manningroad

The Macarons Craze

They are everywhere in big shops and small in an amazing array of rainbow colours. I love to see them more than I want to eat them or make them. In fact I don't want to make them at all, just too fiddly for me and who has ever heard of a rustic macarons. Half their beauty lies in their perfection and that is just not my style. But their prettiness has me in awe always.  These little boxes of confectionery glamor were a gift to A today. The bright aqua macaron was bubblegum in flavour and the mauve was blackberry. Such incredible jewels !!

Sweet Potato Fries

 

I know McCain's do a line in these but I made my own tonight and they were just fabulous. I used small to medium orange sweet potatoes, peeled them and spent a bit of time slicing them in evenish lengths. I put them in a plastic supermarket bag with olive oil and spices including ground coriander and cumin and shook them all about. They need a high oven but keep an eye on them. We just loved them and I was surprised how addictive they were, especially dipped in sweet chili mayo !!

Perfect Pudding Weather

 

Today I woke with rain pounding on the roof and it has not stopped. Today's weather prediction was that we would get the whole month's worth of rain in one day  TODAY !! How horrific knowing that !!!  I think it's best not to hear that type of information early in the day as it just sets the scene for misery if you hate winter like I do. To combat the onset of rain misery the only answer is to make a bread pudding and then set about eating it. 

Pasta Problems

Last night we had a great bolognaise sauce made with veal and pork mince plus lots of fresh basil. The recipe suggested we served it on parpadelle noodles. Sounds delicious, I know. We hade it on rice vermicelli which was great but not terribly authentic. Due to S's gluten issues I just don't cook real pasta anymore. There are pluses here as it means we consume less carbs as in the past we probably ate pasta 3 or 4 times a week. Come what may, we had a great dinner.

True Confession & Horrifying Visual

On a Sunday I am loathe to get out of bed. I find it hard to make a move and especially as winter sets in I could be a longe lizard easily and not get up all day. But what does make me get up usually is a yearning for coffee. Luckily just 5 doors away is a cafe and you will be horrified but I did make a mercy dash down there today in my jama's. Yes, I tried to camoflage them a bit but I truly understand if you saw me and pretended not to know me. I can't promise that it won't happen again though  as having my coffee in bed is the icing on my Sunday cake !!

Taking Off Like a Rocket

There must be something in the name as my rocket has gone mad and is growing vigorously. We have had loads of wintry cold weather and loads of rain and very little sun but it has thrived. It well maybe that these are its' preferred growing conditions but as I am a "just hope for the best" gardener I  have no idea. But having it there in the garden keeps us eating salads even though our thoughts turn to warmer, comfort style eating. And there's nothing like having something homegrown for dinner.

Unusual but Delicious

I have had this little jar of maple butter calling to me for some time. It came in a swap box of goodies  a little while back from K in Ottawa. It certainly dresses up a plain ole rice cake ! Maybe it's the new breakast of champions. It certainly got me through another 'tough day at the office '.

Spiced Carrot Dip

This little bowl contains a sweet little dip made from pantry staples. Even old sad carrots, quickly cooked and blitzed with a little mayo, cheese , garlic and cayenne can create this colourful centrepiece for a cheese and crudite platter. I did use fresh carrots and added some chili. I love the colour so much. The spiciness can go up or down depending on personal tastes and you can whizz it till it is smooth or leave it a little chunky. This is really one yummy dip that you can really play with.

Addictive Brownies

I really should ban myself from making brownies. These were ooey gooey and delicious and way too addictive for words. No matter which recipe I follow I fall under the brownie spell.

Brunch Egg Bake - freezeable too

This was a great early dinner and very easy to do. I suppose it is akin to a savoury bread and butter pudding - just no butter.  Croutons or torn up bread is used , topped with handfuls of ham, cheese and basil. Milk and egg is poured over the top. At this stage, the dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. I put mine straight in the oven and we all loved it.