Author Archives: thepaddingtonfoodie

Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 400 Calories. Spicy Chinese Style Roasted Green Beans With Stir Fried Pork.

Inspired by a glorious platter of Szechuan green beans recently enjoyed at a favourite Chinese restaurant, this meal idea is incredibly tasty and  highly addictive. Traditionally the beans are deep fried in hot oil until blistered, then stir fried with … Continue reading

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Weekend Birthday Celebrations. Mini Strawberry Cloud Cakes With Chocolate Bottoms and Fresh Raspberries.

This weekend our daughters celebrated their fourteenth birthday. As always we marked the occasion with home-made birthday cake. This year I revisited Annabel Langbein’s dreamy Strawberry Cloud Cake, the subject of one of my earliest posts. Refashioned into mini cloud … Continue reading

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Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 200 Calories. Grilled Asparagus Salad With Rocket, Mint and Parmesan.

Asparagus season is in full swing. One of my favourite salads combines lightly grilled asparagus spears with peppery rocket and refreshing mint. Dressed with a simple olive oil and lemon vinaigrette. Garnished with a good grating of parmesan cheese. Another … Continue reading

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Rich, Dense and Fudgy. Blonde Brownies With Sour Cherries, Macadamia and White Chocolate Chunks.

Brownies are a perennial favourite in our house. Rich, dense and fudgy these blonde brownies use white chocolate instead of  the usual dark and are crammed full of sour cherries and macadamia nuts. Absolutely delicious and incredibly moreish they need … Continue reading

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Eat, Fast and Live Longer. A 5-2 Fast Diet Recipe Idea Under 100 Calories. A Classic Catalan Salsa. Romesco Sauce.

This weekend at a barbeque at my friend Ros’ home I was reacquainted with Romesco sauce.  A deep, earthy, smoky salsa made from roasted capsicum, chilli, tomato, onion and garlic. Pounded to a paste and thickened with nuts and a … Continue reading

Posted in Marinades, Pastes and Dressings, Vegetarian, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lazy Sunday Baking. Crusty No Knead Artisan Bread With Pecans and Raisins.

This weekend I revisited artisan bread making at home. A crusty no knead boule. Generously filled  with pecans and raisins. Scented with a touch of mixed spice. Using a  ridiculously easy but enormously satisfying set and forget method of making … Continue reading

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Eat, Fast and Live Longer. 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 200 Calories. A Classic Middle Eastern Salad. Tabbouleh Lettuce Cups.

There is nothing nicer than a crisp, refreshing tabbouleh on a hot summer’s day. A classic Middle Eastern  salad. The perfect side dish to accompany grilled chicken, seafood or steak. Or simply spooned into lettuce cups. Perfect finger food. Tabbouleh … Continue reading

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Christmas Pantry Essentials. Homemade Fruit Mince. Two Ways. Traditional And With A Modern Twist.

This week I was inspired  by a gorgeous photo of fruit mince rippled meringues in  the latest edition of Cuisine magazine to make my first batch of Christmas fruit mince of the season.  A now well established Christmas pantry essential in … Continue reading

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Eat, Fast and Live Longer. 5-2 Fast Diet Meal Idea Under 300 Calories. Grilled Nectarine Salad With Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella.

It really is beginning to feel like summer. Stone fruit is putting in an early appearance at Farmer’s markets. This week I picked up punnets of sweet ripe nectarines. Lightly charred on a hot grill, paired with salty prosciutto and fresh … Continue reading

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Festive Gift Giving. Edible Treats. Chocolate Fudge Christmas Trees with Pistachio and Turkish Delight

Last year during a visit to New Zealand my children discovered the fabulous Remarkables Sweet Shop in picturesque and quaint Arrowtown. Home to a wonderful array of old-fashioned home-made fudge. Rich, creamy and meltingly delicious, we soon developed an insatiable … Continue reading

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