Happy New Year!

i can hardly believe there are only 6 hours left of 2008. it seems the older you get, and the more kids you have, the faster time goes. i remember when i was a child the 6 weeks of summer school holidays seemed to last forever and they were an amazing time, spent mostly at the pool, enjoying the gorgeous weather (it always seems like perfect summer weather in my memory). now it flashes by and autumn arrives with me wishing I'd "done" more with the summer instead of wasting it.

anyway, all the best for tonight's celebrations and for 2009 to you all :) we are not doing anything - we were supposed to be going to a party with friends but i am feeling miserable with a headcold and will be in bed (again) as soon as possible tonight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a parcel arrived for me yesterday - a copy of Gluten Free and Easy by Robyn Russell. It's an australian book which looks really lovely and has ideas for making baked things which is what i really wanted - main meals are pretty much no brainers but it's the snacks and treats that i need help with. I checked out the book in Dymocks a week or 2 ago but had left my purse at home by accident (oops) then found it was cheaper on the book depository site anyway :) I also have one more book coming, i think it's this one which it turned out my sister already had (isn't it always the way?!)

today we had pizza for lunch and as i didn't have all the flours needed for any of the pizza base recipes i could find (i feel like my head is going to explode with the variety of GF flours) so i used the Laucke bread mix i had in the cupboard. it was a mixed grain one and the grain were a little chewy but other than that it was delicious! it took about 5 seconds to mix in the tmx, and is then left 15 mins before a first bake. it will be very easy to make up a few bases and do that first bake and then freeze them ready for quick dinners. even geoff loved it and luckily rora did too!

tonight geoff is trying the bolognaise sauce recipe in the thermomix (starting with making our own mince with the whole rump i bought a while ago - it's making the best mince, definitely worth doing again!).

Melbourne Googler...

are YOU the melbournian who always googles my blog before coming here? (or maybe you live close by melbourne, feedjit doesn't seem to do too well with rural users). just curious to know who you are - and why you don't bookmark instead of googling LOL

hello to you! (and all my other visitors ;))

Nasi Goreng, gluten free

Kazari posted this a few weeks ago and we really enjoyed it when i made it, so i thought i'd post the GF version of the recipe. thanks kaz! the only problem was that geoff overcooked teh eggs as usual (he likes hard yolks, i HATE hard yolks, blerg!)

Nasi Goreng
2 tbs oil ( i use grapeseed)
1 tsp sesame oil
1 red chilli, finely diced, optional for kids
1 medium onion, finely chopped (tmx)
1 carrot, chopped finely in the thermomix
2 Cups shredded cabbage
200g beef or pork mince
1 cup bean sprouts
1 tsp sweet chilli sauce (if available GF)
2 tbs tomato sauce (ketchup, GF)
2 tbs GF tamari
3 cups cooked jasmine rice
1-2 egg per person
1/2 cup diagonally sliced shallots/green onions
2 tbs chopped fresh coriander, plus extra coriander leaves to serve

Heat the oil and the sesame oil in a wok. Add the chilli, onion and carrot and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until just softened but not coloured. Add the beef and cabbage and cook until the meat has browned. Add the bean sprouts, chilli, tomato sauce, tamari and the rice and cook for a further minute, stirring to ensure everything is well combined. Turn off heat and cover the wok partially with a lid while you cook the eggs.

Fry the eggs in another pan.

Stir the shallots and coriander into the rice, then spoon into serving bowls. Top with an egg and extra coriander and serve with extra chilli and tamari as desired.

Meatloaf

Here's another I can't believe I havne't posted this yet! this recipe came off EB but is very very similar to the one mum used when we were growing up.

meatloaf is something we generally only have a few times a year - generally in winter - and when i make it i make it low fat and full of grated veg, and i make it into smaller loaves. usually i double the meat mix and make 4 meatloaves. i cook them for the first part of the cooking then freeze 3 of them. i then make the full mix of the sauce to go over the half quantity of meat. when i use the frozen ones i just need to make more sauce and cook for the last little bit.

