tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67124515941827060332024-03-14T05:10:54.719+00:00My Student FoodAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-81834317910368837922014-01-24T18:00:00.000+00:002016-11-19T07:44:04.387+00:00Blackcurrant and Gooseberry Vodka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I made fruity vodka!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is such a simple recipe, and it was very tasty!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have a really nice farm shop near me - New Manor Farm Shop, if you are interested. One of the things they sell there is frozen fruit. Freshly picked and then frozen.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I went home, defrosted the fruit (blackcurrants and gooseberries), blended it up, poured the fruit into jars and topped up with vodka! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Honestly, how easy is that?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NWkPDy_efXY/UuJ1rhZSmbI/AAAAAAAABGg/h0u3XxrPl84/s1600/2013-09-09+18.22.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NWkPDy_efXY/UuJ1rhZSmbI/AAAAAAAABGg/h0u3XxrPl84/s1600/2013-09-09+18.22.29.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I used about 100g of fruit per jar (350ml jar), and then about 250ml vodka.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Any kind of vodka will do, as you will mask the taste.<br />
<br />
If you wish to turn it into a liqueur, which you will be able to drink straight (when chilled), then add approximately 100g of fruit, 75g of sugar, and top the jar up with vodka (about 175ml). </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I left them about 2 weeks before straining them to remove the fruit.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've also made some sloe gin, that has been going for about a month now, but won't be ready for at least a few more weeks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you enjoy them, let me know if you make it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Zoe x</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-21033055673824832112014-01-10T17:00:00.000+00:002014-01-10T17:00:06.001+00:00Giant Flowery Cupcake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have been holding off on posting this for a while, because I wanted my sister to write the post, seeing as it was her who made the cake! But she decided to be a bit shy and she also has quite a lot on as she has just started uni!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uACd9zUxgls/T37vUqBcX0I/AAAAAAAAAOo/FY0GfRCWt7s/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uACd9zUxgls/T37vUqBcX0I/AAAAAAAAAOo/FY0GfRCWt7s/s400/IMG_0515.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Isn't this a pretty cake?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My sister was thrilled when I gave her this giant cupcake cake mould! Of course she had to make a cake as soon as she got it!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You can buy them <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_5?url=search-alias%3Dkitchen&field-keywords=giant+cupcake+mould&x=0&y=0&sprefix=giant%2Caps%2C212" target="_blank">here</a>. I recommend getting a silicone one, they hold their shape and its super easy to get the cakes out. I've heard that it is really hard to get the cakes out of the hard metal tins. Just be careful not to bend the cake too much when you are getting them out or they may break!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4FdVN35yLc/T37s3yYvikI/AAAAAAAAAMo/3-tb3bYSpgM/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4FdVN35yLc/T37s3yYvikI/AAAAAAAAAMo/3-tb3bYSpgM/s320/IMG_0500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We used a generic cake recipe to make this cake. You can use <a href="http://mystudentfood.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/vanilla-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">this one here</a> for a vanilla cake, and add additional flavours to this mix, if desired.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2yae1fmBSw/T37uei_SaMI/AAAAAAAAAOI/upmjdcNlUMo/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2yae1fmBSw/T37uei_SaMI/AAAAAAAAAOI/upmjdcNlUMo/s400/IMG_0504.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6neSmK20lk/T37vRsVv7QI/AAAAAAAAAOg/qhG9Q7_6zmM/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6neSmK20lk/T37vRsVv7QI/AAAAAAAAAOg/qhG9Q7_6zmM/s640/IMG_0513.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some people obviously couldn't resist long enough for me to take my photos!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hope you enjoyed this - and leave some comments! My sister would love to know what you think :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-68614755772268428772014-01-03T17:00:00.000+00:002014-01-03T17:00:04.962+00:00Thai Red Curry Soup<div style="text-align: center;">
Ever been to Wagamama's and had Chicken Itame? I have it every time when I go there, possibly because I don't know what most of the other things are! Wagamama's describe it as 'rice noodles in a spicy green coconut and lemongrass soup topped with stir-fried chicken, beansprouts, chillies, red and spring onions, bok choi, peppers and mushrooms. garnished with coriander and lime.'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my variation of it, with red curry paste.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_zEBzsQPEQ/Ur7WYtQk9PI/AAAAAAAABDQ/OfzsU62q0jY/s1600/2013-11-13+20.32.28-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_zEBzsQPEQ/Ur7WYtQk9PI/AAAAAAAABDQ/OfzsU62q0jY/s320/2013-11-13+20.32.28-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One day last year I was sat in a lecture on a Friday afternoon, craving Chicken Itame, so I spent the last few minutes of the lecture (oops!) googling recipes but couldn't find exactly what I wanted. I found some similar recipes, so decided to start with them, and I made a shopping list. Since then, I have made it many times, and it is one of my favourite meals to cook, as its so easy, filling, healthy and tasty! I always make big portions, and can freeze the leftovers.<br />
<br />
-Turkey/chicken breast (like the photo below)<br />
-For a seafood version - prawns/mussels/calamari rings/crab sticks/seafood sticks (like the photo above)<br />
-Mushrooms<br />
-Aubergine<br />
-Courgettes<br />
-Onion<br />
-Chilli<br />
-Beansprouts<br />
-Red/yellow/green peppers<br />
- Red Thai Curry Paste (or lemongrass paste, ginger paste, chilli paste and garlic paste)<br />
-Coconut milk (either a 400ml can or a carton, but a carton is not as rich)<br />
-Noodles (egg noodles, rice noodles, wholewheat noodles...take your pick!)<br />
-Spinach/Bok choi<br />
-Lime (not necessary, but finishes it off perfectly)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UGnPAOXo4x8/UQlVnXiUfaI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/8KlzHKQ8I2Q/s640/blogger-image--55843096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UGnPAOXo4x8/UQlVnXiUfaI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/8KlzHKQ8I2Q/s640/blogger-image--55843096.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1. I cut the meat into bite sized pieces, then cooked them in a little olive oil in a large frying pan/wok. If you are making the seafood version, don't add the seafood yet, as it only takes minutes to cook and will have a strange texture if you overcook them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2. I chopped and added all of the vegetables (not the spinach/bok choi leaves) to the pan, and let that cook for a few minutes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. When everything looks cooked, add the Thai red curry paste. If you are making your own paste out of chilli, ginger, lemongrass and garlic, then mix them together in a small pot, you will want at least half a tablespoon of each. You can alter the taste of it to suit you. I love lemongrass, so I always add extra lemongrass! Cook this on a high heat for a few minutes, you don't want it to burn but you want the spices to release their flavour and fill the air with their aroma!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4. Add the coconut milk. You can either get rich coconut milk in a can, or thin coconut milk in a carton, which will be near the soya and almond milk at the supermarket. The carton milk is low in fat and a good alternative to dairy, so perfect if you are on a diet. I have used both, and they both taste good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5. If you are using noodles, seafood or spinach/bok choi leaves, you should add them now. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6. Bring the soup to a boil, then simmer until the noodles are cooked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
7. Take off the heat, serve the soup in a bowl and add a squeeze of lime juice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MnICorDq26o/UQlVknCSBQI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/8ffH1p243hs/s640/blogger-image--673946980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MnICorDq26o/UQlVknCSBQI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/8ffH1p243hs/s640/blogger-image--673946980.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To make it cheaply, I buy frozen seafood, spinach and peppers. You can even buy frozen diced onions. Bulking it out with veg makes it a lot healthier, more filling, and more portions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you enjoy this!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-17725524608568336622013-12-31T01:02:00.000+00:002017-04-20T17:45:48.516+01:00Triple Chocolate Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy New Year's Eve!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t5exmjUe3k/UsIRbFYafeI/AAAAAAAABF8/YITdX7oTtGU/s1600/DSCN0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t5exmjUe3k/UsIRbFYafeI/AAAAAAAABF8/YITdX7oTtGU/s640/DSCN0360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't normally like chocolate cake, and I rarely try to make chocolate cupcakes, because they are dry and flavourless. Luckily, this one is moist and actually tastes of chocolate! I also used it over Christmas to make Christmas tree cupcakes (pictured at the end).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are dark chocolate cupcakes, stuffed with a Lindt Lindor chocolate truffle, covered in icing that tastes like a chocolate truffle, and topped with glitter.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1j6nLnwCxXU/UsIN1mGEyPI/AAAAAAAABFg/X11DwSmRyTs/s1600/DSCN0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1j6nLnwCxXU/UsIN1mGEyPI/AAAAAAAABFg/X11DwSmRyTs/s400/DSCN0347.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was supposed to make 12 cupcakes, but ended up making 16!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is easier to make the icing first, as it needs to cool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Icing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-150g chocolate (I used a mix of dark and milk)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 160g butter</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 3-4 tbsp cream</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1. Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave. Mix together and leave in the fridge or freezer to cool. (Make your cupcakes while its cooling!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2. When it has cooled and is almost set, remove it from the fridge or freezer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. Use an electric whisk and whip the chocolate mixture. It should turn lighter in seconds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4. Add the cream, then whip again. When everything is incorporated, stop whipping it, and smother it over cupcakes!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I topped my cakes with gold shimmer crystals and edible glitter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHIGu9yWr1M/UsIMpI1q1GI/AAAAAAAABFQ/KYeJLJfzBEs/s1600/DSCN0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHIGu9yWr1M/UsIMpI1q1GI/AAAAAAAABFQ/KYeJLJfzBEs/s400/DSCN0350.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cupcakes:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-200g sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-200g self-raising flour</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-75g cocoa powder</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-1/2tsp salt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-1 tsp vanilla extract/2 tsp vanilla essence</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-1 egg</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-50ml vegetable oil</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-100ml milk</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-200ml hot water</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-6 or 12 Lindt truffles (I cut mine in half, so only used 6)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2. Add everything but the Lindt truffles and the hot water to a mixing bowl.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. When everything is mixed together, add the hot water. The mixture is quite runny.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4. Fill cupcake cases 2/3 to 3/4 full, then bake in the oven for 20 minutes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5. When the cupcakes have cooled, push a Lindt truffle into the cake, then cover with icing!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9hlDrVqeN4/UsINPcF1MzI/AAAAAAAABFY/5jvrniKfw2o/s1600/DSCN0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9hlDrVqeN4/UsINPcF1MzI/AAAAAAAABFY/5jvrniKfw2o/s400/DSCN0351.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3GI5hVBqreY/UsIQcYT-uzI/AAAAAAAABFs/9XDxr_0wEm0/s1600/DSCN0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3GI5hVBqreY/UsIQcYT-uzI/AAAAAAAABFs/9XDxr_0wEm0/s400/DSCN0354.