'I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.' [Flannery O' Connor]
'One who eats alone cannot discuss the taste of the food with others.' [African Proverb]
kitchen
'The measuring and mixing always smoothed out her thinking processes - nothing was as calming as creaming butter - and when the kitchen was warm from the oven overheating and the smell of baking chocolate, she took final stock of where
she'd been and where she was going. Everything was fine.'
[Jennifer Crusie, Maybe This Time]
'This was why she enjoyed baking. A good dessert could make her feel like she'd created joy at the tips of her fingers. Suddenly, the people around the table were no longer strangers. They were friends and confidantes, and she was sharing with them her magic.' [Marissa Meyer, Heartless]
recipes
The subtle herbs, spices and red wine make these meatballs quite sophisticated.
The fact that they are baked in a little olive oil instead of fried, simplifies this recipe and makes it healthier.
For a Greek version, use lamb mince and replace the tomato paste with a small jar of green olive tapenade.
As far as vegetarian dishes go, this one is a winner. You will not miss the meat.
The mushrooms give a depth and earthiness and the crème fraiche adds the smoothness – a perfect balance of flavours.
The white wine adds the sophistication, taking the sauce to the next level and giving this dish the ‘wow factor.’
Shortbread is always a tea time favourite, but has a reputation of being finicky and hard work.
This Tupperware recipe is incredibly simple. The butter is melted so there is no effort cutting it in.
All the ingredients are simply added and mixed together.
This shortbread recipe is baked in a round cake tin and then cut into wedges instead of the traditional square shapes.
This is such an easy French dessert.
It is a recipe from TV baking chef, Anna Olson, and is foolproof. It can be made at the last minute and bake while the main course is being eaten. It is also wheat free.
You mix all the ingredients together and pop the raspberries on top and bake. Voila!
As the custardy batter bakes, it puffs up like a souffle around the raspberries.
This is the most versatile dessert or tea time treat. It takes no time to throw together as long as you have a tin of pie apples or pears in your grocery cupboard. In fact you can pop it in the oven as you sit down to eat and 35 minutes later you have a very comforting dessert ready to enjoy.
These mini loaves are so quick and easy to make. There is no yeast, no kneading, no waiting for rising time.
Just mix all the ingredients together with a spoon and pop into 6 mini loaf pans and bake in the oven.
Serve as a side to any dish or as a starter with pate and cheeses. Or simply eat straight out of the oven with butter.
These are the simplest and lightest cupcakes. I think it has to do with the oil and the Greek yoghurt which makes them moist and delicious. They are so easy to whip up. Everything goes into one mixing bowl and gets mixed together with an electric beater.