Meatloaf
500gm sausage mince *
500gm mince meat
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs **
2 onions finely chopped
1 dessertspoon curry powder
salt, pepper
1tbsp chopped parsley
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water

barbecue sauce
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup tomato sauce ***
2tbsp worcestershire sauce ****
1tbsp vinegar ***
2tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp coffee powder
15g marg/butter *****
1tbsp lemon juice

Meatloaf: Combine all ingredients, mixing in the combined milk and water last. Place in greased loaf tin (I actually also line the tin with bacon !) Bake in moderate oven for 30 mins, remove. Bring all sauce ingredients to the boil, simmer 5 minutes. Drain fat from meatloaf and baste with sauce, return to oven for further 45 mins basting frequently with sauce.

* i don't use this, i just use extra fine mince instead (pork or veal mince would be good too) I also add 2 carrots & 2 zucchinis grated.
** I used to sub this with oatmeal. for gluten-free use GF breadcrumbs
*** make sure yours is GF if needed
**** not GF, used a splash of tamari instead
***** i don't use this at all

I am going to make this week's in muffin tins, inspired by dani :)

Menu Plan

yesterday we did our food shopping for the week. we went to jamison because it has the allergy centre as well as coles (great selection of GF - not that we made it in there yesterday) and aldi. because choku bai jo is closed until after new year and we forgot about the farmers markets on saturday we bought our F&V in aldi and at go troppo. i have to say that shopping elsewhere every so often is a good thing as it reminds me just how fantastic and fresh the produce at CBJ is and the prices are the same if not less than anywhere else. i HATED paying the prices for the crappy stuff we bought yesterday :(

anyway, here is our menu, in no particular order...

GF homemade chicken nuggets & chips (last night)
tacos
mini meatloaves, potatoes & veg
falafel & amaranth tabouli
a lentil & vegie dish of some sort
nasi goreng (probably tonight)
spag bol (will make a big pot to freeze)

2 GF recipes from Skye...

thanks so much for thinking of us skye, these sound delish!

G.F peppermint slice
*125gm soft butter
*105gm gf icing sugar
*1 egg
*half tsp each peppermint and vanilla extract
*1cup g.f rice flour
*1cup g.f cornflour
*35g cocoa

Preheat oven to 180`c,cream butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy,add
egg,and essence,beat well
Sift flours and cocoa,fold in dry ingredients until mixture is combined.roll into balls and bake for 10mins



Sweet maple treats gluten, nut and egg free
*125g soft butter
*1tsp vanilla extract
*1/3 cup maple syrup
*270g g.f rice flour
*70g g.f cornflour

Preheat oven to 180`c,cream butter,vanilla and maple syrup until light and fluffy,sift flours,fold in dry ingredients until just combined. Roll into balls and cook for 10mins or golden brown

Bad Blogger...

Christmas seems to have sucked all my blogging skills and food abilities out of me!

I am exhausted as we had the party on Christmas eve (and all the cleaning and prep before), then Christmas dinner at my sister's (across Canberra) which saw us prepping food all afternoon on Christmas day. then a day off thank goodness, other than a visit from G's sister! then last night we caught up with Geoff's family in Weston Creek. the kids have had 3 or 4 10pm nights in that time too. we are all pretty tired.

i also had my weightwatchers weigh in yesterday (though it seems like forever ago) and while it could have been worse it could have been better ;p it's not going to be better next week as i have finished all the rocky road that was left from christmas day *sigh* at least it's gone now! i forgot to add the marshmallows which meant it was all a 'hard' texture which was surprisingly disturbing LOL

tonight i made my tmx butter chicken and it overcooked again - i'm thinking i need to adjust the cooking time as that's the second time it's done that. it's weird how it can work perfectly one time but then not after that. i also made the jubilant dal again but as i had no spinach i put in a few small potatoes and a tiny piece of leftover broccoli and it was lovely - ryan discovered he loved it!

speaking of potatoes - last year we attempted a vegie garden out the back. it was basically a disaster as we forgot to water it and the plants that grew anyway (zucchini and cucumber) got mould. we also planted peas, potatoes and capsicums. this spring one pea plant and a heap of potato plants sprung up! the pea plant still didn't do so well without enough water but the potato plants did. on boxing day (when dinner was all the leftover meats and salads from christmas eve and christmas day) i was outside with rora and noticed about half the plants were ready for me to dig up the potatoes which i did. i then made them into a very simple potato salad with some sour cream, apple cider vinegar, seeded mustard, salt and pepper and shallots / spring onions and black ollives. OMG the potatoes were sooooooooo good! i can't wait til the rest are ready to be dug up!

