Banana Chocolate Slice

Hey,
Been a not really interesting week, have been home with a cold. Yay us. But i did get semi busy making biscuits and slice. Forgot to get pic tho. Made Shortbread, Banana chocolate slice and Melting moments. The biscuits i got from a recipe book and the slice well Google showed me. Oh and some Double chocolate chip biscuits also got from Google.

 It does not look like the pic on the site but it is pretty darn tasty.
 banana chocolate slice

125g butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
11/2 cup mashed banana
11/1 cup plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup cocoa

Preheat oven 180*C. Grease a baking dish. Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and the vanilla and beat until well combined. Stir in the banana, set aside.

Stir together the flour, bicarbonate of sod, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the banana and stir until just combined.

Remove half the batter from the bowl. Mix the cocoa powder into the batter remaining in the bowl and stir well. Spread the cocoa mixture into prepared dish. Spoon the remaining batter on top and use a knife to swirl the batter to make a marble design.

Bake until edges are golden brown, about 25 mins. Allow to cool before cutting into 24 pieces.

Homemade Crackers Plus Happy Valentines Day

Didn't get anything for Valentine:(. Cooked the Hubby a nice meal and now I'm home alone, Monster is in bed talking and singing to himself hopefully will be asleep soon.


Made some Homemade Crackers today while monster was having his nap, they are soft, not sure if thats how they are ment to be or cos I used self-raising flour, I didn't have plain but Monster likes them and that all that matters.   They don't taste to bad.

HOMEMADE CRACKERS

2 Cups plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
25g(1oz) very cold butter
1 Tbsp golden syrup or malt
about 1/2 cup 125ml/4fl oz water

Turn oven on 190*C (375*F). Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
Grate or rub in the cold butter.

Mix the golden syrup or malt with the water. Add, a few drops at a time, to the flour mixture, tossing with a fork at the same time until the mixture is damp enough to form a rollable dough.

Roll out thinly on the floured bench, then cut into rounds or shapes using pastry cutters, or into squares or oblongs with a sharp knife. Prick each biscuit in a few places, and bake for 10-15 mins, or until a pale golden colour.

When cold, store in an airtight container. Serve crackers plain, buttered, or with interesting toppings, depending on occasion.

I got the recipe from Alison Holst The Ultimate Recipe Collection.
  

Sewing A Loop Belt

Last night I made a loop belt for the monster because his pants are still a little big.
I went to the sewing shop and got some D links and sewed some material that I had lying around and done.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Couple of D links( I used 20mm)
Pins
Sewing machine
material
Pair of pants for measuring the material around it if child is unavailable

Measure the material with the D link I doubled it because I folded it(it won't matter if the material bunches slightly). I was going to sew it then turn it so it was the right way but the hole was to small, so instead sewed both ends using the zigzag stitch on my machine and the sewed all the way down using the straight stitch. After that done, thread both D Links onto the belt and sew the end of the belt so the links won't come off again I used the zigzag stitch and there is your belt easy as. Any material will do I used a thick material and if like me your not sure about changing the thread to match the material or its a bit of a hassle and don't want to change it, it will add colour to the belt as you will notice in the pic

Not a great pic

RABBIT PIE & HOT WATER SHORTCRUST PASTRY

well last night I decided to make pies for dinner(we got a pie maker for christmas) and used Rabbit that hubby and shot. I also attempted to make the pastry which turned out like it should have(first time making pastry) , yay for me. I got the recipe off the cooking channel.

For the Monster I wasn't sure how he would be with the rabbit so i cooked up some individual meat that I had in the freezer for him and added lil bit of the onion, chopped them up a bit more finely and added mixed veg and tomato sauce. I used a cup to make little rounds and filled one side with the mixture and folded them in half and cooked them in the oven for about 10-15 mins or just until they were golden. He loved them so will be doing more and throwing them in the freezer. Hes got a couple left for lunch today.

HOT WATER SHORTCRUST PASTRY

 75g butter, cut into cubes
100ml water
225g plain flour
pinch salt
1 egg, beaten

Place butter and water into a saucepan & heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts, then allow the mixture to come to a rolling boil.
 Meanwhile, sift the flour & salt into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the egg.
Pour the hot liquid into the flour & stir with a wooden spoon to mix. Spread the mixture out onto a large plate with a wooden spoon & allow to cool(15 mins), then wrap with clingfilm &  place in the fridge for 30 mins until firm.

