All parents have a favourite place to eat out with their kids. You know, the one place you don’t have to worry about your kids annoying anyone cos it’s so kid friendly and you’ve been there so many times that they know your kids by name? Sometimes though, just sometimes, you try and venture out and try a new place. Just like you did pre-kids. Sometimes it goes horribly badly and you vow never to take your kids out anywhere again. But sometimes, it goes well and you add that place to the list. For us, our Tuesday brunch out for our anniversary, was part of the latter 🙂 Texture…
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Pistachio & Rose Shortbread
I love a good crisp melt in the mouth shortbread, enjoy pistachio nuts & rose would be one of my favourite scents – This recipe brings it all together. Ingredients: 3/4 cup of Chelsea icing sugar 250g butter 1/4 cup raw pistachio 1/4 teaspoon rose essence 1 1/2 cups of flour 1/2 cup cornflour 1/4 cup raw pistachio 1/4 teaspoon rose essence 50g butter, softened 1 cup Chelsea icing sugar milk to thin Method: Crush the first portion of pistachio nuts into small pieces. This is best done in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin. Place the nuts into a ziplock bag. Make sure the air has…
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Diwali Recipe : Easy Poli
I absolutely love when my mum makes her traditional poli for diwali but don’t usually have the time to watch it on the stove top with 2 little monkeys running about. This is a simplified version, usually ready made pastry & baked in the oven 🙂 Ingredients: 1 cup dessicated coconut 1/4 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup raisins or sultanas 1 tablespoon icing sugar 1 tablespoon white sugar 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder 1 pack (4 sheets) pre rolled sweet shortcrust pastry – defrosted. Method: Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius. Cut or Crush the almonds into smaller pieces. Mix almonds, coconut, raisins, icing sugar, white sugar & cardamon…
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Diwali Recipe : Mum’s Traditional Poli
For as long as I can remember my mum has always made poli at Diwali. This deep fried coconut, almond & raisin filled pastry has always been a favourite 🙂 Ingredients: 1 cup dessicated coconut 1/4 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup raisins or sultanas 1 tablespoon icing sugar 1 tablespoon white sugar 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder 1 cup sifted flour 50g melted butter 1/2 cup milk 1 tablespoon sugar Oil for deep frying Method: Dry toast coconut lightly. Allow to cool Add the rest of the ingredients and combine well. Set aside. —— Mix the flour & melted butter together. Add milk a little at a time to form…
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Eight Restaurant @The Langham Review
Ok, if you told me I would go to a buffet restaurant with my kids in tow and ENJOY it, I would have said you’re crazier than I. But that’s what happened on Sunday, and truth be told; I actually enjoyed it. See, buffet restaurants mean I have to go get my own food; whilst watching my kids; and if I have to do that, why go out? But there we were, last Sunday; as guests of family friends; sitting & enjoying lunch at Eight, with kids that seemed to be behaving. Eight Restaurant is in the Langham Hotel in Auckland City. It features “eight” different kitchens & the best part is,…
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Double Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake
Ok, so I love cooking & baking. Especially baking. Got something sweet to make, I’m your girl! But, with 2 kids, and everything that comes with two kids, my time in the kitchen has come down to the “necessary” only. So I LOVE recipes that have only a few ingredients, and/or allow me to make something with minimal fuss and effort. Even better if I can use ingredients off the shelf to create something that would take more ingredients and time than I have, but still look great 🙂 This double chocolate brownie cheesecake is just that. Ingredients: 1 box Edmonds Cafe Style Double Chocolate Fudge Brownie (you’ll also…
