Monthly Archives: July 2013

The 5-2 Challenge. Full of Flavour. Low in Fat. Lamb Shank and Barley Soup With Vegetables.

Nothing beats a Lamb Shank and Barley Soup in winter. Delicious and nutritious. Loaded with vegetables. Full of flavour. Low in fat. Hearty, warming fast day fare. To be perfectly frank this dish has always been a staple on our … Continue reading

Posted in Lamb, Soup, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

What To Bake With Leftover Egg Whites. Dainty Little Almond Tea Cakes. Raspberry and Lemon Friands.

What to bake with all the egg whites leftover from my husband’s birthday mousse cake. Something fruity and delicious. Raspberry and lemon friands definitely hit the sweet spot today. Dainty little almond tea cakes that disappear in a few bites. … Continue reading

Posted in Baked, Sweet Treats, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The 5-2 Challenge. Fast, Healthy and Wholesome. Raspberry and Banana Smoothies.

Last week I embarked on just one full fast day instead of my usual two. Railroaded by an attempt to bake my husband’s rather decadent chocolate birthday torte on fast day number two. My usual fast day eating plan was … Continue reading

Posted in Breakfast, Fruit, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

For Serious Chocoholics. A Wicked Indulgence. Chocolate Mousse Torte with Candied Morello Cherries and Hazelnut Praline

In our family we always celebrate birthdays with a homemade cake. The choice of cake is always at the discretion of the birthday boy or girl. Needless to say over the years I have made all manner of cakes – … Continue reading

Posted in Baked, Chocolate, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Waste Not. Want Not. From An Italian Mama’s Kitchen. Pasta With Broccoli, Pancetta, Chilli And Garlic.

With three teenagers I always seem to be in the car. Driving them to one or another of their sport or extracurricular commitments. More often than not I’m stuck in traffic. Listening to the radio. The other day I happened … Continue reading

Posted in Pasta, Vegetables, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mid Week Dessert. Quick and Easy. Hot Apple Wonton Pies.

Tuesday night in our house is all about using up the contents of the fridge before our weekly grocery shop. This week’s inventory included half a packet of wonton wrappers left over from our weekend ricotta ravioli fix. Perfect for … Continue reading

Posted in Baked, Fruit, Sweet Treats, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The 5-2 Challenge. My Fast Day Snack With Crunch. Oven Baked Beetroot Crisps.

Sweet, earthy beetroot. Perfect fast day food. High in fibre and antioxidants. Low in calories and fat with an  impressive energy count of only 45 calories per 100 grams. A cooler weather vegetable, beetroot also happens to be in abundant … Continue reading

Posted in To Serve with Drinks, Vegetables, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Pasta Making At Home. An Easy Cheat. Wonton Wrapper Ravioli Filled With Ricotta.

Ricotta ravioli are always are very special treat at our house. Soft pillows of lemon scented ricotta and parmesan cheese encased in silky smooth pasta. Traditionally made from scratch with long sheets of homemade pasta they can be time consuming … Continue reading

Posted in Cheese, Pasta, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Pasta Making At Home. An Easy Cheat. Wonton Wrapper Ravioli Filled With Ricotta.

My Asian Pantry Staple. Homemade From Scratch. Sweet Chilli Jam.

Chilli jam. Another of my pantry staples. Incredibly versatile, it can be used anywhere you need a sweet and spicy flavour hit. A key ingredient in one of our favourite meals, Thai Chicken Stir Fry With Sweet Chilli Jam and Cashews. Not … Continue reading

Posted in Marinades, Pastes and Dressings, Vegetarian, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on My Asian Pantry Staple. Homemade From Scratch. Sweet Chilli Jam.

The 5-2 Challenge. Winter Greens. Radicchio and Endive Salad with Fennel, Apple, Crisp Pancetta and Roasted Hazelnuts.

It’s mid winter and I’m craving salad. Winter greens are far more robust than their more popular summer siblings. Crisp with a crunchy texture and slightly bitter taste  my favourite winter greens have to be baby endive with its delicate, curly, … Continue reading

Posted in Salads, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments