For the love of cake: Cake round up

I feel as though CAKES have been my theme lately, with various celebrations that have happened over the last few months. So this week I thought it might be fun to share some of my recent cake creations with you. Let’s just clarify one thing out though – I looove to bake, but when it comes to cake decorating my skills are more on the rustic side. Some of the cakes worked out better than others, but all of them were made with love!

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Strawberry and peach yoghurt pops

It has been a hot, hawt summer down here in the Cape. Stick-to-your-seat, get-that-fan-on-now kind of hot. If you were a fly on the wall in our home you would witness a similar scene most afternoons. In an attempt to cool down, our three year old (having gradually discarded each item of her clothing as the afternoon has gone on) is usually running around with nothing on by supper time, and small items of clothing and empty princess water bottles are strewn all over the house. Maybe you have a toddler at home too and can relate – please say you do! It must seem a crazy sight.

Having endured some frightfully cold European winters and not so summery summers I do not want to complain too much about the heat, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to autumn just a tiny bit. Yet, in the spirit of summer here is a new recipe for you to enjoy.
In an attempt to beat the heat I whipped these up a few weeks ago. These easy to make yoghurt pops are a fantastic treat to keep in the freezer for those hot and sticky days. My little one loves this two tone snack and its a very effective way to get her to eat some extra fruit. Now, if only I could get her to stay fully clothed for an entire day…
Cook’s note – I only a used a little honey in this recipe, but feel free to add more if you prefer your lolly to be a bit sweeter. This recipe would also work well with other kinds of berries and stone fruit, and you could even play around with different yoghurt flavours. Get the kids involved and have fun!

 

 

STRAWBERRY AND PEACH YOGHURT POPS

  • 250g fresh strawberries, stalks removed and halved
  • 200ml plain yoghurt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 3 peaches, peeled and stoned
  • 6 x 100ml lolly moulds
1.) Place the strawberries, 100ml of the yoghurt, 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp honey in a food processor (or use a stick blender) and whizz until smooth and combined. Taste and add more honey if you prefer a sweeter lolly.

2.) Divide the strawberry mix between the moulds, so that they are each half full. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or until they are firm to the touch but still soft enough to insert the lolly stick.

3.) Cut the peaches into chunks and whizz up along with the remaining yoghurt, vanilla and honey until combined. Again, you can add additional honey according to taste if you wish. Top up each lolly mould, insert the stick and leave to chill in the freezer until firm.

 

A healthy start… berry and mint smoothies

2015 is here, Happy New Year to you all! Christmas was a fairly quiet affair for us, but still filled with spoils and indulgence. I am always a little sad as the Christmas tree is dismantled and the last scraps of gammon are enjoyed, but also excited to find out what the year ahead has in store. 2015 already has a good feeling about it, don’t you think? For many of us a new year symbolises a fresh start, resolutions and, when it comes to food, an opportunity to get our diets back on track! Sound familiar?
 
On the subject of diets, I have always taken the view that balance is key and have not set myself any lofty eating goals. I also know that I would be kidding myself if I thought I could give up my chocolate! This is a great recipe that I whipped up recently, and is perfect if you are looking for a simple recipe to give you a boost as you ease out of holiday mode and head into the new year. Sharp berries, creamy yoghurt and fresh mint combine in a delicious and filling smoothie for the whole family.

BERRY AND MINT SMOOTHIES

  • Servings: 2 (Makes 400ml)
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  • 200g mixed frozen berries
  • 125ml (½ cup) vanilla or plain yoghurt
  • 50g banana, sliced
  • 5 fresh mint leaves, washed
  • 2 tsp honey
Place all the ingredients in a blender and whizz together until combined and smooth. Taste and add extra honey if you prefer a sweeter smoothie. Serve immediately.


Chocolate crunchies

 

Hello friends, it has been a while! Are we counting down to Christmas already?

The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs as we welcomed our new little boy to the world. It has been an absolute joy to enjoy newborn cuddles, watch the beginnings of sibling bonding and see good friends arriving at the door with a meal in their hands (a definite highlight)! Unfortunately though, we have also had to contend with an awful bug that has been hanging around us for weeks, on top of the expected sleep deprivation and exhaustion (what day is it?). Yet here we are, 6 weeks later and I can happily report that we are all adjusting and starting to settle into our new “normal”.

 

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Cookie Swap 4 and chocolate orange sugar hearts

Cookie Swap 4 took place on the 2nd of August, and once again it was a national event that saw cookie lovers from around the country gathering together to exchange treats, socialise and most importantly raise money for Learn to Earn and specifically their Bake For Profit students who are in dire need of more kitchen equipment to assist with their training. Do have a look at the website to see how this fantastic organisation gives people “a hand up, not a hand out”!

A Paddington Bear party and marmalade sandwich cookies

I am no stranger to long stints in the kitchen, but as I write this I feel as though I am still recovering from the cooking marathon that happened this past weekend. It was all for a very special reason though, as I was preparing for my daughters 2nd birthday party!

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