It's morning tea baking day and I decided to make these little gluten-free granola balls using some of my favourite ingredients but I hadn't counted on the fact that Adriano had tried to fix the door on our stupid oven that cooks so unevenly. Even though it is completely whacky as an oven, I had kind of sorted how to deal with it. But I didn't know my husband had tampered with it. Here is the result of of the first batch. And that was after five minutes because the door wasn't properly shut and the top and bottom elements stayed on all the time. So I started again. Fortunately I had more of everything and they only take a few minutes to put together. I turned down the oven and watched them obsessively. When they looked all toasty on top, I took them out but they were charcoal on the bottom. This week we will be eating our morning teas from the top down and have to discard the bottom bit. The top is pretty darned tasty with all the great flavours but I am so over this oven that … [Read more...] about Chocolate, Cranberry, Pineapple Balls – Gluten Free
Guest blogging at Cravings of a Lunatic
Today I am guest blogging at the Cravings of a Lunatic blog. Kim is a barefoot cook who hates eggs, tomatoes and mac n cheese and if different foods touch on her plate, she throws a hissy fit. Did you notice the name of her blog? All this plus plenty more makes her one very entertaining woman and she sure can cook. Look at the side bar on her blog and those photos of mouthwatering food will knock your socks off. Two which make me want to reach right in and grab them are her Pistachio Chocolate Frozen Mousse and her Strawberry Cannoli Parfaits with Pistachios. Anyway I blogged about the Pesto, Mozzarella Polenta Appetizers in the photo above. The recipe is below and also on her blog but if you want to hear about the day I lifted a mighty heavy stove right off my tiny son with one hand, you will have to go visit her over there. And you won't regret it because she has great recipes and stories that make you smile. Pesto, Mozzarella Polenta Bites Print Author: Suzanne … [Read more...] about Guest blogging at Cravings of a Lunatic
Stuffed Calamari – Low Fodmap & Gluten-Free
Adriano cooked this dish. It is a classic Italian dish with the addition of walnuts for a bit of crunch. He also made a tomato/carrot puree to accompany it. He's useful to have around. I have probably mentioned before that my parents owned a seafood processing factory after we left the farm when I was ten. During my teens I worked there in the school holidays and loved it. it made me feel like an adult. I worked in the production lines either processing wet fish or crayfish. I met a lot of colourful characters there and no more so than Sam. It's a while ago now and I can't remember if he was Tongan or Maori but I do remember his quirkiness. One day he arrived at work wearing glasses and assured us that he now needed them. Later in the day I watched him rub his eye through where the lens should have been. Yes, no lenses. He explained that he was sure he could see better with them on. Sam was always short of money but one day he told us he had bought a car. We were rather … [Read more...] about Stuffed Calamari – Low Fodmap & Gluten-Free
Seafood Bouillabaisse – Low Fodmap
You've probably all heard of the classic French seafood bouillabaisse. Well I made one tonight but I can't vouch for its authenticity. Most home cooks spend their lives adapting recipes according to memory and what's in the pantry. I am no different. The recipe below is basic and simple but had the thumbs up from both Adriano and Dario. The preparation is very quick and then it cooks all by itself. Just perfect for getting my photographic equipment ready for a fast photo shoot before it all gets cold. At least my family has now learned not to nag about being hungry before I am finished or I bite their heads off. I did used to wonder how many times I had to snap at them before they learned, but learn they eventually did. I am also getting a little quicker as I get to know my camera better. Sometimes it feels like a wayward child which can't make up its mind what it wants but I show it who is the boss and eventually a decent photo arrives. By the way, I served the bouillabaisse … [Read more...] about Seafood Bouillabaisse – Low Fodmap
Stuffed Focaccia – Jamie Oliver 30 minute meal
Tonight I made part of one of Jamie Oliver's 30-Minute Meals and it only took about 10 minutes because the instructions were to put all the ingredients onto a wooden board and to chop them all up together. Meanwhile the bread is put in the oven to warm up. We had some shaved ham in the fridge so I threw that in - you might be able to see it in the photo - but that's not in his original recipe. I also made a coleslaw from cabbage, red onion, zucchini and carrots dressed with oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, red chili and coriander. This is a good hearty meal with an excellent combination of flavours and a really quick dinner. What's not to like? This is not a low Fodmap recipe. Stuffed Focaccia – Jamie Oliver 30 minute meal Print Author: Suzanne Perazzini Ingredients 1 x 400g focaccia loaf 1 x 450g jar of peppers 1 tsp capers, drained 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil 1 fresh red chilli 2 tomatoes, chopped up 3 or 4 cornichons Small bunch of fresh mint ½ a lemon … [Read more...] about Stuffed Focaccia – Jamie Oliver 30 minute meal
Spice tea “Chai” concentrate to celebrate an award received
I have been presented with another award by the Chef in Disguise blog. She has the most amazing blog with fabulous photos and recipes which are such a great reflection of who she is and her Jordanian culture. Have a look at her blog. You won't regret it. To honour her, I have made one of her recipes - Spice tea “Chai” concentrate. You can find the recipe here on her blog. It really is one of the nicest teas I have tried in a long time. The rule for accepting the award is to share something about yourself. What is a real fear you have? Losing my health or my mind. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A nun after watching The Sound of Music. That or a helicopter pilot. What are some of your hobbies? Cooking, blogging, reading but above all else travelling. What hobby would you like to start? I would love to learn how to sing in a way that stops people running screaming from the room. If you could tell people anything, what would be the most … [Read more...] about Spice tea “Chai” concentrate to celebrate an award received
