Chocolate Hazelnut Puff Pastry Bunnies
The flavour combination of chocolate and hazelnuts was popular centuries before Nutella. In the 1800’s, in Turin, Italy, there were many hazelnut orchards and cocoa was expensive and difficult to get. Combining hazelnut paste and cocoa produced a product known as gianduja (pronounced “john-doo-yah”). This soft smooth chocolatey confection was a hit and has stayed […]
Continue readingHot Cross Quick Buns
Hot cross buns are a traditional addition to spring celebrations in Europe and North America. It saddens me to say that they have been available in some stores here since January. I think it takes away the specialness of foods when seasonal items are available all year round. But that is just me. Whether the […]
Continue readingBlack Beans & Coconut Rice
Along with all the images of fluffy bunnies and decorated eggs or falling leaves and bountiful cornucopias, the Wheel of the Year at this time of the year, has an additional underlying theme of balance, a time when light and dark hold equal time before switching dominance. We all get out of balance for one […]
Continue readingMarzipan Carrots & Pumpkins
Marzipan modelling has a long history in many parts of the world. There are even museums to the art of decorative marzipan. Szabo Marzipan Museum in Budapest is just one. Take a peak at the video and I promise we are not doing anything as complicated. Fruits and figurines, cities and celebrities have all been […]
Continue readingTwo Carrot Cakes
It is interesting to see traditions being formed in present day. I wonder what people will say about them in 50 years. One example is carrot cake. As sugar and other sweeteners were scarce in England during the war years, carrots were an oft used alternative. Although there are references to cakes that go back […]
Continue readingLet’s go with Ricotta
This really is a variation of the chevre recipe posted here, using cows milk rather than goat. Think of it as a hack if you would like to as Ricotta is a cheese usually made from leftover whey from previous cheesemaking. It is one last attempt to gather the remaining milk solids. For that reason […]
Continue readingChicken Taco/Tortilla Soup
Spring cleaning is not just washing, dusting and vacuuming for someone who loves to cook. A kitchen witch knows that rotating what is in stores is also part of the process. Yesterday, when I looked at A. the weather outside and B. the staples that needed using up, things could not have come together more […]
Continue readingRooibos Chamomile Dog Treats
Early this month, I posted an infused oil that is used on animals in South Africa. The rooibus chamomile is a go to for itchy skin and has become the first option before trying anything else. The infused oil itself can be drizzled over food with or without the herbs themselves. If straining works best […]
Continue readingCream of Vegetable Soup
Cold and mucky day? Feeling blue and looking for comfort food? Standing in front of the open fridge door and wondering what you can put on the table in 20 minutes? Cream of vegetable soup fits the bill in so many ways. You will need: 2 carrots 2 celery stalks 2 small onions 3 small […]
Continue reading50/50 Soda Bread
One of the things that I appreciate about the Wheel of the Year is that although there are suggested dates for celebrating the turning of the wheel, the important aspect is that it match what is happening on the earth wherever you live. Just as groundhogs recognize the fluidity of the transition from winter to […]
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