Pizza twists!

I like the internets to think I am an invincible spring of motherly awesomeness. Because most of you don't know me, it's easier to keep up such a facade. I make sure the cake I'm photographing doesn't have the pile of 3 days of dirty washing behind it, or I'd photograph it on the table, so that the disaster the kitchen has become in the process is hidden, because, I don't want strangers judging my housewife-y abilities... That's what parents are for.

Anyway, perhaps this is a chink in the wonderful armour that is Internet Anonymity, but occasionally I open up my fridge after a number of distracting days, and the combination of its ingredients plus whatever we have in the pantry doesn't seem to result in "food" as much as "an abomination which should never have graced God's green earth".

I'm not sure if you've ever been desperate enough to try to combine bacon, flour, eggs, and gummi bears, just to see what happens?

This morning, my son made an omelette with strawberries, banana, bacon, and baby spinach, so I guess there's at least one person who can relate. But the sum of the parts do not always equate to a whole, if you know what I'm saying, which also sums up my eldest boy, coincidentally.

On two occasions, however, this emptiness in both dinner ideas and various food holding facilities, it has led to new staple dishes in the house. Once was Husband, and since he's not particularly interesting or creative (or perhaps because I'm jealous), that dish won't get a mention. The other was me, and since this is my blog and I can pretend to be the hero, well, here is my heroic tale of culinary improvisation resulting in deliciousness that should win me an award for Creative Mother Of The Year. I felt like Martha Stewart, except people care about me.

We had limited ingredients - some leftover BBQ chicken, a bit of ham etc - but not a lot of anything else. So I got that, gathered some other bits and pieces from the fridge and pantry, and created what I now call "pizza twists".

One puff pastry sheet, cut in half, makes two "twists".
Squeeze some sauce down the middle (straight lines are so last year).

Sprinkle some cheese on the sauce, and, whatever you have!

I'd usually say to just think about what you would/wouldn't put on pizza, but, I know some gourmet pizza places that have no limitations to what they put on their pizzas! For example: The last pizza that I ate from a gourmet pizza place had snow peas, broccoli, and cashews on it!

Roll them up, and twist them as you lay them on a baking tray.

Bake for approx. 20 minutes, in an approx. 180° oven... And ta-da!

Quick and simple improvised dinner, and the kids absolutely loved them!

In fact, this was so popular, we continued on to make miniature dessert twists, using Nutella and strawberries (okay, so I think this idea came from Max Brenner... Or, Italy?). But not as a puff pastry twist!

With much sadness, I was not able to eat one of the dessert twists due to my challenge to "quit" sugar from my diet for a month. But the kids told me that they. were. amaziiing!

Hopefully they won't want them again until February... Hmmmm.

Buon Appetito!

Na-na na-na na-na na-na BATMAN!

Today's forecast: It's going to be a Dark Knight.

Everyone recognises Batman, right? Is it the logo? His mask? The gadgets? The bat-mobile? Perhaps it's even one of the actors who've played the character?

For as long as I've known him, my brother-in-law has been a Batman fan. Husband and he would banter back and forth over the phone whenever the next (or previous) Batman movie would come out. They would tell tales of Batman in their childhood, the time their father dressed as Batman, and why spitfire balls should totally be legal.

He also likes wine (my brother-in-law that is), which is why a few Christmas' ago when we made and gave family members painted wine glasses as a gift, his looked like this:

I know many have already seen this, but a little while ago, I was asked to make a Batman cake. I obviously accepted the challenge. Google had many ideas on what other people's interpretations of a Batman cake would be, but how was I to make mine similar, yet different? I quickly designed something and went with it.

Combining a few ideas, I used 'delphinium' blue* coloured fondant to cover the bottom tier, added black rectangles and tiny white squares, and the scene was set! No, really, it was. It was the background for my fondant city:

* Cake Shop Lady told me that this was the colour of Original Batman's costume.

During my eBay therapy (which may or may not be ongoing therapy), I had the incredible foresight** to purchase a Batman logo cookie cutter!

** Husband does not call it foresight... In fact, I will not repeat what he does call it.

With yellow fondant and the new purchase, the top tier (before it was attached to the bottom tier) looked like this:

Once it was attached, I added some black ribbon around the bottom of each tier, to make them all pretty and neat, because, well, maybe I sometimes have an issue with things being untidy...

And what would a Batman cake be without BATS!!?

Thankfully, I made this cake just before Halloween, and so many stores were stocked up with all things bat related, including mini cookie cutters:

One by one, these icky little creatures were stuck into the Batman cake:

It was about this time I was convinced that the wires needed a bit more support, so I wrapped another layer of black ribbon around them, and tied them together (oh so gracefully) with black electrical tape, because, it was black! And once you go black.....

In my mind, it was now finished, and I could relax.

