tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62815968981170396092024-03-13T06:47:30.933+00:00Friendly Cottagesharon loves to cook, martin loves to eat it. sharon knows how to make a mess, thankfully martin loves to tidy up. together they run 'friendly cottage' - a haven for family, friends, neighbours, the odd stranger and of course themselves to relish in. this is a blog about all things that make their nest special - the food, interior, garden, the 'projects', the people and general goings on. we hope you enjoy your visit to friendly cottage.marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-29180671575543534102011-06-16T00:20:00.000+01:002011-06-16T00:20:29.409+01:00Our Spring Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrA7iWCAj0w5E4KEmJq6BQegMkklJSeSZBxurYuzGBA6qdiSUk6UyVNPjUbb-sTGm5UBeHkZ4Jedjic5JuF1Q4jyXXNv6_yasig-btzSGXZjrD8H4_bE7uTJ0G4M_iDXSVVk0jMS1Fq8w/s1600/pearl+is+here+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrA7iWCAj0w5E4KEmJq6BQegMkklJSeSZBxurYuzGBA6qdiSUk6UyVNPjUbb-sTGm5UBeHkZ4Jedjic5JuF1Q4jyXXNv6_yasig-btzSGXZjrD8H4_bE7uTJ0G4M_iDXSVVk0jMS1Fq8w/s640/pearl+is+here+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our little pink chicken, Pearl, arrived in Spring. Perfectly on her due date of March 4th. That makes her three and a half months. Already!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pearl is just a dream. Sleeps through the night and everything. Well, mostly. She's turning out to be great fun now already. We're trying to figure out what we did to deserve such a fabulous little girl. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We do however, sometimes wonder where we put the receipt for return. Nothing a cheeky smile from Madam can't sort out!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Blog abandonment has the great excuse of me spending every breathing moment being all consumed by this little miraculous bundle. Of which, I must get back to....</span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-35939455886916778372011-01-12T23:22:00.004+00:002011-01-17T18:02:05.924+00:00SPICED BANANA MUFFINS WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dvCAt5ilq4-wiLH_hFPzrNDLYfAzDzg3XKPvkHoBx_te1ZFFYXErOuLmJOvMuKAx-jl74d1-c2hxO3Lbbhjva3t8HiOrlwwb0GrPR2MwgBBzwEkh3CQPXXzqvmtyRDBpr4iaTaSslLqu/s1600/ifj-sharon+hearne+smith-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dvCAt5ilq4-wiLH_hFPzrNDLYfAzDzg3XKPvkHoBx_te1ZFFYXErOuLmJOvMuKAx-jl74d1-c2hxO3Lbbhjva3t8HiOrlwwb0GrPR2MwgBBzwEkh3CQPXXzqvmtyRDBpr4iaTaSslLqu/s640/ifj-sharon+hearne+smith-41.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks to amazing IFJ photographer, Jack Caffrey, for all the gorgeous snaps as always.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well hi there if you've been directed here from Country Living Magazine! Hopefully you enjoyed the feature written by the lovely Imen (who you will find <a href="http://www.marriedanirishfarmer.com/">here</a>) and thanks also to the IFJ for having me grace their cover (a cover girl at last, yay!). If you fancy, you can read more about my work as a Food Stylist and Home Economist over on <a href="http://www.blueberrypie.ie/">my website</a> and other <a href="http://www.sharonhearnesmith.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. UPDATE: and you can now see the feature <a href="http://sharonhearnesmith.blogspot.com/2011/01/cover-girl.html">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">nyhow, welcome to Friendly Cottage. Around here we mostly eat. lots.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now, you may be on a New Year healthy eating buzz but these muffins, as seen in the feature snaps, contain fruit (result), healthy nuts and wheatgerm (double score) and then everything else is merely mood enhancing which is always a good thing after the festive anti-climax.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you buy a bunch of bananas, it’s inevitable you are going to be left with at least one that everyone avoids because it’s going black. I mash these orphaned bananas and stick them in the freezer until I have a build up of three. I then whip them out to make banana bread or these yummy spiced muffins. Such a domestic goddess me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyhow, these are delicious for breakfast on the run (I’d probably pass on the sugary icing in that case though!) or as an afternoon treat. If you choose not to top with the icing then pop a pecan nut on top of each before baking. I like to use wheat germ (for extra nutrients) as I always have some in the fridge anyhow, but you can omit it if you like.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Makes 12<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">75g unsalted butter<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">250g self-raising flour<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tbsp wheat germ (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">½ tsp bicarbonate of soda<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pinch salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp mixed spice<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">½ tsp ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">100g caster sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">50g pecan nuts, roughly chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">125ml buttermilk<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 ripe bananas<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ICING<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">200g cream cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">50g unsalted butter, at room temperature<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">300g icing sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pecan nuts and / or redcurrant strings, to decorate<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 170C (Gas Mark 5 / 375 F). Set paper muffin cases into a 12 hole muffin tin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Melt the butter and leave to cool. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sift the flour, wheatgerm, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt, mixed spice, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a large bowl and stir the caster sugar and pecan nuts through.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Measure the milk into a large jug and then crack the eggs in. Add the vanilla extract and cooled melted butter and beat together.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the egg mixture in. Mash the bananas in the jug and then tip them in too. Stir everything together, but do not over mix, to give a lumpy (because of the bananas) paste.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Divide the mixture between the muffin cases, bringing it almost to the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and cooked through. Leave in the tin to cool for a few minutes before removing and leaving to cool completely on a wire rack.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Meanwhile, prepare the icing. Beat the cream cheese and butter in a food mixer for a few minutes until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides, sift in the icing sugar, add the vanilla extract and then gently beat again to give a smooth, thick paste. Refrigerate until ready to use to firm up a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pipe or spread the icing quite thickly onto each cooled muffin. Decorate with a pecan nut or redcurrant string and enjoy!</span><o:p></o:p></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-81476611158485748022011-01-04T23:15:00.001+00:002011-01-04T23:19:28.815+00:00Making a house a home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, Happy New Year and I hope you had a lovely Christmas break. We certainly did here at Friendly Cottage. After spending a few days down home with my family we raced back, got into our jim-jams and pottered, well, lounged about for a whole week! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having flown the nest for work early last July and pretty much returning just before Christmas, I relished being at home so much. Especially as it will be our last peaceful Christmas before baby comes along and causes chaos. God, don't remind me of the potential horror of my wallpaper being drawn on, my old lady plates and tea cups being shaken off the dresser and my sofa cushions & blankies being vomited on! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was with luck then that Dara, the editor of our fab Irish Interior Magazine, </span><a href="http://www.houseandhome.ie/blog/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">House & Home</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, asked to feature Friendly Cottage in the November / December issue when it was just freshly done and before smallie comes long & wrecks it. At least I'll have this lovely feature (snapped by the lovely </span><a href="http://www.sherwood.ie/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul Sherwood</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) to look back on proudly. (You can see more online </span><a href="http://www.houseandhome.ie/blog/makeover/stylist-sharon-heirne-smith-refurbishes-her-kitchen/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> too)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although, I suppose it's everyday life that really makes a house a home....so bring it on!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDGbZNrIQqxKndMriqAyqqKTqdZIZy2X5Xn0TehMsmsvtlHGALRcs2cU6l49G4vEblZzerNAaHopwfJwbOMKkMK2GLvWZY1aH-9bPvl5RNe6NWjxYpqQA1haJ5hm7qQ1FCUnUqtaGoeqO/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-01-04+at+19.24.45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDGbZNrIQqxKndMriqAyqqKTqdZIZy2X5Xn0TehMsmsvtlHGALRcs2cU6l49G4vEblZzerNAaHopwfJwbOMKkMK2GLvWZY1aH-9bPvl5RNe6NWjxYpqQA1haJ5hm7qQ1FCUnUqtaGoeqO/s640/Screen+shot+2011-01-04+at+19.24.45.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePl6qHiXB0xjPcrW5FlnJTZfwOA7y9r1Ef0Wqv-gtLUIEK0U2NrhpndyqURy6b9dEkepkS2miwEyviXYq0AxLnhCUfCt2uZuP7-ELjfeHgKjUwML6QPOV2BUfEurZ1R0HDBP_s28CIKND/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-01-04+at+19.25.08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePl6qHiXB0xjPcrW5FlnJTZfwOA7y9r1Ef0Wqv-gtLUIEK0U2NrhpndyqURy6b9dEkepkS2miwEyviXYq0AxLnhCUfCt2uZuP7-ELjfeHgKjUwML6QPOV2BUfEurZ1R0HDBP_s28CIKND/s640/Screen+shot+2011-01-04+at+19.25.08.png" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmJxJ9_NJ1BgM3CCrkeJkJoYU4q4LJdpyaBG4leGpai5M6L50fTDhuB_5PwN7qHYt2jiXvES89zxaUXIG3GQDKVm5cfFz_y3YcwhCEXDnLZhYq-8wNpDAK9j0e4MwxD3jna_q7BXdxsS2/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-01-04+at+19.25.31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmJxJ9_NJ1BgM3CCrkeJkJoYU4q4LJdpyaBG4leGpai5M6L50fTDhuB_5PwN7qHYt2jiXvES89zxaUXIG3GQDKVm5cfFz_y3YcwhCEXDnLZhYq-8wNpDAK9j0e4MwxD3jna_q7BXdxsS2/s640/Screen+shot+2011-01-04+at+19.25.31.png" width="462" /></a></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-78825514128448980242010-12-23T18:54:00.000+00:002010-12-23T18:54:32.178+00:00Bun in the oven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj3azbmRFWCdyzCx6TnmdUJoQffsmKVxnLdzgrWY9GNSv-cctp8LOhdWccILql76c0AAgbtztT7OmrYPwMZfqBdpEzFkP4HV1aawPqTyc-FSBc-pauvax7NFARzUxERSRRJyVblGwJ7SJ/s1600/P1110694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj3azbmRFWCdyzCx6TnmdUJoQffsmKVxnLdzgrWY9GNSv-cctp8LOhdWccILql76c0AAgbtztT7OmrYPwMZfqBdpEzFkP4HV1aawPqTyc-FSBc-pauvax7NFARzUxERSRRJyVblGwJ7SJ/s640/P1110694.