Food at Christmas

One of my fabulous Birthday presents. My New Mortar and Pestle. It's huge! It's heavy and it's fantastic. Serendipity is a wonderful thing 'cos what was on the telly ?

Food Safari

doing indian food with heaps of spices. I'm planning on going to the market and stocking up on a few bits like fresh tumeric, shrimp paste, smelly beans and candle nuts. I love curries. Actually any full-flavoured food is good. We don't do a lot of take out and sometimes I get so bored with the things I cook, so I love new recipes.
We've created a favourite recipes book and this year we've come across some great ones. I judge a recipe to be great if I can make it work and it's tasty. An extra great recipe is one that can take modifying - something I just have to do - Anarchy in the Kitchen!!
This Christmas I bravely tried 3 new items ( I had a moment of panic) But all were fantastic. the Cranberry Punch from

Make it your Own

The "Coeur a la creme D'Anjou with Raspberries by Gabriel Gate on

Food Safari

and a Mushroom and Bacon stuffing I made up using almonds and rye bread.
I have to confess things didn't go all to plan. The Punch had rose petals and parsley floating instead of mint and I forgot a few things like bread and I couldn't find the extra gravy but it turned out a good night anyway.

Boxing Day was a day of left-overs.

We had a version of Turkey Bubble and Squeak on toast. I think the secret is to gently fry some chopped onions till they are really golden (in oil or butter) Takes about 15 mins. Add all the other leftover turkey , veg , stuffing and gravy. Moisten it with a bit of stock. I had left over roasted Roma Tomatoes so I added them too.

I juiced some carrots and mixed it with the leftover cranberry and pineapple juices ( I didn't use them all in the punch) - it was a healthy start to the day and finished the day with a sweet but still healthy version of the above Gabriel Gate recipe .
I still had raspberries, sauce and quark cheese left so I made up the recipe again but without the cheese cloth and only set it in individual bowls in the fridge for 30 mins. (Gave us time to eat dinner. ) It was divine! And there's still sauce to pour over icecream. Life is good.
Huggs Little Ma

Pay It Forward

We're in! We saw this at

jesschocolateect

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange.

I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.


So we're doing it too. Love surprises and surprising ! Can't wait to see our 3 people that we get to send something to.

cheers Little Ma

Gingerbreadhouse

This is going to be the centrepiece for our Christmas. I wasn't that thrilled about doing Christmas - just get a bit tired I guess. But MnM made this Gingerbreadhouse and I just love it . So I'm feeling a bit more inspired. On the other hand I was just asked if I wanted some of her banana cake and I hestitated . Does that make me a bad parent! LOL This was one cake that didn't work exactly. It didn't cook through - in fact it ooozed. So back into the oven for 30 mins extra. It does taste okay - texture is a bit , well , gummy . But who cares - it's made with love. The most important ingredient.
Huggs Little Ma

Chicklets

Hi every one MnM here!!!
Today we picked up our three new baby chics.





The black one is called Pantha, closest to the cage in the second pic we have Fanta and last but not least is Piglet. Fanta is the noisest one and requires a lot more attention then the others, she's also the escape artist in the family. Pantha is the quiet one who is quite happy to just sit and eat. And Piglet is just Piglet.
C ya ,MnM

Hiya
They're sooo cute but so darn noisy. We drove about 1 hour away to get them. Supposedly cos they're from local,free-range parents - who knows. Our Fluffy chook, who normally is a really good mum doesn't want a bar of them. Mind you she's over 12yo so I guess she's done enough. Over the next few weeks I want to build a chook dome - just a small one and put it in the Great-Dust-Bowl-that-was-the-Pool. The drive was hot and dusty - no airconditioning - but I did get some lovely cotton knitting done. Christmas is going to include knitted and cooked things ( more on that later in case any recipients are reading this : )
huggs Little Ma