tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301243042012-02-17T01:02:03.167+11:00fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-4040722555124961222011-12-28T11:53:00.006+11:002011-12-28T12:20:19.028+11:00

We are very lucky to be minding a house in a gorgeous beach-side spot over the summer with plenty of swimming and eating and markets. This morning has been a terribly lazy affair after taking the kids to a water park yesterday and I decided to undo all of that walking with a decadent breakfast.This is Bill Granger's utterly delicious recipe for ricotta hotcakes with a minor change after my

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-27709367174656556872011-12-10T12:09:00.006+11:002011-12-17T18:17:02.452+11:00

I have already complained about sub-par veggie burgers here so I won't put you through that again. And I did promise more recipes once I had done some more experimenting, so here we are.These are more like a fritter than a pattie, but they are still delicious in a bun with salad and tzatziki.Spinach Chickpea BurgersIngredients:1/2 TB olive oil2 tsp cumin seeds1 tsp mustard seeds1 onion, finely

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-28637543275580701842011-12-10T11:46:00.003+11:002011-12-10T12:06:45.615+11:00

We love teacakes around here and this is one of our favourites. Delicious, rich custard with a hint of tart apple and dough that tastes just like a melting moment biscuit.Apple Custard TeacakeCake Ingredients:200g butter1/2 C raw caster sugar2 eggs1 1/4 C self raising flour1/3 C vanilla custard powder2 large Pink Lady apples20g melted butter2 tsp raw caster sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-56687032569877024932011-09-23T08:13:00.005+10:002011-09-23T08:32:39.542+10:00

The kids love Bliss Balls but so many of them have nuts in them, meaning they can't take them to school. We have been trying to work out a good substitute for almond meal, and I think I may have cracked it. Oats. Also known as wonder-food. So I whizzed up this concoction thinking that if it failed I could always use it in a fruit loaf or scones. But it worked. And it's delicious. And it could

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-86219313966923428132011-09-11T19:02:00.003+10:002011-09-11T19:59:09.326+10:00

Who else has excitedly ordered a veggie burger only to be presented with a pattie that is suspiciously similar to the nasty frozen bubble and squeak patties found in the supermarket freezer section? Complete with dubious binding agent and tasteless peas?I often close my eyes, cross my fingers and hope that the next cafe will do a better job only to be disappointed yet again. And commence

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-31045929196088987122011-08-12T16:05:00.004+10:002011-08-12T16:33:26.641+10:00

I have been wanting to bake with spelt flour for a while now and an invitation to a cup of tea at a friend's place was a very good excuse to get baking (please excuse the photo, it was taken on my phone on the way to tea). A few important points that I learnt about spelt flour during the course of what I like to call 'cooking by the seat of my pants': It doesn't need nearly as much water as

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-43947500077471731502011-08-02T19:20:00.005+10:002011-08-02T20:14:39.230+10:00

Most people that attend various markets around Sydney (whether they be farmers' markets, second hand markets or random roadside markets) will be familiar with the siren call of the spinach and cheese gozleme. Deliciously drizzled with lemon juice and eaten straight off the plate with little regard for etiquette or common manners. Usually while dodging crowds of shoppers, dogs and small

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-81737990604439492802011-07-24T09:31:00.004+10:002011-07-24T10:02:13.443+10:00

It's been such a long time since we had friends over for dinner (one of the disadvantages of living in a gorgeous area a long way from old friends) and last night we managed to have a full table of lovely people. I adore spoiling my vegan buddies with decadent sweets and I love the occasional sacher torte. Which really must be occasional as it is truly, wickedly decadent. I'm planning on using

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-70667233114771034672011-06-11T09:31:00.009+10:002011-06-12T09:25:03.179+10:00

The last few weeks have been an utter whirlwind with job-hunting, random colds and illnesses and school activities. One of which was baking 1960's treats for the school's 50th anniversary, a theme tailored perfectly to my tastes and foibles. I dragged out the yellow box recipe cards and baked my trusty pumpkin scones. I also made chocolate fancies, which were a disaster in the making but ended up

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-8411825307089582682011-05-08T19:24:00.005+10:002011-05-08T19:51:23.680+10:00

It feels like I have been eating way too many pastries lately, topped off today with Adriano Zumbo sweets on the esplanade at Manly. Utterly delicious, but we all needed a vegetable-heavy dinner after a touch too much indulgence.Home made tomato soup is quick and delicious and this one has the added protein boost of red lentils. I serve the creamed corn on the side, but this can be stirred

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-33885481673703852142011-04-26T18:46:00.010+10:002011-05-01T11:51:35.791+10:00