Chunky Sweet Potato & Macadamia dip

yum!

i didn't actually plan for us to have any lunch today but we ate brunch earlier than expected so got peckish. our 'tradition' is to have a snacky lunch (you know, the sort of lunch you would never dare eat any other day of the year ;)) so we had a platter with soft cheeses, rice crackers and fruit, plus another with plain potato chips, corn chips and rice chips (unfortunately discovered these flavoured one, while absolutely delicious, were not gluten free :().

anyway, i decided we needed a chunky dip to go with it all and used thermomix-er's recipe as a start. next time i would make a few changes to my version though. i also used way less oil but it ended up very thick and not at all dippable lol (though still very yummy!). this recipe also makes a large quantity - probably 3 times what you buy in the supermarket.

Chunky Sweet Potato & Macadamia Dip
80 g parmesan or grana padano
1 clove garlic
1 small sweet potato, cooked for 3-4 minutes in the microwave until a knife can go through, then cut into chunks to cool and peeled *
150 g roasted, unsalted macadamias
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
small amount of fresh coriander

Method:

Place parmesan into TM bowl and grate for 5-10 seconds on speed 7. You don’t want it too fine – some little bits are OK. Remove and set aside.

Place garlic in TM bowl and chop for 10 seconds on speed 7. Scrape down sides of bowl and add macadamias. Chop for 15-30 seconds on speed 6. It should still have some decent sized pieces of nuts, not mush. Blend longer if you think it needs it.

Add sweet potato, coriander, olive oil, lemon juice and parmesan and blend for 30 seconds on reverse + speed 4.

Add some extra olive oil or water through the hole in the lid if the mixture appears too thick and blend a little longer.


* next time i will try peeling, then chopping & cooking it in the thermomix so it becomes less mushed

Merry Christmas to everyone!

I hope you all have a
safe and fun-filled christmas!

"Jubilant" Dal, Thermomix style

dinner tonight was this recipe, made in the thermomix (mostly) it was a very nice mild flavour. next time i'll use a little more lentils in it and do more of the steps in the tmx.

here's my version:

6 garlic cloves
1 tsp ghee
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric powder
Half tsp chilli powder (optional)
1 tbsp oil
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
1 small - medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks
200gm red lentils
1 bunch fresh spinach, shredded, or 1 packet frozen spinach
2 medium tomatoes, quartered & sliced

2 tspns Massell chicken stock powder

Place the garlic cloves in the thermomix and peel them on reverse speed 4 for 3-6 seconds
remove skins and chop on speed 6 for 2-10 seconds (until you hear pieces stop hitting the sides)
scrape garlic out and place in a small saucepan with the ghee (do not heat yet)

place oil in a pot and heat over medium-high heat, add spices

place onion in the thermomix and chop for around 5 seconds seconds on speed 6. remove and place straight into the saucepan with the spices, stir

place sweet potato in the thermomix and chop for around 5-10 seconds on speed 6 (optional - you might prefer to dice this yourself if you want bigger pieces). place into the saucepan with spices and onion, stir

add the sliced tomato in with the onion & sweet potato and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or so **

in the meantime place lentils in the thermomix and add 350g of water. cook on reverse speed 2 temp 80' for 15 minutes

add the spinach to the onion saucepan and cook until wilted. turn heat down to low. when the lentils are done add more water if needed then add the onion / tomato / spice mix. cook for another 10 minutes on reverse speed 2 temp 80'
add the stock powder through the top of the lid.

meanwhile heat the ghee over medium-low heat until fragrant and starting to brown. pour in through the top of the lid.

check that your lentils are cooked - if not cook at reverse speed 2 temp 80' for 3-5 minutes longer until done.

serve with steamed basmati rice and microwaved pappadums ***

** i guess you could do this part in the thermomix too but it would increase the overall cooking time as using the stove lets you cook both at once :)

*** we learned tonight that you cannot microwave pappadums on a plate! they just would not cook! as soon as we put them on the turntable (on paper towel) they cooked perfectly!

