Apple and Cranberry Crumble

Will be making this with great frequency. Ines loves it and it stops me searching for something truly naughty. For the filling: 3 cups (about 4) peeled gala apples, sliced 1 cup frozen cranberries 1 tbsp flour For the topping: 3/4 cup dry quick-cooking oats 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1 tbsp all-purpose flour 3 tbsp light butter, melted (such as Land O Lakes) 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 1/2 tsp salt Directions: Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine apples, cranberries along with the rest of the filling ingredients in a bowl. Pour into baking dish and even out with a spoon. Mix the topping ingredients (I used just one tablespoon of butter and just a tablespoon of sugar). Top didn't brown much but still tasted great (could probably add the butter, or just spray with an oil spray if you have one to get the nice brown top). Delicious, not sweet, kind of tart taste. Ines loved it and even Nick had a bit

If we had a holiday party, i would be channelling this look. So perfectly wintery.

Weck

I'm obsessed with these canning jars. Perfection. I think I'll make some Lemon Curd or jam just so I can buy some. Too delicious.

Pretty ice cubes

Wish I could be bothered to ever do this. Maybe one day. If we get a weekend house (wishful thinking) and we have a lovely garden party.

Cheese Scone

Something for Nick. Left out the chives as he isn't a fan but he said the result was restaurant worthy - but more like an american style biscuit - lighter, and more layered.

Recipe here

Cranberry Clafouti

Super simple to make - takes about 5 minutes of prep time and then straight into the oven. I used frozen cranberries and it was delicious. Like a fat pancake with lovely, tart taste from the cranberries.

Recipe here And here it is if you dont want to go to link (or incase they take it off the site): Ingredients 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature, for dish 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Pinch of salt 2 large eggs 1 cup chilled heavy cream 3/4 cup whole milk 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest 1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped Confectioners' sugar, for garnish Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 1-quart baking dish (not metal) using a pastry brush; sprinkle 2 tablespoons granulated sugar over bottom. Sift remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the flour, and salt into a large bowl. Gradually whisk in eggs, 3/4 cup cream, the milk, and zest. Scatter cranberries into dish; pour batter over top. Bake until puffed, slightly set, and brown around edges, 32 to 34 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes (it will sink). Whisk remaining 1/4 cup cream until soft peaks form. Dust clafouti with confectioners' sugar. Serve with whipped cream. (it doesn't need the cream - i didn't bother)

Banana Coconut Muffins

I've been making mini muffins for Ines. Sticking them in the freezer and defrosting one for morning tea or afternoon snack. So far, they have been blueberry ones as blueberries are everywhere. These look rather nice too - fear is, I think I will end up eating more than Ines. Recipe here

Coconut bread with rapsberry cream cheese swirl

Yum. My kind of bread. Love coconut. Swirl looks delish. Recipe here

Bulgar and Red Lentil Soup

Recipe here

Blueberry and Mango Quinoa Salad

Recipe here

Tomato and Squash Pie

Looks easy. I'll make with zucchini. Recipe here

Fudge Popsicles

I often do a pureed fruit popsicle, no sugar, just a bit of water, as Nick can eat them too. But I'm thinking these might be nice for me. recipe here

Chinatown

Two more articles on places to visit when in Chinatown
Here & here

Yellow Lentils with ginger and garlic

Recipe here

Spaghetti Carbonara

Recipe from Landmarc, a restaurant we go to quite a bit. Haven't had this there, but looks simple enough to make at home. Recipe here

Pesto Potato Salad

Pesto and Potato - two of my favorites. Recipe here

Chinatown

We never go to Chinatown anymore. Only 15 minutes away but never seem to go in that direction. Here's a list of things to eat when there. Probably better for winter. List here

Curried Cauliflower Soup

Recipe here. (watch the video or recipe underneath it)

Vietnamese Cabbage Salad

Recipe here

Apple Cake

Haven't made it yet, but looks delicious. Recipe here

Louis & Amelie after a haircut

Too cute. Straight from the pages of a kids' catalogue

Pretty Cakes

Recipes for the cakes, frostings as well as nice decorating ideas. All here

Freekeh Salad

Courtesy of Ms Ginnie.

This is great. Addictive.

Additions: We did a cup of lentils (not 1/2 cup). Added cucumber, cherry tomatoes and avocado. but it's one of those grains that would be good with anything I think. Dressing yum too.

