Christmas treat- Pancakes for breakfast

ohh, I love Jamie Oliver. 

I love his recipes, I love the way he cooks, i love his carisma.

This week they had this show, Jamie christmas family on the tv every evening at 6:30. Did you watch? I watched and recorded the 5 episodes, and got so inspired that cooked some of the stuff the day after (even tho he is in the frozen winter and we are in boiling (not so boiling) summer.
One night he made left overs turkey "Chili con carne" so I made chili con carne vegetarian style. other day he showed how to make those amazing roasted potatoes. I adapted on my own way obviously but made with balsamic glaze, was just amazing. 

And one of the days the thought how to cook breakfast pancakes.I made them this morning and they were so good we ate them all (even tho would have been enough for 3 or 4 people).

I must say you will see the ingredients, the are not too bad at all (Until you put toppings heheheh).

So here we go:

easy easy pancakes (For 3 ou 4 people)

1 cup of regular flour  (Jamie oliver recipe uses self raising flour and no baking powder)

1 cup of milk

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp of baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Some fruit (optional but advisable) -  I put strawberries. In Jamie recipe he uses pear.

Butter (if you want the fat version) or olive oil spray (little bit lighter, and is what I used) for cooking them

Method

In a large bowl put flour, milk, egg, salt and baking powder and whisk it until gets soft. Then grate or chop the fruit inside and mix with a spoon

Heat up a large frying pan with the butter or oil. You will need to cook them batches. Put 3or 4  tbsp of the batch and it will set in one pancake.  you can make 2 or 3 at the same time depending on the size of your frying pan. Leave it for a couple of minutes than turn and leave the other side to cook for a couple of minutes.

if you want them to look very very nice you can sprinkle icing sugar on the top.

Voila.

Suggestions of toppings.

Ricotta, Banana, Cinamon and honey

Mapple syrup

Strawberries, banana and yogurt

Just honey and yogurt

whatever else comes to your mind.

Ps.: We were hungry so I ended up forgetting to take a photo of the final result. heheheh

Merry xmas.

Google's Xmas Gift to the world

http://www.google.com/landing/thankyou/2010/

I cant embed the video, so you will need to click in the link and watch! :)
AMAZING!

Masterchef magazine

oh yes. I got a mastercheg magazine subscription yesterday and soon, lots of news for you...

mua haha

One of the most talented people that I've ever met

Watch for yourself...

Sufganyots (doughnuts) for chanuka

So its chanukah again. Its the jewish festival of lights...and doughnuts.


here is a brilliant little recipe that I made today. I have this gazillion people coming to celebrate chanuka in my house on Wednesday and I thought about giving a try before the big day.
Well, I must say, they lasted 5 minutes. :)

Image from Martha stewart website.

to make around 20 donuts, you will need:

2 tbsp active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water (100 degrees to 110 degrees)

1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, plus more for rolling

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

2 tsp salt

2 tbps unsalted butter or margerine, room temperature

3 cups vegetable oil, plus extra  for oiling a bowl

1 cup seedless strawberry or raspberry jam or whatever else you want.

Advisable to have a thermometer, or a deep fryer.

Method:

In a small bowl, combine yeast, warm water, and 1 tsp sugar. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.

Place flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the center; add eggs, yeast mixture, 1/4 cup sugar, butter, nutmeg, and salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir until a sticky dough forms. On a well-floured work surface, knead until dough is smooth, soft, and bounces back when poked with a finger, about 8 minutes (add more flour if necessary). Place in an oiled bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place to rise until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch-round cutter or drinking glass, cut 20 rounds. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise 15 minutes.

In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat oil until a deep-frying thermometer registers 370 degrees. Using a slotted spoon, carefully slip 4 rounds into oil. Fry until golden, about 40 seconds. Turn doughnuts over; fry until golden on other side, another 40 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Roll in sugar while warm. Fry all dough, and roll in sugar.

Using a wooden skewer or toothpick, make a hole in the side of each doughnut. Fit the pastry tip into a hole, pipe about 2 teaspoons jam into doughnut. Repeat with remaining doughnuts.

Basil Pesto

Hey,


do you know how to make pesto?
it is so versatile, isn't it? Ben (my hubby) loves pesto. He likes to spread it in his sandwich, or put it in salad, or in the pasta...Even in the chicken and pizza.


So here is a home made recipe for pesto that you can make at home:
To make 1 1/2 cup you will need:
2 cups basil leaves, coarsely chopped (preferably from your garden/balcony)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 cup (45g) toasted pine nuts
1/3 cup (35g) finely grated parmesan
1/2 cup (125ml) olive oil, plus extra

Method:

1. Place the basil, garlic, pine nuts and parmesan in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely chopped. (Alternatively, place ingredients in a mortar and pound with a pestle until well combined).
2. With the motor running, gradually add the oil in a thin, steady stream until well combined and a smooth paste forms. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Transfer to an airtight container and pour over a little extra oil to cover the pesto surface (this will prevent the basil from oxidising and turning black).

