~Cook Up for my Dad~

It's been ages since I've done a Cook Up

This time I did one last night for my dear Dad/mīļš Papiņš

 who is no longer here on Earth with us

It just felt the right thing to do and complete with a Birthday Cake to boot

But first, and very important...which Apron to use

Just this week I received this apron from Trish who recently went over to Provence, France

I already had bought one from there but of course I needed another lol

I also used a Tea Towel with Provence embroidered on it that I purchased whilst over there

Thanks so much Trish......much appreciated!!!

I chose the brown one to use on this Cook Up

My Menu from donna hay magazine Issue 87 Jun/July 2016

(this is why I needed the Quince Paste Annette (no blog))!

Pork and Sauerkraut Meatballs with Quince Glaze 

Savoy Colcannon

Marble Chai Bundt Cake with Maple Syrup

Mr Armchair set the Wine scene

Adding Sauerkraut to the Meatballs gave a real depth of flavour

Next time I'd like to double the Glaze......it was delicious

I'm a bit like Manu Fieldel (French Chef in Australia) and love my Glazes/Sauces lol

The Meatballs here with the Colcannon

Colcannon (Irish: cál ceannann, meaning "white-headed cabbage") is a traditional Irish dish mainly consisting of mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage. It is also the name of a song about the dish.

(from Wikipedia)

In this dish I used Savoy Cabbage, Leek and Pure Jersey Cream from Tilba

And here is part of the verse.......

Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?

With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.........

(Wikipedia)

It was very delicious.......together a lovely tasty combination

I ground up Spices for Chai Tea to put into the Cake

And here 'tis

Happy Birthday mils Papins/loving Dad

And to top it off.......Warm Maple Syrup

Also ideal to have with some Cream, Custard or even Ice Cream if you so wish

Recipe for Marble Chai Bundt Cake with Maple Syrup over here

And to keep it all real

Mr Armchair as I sat down took a photo

no make up, no hair neatly done lol!!!!

Lab Apptit......Bon Appetit

Dzintra xo

~Cook Up With donna......and Irina~ No 23

My latest cook up with donna hay and Irina saw me using the Spices Cinnamon and Star Anise 

Green Apples

and the last of the Season's Mandarins

All from this beautiful issue of donna hay magazine No 69 Jun/July 2013

Beautiful in that there are some lovely Flourless Cakes recipes in it.......Perfect for Gluten Free people

The menu......Mandarin and Soy Braised Ribs

Boiled Rice

Red Cabbage

Fennel 

Telegraph Cucumber with Fennel Tips

Spiced Layered Apple Cake

I started off by slicing the apples in my new super-duper Food Processor

Look how beautiful the apple slices look......seeds'n all!!!

I used Rapadura Sugar instead of White Sugar

The apples had to be held down by cans when finished cooking

donna's version above

and my version ready to be chilled for Dessert

Now it's back to work preparing the Ribs

All done now

Red Cabbage

and Cucumber

And here'tis......all ready

And the flavour combinations were just delicious!!!

The Layered Apple Cake was just sublime nice and cold

With or without some Whipped Cream!!!

I love doing these cook ups especially now that Irina has joined me

If you want to join in just leave a comment or email

It's all easy.......just cook something from the latest magazine and blog it!!!

Bon Appetit......Dzintra