Cositas Bonitas

My completed rococo-style papier mache mirror frame! (Taken with...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:23:45 +0100

My completed rococo-style papier mache mirror frame! (Taken with Instagram)

Step 1 of my papier mache mirror frame. I’m feeling quite...

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:01:03 +0100

Step 1 of my papier mache mirror frame. I’m feeling quite bohemian today! (Taken with Instagram)

The official Olympic bus travelling with the torch (Taken with...

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 22:37:32 +0100

The official Olympic bus travelling with the torch (Taken with Instagram)

Pretty little Plum and Apple Pies

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 11:26:14 +0100

Pretty little Plum and Apple Pies

Treat-Size Plum and Apple Pies for #SundaySupper

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 11:24:44 +0100

My contribution to the 4th July celebrations comes in the form of treat-size plum and apple pies. Fusing American and British flavours that are common to both our heritages, these bite-size pies are perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Recipe

(makes 10)

For the pastry:

6oz plain flour
3oz butter
drop of water to bind pastry dough
egg yolk to glaze pastry

For the filling:

1 large cooking apple
2 plums
2 tbsps caster sugar
1 tsp mixed spice

Method

Grease a shallow cupcake tin and preheat the oven to 180C.

Put the flour and butter into a large mixing bowl and rub lightly between your fingertips until it is all mixed together and looks like breadcrumbs. Then add a little water, a few drops at a time, and bring the mixture together to make a dough. Handle the dough as little as possible - wrap in clingfilm and put in the fridge to chill for at least half an hour.

In the meantime, put a pan on the stove and fill with water. Peel and chop the apple and put into the pan along with the caster sugar and bring to the boil, stirring well to help the sugar dissolve. Simmer gently until the apple is beginning to soften, then add the plum pieces and cook for 5 more minutes Drain and set to one side.

Flour a work surface and rolling-pin and remove the pastry dough from the fridge. Roll out until it is less than 1cm thick and use a small, round cookie cutter to cut circles of pastry. Keep the remnants of the pastry. Press into the cupcake tin and stab each one with a fork to prevent the base rising. Blind bake for 10 mins.

With the remaining pastry, roll out and cut into thin strips, long enough to stretch over each pie.

Remove the pastry cases from the oven and spoon some of the apple and plum mixture into each case. Twist the strips of pastry and secure to the cases with egg yolk. Glaze the twists with egg yolk then sprinkle with mixed spice. Bake for 15-20 mins.

Serve hot with cream, or take along to a picnic to eat cold. Enjoy!

Treat-Size Plum and Apple Pies

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 10:59:49 +0100

Treat-Size Plum and Apple Pies

#SundaySupper celebrates 4th July!

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 10:58:00 +0100

Although I am British and should not technically celebrate the American Day of Independence, I will take any excuse for a party. Furthermore, as a secret would-be freedom fighter, I see a lot to celebrate in any independence day.

Phew, now that I have managed to philosophize my way into celebrating, let the fun begin! There are some wonderfully patriotic dishes from across the food blogging network this weekend so there is plenty of imagination and inspiration to go around and to help you celebrate in style!

As always, join us on Twitter from 5:30pm EST today and see Family Foodie for more details!

Tender & Sweet Crockpot Brisket Juanita’s Cocina
Savory Patriotic Chicken Kabobs Big Bear’s Wife
Firecracker Salmon Rolls Comfy Cuisine
Red, White & Blue Grilled Pizza Momma’s Meals
Baby Back Ribs with Balsamic Peach BBQ Sauce Damn Delicious
Bubblin’ Brown Sugar Baby Back Ribs In The Kitchen With KP
Buttermilk Oven Fried Chicken The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Beef Mrs. Mama Hen
Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Salad with Perfectly Grilled Chicken and Potatoes Daddy Knows Less
Texas Smoked Brisket Doggie At The Dinner Table
Grilled Chicken in a Blueberry BBQ Sauce Small Wallet Big Appetite
Chicken Burgers with Curried Cabbage Slaw-Indian Soni’s Food for Thought
Finger Foods for the Fourth Pescetarian Journal
Grilled Pork Satays with Peanut Sauce Tora’s Real Food

