my mother at 6am to get ready and head off to North Sydney Markets. Every 4th Saturday ( I think?) was the same ritual for Kirribilli Markets. I loved how each time we went, we came home with curious and thrifty treasures. It was an experience I richly enjoyed. I think my love of ethnic food was born from attending markets. As we would leave so early in the morning we would normally have a mid-morning brunch to fuel our rumbling bellies so we could continue our treasure hunt. As a child I enjoyed the cake stall run by the preschool parents at the North Sydney Markets.I would have 50c to spend on a sweet treat of my choice, which was usually devoured after my savoury brunch which could either be; Korean dumplings, a sausage +bacon+egg roll, or Malaysian noodles. Thinking back on  North Sydney Markets, I don't think there was as much to choose from as there was at Kirribilli.  At Kirribilli, there was the same sausage+bacon+egg rolls, but you could also have these amazing satay skewers with salad on a pita roll, or with rice which were so scrumptious. I also liked a particular Asian food stall which were run by a husband and wife team. Their specialties (at least to me) were their homemade (for a while anyway) spring rolls and dim sims. As for a sweet treat, well this is the true reason why I am writing this post. Have you heard do Profitjes? I was introduced to these amazingly irresistible pancake-like treats at Kirribilli Markets about 20 odd years ago!! It was the mere thought of this stall that helped me get out of bed on freezing cold mornings to go to the markets. Sometimes I didn't care if there was bargains to be had, I just wanted some steaming hot Profitjes with maple syrup, or chocolate or caramel fudge sauce, coupled with banana or strawberries and married with real whipped cream and a sprinkling of powdered sugar. It was so delicious and I am literally drooling as we speak. Oops! Please excuse me a moment, while I wipe up my dribble.

So with this memory in mind and sometimes haunting me from time to time, I came up with the idea of possibly making pancakes in a cupcake pan to try desperately to recreate my child-teen-young adulthood memories of the infamous Profitjes - dutch pancakes.  So I made my own pancake recipe, which I am sure we all have our own favourite one. I whizzed up the ingredients in under a minute in my HotMix Pro Gastro. Using well greased cupcake pan, I pour a large soup spoonful of the mixture into each cupcake pan and placed them into a pre-heated oven of 180C.  This is what I got.


Super delicious with ice cream and maple syrup. These are also a good idea if you need to feed a lot of people at once and don't want to be flipping pancakes half the morning or night!  You could easily add fillings to the batter before they go in the oven too.

Christmas Cooking....Sweet and Salty Rocky Road Crunch

One thing I so love about Christmas is the opportunity to cook for others not just on Christmas day, but also to whip together little treats and give them as gifts. Each year I search for and make something new. I haven't quite found something that really has taken my liking so much that I can't stand it, but I did begin my whipping up of delights on Sunday. We were heading off to have a picnic up on the central coast with friends and I made some rocky road Christmas trees. Rocky Road is one of those things that could be likened to how different a curry is depending on which parts of India you are from. Rocky Road means different things to different people so there are many different recipes floating around the internet. Traditionally, I am told, Rocky Road was made with nuts, coconut, glazed cherries, and marshmallows. Personally I am not a fan of glazed cherries and I don't like how coconut stays in your teeth/molars for hours after you have consumed the chocolately goodness. So I don't add  that either. In replacement of the cherries I add raspberry lollies. I don't really replace the coconut per say. I tend to add whatever takes my fancy at the time. However, what my recipe always maintains is good quality Cadbury chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows. Those who consume my Rocky Road tell me its to die for, which I think is one of the best compliments a cook could ask for!

Today, I made something kinda like Rocky Road, but very different in more ways than one. It didn't have anything resembling a cherry or raspberry lolly. It does maintain the chocolate part and the marshmallow, but I decided to add a little crunch using Heath English Toffee Bits.

First of all, I do have to apologise to all my Aussie readers. To my knowledge, I don't believe you can purchase Heath English Toffee Bits here in Australia. I was lucky to have a family member bring some back from the USA for me. What you could substitute it for could be homemade toffee processed into small bits. You could also use the caramel chip/bits that Nestle make, or you could chop up some caramel fudge or Jersey caramels, but you won't get a crunch effect, but it would still taste really good! I also added broken up pretzels to the mix and this is what I got.

