Sweet Blueberry Coconut Pancakes

...made with corn flour, sparkling wild strawberry water and linseed...
The perfect way to kickstart a perfect day :)

Marshmallow strawberry parfait with passionfruit chocolate, blueberries and Tequila Rose

After rain, comes sunshine, and after a rather interesting 'main' course, comes the dessert- (thank GOD) ...

Notice the book in the background, it is my new kitchen Guru! Written by Anne Willan (founder of Ecole de Cuisine, La Varenne, Paris) it is everything a culinary devotee could ever ask for. Thank you my darling!

This light marshmallow delight, with tastes of summer, is dedicated to my beauties Kaca & Maggie.

Don't leave out the Tequila Rose! It brings a aromatic, rosy blush to the dessert. 

Big thanks to my girls for a wonderful and inspiring week-end!

Thai green curry with coconut milk and basil

Carrots, mushrooms, peppers, onion and baby corn sauteed in Ybarra olive oil (a fruity olive oil from Spain). Add some thai green curry & coconut milk, bring to boil then add fresh (or frozen) basil leaves. Yum!

A simple, healthy Thai dish for lunch, 
And quite easy on the eye as well  =) 


Serve with dark rye bread or a crunchy brushetta on the side for that "al dente" texture!

The Decoration

I named this creation "the Carribean dream" because of the gorgeous tropical colours of the cake. I originally wanted a fruity, light and creamy texture to it. That's why I decided on a hazelnut daqouise for the base, vanilla cream for the filling and finally; bailey's infused cream to cover the cake...

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For the decoration I used a light powder- whipped topping cream, 
along with a assortment of fruits (persimon, strawberries & red currant).

The Cakes with capital C:s

I think that I kind of outdid myself with this one =)

Not to mention the full spread of small desserts (thanks to mum)!

...starting off with the main cake 
that was made with every intention to resemble the wonder of summer...

moving on to the Petit chocolate cakes with rich vanilla filling and chocolate ganache

Sweet puff pastry baked with homemade plum marmelade

La piece de résistance: the hazelnut, vanilla, Bailey's and exotic fruit constellation of
the "Carribean dream Cake".

The mandatory "titanic" shot"!

17th October

My Birthday, part 1

Thanks to all of the wonderful people that surrounded me with their positive energy yesterday! Love all of you guys <3

Pappardelle al pomodoro alla carbonara

Pasta alla carbonara literally means: 'the pasta of the coal miner's wife' in Italian and is one of my favorite Italian dishes.

There are as many versions of this recipe as there are pronunciations, and in all of them, raw eggs are added to the sauce and cooked with the heat of the pasta (this for me is the secret of the taste- no cream is necessary!). '

Pasta alla carbonara, made with pomodoro pappardelle (fresh tomato pappardelle)

Quote and conclusion of the Day

"Distances are not important if the beauty of music can cross them."

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Golden, red, green, yellow.. One of our favorite fruits comes in all different sizes, tastes and colours. Maybe it's their diversity that makes them so facinating! 

My personal favorites are the ones from my aunts garden, ripe and fallen to the ground;
Every single fruit seems to capture all the essence and scents of autumn. 

And sometimes, a couple of apples is all you need to make a spectacular spread of desserts.. 

 

Apple pie (after a couple of bites..)

Full shot of the apple-cinnamon crumble cake (made with a short pastry base)
Add some vanilla sauce to highlight the tastes!

Oven baked apples with cinnamon & sugar with a side order of baked banans with chocolate

Our 'donught look-a-like'

Good desserts doesn't necessarily require beverages.. but sometimes, a sweet long drink can help reach a full taste potential.

My thanks to Mags and Jake for a delicious dinner (and apple) night!

 

Oven baked veggie paella

 

Quote (or conclusion) of the day

Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free. 

 

- Tagline of the movie Shawshank Redemption.