GOLD.....

All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down, you can make it right
And that makes you larger than life....

a lil Backstreet Boys this morn... a few lines of awesomeness...oh yeah....
and dare I say it...another perfect day... another gold inspired piece of perfection...
This day rocks!....

A QUICKIE......

 

HI!!  Spring is here...at last at last!!...but I'm not here to ramble on...Have a few travels coming up, blogging nirvana!...but today one of my favourite quotes.....

TO THE MIND THAT IS STILL...THE WHOLE UNIVERSE SURRENDERS.... Lao Tzu

See...just a quickie....short and sweet....sometimes that's all that is needed...  :)

Kerry

FRUIT AND NUT BARS.....

 

 

I made these this morning... simple..wholesome and delicious!  The sun is still beaming brightly...skies ever so blue!  Its been brilliant here.  Onto the recipe...

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups whole rolled  oats
1/2 cup plain flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon bi carb
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash vanilla extract
125 grams real butter
1/2 cup of honey
2 cups of a mixture of... sunflower  seeds..nuts. pecans.....dried fruit . cranberries...dried apricots....coconut ect....whatever you wish!

I used walnuts...sunflower seeds..mixed fruit and coconut..

METHOD:

combine all your dry ingredients in bowl

melt the butter and honey in a saucepan till just  boiling...turn off the heat...cool for a minute...then plonk in your  vanilla
add to the dry ingredients.  Mix till thoroughly combined....pour into a lined slice tray. Bake at 180 celcius for approx. 30 minutes......or until golden brown. sit in tin till cooled it will firm right up......  melted chocolate if you desire...but they are awesome with....so go ahead!!  indulge...  when chocolate is set...cut into pieces...and munch!

Store in the fridge in an airtight container......they stay crunchy that way...

That was easy!  Its sunday here... so onwards I go into the day!.......

ITS NEARLY SPRING!

HIHO!!   popping by to say HI!....I've cut back on the baking...well it is that time of the year...spring nearly here...  lol....I'm bursting at the seams with expectations of the coming months...new grandchild on the way...warmer weather...plenty to grow and gather...places I want to see... More trips to take...Ill blog them this time!  Last summer went by so quick!

The sun has been beaming down for several days now...oh soooo delightful...after the longest greyest cloudiest winter I can ever remember....hasn't been cold...just not blue! A gals gotta have the blue skies...planted a sunflower yesterday in a pot...yup...just one....and some roma tomatoes...nothing like the taste of home grown tomatoes...produce has to have soul!  and love.... ok folks....short one ...have a most fantabulous day!...and don't forget to smile!   Its all good!

LIGHT FRUIT CAKE....

 

 

 

Monday..start of a brand new week....yesterday I made a light, very tasty fruit cake...now its more cakey than a traditional fruit cake..and oh so easy!

INGREDIANTS:

350 grams dried mixed fruit.
2 cups black tea
1/2 cup brown sugar
125 grams butter
1 egg (free range)
1 1/2 cups of  organic SR flour
1/2 teaspoon Bi CARB
teaspoon each of mixed spice..cinnamon..ground ginger.
dash vanilla concentrate.
150 mls water

METHOD:

In a bowl  pour tea over your mixed fruit....let soak for several hours...till all plump and nice.

drain the fruit...and discard the liquid.

In a saucepan add the fruit, butter, sugar, spices  and  150 ml water. Bring to boil...then turn of heat
add 1/2 teaspoon of bi carb...let cool...

add  the beaten egg and vanilla....sift flour and add...  stir  till well combined.

Pour into well greased loaf tin...or whatever takes your fancy...I used a small loaf tin...

Into the pre heated  oven it goes at 170 degrees Celsius  for  well...you know what...I didn't take note of that!!...  :)

until a knife comes out clean...45 minutes or so...just guessing there!

I'm not one for exact measurements or cooking times...and everything seems to work out just fine!

Cold , spread with real butter...hmmm yum!

as for the spices...your own combination and whatever you like really....no set rules .