Cypriot Grain Salad

1 bunch coriander shredded

½ bunch parsley shredded

½ red onion finely diced

1 cup freekah (or cracked wheat)

½ cup puy lentils

2 tbsp toasted slivered almonds

2 tbsp toasted pine nuts

2 tbsp baby capers

½ cup currants

Juice of 1 lemon

3 tbsp extra virgin olive

Sea salt to taste

1 cup thick Greek yoghurt

1 tsp cumin seeds toasted and ground

1 tbsp honey

Cypriot Grain Salad

Blanch freekah and puy lentils separately in boiling water until both just cooked.

Drain well and allow to cool.

Mix the yoghurt, cumin and honey till combined.

In a medium bowl place the coriander, parsley, red onion, freekah, puy lentils, toasted nuts, capers, currants, lemon juice and olive oil. Mix well, season to taste.

* Add 1 cup of freekeh to 2 cups of cold water, bring to boil and then reduce heat and cook for about 40 min

* lentils. bring 1.5 cups water to boil, add 1 cup lentils, reduce from boil, cook for about 20 min. check on both as you may need to add water (i did). i cooked with lid on.

Thai Chicken Soup

Delicious.

I add some fresh cilantro/coriander to it. Also some chinese mushrooms and bamboo shoots (both from can) And lots of lime juice.

recipe here . Just made it in a pot on the stove - no pressure cooker.

Apple Yoghurt Cake

I made this cake this afternoon. Super simple and delicious. Felt like something with apples.

recipe here. Calls for 1 cup of sugar. I used about 2/3s. And didn't add the brown sugar. Bet it would be even nicer with that, but not necessary (in fact i'm not sure you even need the butter/cinnamon bit of it) but moist and lovely.

Very Cute

Available here

One day

yes, one day we'll have outside space. And it will look just like this.

Nice bathroom.

Love the map (like yours Caroline), the table, the chairs. A lovely, not-precious kitchen dining area.

No knead bread

Must make this one day. i love the idea of these breads. I'll report back when I do. Found it on thekitch.com . Recipe here

Ruth Roger's Pappardelle with Stewed Pancetta

Yum. recipe here

Mark Bitman's Top 25

Some good recipes here

Too Cute

Lord, weather is crazy the world over. We had an ice storm, so the streets were literally like an ice-rink, Cairns has it's hurricane, and this is from Chicago:

Hundreds of cars were abandoned on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive overnight following a blizzard that made the road impassible. Image via Getty

If we had a bigger bedroom, I'd insist on one of these to keep us company. It could play with the lovely rocking sheep we got for Ines for Xmas.

found here

Chicken with Chorizo and potato

A recommendation from Ginny. Think i might make this on Sunday. Hit on the image to see recipe full size.

Updated Sunday 30th. Ok, i made this and it is delicious. I wanted more of a cassoulet so here are my modifications.

browned chorizo, removed

browned the chicken though - no skin no bone (only by accident no bone) removed

browned onion lightly with garlic and potato

put everything back in. added about 2 cups wine, 2 tins white beans (i used great northern as i couldnt find cannellini)

added zest of one orange. covered in water, added a few teaspoons of beaf stock.

and served over gnocchi as i had some in the freezer. delicious.

Chicken with Chorizo and potato

A recommendation from Ginny. Think i might make this on Sunday.

Spinach & Coriander Soup

	1 spray(s) cooking spray
	2 medium onion(s), chopped
	2 medium uncooked potato(es), peeled and chopped
	2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), finely chopped
	1 tsp coriander seed(s)
	5 cup(s) vegetable broth
	6 oz spinach, baby leaves
	2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, roughly chopped (a small bunch)
	1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
	1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

• Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Stir-fry onions, potatoes, garlic and coriander seeds for a few minutes. Add a couple tablespoons of water, reduce heat to low and cover pan.
  
  
• Leave to 'sweat' until onions are soft, about 15 minutes.
  
  
• Add broth, spinach and cilantro; cook for 10 minutes more. Puree soup in pan with an immersion blender (or puree in batches in a blender but be careful not to splatter hot liquid). Season to taste and serve.

I've seen these on a few different blogs this week. But aren't they so pretty.

How can you not love Martha?

Story here:

http://gawker.com/5733156/martha-stewart-gets-stitches-after-being-attacked-by-own-dog