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JG_7auE96VI/UsIQoiNg_TI/AAAAAAAABF0/itbt22g3OHM/s1600/DSCN0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JG_7auE96VI/UsIQoiNg_TI/AAAAAAAABF0/itbt22g3OHM/s400/DSCN0358.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This recipe was originally used for making Christmas tree cupcakes, they turned out pretty well!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I used butter icing on them, rather than chocolate icing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dDDiERgnXc/UsGJlePQ2nI/AAAAAAAABFA/asZxdTLgsk8/s640/blogger-image--1240418147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dDDiERgnXc/UsGJlePQ2nI/AAAAAAAABFA/asZxdTLgsk8/s640/blogger-image--1240418147.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-55095692547497216612013-11-10T13:14:00.001+00:002017-04-20T18:24:27.892+01:00No Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a really delicious white chocolate cheesecake, that we were serving at the pub I work in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was only meant to be on for a week, but stayed on for about 6 weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This cheesecake is very rich, but light and fluffy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QwSbRkxxIpI/Un-GY0tSUKI/AAAAAAAABDA/KTvDXRMbCVI/s640/blogger-image--940765232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QwSbRkxxIpI/Un-GY0tSUKI/AAAAAAAABDA/KTvDXRMbCVI/s640/blogger-image--940765232.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<u>Biscuit base</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 300g biscuits (I used half Digestive, half chocolate chip cookies)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 80g butter, melted</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Filling</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 375g double cream</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 750g cream cheese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- vanilla extract/flavouring (not essential)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 500g white chocolate (Plus extra to drizzle on top!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I know it gets expensive, but I would recommend using a more upmarket, nice tasting white chocolate!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Break the biscuits into crumbs. I did this in a food processor, but you can put them in a ziploc bag and bash them with a rolling pin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Add the melted butter, and mix.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Squash the breadcrumbs into a cake tin until it is very compact. Put it in the fridge to cool.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. Break the white chocolate up and melt it in the microwave (in small bursts) or over a double boiler. When it has melted, leave it to cool on the counter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. Whip the double cream in a large bowl.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. Mix the cream cheese and vanilla (1tsp-1tbsp depending on how you like the taste) into the cream.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. Add a large spoonful of the cream cheese mixture into the cooled but melted white chocolate, give it a mix, then add all of the white chocolate into the cream cheese.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8. When it is all evenly mixed, pour the filling over the biscuit base and smooth it over at the top.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9. Leave to cool in the fridge for about an hour, then melt the extra white chocolate and drizzle it over the top. Put back in the fridge and cool for a further 2 hours. This cheesecake needs to be cooled for 3 hours in total.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-76827990549292136062013-05-21T13:25:00.000+01:002013-05-21T13:25:05.229+01:00Garlic and Rosemary Polenta Chips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally all of my university work has been handed in and my exams are done!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Undergraduate degree over!!!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't believe it! And I'm not really sure what to do with myself from now until October, when I go back to university to do my Masters degree.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Posting on my blog a bit more sounds like a good place to start!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have recently been to the Jamie Oliver restaurant in Cardiff, Jamie's Italian.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They have polenta chips there, which are very nice!! They do polenta chips or regular chips with rosemary and garlic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I saw a packet of pre-made polenta in the supermarket the other day, and had instant cravings for the polenta chips from Jamie's restaurant. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Only I decided to combine his 2 flavours of chips for an ultimate polenta chip!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Recipe:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Polenta (pre-made or make up your own)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 2 garlic cloves </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Rosemary (I used fresh, but dried will be fine)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Olive oil</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Salt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p5-1GzSE-wU/UZtinZHj98I/AAAAAAAABBo/nafSysXUwpw/s640/blogger-image-646219386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p5-1GzSE-wU/UZtinZHj98I/AAAAAAAABBo/nafSysXUwpw/s400/blogger-image-646219386.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2. I started off by peeling and slicing the garlic cloves, chopping the rosemary and sprinkling salt all over the tray.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. Cover with a drizzle of olive oil, or any oil. Mine looks white because I used Fry Light's spray olive oil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VBCNZP21YnM/UZtiqCFpDmI/AAAAAAAABBw/UMJJgAwkZs0/s640/blogger-image--1298837519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VBCNZP21YnM/UZtiqCFpDmI/AAAAAAAABBw/UMJJgAwkZs0/s400/blogger-image--1298837519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4. Cut the polenta into chip-sized wedges. Thick or thin, its personal preference!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5. Roll the chips around on the tray and turn them to coat them in the garlicy rosemary salty goodness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6. Pop them in the oven for 25-30 minutes, and turn them once after 15 minutes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VBCNZP21YnM/UZtiqCFpDmI/AAAAAAAABBw/UMJJgAwkZs0/s640/blogger-image--1298837519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BSN0mUDGAUI/UZtikqNd9II/AAAAAAAABBg/TzekMFy2GI0/s640/blogger-image--1508330671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BSN0mUDGAUI/UZtikqNd9II/AAAAAAAABBg/TzekMFy2GI0/s400/blogger-image--1508330671.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The polenta chips should come out looking golden and crispy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now that I have opened the bag, I need to find something else to do with polenta. Polenta is quite new to me, so I'm not sure what else I can do. Any ideas?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-80765785191145330442013-02-09T18:00:00.000+00:002013-02-09T18:00:00.737+00:00Carrot Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VVNDhuNipIY/UHINZ2CH73I/AAAAAAAAAvY/DS3CqjAmH9o/s640/blogger-image--419014764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VVNDhuNipIY/UHINZ2CH73I/AAAAAAAAAvY/DS3CqjAmH9o/s640/blogger-image--419014764.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Carrot cake is lovely. When we lived in Dubai, we would go for lunch at a cafe called The Lime Tree Cafe, and we could never go there without ordering a piece of carrot cake, either to eat there or take home. It was a good day when there were 3 boxes in the fridge with slices of carrot cake in!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So after not seeing any carrot cupcakes around, I decided to make some of my own :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These were yummy cupcakes, but I messed up the icing, so I haven't put pictures of the iced cakes up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f2ECJYYtf6I/UHINV0XfgKI/AAAAAAAAAvI/tkdQsKj_2vo/s640/blogger-image-1080501714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f2ECJYYtf6I/UHINV0XfgKI/AAAAAAAAAvI/tkdQsKj_2vo/s640/blogger-image-1080501714.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cupcake:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 175g light brown sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 150ml vegetable oil</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 2 large eggs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 200g self-raising flour</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 2 tsp cinnamon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Zest of 1 orange</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Icing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 300g full fat cream cheese</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 50g icing sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line a muffin tray with 12 cupcake cases.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Add all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix together. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Spoon the mix into the cases, and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. While the cakes are in the oven, mix the cream cheese and icing sugar together. I decided to beat mine in a mixer, then it went really runny, so just gently mix it in a bowl by hand. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. When the cakes have cooled, decorate with the icing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--t6T_kVZqQs/UHINX3cmy1I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/fsyz0D7OgL8/s640/blogger-image--1401554546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--t6T_kVZqQs/UHINX3cmy1I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/fsyz0D7OgL8/s640/blogger-image--1401554546.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay, here is a little picture of the cakes with icing and a sprinkling of glitter. I don't think the glitter made the cakes look any better unfortunately!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHsRV_wwMnA/UP6L9iHGHEI/AAAAAAAAAz8/na3c7przFko/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHsRV_wwMnA/UP6L9iHGHEI/AAAAAAAAAz8/na3c7przFko/s320/IMG_2046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/(null)" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="(null)" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-27501715359997504882013-02-07T18:00:00.000+00:002017-04-20T21:12:39.298+01:00Fuzzy Navel Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O4HqVdZrJF8/UP6Zcjz_SjI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/YEf1zOBue8E/s1600/blogger-image-1686894519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O4HqVdZrJF8/UP6Zcjz_SjI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/YEf1zOBue8E/s640/blogger-image-1686894519.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love sweet cocktails. They don't taste of alcohol so they go down very easily. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fuzzy Navel, orange and peach, in cupcake form! They have quite a boozy hit to them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Makes 18 cupcakes<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 110g butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 225g sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 2 eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 60ml peach schnapps</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 50ml orange juice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 200g self raising flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 75g plain flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Icing:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 60g butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 500g icing sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 40ml peach schnapps</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 20ml orange juice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EtByv7PbfrI/UP6ZaCff-nI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/YJK3cw38ff4/s640/blogger-image--1526380285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EtByv7PbfrI/UP6ZaCff-nI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/YJK3cw38ff4/s640/blogger-image--1526380285.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line two muffin trays with 18 cupcake cases.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Cream the butter for as long as you can with a fork, or an electric whisk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Add the sugar, mix.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the orange juice and peach schnapps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. Sift in the flour in and mix again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. Put a tablespoon of batter into each cupcake case. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8. While the cakes are cooling, start to make the icing. Cream the butter until it is pale and fluffy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9. Carefully stir in the icing sugar. The icing will be very thick. Then add the peach schnapps and orange juice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10. When your cakes are cooled, decorate them with the icing, either piping it on, using a palate knife or a regular knife! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11. To decorate the cupcakes I added glitter cherries and flying saucers (retro treat for a retro cocktail).