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, it's my happy birthday today and I'm STILL waiting for my cake (which I suspect isn't going to materialise, Marty!). Anyhow, I have already received the best gift I could possibly imagine this year, and with that I have some breaking news about the imminent arrival of baby pie! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, friendly cottage is going to come alive with all things baby in early March next year (oh my wallpaper!). I am seven months pregnant now and thankfully all has gone really well. I have been so lucky to have flown it so far, especially as I've had such a nutty work schedule. I by now, have a very diligently trained food styling assistant! So we (baby pie and I) are planning on taking things a little easier from now on with lovely yoga and swimming classes booked in the New Year, lots of nesting to do and the exciting prospect of a baby room to decorate.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So anyhow, there's my bun in the oven news. I'm STILL waiting for my birthday cake, so in the meantime, here's a cake-to-self recipe for my mini carrot cakes</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Pink for a girl or should it be blue for a boy????</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MINI CARROT CAKES WITH ORANGE CREAM CHEESE TOPPING</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes 24</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">100g walnut halves</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">400g soft light brown sugar</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">450g plain flour, sifted</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tsp baking powder</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp bicarbonate of soda</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp mixed spice</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pinch salt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">325ml vegetable oil</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">75ml buttermilk</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 large eggs</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">450g carrots (about 4 medium), peeled and finely grated</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tbsp grated ginger</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">zest of 1 large orange</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TOPPING</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">200g cream cheese</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">50g unsalted butter, at room temperature</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">300g icing sugar</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">zest of 1 large orange</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 180C (360 F / Gas Mark 4). Line two 12 hole muffin tins with muffin paper cases.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toast the walnuts in the oven for about 10 minutes to release their flavour. Remove and finely chop.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the meantime, stir the sugar, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, mixed spice and salt together in a large bowl, leaving a well in the centre.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Measure the vegetable oil and buttermilk into a large jug and add the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat together until combined and pour into the dry ingredients. Add the grated carrots, ginger, orange zest and chopped walnuts and stir everything together until well mixed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spoon the mixture into the paper cases and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, swapping the trays around on the shelves half way through. The muffins should be risen, deep golden in colour and cooked through. Leave to cool on a wire rack </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, prepare the topping. Beat the cream cheese and butter in a food mixer for a few minutes until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides, sift in the icing sugar, add the orange zest and then gently beat again to give a smooth, thick paste. Refrigerate until ready to use to firm up a little. Pipe or spread the icing onto each cooled carrot cake before devouring!</span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
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</div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-70071221593900070162010-12-22T20:02:00.003+00:002011-01-04T23:25:57.231+00:00Deck the halls<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to journalist Niall Toner from the Irish Times for including me </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(along with Mel over at</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://designheaven.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">design heaven</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in his recent feature on decorating your home for Christmas on a budget. Once again, I'm great at being 'all talk' and have only just got our house blinged up for Christmas this week. I'm totally relishing being at home for the holidays with the fire blazing, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the sweet smell of Christmas baking,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> festive</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> tunes beating out, and fairy lights dazzling. Wishing you a happy Christmas!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are my decorating tips from the Times feature:</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Thread some festive ribbon through cute christmas cookie cutters and hang them from kitchen door knobs or hooks.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Why stop with eating at the table? Edible decorations can be nibbled on anywhere in the house...adorn your nest with fresh cranberry chains, fruit & nut garlands and cheeky gingerbread men.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Get down and dirty with the kids and have fun making, baking and painting your own bespoke decorations with salt dough. Store them carefully for use next Christmas too.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Always have a pan of warm mulled wine on the go! The intoxicating smell of spices will waft festive cheer around the house before you even drink it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Stock up on festive essential oils like frankincence, orange, cinnamon, pine, clove and juniper to burn around the house (individually or in interesting combinations). Also, use a few drops in homemade cleaning products and air freshners to keep you in the festive mood as you clean.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Bring childhood memories flooding back and have fun with potato printing your own homemade christmas cards and wrapping paper.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- The best way to instantly fill your home with Christmas cheer is to stick some of your favourite festive tunes on (mine are from Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra) and get baking Christmas goodies while you sing along.</span><o:p></o:p></div></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-23027376713527337362010-12-02T20:51:00.001+00:002010-12-02T20:56:33.540+00:00The bread of life<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's nothing quite as satisfying as making, baking and eating your own bread. For me it gives a great sense of wholesomeness and warmth to a home. That's definitely what is needed right now with snowmageddon going on outside. Thankfully there is no fear of our dry food supplies running out which means I've been baking like a madwoman!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last time I made this yummy foccacia bread was in the summer when we had some lovely friends over from London to stay. The kids, Issy and Lucas, loved squishing the dough and getting their hands messy with the tomato topping. We took it to the park as part of a picnic (the other 'part' being fizz to wash it down, non-alcoholic for the kids of course!). It's surreal to look at such summery snaps now when the current weather couldn't be more opposite!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEMI-SUNDRIED TOMATO & ROSEMARY FOCCACIA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is based on a recipe from ‘Homechef’ by Neven Maguire<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes 1 loaf<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for oiling and drizzling<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp fast-action yeast<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">450g (1lb) strong plain white flour, plus extra for dusting<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 ¼ tsp sea salt<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 jar semi-sundried tomatoes, drained<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">leaves from 1 fresh rosemary sprig<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maldon sea salt, for sprinkling<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oil a 28 x 18 x 4cm (11 x 7 x 1 ½ in) baking tin and line with non-sick parchment paper.</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT0a8Qh8dn-R-kebPzasskhrAFRNL2PHjNuVx_8FvH2do9eL7wjvi82dE2smzfHGnrqoDDJf7UP0psDQMRWuSu-JcJVTEdbHWw_qhsbe4LSucjKWjB0ypIm9pcAUiKjb7LKTLTMtqPhxL/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+20.23.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT0a8Qh8dn-R-kebPzasskhrAFRNL2PHjNuVx_8FvH2do9eL7wjvi82dE2smzfHGnrqoDDJf7UP0psDQMRWuSu-JcJVTEdbHWw_qhsbe4LSucjKWjB0ypIm9pcAUiKjb7LKTLTMtqPhxL/s400/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+20.23.22.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mix the yeast, flour and ¼ teaspoon of salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in 225ml (8fl oz) of tepid water and 5 tablespoons of the olive oil. Mix well to form a soft dough then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jWtlam8eQStfh18PBJ34WiWNqQHHqhxnEA0Njm_MtjL_2qqG-kgah_pkWPQDcvOR8VVa7lx3PIArpXPox9SBySdcnQODlOcHzrtVLYc_Dvxu4M1QtjI3zJOaIbzC5_JVUYiN1khFIsc3/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.26.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jWtlam8eQStfh18PBJ34WiWNqQHHqhxnEA0Njm_MtjL_2qqG-kgah_pkWPQDcvOR8VVa7lx3PIArpXPox9SBySdcnQODlOcHzrtVLYc_Dvxu4M1QtjI3zJOaIbzC5_JVUYiN1khFIsc3/s400/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.26.58.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place in an oiled bowl, cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place (I always use the airing cupboard!) for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. Knock the dough back by punching lightly to knock out air bubbles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchfQm-Qi7bOQSn3LZkMXjstc-5bg1ZQ8Qb37yqDObh5uXaZcFxlMoNjeP2XSBu6gzv_IGSyPFmnhBh-hiKkV_vQkvARLFcBT_Y5149lyCSb1cDG4CwzViV5i8v0Ge-0501So8b__zroSE/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.27.30.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchfQm-Qi7bOQSn3LZkMXjstc-5bg1ZQ8Qb37yqDObh5uXaZcFxlMoNjeP2XSBu6gzv_IGSyPFmnhBh-hiKkV_vQkvARLFcBT_Y5149lyCSb1cDG4CwzViV5i8v0Ge-0501So8b__zroSE/s400/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.27.30.