Salads and Sides:

Southwestern Corn and Black Bean Salad Supper for a Steal
Roasted/Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan Katherine Martinelli
Patriotic Ranch Potato Salad The Meltaways
Roasted Red Pepper & White Bean Salad Are you hungry
Texas-Creole Crawfish Potato Salad The Weekend gourmet
Spicy Italian Peppers in Sauce What Smells so Good?
Sangria Fruit Salad Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Stuffed Black Olive Cookistry
Mexican Quinoa Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing Dinners Dishes and Desserts
Low Fat Pasta Salad Basic and Delicious
Bean Salad with Pickled Vegetables Diabetic Foodie
Fourth Sticks In the Kitchen with Audrey
Tomato and Mozzarella Appetizer Family Foodie

Desserts:

Red White & Blueberry Ricotta Cupcakes Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Red Velvet Brownies Magnolia Days
S’mores Pastries Daily Dish Recipes
Red, White and Blue Firecracker Cupcakes Chocolate Moosey
Caramel-filled Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream The Messy Baker
Strawberry and Cream Cake Cupcakes and Kale Chips
White Chocolate Berry Tart Vintage Kitchen Notes
Red White and Blue Coconut Rum Cake Family Spice
Individual Red White and Blue Triffles Chelsea’s Culinary Indulgence
Mini Carrot Cakes Mama’s Blissful Bites
Plum and Apple Pies Cositas Bonitas

Bread and Butter Pudding

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 11:30:30 +0100

Bread and Butter Pudding

Bread and Butter Pudding for #Father's Day #SundaySupper

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 11:27:02 +0100

Bread and Butter Pudding is a British classic - and it is one of my favourite puddings in the whole wide world. (I’ve travelled far and wide enough to feel I can justify saying that!) There is nothing fancy about it, no specialist ingredients, just bread that’s a day or two past its best and a few other things you’re bound to have in your stock cupboard.

When I was a child staying with my grandparents, my grandad and I would race to see who would finish pudding first, and this is the only pudding I could ever beat him on. it’s full of good memories, of warm kitchens and cozy nights in with my grandparents, of simple food and of love.

There are many, many variations on bread and butter pudding; some adding chocolate, swapping bread for brioche, or using cream rather than milk. However, this is a back-to-basics version and I would choose it every time.

Ingredients:

About half a loaf of bread, sliced, buttered and cut into squares (stale is fine - the custard soaks in so well)
2 medium eggs
1/2 a pint of milk
2 tbsps caster sugar
rasins and sultanas
mixed spice

Method:

Grease a square baking dish and preheat the oven to 180C.

Put the caster sugar and milk into a pan and heat gently, stirring all the time until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is heated through - but do not boil.

Whisk the eggs together in a bowl then add the milk mixture a bit at a time, whisking well.

Place squares of bread into the dish so that they cover the bottom. Sprinkle with a handful of the raisins, sultanas and some mixed spice. Pour over enough of the custard to soak all the squares. Then repeat for another layer. For the final layer, repeat, but omitting the raisins and sultanas. You should use up all the custard.

Place into the oven and cook for 40-45 mins until the top is browned and crunchy and the custard has set. Serve immediately, with cold milk for pouring.

Bread and Butter Pudding for Father’s Day

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 11:11:10 +0100

Bread and Butter Pudding for Father’s Day

Father's Day #Sunday Supper

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 11:03:00 +0100

Family Foodie is hosting a very special Father’s Day #SundaySupper today and all week, I have been chattering away with other food bloggers about the things they are bringing to the table. Each item on the menu is full of memories and love for dads, so it should all taste extra good!