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hIUh2MnsjaU/UP6ZX-twEaI/AAAAAAAAA1I/hpWsW7HYJGA/s640/blogger-image--1449744297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hIUh2MnsjaU/UP6ZX-twEaI/AAAAAAAAA1I/hpWsW7HYJGA/s640/blogger-image--1449744297.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you enjoy them! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-88737404287409251722013-01-31T18:15:00.000+00:002013-01-31T18:15:14.905+00:00Cheese and Chive Scones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qpUBqpB9QfQ/UP6ZNX4zxSI/AAAAAAAAA1A/shBR4nuvvpc/s640/blogger-image-1110737831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qpUBqpB9QfQ/UP6ZNX4zxSI/AAAAAAAAA1A/shBR4nuvvpc/s640/blogger-image-1110737831.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm doing some data collection in a school for my dissertation. The children cook something each week, and last week it was these cheese and chive scones. It filled the school with a wonderful smell and made us all very hungry! One of the teachers gave me the recipe so that I could make them at home. I went straight to the shops to buy the ingredients, and made them that evening!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 230g plain flour</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Pinch of salt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 50 butter</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 100g cheddar cheese, grated</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 1 tbsp chives</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 140ml milk</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2. Put the flour and salt into a bowl.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. Chop the butter into small pieces, and add to the flour. Either using your fingers or a fork, break the butter up and rub it into the flour until it looks like breadcrumbs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4. Add half of the chives and cheese.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5. Add the milk, and form it into a ball.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until it is smooth.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
7. Roll the dough out until it is about 1 inch (2.5cm) thick, then cut out circles with a pastry cutter. Or something round, a glass will even do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
8. Put them onto a greased baking tray, lightly brush them with milk and bake them for 10 minutes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
9. When they come out of the oven, sprinkle the rest of the cheese and chives over the top, then place back in the over for 1-2 minutes, so the cheese can melt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are best served warm, cut in half with butter. I put <a href="http://mystudentfood.blogspot.com/2013/01/chilli-jam-third-time-lucky.html" target="_blank">chilli jam</a> in the middle of mine and they were fantastic. You can also eat these cold.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-71849409263828098082013-01-29T18:00:00.000+00:002017-04-20T21:02:08.960+01:00Chilli Jam - Third time lucky?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EGFmdzvdyNA/ULOjCagdf8I/AAAAAAAAAxo/ncPMQvBMUjQ/s640/blogger-image--1556806458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EGFmdzvdyNA/ULOjCagdf8I/AAAAAAAAAxo/ncPMQvBMUjQ/s640/blogger-image--1556806458.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
It took me about 3 years to perfect this recipe, but I think I have finally cracked it!<br />
Chilli and red pepper jam is the perfect accompaniment to cheese and biscuits, and excellent in a toasted cheese sandwich.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 100g long fresh red chillies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 200g roasted red peppers (these normally come in a jar with oil)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1kg jam sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 600ml cider vinegar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 6 x 250ml sealable jars (I used old jam jars, which can fit about 300ml in)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPPdGIkG_9M/ULOlE03JCXI/AAAAAAAAAy4/-5ZZPVjAuW0/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPPdGIkG_9M/ULOlE03JCXI/AAAAAAAAAy4/-5ZZPVjAuW0/s640/IMG_1594.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Sterilise the jars. I did this by washing the jars up, leaving them to air dry, then heating up the oven to 180 degrees, lay all of the jars and lids on a baking tray or roasting tray, and put them in the oven for 20 minutes, but try to make sure none of the jars are touching! Be really careful not to move the jars as you take them out, because they can break really easily when hot! The sealant on the jar lids may also melt a bit and go dark, it is nothing to worry about,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i_Dw9GXUSS8/T5Ftl3-5vyI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Ob08vkmVLPw/s640/blogger-image--527477386.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i_Dw9GXUSS8/T5Ftl3-5vyI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Ob08vkmVLPw/s320/blogger-image--527477386.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Drain and roughly chop the peppers. Core, de-seed and roughly chop the chillies. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yY2YkljgVsk/T5Fti5Np1DI/AAAAAAAAAVM/TbZg-psIA5o/s640/blogger-image-1613496053.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yY2YkljgVsk/T5Fti5Np1DI/AAAAAAAAAVM/TbZg-psIA5o/s320/blogger-image-1613496053.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roughly chopped chilli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Put the chillies and peppers into a food processor and blitz them - you might want to do this in 2 parts. If you don't have a food processor, you will just have to chop them really finely!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIKiKzSY9ys/ULOkpRXKfzI/AAAAAAAAAyM/W12T9o0QCac/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIKiKzSY9ys/ULOkpRXKfzI/AAAAAAAAAyM/W12T9o0QCac/s320/IMG_1593.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. In a saucepan (a big one), heat the cider vinegar and dissolve the sugar into it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. When all the sugar has dissolved, add the chilli and peppers. Bring to a fierce boil, for 10-15 minutes. I will warn you again, be careful and watch the pan! I think that I have spilled some every time! The jam will be ready when you dip a spoon into the jam, leave it to cool for one minute, then can drag your finger through the jam and everything should stay still (the jam shouldn't run onto where your finger was) and then it should be set. Remember it will thicken more as it cools.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXFL3zDz3E0/ULOlX6IVdrI/AAAAAAAAAzA/u3p8Cktf7DY/s1600/IMG_1595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXFL3zDz3E0/ULOlX6IVdrI/AAAAAAAAAzA/u3p8Cktf7DY/s320/IMG_1595.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think I need a bigger pan next time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. Leave it to cool in the pan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. While its still warm, put the jam into the jars. I poured it into a jug, then into the jars. Put the lids on, then leave them to cool in a cupboard (not the fridge!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">WARNING!!</span> Only pour hot/warm jam into warm jars or cool jam into cool jars! The temperature change may make them crack!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was probably my best batch, the roasted red peppers definitely make it taste better!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think my hunt for the perfect chilli jam recipe may be over, but I would still like to experiment and add tomatoes and maybe garlic. I won't be altering the type of vinegar or red peppers though.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-7285049569358052682013-01-24T18:00:00.000+00:002013-01-24T18:00:00.390+00:00Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vsKR3RxQwEU/UP6Zv_l12_I/AAAAAAAAA14/gXG3RySS8dk/s640/blogger-image--1694689595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vsKR3RxQwEU/UP6Zv_l12_I/AAAAAAAAA14/gXG3RySS8dk/s640/blogger-image--1694689595.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
A recent phenomenon in the world of cupcakes is cuptails! Or caketails. Basically, cocktail flavoured cupcakes. I love cupcakes and I love cocktails! Perfect match :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There have been a few big birthdays recently! These strawberry margarita cupcakes were for Rachel's 21st. She works in a cocktail bar and started birthday celebrations with a cocktail, so I thought it was the perfect idea!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really struggled to find a recipe that didn't use actual rum. I had bought rum flavouring, as I don't drink rum, so buying a whole bottle would be a waste. Next time I might use real rum as the flavouring wasn't quite right and smelled quite orangey. I also wanted to use canned strawberries because they are out of season at the moment, so the fresh ones are very expensive! I spent ages looking and in the end I decided that I should just kind of follow a recipe, making my own alterations as I went.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r-s5jP-pAew/UP6Zln6K7CI/AAAAAAAAA1g/1AY3iAAI-eg/s640/blogger-image--985891106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r-s5jP-pAew/UP6Zln6K7CI/AAAAAAAAA1g/1AY3iAAI-eg/s640/blogger-image--985891106.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cupcake:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 175g butter</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 175g caster sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Finely grated zest of 1 lime</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Juice of 1/2 a lime</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 1 tsp rum flavouring (or 2 tbsp rum)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 3 large eggs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 175g strawberries (if canned, then drain and chop them, if fresh, then hull and chop them)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 280g self-raising flour</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Icing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 500g icing sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 60g butter</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 60g strawberries (if canned, then drain and chop them, if fresh, then hull and chop them)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Zest of 1 lime</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Juice of 1/2 a lime (you can add extra at the end as long as it doesn't ruin the consistency!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 1 tsp rum flavouring (or 2 tbsp rum and add extra icing sugar until you get the desired consistency)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Decorations:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- pink/red and green neon sugar (for the sugar rim)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Lime, quartered and sliced</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before making the cakes and icing, everything should be at room temperature.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The recipe says it makes 15 cupcakes, but I managed to make 22!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k9QbGXDiuKM/UP6Zoz_A_gI/AAAAAAAAA1o/QKx59LBC2Yo/s640/blogger-image-1031695828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k9QbGXDiuKM/UP6Zoz_A_gI/AAAAAAAAA1o/QKx59LBC2Yo/s640/blogger-image-1031695828.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line 2 muffin trays with cupcake cases, or bake one tray and reuse it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Cream the butter for as long as you can. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Add the sugar, lime zest, lime juice and rum flavouring, mix.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. Sift in the flour in and mix again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. Put a heaped tablespoon of batter into each cupcake case. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8. While the cakes are cooling, start to make the icing. Cream the butter until it is pale and fluffy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9. Add the icing sugar, strawberries, lime zest, lime juice and rum flavouring. Mix it together s-l-o-w-l-y at first so that icing sugar doesn't fly everywhere!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10. Pipe the icing onto the cakes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11. Sprinkle the coloured sugar onto a plate, and roll the edges of the iced cupcakes in the sugar, to create a sugar rim. Put a piece of lime in the side. You can also cut up strawberry pencils and use them as a 'straw'.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IY9sMnz8gR4/UP6Zsid1KHI/AAAAAAAAA1w/-IkRjJFS1OM/s640/blogger-image--1441533116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IY9sMnz8gR4/UP6Zsid1KHI/AAAAAAAAA1w/-IkRjJFS1OM/s640/blogger-image--1441533116.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are all of Rachel's cakes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<br />Zoe x</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-75508224603874498152013-01-22T18:50:00.000+00:002013-01-22T18:50:45.731+00:00Paris and Christmas 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