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then turn it out on to a lightly floured surface again and knead for another 2-3 minutes. Roll out to a large rectangle that is about 1cm (½ in) in thickness and place in the prepared tin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH5c8BkOuuOsthDwZ_6jJpIBiNmFTUFYPqx183gG17Equ5O3dpKXOS8n06PH6yt3EdMwHnDcah_eUFcZZELRzIV9c610wdwhlw724Ol0cOfALrgbk0fEGYiEfS7tA3eXznFkKCOwzZyCY/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.28.45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH5c8BkOuuOsthDwZ_6jJpIBiNmFTUFYPqx183gG17Equ5O3dpKXOS8n06PH6yt3EdMwHnDcah_eUFcZZELRzIV9c610wdwhlw724Ol0cOfALrgbk0fEGYiEfS7tA3eXznFkKCOwzZyCY/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.28.45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH5c8BkOuuOsthDwZ_6jJpIBiNmFTUFYPqx183gG17Equ5O3dpKXOS8n06PH6yt3EdMwHnDcah_eUFcZZELRzIV9c610wdwhlw724Ol0cOfALrgbk0fEGYiEfS7tA3eXznFkKCOwzZyCY/s400/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.28.45.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stud with the semi-sundried tomatoes and sprinkle the rosemary sprigs and remaining salt over.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimG3UvF61T_kcRHttwq7DQypoDORc2pUkvhSlTkRhd4Zh9KgUZTTK8_hVAbzsvexAInF-j3se-cqKGu2_IFob9AZmtXKZURYaVGU_drJ-6evO3IU2VnIEwAU7sv8DLSU-mDf6p2UZLMb0G/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.30.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimG3UvF61T_kcRHttwq7DQypoDORc2pUkvhSlTkRhd4Zh9KgUZTTK8_hVAbzsvexAInF-j3se-cqKGu2_IFob9AZmtXKZURYaVGU_drJ-6evO3IU2VnIEwAU7sv8DLSU-mDf6p2UZLMb0G/s400/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+17.30.22.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoBodyText2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise again for about 30 minutes until soft and pillowy. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220C (425F), Gas mark 7.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1z_c_SH_Ww20Iv49LdzLfMW3bDQXu6XwsEjYSJ34471WvCCUmTm1h5ajgljR28dU6QYHs_UR_4F_O5SaLLCzRaQGWrxK_g_YjIheu2GQuXCqowSS1zPUaMzSGGk-wVXqL6Be4esG21uM/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+18.58.57.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1z_c_SH_Ww20Iv49LdzLfMW3bDQXu6XwsEjYSJ34471WvCCUmTm1h5ajgljR28dU6QYHs_UR_4F_O5SaLLCzRaQGWrxK_g_YjIheu2GQuXCqowSS1zPUaMzSGGk-wVXqL6Be4esG21uM/s400/Screen+shot+2010-12-02+at+18.58.57.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drizzle again with olive oil and bake for about 30 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool and drizzle with olive oil to keep the crust softened. Cut or tear into chunks and enjoy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-59715613059910635112010-11-16T22:24:00.002+00:002010-11-16T22:33:34.467+00:00Pom Pom Pretty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As always I'm oozing with Pom Pom love! This time Pom Factor has hit a lampshade once again. I bought these shades really cheaply from Ikea last year to tide us over until I found 'the one' for our hallway. Sadly, like most things I dream of, my exact specification (deep cerise, wide but shallowish drum, with diffuser base) doesn't seem to exist. So I pulled out my vast array of Pom Pom trims and teamed the shades up with these delicious double delights....</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PF75kPrkH6-sPQ7UTlTT8juMWu66OBnlJwg_N-0xUeEwU6eP33JSBgEeKAFyPZyAVIfAo5b4q2bDwy__ongx6HfBn-Dx0M5q0qwH81VYAi0ABl1iN6QVqSDxds2onh1195szjYp3DcYl/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-11-16+at+22.20.36.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PF75kPrkH6-sPQ7UTlTT8juMWu66OBnlJwg_N-0xUeEwU6eP33JSBgEeKAFyPZyAVIfAo5b4q2bDwy__ongx6HfBn-Dx0M5q0qwH81VYAi0ABl1iN6QVqSDxds2onh1195szjYp3DcYl/s640/Screen+shot+2010-11-16+at+22.20.36.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Before & After</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-19627360839409369222010-10-17T21:20:00.000+01:002010-10-17T21:20:12.898+01:00Blog Watch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So I've been out of touch once again, sorry! I'm still away with work but getting closer to home...this time in the same time zone & country at least! I've been trying to get a second since way back in August to tell you about this, so consider this well-old news! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyway, the lovely & industrious Lorna Sixsmith from Garrendenny Lane Interiors was lovely enough to include me in her feature for 'Munster Interiors'. Lorna has a gorgeous <a href="http://www.garrendennylane.ie/">online interiors shop</a>, of which her new website has just gone live recently so well worth checking out. Lorna also manages to juggle running a successful business with raising a family and chasing after sheep on her farm...all of which makes a great read on <a href="http://www.garrendennylane.ie/blog">her blog here</a> too. Thanks Lorna for such a lovely write-up! x</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-34936605905123238122010-09-02T23:04:00.000+01:002010-09-02T23:04:50.848+01:00Happy Four Years Married Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZakwub4mKjey_k05RtDlS02AtgCRgZtYnV6JDx4CU-oRpFGWjftQKbxSTj7nrZyVZrZi3xWyIUOac1tBlEwNIEwj0gVz4Eu4lgjwoIxdBi9TzNX4StWv02dVch3mJ7oN7kiLkBuzon_pG/s1600/P1020094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZakwub4mKjey_k05RtDlS02AtgCRgZtYnV6JDx4CU-oRpFGWjftQKbxSTj7nrZyVZrZi3xWyIUOac1tBlEwNIEwj0gVz4Eu4lgjwoIxdBi9TzNX4StWv02dVch3mJ7oN7kiLkBuzon_pG/s400/P1020094.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I have snapped the photos from our wedding album but the original photos are taken by </span><a href="http://www.joannegrantphotography.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Joanne Grant</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yay, it's our happy four years married day! In true Friendly Cottage fashion, we are spending it apart. As with all anniversaries, bar one so far, Marty is in London with work. He'll be hanging out with a bunch of blokes. I'm home alone (I'm so going to light the fire tonight...the boy hasn't let me yet!). We've got used to it at this stage so it's fine. Besides, it gives a little more time to scramble for a card and gift!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So the traditional gift for four years of marriage is fruit or flowers apparently. The modern gift is appliances. Eh, no thanks anyhow, we'll stick with tradition on this one. As a fruit gift, I'm going to make Marty some Strawberry & Champagne Jam. A week before our wedding, the very dutiful bridesmaids and I stirred a huge cauldron of strawberries and sugar to make hundreds of pots of this jam as gifts for the guests. The champagne didn't quite make it into the pot, hic, and the jam didn't quite have long enough to cook as a result, hic. It was a little more suited to drizzling over things rather than spreading in the end. Still, we produced a beautiful tasting preserve all the same. Here's what should have happened...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPy220RNVKYu94r8zLLqoAvs4JlLgtFdeNSPoKWheI8l4KVXqt2W4ObSHa_Z-tawU2g_wOAHwh7EkPnTbapdwwv9vsAbnFzVRYyaVHS1yFauQzJt2_7lfHBkfzg96iRt5d-lj2CWRRPLF/s1600/P1020089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPy220RNVKYu94r8zLLqoAvs4JlLgtFdeNSPoKWheI8l4KVXqt2W4ObSHa_Z-tawU2g_wOAHwh7EkPnTbapdwwv9vsAbnFzVRYyaVHS1yFauQzJt2_7lfHBkfzg96iRt5d-lj2CWRRPLF/s400/P1020089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Marty & Sharon's Wexford Strawberry & Champagne Wedding Preserve</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You will need plenty of jam jars and lids. I especially love when they are mismatched in different shapes and sizes. Sterilise the jars by rinsing in hot water and then popping in an oven heated to 140C for about half an hour. Alternatively, rinse them through a dishwasher on a hot cycle without the washing tablet. I love decorating the jars once the jam is all potted up. Use fun fabrics or oilcloth, ribbon, twine or raffia. Print or hand make labels or tags. Keep all to yourself or give as gifts. By the way, if you'd rather drink the champagne while you stir the pot then just don't bother putting it in!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes about 1.5kg</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 kg jam strawberries, washed and hulled</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 kg jam sugar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 glass of champagne (or other sparkling wine)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">finely grated zest & juice of 1 lemon</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Place the strawberries in a large pan and crush them lightly with a potato masher. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Add the jam sugar, champagne and lemon zest and juice.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Bring slowly to the boil, stirring to help dissolve the sugar.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Bubble away for 8-10 minutes, skimming away any impurities that come to the surface.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly before potting.</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-70463130914482992052010-08-30T23:54:00.000+01:002010-08-30T23:54:06.376+01:00Abandoned Ship & Tea Pot Roses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23JOAxVX9SW9Y-OhjL7gzPeOY-ItIEuyh8HwvErrKQoUKdXvn6IJtcEyUT4P29f3X1fsEKpTQBhaV1ThHL_iS9f0a7uI2wCYU9HIPTfGe_y4ZA3-EMPUI511YEtFbX65wYg72PBbSPjov/s1600/P1000462+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23JOAxVX9SW9Y-OhjL7gzPeOY-ItIEuyh8HwvErrKQoUKdXvn6IJtcEyUT4P29f3X1fsEKpTQBhaV1ThHL_iS9f0a7uI2wCYU9HIPTfGe_y4ZA3-EMPUI511YEtFbX65wYg72PBbSPjov/s640/P1000462+copy.JPG" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well, hello there! Hope you are still speaking to me after a very lengthy and unexplained abandoned ship! I hate it when blogs I follow do that, so I really am super-sorry! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My summer actually ended up being a completely mental meltdown of work, mostly away from home. Think living out of suit cases, flights here and there, working endless hours, not getting much sleep and general delirium! I really had hoped to keep up with posts but with barely even being able to keep up with husband and home it just wasn't possible.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On my return to Friendly Cottage I can confirm that all is really well and good here though. The only sad thing is that I'm only here for a week before heading off again. So, we'll just have to see how I go on with that one! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyhow, thank you so much for your messages of concern, continued comments and I see lots of new followers too. Some pretty tea pot roses as a peace offering?!</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-51132569109193197532010-06-13T20:44:00.012+01:002010-06-13T22:24:54.399+01:00Homemade Elderflower Cordial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU6pGMOhz4s3b2HedW0pCp2OtlNwWknTFaJcvcHhWUew62VsPnomEQKQg7ZYCn4ggG0vKsNKaPzH_DWnSWMRKvNXHG4C4VmNWGS3dbBo3O0AMFnACZYPWnQO6BwEN_xC3CDCcTCaBYiX8/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-13+at+20.34.26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU6pGMOhz4s3b2HedW0pCp2OtlNwWknTFaJcvcHhWUew62VsPnomEQKQg7ZYCn4ggG0vKsNKaPzH_DWnSWMRKvNXHG4C4VmNWGS3dbBo3O0AMFnACZYPWnQO6BwEN_xC3CDCcTCaBYiX8/s640/Screen+shot+2010-06-13+at+20.34.26.png" width="640" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yay, it's that time of year again that our gorgeous Elder tree blooms heavily with hundreds of fragrant flower heads. