~Cooking with JoJo's Day Programme (2), fires and a new softie~

It's pretty cold here on the South Coast this weekend

For the first time in years we don't have a real fireplace......but it's coming!!!

So I couldn't resist this DVD above of a fireplace LOL

Apparently psychologically looking at it can make you feel warmer by 10c so we're testing it out this weekend!!!

Recently I went in again to JoJo's Day Programme to do a little cooking with the gang

This time it was Chicken and Lemongrass Laksa from donna hay magazine 10th Anniversary Issue Oct/Nov 2012

Above are some of the ingredients that have been chopped and trimmed for the Laksa

Stock in along with Curry Paste, Garlic, Coconut Milk and Fish Sauce

With Snow Peas and Mint Leaves added

Rice Noodles in

and here 'tis

Lovely, tasty and oh so warming

Perfect for a day like today!!!

Meanwhile last week I had to have this cat when visiting Braidwood Maker's Market

I just loved the colours.......no wonder apparently the maker said they were colours from 1875

And this little cat is sitting right next to our 'fire'

Hope you are keeping warm, having something nice to eat and hopefully get some stitching in......Dzintra xo

I've now signed up with Bloglovin but I'm still learning it all!

~Saturday Afternoon...Soup... and my Bag~

It's a cool Saturday afternoon here on the South Coast...

perfect for a warming, healthy delicious soup!!!

This one is Lemon and Broccoli Soup by Donna Hay...

simply delicious...

full of goodness...and so very mooorish!!!

Recipe can be found over here

Meanwhile I've been working on my 'No Place Like Home Bag'...and I'm nearly there!!!

I just love my new coming-together bag!!!

Pattern by Anni Downes

If you get a chance do try out this recipe...I'm sure you won't be disappointed...

Bon Appetit...Dzintra

~Cook up with Donna Hay and Vicki (No 16)~

How I love doing a Cook Up With Vicki and Donna Hay!!!

The menu:  Creamy Cauliflower Soup from a previous Cook Up...

Recipe can be found in donna hay magazine Issue 51 June/July 2010

Beef, Oregano and Tomato Meatballs with Quinoa

Dark Chocolate and Ouzo Pots with Pomegranate Syrup

from Issue 62 April/May 2012

The soup...

The Quinoa...

I have eaten before but not cooked with it!!!

The verdict......absolutely delicious and we are going to have it more often around here now...

Full of calcium......Vitamins B & E......Iron and lots of other goodness... 

and the best, it's gluten free!!!

Basil thyme and oregano from our little herb patch...

The meatballs...

 The dish...

 Mr Armchair's contribution!!!

And the most delicious dessert......the chocolate and pomegranate!!!

I love pomegranates!!!

Bon Appetit......I hope everyone gets to have something nice to eat this weekend  

 ~Dzintra~

Our Christmas In July Dinner!!!

We have just this last weekend had a Christmas in July dinner...and our daughter and her lovely little family were able to be here as well!!!

Little ornaments I made last year from Homespun magazine...pattern by Lenna Green of Little Green Cottage...

The menu came from Australian GoodFood magazine...

Velvety Pea & Lettuce Soup with Croutons garnished with deep fried Mint...

and a smaller bowl for the littlies...

Roast Root Vegetables with Thyme, Orange & Vinegar...

these are going into the oven...

Well and truly roasted!!!

Pistachio, Bacon & Sage Stuffed Turkey Breast...

 Green Beans with Lemony Breadcrumbs were made also!!!

And a really moist Tipsy Pear & Sultana Cake...

served with Brandy & Vanilla Custard...

One of the little decorations that were on the table...

This was a beautiful and tasty dinner...looks like Christmas in July is here to stay in this house...

JoJo just loves it!!!

Little faery having fun the next morning...

Talk about with it techo children...one has his Mum's iphone and the faery has her Mum's ipad!!!

And what to do with left over turkey...make spring rolls...these were a hit and I think I'll be making more spring rolls in the future...

Bon Appetit...Dzintra

Another Surprise Visit...For Mother's Day...and a yummy soup recipe!!!

We had a lovely unexpected surprise visit from our Son on Mother's Day weekend...

and for a treat he took me out for a Mother's Day dinner the night before to one of our favourite Restaurants...On The Pier

Marinated Olives with Feta and Grisini...

Oysters...

Prawns and Fat Chips...

Persian Salad...

Beef...

Salmon...

Ice Cream...

My favourite...Creme Brulee

Hot Chocolate...

And here we are at the end of the evening...

Thank You so much dear James!!!

A few weeks ago we used up the last of the Summer  tomatoes

and Basil...

and made this easy peasy Basil and Tomato Soup...

so very tasty!!!

For the recipe visit my food blog over My Dolce Vita here...

Bon Appetit...Dzintra

~Cook Up With Vicki...No 7~

Boy what a busy time it's been here...but in a very nice way...

JoJo's birthday last weekend...the Event Of The Year in this house LOL!!!

The Craft Fair...family down for a visit...Mr Armchair home for a week...

and rehearsals are under way for our local Amateur Theatre's production of Cabaret!!!

Meanwhile...I have had the best fun doing another cook up with Vicki!!!

Above are the aprons...one for me and one for DG...along with matching tea towel and pot holder...how cute are these!!!

But first, Mr Armchair brought home some cheese...the one on the left is D'Affinois Brie and the other one a Sage Derby...just delicious, especially with a glass of red!!!

This Cook Up from the June/July issue of Donna Hay magazine...

Tonight the menu was...Herbed Polenta Chips...Creamy Cauliflower Soup and Pear and Ricotta Tarts!!!

First I fried a little cauliflower for the garnish on the soup...

The Polenta Chips...very very popular!!!

Together with the soup...the pic should be turned around but I couldn't get to do it!!!

And the most exciting part...I found this Gluten and Wheat Free pastry at the supermarket...I haven't had pastry for quite a while now and was very excited to see it!!!

I simply adore pears especially when cooked...here they are atop the pastry and ricotta!!!

Into the nearly new oven...

All ready...I couldn't stop taking pics of the pears!!!

One version with a strawberry over the ice cream...

And another just with icing sugar...

With srawberries...

And again with ice cream!!!
Very very moorish...especially on these cold nights...

and even more so seeing I haven't had pastry for ages!!!
Off now to make a batch of Cauliflower Soup...

and perhaps over the weekend maybe put some batting and backing to my A Christmas Wish quilt...

Have a great weekend...Happy Cooking...Happy Stitching and

and Bon Appetit!!!