This is a mixture of sweet and salty, smooth and crunchy. It makes for a different take on the traditional Rocky Road, that's for sure. I'm confident my recipients will be delight.

Mastering Caramel in the HotMix Pro

One of the main differences between a HMP and TM 31, Kenwood Cooking Chef, a ThermoChef, and other thermal cooking machines, is that the HMP can reach 130C for the Easy model and 190C for the Gastro model. The others just can't do this. Its as simple as that.  I know some comments have been made that the TM 31 can make nougat for example, but the whole recipe from start to end, can't be made in the TM 31, you have to transfer ingredients to a saucepan. With an HMP from beginning to end its in the one machine. If you have ever made caramel on the stove top then you will know what it takes. It's not a simple task and there is more than 1 piece of cooking equipment required. With the HMP, all you need is the machine and the paddle attachment, it is that simple and once the ingredients are in, you simply walk away! It's just so good, its hard to believe. Well, you have to believe it people, because I have done it!  I have to admit, it took two attempts to get this recipe right. With my first attempt I used honey as my sweetener and my critics family were not impressed with the honey flavour, they wanted the real stuff!! That being said, if you like honey I recommend you try making caramel with honey its a healthier option than the one I went with.

So this evening, I took on my challenge of making better caramel that would make my critics family happy. I used this recipe,  at AmberLee's blog, giverslog. The only thing I replaced was glucose syrup for the light corn syrup and as this is a really hard substance I didn't really measure exactly 1 cup, it could have been a little less. If the glucose syrup has been sitting in your cupboard for a while and its winter (as it is for me) you will need to sit it in some very hot or boiled water to make it runny. I find measuring it and then pouring the measured amount a waste of time, so I just estimate it as I pour it from the container. Its up to you how you want to do it, but if you do measure it sit the measuring cup in the same water for a little bit before adding to the HMP so it comes out easily.  I also used 300g of butter.

This is what I did.

Add chopped butter to HMP and set on speed 1 and temp to 130C and allow the butter to melt, which should only take a minute or so, but the machine won't reach 130C.

When butter is melted, press stop and lift whole lid to add the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar and glucose syrup, and attach paddle. Close lid and allow to continue to cook on speed 1 until it reaches 130C, this can take 15-20 minutes, but it doesn't matter too much what the time is the HMP will stop when it reaches 130C. Make sure the lid stopper is in place during the whole process. Once it reaches 130C and beeps, add the vanilla extract and let cook for a further 1 minute. The caramel will look like this:

Actually, I overcooked this just a little, so yours might be a little lighter perhaps or at least not as thick as mine ended up. I cooked it until 134C, but I think stopping at 130C is the best temp, as this is what I did on my previous attempt.

Pour this onto a baking tray that has been lined with baking paper and allow to cool before you pre-cut or put into fridge. Or, you can mix things up a little and do what I did. I know its very fashionable to add salt to your caramel. Personally, I have never consider this an attractive option, but today, I thought I would take the idea on but in my own way.

While the caramel was cooking I broke up some pretzels with my hands and scattered them over the bottom of the lined baking tray. I also broke up some milk chocolate Cadbury melts, and I also had some Nestle Caramel chips so I spread some of those in as well. I poured the caramel on top of this layer and while the caramel was still hot I scattered more milk choc melts on top. The heat of the caramel melts the chocolate.

After about 1/2-1 hour, the chocolate is nicely melted and you can start to cut the caramel up into small pieces, but still be careful as it is still quite hot, particularly in the middle. Allow the caramel to continue to cool completely preferably outside of the fridge. Store in an airtight container in your cupboard or fridge.

My critics family have praised me on this latest effort and because I have my HMP doing all the hard work for me, I know I can only get better from here.  I also can't wait to use this recipe for caramel apples. Rest assured, as soon as I do this, a post will soon follow, because come Halloween and Christmas, I will be doing this in a big way! I haven't been able to master the art, but now I know I can make it work!

**This does make a slightly harder caramel. A change of temp for example, 125C or so could create a slightly softer caramel. A few more attempts and I am sure I have it down pat!!**

All the indgredients used in this recipe can be stored easily in your pantry, making it a perfect food storage recipe. The butter can be fresh and stored in your fridge or you can also use canned butter.