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6f7580; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Elderflower cordial makes a really refreshing drink. Use enough cordial to sparkling or soda water to taste and with plenty of ice and some mint sprigs if you fancy too. It is also delicious with a swig of gin or vodka or added to bubbly. Also use the cordial to make jellies, sorbet or ice-cream or use it to sweeten gooseberries or rhubarb. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When our friends were here with us last week we got the kids to help out making our first batch of the summer.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6f7580; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's what we did...</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6f7580;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCjuz3xJkAIqVUW_EyHcrcgf2wzCIDMmnZIDX6-R0QnYSubsmLjg7Qd6-JuZ9eXAdjY9vIZVdw2zdrWscDVry56_4cV2m7FjYHI2tPa1R4s8Rd0HHcZ_cIDzLjfCuA-JcwJkxQL2LXygP/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-08+at+18.03.50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCjuz3xJkAIqVUW_EyHcrcgf2wzCIDMmnZIDX6-R0QnYSubsmLjg7Qd6-JuZ9eXAdjY9vIZVdw2zdrWscDVry56_4cV2m7FjYHI2tPa1R4s8Rd0HHcZ_cIDzLjfCuA-JcwJkxQL2LXygP/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-08+at+18.03.50.png" width="400" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxQ653VcKQnK0OgDJ30I0O54b5kGuvoUVAjSmuZ-GeQLu7ep0T8PIQYrrAnWiI87WEN29l9HewUwdH8ocX0_yGyd_9gbWHa46AVfKLBV9MeZ0GxVGhE96NP-97hzBYzMAlesP9WQjhFO5/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-08+at+18.05.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxQ653VcKQnK0OgDJ30I0O54b5kGuvoUVAjSmuZ-GeQLu7ep0T8PIQYrrAnWiI87WEN29l9HewUwdH8ocX0_yGyd_9gbWHa46AVfKLBV9MeZ0GxVGhE96NP-97hzBYzMAlesP9WQjhFO5/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-08+at+18.05.52.png" width="400" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6f7580; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Makes about 2.75L </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6f7580;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6f7580;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6f7580;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(you will need enough stopper or screw topped bottles to take this amount)</span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">2kg caster or granulated sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">1.2L water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">about 40-50 freshly picked elderflower heads</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 unwaxed lemons</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">75g citric acid*</span></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- Stir the sugar and water together well in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Bring very slowly to the boil stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- Meanwhile, gently rinse the elderflower heads to get rid of any bugs and pick off any leaves or brown flowers. Place the flowers in a really large bowl or bucket.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Using a peeler or small knife to shave</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> a few pieces of zest from each of the lemons and stir them through the sugar syrup. Thickly slice the lemons and scatter them over the flower heads.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- Stir the citric acid into the sugar syrup until dissolved and then carefully pour the mixture over the flowers and lemon slices. Stir everything together to make sure it is well immersed. Cover and leave in a cool dry place to soak for 24 hours.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- After this time, you are ready to finish and bottle. It's important to sterilise the storage bottles (to avoid any nasty growths) so wash them in hot water and then dry them out in a low oven (about 170C) for about 15 minutes (or alternatively, run them through a hot dishwasher without powder).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;">- Strain the soaking flowers through a very fine sieve lined with a piece of clean muslin, j-cloth or coffee filter into a large jug. Squeeze out as much of the syrup as possible from the flowers (but not so much the lemon slices) so as not to waste a drop!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;">- Then the easiest way to bottle the cordial is though a funnel. Then pop the lids on tightly and store in a cool dry place for a few months (although some people say up to a year - just keep a check out for any fur!). It can be frozen too but perhaps use smaller bottles so you can defrost a little at a time and use plastic instead of glass bottles (leaving a good gap from the top to allow for expansion on freezing). Once opened it should be stored in the fridge.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;">* The citric acid in the recipe helps preserve the cordial. It can be bought in pharmacies or health food stores (but you might have to search a few as not all stores sell it - it is said to be used by junkies also!). Read the label carefully as it can cause irritation to the skin if not handled correctly. A bottle of cordial is an ideal gift to give to friends. </span></div></span></span>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-48040532852143593552010-06-12T18:18:00.004+01:002010-06-12T22:10:54.860+01:00Garden Glory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MGkscEy3zs475xhSN5B8DqZGBc-CbAtjEYNEgLsqdnFBUwOcK-T284ke0K8SR1Z49MKSkxk4ERtBakdxntzGE8IRu6ZA9saMrG9nXOgLzoblaZnpppHIWv18-unVKTTJyF8g6-12Ior3/s1600/P1000045+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MGkscEy3zs475xhSN5B8DqZGBc-CbAtjEYNEgLsqdnFBUwOcK-T284ke0K8SR1Z49MKSkxk4ERtBakdxntzGE8IRu6ZA9saMrG9nXOgLzoblaZnpppHIWv18-unVKTTJyF8g6-12Ior3/s640/P1000045+copy.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Painted in Cuprinol's 'Seagrass' (& the trim in 'Pale Jasmine ') from their Garden Shades collection</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hurrah, we have a garden at last! We have grass and a path and all sorts of crazy things like that. It has been a long slog and to be honest the boy has done most of the hard graft out there (thankfully he loves it). There were days battling brambles, getting the tree under some sort of control, digging deep for unrulely roots and unearthing everything from bed springs to bones. Lots and lots of bones. We're hoping those of nothing more sinister than animals. </span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7ifMPy79PeFkWNvW-G6ikU2hvmJdOss_m83G6VJhPLmQZGH_W6r3TpcKHs7JIrgODOC8bR1JSOyvBJ82zVxTsaiEhG6957PfmmWzNeDPKIFQsqY84bhTMkDsk7nodZOc8SLpoe1X37SG/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-07+at+09.39.02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7ifMPy79PeFkWNvW-G6ikU2hvmJdOss_m83G6VJhPLmQZGH_W6r3TpcKHs7JIrgODOC8bR1JSOyvBJ82zVxTsaiEhG6957PfmmWzNeDPKIFQsqY84bhTMkDsk7nodZOc8SLpoe1X37SG/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-07+at+09.39.02.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SxeSkUkQw41TLwMp-_Qco5M9YePpWaedrh4FPWVfXFnnfH7GnClO1TgFuyBnax0LhfCJDRHvrRpgtfX754H7j-5rNQIoMlwmil6P3r1jYUvSPwV1d-iK57VoeiMls_K7msWV-yiUOqDT/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-07+at+09.41.25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SxeSkUkQw41TLwMp-_Qco5M9YePpWaedrh4FPWVfXFnnfH7GnClO1TgFuyBnax0LhfCJDRHvrRpgtfX754H7j-5rNQIoMlwmil6P3r1jYUvSPwV1d-iK57VoeiMls_K7msWV-yiUOqDT/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-07+at+09.41.25.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The stages our poor garden has been through over the last few years</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So, Mart is now a happy man to see nice new grass growing at last. No more mud slides for us. It's the simple things in life eh? Now, for the planting planning for the ultimate garden glory....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyhow, I don't have an 'after' photo to show you yet as the weather has been so grim out there. So for now I've posted a photo of our newly painted shed which is down the bottom of the garden tucked just under the tree. I love it! I was inspired by beach huts (one day, *dreams*) and love how this colour combination turned out. If only inside was a dream world of stripy deck chairs, hanging seashells and floppy hats. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P.S. Are those elderflowers I see bloomed on the tree? I feel some cordial coming on...</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-35290393007934505612010-06-09T23:23:00.004+01:002010-06-09T23:43:58.927+01:00The Big Noodle<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBrg70HUMfkh8_yYEzwRVuqtIRGyw9Ax9RHAhLIaEJl8jRox3oiscSnlKugffFKtJUdaF5aZh4OPkAkBYmvq0o5FZtoA34n-arMRFv4z2iHuWhz0bg5DWLWocT77pUg3nSRCsLURzme9i/s1600/P1090475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBrg70HUMfkh8_yYEzwRVuqtIRGyw9Ax9RHAhLIaEJl8jRox3oiscSnlKugffFKtJUdaF5aZh4OPkAkBYmvq0o5FZtoA34n-arMRFv4z2iHuWhz0bg5DWLWocT77pUg3nSRCsLURzme9i/s640/P1090475.JPG" width="360" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So, you know the way Americans call the boss The Big Cheese? (or is that just in the movies..?)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Well, in Asia they call them The Big Noodle. Maybe you had to be there, but this really made me giggle when I first heard. Mind you, that was in my travelling days when I had nothing more to do only giggle at such silly things. Would I giggle if told now in this so called 'real world'? Hmm....Oh well, it still puts a smile on my face and brings me back to those happy and carefree </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">days</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> daze.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBEW6qURZE7i52dPifg4_8YwMjOqobqRWk1Yozacq2OmyCk0ngDzsgT3RlF5c59_vyznvCBRQbX2S06scmzQZbsgfXF0tdauNmitKM9x5sTrFAQtRgwyzbUXFH8C1Ev1oG6-LDptdqISb/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-09+at+23.16.50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBEW6qURZE7i52dPifg4_8YwMjOqobqRWk1Yozacq2OmyCk0ngDzsgT3RlF5c59_vyznvCBRQbX2S06scmzQZbsgfXF0tdauNmitKM9x5sTrFAQtRgwyzbUXFH8C1Ev1oG6-LDptdqISb/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-09+at+23.16.50.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Some travelling memories from the Friendly Cottage photo album</span></span> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ASIAN RICE NOODLE SALAD WITH PRAWNS & MANGO</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love nothing more than this quick and easy noodle salad for a tasty and healthy lunch or light supper. Swap the prawns for cooked chicken strips or for a vegetarian version, something like toasted cashews or tofu. Don’t toss everything together until ready to serve to avoid things becoming soggy.