Buttermilk Buckwheat Blueberry Pancakes (GF, TMX)

Following Martha Stewart's recipe from Smitten Kitchen, i just subbed in some gluten free alternatives and geoff and i agreed they were better than the "real" thing! yum! i'm the only one who has the berries so feel free to skip those if you like. we have ours with a little maple syrup and on christmas day we'll have bacon too (i love the salty and sweet combo). they'd be nice with the thermomix nutella spread too!

you could easily do this with a food processor or by hand if you don't have a thermomix.


Buttermilk Buckwheat Blueberry Pancakes
gluten free

enough for 4

1 cup (150g) gluten free plain flour (White Wings brand)
1 cup (150g) Buckwheat flour (Lowan brand)
2 teaspoons gluten free baking powder (i didn't have any GF so skipped this)
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
good sprinkle vegetable salt (we use Herbamare)
2 tablespoons (15g) sugar
2 large eggs
600ml (640g) buttermilk
3-4 tablespoons (20g) unsalted butter, melted in the fry pan you're going to cook the pancakes

1 cup or punnet blueberries, fresh or frozen and thawed (optional)

1. Place all ingredients except the blueberries in the thermomix. Mix on speed 6 for 10 seconds. scrape down sides and mix on speed 6 for another 10-20 seconds. Leave to rest for 20 minutes.

2. Heat your pan on a medium heat and grease as needed (i just use cooking spray to regrease between pancakes). pour in around 1/4 - 1/3 cup of batter. If you are having blueberries drop some on top - i usually like to push them down a bit so they sit 'in' the pancake rather than on top of it.

3. when the pancake has bubbled and looks slightly set it's time to flip it over gently. it will only take minutes to brown on the bottom.

4. serve with a drizzle of maple syrup. these would probably be nice with the thermomix strawberry sauce too :)

Today's Rice Noodle version... (Gluten Free)

YUM!

1 packet rice noodles, cooked according to directions
2 medium carrots grated
1/2 - 1 lebanese cucumber, finely sliced and then julienned
some lettuce, shredded
1/2 red capsicum, cut into fine julienned pieces
several sprigs of fresh mint, shredded
1/2 bunch fresh coriander, chopped
several cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1-2 lamb fillets, sprinkled with Five Spice Powder, fried or BBQ grilled on a high heat, then sliced
tamari, to taste
(also yummy but not suitable for us would be a little hoisin sauce and / or sweet chilli sauce or jam)

mix well and serve!

Our Menu for Christmas Day

what's yours?

here's what's on ours...

Brunch:
(at home, probably just us but possibly also my sister in law and / or my parents)

gluten free pancakes - blueberry for us and plain for the kids
served with maple syrup and bacon

i'd like to make something else but no idea what - has to be quick & easy! or make ahead & freezable. (i'm thinking maybe something like this)

Dinner:
(a BBQ at my sister's place with my family)

we will be taking
the lentil, beetroot & feta salad
the bbq lamb cutlets
probably a gluten free version of the asian noodle salad

rocky road plus some GF rocky road (i think i just need to use cadburys choc and take out the toblerone)
im also hoping to make a gluten free cheesecake

Lentil, Vegie & Feta Salad

a brand new recipe from the weightwatchers satisfaction plan, this looks utterly delicious!

this quantity serves 1

1/2 cup canned brown lentils
2 tabs canned baby beets, chopped
1/2 lebanese cucumber, diced
3 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tabs red onion, finely diced
1 tab balsalmic dressing (i will have to check this for gluten and substitute if necessary)
30g reduced fat feta
small handful baby rocket leaves

combine
serve with multigrain roll. can also add chicken breast or shaved ham



(quantity for 6
2 cans brown lentils, drained
1 can baby beets, chopped
2 lebanese cucumbers, diced
1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red onion, finely diced
6 tab balsalmic dressing (i will have to check this for gluten and substitute if necessary)
180g reduced fat feta
1 packet baby rocket leaves

