Classic chocolate chip cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies

So how were the holidays everyone? Did you have fun? Did the Easter bunny come to visit? The last two weeks have gone quickly – holiday outings and play dates, the build up to Easter and of course lots of egg hunting fun and family time over the long Easter weekend made for a busy time. Then last week we went on a family holiday with friends where we headed to Montagu for a few days. (Can you believe that in all my thirty five years this was the first time I had ever visited Montagu Springs?) We love a good road trip, although sadly the littlest of our troupe decided that he was not enjoying the long drive and expressed his disapproval in a rather loud and shouty manner for much of the way! Other than that little hiccup the trip was loads of fun and turned out to be a perfect spot to take the family. All in all it was a very special holiday and I can’t help feeling a bit sad that it is over. For now, it is back to school runs, packed lunches and the regular term time routine – onward and forward!

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How to make perfect chocolate coated strawberries

 

 

I started February with a chocolate recipe, and in the month of love I thought I might as well continue the theme! It does seem a bit cheeky to call this a recipe, think of it as more of a “how to” for making gorgeous chocolate dipped strawberries for your someone special (or yourself). This Valentine’s Day I have you covered!

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A trio of summer spreads – hummus, tzatziki, tuna pâté

Greetings and Happy New Year everyone! I have had a lovely break, albeit a busy one packed with get togethers with family and friends, bits of admin that we did not get to during the year and plenty of feasting. We even managed to end off with a few days away in beautiful Franschhoek – just my little family, which was a perfect way to end off a busy holiday. It almost made up for the administrative portion of the holiday – because nothing screams “holiday fun” more than having to queue for five hours to renew your car licence and another eight hours for passports! Hey ho.

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Festive rocky road

Summer holidays are here again and with them (hopefully) some much deserved down time for you all. For many of us this time of year is steeped in tradition, whether that centres around a getaway to a favourite holiday destination, Christmas festivities or the food we eat. It is also a time for reflection on the year gone by and the inevitable question – just where has this year gone? Continue reading “Festive rocky road” →

Spicy mushroom nachos


We have reached the end of the #JoinTheBlendTrend series and I thought I would finish up with a dish that reminds me of fun times with friends, feasting and general merriment. I actually remember the last time I ate nachos at a Mexican restaurant with friends – it was a rainy Cape Town evening a very, very long time ago (note to self: arrange a Mexican dinner soon!). Luckily nachos are pretty easy to whip up and enjoy at home and I am sure you will enjoy these ones!

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Date and nut balls (with video)

Date balls for snacking.

Warning: parental ramblings ahead! I am sure parents everywhere are breathing a collective sigh of relief as school resumes for the third term. If I am honest I actually quite enjoyed the 3 week break from lunchboxes, school runs and most of all the dreaded “lurgies” that always make their way home from the playground. Yes, the holidays can push any parent’s patience to the limit at times, but all too often I am reminded of how quickly time goes and that this chapter in our family journey is really so fleeting and special. Even when I am knee deep in stuffed toys, picking tiny bits of muesli off the soles of my feet (did I not just sweep that floor 5 minutes ago?!?) and answering the same question for the tenth time whilst pureeing a chicken and veggie concoction for the babe. All to the soundtrack of the washing machine and Disney radio. Special times, chaos and all!

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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.