Ill be back soon with another recipe...but boy am I itching for spring! the sunshine...the flowers... the warmer weather...not that its cold here in sunny Queensland...but my legs need to see the light of day!

Till next time...!!

WHATS IN SEASON...JULY

Back so soon!...

I'm very dedicated to fresh food..green living..and doing whats best for the body..and planet.  I was wandering around the web...and thought hmmm...we all need to know whats fresh now..because these days we seem to be able to get everything...whether in season or not...and I for one don't like to eat produce that's been stored covered in a chemical concoction..out of cold storage!

FRUIT:
cumquats, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, nashi, oranges, rhubarb, tamarillo, tangelos.

NUTS:
Hazelnuts.

 

VEGETABLES:

Asian greens, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, carrots, celery, celeriac, fennel, Jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi (green), kohlrabi (red), leek, olives, onions, parsnips, pumpkins, silver beet, spinach, spring onions, swedes, turnips.

 

HERBS:

Bay leaf, parsley, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, oregano, marjoram, sage, bronze fennel, dill, fennel, garlic, whitlof, coriander.

 

 

I found the list on the Victorian Farmers Association website...

 

I cant wait for spring...I have seeds galore from Eden Seeds....link over the side there  :)...heirloom seeds...from dedicated home growers....

 

and on that note...I will say adieu! 

 

 

SIMPLE CHOCOLATE CAKE.....

Hello again!...ok... a very easy chocolate cake...just had a piece with ice-cream...quite yummy. Now that was a decadent breakfast!!  Hay why not...life too short for tea and toast!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup water
3/4 cup of sugar ..  more or less...depending on your sweet tooth!
125 grams real butter
1/3 cup cocoa
2 eggs (lightly beaten)  free range
1 1/2 cups plain flour
3 level  teaspoons baking powder
dash vanilla




METHOD:

Combine the cocoa water..butter..sugar  in saucepan and warm till butter melted...do not boil.
Transfer to a bowl...let cool down ..beat the eggs and vanilla...pour into mixture..stir in sifted flour and baking powder and mix well.

bake in moderate oven  180 Celsius approx. 40 minutes...give or take...

done!!  how easy was that!

I used a 20cm spring form pan...but if you want a higher cake...I defiantly would use a smaller pan...I will next time...I like height!!  :)

I have a few more recipes up my sleeve... coming soon!

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS.....

Hay its Sunday!...ok looking outside the weather...well hmmm...could be sunnier...but if I need an excuse not to mow the backyard...I have one. That chocolate cake didn't get baked yesterday...cocoa was non existent in my pantry...will pop down the store...in the meantime....muffins....very quick to whip up...

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups of organic SR flour
1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
dash vanilla concentrate
cup of milk
1 large egg (free-range)
120 grams real butter.. melted
full cup of blueberries......I used frozen (Australian..not imported)

teaspoon of grated lime rind...optional... I did use  :)

METHOD...

sift your flour and add  sugar, rind and blueberries into bowl

melt your butter add to milk and beaten egg and vanilla ...wisk..add to dry ingredients

bake approx. 35 min or so... at 180 Celsius...

DONT OVERMIX...you don't want rubbery muffins!
It makes 6 large muffins...or 12 small.....

simple....

Had a quick impromptu BBQ yesterday for lunch... how come when one cooks outside the kitchen seemed in worse shape when lunch was over! 

Have a fantastic day!!  

CREAMY HOME MADE ICE-CREAM....

 

 

I'm back already...that was quick....Yesterday I made a delicious creamy bourbon splashed ice cream....4 ingredients and easy peasy...I just had to share,and it certainly doesn't taste bourbony..  :) more like a French vanilla....really nice.

INGREDIENTS:

600ml of full fat  cream
splash of vanilla concentrate
can of condensed milk
2 tablespoons of Bourbon.

METHOD:

Pour the condensed milk into a large bowl...add vanilla and Bourbon....mix till combined.

In another bowl  whip the cream till peaks form

FOLD the cream into the milk mixture...till well mixed.....

put into whatever container you like...

I chose an old corning ware oven dish....perfect size! Cover with a lid or plastic wrap ect...

