I drew this cupcake a long time ago, I was originally going to do a voice over about how much I hate red velvet cake but then I just couldn't be bothered.
Red velvet cake is just chocolate cake with red food colouring in it. And is usually accompanied with cream cheese icing (frosting, if you're American...). Originally it actually used to go red without the food colouring though, and that's why it became a thing. Cocoa power used to not be as refined as it is now, and when combined with the vinegar and bicarb soda (the leavening agents in the red velvet cake) it would go red due to the change in pH. Nowadays, the cocoa doesn't have the same reaction as it used to and the vinegar and bicarb soda are often not used, so people put red food colouring in instead. I just cannot understand why people can't just eat chocolate cake!
Anyway. I'm not the biggest fan of red velvet cake. In case you haven't realised.
I was meant to upload this before Christmas because this Chobani Flip was limited edition Pavlova flavour for Christmas in Australia. I thought it was the perfect summer flavour for Australia and I'm actually really sad that it was limited because I think it's one of the best Chobani Flip flavours! Did you guys get a chance to try it? What do you think? What's your favourite yogurt flavour?
It's refreshing but still creamy, you can really taste the mango and the combination of the toasted coconut and white chocolate is perfect because nothing is too overpowering.
What's your favourite ice cream? Do you prefer scoops of ice cream or ice creams on sticks? Ice cream or sorbet?
I recently finished reading The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland. I loved everything about this book. I'm terrible at writing anything but here goes a disjointed book review...
At first glance, I already knew I was going to love The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland - it has flowers, and it has fairytales - two of my absolute favourite things. What I wasn't expecting was the emotional depth that this book had throughout. Holly Ringland is a master of her characters and stories. Everyone felt like a real, fully formed person. I think it served as an important reminder that everyone is unique in that no one ever has to go through the same things you have to in life, however, everyone is always going through something. Alice is the main character in this book, but every character has a story. I thought there were many strong female characters in this book and I appreciated how they brought each other up. As for the male and romantic relationships in this book... It felt so accurate. The feeling of loving someone so much that you can overlook all flaws. I think the way Alice moved forward from her emotionally and physically abusive relationships was good in that she realised what she did and did not have control over.
On a lighter note, I absolutely adored Ringland's descriptions of food. It's one of my favourite things the see in a book and this book had the perfect amount. It also made me want to travel around Australia a lot more. I've lived here all my life and there are so many places that I haven't been! I've decided that there has to be more Australian fiction... And I also need to read a lot more Australian fiction!
I can't wait to see what Holly Ringland brings us next and I'm so thankful to have read this amazing book that encourages me to have courage, take heart.
I went shopping... And I bought some stuff. Which I didn't need. But I really liked what I got and I went with my friend Georgie which was really fun and we had a good time :)
These biscuits are so easy and fast to make - they are my go to when I need to make something but I'm rushed for time.
Traditionally these are made without the cinnamon and with lemon zest. But I loveeeee cinnamon <3
Ingredients:
100g butter
110g sugar
2 eggs
100g flour
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste
Method:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
Cream together butter and sugar.
Add eggs and mix until incorporated.
Add flavourings and mix lightly.
Add flour and mix until just combined (don't overmix!)
Transfer into a piping bag and pipe onto baking paper.
Pop in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the edges are golden.
Leave to cool.
Caesar salad is my favourite salad. I don't particularly like salad. But Caesar salad is favourite and is actually something I tend to crave (along with Lebanese food, Korean BBQ and ramen). It's not a very healthy salad, which is probably why I like it so much!
Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing
Ingredients:
2 baby cos lettuces
5 eggs
third of a loaf of bread
3 slices of bacon
3 chicken thighs
garlic powder
salt
pepper
cayenne pepper
paprika
Italian herbs
olive oil
grated parmesan
butter
1 minced garlic clove
teaspoon of Dijon mustard
anchovies (optional... kind of)
half a lemon
splash of Worcestershire sauce
grated parmesan
100 ml olive oil
To make to croutons, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Cut the bread into 2cm chunks and dress with olive oil, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper and cheese. Put in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden.
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and Italian herbs. Place in a pan on high heat with olive oil and butter. Cook until golden and cooked through.
Cut the bacon into 1 cm pieces and fry until crunchy.
Boil eggs using your preferred method. I boiled mine in the Thermomix for 15 minutes at 85 degrees Celsius.
To make the dressing, mince the garlic and anchovies and place in a bowl or pitcher with a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Add the juice of half a lemon and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Mix together and slowly pour in the olive oil and make sure it's emulsified. Add the cheese and taste to see if you need to adjust.