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Serves 2</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">175g thin rice noodles</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">100g mange tout</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">150g cooked & peeled prawns</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 ripe mango, peeled and sliced</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 spring onions, chopped</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">handful mint leaves, torn</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">DRESSING</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 tbsp sunflower oil</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 tbsp light soy sauce</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 tbsp fish sauce</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">juice of 1 lime</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 garlic clove, crushed</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 tbsp finely grated ginger</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 red chilli, finely chopped</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 tbsp roughly chopped coriander</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Place the noodles in a wide shallow dish and pour over enough boiling water to cover. Leave to soak for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain, rinse in cold water to refresh and drain again.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the meantime, prepare the dressing in a large bowl. Whisk the sunflower oil, light soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, ginger, chilli and coriander together and set aside.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blanch the mange tout in a small pan of salted water until just tender. Drain, refresh in cold water and drain again before cutting diagonally in half. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tip the noodles into the dressing with the mange tout, prawns, mango, spring onions and mint leaves. Toss everything together really well and serve at once.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdIgExMRYAnWgGfIN0MeUVTuwo-FWZLMRkvtkpnCUvYvGGB-lw1ePh2DORJew7myGjuvooQggibmXN8pHyPxnAgRxxuJ8MSmT9kjx9JlpDffdl8ryekDjCOQy9AYqCIs34CeROmWxhwCJ/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-30+at+15.28.36.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdIgExMRYAnWgGfIN0MeUVTuwo-FWZLMRkvtkpnCUvYvGGB-lw1ePh2DORJew7myGjuvooQggibmXN8pHyPxnAgRxxuJ8MSmT9kjx9JlpDffdl8ryekDjCOQy9AYqCIs34CeROmWxhwCJ/s640/Screen+shot+2010-03-30+at+15.28.36.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-53068414822583409222010-06-06T22:35:00.001+01:002010-06-06T22:36:17.260+01:00Pimms O'Clock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkPDeYUIOuMefnmO43nyQfG7UpLkwNvzuw5PHyeLpxtl0FCqSbBKBIMXdw_B7kpCUjlNIfgUSY6xFErTUzQU1xARXtJhwT3sj84XMWGjVVOuZaGtYt1pXucIDZdhcCyUBiNQk6auxtGiv/s1600/P1120088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkPDeYUIOuMefnmO43nyQfG7UpLkwNvzuw5PHyeLpxtl0FCqSbBKBIMXdw_B7kpCUjlNIfgUSY6xFErTUzQU1xARXtJhwT3sj84XMWGjVVOuZaGtYt1pXucIDZdhcCyUBiNQk6auxtGiv/s640/P1120088.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy bank holiday weekend! And what a fab sunny time it's been too (well, except for the rain today, that we just won't talk about). We had some friends and their kids over from London for the weekend and so have been hanging out with picnics in the park and hose downs in the garden (the kids now believe that here in Ireland we have to shower and water the garden at the same time to save water!). To keep the grown-ups (I use the term loosely) cool, we've been sipping on <a href="http://www.anyoneforpimms.com/home.php">Pimms</a> cocktails. What better drink to 'chink' the start of summer to.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 19px;">PIMMS COCKTAIL</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 19px;"></span>I couldn't have said it better myself so here's a d</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">efinition of Pimms o'clock according to </span></span><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Pimms%20O'%20Clock"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the urban dictionary</span></span></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Time for Pimm's (posh cocktail made with pimms, lemonade, and fruit). Implies lazy, happy days sitting in the sun with nothing to do and no need to worry about time. </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oR8hGewyz74zK_Dy_bKU_UwhenpiMKRGGoI5MkfUWJGREgezURmoD3G3G6bNYWL5ePcQYSVfmrHanQLRuIz9lUCwdTZRJj7aNQFClXtZv6J99D5k1Fj6uBBP7U4zDVZRXYcLOcnJ_G7q/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-06+at+21.58.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oR8hGewyz74zK_Dy_bKU_UwhenpiMKRGGoI5MkfUWJGREgezURmoD3G3G6bNYWL5ePcQYSVfmrHanQLRuIz9lUCwdTZRJj7aNQFClXtZv6J99D5k1Fj6uBBP7U4zDVZRXYcLOcnJ_G7q/s400/Screen+shot+2010-06-06+at+21.58.39.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">My friend Louise reckons she isn't a great cook and so gets people drunk so they </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">don't notice the food. She makes a pretty rocking Pimms if you ask me!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">large serving jug of ice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">300ml Pimms</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">1L lemonade</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">large handful mint leaves</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">1/2 cucumber, sliced</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">150g strawberries, hulled & halved if large</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">2 apples, cored and diced</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">Pour the Pimms and lemonade over the ice in the serving jug. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">Stir the mint, cucumber, strawberries and apples through.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">Serve at once.</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-3479444876140997612010-05-25T19:01:00.001+01:002010-05-25T20:40:33.224+01:00True Blue Baby I Love You<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm still in love with my new kitchen. Here are some blue things I spied with my little eye recently...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtBgM9oYROAKmQ8DSImLcrIUl2P3TGAll0-26rqgI3V1Dxd5SSdgtzCdlJyz5zr89jZBmpaQZL9oQloYQpz83lSBR5jZJOblRUJ5B1GnM9HeUuXqtddUlgET44gkjOlHt1oKMS7jdj0Ev/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.19.33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtBgM9oYROAKmQ8DSImLcrIUl2P3TGAll0-26rqgI3V1Dxd5SSdgtzCdlJyz5zr89jZBmpaQZL9oQloYQpz83lSBR5jZJOblRUJ5B1GnM9HeUuXqtddUlgET44gkjOlHt1oKMS7jdj0Ev/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.19.33.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Spotty bowls from Avoca. Blue plates from Ikea in plate rack.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Br8qT4SI2SkHKyjggO-3OCiT3TgtfclKXeApca0NvJrVBg0t96SUQeAvCI9-U2EzJq84phT5_Lj-el4jC0dFMGTVTJ0qxotX-WZ2Gl5WDtv1g-Is0jTrc1R-m-v2dNb7ZnygVqhv22dY/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.21.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Br8qT4SI2SkHKyjggO-3OCiT3TgtfclKXeApca0NvJrVBg0t96SUQeAvCI9-U2EzJq84phT5_Lj-el4jC0dFMGTVTJ0qxotX-WZ2Gl5WDtv1g-Is0jTrc1R-m-v2dNb7ZnygVqhv22dY/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.21.52.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I can't remember where I came across this sweet girl. We haven't quite found a home for her yet so she hangs out in the kitchen with us for now. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tea cups on the dresser with a cute knitted tea pot cosy a friend gave me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMbuqfAQIjz4PYuYDhTaztoT1wyzav3KHY79q9ZcuTDLP1st-D-6QyTY6rBid0fj_VXlaCjPFVvVDTSFGsMyHJP1e8EGrAtqDM9GlJX8rMTtJ-ErH1BCaY8GtTeA5nU92l-P-ZkLbVPRn/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.21.28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMbuqfAQIjz4PYuYDhTaztoT1wyzav3KHY79q9ZcuTDLP1st-D-6QyTY6rBid0fj_VXlaCjPFVvVDTSFGsMyHJP1e8EGrAtqDM9GlJX8rMTtJ-ErH1BCaY8GtTeA5nU92l-P-ZkLbVPRn/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.21.28.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Washing-up gloves from Homebase. Very unused looking I might add. I do like my dishwasher. The appliance one rather than the husband one.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Scales by Typhoon.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppwj-bXTvlanWShXPfllbSlA7NeXinYMnVwOMd5bytKkzuk_hB3o3fJgg5nad_6ad6UHyCrfg5D43av2PmZeD9XNgcEmxfiJbefsZZRZM2t_I6u1mAaN0ZYIUg6YDJDGNq04ec3Npwxd7/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.18.17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppwj-bXTvlanWShXPfllbSlA7NeXinYMnVwOMd5bytKkzuk_hB3o3fJgg5nad_6ad6UHyCrfg5D43av2PmZeD9XNgcEmxfiJbefsZZRZM2t_I6u1mAaN0ZYIUg6YDJDGNq04ec3Npwxd7/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.18.17.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Love this bowl's shape and colour, by Sophie Conran. Stack of bowls, baking dishes and colanders on a kitchen shelf.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fbMpa4CcLvB3UlvQCrQkNSQMnSi5hGAxnTdIMyTlnjU9hHMlmrKsm2j944avpBIRM-t1pmhWW4nwWInWmReYFJcEOpatvRsqab3k3Db3gnVjdnwhDfCdf3QkFFx4wiCKFiOpjOuPN4uX/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.20.04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fbMpa4CcLvB3UlvQCrQkNSQMnSi5hGAxnTdIMyTlnjU9hHMlmrKsm2j944avpBIRM-t1pmhWW4nwWInWmReYFJcEOpatvRsqab3k3Db3gnVjdnwhDfCdf3QkFFx4wiCKFiOpjOuPN4uX/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.20.04.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">No Irish kitchen is blessed without the holy Mary water on the dresser. A dear friend gave me one and not sure where I got the other. Probably my mother. I sprinkled the whole house with one of these when we first bought it. The other one helped me find a lost diamond when away with work once. Handy things to bring traveling, Holy Mary waters. Cute bottle from Avoca for homemade drinks.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_073Ytl4jo7spv4xvcBhx5gbuY3vrciSjcqoJVhOTm5DS8_4lKAPW8yOXfxtxCBAFG-t5maIfDDy54aLH_jQtYaYtLhW_evbbesqqomSZbZwSwjiiuvrsSLbA1Ge2Sn4dEfs8jxY48mx-/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.20.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_073Ytl4jo7spv4xvcBhx5gbuY3vrciSjcqoJVhOTm5DS8_4lKAPW8yOXfxtxCBAFG-t5maIfDDy54aLH_jQtYaYtLhW_evbbesqqomSZbZwSwjiiuvrsSLbA1Ge2Sn4dEfs8jxY48mx-/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-25+at+18.20.58.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Currants tin, from an auction house, reused as a utensil pot. Retro clock with cooking timer from ebay.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-59942805753176656802010-05-23T16:54:00.002+01:002010-05-23T16:56:30.481+01:00Homemade Ice Pops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpapgPRzNRatmU1cHymYTolyj8oHdWL9MLXYK5P5JumF46ZEXB0NcCv9KjyTkcFVvRjRUExn5me8XXC53-NKGH6RmAN8tXjXqdIFceZ5pUMWWZbf04YpjUmEGCbo8PpfOV1ofAeAkjMzV/s1600/P1110566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpapgPRzNRatmU1cHymYTolyj8oHdWL9MLXYK5P5JumF46ZEXB0NcCv9KjyTkcFVvRjRUExn5me8XXC53-NKGH6RmAN8tXjXqdIFceZ5pUMWWZbf04YpjUmEGCbo8PpfOV1ofAeAkjMzV/s640/P1110566.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ok, ok, so I was preoccupied drinking my Whiskey Sour </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">last night to remember to shake the mixture to prevent separating. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">See, I'm not perfect after all! They are still yummy though.