Gluten Free Party Food Ideas!

thanks to various sources including the girls on EB and the coeliac society (obviously all are GF versions even where not stated)

• arancini (rice balls)
• meatballs
• fruit platters
• cupcakes
• GF lollies
• chocolate truffles
• mini sausage rolls
• dips including hommus, beetroot etc
• chicken skewers
• Gluten free mini-pizzas
• Sakatas & plain rice crackers
• cubed cheese
• popcorn
• mini quiches / frittatas
• pikelets
• mini muffins
• friands
• honey joys
• almond cookies
• fruit kebabs
• nachos
• corn chips
• carrot sticks
• frozen yoghurt sticks
• gluten free chipolata sausages
• GF chicken nuggets or chicken strips
• bruschetta
• rocky road made with all GF ingredients
• jelly cups (freddo frog in the bottom of the green jelly cup)
• meringues
• fruit kebabs with marshmallows
  

absent

i haven't been in a blogging or cooking mood lately. rora's diagnosis has been harder for me to come to turns with than i expected, plus i have had a lot of other stuff going on in the other parts of my life that hasn't been so nice. i'm not really in a good place atm.

in the meantime i have been making and distributing more food gifts.

tonight i am experimenting with this recipe though it didn't work well as i didn't clean the almond meal out of the tmx bfore putting the egg whites in so they didn't peak. tasted ok as batter though.

oh yeah and comfort eating is back :(

stay tuned...

my baby was diagnosed with coeliac disease today so i guess i'll be heading down the gluten free path pretty soon.... stay tuned for gluten free info....

:(

Menu Plan

my springpadit menu plan with links

Sunday 14
pasta & vegie soup to empty the fridge


Monday 15
brazen's culinary adventures: bean & vegie pasta

Tuesday 16
Quick Indian Cooking » Jubilant dal
brazen's culinary adventures: Low Fat but Absolutely Bloody Delicious Butter Chicken (Thermomix)

Wednesday 17
brazen's culinary adventures: Creamy Chicken, Bacon & Veg Enchiladas (TMX)

Thursday 18
brazen's culinary adventures: Felafel (Thermomix), recipe report and a freebie :D

Friday 19
chicken Fajitas

Saturday 20
brazen's culinary adventures: Chick Pea Patties with a Chilli and Tomato Salsa

and more links...

yes, that lot before wasn't all - i just got sick of doing it lol

date crumble slice

Mukkala Pulusu (Bellam Pulusu) - Sweet Tangy Vegetables Stew

Gobhi Parantha & Palak Methi Paneer

Cider Braised Chicken

vegetable enchiladas

Dutch Caramel Cashew Cookies

Rugelach (cookies)

Mocha Toffee Bars

Pumpkin Sage Dinner Rolls

Cauliflower Crepe / Dosa

spicy carrot chutney

Yoghurt Cake

Lemon Curd (thermomix)

another great idea for christmas gifts.

originally posted on forumthermomix by caroline

Lemon Curd
makes 1 jar

75 g caster sugar
juice and finely grated zest of large, juicy lemon (i used 2 medium)
2 large eggs
50 g unsalted butter
i also added a small amount cornflour but not sure it was necessary

1. Put all the ingredients in the TM bowl. Mix 15 seconds on Speed 6.
2. Scrape down the sides with the spatula
3. Insert the whisk. Cook 4 minutes at 80'C on Speed 4
4. If it hasn't thickened enough, continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.
5. Pour into sterilised jars and seal.