My Christmas holiday was rather eventful. To start it off, I went to Paris for 4 days, then we lost our blind cat for 10 days (luckily someone found him on Boxing Day!), I started my first job in a pub, and there was the usual busyness during the Christmas and New Year period.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gvwb01ngYAI/UP7AprfzQwI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/KF-zArgLMmI/s640/blogger-image-924026079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gvwb01ngYAI/UP7AprfzQwI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/KF-zArgLMmI/s1600/blogger-image-924026079.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Eiffel Tower, in a chocolate shop in Montmatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Paris was definitely a good idea! I had been dying to go for years, and my boyfriend's 21st birthday was the perfect excuse! Even if his birthday was in September!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seeing as this is a food blog, lets start with the food!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7vOsYaGZouw/UP7Au6oLlyI/AAAAAAAAA4o/ZSp1XqEJuP4/s640/blogger-image-1357875899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7vOsYaGZouw/UP7Au6oLlyI/AAAAAAAAA4o/ZSp1XqEJuP4/s400/blogger-image-1357875899.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pommes d'Amour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I loved the Christmas market that lined the Champs-Élysées. Even more, I loved the food that they served on those stalls! It was expensive, but they served some nice things. Most stalls sold 'vin chaud' (mulled wine) and some even sold mulled cider, however we had an alcohol free holiday so didn't try any.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In French, a candy apple is called Pomme d'Amour, which literally translates to 'apples of love'. Isn't that cute?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They weren't the best thing though! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DXD2D8Mybwc/UP6eNynG94I/AAAAAAAAA3U/9kDdoDYOZUU/s640/blogger-image-27888918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DXD2D8Mybwc/UP6eNynG94I/AAAAAAAAA3U/9kDdoDYOZUU/s640/blogger-image-27888918.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macarons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These were the best! Macarons! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew what was in a macaron, the main ingredients are egg whites, sugar and ground almonds. I don't like almonds, especially almond flavoured things, so didn't think I would like these. However, on our last night we were walking through the Champs-Élysées Christmas market and saw a stall with many different flavour macarons, and I said 'we are in France so we had better try their delicacy while we are here!' and bought two raspberry macarons. We had bought some churros just before, and decided not to eat all of them, so that we could get rid of the taste of the horrible almond macarons when we had tried them. No need for the churros though, the macarons were heaven! Slightly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside with a lovely raspberry jam. We felt really, really stupid after this!! All of this time being among these delicious treats and we had said no every time? Idiots! Those churros were pretty horrible after eating the little bites of heaven. We went back to the stall a few minutes later and bought 10 more! We had lemon, caramel, violet and raspberry. I can't decide which was my favourite, violet or raspberry!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Guess what I want to learn to make now?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p0RPATYv8gM/UP7BDR-4ooI/AAAAAAAAA5g/hdTmBb0wwSY/s640/blogger-image-492248028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p0RPATYv8gM/UP7BDR-4ooI/AAAAAAAAA5g/hdTmBb0wwSY/s1600/blogger-image-492248028.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On our first full day in Paris, we didn't know where a good place for lunch was, so we walked into a bakery to see what they had. We were still choosing when the staff were ready to serve us, which put us under pressure so we just pointed at what looked good and that was that. I had no clue what I had ordered, and I still don't know now! It was lovely though! I want to say that it was like salted, dried beef? An equivalent of Parma ham, but this was not pork. It came with cheese, I assume it was Parmesan, and lettuce in a baguette, however the baguette had pieces of sweet onion throughout it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VtK4pPQ41wI/UP7A3BvzRVI/AAAAAAAAA5A/wbaYa3GyjQA/s640/blogger-image-1778173527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VtK4pPQ41wI/UP7A3BvzRVI/AAAAAAAAA5A/wbaYa3GyjQA/s640/blogger-image-1778173527.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
La Durée.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ever heard of it? I hadn't until I started reading about Paris. They are the inventors of the macaron. They celebrated their 150th anniversary this year. They are located on the Champs-Élysées. I wasn't planning on going in, but we saw it and I was dying to see what was inside! Most of the decorations were mint green and gold, their signature colours, and it all looked very fancy. Once you go in and join the queues, you know you are going to walk out with something. We walked out with a little something each, because no way was I sharing! I think my boyfriend had a chocolate éclair, and I had 'Saint-Honoré', which was a massive choux bun filled with crème patissière and dipped into molten sugar, with 3 smaller versions stuck onto the top with whipped cream. It also had some flaked nuts stuck on the side. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was still in the 'I won't like macarons' part of my life, so wouldn't get one to try. Silly me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cHcu4YzI8cY/UP7BAiIwO4I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/SES18n2GZyw/s640/blogger-image--130645143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cHcu4YzI8cY/UP7BAiIwO4I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/SES18n2GZyw/s320/blogger-image--130645143.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CKR_0qOx_fk/UP7Ar7HuQZI/AAAAAAAAA4g/O2mxIX2geY8/s640/blogger-image--212737114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CKR_0qOx_fk/UP7Ar7HuQZI/AAAAAAAAA4g/O2mxIX2geY8/s320/blogger-image--212737114.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J40f6PyzXZY/UP7AmxfTrPI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/hl-K3hPA2sY/s640/blogger-image-803459146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J40f6PyzXZY/UP7AmxfTrPI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/hl-K3hPA2sY/s1600/blogger-image-803459146.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Less about the food and more about Paris? Our flight landed at 10pm, so all we did was go to the hotel via train and metro. We walked over to the Eiffel Tower, which was a 10-15 minute walk away from the hotel. We took some pictures and wondered back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a link to the <a href="http://www.eiffel-cambronne.fr/" target="_blank">hotel's website</a> and <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187147-d207568-Reviews-BEST_WESTERN_Hotel_Eiffel_Cambronne-Paris_Ile_de_France.html" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a> page.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't been given anything to promote this, it is all my own opinions. I wish I got paid to do it!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i3GL57UHfL4/UP7BFaqj8RI/AAAAAAAAA5o/KyKISuQOAPY/s640/blogger-image--569505793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i3GL57UHfL4/UP7BFaqj8RI/AAAAAAAAA5o/KyKISuQOAPY/s1600/blogger-image--569505793.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a collage of pictures from our first full day in Paris. We started our day with a pastry from Fournil de Carole, which was a bakery across the road from the hotel. We walked past l'École Militaire, to Notre Dame and Ile de la Cité. We then found the Louvre, where we got in for free and saw the Mona Lisa, it wasn't as good as I thought! Loads of people were crowded around trying to take pictures and the painting was tiny! There were far more impressive pieces of work in there. We then walked along Rue de Rivoli and up the Champs-Élysées, where we spent ages looking at the Christmas market and going in and out of the shops. We went up the Arc de Triomphe, which had fantastic views, especially at the time that we went! We wondered the streets of Paris back to our hotel, where we asked the receptionist for a restaurant recommendation. She told us to go to <a href="http://www.lecafeducommerce.com/" target="_blank">Café du Commerce</a>, which was just around the corner on Rue du Commerce. It was a typical French bistro, good food, good atmosphere, crazy waiter running about and lots of tables! I had onion soup, duck a l'orange with dauphinoise potatoes. We couldn't fit any dessert in! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xq9snIePT0A/UP7A0KuGorI/AAAAAAAAA44/ICRtw5z3G-c/s640/blogger-image--753074558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xq9snIePT0A/UP7A0KuGorI/AAAAAAAAA44/ICRtw5z3G-c/s400/blogger-image--753074558.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ceiling in the Louvre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xj5Fs0NXMvU/UP7AxJi2feI/AAAAAAAAA4w/3arMUNT4wf8/s640/blogger-image--77500447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xj5Fs0NXMvU/UP7AxJi2feI/AAAAAAAAA4w/3arMUNT4wf8/s1600/blogger-image--77500447.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On our third day in Paris we had to get up slightly earlier than normal as we had booked a tour to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. We had an English speaking tour guide that told us a lot about the Eiffel Tower and Paris. We had lots of the standard Eiffel Tower pictures taken! We then walked along the Seine river to Galleries Lafayette, where spent an hour or two looking around. We played a game - Who can find the most expensive bottle of wine? My boyfriend won when he found a 55,000 Euro bottle of wine! After that we went on the metro to Montmatre, where we walked past Place d'Artistes (Artists Square), which has so many fantastic artists painting and displaying their work. We carried on walking up the hill to the Sacre Coeur church, which has panoramic views of Paris. The one thing you can't see is the Eiffel Tower! I wanted to see the Moulin Rouge in the neighbouring district of Pigalle, however we were very aware that it was getting dark, we had no mobile reception so couldn't get a map and its a red light district, so we decided not to go. We got the metro to the Champs-Élysées, where we walked up and down the Christmas market again, and discovered those delicious macarons. We decided not to go out for dinner as we were tired and went to Carrefour supermarket which was around the corner, and bought lots of cheese and a large baguette. Stereotypical French dinner without the wine? It also only worked out to be less than 12 Euros!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vh5GsRuhxEY/UP7A6UB59dI/AAAAAAAAA5I/jKTyfwY98Z4/s640/blogger-image-345919851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vh5GsRuhxEY/UP7A6UB59dI/AAAAAAAAA5I/jKTyfwY98Z4/s1600/blogger-image-345919851.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On our final day we did lots of walking around with our suitcases, but we had already seen most things that we had wanted to see in Paris! We did so much on the first few days. The two things I wanted to do was eat more yummy pastries and find a bridge with all of the love locks on. This bridge is near the Notre Dame, it is called Pont de l'Archéveché. It was lovely to see how many people put locks on and customised the bridge. One person even proposed with a lock and attached another lock to it saying 'Everyone, she said yes!'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We continued our day around the Ile de la Cité, walked up Rue de Rivoli to buy souvenirs and quickly went into the Louvre again before getting on a train to the airport. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I definitely recommend going, we had a lovely time! If you need to do it on a budget, there are some easy ways to spend less money. Eating out costs more money than going to the supermarket, eating and drinking in a café costs more than getting it takeaway, the métro is far cheaper (and quicker) than a taxi, walking is cheaper than the métro, buy bottles of water from the supermarket, rather than pay over 10 Euros per person per day for breakfast, go to a local patisserie and get a croissant or something, if you are between 16 and 25 and from an EU country, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and many other things are free.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Including the hotel and flights, I think we spent about £500 together, for 3 nights and 4 days, which in a capital city in Europe is not that bad.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Uuz4SiVaY98/UP7A-nJn2II/AAAAAAAAA5Q/b_94AS_Ds6c/s640/blogger-image--775448668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Uuz4SiVaY98/UP7A-nJn2II/AAAAAAAAA5Q/b_94AS_Ds6c/s640/blogger-image--775448668.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is our Christmas tree with most of the presents under it. I had a lovely Christmas, we spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day with family. I love having a massive Christmas dinner, but had eaten a few too many appetizers so didn't manage to finish my food! However we had plenty the following days as we ate the leftovers. I had some lovely presents from everyone, clothes, chocolate, shoes and plenty of bath stuff!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uScxkxyOsEs/UP7AkY4p6ZI/AAAAAAAAA4I/SP7nNWEAOK8/s640/blogger-image--608730495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uScxkxyOsEs/UP7AkY4p6ZI/AAAAAAAAA4I/SP7nNWEAOK8/s640/blogger-image--608730495.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My housemate got me this Sweet Shop recipe book for Christmas, how cute! I can't wait to make something out of it :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