Father’s Day Brunch:

Dad’s Omelette Bar Small Wallet Big Appetite
Peanut Butter and Honey for Father’s Day Breakfast Yummy Smells
Healthy French Toast In the Kitchen with Audrey
Paska Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Dad’s Favorite Soup, Salads and Bread:

Phil’s Pasta Tuna Salad The Watering Mouth
Simple German Potato Salad and Wiener Wursts German Foodie
Roasted Beet Soup Vintage Kitchen Notes
Dad’s Cornbread Magnolia Days

Father’s Day Favorite Main Dishes:

Greek Burger Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen

Dad’s Favorite Roast Beef Mrs. Mama Hen
Sonoran Hot Dogs Damn Delicious
Bacon Stuffed Jucy Lucy Burger Are you Hungry?
Spicy Roasted Salmon in Coconut Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Dad’s Pride-of-Mobile Fried Oysters Pescetarian Journal
Smoked Baby Back Ribs Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Grilled Pork Chops with Tarragon Butter Tora’s Real Food
Beef Tongue in Tomato Sauce Basic and Delicious
Bibim naeng myun Kimchi Mom
Chicken Biryani Soni’s Food for Thought
Brown Rice and Black Beans Mama’s Blissful Bites
Bacon Recipes for Dad Momma Cuisine
Curry Fish with Mixed Vegetables MyTrials in the Kitchen
Roast Beef Roll Ups Daily Dish Recipes

Dad’s Sweet Tooth:

Bread and Butter Pudding Cositas Bonitas
Tin Roof Sundae Ice Cream famfriendsfood
Coconut Cream Pudding Chocolate Moosey
Rich & Fluffy Banana Pudding Parfait The Meltaways
Black Forest Cheesecake Cravings of a Lunatic
Macadamia Nut Cookies Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
Peach Cobbler Bars Juanita’s Cocina
Iced Cookie Bars That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Pudim Molotoff, Portuguese Meringue Pudding Family Foodie

Wine Pairings for Father’s Day ENOFYLZ

Why not come and join us over on Twitter to share what you’re cooking this Father’s Day?

Maths with smarties - the possibilities are endless! (Taken with...

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:09:07 +0100

Maths with smarties - the possibilities are endless! (Taken with Instagram)

I’m a very happy birthday girl with lovely cards and...

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:54:24 +0100

I’m a very happy birthday girl with lovely cards and treats :) (Taken with instagram)

#SundaySupper Heritage - Drop Scones. Made decadent with whipped...

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 10:32:01 +0100

#SundaySupper Heritage - Drop Scones. Made decadent with whipped cream and golden syrup :)

#SundaySupper Heritage - Drop Scones

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 10:30:00 +0100

I remember being about 5 years old, standing on a chair in my Grandma’s kitchen, watching as she whisked up recipes, me helping clumsily and delighting in the mess, the smells of baking and, of course, the tastings. It was Scottish home-baking at its best.

One of the simplest, yet most delightful, things you can make are Drop Scones - drops of sheer happiness. They are wonderful warm straight from the pan, drizzled with golden syrup, or equally good cold, spread with butter and jam.

Here’s how to make them (makes about 10):

Ingredients:

4 1/2 oz plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 oz caster sugar

1 egg, beaten

milk to mix to a batter(about 4 tbsps)

few drops lemon juice

butter for the pan

Method:

Mix the flour and sugar and make a well in the centre.

Crack in the egg and begin whisking, incorporating some of the flour and sugar, a bit at a time. Add milk slowly to form a thick, smooth batter. Then add a few drops of lemon juice.

Melt a little bit of butter in a heavy-based frying pan and carefully spoon some of the mixture into the centre of the pan, making a round scone (when you have tried a couple, you will be able to do more than 1 in a pan). Cook for about 2 mins on each side, then transfer to a warm dish.

Serve with whatever toppings you wish and eat hot or cold. Simple as that!

#SundaySupper Drop Scone with Jam

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 10:09:42 +0100

#SundaySupper Drop Scone with Jam

#SundaySupper - Celebrating Heritage through Food!

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 10:03:31 +0100

I was so excited when I read the theme for this week’s #SundaySupper (an initiative run by Family Foodie): Heritage. This week, it’s being hosted by Renee Dobbs of Magnolia Days and it’s all about celebrating the food that is part of our personal histories. With food bloggers from all over the world contributing, I knew straight away that the menu was going to be something special.

For me, the theme couldn’t have come at a better time. This weekend in Britain is the mother of all parties, with the Queen’s Diamond Jubliee - and also my birthday! So I’m celebrating with family and friends and a whole lot of traditional British cuisine. And, in an attempt to dispel the myth that British food is rubbish, I decided to share with you my Grandma’s recipe for Scottish Drop Scones, which are in fact a bit like pancakes only sweeter and more rotund.