</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yay, how fantastic is that hot weather? Here at Friendly Cottage we are in the middle of nursing and coaxing the growth of grass in our back garden so I have been out watering it in the boys absence. Marty had been totally obsessing over it until he went away and so will kill me if the grass is burnt to a crisp when he gets back. Likely-hood with me? High. So I'm all worn out, trying to prove him wrong and needed some refreshing myself. Luckily I made these ice pops last night. Anyone got any other flavour ideas?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">APPLE & ROSEMARY ICE POPS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thanks to a fruit bowl brimming with apples and the gorgeous rosemary pot I picked up the other day at food event (thanks to</span></span><a href="http://www.livingflavour.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Living Flavour</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">), I have been inspired to make these yummy pops. The number of pops you make will depend on the size of your moulds. You could try adding a stick of cinnamon to the sugar syrup too if you like. That would make an altogether very Autumny Ice Pop that would remind you just how lucky you are to be sucking it in such glorious weather!</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVw5_nwg4k7sjBLiVsCYeNZ_0_9pHPQOy4yvRDPUZDJEXGhLZzmg6dDGcGKDlFq2gYmYc8r2CWhkpvJ2FYTcEt3G6f_LODncwDFTf2b6huQfxmhNaN53_vA3zA8MXwYQG8NTZefgU251Dc/s1600/P1110616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVw5_nwg4k7sjBLiVsCYeNZ_0_9pHPQOy4yvRDPUZDJEXGhLZzmg6dDGcGKDlFq2gYmYc8r2CWhkpvJ2FYTcEt3G6f_LODncwDFTf2b6huQfxmhNaN53_vA3zA8MXwYQG8NTZefgU251Dc/s400/P1110616.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes about 450ml</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">50g caster sugar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 rosemary sprigs</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 large or 6 small apples</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Place the sugar in a small saucepan with 50ml of cold water and the rosemary sprigs. Bring to a slow boil, stirring to help dissolve the sugar. Allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes before removing and leaving to cool.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Once the syrup has cooled, juice the apples in a juicer. Fish the rosemary sprigs out of the syrup and stir the apple juice and syrup together.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pour into lolly moulds, pop the lids on and freeze upright for about 6-8 hours until solid. Stir or shake the mixture once after the first and second hours to help prevent any settling of the juice.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dip the lolly moulds in hot water for a second to help release the pops. Suck at once!</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW1iTpBmQYN8R1-IHqLbTAAMLmD_iVn0-BcgidGByWggExo61JuySitZ3E6UV4B90_r9poT0JJrqlYONgB-GJsg0aZLVRA-qVw9K2Fy9SYlBR19GCUAGHSQdIAcs6HBu2ZjXdbpcxkSjo/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-23+at+16.21.19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW1iTpBmQYN8R1-IHqLbTAAMLmD_iVn0-BcgidGByWggExo61JuySitZ3E6UV4B90_r9poT0JJrqlYONgB-GJsg0aZLVRA-qVw9K2Fy9SYlBR19GCUAGHSQdIAcs6HBu2ZjXdbpcxkSjo/s400/Screen+shot+2010-05-23+at+16.21.19.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TIP: When making this rosemary syrup, I usually make at least double and keep the remainder in the fridge to use as a drizzle over sponge cake or in cocktails. FYI you will need 75ml of syrup for this recipe.</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-3438698824021513462010-05-21T22:01:00.008+01:002010-05-21T22:10:35.355+01:00Barefoot Contessa's Whiskey Sour<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglHyybIjqD-cC6skjTEG_VwwUAldR5XUVcC1Igf7ayN_CT__Mg2yYPSpx1ZczIhOHUwYSXI7U0KYUrzXni_A4ieHc9K8vhe3FH-2DbKh2IeIoozIwj-LDzwBi64CmMjBsa1EVvHdiavrB/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+21.42.40.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglHyybIjqD-cC6skjTEG_VwwUAldR5XUVcC1Igf7ayN_CT__Mg2yYPSpx1ZczIhOHUwYSXI7U0KYUrzXni_A4ieHc9K8vhe3FH-2DbKh2IeIoozIwj-LDzwBi64CmMjBsa1EVvHdiavrB/s640/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+21.42.40.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sorry for being such a crap friend and not being around for a chat for ages now. Usual boring excuses like big work load, broken laptop and no camera.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyhow, I'm back. With a bang. I've hit the bottle as right now it's the only thing to bring me back to earth after a really mad few weeks. I haven't had a big drink for ages now. In fact the last time I lost my co-ordinates was at the end of my work in America earlier in the year. To help with the come down of that, I fell in love with Whiskey Sours. I have never liked Whiskey but when the <a href="http://www.barefootcontessa.com/">Barefoot Contessa</a> herself made this for me, how could I decline? Hook, line and sinker I was in love. In the airport on the way home I even picked up a couple of bottles of the Bourbon Ina used, Makers Mark. I haven't even tried to come up with my own recipe as Ina's is to die for. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As this recipe was in American measures I used the cutsie Matryoshka doll cup measures my sister in law Beckie sent me (from Australia) for my last birthday. You can use Jack Daniels in place of the Makers Mark. To make sugar syrup, bring equal amounts of sugar and water to a slow boil, stirring, until the sugar dissolves and then leave to cool. I used a 1/2 cup of each to give me the amount required below. I buy my Maraschino cherries (the jarred posh ones with the stem still on) in Fallon & Byrne. This recipe makes enough to serve four. The boy has just flown off on my brothers stag weekend, so I promise, I divided it in four & saved the rest for after work tomorrow, and the next day and the next day. Hick. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGcYR7POq_TioIQX-SF8MRMhXkLuaSzmXgQ9RQ5ekOnGnw56fpptrp0xpuvBgQIf6pdOPrpmQyrWyAWOBQ4FE33QIseKniXNJcW_LogyIEQTivJlgE7P6J74SQLu7www_dAgUZRipZj7j/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+21.39.12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGcYR7POq_TioIQX-SF8MRMhXkLuaSzmXgQ9RQ5ekOnGnw56fpptrp0xpuvBgQIf6pdOPrpmQyrWyAWOBQ4FE33QIseKniXNJcW_LogyIEQTivJlgE7P6J74SQLu7www_dAgUZRipZj7j/s640/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+21.39.12.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">INA GARTEN'S WHISKEY SOUR</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3/4 cup bourbon Whiskey</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup lime juice (about 3 limes)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2/3 cup sugar syrup </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ice</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Maraschino cherries</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Combine the Whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice and sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker and add a good handful of ice. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shake vigorously for 15 seconds and then strain into glasses.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Add a Maraschino cherry and serve ice cold.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALvtjfpfoZUGIwpb7Y5HlMge8Z8D1uFNp9BDP2LpvYAzfmauG_263gg4pBqk-iKrYglsY92e8S0aHTpOWe3MXkP7TXBpS-MvjfLTxC0zHWuyLaHXRcB6wA3uhcGwQXnqszC1c0tG3FQXp/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+21.41.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALvtjfpfoZUGIwpb7Y5HlMge8Z8D1uFNp9BDP2LpvYAzfmauG_263gg4pBqk-iKrYglsY92e8S0aHTpOWe3MXkP7TXBpS-MvjfLTxC0zHWuyLaHXRcB6wA3uhcGwQXnqszC1c0tG3FQXp/s640/Screen+shot+2010-05-21+at+21.41.22.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Currently listening to the Noisettes....What ya drinking rum or whiskey? Now won't ya have a double with me?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-33241592046042451722010-05-03T22:31:00.001+01:002010-05-03T22:31:33.613+01:00poached fruit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya4c_Nn4ymFV6_dkyBpI3BVj6DmXrnEgailzx6ga6j1EOL6eobPfIUy_qHW66fS0Oh1TSj-zXZqWJ7RAAB4aCo18lDaB0fzzzKw5PpoB9VcuioYdJI5n-2dZxctELqLPsW8NY4vr_UeMY/s1600/P1090144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya4c_Nn4ymFV6_dkyBpI3BVj6DmXrnEgailzx6ga6j1EOL6eobPfIUy_qHW66fS0Oh1TSj-zXZqWJ7RAAB4aCo18lDaB0fzzzKw5PpoB9VcuioYdJI5n-2dZxctELqLPsW8NY4vr_UeMY/s640/P1090144.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had meant to pop this recipe up over the bank holiday weekend. Poached fruits are the perfect thing to have in the fridge to dip in and out of on a long weekend. They are delicious with pancakes, yoghurt, granola, a wedge of cake and of course ice cream. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">However, I got sidetracked with a weekend of partying. I ate and drank all the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">bad</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> good things. Must make these this week as part of a my five a day on the road to recovery...</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcLSkN9smb02TpaKHxLqkxMHBtIvYLe_LvE2tRf7RUuuFTnIHkgAlRXTOb7v7zHpc2cBg3_7DRPR6mq2c0AyHriNuIK_0EljWNbue2-sOTdu2xx05ykj8Ey_DEWlRdGPQmhnnbiWlrNly/s1600/P1090157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcLSkN9smb02TpaKHxLqkxMHBtIvYLe_LvE2tRf7RUuuFTnIHkgAlRXTOb7v7zHpc2cBg3_7DRPR6mq2c0AyHriNuIK_0EljWNbue2-sOTdu2xx05ykj8Ey_DEWlRdGPQmhnnbiWlrNly/s640/P1090157.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">STAR ANISE POACHED PLUMS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">175g caster sugar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">450g plums (about 10), halved and stones removed</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 star anise</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Place the sugar in a wide pan with 175ml of water and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Add the plum halves and star anise and leave to poach gently for 10-15 minutes until softened but still holding their shape.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Serve warm or cold at breakfast, lunch or dinner time or anywhere in between.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">EXTRA FLOURISHES:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Other fruits perfect for poaching include pears, peaches, apricots, figs, berries, pineapple, mango and rhubarb. Poaching time will vary depending on the size and softness of the fruit.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Besides star anise try flavouring the sugar syrup with other spices like cardamon or cinnamon, a split vanilla pod, orange or lime zest, herbs like mint, rosemary or tarragon, lavender or even lemongrass, ginger and chilli.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Try liquid flavourings like poaching in fruit juice, wine or add a dash of rose water, orange blossom or grenadine or something stronger like brandy, kirsch, frangelico or amaretto.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So maybe vanilla and red wine figs, cardamon apricots or ginger and lemongrass mango...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TOP TIP: keep any leftover fruity flavoured syrup to use in your cocktails!