Keep in freezer overnight...or until frozen! 

Done!...and its ever so yummy!...decadent...calorie filled...but oh so yummy and so easy!

Oh  ...had to add the pic of condensed milk...forgot to include in group shot...duh! lol  :)

I'll be making chocolate cake soon...so be sure to drop by.

SPOONS...SWANS...and SUNLIGHT SOAP.....

 

 

 

Hello again!....ok so this morning...no recipe...I just had to  have a spiel about teaspoons...well any piece of cutlery hiding in the bottom of the sink, really...doesn't matter...after a day BBQ..ing with family ...cutlery at a premium...the draw empty... one dives into the sink full and after several attempts still coming up without the elusive teaspoon....Now I know we've all done this...  numerous times... brought out every piece except what your after.....ahh yes....in frustration one thinks of emptying the sink...convinced the spoon fairy has made off with them all.  But just when you give up...and try one more time... the spoon.. yay ..its like finding buried treasure!

On the subject of sinks....Ive been using good ole fashioned Sunlight soap...when I ran out of dishwashing liquid...may not look the same...no bubbles...and sink all cloudy...but does a marvellous job....you can even put your hands in the sink without fear of chemical overload!  Just give everything a rinse...as one should always do anyway..and whalah...I may not go back to conventional dishwash liquid....and the price..cheap cheap... I just heard a bird in my head!    :)  grate a little bit or just swish it  of the bar....marvellous!  ( and no..ha ha  I have no affiliation with the  Sunlight soap company)

Snapped a pic of the local swans and their offspring yesterday whilst we were frolicking in the local park ...So FUZZY....so very cute! (clicking on pic makes it bigger)

 

 

 

Also went to Toowoomba over the weekend....I could write a short story..on the GPS giving wrong directions and hubby on motorbike disappearing ahead, taking us way out and around the beautiful inland city... wrong way...over an hour late...and daughter having to come find us to show us the way from the other end of town!!  lol... It was a comedy of errors!!  Pic ......up the lookout   at Picnic Point...surveying the countryside towards Brisbane. Next trip will have a whole range of snaps of the beauty of the place....time was at a premium this day!

Ok fellow bloggers...Ill be back this way very soon...with another recipe..as to what .....your guess is as good as mine!! ...till then...may your week be as sunny and warm as a beautiful spring day.

DATE AND PECAN LOAF.......

 

 

HI!!    Happy day to all........I have  a date loaf in the oven...so until I get it out and pic up...Ill start on the blogging...

hmm lets see...I didn't follow a specific recipe...I like to make things up as I go along sometimes....

INGREDIANTS:

2 cups of organic SR flour..
125 grams of real butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup of boiled water
11/4 cup  chopped dates
1 cup chopped  pecans...or walnuts...I had pecans in my pantry.
1 beaten egg
1/2 teaspoon bi carb of soda
teaspoon of mixed spice
cinnamon. ginger..whatever your fancy...I used mixed spice and extra ginger for more of a kick.
dash vanilla (I use extract concentrate)

METHOD:

chop up your dates...add to a saucepan with cup of  boiled water... butter...and spices...and dash of vanilla.....bring to the boil....take of heat and stir till all combined and mushy....

transfer to another bowl... add your bicarb...watch it froth...always fun  :).....let cool for 5 minutes...

when reasonably cool...add beaten egg quickly stirring....then add your sifted flour...one cup at a time...folding in with a fork...to well combined....don't use a mixer here...nope...just a fork....then add your pecans last....

transfer to greased and lined loaf tin....I used a 23x13x6cm tin....larger size..

bake for approx. 40 minutes in a 180 degree oven...that's celcius.. 

and don't forget fellow bloggers....organic and fresh is best...free range eggs at all times...and real butter...not plastic margarine...ughh.......quickly steps off that soap box.... :)

Its a gorgeous day outside here today...Ill be in the garden doing some weeding ...fresh air...and some rays...getting my D's...lol....best kind, fresh from the sun!

