Affogato

What goes hand in hand with Almond & Pistachio Biscotti?

Affogato of course!

Translated it means 'drowned' and that is exactly what you are going to do to the ice cream with the coffee.

Use: Good quality vanilla bean ice cream; hot espresso shot & (optional) a shot of your favourite liqueur such as frangelico

Do: Place one or two scoops of ice cream in a bowl or glass.  Prepare a shot of coffee (using an espresso machine preferably) and pour over ice cream.  (If using a liqueur, pour this over now aswell).  Eat with a spoon.

The juxtaposition of the hot and cold sensations in your mouth at once is sublime.

NomNom!

Friday Foodie - Minted Pea Puree

How long does it take you to count to 3?  Well that's as long as you will need for this minted pea puree.

Long gone are the days of slapping meat and three simple veg on your plate - au naturel.  Nowadays you need to do something fancy pants.

This minted pea puree adds that touch of fancy without the complication.  It goes extremely well with pork and beef.  Try it tonight!

Use: 1 small boiled potato; 1 cup frozen peas - blanched; 1 tsp garlic - minced; 1 tbs mint leaves

Do: Throw all ingredients into a stick master or mini food processor.  Pulse a few times, then blend until smooth.

Told you, simple.  Now to get that pork belly roasting in the oven...

Easter Bunny Cup

I've been off the radar over the last few weeks, down the rabbit hole if you will.

But I've resurfaced, just in time for Easter.

This is a fun & easy project and a great way to add a little magic & wonderment to Easter, without the excess sugar overload!

You will need: styrofoam cups; craft glue; cotton wool balls; card stock or heavy weight paper in two colours; sharpie marker;15mm acrylic pom pom balls; shredded tissue paper; solid Easter eggs.

To begin, carefully unroll a few cotton wool balls so that each forms a strip of cotton wool rather than a ball.  Starting from the base of the cup, smear some craft glue on to the cup and adhere cotton wool.  Continue until you have covered the entire cup ensuring that the top strip covers the lip of the cup.  Allow to dry.

To make the ears, download any bunny ear template you can find on Google - I used this one.  Trace onto card stock and cut out. Glue inner ear cut out onto outer ear cut out.  Again, allow to dry.

Freestyle draw the eyes and teeth onto card stock and cut out. Using your sharpie, draw an outline on the teeth & colour in the centre of the eyes (see pics).

You're almost there. By the way,  I found this craft project rather relaxing and completed it at my dining table with the tv on in the background - as ya do.

Anyhoo, using card stock, cut out thin strips for whiskers.


Now to put it all together.  I found it easiest to glue it in the following order:  Eyes, whiskers, teeth, nose and then ears.

Allow to dry - preferably over night.  Fill with shredded tissue paper & top with solid Easter eggs.

I think this is super cute & the kids will love the texture of the cup - feels just like a real bunny!

Happy Easter folks!

p.s. You could easily use feathers and yellow card stock to make a little chirpy chick aswell

Mod Podge Picture Frame

Are you like me and amass yourself a collection of bare wooden frames, boxes, letters & numbers or just about anything else?  Have you lost the cat under your mountainous pile of scrapbooking paper? Do you have an unhealthy obsession with mod podge?

Well gather round all-ye who know of what I speak, this one is for you!

For those that are first timers, let me tell you, this project is as easy as 1,2,3.

Supplies:
Acrylic paint + brush
Wooden photo frame
Wooden letters/shapes
Scrapbooking paper
X-Acto knife + cutting mat
Mod podge
Soft cloth
Hot glue gun

Do:
1. Paint the frame & add-ons in a complimentary colour to your paper.  Allow to dry.  Re-coat if necessary.

2. Trace the frame on to the wrong side of your scrapbooking paper, then carefully cut it out.

3. Slap on a generous coat of mod podge to the top side of your frame and position the paper on top - right side up.  Using a soft cloth and starting from the centre working out, smooth the paper making sure to get out all the bubbles.

4. Coat entire paper with mod podge, be sure to get the edges!   Let it dry - overnight preferably - and you're ready for your next coat.

5. Using a hot glue gun, attach the add-ons to the front of the frame.  Presto you're done!





(if you are wondering, my niece does not have a moustache, nor is she a chef - her mum didn't want a full photo online - so I had fun with it instead!)