~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~

Just before Christmas saw me do another Cook Up with donna hay and Irina

from donna hay magazine Issue 76 Aug/Sep 2014

Menu for the evening was

Chicken in White Wine with Lemon Potatoes (recipe over here)

Rose and Raspberry Trifles (recipe over here)

and I couldn't resist trying the

Cherry and Cardamom Pound Cake

Instead of Dry White Wine in the Chicken I used Dry Cider

The Chicken just about ready

Instead of Artichoke I used Snow Peas from our garden and some Sweet Potato

All dressed with Parmesan Cheese

and very tasty indeed!!!

The Trifle in an Eiffel Tower glass

Looking down into it

The Cake in the background

I couldn't stop at 1 Dessert to make I had to try out the Cherry and Cardamom Cake

After all it would be good for the next day's Morning Coffee, right?!

Well we couldn't resist just a little piece lol

Better get cracking as another Cook Up is waaaay overdue!!!

Bon Appetit........Dzintra

~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

~Lunch with Adriano Zumbo at Rick Stein at Bannisters~~

We are back at Rick Stein at Bannister's again this year...

we were there earlier this year to celebrate Mr Armchair's special birthday....

(read about it over here)

This time for Lunch and a Book Signing with none other than the one and only Adriano Zumbo

The table

The Menu

The view

The wine

A Salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras

Grilled Fillet of Barramundi with Clams, Peas, Asparagus and Parsley

Nothing is too much trouble at this Restaurant......my version is a gluten free one......the difference between this and others is the Sauce

Often I have experienced gluten free version meals at other places......yep, all without the sauce

I even had gluten free bread as opposed to other places......they just leave you with an empty plate

The Macaron Master himself......Zumbo giving us Question and Answer time

Signing his books 

Even got a pic of him and me

Amaretto Creme Brulee with New Season's Berries

The Macarons for our table

and here they are with his book as a backdrop

Turning the yellow one over it was all golden......how beautiful I thought

We had a lovely lunch......met other Zumbo fans......JoJo was cared for by Respite Care......what a great  day to kick back and be fussed over

Thank you so much Rick Stein at Bannister's......you've done it again

Howcome everytime we go there I get addicted to seafood all over again!!!

Bon Appetit......Dzintra