Image from Salt and Pepper blog

how to fold a fitted sheet

A friend send me an email saying: You should post this video in your blog, and he (yes, was a male friend) was right.
I actually have problems folding my fitted sheets.

so here we go:

New addiction

Pasta with tomato cream sauce

Very very simple idea and recipe for one of these nights when the weather is not so good and you are not very inspired...


You will need: 

• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 2 cans Tomato Sauce Or Marinara Sauce
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• Dash Of Sugar (more To Taste)
• 1 cup double Cream
• Grated Parmesan Or Romano Cheese, To Taste
• Fresh Basil, Chopped
• 700g Fettuccine

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

Heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for a minute or so. Pour in tomato sauce and add salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Stir and cook over low heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and stir in cream. Add cheese to taste, then check seasonings. Stir in pasta and chopped basil and serve immediately. (Thin with pasta water before adding basil if needed.)

Image from Lauren's Kitchen blog

Ideas for Xmas pressies

Hi People,


Xmas is just in the corner...Where did the year go?


Anyways, I was thinking about some ideas for xmas pressies and I come up with the following friendly product (Friendly because I know all owners and a little bit of advertisement for free for your friends doest not  hurt anyone right?) Everything can be bought online, from the comfort of your house. 


SJA ACCESSORIES
SJA ACCESSORIES is a passionate and vibrant family business, proudly Australian owned and operated.  We specialise in importing exquisite hand-made bangles and fashion accessories fit for any occasion. Our various collections offer versatility and unbeatable value for money .....  making it easy to spoil yourself.

 

Vazu Australia

It’s time to forget about the vases you know and open up to a whole new and exciting concept, where nothing is like what it seems. Although they appear to be made of crystal or glass, they are actually made from a unique form of plastic.
They come folded absolutely flat for you to take them anywhere easily. The vases are strong, durable, washable, reusable and even friendly to the environment. 

 

       

Female for Life

Activewear For Real Women with Real Curves

No matter what your body shape, we know you want to keep healthy and look good while you do it. We also know as a real woman with normal curves, you're looking for activewear that flatters your shape and makes you feel sexy while still letting you move easily and comfortably.

                              

  

Happy shopping!

The easiest pineapple sorbet in the world

Now that summer is finally heating up the weather, what about a super duper easy recipe for Pineapple sorbet that is actually also low fat, low calories...


You will need a can of pineapple packed in juice.
A few hours or a few days before, open the can of pineapples and pour everything that is inside into a freezer friendly container.
When its really frozen, remove it from the freezer and let it sit in the counter for around 10 minutes. Use a knife and break the block in large chunks, and then place them in the food processor.

Process the pineapple in the processor, stopping if you need to push the chunks closer to the blades. You should  do it for a couple of minutes until is smooth and with a creamy consistency. Serve immediately.

Left overs can be refrozen.

And for a snack at work this arvo

mix up some avocado and ricotta cheese, cut up some carrot sticks, and happy days.

that's another one of the food ideas that I said I was going to start putting away, hope you like it.

Is this the end?

We’re Running Out Of Chocolate - Are we?

At the rate we’re going, chocolate is going to be a rare – and extremely pricey – commodity within the next 20 years. Somebody needs to light a fire under those Oompa-Loompas, stat.

The problem’s easy to explain, and much harder to fix. According to the Cocoa Research Association, we’re consuming more chocolate than we’re producing cocoa. Which means, eventually, we’re going to run out.

Cocoa’s notoriously difficult to harvest, meaning more and more small-scale West African growers – who make an average of 80 cents per day – have little incentive not to turn to more lucrative crops, likrubber, or give up farming altogether in favour of more stable opportunities in cities.

What will the shortage mean? $10 Snickers bars, sooner than you think. Pretzels given out for Halloween. Or more lollies made from carob, a poor substitute for the sweet and sticky real deal. And a tectonic shift in how we view our mochas, according the Nature Conservation Research Council’s John Mason:

“In 20 years chocolate will be like caviar. It will become so rare and so expensive that the average Joe just won’t be able to afford it.”

But don’t lose hope! Both Hershey and Mars Inc have sequenced the cacao genome, meaning more resilient trees could be in our future. And 20 years seems like enough time to figure out how to incentivise farmers appropriately.

Still, though, just in case, my Cadbury Cream Egg stockpiling starts now

From gizmodo

Focaccia Bread - All Vegan

Lets try a recipe that is all vegan friendly, is everyone's favourite (Overall is BREAD), and its hand made, not in the bread machine.


Focaccia Bread
Prep time: 5 minute, plus 20 minutes rise time
Cook time: 15-20 minutes


You will need:
2 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tap sugar
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup warm water
2 tbsp olive oil


Method:
1. In a large bowl or electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, stir together the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil and black pepper. Mix in the vegetable oil and warm water.

2. Continue kneading in the electric mixture until it becomes elasticy and smooth. If mixing by hand, turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until elasticy and smooth. Lightly oil a large bowl (could be  the bowl you used to  mixed it in!), place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 230° C. Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a 1/2 inch thick circle. Brush top with olive oil. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

image from Prepared Pantry.