New Years Eve was spent at my local pub, where I work. There weren't many people we knew there, so we ended up leaving early and played SingStar on PS3 for a few hours when we got home! I spent the rest of my holiday working every day, earning lots of money to buy a car and go to Italy in summer!</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-22765284887563267672012-12-01T18:00:00.000+00:002012-12-01T18:00:01.744+00:00Christmas Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;">
It's officially December. This means Christmas.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christmas is my favourite time of year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;">I</span> <span style="color: red;">L</span><span style="color: #38761d;">O</span><span style="color: red;">V</span><span style="color: #38761d;">E</span> <span style="color: red;">C</span><span style="color: #38761d;">H</span><span style="color: red;">R</span><span style="color: #38761d;">I</span><span style="color: red;">S</span><span style="color: #38761d;">T</span><span style="color: red;">M</span><span style="color: #38761d;">A</span><span style="color: red;">S</span><span style="color: #38761d;">!</span><span style="color: red;">!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did I make that clear?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have some good things to look forward to this month! Handing all my work in, finishing university for the Christmas break, my sister's birthday and of course, Christmas and Boxing Day where I get to see family and I'll be helping my Mum make Christmas dinner!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best of all though, I'm going to Paris for 3 nights with my lovely boyfriend :) It was his 21st birthday present from me. I cannot wait!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6Awqt07_bVw/ULOkpCq5yKI/AAAAAAAAAyI/jiU388iXiNg/s640/blogger-image--427977468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6Awqt07_bVw/ULOkpCq5yKI/AAAAAAAAAyI/jiU388iXiNg/s640/blogger-image--427977468.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sisters and I did a cupcake decorating class 2 weeks ago with <a href="http://www.teachmesugarcraft.co.uk/" target="_blank">Teach Me Sugarcraft</a>. We didn't realise that it was a Christmas theme. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't think it was worth the £70 that the course normally costs! We only paid £10 each as there was a deal on KGB Deals. There were 10 of us squashed around a table in a leisure centre and we only had 3 of each thing on the table, which meant you had to wait and I felt like they rushed us. They had already made the cakes and icing, we just had to pipe, roll, cut and stick.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think that we could have easily copied the designs from seeing a picture from the internet, we didn't really need to be 'taught', as everyone had basic decorating knowledge.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ahh well, it was good anyway. Their icing tasted nice.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Bb9u9--EO40/ULOkqsEUmfI/AAAAAAAAAyU/MeEzc0pfKL0/s640/blogger-image-1060661253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Bb9u9--EO40/ULOkqsEUmfI/AAAAAAAAAyU/MeEzc0pfKL0/s640/blogger-image-1060661253.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ybI-W6llYLM/ULOkvGAmv5I/AAAAAAAAAyo/fjQzggatEdc/s640/blogger-image-1351250700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ybI-W6llYLM/ULOkvGAmv5I/AAAAAAAAAyo/fjQzggatEdc/s640/blogger-image-1351250700.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cUNX4Tt8gLA/ULOkww2V4YI/AAAAAAAAAyw/SqYc_dPZrQI/s640/blogger-image-739942957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cUNX4Tt8gLA/ULOkww2V4YI/AAAAAAAAAyw/SqYc_dPZrQI/s640/blogger-image-739942957.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What do you think?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-52343068198856895922012-11-26T18:00:00.000+00:002012-11-26T18:00:00.268+00:00Easy Roast Beef Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I realise these pictures aren't the best, but what are you more interested in, good pictures or good food? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Its the latter for me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was staying at home with my sisters while my parents were away, and one of my sisters that has been at uni for a few weeks was complaining about not having roast dinners anymore, so I decided to make one!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This has to be one of the easiest roast dinners I have ever cooked!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was the meat I used,<a href="http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=266508010" target="_blank"> here is the link to it on the Tesco website</a>, because they have changed the packaging for it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You literally cook it as it says on the packet; take the plastic off, pour the gravy over, cover with foil, cook for 45 minutes at 180 degrees, remove the foil, cook for another 10 minutes, then remove from the oven, wrap it in foil again and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Simple. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WyQOJRVw-o8/UIZr15q2O-I/AAAAAAAAAwk/4HVQcqPChJY/s640/blogger-image-211943961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WyQOJRVw-o8/UIZr15q2O-I/AAAAAAAAAwk/4HVQcqPChJY/s640/blogger-image-211943961.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You need to decide, preferably before hand, what you will accompany your meat with. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had; </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Butternut squash, peeled, chopped, drizzled in oil and roasted - 20 minutes</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Carrots, peeled, chopped and boiled (you can buy it already prepared) - 15 minutes</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Broccoli and cauliflower (pre-prepared) boiled, 10 minutes</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Yorkshire puddings (Aunt Bessie's frozen) - 4 minutes in oven</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Peas and sweetcorn - 3 minutes in microwave, from frozen</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Gravy, Bisto 'favourite' gravy granules, made with boiling water that the vegetables were cooked in, with added beef juices!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MjCinImL88A/UIZr29TczrI/AAAAAAAAAws/qBWxbrfdJsU/s640/blogger-image-1901840216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MjCinImL88A/UIZr29TczrI/AAAAAAAAAws/qBWxbrfdJsU/s640/blogger-image-1901840216.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Simple enough? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Enjoy, </div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-18629782867156665352012-10-23T11:26:00.000+01:002017-04-20T17:35:51.786+01:00Raspberry, White Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXzw4fiRW6k/UAAnwhh41uI/AAAAAAAAAoo/4_ZpOtBZIqE/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXzw4fiRW6k/UAAnwhh41uI/AAAAAAAAAoo/4_ZpOtBZIqE/s320/IMG_1343.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These cupcakes were really nice, and very easy to do!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The nicest touch to these was that they had everyone's names on, in <a href="http://www.silverspoon.co.uk/home/products/cakecraft/letters-and-numbers" target="_blank">white chocolate letters</a> :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also added some red butterflies for a bit of contrast, and to match the red cases that the cupcakes were in. You can get the cutters <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-Set-of-3-Veined-Butterfly-Sugarcraft-Cutter-Plunger-Craft-/130778461087?pt=Uk_Crafts_Cake_Decorating_MJ&hash=item1e7300f39f" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cupcake</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 125g butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 125g caster sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 2 tbsp raspberry jam</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 2 eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 150g self-raising flour (or 150g all-purpose flour plus 1 tsp baking powder)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 12 fresh raspberries</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Icing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 75g butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 125g icing sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line a muffin tray with 12 cupcake cases.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Cream the butter for as long as you can, meaning mix it with a fork or a whisk, until it is pale and fluffy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Add the sugar, mix. Then add the raspberry jam and mix</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. Sift in the flour in and mix again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. Half fill the cupcake cases, then put a raspberry into the middle of each case, then pour more cupcake mix over the raspberries until the cases are about 2/3 - 3/4 full.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8. While the cakes are cooling, start to make the icing. Cream the butter until it is pale and fluffy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9. Carefully stir in the icing sugar and vanilla extract. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10. When your cakes are cooled, decorate them with the icing, either piping it on, using a palate knife or a regular knife! I then added the names and the butterflies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_XVcM85Je8/UAAn3GycI3I/AAAAAAAAAo4/dHeOZm9HKdA/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_XVcM85Je8/UAAn3GycI3I/AAAAAAAAAo4/dHeOZm9HKdA/s200/IMG_1345.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDCqV8-wCAU/UAAn0K1JeTI/AAAAAAAAAow/IdGzuVIK6QA/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDCqV8-wCAU/UAAn0K1JeTI/AAAAAAAAAow/IdGzuVIK6QA/s200/IMG_1344.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOUEtBosNfo/UAAntO4twyI/AAAAAAAAAoY/ezokYAeppU4/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOUEtBosNfo/UAAntO4twyI/AAAAAAAAAoY/ezokYAeppU4/s200/IMG_1342.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAdRr-MVL4U/UAAn9savEMI/AAAAAAAAApI/02DAn5HTOvQ/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAdRr-MVL4U/UAAn9savEMI/AAAAAAAAApI/02DAn5HTOvQ/s200/IMG_1347.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-3070120383558053752012-08-04T18:00:00.000+01:002012-08-04T18:00:01.562+01:00Coconut and Lime Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FQ5kJo2Hfqs/UBVRJn5so2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/KD7vQlFPCnk/s640/blogger-image-334937688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FQ5kJo2Hfqs/UBVRJn5so2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/KD7vQlFPCnk/s640/blogger-image-334937688.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We used to make a coconut and lime cake with a lemon-lime syrup when we were younger, and it was my favourite kind of cake. The syrup adds extra bursts of flavour. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I haven't made it at all since being at university, so this summer I bought a bag of dessicated coconut so that I could make it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I thought 'what about turning it into cupcakes?' and ta dah! The coconut-lime cupcakes with a lemon-lime syrup and lemon butter icing were made. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I split my cupcake mixture into two, one half had coconut, and the other didn't. I definitely preferred them with the coconut, but I also had to cater for the fussy people!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Cupcake</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 125g butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 125g caster sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Zest of half a lime</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 2 eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 150g self-raising flour (or 150g all-purpose flour plus 1 tsp baking powder)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 60g dessicated sweetened coconut (Can be left out if you don't like coconut)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Syrup</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Zest of half a lime</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Juice of two limes (make the icing before you make the syrup)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 4 tbsp lemon juice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 100g caster sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Icing</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 75g butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 125g icing sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Zest of 3/4 a lime</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Lime Zest Curls</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1/4 lime zest, peeled and chopped into thin strips (see pictures)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 2 tbsp caster sugar, sprinkled onto a plate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line a muffin tray with 12 cupcake cases.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Cream the butter for as long as you can with a fork, or an electric whisk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Add the sugar and lime zest, mix.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. Sift in the flour in and mix again. Stir in the coconut.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. Put a tablespoon of batter into each cupcake case. There should be enough for about 13 cupcakes, or 12 and some batter for you to lick up!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RaKWVMku3LI/UBVRMXRAf1I/AAAAAAAAAqU/NaTRw4z0hp0/s640/blogger-image--441860172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RaKWVMku3LI/UBVRMXRAf1I/AAAAAAAAAqU/NaTRw4z0hp0/s400/blogger-image--441860172.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8. While the cakes are cooling, start to make the icing. Cream the butter until it is pale and fluffy, either with a fork or an electric whisk. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9. Add the icing sugar and lime zest. Mix it together s-l-o-w-l-y at first so that icing sugar doesn't fly everywhere!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10. Cut the lime into super thin strips like the picture below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--4dnt8h48GE/UBVRT9Y1A_I/AAAAAAAAAqs/iDeEFhuC1Bs/s640/blogger-image-371249675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--4dnt8h48GE/UBVRT9Y1A_I/AAAAAAAAAqs/iDeEFhuC1Bs/s400/blogger-image-371249675.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
