~Cook Up with donna hay magazine......Sticky ginger marmalade Chicken~

Another delicious Cook Up has happened from donna hay magazine Issue 88 Aug/Sep 2016

These are really getting really too far between now but I'm determined to catch up!!!

Menu -  Sticky Ginger Marmalade Chicken Stir Fry
accompanied by Zucchini and a Cucumber Salad with aThai Dressing

 Chocolate and Maple Banana Cake

First up  I started the Dessert Cake preparation 

I even made my own Dulce De Leche instead of purchasing it but come to think of it I have never seen it available in our small coastal town

Recipe for Homemade Dulce De Leche by Donna Hay available here and also above blog in Pages

Condensed Milk ready to go into oven covered by foil and in a Water Bath
I don't think I left mine in long enough due to the paler colour and thickness of it compared to  Donna's but in any case it was still delicious
Also a bit hard to check as it was covered by baking paper, foil and string

As you can see Donna's version is really dark and quite thick

The Dulce De Leche is sitting atop Chocolate Ganache

My version all bottled and ready to use whenever called for

To our surprise we have successfully grown Ginger so this was used for garnishing the meal

All accompanied by Zucchini

and a Cucumber Salad with a Thai Dressing (home made) just to give it that little edge

I used Home Made Marmalade from my local Farmer's Market and boy was this so different to a commercial marmalade........the Citrus flavour was strong and I really enjoy that!!!

Above and below.......just a few versions of my Cake

And the best part........it's all Gluten Free!!!

Bon Appetit and have a great weekend......Dzintra

~Cook Up with donna hay and *Irina*~

Chorizo Sausage cooking for another Cook Up
from donna hay magazine Issue 74 April/May 2014

Menu tonight is (all gluten free)

Cheat's Beef and Chorizo Stew with Creamy Polenta

(Comfort in a bowl)

and

Chocolate Meringue Cake

Oh my goodness........how tasty was this

It's sure to be on our menu again!!!

Fair Trade Organic Dark Chocolate 70% purchased from Rustic Pantry

just out of the oven

with meringue on

The recipe says

This cake is supposed to look rustic and uneven,

don't be alarmed if it cracks or collapses a little

And it did crack!!!

this is how it cooked up

Oh wow,   S P L E N D I D 

It's very hard to find a gluten free chocolate cake that is moist 

but this one takes the cake!!!

I think I might even make it for Birthday Cakes and Celebrations

so yummy!!!

Recipe for the Chocolate Meringue Cake over here

I try and use organic/free range food whenever possible

A lot of our veggies and meat and fish are purchased from the SAGE

 (Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Eurobodalla) Farmer's Markets

which also won a delicious magazine award for 

2014 Outstanding Farmer's Market

Congratulations Everyone at the Markets......You Guys Rock

Irina has joined me in these Cook-Ups

She has also just cooked from the same issue and to see her delicious fare pop on over here

Anyone want to join in with us?

Just cook something up from the latest issue and blog it......easy peasy!!!

Bon Appetit......Dzintra xo

~Cook Up With donna hay (No 20) Roasted Soy and Ginger Chicken and Nespresso Coconut and Chocolate Panna Cotta~

Mint from our little herb patch...

all ready for a Cook Up from donna hay magazine Dec 2012/January 2013

Irina from Gypsy In Me has joined me in these Cook-Ups......if anyone is interested all you have to do is cook something up from the latest issue and blog it.......easy peasy

Just let me know if you are keen to have a go!!!

On the Menu is Roasted Soy and Ginger Chicken (I also added some Zucchini and Beans)

Above is donna's version

Chicken, Chick Peas and Sweet Potato all set to go into the oven

and all ready now......

with the mint all chopped now on it 

Zucchini all set to go

Before anyone eats here I have to take lots of pics ha ha...

Above and below is the dish all plated up

and together with the extra veggies

this is a really tasty meal......we all loved it

and to finish off Nespresso Coconut and Chocolate Panna Cotta

The Panna Cotta was lovely and light and perfect for a summer's evening meal....

Now I better get my act together and do another one as the next issue has arrived

Happy Weekend and Bon Appetit......Dzintra

~Valentines's Day......JoJo style~

With Valentine's Day happening last week JoJo was all excited to celebrate!

Above is a pic of part of a window display that she saw and of course she just HAD to go in...

and she came out with this cute little bucket of Silver Hearts...

As part of her shopping programme she chose this bunch of orange flowers....

and made this card for me...

So I thought I had better do something too and decided to make a Chocolate and Apple Gluten Free Cake

Recipe from Not Quite Nigella

I've made this cake before and it is an absolute winner....

Thank you so much Lorraine!!!

Lorraine's version...

and my version...

a bit of ice cream and some blueberries on top and it's all ready......

lovely and moist and keeps well too!!!

Mr Armchair came home with this lovely box for me

full of delicious chocolates from Koko Black

and one with gold leaf on too....the red one was just so smoooooth and delicious!!!

A lovely Valentine's evening for us and thank you JoJo for bringing fun into all occasions for us...

I just love her enthusiasm for every occasion......no matter how small or insignificant it might seem she just brings a sense of joy to it all!!!