OCCASIONS Archives - Page 19 of 33

Happy Spring!

Happy Easter card with chick in the grass.

Cheese, Wine & Food Pairings

There is plenty of varieties of cheese and wine so choosing the right pair can be a little tricky…

Pancakes with Sugar & Lemon Syrup

INGREDIENTS 8 previously made or ready plain large thin pancakes ½ lemon juice 4 tbs golden caster sugar or a little bit more unsalted butter to re-fry pancakes METHOD Combine lemon juice and sugar and continue stirring until they are well mixed. Re-fry each pancake on butter, top with sugar & lemon syrup, fold and […]

Easy Mushroom & Leek Risotto with Thyme

INGREDIENTS 2 cups easy cook rice 350g mushrooms (sliced or chopped coarsly) 2 tbs olive oil 2 tbs unsalted butter 4 cups boiling water 2 vegetable cubes 1 large leek (chopped) ½ tbs dried thyme ½ tbs garlic powder ½ cup creme fraiche or soured cream 1 large or 2 smaller bell peppers (diced) few […]

“Spork” by Kyo Maclear – Children’s Book Review

Couple of weeks ago I’ve been sent “Spork” – children’s book written by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault and published by Kids Can Press. It is an inspiring interracial metaphor about Spork who is half spoon and half fork and who can’t find his place between other utensils in the kitchen because of being […]

Popping Candy Sparklers

INGREDIENTS 200g chocolate bar (I used white chocolate) about 12 long bread sticks 1 tbs popping candy sprinkles METHOD Break chocolate into pieces and melt in small non-stick saucepan over low fire. Leave aside until it is very thick but still spreadable, stir in popping candy and then spread on about half length of each […]

Cranberry & Mozzarella Pastries

INGREDIENTS 375g ready to roll puff pastry ½ cup leftover cranberry sauce (I used 10 Minute Cranberry & Orange Sauce) ¾ cup grated mozzarella or other cheese EQUIPMENT 1 large baking tray lined with Teflon sheet or baking paper METHOD Spread cranberry sauce on the top of the pastry, top with grated mozzarella and roll […]

Cracked Pepper & Leek Sauce

Simple leek sauce recipe with freshly cracked black peppercorns.

10 Minute Homemade Cranberry & Orange Sauce

Super quick and easy, homemade cranberry sauce from scratch.

DIY Christmas Hampers

MATERIALS cardboard box wrapping paper multi-purpose glue ribbon shredded paper themed items to put inside breakfast hamper cereal bowls oats honey or some syrup (i used agave syrup) dried fruits and nuts tea etc. regional hamper Caribbean groceries Polish groceries Italian groceries etc. Some more Christmas gift ideas can be found here.

DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

DIY festive gift ideas – handmade cards, homemade cosmetics and more…

Fragrant Béchamel Sauce with Thyme & Mushrooms

Quick yet very delicious mushroom sauce recipe.

Bell Peppers Stuffed with Turkey & Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS 600g minced meat (I used turkey) 2 onions (chopped) 3 tbs of butter 350g mushrooms (chopped) 2 chicken cubes ½ cup hot water 1½ tbs smoked paprika powder ½ tbs garlic powder 1 tsp chilli flakes 8-10 medium bell peppers (yellow, orange or red) METHOD Fry mushrooms and onions on butter until browned. Add […]

Homemade Danish Pastries with Fruits

INGREDIENTS 500g ready puff pastry (divided into 16 squares) 1½ – 2 tins of sliced peaches (400g each) 8 tsp of pineapple golden syrup or some more jam to brush the pastries EQUIPMENT 2 large baking trays lined with Teflon sheets or baking paper silicone brush rolling pin METHOD Roll out each piece of pastry […]

DIY Hanging Christmas Calendar for Children

Extremely easy DIY countdown calendar for kids.

Snowflake Decorations Made of Beads

Quick and easy DIY Christmas decorations… can be done in 30 minutes.

Chilli con Carne Jacket Potatoes for Bonfire Night

I’m very late with this post but it is great dish for any cold evening not only Bonfire Night… INGREDIENTS 450 – 500 g minced meat (I used turkey) 2-3 onions (chopped) 3 tbs oil (I used grapeseed oil) 2 tbs paprika powder or even better smoked paprika 1 tbs garlic granules 1 tsp (or more) […]

Chicken Breast with Lentils, Carrots & Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS 600g of chicken breast (cut into chunks) 350g button mushrooms (sliced) 25g butter 1 cup of dry green lentils (soaked for about an hour, rinsed and drained) 4 chicken cubes 2 echalion shallots (chopped) 250g carrots (diced) 3 cups of boiling water 3 tbs plain flour ½ cup of cold water black peppercorns (freshly […]

Georgeus Food & Gift Hampers from Interflora

Couple of days ago I have received this beautiful Sweet Nostalgia basket, one of the Interflora hampers packed with old time favourite sweets, perfect gift for any family with small or bigger kids. My children (5 and 15 years old) enjoyed it so much I had to hide the hamper from them not to eat it […]

Creepy Halloween Vanilla Cookies

Weird, creepy and delicious Halloween cookies.

Quick Halloween Party Favours

Last minute Halloween treats idea.

NHS Apple, Rhubarb & Ginger Crumble

Dessert inspired by meals served in one of the NHS hospitals.

Moist Vanilla & Pineapple Cake

INGREDIENTS 2½ cups plain flour 1 tbs baking powder 3-4 eggs (I used 4 small ones) ½ cup of milk 1 cup golden caster sugar 2 tbs vanilla sugar 125g / ½ bar of unsalted butter 400g tin of pineapple (drained and cut into chunks) + 2 tsp of butter to grease the tins EQUIPMENT […]

Spicy Red Lentil, Curry & Coriander Sauce for Rice

Classic Indian sauce to be served with basmati rice.

Mashed Carrot Potatoes with Chive & Black Pepper

INGREDIENTS 1000-1200g potatoes (halved or quartered if big) 500g carrots (ends removed) 25g real butter ½ cup chopped chive (about 25g) 2-3 tbs soured cream sea salt – to taste freshly ground black peppercorns – to taste METHOD Wash potatoes and carrots, place them in boiling water and cook covered until soft. Drain water, add […]

Sugar-Free Minty Blueberry Milkshake

Very simple, delicious and guilt-free milkshake recipe without sugar.

Tomato & Zucchini Lasagne / Lasagna with Tuna

Healthier lasagne recipe – with tuna and courgettes.

Waffles with Nutella & Blueberries

[inspired by delicious toasts by Susan of Food Blogga] INGREDIENTS waffles (freshly toasted) Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spread fresh berries (I used blueberries)

Crisp Custard Pies / Kruche Rożki z Budyniem

INGREDIENTS for the dough 4½ cups plain flour 1 cup golden caster sugar 150g (a little bit more than half of the bar or a little bit more than one stick) of unsalted butter 2 tsp baking powder 3 large eggs some more flour for working surface icing sugar in a shaker for the custard […]

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