Baked beans are such a simple, delicious cold weather food. And home made baked beans are worlds away from tinned varieties, even though tinned baked beans are great comfort food, particularly in the middle of a cheesy toasty jaffle. But that image is distracting, so back to the yummy healthy version. Stove Top Baked BeansIngredients:1 TB olive oil1 onion, diced4 cloves garlic, crushed1/2 red

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-52375864597179217222011-04-26T18:22:00.007+10:002011-04-26T20:08:07.230+10:00

I was hideously, horribly sick with whooping cough a few years ago, and looking after two small children solo while the husband was interstate, my Dad was interstate and my father-in-law was overseas. I was miserable, but didn't feel that I could call on any friends to help in case they were also struck down. But Maria of Quince Jam came to the rescue in the form of her Potato & Leek & Chickpea

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-1421899112974726942011-04-23T14:05:00.006+10:002011-04-23T15:13:59.059+10:00

Freshly made hot cross buns are one of the most delicious parts of Easter and each Good Friday and Easter Sunday we make these with the kids. This year they were old enough to decide which spices (and which quantities of each - within reason!) to use from a selection that I gave them. It was tricky keeping hold of my control-freak tendencies to let them have free range with the flavours! But they

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-90859220638581448872011-04-20T18:56:00.004+10:002011-04-20T19:49:14.077+10:00

Brownies are utterly delicious but also buttery, chocolatey, sugary evil. These are slightly healthier than usual. Kind of. Maybe. In any case, they are a much welcome peace offering for friends whose homes are about to be messed by small children. It's school holidays here at the moment and it was time to descend on a friend's house for the day with the kids. I made these brownies with gluten

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-6240541505970116522011-03-31T14:24:00.005+11:002011-03-31T15:55:12.092+11:00

I absolutely adore this slice, but I usually need to refrain as most recipes call for gelatin. Ick. After missing out on red jelly goodness one too many times I decided to work it out for myself.I made the version using standard yoghurt (Jalna is great), but please experiment with vegan yoghurt and let me know how it goes. The little ones hate vegan yogurt with a vengeance so I didn't want to

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-72529231023533184172011-01-23T18:17:00.011+11:002011-04-26T18:46:16.302+10:00

Eggplants are just lovely at the moment but there are only so many times that we can eat Ratatouille (although it is delicious). I have been meaning to make a vegetarian/vegan moussaka for such a long time, with the added tricky task of making it lower in fat than it would be traditionally. Getting rid of the eggs in the topping (ick), and using low fat cooking methods makes this much lighter

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-6243958842180895772011-01-16T20:21:00.006+11:002011-01-16T20:35:32.527+11:00

The green beans in our garden have gone Triffid. Actually, one has grown as you would expect and has a large amount of beans on it. The other is so Triffid that it is beginning to pull the trellis out of the brick wall and is now growing out vertically. But it has no beans. Odd.We already had some green beans from the fruit and veg box so I topped them up with some nice fresh ones from the garden

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-27116488708618214212011-01-15T07:33:00.006+11:002011-01-16T09:07:22.720+11:00

Kathryn Elliott of Limes and Lycopene runs a fabulously informative blog that is well worth checking out for sensible information about health and nutrition. She recently put out a call for advice via Twitter for what to do with Chinese broccoli. I tried to convey a recipe via Twitter, which was surprisingly hard! So this one is for Kathryn.This is such a good one for using up leafy greens and

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-45570841033735863462011-01-03T06:53:00.007+11:002011-01-03T07:24:35.838+11:00

I've never been able to quite get the knack of easy picnic food. Sweets are a snap but savouries prove to be tricky for me. Today our dear friends that moved to America are here for a picnic in a leafy park so I wanted to share something lovely and simple with them. The sage in our garden has turned triffid on us so I decided to roast some of that with pumpkin. Match it with some puff pastry and

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-36372784352448838072010-12-18T07:03:00.003+11:002010-12-18T07:15:12.010+11:00

It took me a very long time to like Christmas Cake. As a small girl I thought it was too "bitty" and dry. Perhaps because it tended to be nibbled on at the end of Christmas day when all of my favourite things had already been eaten, and it had dried out terribly from the Australian heat. I have learned the error of my ways after tasting many delicious moist Christmas Cakes over the last few

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-42688030041290467122010-12-07T20:30:00.005+11:002010-12-07T20:49:22.920+11:00

We love a bit of pink food in this house, and the girl's birthday was the perfect excuse to bring out the this recipe. Rather than filling lolly bags with junk I made a big batch of coconut ice and anzac biscuits and popped them into small noodle boxes with balloons and bubbles.Many coconut ice recipes call for condensed milk, egg white and all sort of other things that really don't last well in

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-14406655560945218582010-11-27T16:57:00.008+11:002010-11-27T17:31:43.557+11:00