RABBIT FILLING

with the rabbit I cubed up the meat and chopped up an onion and cooked them and added mixed veg and threw in some soy sauce and mixed herbs. Put the pastry into the pie maker and cooked as per instructions.

Muffin Making and Flour Sensory Fun

Well today was a lazy inside day not sure when the rain would show up(late afternoon), could've gone for a walk. Instead Monster and I made a batch of Muffins for coffee group tomorrow(friday). Helped him measure, pour and mix. They are Double Chocolate Banana muffins They are pretty tasty.
I got the basic muffin recipe from bestrecipes,

What I Did:
2 Cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup oil
1 cup milk
flavour of choice= 2 banana's, 2 TBSP cocoa powder, and about a quarter block of cooking chocolate cut into chunks and dash of vanilla essence.

Add everything into bowl, Mix until just combined. Bake 180*C approx 20 minutes.

Also let Monster have some fun playing with a little bit of flour and oil. He of course had to have a taste, didn't do that again lol. But he had fun mixing and getting it everywhere.

Chicken

Well this morning was a busy morning had coffee group and then went and saw mum and came back with few books for the monster and a couple of other things.

Was Pinteresting again, when am I not lol. Book marked a few food pins this time and came across one that is called the World's Best Chicken (click the link). It is quiet tasty although I used mild American mustard and chicken drums because that was all I had. But I forgot to add the rosemary when it was cooked. Even Monster enjoyed a piece of my chicken with the sauce on it.
WHAT I USED

4 Chicken Drums(boneless & skinless chicken breasts)
1/2 Crystal Mild American Mustard(Dijon Mustard)
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
Salt and Pepper
Rosemary

Preheat oven 180. In a small bowl mix together mustard, syrup and vinegar.
 Place chicken in a baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over mixture. Make sure that all the chicken is covered. Bake 30 mins or little more till its cooked. Season with rosemary(I forgot).

Its not very often that I'll have everything in the pantry when i come across a recipe that I want to have a go at.

Wet Day Fun & Food--Chocolate

CHOCOLATE CUSTARD with BANANA
Had this for dessert and it was quiet tasty although a bit rich. I think next time I will use less chocolate. Monster enjoyed his even tho he couldn't eat it all. He wasn't even bouncing off the walls after eating this plus some of the choc covered banana.

HOW I DID THIS:
made custard as per instructions on packet, melted choc in a bowl over simmering water on the stove then added that to the custard. Chopped up some banana and put into bowls and then poured over the custard and put some more banana over top. Put in fridge 30 mins or an hour before eating. I did mine earlier in the day still turned out alright.
chocolate-banana-fools
http://henderson-jo.blogspot.co.nz/2008
Used both of these as a guide

 

PLAYDOUGH
Play dough recipe 
This link from previous post that I did. Gives your arm a good work out.
Its a green colour, not quiet the green i was looking for but it will be fine for the monster to play with or eat.

CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANA
Slice banana, melt chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over simmering water on the stove or melt it in the microwave. Dip bananas in the choc and sprinkle the 100's and 1000's over the choc and put in the fridge, have to work fast because the banana makes the choc go hard because of it being wet. I had forgotten about that so that's why only some were done. Monster enjoyed them, more so the choc covered then the plain banana.





WET DAY FUN
Today was wet(well still is a little bit). So had some inside fun with the rice again on the lino this time. Monster thought it was a hilarious to put rice all over the cat and scatter it all over the floor, made a few rice angels and was kicking it everywhere. Decided to get busy making things when Monster went down for his nap. In that time i had lunch made choc custard with banana and choc covered bananas with 100's & 1000"s and some play dough. That was all just under 2 hours.

Slower Cooker Lamb Knuckles & Self Sauce Pudding

Got a couple of Lamb knuckles in the shopping last week reduced to clear might i add, I try and get all my meat reduced makes the shopping bit cheaper anyway. So thought I'd cook them in the slow cooker turned out really good, Google helped with looking for a recipe easy-slow-cooker-lamb-shanks Jules Food is the blog that I got the recipe from. I did mine slightly different used hers as more of a guide.

