Friday, November 25, 2016

~Cook up with donna hay magazine......Sticky Ginger Marmalade Chicken



Another delicious Cook Up has happened from donna hay magazine Issue 88 Aug/Sep 2016
These are really getting really too far between now but I'm determined to catch up!!!

Menu -  Sticky Ginger Marmalade Chicken Stir Fry
accompanied by Zucchini and a Cucumber Salad with aThai Dressing
 Chocolate and Maple Banana Cake


First up  I started the Dessert Cake preparation 
I even made my own Dulce De Leche instead of purchasing it but come to think of it I have never seen it available in our small coastal town

Recipe for Homemade Dulce De Leche by Donna Hay available here and also above blog in Pages



Condensed Milk ready to go into oven covered by foil and in a Water Bath
I don't think I left mine in long enough due to the paler colour and thickness of it compared to  Donna's but in any case it was still delicious
Also a bit hard to check as it was covered by baking paper, foil and string


As you can see Donna's version is really dark and quite thick
The Dulce De Leche is sitting atop Chocolate Ganache


My version all bottled and ready to use whenever called for


To our surprise we have successfully grown Ginger so this was used for garnishing the meal





All accompanied by Zucchini


and a Cucumber Salad with a Thai Dressing (home made) just to give it that little edge



I used Home Made Marmalade from my local Farmer's Market and boy was this so different to a commercial marmalade........the Citrus flavour was strong and I really enjoy that!!!


Above and below.......just a few versions of my Cake





And the best part........it's all Gluten Free!!!

Bon Appetit and have a great weekend......Dzintra

Saturday, July 23, 2016

~Cook Up with donna hay~

It's been ages since I've done a Cook Up
This time I did one last night for my dear Dad/mīļš Papiņš
 who is longer here on Earth with us
It just felt the right thing to do and complete with a Birthday Cake to boot



But first, and very important...which Apron to use
Just this week I received this apron from Trish who recently went over to Provence, France
I already had bought one from there but of course I needed another lol
I also used a Tea Towel with Provence embroidered on it that I purchased whilst over there
Thanks so much Trish......much appreciated!!!


I chose the brown one to use on this Cook Up


My Menu from donna hay magazine Issue 87 Jun/July 2016
(this is why I needed the Quince Paste Annette (no blog))!

Pork and Sauerkraut Meatballs with Quince Glaze 
Savoy Colcannon
Marble Chai Bundt Cake with Maple Syrup


Mr Dolce Vita set the Wine scene


Adding Sauerkraut to the Meatballs gave a real depth of flavour
Next time I'd like to double the Glaze......it was delicious
I'm a bit like Manu Fieldel (French Chef in Australia) and love my Glazes/Sauces lol



The Meatballs here with the Colcannon

Colcannon (Irish: cál ceannann, meaning "white-headed cabbage") is a traditional Irish dish mainly consisting of mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage. It is also the name of a song about the dish.
(from Wikipedia)

In this dish I used Savoy Cabbage, Leek and Pure Jersey Cream from Tilba

And here is part of the verse.......

Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?
With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.........
(Wikipedia)

It was very delicious.......together a lovely tasty combination


I ground up Spices for Chai Tea to put into the Cake


And here 'tis
Happy Birthday mils Papins/loving Dad


And to top it off.......Warm Maple Syrup
Also ideal to have with some Cream, Custard or even Ice Cream if you so wish

Recipe for Marble Chai Bundt Cake with Maple Syrup over here


And to keep it all real
Mr Armchair as I sat down took a photo
no make up, no hair neatly done lol!!!!

Lab Apptit......Bon Appetit


Dzintra xo

Thursday, June 30, 2016

~Lemon Pound Cake by donna hay~



From donna hay magazine Issue 68 April/May 2013 comes
Lemon Pound Cake
I did vary it a bit though and used Gluten Free Flour and Cocoanut Oil instead of Butter
Pound Cake comes with a bit of history.......click here to read more about it


For Donna's version of Vanilla Pound Cake with Chocolate Icing go over here
For Chocolate Pound Cake go over here 

Pound cake refers to a type of cake traditionally made with a pound of each of four ingredients: flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. However, any cake made with a 1:1:1:1 ratio, by weight, of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar may also be called a pound cake, as it yields the same results.

 Pound cakes are generally baked in either a loaf pan or a Bundt mold, and served either dusted with powdered sugar, lightly glazed, or sometimes with a coat of icing.
(from Wikipedia)

Bon Appetite everyone......Dzintra

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

My Birthday Cake



Even though my Birthday was quite a few weeks back now I feel like I have to blog  the delicious cake and recipe which I need to save here just in case it enters the World of Lost Recipes one day.

Introducing Flourless Almond Cake
Recipe given to me by Anne (no blog) some years ago now and it is well and truly used


I found this French Caster Sugar sourced from Champagne-Ardenne which was really sparkly (above and below) and whipped up beautifully. 
For information on French Caster Sugar go over here 




All stirred and whipped ready for the oven


And about ready to blow out the candles
Hip Hip Hooray


**RECIPE**

Anne's Flourless Almond Cake
Mod oven 170c for 40 minutes
25cm Spring Tin
Vanilla

8 Egg Whites/Yolks
1 C Caster Sugar
Vanilla
200g Almond Meal or Ground Hazelnuts
Flaked Almonds
Icing Sugar for dusting

**METHOD **

Grease Tin
Whisk Egg Whites
Add Sugar and Vanilla
Gently fold in Yolks then Almond Meal
Sprinkle Flaked Almonds
Bake and then dust with Icing Sugar

Thanks so much Anne, I love this Recipe.......it is a real favourite!!!

Bon Appetit......Dzintra


Saturday, November 7, 2015

~Cook Up with donna hay......Sticky Chilli Ribs/Slaw and Coconut Meringue Cake~


Cook Up with donna hay and Irina from donna hay magazine Issue 78 Dec/Jan 2015

Menu tonight was Sticky Chilli Ribs with Coconut and Cabbage Slaw
Sticky Date Meringue Cake




Free Range Pork in mixture of Ginger, Garlic, Chilli, Honey and Lime Juice


Out of the oven and looking crackling good too!!!!!!






Recipe for Sticky Chilli Ribs with Coconut and Cabbage Slaw here


Sticky Date Meringue Cake


and sliced.

It was such a hot night here that this meal was just perfect!!!!

Irina also participates in the cook up from time-to-time
To see what she has been making go over here

Bon Appetit......Dzintra xo


Wednesday, January 28, 2015

~Cook Up with donna hay~


Just before Christmas saw me do another Cook Up with donna hay 


from donna hay magazine Issue 76 Aug/Sep 2014
Menu for the evening was

Chicken in White Wine with Lemon Potatoes (recipe over here)
Rose and Raspberry Trifles (recipe over here)
and I couldn't resist trying the
Cherry and Cardamom Pound Cake



Instead of Dry White Wine in the Chicken I used Dry Cider


The Chicken just about ready


Instead of Artichoke I used Snow Peas from our garden and some Sweet Potato


All dressed with Parmesan Cheese
and very tasty indeed!!!


The Trifle in an Eiffel Tower glass


Looking down into it


The Cake in the background
I couldn't stop at 1 Dessert to make I had to try out the Cherry and Cardamom Cake
After all it would be good for the next day's Morning Coffee, right?!




Well we couldn't resist just a little piece lol

Better get cracking as another Cook Up is waaaay overdue!!!

Bon Appetit........Dzintra