Oct 3 2012

Cook With Jamie: Honeycomb Cannelloni

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Apple

So a lot has happened since my last real post. I’ve been cooking a lot actually, unfortunately I went through a couple of weeks with the camera battery dead flat and remembering too late so I missed a few meals. I’ve resigned from my job, to move on to a new one which has all the ticks in the right boxes including greener grass. My last day at my old work is this Friday, so stress levels are a tad high! I’ve found the best cure is chocolate! lol.

Chocolate aside though, I’ve been cooking a lot from Jamie Oliver’s cookbook.

As the weeks go on I feel a bit more daring with the recipes from Jamie Oliver’s Cook With Jamie book. The image of this dish in his book is gorgeous, which is about the only scary thing about it! It’s such an easy recipe (easier if you actually stick to it and not do your own thing as I do) and it taste delicious!

I’ll be honest though…if I made it again I would omit the creme freiche and most of the anchovies, being that my partner and I are rather sensitive to dairy we prefer non-creamy dishes and the anchovies…well…I’ll be dead honest with you. I don’t really like the taste of them. I know, I know, I know its blasphemy! But in my defence I do add them to tomato dishes and other dishes to enhance the flavour…I just don’t like it when its a strong taste of it.

And as you may have noticed from the photos my dish has beef mince in it. Jamie Oliver’s recipe does not. His is actually a vegetarian dish which includes mushroom.

I’m a meat person. Its very very rare that I’ll cook something for dinner without any sort of meat or fish, I think its something that’s been drilled into me as a child.

Meat and veg, meat and veg, meat and veg.

There’s no mushrooms in mine either, the boy doesn’t like the texture of mushrooms and I like him to enjoy the food I cook for him so ergo no mushrooms!

I promise, other then that I followed the recipe. Do you have trouble following recipes to the tee as well?

I think Jamie Oliver would understand my changes, he seems to be one that believes in throwing in what you want and cooking from the heart.

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Sep 26 2012

Coffee Purse

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Apple

I had a dream last night…

I was walking down the street and came across these two chicks dressed in 1920′s clothes carrying clutch purses, they were talking very loudly and saying how they just bought these purses down the road and it comes with free coffee in them. Then they proceeded to eat the coffee beans out of their purses, I don’t think they were chocolate coated either.

So…I tried to find out where they bought them from, raced down the street to a 7/11, which is apparently where you buy purses filled with coffee and resin rings. Bought the purse which was $10.50 (including coffee) then find out its like 2 in the morning and the police have rocked up to find out why all these young people are at the 7/11.

So I try to get out of there to get home, started running back down the street towards home (in my dreams is the only time I actually run!) realised somehow that there was people driving around in vans shooting randomly and decided I should go back the way I came because there’s an EasyWay kiosk and I really wanted a Taro Milk Tea with Grape jelly.

In conclusion. I really now want a bubble tea!

And I’m still alive and kicking. I’ve taken a slight unscheduled hiatus and will be back soon – rearranging some things in my kitchen and my life. All very exciting!

So please….don’t leave me! Ahem…I mean, it’s cool. We’ll still see each other around yeah? Pop in some time?

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Aug 27 2012

Cook With Jamie: Victoria Sponge Cake

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Apple

As the seasons change and we can finally see the sun again, its time for some beautiful baking and enjoying the sweeter things!

Just look at that, how could you not want to dive right in? Maybe chuck some extra cream on there? Hey if you chuck some more strawberries on as well it makes it healthier right?

First of the sweets section from Jamie Oliver’s Cook With Jamie book, Victoria Sponge Cake!

I’ve had a bad run with sponge cakes in the past, they never quite turned out fluffy enough. Which is why I went a bit out of character for this one and stuck to the recipe 100%

Doesn’t it look beautiful and golden? My last attempt of a sponge cake ended up half as tall as this. I don’t know how or why but I’m glad I’ve conquered the great sponge cake at last.

I must say, its almost the easiest cake I’ve ever made. Simple chuck the ingredients in, whiz it up, mix it up, scoop it out and bake.

The recipes in the book are really nice and clear, quickly becoming my favourite cookbook.

Adding delicious Australian homemade strawberry jam just puts the “strawberry” on the cake!

Haha I’m sorry, that was a poor pun.

I cut out little individual cakes for myself and my partner – a whole cake was tempting but just a bit too much for two people to finish! But its definitely the sort of food you want to share, you’ll get loads of praises for it!

Hope everyone is getting a nice dose of sunshine after the dreary winter weather!

Peace out!

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Aug 6 2012

Jamie Oliver’s Crunchy Raw Beetroot Salad with Feta & Pear

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Apple

As recipe 1 of my Cook With Jamie challenge, I’ve decided on something on the easier side.

As the plan was to have steak for dinner, I thought this salad would go perfect with it. This is the sort of salad that is delicious any time of the year, the feta melts in your mouth and gives the salad a nice creamy texture, paired with the fresh crunch of pear and beetroot drizzled with a nice citric zing.

Gotta give Jamie cudos, he knows his flavours! Pah as if any of us doubted that any way.

Quite nice and simple, finely cut beetroot and pear (or apple as stated in the book, I used a bit of both) tossed with a lemon olive oil dressing and topped with a crumble of feta. It doesn’t feel too summery so it was really enjoyable on a winter’s night.

As the first recipe is ticked off and we have a full belly with smiles on our faces, I think this is going to be a great adventure for the both of us.

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Jul 30 2012

Challenge: Cook With Jamie

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Apple

Yes. Its a penis cake.
No. I didn’t make it. Friend’s birthday cake.
But I wanted to get your attention.

Good Monday everyone! How are you feeling today? Is the day treating you well so far?

I’ve decided to turn my frown upside down today and be in a good mood no matter what. So to put these wheels in motion I’ve set myself a few challenges.

1. Cook through Jamie Oliver’s ‘Cook With Jamie‘ book, Julie & Julia style

I understand this isn’t an original concept, but come on, you have to give me clicks for the time and effort its going to involve. Sure people have done this before but I believe the experience will be different from person to book. For me personally, this book have a perfect mix of recipes which are both new to me and appealing. It’s a challenge to hone my rough-as-guts kitchen skills are broaden our weekly meals. I know you know what I mean; the weekly meals that tend to get over used a bit, one too many nights of nachos or good ol spaghetti bolognese. Be prepared to witness my shining moments of glory where I follow the recipe correctly and the food is wonderful – as well as those moments where a maccas cheeseburger will be more appetising then what I served up (purely because I’m a chaotic cook who likes to experiment outside the recipe!)

: Image from Booktopia