Tips/Hints: I got this recipe from the UK Fast and Easy Cooking book. I made a double batch, and it took an extra 3 minutes of cooking time. Great recipe if you like to really taste the lemon. If you prefer a sweeter lemon curd, use the Australian recipe

according to the google i did lemon curd is good on scones or with gingerbread :)

Strawberry Sauce (thermomix)

brilliant christmas gift idea!

posted on forumthermomix

500g Strawberries, washed & hulled
250g sugar
1 lemon, peeled, seeded & quartered
optional - 1/4 cup alcohol such as brandy or vodka or
optional - flavours such as vanilla essence

Preparation:
cook for 35 mins on 100'c speed 1.
placing the varoma over the top instead of the measuring cup will prevent splattering (thanks pam!)
pour carefully into sterilised jars or bottles and refridgerate

serve over icecream or crepes

source:
originally in the everyday cooking for every family cookbook as strawberry jam

random links

i need to clear out my bloglines and i don't have the time or patience to put these into my othe rlinks posts, so just posting the lot here! thanks to all those who've shared these yummy recipes!

apple pie

black & white chocolate bark

Eggnog Bread Pudding with Bourbon Cranberries

Mocha Sandwich Cookies

Chocolate Covered Homemade Marshmallows

Sour Cream and Green Onion Biscuits

CrockPot Chai Tea Latte Recipe

CrockPot Roasted & Spiced Nuts Recipe

Asian Coleslaw

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Capsicum and Tomato Relish Recipe

Pasta alla Vodka

Polenta Casserole with Fontina and Tomato Sauce

Sauteed Kale with Smoked Paprika

curried pork empanadas

vietnamese baguettes

caramelized onion dip

brown butter brown sugar shorties

pie crust 102
pie crust 103

parmesan grissini (tmx)

Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffeecake
cream cheesecoffee cake
Chili Cheese Souffle
Spiced Apple Cider
French Breakfast Puffs
Strawberries and Brown Sugar Cream

garlic cheese biscuits (scones)

peanut butter pinwheels

mexican meatball soup with rice & coriander

wheat-free banana loaf

white chocolate holiday bark

cranberry cinnamon rolls

lemon shortbread
brown sugar shortbread

sweet & sour grilled pumpkin

buttermilk cranberry scones

sweet potato biscuits with bacon and thyme (scones)

rosemary garlic sweet potato fries

panforte (tmx)

Bandh Gobhi Massallam (a whole cabbage smothered in a nutty curry and baked until tender)

Mughlai-style Indian tomato soup

Lasuni Dal Palak (daal)

Dahi Wale Aloo (potatoes)

stuff...

i keep forgetting about the cookbook challenge! i think the thing is that i'm just not going to make anything out of that book so i should move on to the next....

also i have had a lot going on, lots of stressful stuff. i haven't been cooking anything worth sharing or if i have, i just haven't had time to share it. i have photos waiting to be uploaded and blogged but who knows when?

today i have made lemon curd (yum) and am now making strawberry jam and having another go at making pasta (my first attempt last weekend was a dismal failure) recipes, pics and reports soon :)

in other news - luckily unrelated ;) - i lose another 1kg at weightwatchers this week, and there aren't too many christmas cookies left - apparently the kids like these ones...

Menu Plan for the coming week...

testing out this new site i found which looks fabulous (though i'm not really sure what i'm doing with it)

SpringIt!


or:

Sunday - homemade pasta (was a total disaster and geoff had to make something else :()

Monday - I think I have a recipe for that...: Nasi Goreng

Tuesday - chicken snitzels with smashed potatoes & steamed vegies

Wednesday - lemon thyme chicken meatballs and The Canberra Cook: Briami

Thursday - greek salad with beef kebabs

Friday - spaghetti & sauce

Saturday - Lasagne with tmx pasta

what else?

this weekend i have been pretty busy in the kitchen, but not doing anything worth taking pictures of!!

