Chai Spiced Cake with Fluffy Cinnamon Icing

September 6, 2012

I love how light and fluffy cinnamon tea cakes are and the way that they melt with a sip of hot English breakfast tea :) Even better yet, topped with a sweet and fluffy cinnamon icing just to complete the cinnamon indulgence! Don’t you just love that pretty little edible flower? Don’t rush out and stick a flower from the garden on your cake though. If you can’t get an edible flower, use an icing flower :)

I think the key to these cakes is rough simplicity. Nothing looks prettier than fluffy white icing on a well cooked cake. And an edible flower of course! I picked them up at my local ‘fancy’ grocer, ‘Fratelli Fresh’ where you can find pretty much anything and best of all, it’s the freshest and the best quality. A little bit more expensive with some things, but other things are a bit cheaper. If they don’t have it, they will order it for you. It’s where Sydney Siders shop for their food styling shoots and TV series. Continue reading →

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Cancer – How To Beat It With Food!

September 4, 2012

Good Morning Everyone :) Earlier last month, I had the pleasure of speaking to Jillian McKee on the advantages of healthy living and eating while dealing with cancer. But more importantly, avoiding it all together by adopting these good living habits before any problems develop. Being a vegetarian, I like to think that I am quite healthy. I exercise, always watch my fat intake and try to eat as many varied foods as I can, of course, with the exception of meat.

Here is a little bit of information about Jillian - Bringing a wealth of personal and professional experience to the organization, Jillian McKee has worked as the Complementary Medicine Advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance since June of 2009. Jillian spends most her time on outreach efforts and spreading information about the integration of complementary and alternative medicine when used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment. Continue reading →

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Flatpac Fridays: Does This Even Need A Caption?

August 31, 2012

When I first moved out, my Grandparents bought me my very favourite thing for my new life. A giant pillow. I had been eyeing it off at ‘Freedom’ for a while but couldn’t justify its exorbitant price tag. Well here it is. With my other favourite thing.

If only she wasn’t so damn cute and remorseful.

Luckily, she had the good sense to not eat the fluff, but I spent a week watching her poo just to make sure. After typing that, I thought to myself, the word ‘poo’ has no place on a food blog. Maybe just on Flatpac Fridays?

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Under an Hour Orange Cake

August 29, 2012

This cake has a special place in my heart because it is something that my Nan makes. This isn’t her recipe, but one I adapted to my food processor. It is really a whole orange cake. It is low fuss, quick to make and easy to clean up and the taste is amazing. The perfect zesty orange cake, especially if you are running late, like I always am!

My Nan usually does a sugar syrup over the top before she ices it so it stays moist for the week. It is the perfect cake to go with a cup of tea in the sun. Store it in an air tight container and if it is still around in a week, it will still taste great! Oh and baking paper on the base so it’s easier to clean up! Gotta watch those crumbs, just make sure you eat them before they break away! Continue reading →

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Vegetarian Empanadas

August 26, 2012

I searched high and low for a good vegetarian empanada recipe but came up with nothing. My lovely and very talented friend Kristin from Kristin Buesing developed this recipe and I can’t get enough! I know they aren’t health food, but sometimes you have to treat yourself. . .  like everyday. . .

Deep fried pastry is SO.DELICIOUS. It should completely repel me with my dieting attempts but it is all I want to eat today. Unfortunately I have developed some self control and have stopped eating them. Maybe that is quite fortunate. I am absolutely horrified that bikini season is just around the corner again. Living 50m from the beach means I pretty much have to be prepared for a beach trip all year round. I do get squidgy and lazy in Winter though! Continue reading →

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Toasted Coconut and Vanilla Bean Cake

August 24, 2012

When I made this cake, it was a bit of a throw together. The original idea was going to be a coconut milk cake rather than regular milk, but instead, I ended up using dessicated coconut and natural yoghurt. I think I over cooked it a little but it stayed completely moist with the yoghurt and coconut. It was a miracle! The unstuffable cake!

The cake itself actually tastes a lot like coconut marshmallows. I made the icing a little on the light side, compared to a butter cream anyway. It is still some what a butter cream, just with more icing sugar and water instead of milk :) The vanilla bean helped to whip it up and give it that beautiful vanilla bean seed flecks as you can see! Continue reading →

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cupcake

August 22, 2012

When I was a kid, my favourite book was ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. In the book, the caterpillar ate through pears, cheese, chocolate and various other edible delights. At the end of the book, the caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly and it is to this that I can relate.

You see, when I was a child, I was a little fattie. I looked like the michelin man people would say, more chins than a chinese phone book. All the funny ones, you know. I used to be able to sit up in my own rolls when I wasn’t yet able to stand. I like to think that I have blossomed into the butterfly that I was meant to be and am much more comfortable as myself these days. Continue reading →

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Strawberry Short Cake

August 19, 2012

I made this cake for my lovely friend Jen’s 30th Birthday. I wanted to make something really pretty and topped with strawberries, of course. Who can go past a pink strawberry cake with light and fluffy butter cream?

Jen is one of those people, that love to make a big deal over other peoples Birthdays but not of her own. Just like me! I don’t even like cake. . . that much. Hehe! Give me a big fat plate of cheese though, and I have no self control at all. Continue reading →

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Spicy Vermicelli Noodle Salad

August 16, 2012

I often make this salad for lunch at work. It makes enough for all the girls in the kitchen, plus a little extra for a walk in. I always make it super low fat, high in vegies and with a mean spicy kick in the dressing! Apparently chilli is good for the metabolism. I hope so, because I’m not that much of a fan of it and it is not worth the teary eyes I get whe I bite into a big chunk! Don’t worry though, the dressing isn’t that hot, just a little kick. A slap really :)

I have been quite sick this week. Came down with a nasty flu, so I am trying to help myself by eating lots of fruit and vegies. Tea and water too. Multi vitamins, echinacea. . . I’ll try anything! I haven’t been able to make it to the gym either so am feeling very, well, sluggish? Unfortunately, the virus I have gives me head spins when I sit up or stand up, so I am relying on Tylers nurturing nature to look after me! He has done a great job and I am so appreciative. It really is when your partner shines. If they can look after you when you are sick and still love you, well, you probably have a keeper. Continue reading →

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Sweet Pistachio Dukkah

August 13, 2012

I absolutely adore dukkah. Over hommus, tossed through a salad, on pizzas. It has a smokey, nutty texture and I love it for it. It got me thinking though, could I transfer my love over to a sweet version? Something I could have on a piping hot scone with butter? Or sprinkled over some coconut gelato?

I made it using pistachios because they seem to be the best for colour and flavour in a sweet dukkah. Hazelnuts would work just as well, but you wouldn’t have that beautiful mint green colour. It looks so beautiful in contrast with the dried rose buds that I have been meaning to use for so long. I have so many beautiful foods in my pantry that I have collected along my travels to various markets and shopping centres. I just need to have a little bit more inspiration to use them! Continue reading →

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