11. Make up the syrup with the sugar, lime zest, lime juice and lemon juice. Heat it in a saucepan gently, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lime strips. Boil the syrup for 5 minutes, or until it has thickened. Remember it will thicken more when it cools.<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5Avhby2y0rk/UBVRN7bZINI/AAAAAAAAAqc/4mh0gYt306k/s640/blogger-image-361638761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5Avhby2y0rk/UBVRN7bZINI/AAAAAAAAAqc/4mh0gYt306k/s400/blogger-image-361638761.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
12. Remove the lime strips from the syrup and roll them in sugar that is sprinkled over the plate.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-squWCgx3VN0/UBVRY-2a8sI/AAAAAAAAAq8/N1qgCmZDPFs/s640/blogger-image-476001142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-squWCgx3VN0/UBVRY-2a8sI/AAAAAAAAAq8/N1qgCmZDPFs/s400/blogger-image-476001142.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
13. Poke holes into the top of the cupcakes with a cocktail stick. Carefully spoon the syrup onto each cupcake. You can add another spoonful of syrup onto it when the previous spoonful of syrup has soaked in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YAtm68DmgPw/UBVRXv1sKYI/AAAAAAAAAq0/zOlmN6miju8/s640/blogger-image-1229216425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YAtm68DmgPw/UBVRXv1sKYI/AAAAAAAAAq0/zOlmN6miju8/s400/blogger-image-1229216425.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
14. When your cakes and syrup are cooled, decorate them with the icing, either piping it on or spread it on with a knife!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0WXU_aqGD3I/UBVRRv4jT1I/AAAAAAAAAqk/wC-BfcH5MBY/s640/blogger-image--2117978948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0WXU_aqGD3I/UBVRRv4jT1I/AAAAAAAAAqk/wC-BfcH5MBY/s400/blogger-image--2117978948.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Let me know if you make these, and what you think of them!</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-16210576757452387192012-07-26T18:00:00.000+01:002012-07-26T18:00:02.647+01:00Chocolate and Pear Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k01ZS0b4eCU/T__me7LRvaI/AAAAAAAAAm4/ijz8hob-ffc/s640/blogger-image-938848627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k01ZS0b4eCU/T__me7LRvaI/AAAAAAAAAm4/ijz8hob-ffc/s400/blogger-image-938848627.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">There are days when you need something sweet, and we thought this was perfect when we didn't have much in the house. This mainly uses products that you will have in your cupboard and fridge.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 2 cans pear halves in juice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 190g plain flour</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 40g cocoa powder</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 190g caster sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 225g butter, plus extra for greasing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 3 eggs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><u>Recipe:</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Heat the oven to 200 degrees.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Drain the cans of pears and lay them, flat side down, on the bottom of the dish.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NU3n8N18xiY/UAAnQw_OcqI/AAAAAAAAAoE/TWouQxiPKuI/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NU3n8N18xiY/UAAnQw_OcqI/AAAAAAAAAoE/TWouQxiPKuI/s400/IMG_1496.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. Put all of the ingredients into a bowl.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dl2nWKmQNfw/UAAncjl1Z0I/AAAAAAAAAoM/aCyiba93cvs/s1600/IMG_1497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dl2nWKmQNfw/UAAncjl1Z0I/AAAAAAAAAoM/aCyiba93cvs/s320/IMG_1497.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4. Mix together! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is honestly one of the most amazing tasting chocolate cake batters ever!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2Yd74WZKw4/UAAntUBlqsI/AAAAAAAAAoc/M4ePW5lquGE/s1600/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2Yd74WZKw4/UAAntUBlqsI/AAAAAAAAAoc/M4ePW5lquGE/s320/IMG_1498.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
5. Pour the chocolate batter over the pears and spread it out, its okay if some of the pear is poking out! 6. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, then leave to cool.</div>
7. Serve with ice cream, or a chocolate sauce! It would be great with my <a href="http://mystudentfood.blogspot.nl/2012/03/chocolate-peanutty-goodness.html" target="_blank">chocolate peanut sauce</a> (do pears and peanuts go? Only one way to find out!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Let me know how it turns out of you try it, and if you do, send a photo on twitter or facebook!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-66060920051533395522012-07-03T15:00:00.000+01:002012-07-03T15:00:37.548+01:00Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes with Caramel Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AMBAGsBRCUA/T6KVuAo-OlI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/y-nX16XY0Uk/s640/blogger-image--1663571350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AMBAGsBRCUA/T6KVuAo-OlI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/y-nX16XY0Uk/s640/blogger-image--1663571350.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I decided to make these for my housemate's 20th birthday, as my other housemate had made cupcakes for him. These definitely went down a treat and everyone loved them, especially when they found a chunk of chocolate in them!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rio1rvjMck8/T6KVwgbaBrI/AAAAAAAAAaI/VHJ54YnVoLI/s640/blogger-image--858669288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rio1rvjMck8/T6KVwgbaBrI/AAAAAAAAAaI/VHJ54YnVoLI/s640/blogger-image--858669288.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 160g of butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 500g caster sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 4 eggs<br />
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 125g self-raising flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 175g cocoa powder</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Bar of chocolate or chocolate chips (optional)<br />
<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners.<br />
2. Melt the butter in the microwave, in short 30 second bursts (you don't want it to burn!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Add the sugar, the eggs and vanilla extract, then whisk.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">4. Sift the flour and cocoa powder in and mix.</span><br />
5. Break up the bar of chocolate. I like to break it into squares, then put them a sandwich bag and whack them with a rolling pin until they are in little pieces. Then mix them into the brownie batter.<br />
6. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, so that they are 2/3 full.<br />
7. Cook them in the oven for 20-25 minutes. You want the insides to be all fudgey and the outside to be crispy.<br />
<br />
When they are done in the oven, leave them to cool and then top them with my <a href="http://mystudentfood.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/caramel-sauce.html" target="_blank">easy caramel sauce</a>.<br />
You could then grate some chocolate over them as a nice finishing touch!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mDcdBr-aqtg/T6KVvLZa64I/AAAAAAAAAaA/QsqRK_yEN-k/s640/blogger-image--2107874618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mDcdBr-aqtg/T6KVvLZa64I/AAAAAAAAAaA/QsqRK_yEN-k/s640/blogger-image--2107874618.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5DRkY8z63C0/T6qL58WQdxI/AAAAAAAAAdg/TPlgCLFQXa0/s640/blogger-image-89060532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5DRkY8z63C0/T6qL58WQdxI/AAAAAAAAAdg/TPlgCLFQXa0/s640/blogger-image-89060532.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-88918011170827675882012-06-11T18:00:00.000+01:002012-06-11T18:00:01.134+01:00Squire's Cake Shop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My aunt has a fantastic cake shop near her house in Farnham, Surrey. They have everything you will need to make and decorate a cake! These are pictures of some of the cakes that they had on display when I went in there (09.06.2012).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u4oFgG7NCLc/T9TP7gfl4sI/AAAAAAAAAkY/lCDkJ0-zvvw/s640/blogger-image-773697128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u4oFgG7NCLc/T9TP7gfl4sI/AAAAAAAAAkY/lCDkJ0-zvvw/s640/blogger-image-773697128.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jubilee Cake</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--aB6LDKpTpA/T9TP9PUutiI/AAAAAAAAAkg/kE8VN4UqC6I/s640/blogger-image-1376126928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--aB6LDKpTpA/T9TP9PUutiI/AAAAAAAAAkg/kE8VN4UqC6I/s640/blogger-image-1376126928.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Animal print cupcakes</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RXanzfscqoU/T9TP-5ddyoI/AAAAAAAAAko/tapADv40fdY/s640/blogger-image-559589547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RXanzfscqoU/T9TP-5ddyoI/AAAAAAAAAko/tapADv40fdY/s640/blogger-image-559589547.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Union Jack cake</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x23bcOG0AdU/T9TQAXIewHI/AAAAAAAAAkw/heCPcfhP7Nk/s640/blogger-image--1971406508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x23bcOG0AdU/T9TQAXIewHI/AAAAAAAAAkw/heCPcfhP7Nk/s640/blogger-image--1971406508.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Garden cake</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WVHdmtVuJ10/T9TQCBlmhgI/AAAAAAAAAk4/mrAwUxvNMlI/s640/blogger-image-1677372498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WVHdmtVuJ10/T9TQCBlmhgI/AAAAAAAAAk4/mrAwUxvNMlI/s640/blogger-image-1677372498.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Handbag cake.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Squire's Kitchen's website is</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.squires-shop.com/ibf/index.php?p=home&loc=GB">http://www.squires-shop.com/ibf/index.php?p=home&loc=GB</a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-9248500632579490892012-06-10T17:59:00.000+01:002017-04-20T17:14:15.935+01:00More Cupcake Designs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few snaps of cupcakes that I have made!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0az4QRsdg4w/T648rbrmqlI/AAAAAAAAAhg/PKmZ9zarIC8/s640/blogger-image-1175141623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0az4QRsdg4w/T648rbrmqlI/AAAAAAAAAhg/PKmZ9zarIC8/s640/blogger-image-1175141623.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vanilla cupcakes with pink and black two-toned butter icing and glitter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q3LyznVZmTo/T648sXSlnnI/AAAAAAAAAho/A_htRXFLwj0/s640/blogger-image--1159366374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q3LyznVZmTo/T648sXSlnnI/AAAAAAAAAho/A_htRXFLwj0/s640/blogger-image--1159366374.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate butter icing and chocolate hearts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tB7RzrB9eio/T648tV7mNLI/AAAAAAAAAhs/OhR3vjty6_Q/s640/blogger-image-2002817180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tB7RzrB9eio/T648tV7mNLI/AAAAAAAAAhs/OhR3vjty6_Q/s640/blogger-image-2002817180.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vanilla cupcakes with white and pink butter icing and glitter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-crSYPapo_d0/T648uXiEJLI/AAAAAAAAAh4/v8TtjZQbPok/s640/blogger-image-2008777774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-crSYPapo_d0/T648uXiEJLI/AAAAAAAAAh4/v8TtjZQbPok/s640/blogger-image-2008777774.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vanilla cupcakes with white and pink butter icing and royal icing marbled pink butterflies.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zc0ORXL4vDo/T648vfCaTaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/RxaQYGfq_g4/s640/blogger-image-282421982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zc0ORXL4vDo/T648vfCaTaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/RxaQYGfq_g4/s640/blogger-image-282421982.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lemon cupcakes with lemon butter icing and a royal icing dove.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uZ7fD9mTHQ8/T648v9ntFQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/JW72TZ9e2Ts/s640/blogger-image-24729334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uZ7fD9mTHQ8/T648v9ntFQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/JW72TZ9e2Ts/s640/blogger-image-24729334.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vanilla cupcakes with white icing and red, white and blue royal icing roses.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HAdzNkDswog/T648xrGf2aI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Ua7TWOUk-Z8/s640/blogger-image-1216579314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HAdzNkDswog/T648xrGf2aI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Ua7TWOUk-Z8/s640/blogger-image-1216579314.