</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-82654783927712050852010-04-29T23:40:00.001+01:002010-04-29T23:45:25.599+01:00delicious desserts & old lady lace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xcSLNoqBG5Wk6XOvOxTRJhl2rX0UJuH9jq94VMI9l2BmQQK_sq-AcVd6JjnxmEtH6wjzDkRdSXIV3p49AqCRB0LiBTyzbds_4hcUE4OlopyM8sx_4DYhzRRNB1XdjY67KKoyZCcyVyJG/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-29+at+23.15.21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xcSLNoqBG5Wk6XOvOxTRJhl2rX0UJuH9jq94VMI9l2BmQQK_sq-AcVd6JjnxmEtH6wjzDkRdSXIV3p49AqCRB0LiBTyzbds_4hcUE4OlopyM8sx_4DYhzRRNB1XdjY67KKoyZCcyVyJG/s640/Screen+shot+2010-04-29+at+23.15.21.png" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJkqQU_4d5_0uuMXzXEYnkGm0-ZkMjH-sk5h0LoMSli4yRiyXT8E3nDWx10bh_InN-eTZh_oKSh3GiSVIrHUPUPhL69whFxkhzrf-cggPNqXxqJW3EGAU9iAGVs8h9TI5pk8EADLNglCJ/s1600/IPHONE+Pictures+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJkqQU_4d5_0uuMXzXEYnkGm0-ZkMjH-sk5h0LoMSli4yRiyXT8E3nDWx10bh_InN-eTZh_oKSh3GiSVIrHUPUPhL69whFxkhzrf-cggPNqXxqJW3EGAU9iAGVs8h9TI5pk8EADLNglCJ/s320/IPHONE+Pictures+061.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the 'before' shot</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's a little kitchen wall unit we've been working on. We bought it on ebay. It fits perfectly on a wall between two doorways. Mart painted it and put it up while I was away with work in February. It sat empty since then though as I couldn't decide what to keep on it. So I finally gave my pretty dessert glasses pride of place there recently. A sort of shrine to dessert glasses. A reminder to make delicious desserts for pretty glasses whenever possible. I screwed some cup hooks into the bottom to hang measure spoons and aprons. All partners in the quest for delicious desserts of course.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHFOhtCUd36-akRUe94Dih8CMfzV45I4uKjIBl3tztxeuKXtjva5SEQZC1P-g_oeYI2ZVzHWYZUU-oFDK1dUg1y-XCqV8e874LegDAgX7kxgfBOsSeNX7FqtTK2KxI1cLgc5Go93R5BLK/s1600/P1010588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHFOhtCUd36-akRUe94Dih8CMfzV45I4uKjIBl3tztxeuKXtjva5SEQZC1P-g_oeYI2ZVzHWYZUU-oFDK1dUg1y-XCqV8e874LegDAgX7kxgfBOsSeNX7FqtTK2KxI1cLgc5Go93R5BLK/s640/P1010588.JPG" width="428" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It couldn't go with out some old ladyifying too and so I picked up a delicate lace trim on a recent haberdashery hunt and glue gunned it on. I think it was all the final straw for poor Martin who looked on in shock asking is there anything in the house for boys?! Sorry Mart. Just remember how good that knickerbocker glory is going to taste though!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE9mVuH2IbHyyOBXu8czGEWzAN2c9nEQr8SP5Bb5X7l-ataqUgRwkI8bwq6vxnH9dhWc0_n7WUB-oc_gsEJFtYirtC5yCC5-f_-GdQJ8gSn0JVSBQyqHe3Y5Z-s0XC5xKwSaSYq2oZm-1/s1600/P1010582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE9mVuH2IbHyyOBXu8czGEWzAN2c9nEQr8SP5Bb5X7l-ataqUgRwkI8bwq6vxnH9dhWc0_n7WUB-oc_gsEJFtYirtC5yCC5-f_-GdQJ8gSn0JVSBQyqHe3Y5Z-s0XC5xKwSaSYq2oZm-1/s640/P1010582.JPG" width="428" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-81156913455388920892010-04-27T23:20:00.000+01:002010-04-27T23:20:01.799+01:00a-lorra lorra leftovers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilisn9GNVmWhTrZyg9x_AjcV17HLEODKu-fJFzHZOw8xNbshAxSzq27D1oDSQ0foFwX2be5MZy1WCHO9DTTFqIDkxVKSfmRpWgQqDoeYZyyxH0G1Qee2lZ73lSPdiaFt1VyrQbPEl6AqeU/s1600/P1010715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilisn9GNVmWhTrZyg9x_AjcV17HLEODKu-fJFzHZOw8xNbshAxSzq27D1oDSQ0foFwX2be5MZy1WCHO9DTTFqIDkxVKSfmRpWgQqDoeYZyyxH0G1Qee2lZ73lSPdiaFt1VyrQbPEl6AqeU/s640/P1010715.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had some stuffed roast pork leftover from the weekend. Yes, leftover. In this house? With that boy living here? Yes, unbelivable. Leftovers. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had cooked the pork with apple wedges too and even some of those managed to survive. So tonight I made a quick salad with the roasted apple, which I chopped, brown rice (wait for it...leftover from another meal), a handful of sultanas, toasted flaked almonds and chopped parsley and a lemon, dijon dressing. Just yummy served with thinly sliced cold roast pork and an apple and sultana chutney.</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-12700243217946061122010-04-19T08:49:00.003+01:002010-04-19T08:49:34.318+01:00Homemade Lemon Curd<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupvp3ITjb3K_YhdrWiRO8CJp39f68Rwb8_phoU4DOyzqjhLzjXpr8hMSeTtdDd-5BDzET3ZvnzqxZdQTO_6s1w0popkOrKq1cCtlUiXRpIK0EL5gif2tx5Lcnq8tjpFhT68SYgGnbBUQb/s1600/P1020231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupvp3ITjb3K_YhdrWiRO8CJp39f68Rwb8_phoU4DOyzqjhLzjXpr8hMSeTtdDd-5BDzET3ZvnzqxZdQTO_6s1w0popkOrKq1cCtlUiXRpIK0EL5gif2tx5Lcnq8tjpFhT68SYgGnbBUQb/s640/P1020231.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If your lemon face has come back to normal from the recent <a href="http://friendlycottage.blogspot.com/2010/04/lucious-lemon-lips.html">lemon granita</a>, then pucker up in anticipation of my delicious lemon curd. I keep ending up with loads of lemons left over from work and I knew that this weekend something had to be done about them before they took over completely. </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As if I needed any more encouragement with using them up, my work buddies over at <a href="http://www.pacific.uk.com/">Pacific TV</a> in London, having just started <a href="http://twitter.com/PacificTVUK">tweeting</a>, have thrown down the gauntlet in their first foodie fix..."Make us something yummy with lemons and send us pictures of the result". Loving (winning) a challenge, I went with my top favourite lemony treat. So here you go guys....I even sewed the name tag for extra points.....so what's my prize?!</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LEMON CURD</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ok, so lemon curd isn't top of the list for the bikini diet (which is obviously why it's so darn good) but it's not like you eat a whole lot of it at once. Right?! I'm dreaming of it sandwiched in a cream sponge, lathered on a corner of crusty bread, marbled through mascarpone for a cheats cheesecake or straight from the spoon even! Mart just wants it on a knickerbockerglory. Try swapping the lemons for oranges for an equally delicious curd.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes 1L</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Zest & juice of 4 lemons</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">400g caster sugar</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">150g unsalted butter, diced</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8 eggs, beaten</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pour the lemon juice into a bowl set over a pan of simmering water and add the zest, sugar and butter. Stir until the sugar dissolves and butter melts.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Remove from the heat and whisk the eggs in quickly (you don’t want them to scramble).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sit the bowl back on the pan and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring constantly, until the curd is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pour into sterilised jars and leave to cool before covering. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLT6J7ZWSR4NQn21ncTl7iitrFKnU4xSkWIl6ZxYr9eWfFMTT_RFqSCoLTmuhAteV5zYMtc6WXXnusCGcDe1Hc727BoP2rdQORHc6-zrH-quikc_mkcjMJfBN0vtuYjxpIsYLd5lOsJag/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-18+at+20.20.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLT6J7ZWSR4NQn21ncTl7iitrFKnU4xSkWIl6ZxYr9eWfFMTT_RFqSCoLTmuhAteV5zYMtc6WXXnusCGcDe1Hc727BoP2rdQORHc6-zrH-quikc_mkcjMJfBN0vtuYjxpIsYLd5lOsJag/s640/Screen+shot+2010-04-18+at+20.20.46.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-46310597235579209902010-04-18T15:30:00.000+01:002010-04-18T15:30:30.424+01:00Souper Sunny Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoxq8ySOpdcTcJLhTTAbAD9Lz8cX3d4-pKVcftPWYUSfg5x4Mm5kH_ihq8NZJII4rItccJL0a4Ew1ygxbDTFXI1JOO9caXG93ThhWb-S5mOSMmtFkyCEHn76kREJv9f2F75alXLj-hx0U/s640/_1010631.JPG" width="428" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoxq8ySOpdcTcJLhTTAbAD9Lz8cX3d4-pKVcftPWYUSfg5x4Mm5kH_ihq8NZJII4rItccJL0a4Ew1ygxbDTFXI1JOO9caXG93ThhWb-S5mOSMmtFkyCEHn76kREJv9f2F75alXLj-hx0U/s1600/_1010631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoxq8ySOpdcTcJLhTTAbAD9Lz8cX3d4-pKVcftPWYUSfg5x4Mm5kH_ihq8NZJII4rItccJL0a4Ew1ygxbDTFXI1JOO9caXG93ThhWb-S5mOSMmtFkyCEHn76kREJv9f2F75alXLj-hx0U/s1600/_1010631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">OK, so today isn't quite the summers day yesterday turned out to be (here in Dublin at least), but I'm living in hope as it ain't over yet. Yesterday, we sipped away on pretty cups of refreshing Gazapcho in the glorious sunshine. Here's my quick, easy peasy and s(o)uper skinny recipe...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">GAZPACHO</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes 600ml</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">400g ripe tomatoes (about 4 medium)</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">125g cucumber (about a 1/3)</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">¼ small red onion</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">½ red pepper</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">½ red chilli, deseeded</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 small garlic clove</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4-5 basil leaves</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">½ tsp sherry vinegar</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">pinch of caster sugar (optional)</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TO SERVE</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">¼ small red onion</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">½ red pepper</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">½ yellow pepper</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 small avocado, finely chopped</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">glug of extra virgin olive oil</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">handful of small mint leaves</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">salt and freshly ground black pepper</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Simply roughly chop the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, red pepper, chilli and garlic and place in a jug blender with the basil. Blitz until really smooth. Season to taste with salt, pepper the sherry vinegar and a little sugar if necessary. The soup can be chilled at this point if you like.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For serving, very finely chop the red onion, red and yellow pepper and avocado. Pour the Gazpacho into serving bowls, cups or glasses and scatter some of the toppings over. Drizzle a little oil on top of each one and scatter the mint over. Serve any remaining toppings separately.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">EXTRA FLOURISHES: </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- You can pass the Gazpacho through a fine sieve if you prefer a smoother texture. Don’t forget you will yield less in this case though (about 450ml).</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Use canned tomatoes if fresh ones aren't very ripe.