Ok I best go check on that loaf!!....

oh yes...cold spread with butter...yummy!

All stay as awesome as you are...till next time!





 

LEMON COCONUT CAKE.....

 

 

 

HI again so soon... now this cake can also be a vanilla coconut cake...just substitute lemon and lemon frosting for vanilla...easy peasy!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups Self Raising Flour
plus 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (for extra fluffiness)
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
3/4 cup sugar  ( I used organic raw)
2 eggs  (room temperature)
1 cup milk
125 grams melted butter
1 Tablespoon of grated lemon rind.

Fresh lemon juice for frosting.

Lemon frosting:

Icing mixture
real butter and fresh lemon juice to the consistency you'd like.
every body has their own fav mix...so do what makes you happy!

METHOD:

Add all dry ingredients into bowl
beat the eggs...add to the milk...then add melted butter
immediately pour into dry ingredients....MIX with a WOODEN SPOON>

don't use an electric mixer...just mix till lumps are gone. Don't over do it.  ok folks...that's it oh 30-40 minutes in the oven about 180 degrees Celsius.... or how ever your oven behaves!!
I sprinkled coconut over the top of mine  :)  Till next time ...BELIEVE  its all magic!

ALL PURPOSE TOMATO POURING SAUCE...

Hello!!!    OK..Todays recipe is home made  all purpose sauce...great for pasta dishes...minestrone soup...all kinds of ways to use it...Ill be making minestrone soup with mine. Nothing like all fresh ingredients oven roasted at home.

ok what you need is

Tomatoes  as many as youd like really   :)
Capsicums (bell peppers)
Onions
Garlic  (fresh)
chilli (optional of course)  :) picked my chilli fresh from the garden.



sea salt
pepper
extra virgin olive oil.

cut them all up as per pic....and deseed the chilli if you don't like it burning hot...

drizzle with a sprinkle of olive oil...dash pepper and salt

bake in a moderate oven till charring on the bottom..and well softened...a good hour or so....roasted nicely. pic below...not quite done yet...  :) another 10 minutes....

put into your food processor and wiz.

that simple...with a boiled jar and added while still hot...your lid should seal itself after awhile....so can keep in fridge for a little bit....if not needed straight away.

This recipe can be added too....celery, mushrooms...whatever takes your fancy!


                                      

 

I have a lemon coconut cake..I made before the sauce...2 blogs at once...lol...have to taste test it first...if it delicious...excpect a blog tomorrow!!  until the next time...be magic!

SAVOURY MUFFINS...

 

 

UPDATE:   Oh my!! everybody...I totally forgot an ingredient...and I apologise for anybody who has made them already!!  oh goodness!!

1 cup of grated cheddar cheese!!!


HI everybody......ok just whipped up a batch of savoury muffins to go with home made chicken soup...they are quick and easy.. really no fail....

INGREDIANTS

2 cups self raising flour
3/4 level teaspoon baking powder
dash salt
pepper
125 grams melted butter
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 cup of grated cheddar cheese!!

small grated carrot
handful spring onion

OPTIONAL

capsicum  (peppers)
ham or cooked bacon or salami
grated zucchini ..squeezed dry

METHOD

Add to your bowl.. flour, baking powder, cheese, salt , carrot ect...and whatever you chose as optional   if any....

Beat your eggs with a fork ... add them to the milk and melted butter....

Combine with the dry ingredients.

mix with a metal spoon till just combined

These make 6 large Texas size muffins...as the pic shows  :)

Today I used capsican...no ham ...but have made them several different ways...all delish...even if you only have cheese and carrots....delightful!

Put in oven for 20-30 minutes at 200 degrees  Celsius...give or take.....every oven different.

They are delicious and fluffy...go well with soup..stews...even on their own for an afternoon snack!

Pic is of my spring onions. I have growing, bought them from the greengrocer months ago and planted them...they just keep supplying me with more!

Hope you try out the muffins.......till the next time... :)

HOMEMADE WASHING POWDER.....