HotMix Pro Recipes: Kingston Truffles, perfect for Mother's Day

One of my most favouritist and easiest sweets I like to make that is always a crowd pleaser is Oreo truffles. Everyone loves them and I so wish that I invented them, but alas its a borrowed idea and basically I make them over and over using my favourite cream biscuits, because naturally I unfortunately have many of them!

I particularly enjoy the Arnott's Kingston. This chocolate cream is sandwiched with what can only be described as mini butternut biscuits. Many of us know that butternuts are perfect for a no bake base for cheesecakes and other slices. So why not use them for a truffle?

What you will need:

2 packets Kingstons
125g Philly cream cheese
200g quality chocolate ( I used Cadbury melts)

Method

1. Put Kingstons in HMP with blades on speed 8 for 20 secs.
2. Add cream cheese and mix with blades on speed 5 for 20 secs. Scrape sides and mix a further 15-20 secs or until mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Leave mixture in bowl if you want and refrigerate for 20 minutes or freezer for about 10mins.
4. Using a spoon roll mixture in balls and put into either mini muffin trays or on baking tray. Put back into fridge or freezer while you melt chocolate.

5. I use mini muffin trays as I find these easy to keep the truffle where I want it and its easy to cover them with chocolate. I use a spoon to drop chocolate over the biscuit balls. Otherwise you can use a skewer and dip balls in chocolate. Refrigerate until set.

Store truffles in a container with a lid in refrigerator for up to 7 days or freeze.

These are easy to make and would make a perfect treat for your mum! Best of all, you can make these truffles with any kind of biscuit, but cream biscuits are best:) Enjoy!

HotMix Pro Recipes: PB n Caramel Choc Cream Pie

One thing that I particularly like about this recipe is that I didn't clean out the bowl once after each step. Each layer of this pie has flavours that marry well, so I didn't feel the need to concern myself with cleaning the bowl. Its up to you, but try it out if you like.

Ever since watching "The Help" I have been a little obsessed with searching for pie recipes and making pies. If you have seen the movie or read the book, you can smile with me as you remember the classic line of Minnie's, "Eat, my, Sh*$!!". I crack up each time I picture it in my head. I suppose you could say I was inspired by the chocolate pie fiasco a little with this recipe I concocted. I actually mixed up a lot of things that I have discovered along the way of my pie searching. Of course you can make this recipe without a HMP, but the HMP just makes it that much easier and quicker. You also get an amazing consistency with the HMP. So here is what I did.

Base Ingredients
1 packet digestive biscuits
1 cup pretzels
130g butter melted
1 tbsp peanut butter

Filling
1 can caramel top and fill
100g cream cheese
1-2 tbsp peanut butter ( peanut butter is optional but is a great flavour)
1 tbsp gelatin or 1 packet
400ml hot water to dissolve gelatin

Topping
200ml cream
1tbsp quality cocoa
1 tbsp icing sugar

Method

1. Biscuits and pretzels on speed 5 for 20 secs
2. Add melted butter and peanut butter and mix on speed 2 for 30 secs
3. Press into pie dish and refrigerate.
4. Mix can caramel, cream cheese with paddle attachment on speed 2 for 20 secs. Scrape sides and remove paddle attachment. Add peanut butter and mix on speed 3 for 30 seconds
5. Mix gelatin in hot water with a fork and mix well.
6. Add gelatin to caramel mix and mix on speed 1 for 20 secs
7. Pour caramel mixture into pie dish and put back in fridge for at least 2 hours.
8. When caramel layer is set mix cream, cocoa, and icing sugar using paddle attachment on speed 3 for  around 1 minute or until it has stiff peaks.
9. Spread over pie.

The pretzels and peanut butter add the right amount of salt to balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients. Its a really great dessert that can be made in the morning or afternoon and be ready for the evening. All ingredients can be stored in your pantry, even the cream! Yes you can get UHT cream, but make sure you refrigerate the cream for at least 1 hour before you whip it or it won't whip.