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- If you can’t get hold of sherry vinegar then use red wine vinegar or even lemon juice instead. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Substitute the fresh chilli for dried flakes or Tabasco.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Beef the soup up a little with a dash of Worcestershire sauce.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Other fab toppings include crab meat or finely chopped prawns, some finely chopped chives, grated boiled egg, croutons or an ice cube for extra chill.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Gazpacho is also delicious served with an oyster on the side.</span></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-51513777329471673592010-04-17T22:12:00.003+01:002010-04-17T23:03:15.589+01:00No-Sew Lampshade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuynFXe9ksayv2xT01y-x6bvvMWflJBn7UMXpg5AH_9imo3h9zHse5z6jpUCg0MQGhCIh4SlywfDcWtBQH8ihStn8S26bMrC9cVIxOJCO9I7mprSm86Cb5dUA85M-IHIoKIbCpGXCOnrn/s1600/P1010698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuynFXe9ksayv2xT01y-x6bvvMWflJBn7UMXpg5AH_9imo3h9zHse5z6jpUCg0MQGhCIh4SlywfDcWtBQH8ihStn8S26bMrC9cVIxOJCO9I7mprSm86Cb5dUA85M-IHIoKIbCpGXCOnrn/s640/P1010698.JPG" width="427" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is Lolla....She's a lamp with a bit of a history. She was found deserted and lonely in Oxfam Home. She was a cheap old thing really and feeling a bit worthless with a meagre price tag of €18. She's actually a bit of an old bird but you'd never know it since going under the knife with her extreme makeover...Here's her before shot...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VzZPItU9jjViU-nZeyP5g3Vbd9neHKoL6TXs5KbijOOnhyphenhyphenvRo5vXOu-b_QQ_o42dwL0-hgzm1mEjy36Kz5gILdwBW6Jcn4XrdwtI3GjnWPvAuBwT52-m2-kYoBi3n5I5y3uZYja1qL4v/s1600/P1030386+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvJo62don5u5zRf_bhLO6GlU9JmsJ3goTAO12VGmy96d3ON1o0H3Nh3Z9bxAQlMmQ5cvo7QqkIpVQF9IlXJsGdzPal_xf643ktWYAVK_DvQ8CBlFm8uwpm7G9M6sKbjszU3j3nPG9bBQW/s1600/P1030386+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvJo62don5u5zRf_bhLO6GlU9JmsJ3goTAO12VGmy96d3ON1o0H3Nh3Z9bxAQlMmQ5cvo7QqkIpVQF9IlXJsGdzPal_xf643ktWYAVK_DvQ8CBlFm8uwpm7G9M6sKbjszU3j3nPG9bBQW/s400/P1030386+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know....hard to imagine this was her in a past life.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-uKDPkF7x-oo5E8_lZ4cN9xeIxgAlBm6wECvfKN_wjIJNP_lFipU-5iJGQgjD0CIqpyPa0Q2OIpPv4__j5khxjsvhYX9CIyUmvjBFDuw73Rsf4Dkvg7jWFVpYMAWj8Eh1q6_7fRTyLQy/s400/Screen+shot+2010-04-17+at+21.59.03.png" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-uKDPkF7x-oo5E8_lZ4cN9xeIxgAlBm6wECvfKN_wjIJNP_lFipU-5iJGQgjD0CIqpyPa0Q2OIpPv4__j5khxjsvhYX9CIyUmvjBFDuw73Rsf4Dkvg7jWFVpYMAWj8Eh1q6_7fRTyLQy/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-17+at+21.59.03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Her transformation really was a no-sew operation. The first step was stripping her bare. I then simply ironed interfacing onto the back of my chosen spotty fabric. This helps to stop the edges from fraying and stiffens the fabric a little too. I cut the fabric into 3 centimetre wide strips which were a few centimetres longer than the height of the shade frame. With my trusty glue gun, I glued the bottom of one strip to the bottom of the frame, stretched it up tightly and glued it to the top also. I overlapped the layers as I went as the top of the shade was smaller than the bottom. The glue sets really quickly so this was really quick and easy to do.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYbp2TiZuWuWg8O71pIoACdGdr_Q6hTfBZnTmyUnC4zjl2_uAxUGwE0-X586Euicy0jZnuhrMsPssfewDnEhQ9lh_ePD74R5gOfzl1HatPoyG2b9f5BMi-K3vGkwGi_eAhRtPdxJaNv2G/s400/Screen+shot+2010-04-17+at+21.59.42.png" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYbp2TiZuWuWg8O71pIoACdGdr_Q6hTfBZnTmyUnC4zjl2_uAxUGwE0-X586Euicy0jZnuhrMsPssfewDnEhQ9lh_ePD74R5gOfzl1HatPoyG2b9f5BMi-K3vGkwGi_eAhRtPdxJaNv2G/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-17+at+21.59.42.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I spray painted the stand in white....my favourite refresher colour. And ta da....the first stage is done. She looked so pretty already...I love the way the fabric strips look like a pretty pleated skirt....but I wasn't finished yet...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpYgbI_TF0fA8qDobKTc9e-2g88Y_BNjm-gsqknmZ8PNtILbUeIj0sq3vwwcjpeKWSyaR6v9ik7ZXiyVjn76UEeo24OOxKu2prwAbr6f6j1UEsrsKvVkR2ZbopCGcVK-uIEMwIz5B2wQQ/s400/Screen+shot+2010-04-17+at+00.04.52.png" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpYgbI_TF0fA8qDobKTc9e-2g88Y_BNjm-gsqknmZ8PNtILbUeIj0sq3vwwcjpeKWSyaR6v9ik7ZXiyVjn76UEeo24OOxKu2prwAbr6f6j1UEsrsKvVkR2ZbopCGcVK-uIEMwIz5B2wQQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-17+at+00.04.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I still haven't told you about my recent shopping escapades in New York....I'll come back to that....but I got to use some of my finds here already. Some painfully pretty ribbon and my all time favourite trim...pom poms!! Again, no sew...glue gunned on....easy peasy.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFc9C334l45D9ki6Pu4rB8E7TRi2MPn8ITmZvhmqGJHcqSYCNvJjFXzzt9V6FJCiBZDCNToy2iEd9V_HfLen2hHSNsihhKQdwPjxEzMuAwSsL-4xWJRral59gZuWfOtxz7FkvgO7eAgel/s640/P1010660.JPG" width="427" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFc9C334l45D9ki6Pu4rB8E7TRi2MPn8ITmZvhmqGJHcqSYCNvJjFXzzt9V6FJCiBZDCNToy2iEd9V_HfLen2hHSNsihhKQdwPjxEzMuAwSsL-4xWJRral59gZuWfOtxz7FkvgO7eAgel/s1600/P1010660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Death by Pom-Poms? Yes Please! Pom-Poms make me soooooo happy!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsZPCNHm9WaW6EjcpZ_614oW7QMNKCEMzDIK1UtuTZAUAsjG-HFOh28ZfNa-eIZwOeM_RFug59sFmWlEfM84lnfo1i-8vYTzpe_ejP03mDCazuicy1uqQ5gbJtWz8P8gYknqZ65XJCGe0/s640/P1010703.JPG" width="427" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then a final flourish....these are Lolla's customising accessories. The corsages are simply pinned on so she can change them whenever the mood fancies her.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsZPCNHm9WaW6EjcpZ_614oW7QMNKCEMzDIK1UtuTZAUAsjG-HFOh28ZfNa-eIZwOeM_RFug59sFmWlEfM84lnfo1i-8vYTzpe_ejP03mDCazuicy1uqQ5gbJtWz8P8gYknqZ65XJCGe0/s1600/P1010703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-88710959102418712652010-04-12T23:11:00.001+01:002010-04-12T23:13:33.650+01:00sugar and spice and all things nice...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvi4pG4K1kQ2g6oDfaJkSLZqaF53-h-4ynMzQQ8ODCt9ySBIYcG4vTrhd7n6Q1UgQae8fVSUOuXrhP_BaCbsexY6hXHoveAzP2xcXpIb71aiRP0y9flMfVxnD685RsfjaOZB1iRzbl33A/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-12+at+22.12.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvi4pG4K1kQ2g6oDfaJkSLZqaF53-h-4ynMzQQ8ODCt9ySBIYcG4vTrhd7n6Q1UgQae8fVSUOuXrhP_BaCbsexY6hXHoveAzP2xcXpIb71aiRP0y9flMfVxnD685RsfjaOZB1iRzbl33A/s640/Screen+shot+2010-04-12+at+22.12.54.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvi4pG4K1kQ2g6oDfaJkSLZqaF53-h-4ynMzQQ8ODCt9ySBIYcG4vTrhd7n6Q1UgQae8fVSUOuXrhP_BaCbsexY6hXHoveAzP2xcXpIb71aiRP0y9flMfVxnD685RsfjaOZB1iRzbl33A/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-12+at+22.12.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMA8fVX_yfpdCecCj4nTypquHq4TWFbKIbcXhWTozvMQyWjohniYVLjfkiSs1ulO_YBJFAtxEwtY2VOk-IPcdL6NaF2AjUhBVeVAvqlt-djUp3irgMSBv_3Fssj1MXR0ZjJ33UyKpuu6r/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-12+at+22.13.33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMA8fVX_yfpdCecCj4nTypquHq4TWFbKIbcXhWTozvMQyWjohniYVLjfkiSs1ulO_YBJFAtxEwtY2VOk-IPcdL6NaF2AjUhBVeVAvqlt-djUp3irgMSBv_3Fssj1MXR0ZjJ33UyKpuu6r/s640/Screen+shot+2010-04-12+at+22.13.33.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Welcome to another corner of my crazed 'sleeping with the enemy' world. Organised food storage. Call me a diva, but I pretty much hate having to open and close kitchen cupboard doors. The boy isn't always necessarily around to do that for me so open shelving it had to be.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We have one big open shelf for all the best bits....the baking ingredients. These storage jars look so much prettier than stacks of packs, so I decant ingredients into them. It also makes it easy to find ingredients when speed baking. I stick a name label on any ingredients that are not so easily recognised, cutting it out from the packaging it came in and sticking on with tape. I also write the best before date on the bottom of anything that might not be used so often.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hopefully I haven't scared you off too much just yet...last bit...To keep things in even more order, the shelf starts with dried fruits, nuts and seeds, moves onto flour etc, then sugars and finally other baking ingredients like vanilla pods, pudding rice & tapioca (yum yum), desiccated coconut & dessert spices.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Call me mad, but this is the kind of stuff that puts my world at peace! I might just save my spice storage reveal for another time then eh.</span></span></div>marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281596898117039609.post-39753912479375768532010-04-08T20:57:00.000+01:002010-04-08T20:57:30.365+01:00Lucious Lemon Lips<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Are you still licking your lips from the Easter chocolate fest? Here's something to clean your palette and begin the come down.....and give you lucious lemon lips....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIFR3J6VVYxcP6dsNnsXgZS8pYyHU_qxwV-huBLAO13dA6nR68lbtUpA39xYCK9LGwfcBF3WJYaSm2wqaCAHNBmCC9K4DXcFyIr34EyQcC9G6ODlvW_FaUqw0HtnaBWxPKcgzP8c1iMbg/s1600/P1090536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIFR3J6VVYxcP6dsNnsXgZS8pYyHU_qxwV-huBLAO13dA6nR68lbtUpA39xYCK9LGwfcBF3WJYaSm2wqaCAHNBmCC9K4DXcFyIr34EyQcC9G6ODlvW_FaUqw0HtnaBWxPKcgzP8c1iMbg/s640/P1090536.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LEMON GRANITA</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Granita is a really fun and easy spring and summer cooler. It’s also great served as an inbetween course at a dinner party and is sure to have your guests pulling lemon faces! For an even more bitter lemon flavour you could put the grated lemon rind in the pan with the juice and then strain it out when pouring the syrup into the pan. Oh, and a Granita is an Italian Ice...how posh is that?! the word I mean. not the ice bit.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Juice of 6 lemons</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">200g caster sugar</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Place the lemon juice and sugar in a medium pan and add 300ml of water. Bring slowly to the boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves and then simmer for 5 minutes. Pour into a wide container with a lid suitable for the freezer and leave to cool completely.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cover tightly and freeze for about 5-6 hours. Stir every 15-20 minutes for the first couple of hours and then every 30 minutes for a further hour. This helps prevent large crystals forming. When ready to serve, scrape the granita up into shards and spoon into pretty glasses.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->marty, sharon and pearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398679582843184054noreply@blogger.com6