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter butter-icing and grated chocolate.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F9dx0xpDdZA/T648yoxucwI/AAAAAAAAAiY/XRGb46H9JJA/s640/blogger-image--691571674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F9dx0xpDdZA/T648yoxucwI/AAAAAAAAAiY/XRGb46H9JJA/s640/blogger-image--691571674.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vanilla cupcakes with white icing, royal icing crowns (painted with gold lustre) and gold balls.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EdWtoSv6fbY/T9TPuRm870I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/pJbqfudp81g/s640/blogger-image--217090947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EdWtoSv6fbY/T9TPuRm870I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/pJbqfudp81g/s640/blogger-image--217090947.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lemon cupcakes with red, white and blue three toned lemon butter icing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Check out the Union Jack cupcake cases from <a href="http://www.squires-shop.com/ibf/index.php?p=product&id=6798&parent=330" target="_blank">Squire's Kitchen</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://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AQSVGKD7zE0/T9TQXMw5jBI/AAAAAAAAAlI/s3pCjkaAZps/s640/blogger-image-1532874297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AQSVGKD7zE0/T9TQXMw5jBI/AAAAAAAAAlI/s3pCjkaAZps/s640/blogger-image-1532874297.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lemon cupcakes with pink lemon butter icing and pink royal icing butterflies painted with glitter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OpFXKP3L7v0/T9TQVkQ6-nI/AAAAAAAAAlA/Z_eBr56_Paw/s640/blogger-image-750146152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OpFXKP3L7v0/T9TQVkQ6-nI/AAAAAAAAAlA/Z_eBr56_Paw/s640/blogger-image-750146152.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-20399261405163252602012-05-23T23:41:00.002+01:002012-05-23T23:42:33.276+01:00Easy Caramel Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eqwbzvJZF5I/T6qNlFEGH9I/AAAAAAAAAfU/IyApoxwcVEw/s640/blogger-image-1662809886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eqwbzvJZF5I/T6qNlFEGH9I/AAAAAAAAAfU/IyApoxwcVEw/s1600/blogger-image-1662809886.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8adK2bmvbVg/T6qNqZ_sQ4I/AAAAAAAAAfk/Fim0kKr1AmA/s640/blogger-image-166345904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8adK2bmvbVg/T6qNqZ_sQ4I/AAAAAAAAAfk/Fim0kKr1AmA/s1600/blogger-image-166345904.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This caramel sauce was gorgeous! And SO easy! Its so easy to sit there with a spoon and eat the entire jar! I've started to add a spoonful to porridge with bananas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Bag of soft toffees (I used Cadbury's eclairs)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Double cream (The amount you use depends on how many toffees you have) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1. Remove the wrappers and empty them into a jug.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xXwyMIEXo6I/T64mrSYcHBI/AAAAAAAAAgY/L_SjLp7QFBk/s640/blogger-image-960525748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xXwyMIEXo6I/T64mrSYcHBI/AAAAAAAAAgY/L_SjLp7QFBk/s200/blogger-image-960525748.jpg" width="169" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QPj1HCIVr8w/T64muWmkGgI/AAAAAAAAAg8/S3LHHyH7h2s/s640/blogger-image--131818064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QPj1HCIVr8w/T64muWmkGgI/AAAAAAAAAg8/S3LHHyH7h2s/s200/blogger-image--131818064.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2. Cover the toffees in cream.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LxugGg3vmlI/T64mvsOaN9I/AAAAAAAAAhI/m9w6P_wT_2o/s640/blogger-image-650834138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LxugGg3vmlI/T64mvsOaN9I/AAAAAAAAAhI/m9w6P_wT_2o/s200/blogger-image-650834138.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. Melt them together in the microwave for one minute, give them a mix, then heat it for 30 seconds bursts, stirring in between, until it is smooth.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zwe607GTGvw/T64mr_GJTLI/AAAAAAAAAgg/jFzJvLngTRQ/s640/blogger-image-1304444756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zwe607GTGvw/T64mr_GJTLI/AAAAAAAAAgg/jFzJvLngTRQ/s200/blogger-image-1304444756.jpg" width="171" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ieOnboEgXGk/T64mqmru7GI/AAAAAAAAAgU/c4h55KmNIJI/s640/blogger-image-1124956739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ieOnboEgXGk/T64mqmru7GI/AAAAAAAAAgU/c4h55KmNIJI/s200/blogger-image-1124956739.jpg" width="146" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UQYfKEJu1eI/T64mwaJVWeI/AAAAAAAAAhM/-eSfVlKc1As/s640/blogger-image-1951054332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UQYfKEJu1eI/T64mwaJVWeI/AAAAAAAAAhM/-eSfVlKc1As/s200/blogger-image-1951054332.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4. Pour into a glass jar and leave to cool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--cXZPsqB4vE/T64mtJJI_QI/AAAAAAAAAgw/REEAnXHTeoo/s640/blogger-image-1036982119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--cXZPsqB4vE/T64mtJJI_QI/AAAAAAAAAgw/REEAnXHTeoo/s1600/blogger-image-1036982119.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_mtazTfbw_o/T64mvAV-JhI/AAAAAAAAAhA/-IwbjjabfNs/s640/blogger-image--1933000916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_mtazTfbw_o/T64mvAV-JhI/AAAAAAAAAhA/-IwbjjabfNs/s1600/blogger-image--1933000916.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-12426547491348328252012-05-17T21:17:00.001+01:002012-05-17T21:17:24.971+01:00Sausage Meat Lasagne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-euT430MIB2I/T7VNXZTOC7I/AAAAAAAAAjg/OwFoj4ocvgU/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-euT430MIB2I/T7VNXZTOC7I/AAAAAAAAAjg/OwFoj4ocvgU/s640/IMG_0977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It would be really easy to sit there and eat all of the lasagne without sharing it with anyone else. Its THAT good. This was the first meal that my boyfriend had cooked me, I had never had it before and had no clue what it would turn out like! However, his food has never disappointed me and this was amazing :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sausagemeat or sausage meat? I'm not sure which one is right, I think sausagemeat looks right, but my spell checker doesn't agree!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 2 tbsp olive oil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 350g sausagemeat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1 onion, chopped</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1/2 tsp garlic (i use garlic from a squeezy tube, otherwise use about 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 250g mushrooms, quartered</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1/2 bag spinach (you can use more if you want)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 300ml crème fraiche</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1 can chopped tomatoes (you might need 2 cans depending on how big your lasagne dish is)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 2 tbsp tomato purèe</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1/2 tsp oregano</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Salt and pepper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Lasagne sheets</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Grated cheese (I use mature cheddar cheese)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Soak the lasagne sheets in a big bowl of water.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Add 1 tbsp of oil to a frying pan, add the minced turkey and brown.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. When the turkey is almost completely brown, add the onion and garlic. Cook for 3-5 minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. Add the mushrooms, then the spinach.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. When the spinach has wilted down, add the crème fraiche and stir together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ8hu4tdzqc/T7VNDO-eepI/AAAAAAAAAiw/ePwer-IV7kA/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ8hu4tdzqc/T7VNDO-eepI/AAAAAAAAAiw/ePwer-IV7kA/s320/IMG_0892.JPG" width="238" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AhVTVQog0ro/T7VNFTUnWaI/AAAAAAAAAi4/18GZwxjvBmU/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AhVTVQog0ro/T7VNFTUnWaI/AAAAAAAAAi4/18GZwxjvBmU/s320/IMG_0893.JPG" width="236" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. In a separate pan, heat the other tablespoon of olive oil and the garlic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato purèe, herbs and seasoning. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9. You now want to start layering it all up. The first layer is the turkey, then pasta sheets, then a thin layer of the tomato ragu. Repeat this order until you have 2 or 3 layers, obviously it depends on how thick your layers are and how big your dish is.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10. Top with grated cheese and put it in the oven for 20-30 minutes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWKnHSsjnGM/T7VNNlYlEdI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ilLHd3cSVOU/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWKnHSsjnGM/T7VNNlYlEdI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ilLHd3cSVOU/s400/IMG_0896.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover with cheese!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty57YYcEGB8/T7VNP49z1SI/AAAAAAAAAjY/RChEM4970-I/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="479" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty57YYcEGB8/T7VNP49z1SI/AAAAAAAAAjY/RChEM4970-I/s640/IMG_0897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta da!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;">A healthier variation to this lasagne is to replace the sausage meat with minced turkey. Recipe is </span><a href="http://mystudentfood.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/different-way-of-making-lasagne.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: center;">.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-7137857337852902852012-05-10T15:30:00.000+01:002012-05-10T15:30:00.192+01:00Vodka Gummy Bears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You are probably thinking 'what?!?!' right now....I know I certainly was when my friend <a href="http://theshrimpdude.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dan </a>(go look at his blog, <a href="http://theshrimpdude.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">the Shrimpdude</a>) introduced me to these!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vodka gummy bears?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Its literally what it says on the packet...Gummy bears soaked in vodka.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But I soaked mine in a peach schnapps and vodka concoction, in hope that the peach schnapps would make it taste nicer. Ever made vodka jelly shots? Strawberry and raspberry flavours taste amazing with peach schnapps (with or without the vodka). I'm sure orange would too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8b2OlrENmCI/T6qL_0T6L4I/AAAAAAAAAec/ypuzbxTfsK8/s640/blogger-image-1673947977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8b2OlrENmCI/T6qL_0T6L4I/AAAAAAAAAec/ypuzbxTfsK8/s640/blogger-image-1673947977.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The clear gummy bear was after it had been soaking in the liquid for less than 24 hours, and the green one is a normal gummy bear that hasn't had anything done to it. You can obviously see that there is a massive change!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So how do we get this gummy goodness?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You will need:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Gummy bears (or any other gummy sweets)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Vodka (...and peach schnapps)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- A jar. Or a glass bowl. Nothing plastic! Apparently it makes the sweets taste weird.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FFmnR99L1yE/T6qMATav_iI/AAAAAAAAAeg/8NVFQvPh2Q8/s640/blogger-image-941487055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FFmnR99L1yE/T6qMATav_iI/AAAAAAAAAeg/8NVFQvPh2Q8/s640/blogger-image-941487055.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tip the gummy bears into the jar. Leave enough room for the liquid, and for the sweets to swell up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UEYd6a_uM4Q/T6qMC75m3GI/AAAAAAAAAfE/V4awrr972Yo/s640/blogger-image--1529209312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UEYd6a_uM4Q/T6qMC75m3GI/AAAAAAAAAfE/V4awrr972Yo/s640/blogger-image--1529209312.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then add the alcohol, covering the sweets. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It might turn a bit cloudy, but that is nothing to worry about.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9njPKKKI8hg/T6qMDWK3SSI/AAAAAAAAAfI/0hpvZ90TnpY/s640/blogger-image-1547883211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9njPKKKI8hg/T6qMDWK3SSI/AAAAAAAAAfI/0hpvZ90TnpY/s640/blogger-image-1547883211.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lid on, and done. Leave it for a few days to soak up the alcohol. I topped mine up on the second or third day because it didn't seem like there was much left. Its now 2 days after that and there is no liquid again!! Gummy bears must be really thirsty! And drunk....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AHMpHucYdRM/T6qMCBHecaI/AAAAAAAAAe4/eWEAUxDSk7g/s640/blogger-image--508448405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AHMpHucYdRM/T6qMCBHecaI/AAAAAAAAAe4/eWEAUxDSk7g/s640/blogger-image--508448405.