Food ideas that don't need recipe

I just decided I will start posting food ideas that actually don't require any recipe. You can make it up by yourself but they are still nice....basically suggestions for dinner tonight.


You know sometimes when you get home, and you are really without any inspiration? I don't know if ever happened to you but happens to me sometimes, its not a matter of looking for a recipe, because I am not sure what I am looking for...makes any sense?

So I will start writing suggestions as they come...who knows....it might ends up as a book of suggestions without recipes.


What do you say?

So starting with ingredients that basically everyone has at home


So, what about some pasta, tossed with spinach(or any other vegetable),Parmesan cheese and a pinch of pepper? (maybe some butter to keep it moist, or a very nice olive oil)




Simple omelette, or frittata...I LOVE the Spanish style omelette with eggs and potatoes.
And also, you can make a sandwich from that. Believe me, I used to live in Spain and they do!

Or a Pasta tuna salad...with whatever you find in your fridge.


Bon Appetit.

animal nails

You will need:
Liquid Eye Liner
3 nail polish
nail polish remover



First - paint the base in the colour you want (In this case - blue)
Put on round dots with other colour (Pink in this case)
And now just start applying eye liner :)
But before you put on the top coat, remember to let them dry and don't press the nail polish hard, or the eye-liner will get dirty >:):D

DIY Health Check

Here are 5 simple health checks that you can do it at home and could actually alert to more serious things:


You will need:
 - A PAIR OF TWEEZERS - increased facial hair could mean one of the symptoms of PCOS  (Polycystic ovary syndrome). Apart from increased body hair, specifically around the chin, stomach and nipples, other symptoms could be disordered periods, weight gain and acne. 
 - NAIL CLIPPERS The way your nails look sometimes can reflect health issues. If your nails are pale, it may indicate an iron deficiency. Flanky and brittle nails can sometimes indicate that your thyroid is imbalanced and yellowfish nails can mean either a fungal infection or poor circulation. 
 - A MIRROR  Stick your tongue out and say: AAAHHHH. a healthy tongue should look pink, smooth and fairly moist. However, the tongue could become swollen, discouloured, white, painful...those are symptoms of stress, too much alcohol. vitamin deficiencies or even more serious illness.
 - A HAIRBRUSH - Hair loss in women is quite common, particularly during pregnancy or stress. however, hair loss can also indicate thyroid problems, iron deficiency and diabetes, and also, vitamin D deficiency. 
 - DENTAL FLOSS - A recent study has shown links between serious gum disease and risk of cardiovascular disease, so if you have bleeding gums, or mouth ulcers...see your doctor. 










(From Coles Beauty & Health magazine)

Best packaged food out there for you

I got that from a magazine (women's health) but I thought was worth it sharing cause not always we can make everything from scratch right?
So what are the best packaged food that we can buy?


here are some ideas for dinner:
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Leggo’s Sugo di Pomodoro Premium Cooking Sauce – Italian Herbs with Basil 






















Dried pasta
Vetta High Fibre

Added oat fibre doubles the fibre content.

Gluten-free pasta 
San Remo Gluten Free Penne

This holds together well – unlike others... 

Side dish
Sun Rice Roasted Vegetable Brown Rice

Low in saturated fat and has some fibre. 

Rice
Sun Rice Brown Whole Grain Rice

The whole grain makes it highest fibre. 

Noodles 
Chang’s Whole Wheat Noodles

Add thick or thin noodles to your stir-fry.

Couscous
Ainsley Harriott Plain Couscous

Low in fat, sodium and kilojoules. Sold. 

Stir-fry sauce 
Kan Tong Sweet & Sour Lite

No MSG, 99 per cent fat free, lowest sodium. 

Fish 
Birds Eye Steamed Fish Fillets, Lemon and Parsley

These fillets have no artificial colours, preservatives or flavours. Plus they’re ready in a flash. 

Chicken 
Ingham Lite Breast Appetizers

Lowest fat and kilojoule crumbed chicken product available. 
















Frozen dinner 

Healthy Choice Stir-Fry Chicken with Hokkien Noodles

With one serving of vegies, this quick meal keeps that saturated fat low.

Frozen pizza
McCain Pizza Perfection Thin Crust Tandoori Chicken

Oven-frozen pizza that’s the lowest in kJs, saturated fat and sodium.


















Frozen potatoes
Healthy Choice Country Style Wedges

These suckers are low in fat. 

Frozen burger
I&J Lean Beefers Lean Beef Patties

Lower kilojoule option with 60 per cent less fat than the regular patties.




















Vegie burger 
Sanitarium Vegie Delights, Not Burgers

Great for vegos. High in protein and low sodium. High in zinc too. 

Stir-fry mix
McCain Stirfry Supreme Vegetables

A healthy variety of vegies.




















Frozen vegies
Heinz Steamfresh Carrot, Corn & Broccoli

Single serve packs for vegies in a flash. 

Canned vegies
Edgell Mixed Vegetables

Lower in sodium than other tinned types.