All around the food blogosphere, cooks and bakers have been working their magic to bring some fabulous recipes to the table - take a look at these!

Scotch Eggs and Brotchen Rolls – The Meltaways
Aunt Mary’s Pasta Salad – BG Garden
Apple Kuchen – Mrs. Mama Hen
Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken) – Beetle’s Kitchen Escapades
Spaghetti Carbonara – Katherine Martinelli
Slow Cooker Chicken Paprikash – Make Dinner Easy
Potato and Spinach Knishes – The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
German Potato Salad – Magnolia Days
Sausage and Broccoli with Orecchiette – Daddy Knows Less
Chicken Enchiladas Suizas – The Weekend Gourmet
Strawberry Tiramisu – Chocolate Moosey
Chocoflan – Juanita’s Cocina
Egg Liqueur Cake – The German Foodie
Bucatini all’Amatriciana – Mooshu Jenne
Rasmalai (Ricotta in Sweet Coconut Milk with Almonds and Pistachio) – Sue’s Nutrition Blog
Mediterranean Couscous Salad – In the Kitchen With KP
Rouladen – Midlife Road Trip
Lemon Balm Roasted Chicken and Rum Raising Cupcakes with Maple Frosting – What Smells So Good?
Keftikas (Turkish Meat and Leek Patties) – The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Croque Monsieur with a Béchamel sauce – The Daily Dish Recipes
Momma’s Meat Pie with Poutine Sauce – Momma’s Meals
Polish Rustic Plum Tart – Comfy Cuisine
Drop Scones (Scottish Pancakes) – Cositas Bonitas
Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding – The Lovely Pantry
Borscht Shooters – Cookistry
Shepherd’s Pie – Big Bear’s Wife
Parsnip Cakes – Mama’s Blissful Bites
Roasted Curried Vegetables – Hot Curries & Cold Beer
Portuguese Mussels in a Chorizo Sauce – Family Foodie
Bulgogi Kimchi Grilled Cheese – Damn Delicious
Wine pairings for all the recipes – ENOFYLZ

I didn’t have the ingredients to make another batch, so I...

Sun, 27 May 2012 12:08:35 +0100

I didn’t have the ingredients to make another batch, so I melted some chocolate and let my friends make their own ‘pretend’ chocolate lava cakes!

#SundaySupper Chocolate 'Lava' Cakes

Sun, 27 May 2012 11:59:24 +0100

It is fair to say that my attempt at chocolate lava cakes was not entirely successful. For the first time, I was super-organised for #SundaySupper - ingredients bought ahead of time, recipes perused, considered and adapted. I decided to make chocolate lava cupcakes, rather than the traditional pudding dessert, to be enjoyed at any time, rather than having to be served immediately.

However, my attention was distracted from the oven for just a couple of minutes and they baked for slightly too long, meaning that the supposedly gooey centre didn’t exist. I pulled apart a couple of cakes, disappointment growing.

All was not lost, however, they were the most deliciously bouncy, moist and light chocolate cupcakes - perfect at the end of our BBQ served with strawberries and cream.

Here’s how to make them - remember to keep your eye on the time!

(makes 15)

Ingredients:

300g chocolate

300g butter

5 eggs

110g caster sugar

110g self-raising flour

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160C and line a muffin tray with cases.

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a large bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring well. Set aside to cool slightly.

Beat the eggs and sugar together, until pale and thick.

Fold in the flour, then add the melted chocolate and butter mixture and stir together.

Spoon the mixture into the cases, ensuring a generous amount of mixture in each.

Bake for 20 mins, then remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for 5 mins. If left for longer, you will have chocolate ‘sponges’ rather than ‘lava cakes’.

See below for the full #SundaySupper menu from other bloggers, who presumably were more successful than me!

Chocolate ‘lava’ cake given a British twist with...

Sun, 27 May 2012 11:40:08 +0100

Chocolate ‘lava’ cake given a British twist with strawberries and cream