With a New Zealander in the household a fabulous Pavlova recipe is a must. I tend to make this only once or twice a year as certain people (shhhh, the one from New Zealand) eat all the leftovers in one sitting and make themselves utterly ill. PavlovaMeringue Ingredients:6 large egg whites1C caster sugar1/2C brown sugartiny pinch of salt1/4C dessicated coconutTopping Ingredients:300mL300mL

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-26391011812697418982010-11-25T20:47:00.008+11:002011-07-24T10:05:39.731+10:00

Upon hearing that the boy is ordering a meat pie and chocolate milk in his tuck-shop order tomorrow I thought that a vegetable-heavy dinner was in order to off-set the (very 1980's Australian!) evil. We couldn't decide between veggie pizza or an Italian pie so dinner ended up being a combination of the two to appease everyone's appetites. Usually I wouldn't use red cabbage in a dish like this but

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-83153492289696758382010-11-06T18:44:00.006+11:002010-12-24T08:20:02.753+11:00

The wonderful Quince Jam spent Sunday teaching me how to make jam. You can see the fabulous results here so please wander over there for a much better description than I could manage. I brought along some Pumpkin Scones for jam-stirring energy. They travel well and you can pretend that they are healthy while slathering them in cream and cumquat marmalade. The quick tip is to make the mashed

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-83328803830208547222010-11-06T16:01:00.004+11:002010-11-06T16:24:51.183+11:00

This should really be titled "what to do when you forget to add the brown rice to your sushi rice mix the night before". Oops. I have had many, many friends scoff at me when I tell them about this recipe, but anyone that tries it is immediately converted. Usually I pack each element into small containers and throw it into my work bag for a super fast lunch.Brown Rice PorridgeIngredients:3/4 C

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-91122372203703320222010-10-24T13:36:00.005+11:002010-11-06T19:00:34.734+11:00

I have messed with the traditional recipe so many times that each time I make this pie I tend to fly by the seat of my pants. Somehow it always come out well, which I think is more to do with the combination of spinach, feta, ricotta and dill than any expertise on my part!SpanakopitaIngredients:1 TB olive oil1 onion, finely diced5 shallots (spring onions), sliced4 cloves garlic, crushed1 bunch

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-8570328246910533402010-10-14T20:26:00.004+11:002010-10-15T10:06:59.252+11:00

I made this bread especially for my fabulous friend that is currently not allowed to eat dairy, white flour, eggs, butter, chilli, ginger, and many other things that make life as fabulous as she is. It was the least I could do after they drove miles to see us with a decidedly grumpy child in the backseat! The loaf freezes really well after it is cut into slices and is particularly nice with

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-81366797232523123442010-10-06T20:37:00.006+11:002010-11-06T19:01:01.319+11:00

The weather is finally warming up to a proper Spring, which is a wonderful thing. The days are longer and we can enjoy our dinner outside on the balcony surrounded by wildlife. We have tallied up 1 bush turkey, 2 peacocks, 1 rather large snake, 1 grumpy bull-ant, 2 crimson rosellas and an Australian king parrot so far this week!This is our go-to perfect lazy meal and may be adapted to suit

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-88538155614939396102010-08-17T16:39:00.008+10:002010-10-05T18:43:48.627+11:00

These are two of the simplest recipes that I know, and they combine to make the ultimate afternoon comfort food.PikeletsIngredients:1C self raising flour1C milk1 egg1 tsp vanilla essence1TB raw caster sugarMethod:Beat all ingredients together in large bowl. Yep, it's that simple. If you need more mix simply use the same formula eg to double the mix just double each ingredient. To make one and a

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-18958602301132472602010-08-14T07:26:00.007+10:002010-11-25T20:46:40.753+11:00

These not-sausage rolls have appeased many suspicious meat eaters in their time and they freeze really well so it's worth making a double batch. I have based them on a recipe from my go-to book when the kids were just learning to eat: Vegetarian Meals for Babies and Young Children Not-Sausage RollsIngredients:1C cottage cheese1/2 C mixed pecans, walnuts and almonds (or any combination of nuts)3

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-31005511525888098712010-08-10T18:59:00.009+10:002010-11-06T19:01:27.995+11:00

We're moving house at the moment, which really throws a spanner into the blogging, but has the advantage of forcing me to use up everything in the pantry. I had some dried de puy lentils and lasagne sheets in the cupboard, some beetroot in the fridge and too many tins of tomatoes in the pantry. This recipe makes a big batch of lentil bolognese, enough for a lasagne, or plenty to serve with pasta

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-18533257442199318302010-06-23T18:34:00.009+10:002010-12-05T07:05:13.372+11:00