 

UPDATED: 

 

HI!!   As you know...I like a green healthy home as best as possible...so I decided it was about time I started making my own washing powder...with out all the nasties ect.  So surfing around the Internet and finding all the lovely people putting on their recipes ect for home made cleaning products...I decided on this as best for me...smells lemony too!

4 cups grated pure soap  approx 4 bars.....(found in the laundry isle)

2 cups of washing soda  (laundry isle)

2 cups of BiCarb Soda ....  Arm and Hammer (laundry isle in Woolworths)....

I cup BORAX  (some supermarkets...all hardware stores)

and essential oil...I used lemongrass....(health food stores)

now you dont have to use essential oil..but I like the smell...and you can choose any oil you like...bought from the health food store....but if you want to save money...you can omit it!  :)...but having said that.. Id rather a pleasent smelling powder...that makes me smile!...

now prices approx...

pure soap.....   approx $3.30

washing soda..  1 kilo...3.70

Bicarb  1 kilo....4.50

Borax  500 grm... $4.50

you only use half the soda, borax and bicarb....so its cheap to make!

roughly $8 - $9   for  over a kilo in homemade washing powder....I don't do it for the cost...but for the satisfaction and knowing of less chemicals.

METHOD:  Ok   just grate up your box of soap....there is 4 bars...make sure you have a sturdy grater!!...and some elbow grease!  good exercise...lol

I then wizzed mine through a processor to make it very fine!...add the other ingredients...wizz some more...and your done!!.here you can add drops of your chosen essential oil..as much as you like...but dont go overboard...a little goes a long way!...now if you don't have a processor...not to worry..still works the same...just not finely powdered.

I use  2 tablspoons of powder... :)  

Ok ...it doesnt suds up all frothy...no no....which is great for front loaders....just a few bubbles....I use warm water....so Ill have to try it out in cold....

White vinagar in the rinse water...gives it a fresher smell..and helps soften....but by all means  find a green...eco friendly softner for  the finishing touch!

Works a treat!!...and of course dried out in the sunshine..I recommend...sunlight is natures brightener!

      

Oh and I did bake a cake!!  just wasn't up to blogging standards that day! Ok till the next post.....bye bye!

SATURDAY IN THE CITY...

Had  a day In Brisbane ...went to South Bank...jumped on the Big Wheel...it would be spectacular at night....considering I'm not good with heights... it wasn't scary at all  :). 

Walked across the river into the city...  went ghost hunting in the Brisbane arcade....apparently a spirit  lady traverses the top floor gallery...didn't see her this time...but always on the look out for a good ghost haunt!...The chocolate shop full of international lolly and chocolates ...was pleasing to the eye..to say the least  :).     One of Brisbane's original shopping arcades...refurbished and just a delight to wonder through.

I may bake tomorrow...if I do Ill be sure to blog...maybe a chocolate cake...but hmmm not sure....an apple cake...maybe sultana...lol...whateva I wake up craving I suppose!!

 

and as usual...click on pics to make them bigger.

 

bye for now...  

 

 

 

ANZAC BISCUITS.....

HI...   :)  Long time no see...

Being a most auspicious day this day ..whilst hubby went to dawn service...I fluttered about the kitchen making Anzac Biccies.... so lets get straight into it..

INGREDIENTS:

1 CUP OF ORGANIC ROLLED OATS
1 CUP OF PLAIN FLOUR
3/4 CUP BROWN SUGAR
1/2 HEAPED CUP COCONUT
125 GRAMS REAL BUTTER
2 HEAPED TABLESPOONS OF GOLDEN SYRUP
1 TABLESPOON BOILING WATER
1/2 TEASPOON BICARB

METHOD:

add flour sugar oats and coconut to bowl

melt butter add syrup then water and bicarb...
when all frothy add to dry ingredients. stir till welled mixed
roll into walnut size balls
flatten down lightly with a fork

bake for roughly 15 minutes on 180 degrees...give or take..how eva your oven is...careful...they golden up quickly...I nearly burnt mine!  :)

they will harden when cooled...I spooned melted chocolate onto mine...delish!  also you can add...sultanas  or some pecans  ect...whateva takes your fancy!