~sigh~

I'm cold, the inside heating is non existant and there is no insulation. The walls are cement and the floors are wooden. There are lots and lots of windows.

So this evening I did something for the first time, I made myself a cup of hot chocolate. Up till this point I have always stood by the following statements.

I don't now nor have I ever liked milk*
I don't drink hot drinks.
I don't like the smell of warm milk

So obviously I've never drunk a hot chocolate, but when I was in the UK last summer I did notice that my niece was drinking things that looked more like dessert than a drink, they had cream and flakes and marshmallows in, but I was still not tempted. Till tonight.

But tonight I was cold and I spotted a packet of mini marshmallows. And I had some rather posh hot chocolate powder left over from Christmas. So now I've got something to wrap my hands around, and do you know what, its actually rather nice! Great just what I needed, a new vice!



*The ONE exception to that was a Tootsies** butterscotch milkshake with extra butterscotch - yummm
** Can't find the link at the moment, but I will!

2nd time around

Last week I tried out my first attempt at a new dessert.

Today I tweaked it a little more



3/4 cup of caster sugar
500g mascarpone cheese
3 tablespoons of Cointreau
6 tablespoons of orange juice
Small amount of chocolate

Beat together the cheese and sugar until thick and pale.
Add Cointreau and orange juice, beat again.
Fill small martini glasses (makes 6) & chill in the fridge for 2 hours.

Grate chocolate on top and serve with a small spoon

National Vanilla Pudding Day

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Yes, aparently today is National Vanilla Pudding Day!

Vanilla Pudding (from Real Simple)

1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole milk
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Pour ¼ cup of the milk into the sugar mixture, stirring to form a smooth paste. Whisk in the remaining milk and the egg yolks. Cook the pudding mixture over low heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until thickened, about 15 minutes. Do not allow it to boil. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Scrape the pudding into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the surface to make an airtight seal and prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour.

A little tart

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I am feeling the urge for something with a citrus kick to it today.


So when I saw this tasty looking Lime Tart at YumSugar it seemed to fit perfectly!

Easter Lime Tart
Modified from Food Network

For the crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (10 crackers)
1/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
Drop of green food colouring
1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Grated zest of 1 lime
1 cup crema or crème fraiche
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 lime, thinly sliced, for garnish

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a bowl. Press into a 9-inch pie pan, making sure the sides and the bottom are an even thickness. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
3. For the filling: In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the lime juice, green food colouring, cream cheese and condensed milk.
4. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the work bowl often. Add the lime zest and process to mix thoroughly.
5. Pour into the pie shell and place in the refrigerator.
6. In a bowl, using a whisk, beat the crema and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, spread the mixture over the top of the pie, creating peaks evenly over the surface.
7. Garnish with the lime slices. Cover and chill for 4 to 6 hours or overnight before serving.

Picnic time

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So, I've got our picnic basket ready (scroll to the bottom of the page)

1 bottle of champagne (with cooler pack from the freezer)
Soft loaf of fresh bread
Tub of humus
Sliced red, orange and yellow peppers
Sausages rolls
Chunk of Cheshire cheese
Chicken drumsticks and thighs, slow roasted with theme, garlic and rosemary
Cherry tomatoes
Olives

Green grapes
Raspberries
Blueberries

'Glasses' for the champagne and paper plates
Wet wipes and napkins, because its all finger food
Soft large picnic rug

Are you ready to join me?

One of my favourite days of the year

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Yum


'nuff said

National Chocolate Cheesecake Day

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I've just seen over here that today is National Chocolate Cheesecake Day.

Go forth and bake!

Winning and Dinning

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I love the opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy a great meal at a nice restaurant, but I equally love my own home grown version.

If I had to chose my top 5 activities then preparing a meal for a guest rates up there for me.
Giving it some thought a few days earlier, checking on allergies and dislikes then concocting a menu that will give the guest an enjoyable taste sensation, as well as give me a very satisfied and contented result. It doesn't have to be the most expensive of meals (although I do always get the best ingredients I can afford) that is not what counts the most when winning and dinning at home.

One of my most successful meals was on Bonfire night a few years ago for a group of friends after we had been in the local park watching the fireworks and getting cold noses. They were all busy professionals who were used to eating at some very nice places, but all 5 of them fell over themselves with praise for the simple yet perfect-for-the-occasion meal of Toad In The Hole . With lashings of onion gravy and mountains of fluffy mash potato, very tasty it was too.

Hmmm I think it's time I invited some more friends over for supper.