National Picnic Week with Udi's Gluten-Free range!

It’s National Picnic Week and I think that everyone should have a picnic! When I say everyone I mean everyone! Even those with different food intolerances. My husband cannot have any form of citrus and it can be difficult; you’d be surprised by how many things use lemon or lime juice as a preservative.

It's also that time of year when people are starting to line up their favourite festival's! Throw some of these ideas below into a bag and you're all set to enjoy your day out! 

So, when Udi asked me if I’d like to receive a box full of some of their new Gluten-Free products I said yes! I am always happy to spread the word of good products that are suitable for those who are looking for food alternatives! I know their pain. 

They sent me: (pictured: left to right)

Soft & Delicious Blueberry and Chocolate Muffins

Flaky & Delicious Pastry Mix 

Soft & Tasty Sundried Tomato Bagels 

Soft & Delicious Multiseed Bread

Crispy & Delicious Bagel Chips

Everything you need to make a picnic great! As an American I would tend to eat the muffins for breakfast, but since I’ve lived in England muffins are more of a treat. Therefore you just throw them in your picnic basket and wah-la instant picnic treat! ….Actually you may want to place them gently on the top somewhere so they don’t get squished. 

The pastry mix I honestly haven’t had an opportunity to try yet. I do intend to make something, most likely sweet and picnic friendly. I am very curious to see how it turns out and will update this post when I do make something! 

I used the sundried tomato bagels in place of bread; it is a great way to add flavor to the same old same old lunch! Just toast the bagel before adding on your favourite condiment, cold meats, and cheese! Yum! These possible don’t suit picnics very well, because they are best after being toasted. However, if like us you have a picnic in your backyard/garden then it works. I am going to apologise for not having a photo of this! I was a bad food blogger and just ate them, but I have no regrets they were good! 

Sandwiches are the ultimate picnic food. You need to have bread to have sandwiches and sandwiches to have picnics. A picnic without a sandwich is like rain on your wedding day, not ironic, but unfortunate. I like a good bit of Multiseeded Bread especially filled with pickle and cheese. There seems to be some debate on if pickles are gluten-free and some are and some aren’t so please check before eating! 

The Bagel Chips are indeed crispy and delicious! I loved snacking on these and dipping and topping them with various things like cream cheese (not all brands are gluten-free), hummus (try Udi’s recipe), and pate! My little people and I devoured a whole box and tub of hummus for lunch one sunny afternoon. Super easy to add to any great picnic! 

Be sure to check out the official Udi’s website for more information on their products! They also have a great section of recipes including one for a gluten-free hummus! 

notes: In association with Udi’s, please see my contact/policy page above for more information. Please check with any branded or store bought ingredient to be sure it’s gluten-free. All brands are not created equal. 

This isn’t my first post for Udi’s check out my other posts: 

Happiness in the form of Udi's Gluten Free Food

Ancient Grain Crisp(y) Chicken

Chocolate Cupcakes

Update February 2017 - Udi's are no longer available in the UK, but can still be found in the USA! 

No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Tart {Valentine's Day Dessert}

This weekend couples all over the world will be celebrating the ultimate day of love and romance, Valentine’s Day. (This Saturday if you didn't already know!)

Basically it started because of a guy named St. Valentine and apparently he married couples that were refused by the church. He was jailed for it, but while in jail he “healed” the jailer’s daughter. Before he was executed he gave her a card and signed “Your Valentine” as a way of saying goodbye. It wasn't until the High Middle Ages that the day became associated with “romantic love.” Courtly love was very popular then and it’s them we have to blame for the mushy over the top lovey dovey crap we see today.

By that last statement you may think that I am a bit of a cynic or something, but I do love the idea of a holiday that celebrates love. As Frozen has taught us love saves and heals us and that I think is worth celebrating!

Another thing that ‘heals’ people is chocolate. Chocolate is associated with many things and during this love holiday it’s a popular choice of gift and celebratory treat!

Why not wow your loved ones with this amazing No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Tart!

It’s easy and delicious and rich. All the things you want in a Valentine’s Day dessert. Chocolate pairs very well with most fruits and especially with red berries like strawberries, raspberries, and cherries.

Cherries can be a bit tricky because of their pits, but if you have a cherry pitter tool it makes pitting the cherries easy peasy lemon squeezy. OXO Good Grips sent me a cherry pitter to try out, along with a 3-piece Berry Bowl &Colander Set that came in handy when rinsing the cherries before placing them in creamy chocolaty ganche and I used my OXO Good Grips small silicone spatula when mixing my ganache. 

Wait no longer here’s how I made this rich Chocolate Cherry Tart!