I only had 2 Knuckles
2-3 garlic cloves cut really finely
1 onion finely chopped into slithers
2-3 carrots chopped
4 sprigs rosemary put under the knuckles
I also put about 1/4 cup maybe less of white wine vinegar and just covered with water because i didn't have any stock which Im sure it would have tasted better with

I chopped up the garlic, carrots and onion and put them in the slow cooker. I browned the knuckles before putting in the slow cooker and just covered with water and the little bit of white wine vinegar. put it on low and let it do its thing, had it on bit longer then 8 hours, but its was falling off the bone. It was rather yum.

Oh and I made a gravy with the liquid, took out a cup and added a Tbsp of gravy mix and added some cornflour to help thicken it and threw in some of the onion. Cheats onion gravy

Dessert. I can't remember where I got this from
Chocolate Self Sauce Pudding
CAKE
100g butter, melted
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsps cocoa powder
11/3 cups flour
4 Tbsps baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
 SAUCE
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
4 Tbsps cocoa powder
*3 cups boiling water

Turn oven on 180*C. Melt butter & mix in the sugar and cocoa. Add flour, baking powder, and salt and mix until just combined. Mix in milk and vanilla essence. Put in dish. Put on top brown and white sugars and the cocoa powder. Just before putting in the oven. Pour over the boiling water. Bake 40 mins. Serve immediately.
Note: I found that 2 cups of boiling water didn't make it saucy enough for me but you can add more or less if you wish.
 Now am going to go eat dessert.

Super Giant Bubbles and the Farm

We were at the in-laws farm(more of a vineyard) for the weekend so had no reception at all, so had to wait to get back to do a post, so thought I'd wait till today being Monday, although yesterday took Monster to the park to feed the ducks who were hungry this time . Today Monster and I went to see if there were plum ready to be picked at a local park and also did some Super Giant Bubbles. They didn't really work out, I think cos i accidentally added  baking soda(wasn't much)  realized, it has baking powder instead, I did add that to.

Here is the Recipe:
SUPER GIANT BUBBLES

12 Cups of water
1 Cup Dish Soda
1 Cup Cornstarch(Cornflour)
2 Tbsps Baking Powder

Place all ingredients in a clean bucket or bowl. Stir gently. Do Not create bubbles.
Let sit for 1 hour before use.

Oh and i got the recipe from Pinterest (again lol). Just search super giant bubbles.

PLAYDOUGH & Cookie Cutter

4 tsp cream of tarter
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
2 Tblsps cooking oil
2 cups water
powder paint/ food colouring

Mix all ingredients in a pot. Add food colouring and cook for 3-5 mins, stirring constantly until firm.

Got a cookie cutter shaped person but don't know if i should give it to monster for playdough or use it to make ginger bread people. The Dilemma.

Going to make Super Giant Bubbles this weekend. Another Pinterest thing. Search Super Giant Bubble.

Tangy Carrot Coin Recipe

I haven't done this recipe in awhile but its quiet nice and easy to do.

I got this recipe from The 4 Ingredient Cookbook Author Jean Coates

Ingredients:
2(420g) cans sliced carrots (I use 2-3 fresh carrots depending on size). I have not seen canned carrots here in NZ
30g Margarine( I use butter)
2 Tlbspns brown sugar
1 Tblspns Dijon Mustard( I use a lil extra but do to taste)

 Directions:
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan( I cut and cook the carrots first then when they have started boiling drain and add ingredients).
Cook and stir over medium heat for about 2 minutes.
Serve hot & enjoy.

Rice and Water

Today was a stinking hot day and still is. So Monster has been playing with the hose and in his pool, enjoyed attacking me as well as the dog with the hose, something I didn't mind at all, but the dog wasn't liking it at all.  I put the sprinkler under the tramp, but lil Monster wasn't too keen on that but he does like to jump

Thought I'd see how see how he went with rice that has been in the cupboard since forever, poured some into a cake tin(need to get a container) and let him go, sat him on his messy mat so i could put it away when he was finished playing with it. He played with it for a whole 20 mins. Have seen ideas on Pinterest (search coloured rice) about colouring the rice so shopping day and going to get what I need and also going to get ingredients so I can make play do.

Till next time.

Will figure out how to put pictures on here.

First Post

This is my First Post. I decided that in 2013 that i would start a blog about all the crafts I'm wanting to make and all the baking and cooking that I'm going to do mostly for the Redheaded monster. 6 days in. Since I made this blog I have made Apricot slice. You can click on the link.
I stewed the apricots and used them in the slice(they were from our tree).
 I am also going to be making a quiet book, just have to decide on the pages.