Then as I asked (why, oh why) for his opinion on the cake I'd just finished, Husband said "You know what'd be cool? If you made a batarang and have it sticking out of the side of the cake!" He figured that because it was for a 30th birthday, they'd love it!

After Googling what the heck a batarang was, I agreed that it would be cool, and quickly used the Batman cutter to make one. I stuck it into the front side of the cake, which looked like this:

So now it was finished :)

I'm pretty sure justice was served with this...
Delicious, chocolate-y justice!

Mmm... Chocolate.

Happy New Year!

2014 HAS ARRIVED!

I've recently seen many Facebook statuses claiming, praying, hoping, wishing, asking, and declaring that 2014 will be "better" than 2013. A year where there'll be less drama, sadness, grief, and trials; and more love, joy, happiness, wealth, success etc... That no-one dies, or gets sick. That no pets run away. That the kitchen stays clean, and the fridge always only filled with healthy food. That motivation to exercise both arrives, and stays for the entire year... Oh, are those last ones just me?

Today, January 1st, is just another day. I'm not suddenly a self-controlled person who never yells at my children (though, as they're only just waking up now, so far I have not yelled at all this year). My children have not suddenly decided that they will clean their rooms every morning without being asked (though, again, just waking up - so maybe, just maybe!?). My fridge is still filled with the same stuff I put in there yesterday (minus milk I forgot to buy yesterday before the shops closed today). My kitchen floor is still a mess. And, oh look, washing remains on the line... It seems that nothing has dramatically changed overnight!

The world won't dramatically change overnight, either.
Some things will remain predictable.

With that in mind; to celebrate the new year... I baked :)

Inspired by various Happy New Year cakes, fireworks,
and what was in my pantry (M 'n' Ms), I made this:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May it be filled with... Peace.
And knowledge that, no matter what, God is in control.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21

I'm quitting!

So, I've recently been diagnosed with GERD. To live with this, one doctor says that I can have a normal diet, but another says I actually need to be really strict with what I eat, as my body is repairing, and to reduce the risk of further damage to my oesophagus, etc. Well, I have not been really strict. Or even a little bit strict.

Because of this, I've realised recently that I am completely addicted to sugar. I would easily (and often) accidentally eat through a whole packet of lollies and an entire box of ice creams... Sometimes within an hour! I've decided that I need to do something about it. And so, I'm going to give up sugar (just for a month!) in the new year.

For me, this "sugar" includes lollies, chocolates, biscuits, cakes, ice cream, and soft drinks - everything that sugar is added to, either physically by me when I cook, or is already part of the main ingredients. I'm not going super hardcore giving up particular fruits, breads and pastas. No way, José! One step at a time, eh?

I know this won't be easy. I am imagining headaches, unbearable cravings, and constant stress! And that's going to happen on Day #1. January is going to be really hard! But I've researched and researched benefits of cutting sugar out of the diet. My body (and life) will benefit from cleaner eating.

Has anyone else given up sugar? Have you remained sugar-free? How hard was it on a scale of 1 to "Just hand over that chocolate bar or I'll punch you in the face!"? Do you have any tips that might help myself and/or others be successful in giving up sugar?

Here's a poem I stumbled upon the other day:

'Twas the week after Christmas, and all through the house,

Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibble, the eggnog I'd taste,

All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales, there arose such a number!

When I walked to the store (less a walk, more a lumber)

I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared,

The gravies and sauces, and beef nicely rared...

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese,

And the way that I'd never said "No, thank you, please"

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt,

And prepared once again to battle the dirt...

I said to myself, as only I can

"You can't spend the winter dressed like a man!"

So away with the last of the sour cream dip,

Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

'Til all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick,

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or cornbread, or pie.

I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle,

No longer a riot.

Happy New Year to all,

And to all a good diet.

Sadly, the author is unknown! I thought it was brilliant, and my favourite line is the carrot one. It reminded me of this picture I've seen floating around the internet, too:

So... Is anyone else keen to join me

on this quest for better health in January??

JOY to the WORLD!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Late last night (of all nights) I decided to begin constructing a gingerbread house (which wasn't actually a gingerbread house, because it was made of shortbread). After seeing photos of many other gingerbread house creations, I also wanted to make one! But, different.

You may or may not remember, but I wrote about a friend's book launch I went to a few months ago for her book Wonderfully Madison. The launch day coincided with the birth of famous royal birth, Prince George, and I wrote some thoughts regarding royal births.

Thousands of years ago, God had made a promise to this guy called David, that one of his descendants would be king, and his kingdom would rule forever (see 2 Samuel 7:1-13). Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth- the beginning of the answer to that promise (see Matthew 1:1-25 or Luke 2:2-21). To me as a Christian, that's a pretty big deal.