No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Tart

419g of chocolate cream filled Oreo Cookies

100g butter, melted

200g dark chocolate, broken up

200g double cream

30-35 cherries, pitted and rinsed

Gently butter a 9 in or 22 cm tart tin and set aside. Place the chocolate biscuits (3 (UK) packages minus four cookies (to eat)) in a food processor and pulse until they look like breadcrumbs. Add the butter and pulse a couple more times until the crumbs and butter combine. Pour into the tin and press down and up the sides of the tin, try to even it out as best you can. I just used my hands it was the easiest way to get it pushed down.

Place in the fridge to cool while you pit the cherries and make the ganache. Pit the cherries according to the instructions of the pitter tool. In a heat proof bowl place both the broken up chocolate and double cream and set on top of a simmering pan of water. Gently stir with a spatula while it’s melting. Once it becomes a smooth shiny ganache pour into the tart tin and then add the cherries. Place in the fridge until ready to serve.

notes: In association with OXO, for further information see my contact/policy page and also check them out they have some great kitchen tools! Recipe is adapted from mowielicious blog. Also I did a short spontaneous video and I uploaded it here. It’s un-cut and I didn't know what I was trying to say half the time, but I thought I’d post it anyway! Let me know what you think!!

Orange, Passion Fruit, & Champagne Jelly desserts {product review}

After being at home with my girls for the last 7 years, I have jumped back into the working world. At the moment I currently have 2 ½ jobs. It seems like I have found myself with a lot on my plate.

I am finding out what it really means to time manage. So, I was pretty proud of myself for making these jellies’s in the morning so they would be set for after dinner!

It’s pretty impressive if I even have dinner on the table on time these days!

Jelly is one of those things that everyone loves. It doesn't matter how old you are. As we get older our tastes buds change and sometimes our favorite childhood treats just don't taste the same. This Taste the Difference range of jellies from Sainsbury's is full of flavor and has fun flavor combinations! 

These jellies can be made according to the instructions and therefore will be suitable for the whole family, but making it with the suggestions I listed below make it a bit more adult.... then again maybe not?

I was sent Orange, Passion Fruit, and Champagne Jelly and Blackcurrant, Elderflower, and Cassis Jelly to try out.

First I made the Orange, Passion Fruit, and Champagne Jelly with half orange juice and half prosecco. I added in some canned mandarin’s for texture and topped with whipped cream and passion fruit seeds/juice.

Then I made the Blackcurrant one in champagne flutes to add a bit of festive fun and topped that one with some whipped cream as well.

There are so many ways to be creative with this range, such as:

• Use prosecco in place of water, as suggested on the bottle
• Use your favorite fizzy drink, lemonade or an orange soda
• Different juices to match the flavors of the chosen jelly (ex: elderflower juice in the blackcurrent or orange juice in the orange etc…) if you do use half water half juice sometimes it is a little too soft when setting if you use just juice.
• Add in matching fruits, canned usually works best because the fruit will be soft.
• Make it a jelly terrine!
• Make it in a flat baking tray and once it’s set use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes
• Make it in a trifle (my husband wanted me to do this and I just don’t like trifles that much…. I know I know we’ll talk about this later!)
• Make it in fun shapes using jelly moulds
• Top with whipped cream or meringues or ice cream
• Drizzle with all sorts of fruit syrups

Jelly is fun for all ages and these Taste the Difference ones from Sainsbury’s were super easy to make and they make a great treat for any time of the day! Especially during the holiday season that is full of rich and heavy foods. Why not lighten the load a bit with a jelly dessert! My favorite part is that they are made in advance and takes some of the stress away from the big day! See my time management is already getting better! 

notes: in association with Sainsbury's they sent me the jelly to try all opinions are my own please see my contact/policy tab above. 

Teavivre Tea For Life (review)

Tea has been around for hundreds of years and probably one of the most popular drinks around the world. I love trying new and/or different teas then the usual English Tea. Teavivre make a variety of different flavors that they ship around the world.

This is the second time they have sent me tea to review and I was just as impressed this time, as I was last time.

Superfine Taiwan Moderately-Roasted Dong Ding Oolong Tea is a very rich tea with lots of flavor. It too has a subtle sweet taste that is great for a morning cuppa!

Superfine Taiwan Qing Xiang Dong Ding Oolong Tea this tea is similar to the above, the obvious difference as the above is roasted. It is a popular tea, most likely due to the sweet mellow taste.

Taiwan High Mountain Oolong Tea is a great tea for first time drinkers of Taiwan oolong tea. It has a flowery fragrant, but a very sweet taste.