Big Meat Shop! and getting ready for our party...
yesterday morning after my ww meeting i went meat shopping, hoping to stock up and prepare for the party ahead of time. i ended up with $300 worth of meat! (not all for the party lol it will hopefully last us for at least a few months)

i got about 15kg of chicken, packaged in double breasts and all marked down $2 per packet (originally $12.99 / kg - which was the cheapest i could find anywhere - so not bad, especially on the smaller packets. it was only marked down because they had too much stock too which was great, as i prefer not to take chances with nearly out of date chicken - i'm not quite so fussy with other meats)

at least half of those have been diced and placed on skewers with a marinade / dressing and then into the freezer so all i need to do is defrost. i do have one lot of chicken left, waiting for me to buy some fresh thyme tomorrow so i can put this marinade on it. i'll also use some of that marinaded chicken to make meatballs later this week (will post my menu plan later today).

i also bought a whole rump (though unfortunately i could have got it $2/kg cheaper at the second shop) - i'll cut this up shortly and make mince from at least half of it - i'll make a heap of rissoles / hamburgers for the bbq. i'll dice some up to go into the freezer for curries etc too.

i got quite a few other meats for our own eating, including some lamb cutlets - really nice ones with not much fat and lots of meat - for christmas day at $23.99/kg - compared to the $32.99 we have paid the past few years :-0

Chick Peas galore...
i don't think i had the slightest idea how many chickpeas 2kg of dried peas would be when cooked!!! though honestly it was probably only enough for 4-5 meals plus the roasted chickpeas (which are becoming more crunchy as they cool - yay!). i also picked up a packet of this chick pea bhaji mix at the butcher and it will be an easy crockpot meal before christmas.

in non-kitchen news i have also (nearly) made my christmas cards (soon to be featured on my craft blog) , done the F&V shopping for the week and taken the kids swimming at the dickson pool so i have been very very busy!

Cookies (yes more!)

made this afternoon - 2 batches of the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever...

one batch with green and red M&M's (i bribed ryan and emelia to pick them all out for me lol) and the other batch, inspired by Tara from Should you eat that was made with the mint / green M&M's and some cocoa in the mix (not really enough, i ran out)

we'll use some for gifts and the rest will be for our christmas eve party and christmas day.

i cooked one lot on baking paper and used my silpat silicone mat for the other - won't do that again! it's too big for my oven and all the cookies on the end all slipped down it and squashed into huge cookies.

Spiced roasted chick peas

after finally managing to buy AND soak 2kg of chickpeas without mishap (!!) i decided to make roast chick peas - these are soooo yum!!

so this is the recipe i had found previously. i'd found it when bloglines was down and so had saved it to my bookmarks rather than here on this blog, so it took me a while to find it (i never use my bookmarks lol). in the meantime i found this recipe which sounds yum, i love spices! (in case you didn't guess ;p)

so i've made them, i used some:
paprika
cumin
coriander
turmeric
salt
olive oil that had been on my minced garlic in the fridge

after a comment from kristen i turned the temperature on my oven down so they would cook slower and not burn! in the end i turned the oven off and left them in there. i've just tried them and they taste ok (needed more salt) but the texture is not great - they are chewy rather than crunchy. will this change when they cool or do they need longer cooking? (i've put them back in the still-warm-but-cooling oven even though there were a few just burnt peas in there)

i'm really hoping these are yummy and end up crunchy as they will be a great ww core snack for me (and ryan and rora love chick peas too)

just updating this post to report back on how they were - i had a few crispy ones in the batch but on the whole they were kind of soggy. after being put in an air tight storage container they all went soggier and soggier. tasted good still but really chewy to eat :( very disappointing.

so....

someone left our little freezer door open last night! it's a blessing in disguise really as it was chocablock full of anonymous leftovers in kiddie sized portions that are probably all wayyyyy out of date.... so they are all gone now.

i'll be having bacon for breakie as there's a mostly defrosted few pieces of bacon in there, and tonight i'll be using us a packet of puff pastry. i thought of making pies or sausage rolls for dinner but the kids don't really eat pastry and i'm not supposed to atm!

so instead i'm going to make stuff for our christmas eve party - i'm thinking of starting with mini quiches (hmmm perhaps i should leave the bacon for that, dammit!) and just a handful of sausage rolls (there's about 200g mince left from last night, why geoff can never use up a full packet i will never know!) and maybe some pinwheels no, make that jo's cheese and spinach rolls - yum!

i have been meaning to start preparing for the party so this is a good thing...