We love an old fashioned custard teacake in our house and the nearly 10 year old boy thought that changing the vanilla custard to chocolate would be the bees knees. Voila! Special birthday cake.Custard Teacake - Chocolate StyleIngredients:125g butter, softened1/3 C caster sugar1 egg3/4 C SR flour1/4 C custard powder1/2 C milkcustard:1 TB custard powder1 TB caster sugar1/2 TB best quality cocoa2/

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-10143725407525411972010-06-08T20:16:00.008+10:002010-11-06T19:02:06.620+11:00

It can be done, I promise. This is really adaptable, you can swap out the carrot for peas, or you can add a handful of parmesan to the mash if you aren't cooking for vegans. You can also swap the oregano for sage, rosemary or thyme. No picture this time as the ugliness of the dish is only surpassed by its infinite yumminess.Vegan Shepherd's PieIngredients:1/2 TB olive oil2 small brown onions,

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-4622987458264601882010-05-28T19:31:00.005+10:002010-11-06T19:02:27.675+11:00

It's coming up to winter in Australia, which means that basil is either really expensive or really wilted or a combination of the two. The cost of pine nuts has also been astronomical so I have been making this version of pesto which is just as yummy as the traditional basil pesto but lots, lots cheaper. This is wonderful over pasta, dolloped into soup, spread on toast or used as part of the

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-63721579364086229562010-05-25T20:00:00.001+10:002010-11-06T19:02:44.592+11:00

Another special request, this time all the way from our fairy godmother in Norway, JessAnzac BiscuitsIngredients:1 C plain flour1 C dessicated coconut1 C rolled oats2/3 C brown sugarpinch of cinnamon125g butter or nuttelex1 TBS golden syrup1 tsp vanilla essence1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda2 TBS boiling waterMethod:Preheat oven to 160C. Butter a baking tray.Melt the butter or nuttelex in a

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-48193936729240422622010-05-24T18:38:00.019+10:002010-10-07T10:21:10.897+11:00

Oh dear, I have been terribly neglectful - I must try to get in more than one post a year!My lovely friend Gilli has requested this recipe a few times now which is a perfect excuse to start up the blog again, especially with a recipe so delicious that we ate it all before I could take a photo. Oops. This one has been adapted from a recipe by Lucy Corry which was published in the truly wonderful

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-69940412849476443142009-01-03T16:16:00.007+11:002010-11-06T19:03:12.439+11:00

This is a lovely foolproof tart, perfect for picnics or easy dinners. Delicious served with a rocket and parmesan salad. You can omit the lentils and add extra spinach, or even use a basil pesto instead of lentils.Lentil & Spinach TartIngredients:1/2 C de puy (blue-green) lentils, rinsed and cooked in boiling water for 15 minutes or until tender500 g fresh ricotta cheese from the deli - the type

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-10168771727025923082009-01-03T15:40:00.007+11:002010-11-06T19:03:31.067+11:00

Yes, I know this is terribly late, but I need to post it or I will completely forget about how these were made when Christmas comes around again! Besides, any time is a good time for pudding and custard.These keep for up to 6 days in an airtight container and can also be frozen. They could last longer but we didn't have the self control to test it out. Ooops.Vegan Mini Christmas

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-11716869622044123372008-03-17T17:48:00.013+11:002010-10-07T10:21:30.579+11:00

I had a couple of manky bananas needing a home so I knew it was time to whip out the banana bread recipe again. This one is virtually fool proof and doesn't contain nuts. This can be made vegan by replacing the eggs with 1 TBS of white vinegar mixed with 1/4 C water, and the milk and butter replaced with dairy free alternatives. You will need to use 1/2 C brown sugar to counteract the vinegar.

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-45459110725393547612008-03-17T14:08:00.010+11:002010-10-07T10:23:21.569+11:00

Especially for Benji, the vegan version of the previous recipe:Muffin Ingredients:2 C self raising flour1 tsp ground cinnamon3/4 C brown sugarzest of 1 orange1/2 C currants3/4 C hot chai tea*1/2 cinnamon stick125g melted nuttelex or vegan spread of choice1/2 C silken tofu, drained and well mashed3/4 C soy or rice milk (rice milk makes for a lighter muffin)'Hot Cross' Ingredients:1/4 C plain

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30124304.post-25270229582021527292008-03-03T18:26:00.004+11:002010-10-07T10:23:42.876+11:00

What better way to start a food blog than with a Frankenstein of a recipe? I had a hankering for fresh hot cross buns, but with only an hour up my sleeve I needed to improvise. Thankfully my trusty muffin recipe came to the rescue, needing only a few tweaks.Hot Cross MuffinsMuffin Ingredients:2 C self raising flour1 tsp ground cinnamon3/4 C brown sugarzest of 1 orange1/2 C currants3/4 C hot chai

fox drink waterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566223524631022265noreply@blogger.com0