Taiwan Monkey Picked - Ma Liu Mie - Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea has a smooth fruity flavor with a hint of honey. It is called “monkey picked” because a legend says that the cliff where oolong tea leaves grows can be too abrupt and so a monkey is trained to climb the cliff and pick the precious leaves. A soft fire bakes the leaves in about 6 minutes; it is what gives this tea its distinct flavor.

Anxi Monkey King – Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea is low in caffeine so a great evening or bedtime tea. This tea smells amazing! It is also a very smooth tea, with a sweet aftertaste.

notes: For more information and other tea flavors check out the Teavivre website! Check out my first post! The tea was provided for the review no other compensation was given. Please see my contact/policy page for more information! 

Thinking of You

Whenever I catch sight of the post person or a delivery van out the window with a package I get super excited.

 It’s so much fun getting post!!

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, because anytime I get the post both of my girls are all over me asking if anything has come for them!

When an unexpected package arrives it means someone was thinking of you! 

Sometimes it's because you bought something for yourself that you have been waiting for.

Either way it's fun, right? 

So, why not send someone you’re thinking of a gift and make his or her day?

Or of course yourself! 

Maybe you have a special occasion coming up? Anniversary, birthday, Easter isn’t too far away and right before that is Mother’s Day! Perhaps you just want to let that someone know you’re thinking of him or her!

That’s when you should visit Hampergifts, they have an incredible range of hampers; anything from food hampers to wine hampers or cheese hampers even sweet hampers and picnic hampers!

I’m drawn to the picnic hampers; maybe it’s a longing for spring to finally arrive!

However I finally choose the Lindt Chocolate Gift Basket, which arrived quickly and was packaged with care!

Full of chocolaty goodness what girl or guy would complain! There is enough to share, but not too much that you can’t keep it all to yourself!

There is nothing wrong with not sharing. I wouldn't judge you. Now all that’s left is who to send your Hampergift too?

notes: In association with Hampergifts, for more information please see my contact/policy page.

Drinks are on Me! {Margarita R-Evolution}

I graduated from University with a degree in Visual Arts, but I hadn't declared my degree until halfway through my 3^rd year. Until then I took enough classes to either do the Visual Arts degree I ended up with or a degree in Science, more specifically chemistry.

I loved being in the chemistry lab, but not as much as I loved the print studio.

Recently I was given an opportunity to replicate a chemistry lab at home with a Margarita R-Evolution Kit. The first bonus being I wasn't going to be graded on it and the second I'd get to drink/eat the "experiment." 

The kit includes everything you need to create 3 different ways to enhance a margarita and make it fun! The 3 ways include a Citrus Foam, Azure Bursting Pearls, and Margarita Spherification.

I choose to start with the Citrus Foam! Basically you blend with a hand blender Soy Lecithin, which is provided in the kit, with sugar syrup, orange, and lime juice.

It’s fun watching the foam bubble up and as long as there is enough liquid to blend, you can keep making foam. What a great way to dress up a cocktail!

It did add a little extra citrus kick to the cocktail and I had as much fun drinking my margarita as I did making it! The instructions were clear and easy to follow I think anyone who has an interest in playing in the kitchen, drinking, or science would benefit from this kit or one like it. There are other types available.

I can’t wait to try out the other ways! Hoping to host a cocktail night soon, which would be a great opportunity to use this kit to it’s fullest!

notes: You will need to have the ingredients to make the cocktail and a few other juices and liquors to use this kit to it’s fullest. The kit was provided for me to review, by Cheeky Monkey Cream Chargers, please see my contact/policy page for more information. 

Dishes are the Worst Household Chore ... Ever!

For my birthday I asked for a new vacuum cleaner. The one I was using was completely useless and was so loud I used to get a headache from it. No one gave me a vacuum cleaner. I was actually disappointed.

I’m not against getting useful things as presents. I love useless, self-involved presents as well, but practical gifts are always appreciated! Anyway our dishwasher went kaput a few months ago. It leaked water everywhere and the floor needed to be replaced.  

I could not hand wash all the dishes a family of four produce, forever. Two or three meals a day times a family of four, plus the dishes added from my baking obsession equals a lot of dishes. They just take so much time and it’s never ending. Honestly dishes are the worst household chore ever.

I actually asked Santa for one, but just like my birthday and the vacuum cleaner one never appeared.

After the new tiles were laid and doing some research I started to think about what I wanted in a dishwasher, considering my husband refused to take the role, I finally decided on a Bosch dishwasher. I found mine at Argos online here.

It had everything I was after A+ energy rating, child locks (because kids of all ages love buttons), full size (which allows me to fit a days worth of dishes in), overflow protection (ahem), and it is affordable.