HotMixPro Review Part 3, The Recipes

Hi to all! I have finally organised some time to get some recipes up. As I mentioned in my last post, I will gradually add recipes so please check back often. Now you will have to forgive me for some of the photos I will be posting. Not too long ago, I took a drink from my water bottle and put it back in my handbag, to discover a couple of minutes later that I hadn't screwed the lid back on properly and a good 400ml of water was trapped in my bag and pretty much everything except my purse got destroyed, including my much loved digital camera:( So I was very upset about that but more so because I could only blame myself, which was upsetting!!! Anyway, I have been taking some pictures on my Iphone 3 which isn't the best, until I either get a new one or borrow my mums, which ever comes first!!

I have really got used to using my HMP and it really is an amazing machine. There are some appliances that I haven't touch since I started using my HMP, which really goes to show how versatile the machine is.

The first recipe I want to share with you really shows how amazing the HMP Gastro model really is. A lot of people ask me why I would want a cooking machine that goes up to 190C, what is the point? Well, if you have ever stood at stove stirring constantly to make caramels, or toffee, or caramel for caramel popcorn, or praline for that matter, you will love what you can achieve with the HMP Gastro. Not only do you not have to stand at your stove top stirring consistantly and constantly, you also don't have to concern yourself with a cany thermometer or if you don't use one of those, you don't have to worry about when you reach soft, or hard crack stage or worry about burning anything because its all done for you in the machine. Set the temp, the speed and then walk away, its that simple!

Honey Comb

1 1/2 cups (335g) white sugar
1/2 cup (125ml) honey
1/3 cup (80ml) water
2 tbs golden syrup
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
200g dark chocolate, chopped Line deep dish tray with baking paper 1. Add sugar, honey, water, and golden syrup to machine. Mix on speed 1( or no speed) and set to 154C wait temp. Make sure the stopper/centre lid is in place, if its not in place for the full cooking time the toffee won't crystalise properly and it will be useless. * 'Wait temp' basically means that you set the tempature you want the mixture to reach and the machine will gradually reach that tempature and then the machine will stop. 2. Pour mixture into a stainless steel bowl and add the bicarb of soda and mix with a wooden spoon and make sure it is mixed well but quickly. 3. Pour into the prepared tray and leave to cool which can take up to a couple of hours. 4. Melt chocolate and pour over honey comb and smooth over top. Once it sets, break honey comb into pieces and enjoy. I personally didn't add chocolate, our family love it without:) Its so simple to do and takes very little time. Its perfect for a treat or to make up for a gift:) The next recipe is the answer to a lot of mum's prayers on how to get the kids to eat veges. I have made this for my kids several times now and not once have they asked me what I put in it. So for me its a winner!! Vegeful Spaghetti Bologanese 1 carrot  1 capsicum 1/2 red onion 1/2 tbs minced garlic 1 zuccini 1 tomato 250g lean minced beef, or pork, or chicken 1 jar tomato pasta sauce salt and pepper to taste 500g pasta cooked seperately to packet directions grated cheese Directions 1. Chop each of the vegetables into a couple of pieces and add to machine with garlic and chop on speed 4 for 10 secs. You can cook the pasta at this stage. 2. Add a small amount of oil and cook on 70C using speed 1 for about 2 mins. 3. Break up mince and add to machine and cook on speed 1, 85C for about 15mins. 4. Add jar of tomato pasta, salt and pepper, and mix through on speed 2 for 2 minutes on 85C. 3. Add bologanse to pasta and top with cheese and serve. Its a winner and you can clean up while it cooks! You can add any kind of vegetables you like. For our big family, I actually make this up with 400-500g of mince and it makes enough for the meal and left overs. That's it for now, but stay tuned for more recipes:)

Snow Covered Rocky Road

I think for me, making rocky road usually means its Christmas. I don't normally make it any other time of the year and I don't really think of making it any other time of the year. I have posted about Rocky Road bites before, but this time I wanted to do something a little bit different.  This years mix included:

Pascall marshmallows (best marshies on the planet!!!)
rasberry lollies
almond M&Ms
Roasted silvered almonds
Malteesers

To this I added melted Cadbury dairy milk chocolate and mixed through to coat all the ingredients and put it in a pan to set.

Just before I put this in the fridge to set completely, I decided, for something different to melt up some Nestles premium white chocolate for the snowy effect, because it really suits the climate of Sydney, Australia this time of year!!! Hahaha!! Na, it was just for something different and it looked good!

I then cute up the Rocky Road into bite size pieces so you don't feel overwhelmed when you eat it!  I didn't get a picture of the pieces, but it was super delicious!