lil lemon messy pud

There are a few staple ingredients that are forever lounging about in my fridge or cupboard, and lemons are one of them. Ever so adaptable the sour and feisty lemon lends itself to sweet and savoury dishes. Grated and stirred through a risotto or beef stew, or made into a delicate lemon curd for a tart as seen here!

Fresh lemon curd is delicious served on morning brioche for breakfast, or spooned into a baked tart and sprinkled with fresh raspberries for an effortless dessert.

love lemons...

love amie x

chocolate animal brownies

Call it a train wreck if you will, but these cute little chocolate fudge brownies will assist in feeding and helping animals for the RSPCA. I am donating the money raised from these ultra sweet and decadent delights to a passionate and devoted RSPCA fundraiser - Cassie's Cupcake day for RSPCA.

If you want to donate to the cause, then click on the link and help an animal!

We have raised $25 for her cause so far...

love amie x

a little bowl of comfort, called Dahl

Those who know me, will be familiar with this recipe.
A dear friend Brooke, gave an emergency dahl recipe call whilst rummaging through the supermarket and it re-ignited my dahl obsession once again.
A healthy soul warming meal, filled with freshly roasted spices and served with natural yogurt, chopped herbs and a generous squeeze of lemon or lime (Vitamin C) to help your body absorb the non-haem iron in the lentils! Fantastic for vegetarians :-)
Click on this link for the recipe for:
red lentil dahl
love amie x

sweet sweet potato

The sweetest sweet potato made into a delicious mid afternoon winter soup snack...

ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, sliced

3 chicken stock cubes

1 tablespoon of each parsley, thyme, coriander

2 teaspoons coriander

1-2 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, chopped

2 pears, peeled, cored, chopped

to serve:

1/4 cup natural yogurt

1/4 cup fresh herbs (coriander, dill, thyme), chopped

garlic & cheese toast

to do

Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium heat and add onion. Cook onion for 3 minutes or until softened. Add garlic, stock cubes, herbs and spices, stirring cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.

Add sweet potato, pears and approximately 4 cups water, bring mixture to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.

Transfer mixture to a blender jug and pulse until smooth. Add extra water if a thinner texture is desired.

Serve and eat.

love amie x

winter blues

mini blueberry turnovers are a perfect warm sweet treat to ward of those winter 'blues', excuse the pun! Great for a special weekend brunch, and served warm with fresh ricotta and chocolate.
blueberry turnovers
makes approx 14 small half moon turnovers

ingredients
1 x pizza dough recipe (halve the salt for a slightly sweeter dough)
1 x pkt frozen blueberries
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
to serve
icing sugar, dusted
melted chocolate, drizzled on top

to do
Pre-heat oven to 200C for fifteen minutes.
Make pizza dough according to directions in the above link.
Place blueberries in a colander and rest over a bowl, allow to de-frost.
Divide pizza dough evenly into 14 small dough balls.
Flatten out dough ball, using the palm of your hand to 0.5cm thick.
Spoon teaspoonfuls of blueberries and a generous pinch of brown sugar on the middle of each pizza round. (add a little ricotta cheese, optional) Fold the furthest dough side back towards you, covering all the blueberries and pinch the edges to seal. Repeat with remaining dough and mixture.
Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown and lightly puffed. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
Transfer to a wire cake cooling rack and drizzle with melted chocolate or dust with icing sugar!
yum.
love amie x

Vege bar bites again

On a recent trip to Melbourne to visit family, our return flight was delayed so we relished an opportunity to visit a favourite eat. The Vege bar on Brunswick St.
It's not fancy or schmancy food by any means, but it's wholesome food served in an even more wholesome environment, Brunswick.
A loud and colourful vege burrito that screams all things B Street, a lentil and chickpea curry with brown rice and naan bread was healthy and satisfying much 'to my boyfriends dismay', filling our tummies to the brim.
It screams variety, and variety is the spice to life! The Vege bar is loud, fun and unique to Melbourne, a destination eat on the bustling Brunswick strip.
visit http://www.vegiebar.com.au/ and eat.

love amie x

Pittwater perfect - The Boathouse

The Boathouse

A beautiful iconic destination is the Boathouse cafe, situated on the picturesque Pittwater side of Palm beach. A favourite eat spot for Sydney northerners.

Colourful baskets of fruits and flowers greet you warmly, whilst you meander through the door baristas are buzzing like little bees to get the coffees out, 'stat'. Just a few steps further and your eyes can take a break on the over sized chalkboard menu or the sweet eye candy in the glass cabinet. For something simple to a little more special, the breakfasts are superb and a light lunch or a burger are a treat with a cold vino or ale!

A spot you must visit, breathtaking in summer and even through winter there is a calming warmth to this special slice of heaven that must be seen to be believed.

eat.love.explore something new this weekend.

love amie x