Now after a big baking/cooking session I can just throw (not literally) the dishes into the dishwasher and push a few buttons and they are done! Now this year for my birthday I am free to ask for useless self-involved presents! Or a new bed set?

notes: In association with Argos; for more information please see my contact/policy page. 

Christingle Ice Cream

In Christmases past, the ones with my family in the USA, my mom always put a chocolate orange in my stocking.

It was the best part of my stocking.

In the USA they were only available during the holiday season, so it was weird when I moved to the UK and I could have a chocolate orange whenever. However I still only ever buy them during the holiday season.

Lucky for me it I the holiday season!

When I was given an opportunity to create a Christmas inspired ice cream I had so many ideas, but didn’t know if I should go traditional Christmas flavors or go with something a little more personal.

I settled on personal and made a Chocolate Orange Ice Cream. It’s smooth, creamy, and delicious. It reminds me of Christmas!

I named it Christingle Ice Cream after the traditional “Christmas Orange” and because it makes is sound more Christmasy!

Christingle Ice Cream

175g Terry’s Milk Chocolate Orange

55g Terry’s Dark Chocolate Orange

375ml double cream

375ml whole milk

150g sugar

generous pinch of salt

4 egg yolks

120g Terry’s Dark Chocolate Orange, chopped

Make sure you’re ice cream maker pot has been in the freezer for at least 24 hours and don’t take of the freezer until you are about to use it. Always follow the manufactures instructions. Prepare an ice bath.

Melt the milk and dark chocolate with the double cream in a bowl over a simmering pot of water. Gently stir until melted and set aside.

In a saucepan warm the milk, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl whisk the egg yolks together. Once the milk mixture is warm slowly pour over the egg yolks, whisking the whole time. Pour back into the saucepan and stir continuously until the custard coats the spatula and you can run a finger through it and it leaves a line.

Pour the custard through a sieve into the melted chocolate mixture. Place the bowl in the prepared ice bath and stir until mixture is cool.

Chill the mixture thoroughly in the fridge, before freeing in the ice cream maker according to the ice cream makers instructions! Towards the end of churning add the chopped dark chocolate.

Eat right away or place in a container and freeze until ready to serve!

notes: I was sent the Kenwood Ice Cream Maker to use in this blogging Challenge hosted by Curry’s. Information on Christingle found here. A couple holiday seasons ago I made Chocolate Orange Brownies! Yum! The recipe is adapted from The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz. Buy 1 milk and 1 dark chocolate orange and you have enough chocolate to make this ice cream, switch them around however you want. Or use all dark or all milk? Whatever suits your tastes!

Blurred Lines (advertising & my blog)

Last week the ASA wrote a statement regarding ad rules and why bloggers should be aware of them. This is my personal response to that statement and how I feel it affects my blog and myself.

I have been writing my blog for a couple years now and only recently have been contacted by PR agencies and companies. 

Developing my blog into what I want it to be has taken time. I used to just write out recipes and show a few pictures without adding any thoughts or stories to my posts.  It’s changing as I grow in my baking abilities; my blog and I have come a long way.

When I was an art student at university/college it was in my art classes that I learned a process of creatively thinking out how I wanted my piece of art to be portrayed. It’s the same process that I use today when I am deciding what to bake/make next. 

First I decide what I want to make, then I research recipes and how others have made them. After choosing a recipe that is the easiest to adapt to my needs, I go shopping for the ingredients that I don’t already have. I do all of this before I make the recipe. It's a process and it takes time. 

So, when I get sent an ingredient to try out for exchange of a review, it’s not always an equal payment for what goes into what I do. Not only adding in the time, but ingredients. One free ingredient doesn't always make up for the other ingredients.

Sometimes the recipe doesn't always work out the first time. I have made donuts twice now and neither time has it turned out how I wanted, so hopefully third times a charm. I wanted to make them to fill with a jam that was sent to me to bake with. 

I am not trying to sound like I’m complaining, as I have a choice, I could say no. 

When it’s just a simple exchange of product for review it gives me more freedom and less pressure to do what I want with the product. As a general rule I usually ask the questions of the company before I accept anything so that we are on the same page. I have to assume when it’s paid content you have less say in what it’s about.

I will say here and now I have never been paid for a positive review. Nor will I ever accept payment for a positive review. I will always state if something was provided for me. I will also not accept anything that is unrelated to my blog and that I wouldn't use myself. 

However I will accept payment for ads, advertorial or sponsored content, if that opportunity ever arrives. If I do receive that opportunity it will be stated clearly in the note section of all my posts. 

