It’s a Saturday night; I’m at home, I’m baking and I’m preparing blog posts. While some may not publicise this activity on a Saturday night, I am reveling in the peace and quiet. I have the kitchen to myself, Diana Krall is playing and I couldn’t feel more comfortable right now, or with my future […]
Tag: sweet
Blythe Danner’s Blueberry Muffins
I love muffins. They require very little effort but can be gloriously rewarding. There are so many recipes, endless combinations and it seems everyone has their own little secret. I remember in year eight Home Economics, our teacher said that muffins should only be stirred 6 times. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t mixed completely, but […]
Marmalade Pudding Cake*
*Or what to do with a jar of marmalade that has no lid. While I like marmalade and I do love Nigella’s Kitchen, I had never been inspired to make this recipe. There still are others that I’m longing to try ahead of this pudding. Our Jams and Preserves Day was a victim of its own success and I […]
Chocolate Chip Cookies
I think almost every baker has a few select recipes up their sleeve that they go to in times of need, Sponge Cakes, Scones, Chocolate Puddings, Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookies. Mastering these five treats will cover you for almost any situation. I am quite content with this chocolate-chip recipe. I have made cookies using […]
Venetian Carrot Cake
I’m back (Mel that is!). The last two months, I haven’t been as active as I would have liked. My mother has been ill, and is due for surgery on Tuesday. Combined with my jobs major events taking place in January I’ve been barely functioning. Unfortunately all my creative outlets have suffered. On a day off, I […]
Berry Christmas (and Rhubarb) Jam
This is delicious, and incredibly easy, jam. I’ve made it this year, as I did last year, to include in Christmas hampers for friends and family. Using just 3 (or 4) ingredients it is incredibly quick and, aside from being a great gift idea, it’s also an easy way to use up overripe fruit you […]
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over My Kitchen
In March I was meant to assist a friend cater a Kitchen Tea where the bride to be was lactose intolerant. The afternoon had an Alice in Wonderland Theme and I had been given the task to make cupcakes. Frequently a number of different cooking blogs, I had always heard glowing recommendations for the book […]
Crostata
For the most part I don’t usually plan what I make. I prefer for the inspiration to come to me organically. It doesn’t always work and can mean I spend quite a bit of time just reading cookbooks. The only exception is when I have an ingredient that I need to use. A few weeks […]
Lemon Madeleines
I’m Mel and I simply adore madeleines; I’m enchanted by the soft sponge biscuit. The story behind this blog posts actually begins in 2004. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but in addition to owning too many cook books, I also like to borrow them from the library. There’s is rarely a time at home when […]
Jam and Cream Roulade
Today’s post is once again inspired by the Great British Bake Off. Why do I love that show? I think it’s not only because it’s about baking, or that I adore Sue Perkins; it’s that it is such a sharp contrast to Masterchef Australia. Where the contestants in the latter are locked up for 6 months, in the […]
A Tale of Two Kitchens 