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They went from this...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...To this!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gfswO8-3yeY/T6rx9GVbB8I/AAAAAAAAAgE/lwrye5VY3aA/s640/blogger-image--1810067805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gfswO8-3yeY/T6rx9GVbB8I/AAAAAAAAAgE/lwrye5VY3aA/s640/blogger-image--1810067805.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay, so one of those photos was edited on Instagram and is more zoomed in than the other, but you can still see the edges of the jar and how much they have swollen up!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-73974611985800382022012-05-07T15:39:00.000+01:002012-05-07T15:39:14.039+01:00Lemon Cheesecake with Berries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BUwezgg9GjE/T6L6g2GfpyI/AAAAAAAAAbw/yXGkdeaaK7E/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BUwezgg9GjE/T6L6g2GfpyI/AAAAAAAAAbw/yXGkdeaaK7E/s400/IMG_0647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These cheesecakes are really yummy and easy! Plus you can have fun deciding how to layer and decorate them!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe:</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the base:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 8 digestive biscuits</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 90g caster sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the cheesecake:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 400g cream cheese</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 90g icing sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Zest of 1/2 a lemon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- 600ml double cream</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the topping:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Mixed berries (frozen or fresh)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Caster sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Creme de cassis (blackberry liqueur)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Lemon juice</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1. Break up the digestive biscuits. I put them in a sandwich bag and bash them with a rolling pin.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2. Heat the sugar in a pan over a medium heat. Do not stir it with a spoon or any other utensil, just swirl it around in the pan. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8HJzJhpdU0/T6L6IZZYO8I/AAAAAAAAAbI/CYxVnms2CFk/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8HJzJhpdU0/T6L6IZZYO8I/AAAAAAAAAbI/CYxVnms2CFk/s200/IMG_0635.JPG" width="147" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. When it has all caramelised, like in the picture above, add the broken up biscuits and stir, like the picture below.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-brr_-m1_XqY/T6L6Plu0yAI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/u1OxqrjppfU/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-brr_-m1_XqY/T6L6Plu0yAI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/u1OxqrjppfU/s200/IMG_0636.JPG" width="148" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4. Leave this mixture to cool and harden on a plate in the fridge. When you take them out of the fridge to serve them, you might need to break them up again with a rolling pin!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRifkBGSIHo/T6L6ZBhUHNI/AAAAAAAAAbg/O5qUAClJimQ/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRifkBGSIHo/T6L6ZBhUHNI/AAAAAAAAAbg/O5qUAClJimQ/s320/IMG_0641.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5. Whip the cream, until it is thick and can hold a soft peak when you lift the whisk out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6. In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese, icing sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
7. Mix a large spoonful of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, then carefully mix the rest of the rest of the cream. You want to do it carefully so that you don't knock lots of air out of your whipped cream.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uKNTOcsKI50/T6L6ULUpcRI/AAAAAAAAAbY/UY8_ut8oBqg/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uKNTOcsKI50/T6L6ULUpcRI/AAAAAAAAAbY/UY8_ut8oBqg/s320/IMG_0637.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first way that I decorated them was with fresh berries (or frozen berries) and a berry sauce. Heat some lemon juice, creme de cassis and caster sugar in a saucepan, bring it to the boil, then turn the heat down and thicken the sauce up for a few minutes, then leave it to cool. Remember that the sauce will thicken up even more when it has cooled. The berries that I used were frozen, so I defrosted them in the microwave and left them to cool.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To layer it up, spoon caramelised biscuits into the bottom of whatever you are serving it in, I chose margarita glasses, then put the cream cheese mixture on top, followed by the berries, drizzle with some of the sauce and top with more of the caramelised biscuit crumbs.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7WBRA2fAG7c/T6L6eQnIsYI/AAAAAAAAAbo/qOVzCf0fp4A/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7WBRA2fAG7c/T6L6eQnIsYI/AAAAAAAAAbo/qOVzCf0fp4A/s400/IMG_0643.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or the second way that I decorated them was with a berry compote. Put some frozen mixed berries into a saucepan with some sugar, lemon juice and creme de cassis, heat them up until the berries go from this....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXs9vITryns/T6L6pEhSThI/AAAAAAAAAb4/W6yBC1Nu0XM/s1600/IMG_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXs9vITryns/T6L6pEhSThI/AAAAAAAAAb4/W6yBC1Nu0XM/s320/IMG_0653.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...to this! The berries should have broken down and the sauce should have thickened up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAJaHRCX3Qg/T6L65O6x9zI/AAAAAAAAAcA/asvUIthAtsE/s1600/IMG_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAJaHRCX3Qg/T6L65O6x9zI/AAAAAAAAAcA/asvUIthAtsE/s320/IMG_0656.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I spooned the caramelised biscuit crumbs into the bottom of the glass, then the cream cheese mixture, then the berry compote. I topped it with a few slices of fresh strawberries.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPKljFwxZCY/T6L693TwTpI/AAAAAAAAAcI/piohGN0oDIk/s1600/IMG_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPKljFwxZCY/T6L693TwTpI/AAAAAAAAAcI/piohGN0oDIk/s320/IMG_0659.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFlQSxFEHtg/T6L6_tnUlwI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/C7Ls-utodFw/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFlQSxFEHtg/T6L6_tnUlwI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/C7Ls-utodFw/s400/IMG_0661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Zoe x</h2>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6712451594182706033.post-32075138362217338712012-05-05T19:54:00.000+01:002012-05-05T21:33:54.566+01:00Swirly Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcP8ICgQlsQ/T6KPeKoYleI/AAAAAAAAAZc/BZge2UQQsA4/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcP8ICgQlsQ/T6KPeKoYleI/AAAAAAAAAZc/BZge2UQQsA4/s320/IMG_0948.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
I have got SO many compliments about these cakes, because they are very pretty and they taste really good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MA0PyEieF4s/T6LS_gKTOlI/AAAAAAAAAas/UoaX7vnJKjU/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MA0PyEieF4s/T6LS_gKTOlI/AAAAAAAAAas/UoaX7vnJKjU/s320/IMG_0970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
I've started to whisk the batter and the icing with an electric whisk, which makes them both really light and airy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For these cakes, I used the recipe from my <a href="http://mystudentfood.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/vanilla-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">Vanilla Cupcakes</a> post and the icing from my How to make the perfect butter icing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The icing is the same recipe/proportions, but there is more!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Recipe:</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the cake:</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 125g butter</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 125 g caster sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 2 eggs</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 150g plain flour</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 1 tsp baking powder</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Food colouring of your choice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the icing:</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 150g butter</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 250g icing sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Food colouring of your choice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Cream the butter until it is pale and fluffy. I have started doing this with an electric whisk, because it goes very pale and very fluffy very quickly! You can do this manually, and see how I do it <a href="http://mystudentfood.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/vanilla-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Add the sugar and whisk it again.</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Add the vanilla extract and one egg, mix well, then add the other egg and mix again.</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl, then gently mix them into the batter. DO NOT turn the whisk on!! The flour will fly everywhere! Either mix it with a spoon then whisk it, or keep the whisk turned off and mix it. *</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Spoon the mixture into 12 cupcake cases, and bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. When the cakes, have finished baking, take them out of the oven and leave them to cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. For the icing, whisk the butter until it is light and fluffy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Gradually mix the icing sugar into the butter (don't turn the electric whisk on!!), then add the vanilla extract.</div><div style="text-align: center;">9. When the cakes are completely cooled, either spread the icing on or pipe it on to the cupcakes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">* For the blue and the pink cupcakes, at stage 4 add a little bit of food colouring (if its a paste, then 1/8-1/4 tsp, if its liquid, 1-2 drops), and half mix it in, so that it creates a swirled and marbled effect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPjQGuL9jV4/T6KR9AEZ2cI/AAAAAAAAAZs/fuXH2YEbdXU/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPjQGuL9jV4/T6KR9AEZ2cI/AAAAAAAAAZs/fuXH2YEbdXU/s320/IMG_0915.JPG" width="238" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCqNIP9Sslg/T6LQsejBbBI/AAAAAAAAAac/fOXsdesAxsw/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCqNIP9Sslg/T6LQsejBbBI/AAAAAAAAAac/fOXsdesAxsw/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the two-toned pink cupcakes:</div><div style="text-align: center;">- When you have made the icing, add half of the icing to a different bowl. </div><div style="text-align: center;">- Add food colouring to one half (or do different colours on each half).</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Spoon the icing into a piping bag, but put the plain icing on one side, and the coloured icing on the other side. Then pipe the icing as usual.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Sva2icFJjQ/T6KPX0T1HpI/AAAAAAAAAZU/TOKAwCz6dGQ/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Sva2icFJjQ/T6KPX0T1HpI/AAAAAAAAAZU/TOKAwCz6dGQ/s320/IMG_0947.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the blue cupcakes:</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Make the icing as usual, you can choose if you want to colour the icing or not. I coloured mine slightly, to make the icing pale blue. </div><div style="text-align: center;">- This is the tricky part! You need a paste food colouring here, not a liquid one. You will need to dip a toothpick into the colouring, and draw a straight line up each side of the piping bag. Its hard to get your hand far enough into the bag and not get it covered in colouring! I failed miserable at this and I have very blue hands!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bh3opCX5axg/T6LR7adiyXI/AAAAAAAAAak/sxHs6leY0YM/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bh3opCX5axg/T6LR7adiyXI/AAAAAAAAAak/sxHs6leY0YM/s320/IMG_0960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>- Then put the icing into the piping bag as usual and ice away! You probably want to pipe a bit of the icing back into the bowl, until the darker lines show up.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OqnbX87QFqo/T6LTcy5VN6I/AAAAAAAAAa8/R0NCu1pLWfY/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OqnbX87QFqo/T6LTcy5VN6I/AAAAAAAAAa8/R0NCu1pLWfY/s400/IMG_0976.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn8a3cJD8Qg&feature=related" target="_blank">This is a good video on how to ice cupcakes with a perfect swirl!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UJWMaaTojA8/T6LTYilt12I/AAAAAAAAAa0/dgwzz8r7yJc/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UJWMaaTojA8/T6LTYilt12I/AAAAAAAAAa0/dgwzz8r7yJc/s320/IMG_0971.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How cute is this box? My friend Vicky got it for me from Poundland :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you Vicky!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><h2>Zoe x</h2></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284545676612041523noreply@blogger.com1