This morning at church, I was reminded that Christmas isn't just about remembering Jesus' birth. He grew up into a man (a perfect man), who performed many amazing miracles; who taught his friends what it meant to follow Him; who calmed the wind and waves with his voice; and, who was beaten and killed because of humanity's rebellion against God. He was born king, and he died on the cross as king. And, he rose again, still as king, whose rule is forevermore. Christmas is just part of the incredible story of God's love for us (see the whole Bible).

So, I made this "gingerbread" house,

representing that very first Christmas Day :)

It is simple. It didn't take me that long to complete. I didn't spend hours agonising about where I am going to put all the marshmallows, Smarties, or musk sticks (and trust me, as a perfectionist - it usually does!!!).

It is purposefully simple, because God's love for us is perfectly simple (see John 3:16). And so today I proudly sing:

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME!!

Merry Christmas!! :)

Christmas Eve!

It's Christmas Eve! Which means there's only:

ONE

MORE

SLEEP!

Which also means it's time to share some last-minute Christmas treats and decorations I've made, because after tomorrow, it's too late! Life becomes about New Years Eve plans, and making "resolutions" for 2014. Lights start to come down; Christmas trees are packed away; recycling bins are full and await to be collected...

Anyway, here we go!

CHRISTMAS PUDDING POPS:

Inspired by various looking Christmas pudding-looking cake pops I've seen lately (which aren't actually made with Christmas pudding), I wanted to make some with Christmas pudding!

I used my cake pop tray to mould the Christmas pudding into shapes (which ended up being a waste of time because the chocolate didn't go on as smoothly as I had hoped!)

N.B. Christmas pudding is a lot heavier than chocolate sponge cake!

I used white chocolate ice magic for the 'sauce' part, but had to hold the fondant holly and red M 'n' Ms in place until it was set enough...

The Christmas pudding originated in England, and various 'charms' were often inserted into the mixture, granting particular luck to the one who found them in their serve of pudding. Sadly, these pudding pops don't have coins, rings, thimbles, anchors, or mini wishbones inside them, but really, everyone's a winner when Christmas pudding is served!

FABRIC CHRISTMAS WREATH:

Inspired by a friend's Christmas tinsel-like decoration made the same way, I wanted to make a  fabric Christmas wreath.

I bent and shaped a wire coat hanger to be as round as possible. I had green, red, and white strips of fabric ready to be tied onto the hanger. One by one, I tied them in knots around the wire. Of course, I had a pattern of how the fabric would be tied on (dark green, dark green, light green, light green, red/white), and eventually, eventually, it's finished and you can add a bow or hang a giant bauble in the middle of it with a rubber band, or just leave it as a plain wreath :)

I had also made mini fruit mince pies out of puff pastry and Robertson's Traditional Fruit Mince in a mini cupcake tray... I had put mini puff pastry stars on top of them, too... But, I forgot to take photos of them! I can tell you (unbiasedly, of course) that they were really tasty, especially still warm right out of the oven.

Hope you have a good night's sleep this Christmas Eve!! :)

Dear Santa...

Ah, Santa Claus. The man whom everyone has a different opinion about... Don't worry. I'm not going to write a post about my views on Santa. I'm going to share a creative Santa-based cupcake I have just made!

Much like the pretzel reindeer pops that were inspired by stumbling upon creative and tasty Christmas treats on the internet, I'm sure you've seen these before, too.

SANTA HAT STRAWBERRIES!

Made on chocolate cupcakes, I piped buttercream icing, dipped it in coconut, placed the strawberry on top, and put some more buttercream icing and sprinkled coconut on top. So simple, yet so so tasty!

I love Christmas, I really do. It's an incredibly busy time, but especially this year, I'm so excited about it! I enjoy watching Christmas movies (my favourites probably being Home Alone), buying and wrapping presents, listening to Christmas songs, and seeing my children making plans to get up super early on Christmas morning to make Mum and Dad breakfast in bed... Just kidding, but that would be  really lovely, hey.

Okay, maybe I will write a little something about my views on Santa.

My 10 year old and I have recently chatted about the "idea" of Santa. He is at the age of doubt, repetitive questions, and repetitive questions. This chat, though initiated by him, I think only went as well as it did because I stumbled upon this letter that has been making its way through the internet. When prompted, Ben told me that the idea of Santa was to get kids to behave for their parents or they won't get any presents... Which led to a discussion about what it means to be "good" and "naughty", and about receiving something even though we don't deserve it. We discussed God's love for us, and the greatest gift he gave to us - Jesus! We don't deserve forgiveness or eternal life, but God still gives it to us through the death and resurrection of his only Son.

As I gaze across at our Christmas tree, surrounded by colourfully wrapped presents, I am excited about seeing them be opened soon. There's a certain joy of giving and receiving at Christmas time, and it fills me with delight.

And, alright, I'll admit: I'm also delighted because this is the first year that all three of my children have had their photo taken with Santa without a family member needing to jump in due to tears.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!