Daisy Chains and Picnics

Scott came home from work the other day with a bag of apples he had picked from a friends apple tree, they were the last of the season so some were not too great, but I did salvage a few. I wasn't sure what to make with them for a change, as I had some leftover french bread I decided to try an upside down apple french toast bake. Using my original french toast recipe, (omitting the cointreau and orange zest), I stewed the apples and placed them on the base and then continued with the bread and egg mixture as usual, thus making it an upside down style bake. Ingredients 3-4 apples, peeled, cored and  thinly sliced 1/2 cup caster sugar 3 Tbsp unsalted butter 2 Tbsp water 1/2 Tsp ground cinnamon 4 eggs day old french bread stick cut into 3/4' slices 1/2 cup cream 1/2 cup milk 1/2 Tsp vanilla extract 2 Tbsp sugar Method 1.  Melt butter in a pan until foamy, add apple slices and cook, stirring gently for 4-5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup sugar, water and cinnam...

I am not a fan of cold weather, I prefer warmth and endless summer evenings, I guess since moving from Scotland I have become accustomed to a warmer climate. But as the winter months approach it takes with it a great excuse to snuggle in front of the fire with some hearty comfort food without that guilty feeling, after all, we need some sustenance to get us through the long dreary months ahead. What better time of year to tuck into a slow cooked winter stew. I love stew, my gran used to make fantastic stew but sadly I never asked for the recipe, so I have had to improvise myself 😐. My family loves this one of mine, tender chunks of meat and veg in a delicious thick rich gravy slathered over a big dollop of creamy mash, just perfect to warm the cockles. Ingredients 600 g slow cook meat, I used chuck 1/4 cup plain flour 1 1/2 Tsp seasoning salt 1 large onion, chopped 3 big carrots, halved length ways & thickly chopped 350 g pumpkin, deseeded, peeled  & thic...

As with almost every young girl just now, my youngest daughter is obsessed with all things Unicorn, from soft toys to Unicorn coloured clothing, anything that resembles the amazing pastel colour of Unicorns.   I am intending doing a Unicorn colour theme for her birthday party in July, so I have been busy checking out pastel colour desserts and cakes, there is an abundance of variations on the internet. As my family LOVE cheesecake I thought I would practice with a Unicorn layered cheesecake to see how it turned out before making it on her big day. Ingredients for base 200 g chocolate chip cookies 70 g unsalted butter, melted Ingredients for filling 400 g cream cheese brought to room temp 400 ml thickened cream 75 g granulated sugar 1 1/2 Tsp vanilla essence 1 Tbsp lemon juice pink, yellow, blue and lilac food colouring Method 1.  Crush cookies into fine crumbs, mix in melted butter and stir to combine. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the base of ...

We have visited Luna Park a couple of times before, but always in the day time. There was something extra magical about this theme park at night, the lights, the night air, the wheel lit up all added a mystical air to the fun and excitement.         Luna Park was constructed at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during 1935, and ran for nine-month seasons until 1972, when it opened year round. Luna Park is one of two amusement parks in the world that are protected by government legislation; several of the buildings on the site are also listed on the Register of the National Estate and the NSW State Heritage Register. The park has been utilised as a filming location for several movies and television shows.

During a recent trip to Sydney we decided to visit The Grounds of Alexandria in Alexandria, NSW, for breakfast in The Cafe. This was our first visit and it did not disappoint. We could not believe how busy this place was and we understand why, the food and service is amazing, ok, so we went on a Sunday during their weekend market, so it may not be quite so busy through the week. We joined the queue of hungry diners waiting to be allocated a table, we got a buzzer thing that buzzes when a table is available, so you are free to wander around the grounds and market without fear of losing your space. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the market where there were stalls selling fresh produce, fresh cut flowers, clothing, soy candles, fresh ground coffee and much more, delicious aromas were everywhere. Kevin Bacon, the very large resident pig, looked very comfortable sound asleep in his house. Ou...