M is for Mocha Cupcakes

I have missed baking but with a baby shower to prepare for, I was happy at home in the kitchen once more.

There is just one simple word to describe these - Y U M !

Made with melted dark chocolate and coffee powder, I was unsure how these were going to turn out. The mixture was very runny and I wondered if they were even going to rise. Sure enough within the last 15 minutes of cooking they came to form. I made them regular cupcake size.
My cupcakes were made with chocolate butter cream icing as I felt this would be better for the look I wanted.

Here is the link to this delicious recipe
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/21395/baby+mocha+cakes+with+coffee+syrup

Have you heard this Old Wives Tale?

"Hold your ear!" is what I yell to someone when they have just burnt their fingertips. It is quite funny for me to think about. And the usual reaction to me is a raised eyebrow and 'what the?'.

My Oma told me this fantastic old wives tale. And if you are reading this, you so have to try it.

Whenever you burn your finger or fingertips on something, grab your earlobe and it will instantly take away the burn.

Instantly the heat dissappears and you shouldn't even blister. Just hold your earlobe long enough for the fire to go. Wow! I think it is so awesome and I instantly grab my earlobe whenever I burn. Try it next time. Although if you are wearing earrings, make sure you don't touch the metal cause that won't help the issue at all.

Let me know if it works for you.

Homemade Pesto

I was thinking if I would almost be considered a food snob if I would prefer to make my own pesto rather than buy it from the shop? I don't think I am that bad yet. Maybe when I can't bring myself to buy bread anymore, I might have some issues then, lol.

Homemade Pesto

This recipe is a bit of a go with the flow type, so just taste along the way.

Ingredients:

Big Bunch Basil

2+ Garlic Cloves

Few Sprigs of Parsley

1/4+ cup Pine Nuts

Parmesan Cheese

Olive Oil

Salt&Pepper

1. Place basil, rough chopped garlic, parsley and pine nuts into food processor. I have done this many times with the Tupperware Happy Chopper (small quantity) and Turbo Chef too. Process till a nice finely chopped consistency.
2. Grate in parmesan cheese and add a good 1/2 cup oil. Process again.
3. Taste to see if you need salt, pepper or any more of the other components: cheese or nuts.
4. Add more oil and process until you get to the consistency that you like.
5. This will store well in fridge, just put a layer of olive oil on top to stop from browning. ALTHOUGH why waste a good thing? My batch went straight into a snappy bag, flattened and 4 sections formed with my fingers, then straight in the freezer. Happy Days.

Variation:

Rocket Lettuce & Cashews

Watch this space, now inspired to come up with some more variations.

Hints:

• Parmesan Cheese freezes well, so there is no reason not to have it in your home. Use from frozen. Store back in freezer. I freeze alot of things. 
• Buy pine nuts on sale. They are a great pantry staple in our home. So yummy on salads.

Is it wine time?

A little bit of fun in my kitchen...

Chicken & Pasta w Pesto & Greens

I love to bake. I loved to make so much that it left me feeling a bit "weighed down" so for a summer kick start the baking has been set aside and I have had a desire for lots of fresh fruit and veggies....

As boring as that may sound, it has been Veggielicious! I must have been craving a fresh food hit and who knew that vegetables, nuts, fruit and all sorts of low calorie goodness could be so good!

I have never been a fan of savory cooking. I have been reading cookbooks and flavor patterns are starting to be embedded into my mind...

So to start show casing my vegetable packed meals of deliciousness: here is one of my favorites so far

Chicken & Pasta w Homemade Pesto, A Dollop of Ricotta Fried Asparagus/Baby Spinach & Zucchini

More Cupcake Fun

I made these cute little pretties for my nieces 5th birthday.

I love how the pink cupcakes look like they have a cherry on the top.

A little bit of fun using M&M's with a play on color.

Jungle Animal Cupcakes

I made these Jungle Animal Theme cupcakes for my little mans 2nd birthday. Until now I had not made any fancy themed cupcakes and was looking forward to the challenge....and the end result.

2 hours of decorating (for only 12 cupcakes?!) was well worth the experience and effort involved. 

Mixing all the different icing colors and setting out all the 'little bits' was probably what took a little more time. Learning to be comfortable with the piping bag came easily as I got the flow going.