I further want to elaborate that from here on out I will clearly state if I bought something myself so there is no confusion or question in the matter. However if the post is older then this one, if it is not stated that it was sent to me, than I purchased it myself. 

I have stated most of this in my contact/policy tab above. I just want to write it here again as it’s recently being talked about.  

Overall, I write my blog as a type of journal for myself. It is a bonus that I have lovely readers who comment and share what I do. It’s also a bonus to occasionally receive an opportunity to try products, but it’s not why I write my blog. Baking is my current form of art and blogging is my way of sharing it.

notes: ASA stance on advertising and blogs. My blog contact/policy tab. Hopefully jam filled donuts will be up on the blog soon! The pictures of these donuts were edible, but were too brown and crunchy to fill with the jam. Which is what happened to my first batch, I took pictures, but cannot find them anywhere! I think I need to reconsider what oil I'm using and frying time! The recipe for these were adapted from the current issue of the Jamie (Oliver's) Magazine. 

Strawberry & Coconut Ice Lollies!! {video}

Strawberry & Coconut Ice Lollies recipe

I love summer for various reasons and one of them is strawberries and another is ice lollies. Jubilee Strawberries is hosting a competition to make a video using one of their new recipes using their amazing strawberries!

It was tough to decide on what recipe, Strawberry & Rose Mousse Cheesecake Pots, Strawberry & Lemon Cupcakes, Strawberry Summer Pudding, and the one I picked Strawberry & Coconut Ice Lollies!

These are so easy to make! All you need is strawberries, coconut Greek yogurt, and icing sugar. Plus ice lolly molds and a stick blender or something to puree the strawberries. Then you freeze for a bit and enjoy! They are delicious and refreshing perfect for a hot day! I don't even want to start on how using fresh strawberries is a must! Mine were sent straight from the farm! 

notes: Check out all the amazing recipes on JubileeStrawberries official site; UK to USA Ice Lolly = Popsicle, Jubilee Strawberries sent me the strawberries to make these ice lollies please see my contact/policy page for more information. If you’d like an ice lolly I have plenty as it took me a few take to get it right! Not the ice lolly part! The filming/editing part! I thought this was going to be a bit easier than it was. I have a lot to learn if I want to start doing fun little baking and making videos again. So, please be nice! 

Dora the Explorer Little Cooks Collection First Issue!!

I bought my mini-bakers the first issue today for only 99p!!

The second issue is 2.99 (out February 16th) then it's 4.99 from then on.

Mini-Baker has enjoyed looking through the magazine!
I like how the Banana Muffin recipe is for exactly 4 muffins.
Which is the number of silicone cases that are included!

Includes 4 silicone muffin cases and a Dora plate!

It also came with this fruit and vegetable chart/poster!
Mini-Baker has just been learning about healthy eating at preschool and this poster is a great tool for continuing that education at home! It also has all the fruit and veg names in Spanish! Double bonus!!

If you want to know more visit your local news stand or visit the website! (website has since been removed) I'm not sure I'll continue with all the issues, but it is a fun idea for kids!

note: I purchased this with my own money and all opinions are my own, see tab above for further information.  

Update: We made the muffins this afternoon after buying the magazine!! The recipe is super easy for kids you just have to help with the measuring!!

mashing the banana

ready for the oven

fresh out of the oven

Nothing says 'winter' like Creme Brulee lip-gloss!!

Here my Creme Brulee lip therapy is wearing a sporting Innocent Smoothie hat!

Winter is here!! My lips and hands always are dry and cracked in the winter. So, every year I buy a new lip gloss and hand cream. Usually because the one from the year before is lost or had a spin through the clothes washer! When I was a kid I had a weird obsession with lip glosses. I had a whole caboodle full of them!!

If you don't know what a caboodle is I feel sorry for your missed childhood. Kidding, but this blogger has said it all about what a caboodle stood for! Most of my collection were Lip Smacker's, I remember being about 4-5 years old and getting my first candy cane tube of Lip Smackers for Christmas. I also remember my little sister eating one of them. That was so not cool.

It's doesn't really have a distinct creme brulee smell, but it protects my lips and makes them shiny!

Anyhow...this little tin caught my eye immediately! (I'm like a mackerel) How could I resist when it's named after one of my all time favourite desserts? So, here it is keeping my lips shiny and smooth!! The hand cream I ended up picking up this year was Soap & Glory: Hand Food!

other links:  Youtube
note: I'm a little behind the times as this ltd edition came out in October! And yes I am a child of the 80's! And no I am not getting paid to write or try these products. Just my opinion and random thoughts! Thanks for reading my somewhat random post!! ;0)