Domestic Goddess

Birthday Lunch

2015-03-15T21:26:00.002+11:00

Although I have been cooking a lot - I just never seemed to have enough hours in the day to share the pictures with you all.

I have been reading a lot of the DELICIOUS magazine - the instagram feed is here

Today we had a menu which had several courses

1. Proscuitto wrapped figs with Balsamic glaze
2. tomato consumme with roasted vine tomatoes and a parmesan crisp
3. spicy prawns with a citrus mayonnaise and lime
4. Soy and maple syrup, ginger and garlic marinated salmon with cucumber, chilli, tomato, capsicum and picked ginger salad
5. Roast pork with pickled Kohlrabi, red cabbage and a delicious mustard and malt sauce
6. Lemon Sorbet
7. Slow cooked beef with potato gratin, parsnip and parsley puree with pickled enoki mushrooms
8. Lemon parfait cake with chocolate and raspberries

Long time no post

2013-04-14T17:02:00.001+10:00

It's been ages ... Not that I haven been cooking

We had a huge birthday lunch for my brother - I will post separate pictures later

Yesterday we had a low key cooking day - it included home made olive bread, banana cake with cream cheese frosting, dinner was roast pork with roast apples, sweet potato, potatoes and a kale, apple and pinenut salad - all was delicious !!!

So what's on the menu tonight - lamb cutlets, peas, polenta fingers ( made to look a bit like chips) and a green salad

Thinking a self saucing chocolate pudding if princess is good and I get some time in the kitchen

Enjoy your Sunday

N

Sweet sour prawns

2013-02-24T17:57:00.001+11:00

I just surprised myself - always thought these little delicious pockets of pleasure where beyond my culinary abilities

Batter -
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 egg
Salt and pepper

Sauce
1 capsicum- chopped
1 cucumber - chopped
2 tomatoes - chopped
1 brown onion - chopped
3 cloves of garlic - chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons white vinegar

Optional if you want the sauce thick 1 -2 tablespoons corn flour with water to slightly dilute prior to adding

Prawns
About 350 gr prawns

Directions Prawns
To make the prawns make the batter ( its on to be lumpy) then put prawns in and straight into hot oil - they need to deep Fry

Deep fry till light brown and crispy

Directions sauce
Fry onions and garlic in a little oil
Add capsicum, and cucumber, dry these a little then add tomato and prawns

Add sugar, vinegar, soy, oyster Sauce

Let heat up - add corn flour and water if thickening

Serve with steamed rice

HORSE-RACING CAKE

2013-02-24T13:00:00.001+11:00

This weeks cake brief was something horse-racing. I am not really great at figurines nor drawing.. and this was to be a challenge.

Originally I wanted the easy way out and thought I would just buy some pre-made horses either at the $2 shop or maybe even at the cake shop - but I was out of luck - they didn't have them.. not even cheap horses from cowboys and Indians (what happened to those toys we had as kids)

Anyway so the challenge began of drawing and shaping horses including using a very thing fondant sheet (yes pre-made) but a major challenge to draw a horse and cut it out.

Here are the pics.

Lower cake - chocolate sponge with vanilla butter cream

Top cake - vanilla sponge with chocolate butter cream

Princess thought these were donkeys....

the finished cake.. minus one horse

finished cake

Saturday night dinner

2013-02-17T08:16:00.001+11:00

I decided to get a little creative

First course

Freshly shucked oysters with lemon and a bloody Mary shot in a salt rimmed glass

Second course
Thinly sliced tuna sashimi with a home-made wasabi mayonnaise, soy, pickled ginger and seaweed crunch

Main

Beef served with beetroot purée, roast potatoes and carrot straw

Dessert
Orange Macarons with a caramelized orange centre

Backpack Cake

2013-02-03T12:28:00.002+11:00

When only the best will do for our little princess... we had a full birthday event for her second birthday - call it OVERKILL!!!

Including a Jumping castle, face-painter, Dora themed goodie bags and of course a backpack cake.

Other bits and pieces

2013-02-03T12:26:00.001+11:00

Macarons - these are still may favourite thing to make - they are fun, nice and lets face it there is something a bit special about them....

Also there is nothing nicer than tea in a beautiful cup
Thanks to my MIL for the lovely cup for my birthday

Christmas Dinner

2013-02-03T12:24:00.004+11:00

Every year Christmas is one of those times where our familys come together but it is a MAJOR.

Being Swiss we do Christmas Eve (and this year it was my turn) and then the next day we do Christmas Day at A's family.

So what did we do....

Nibbles - Bruschetta

Starter - Gazpacho

Entree - Prawn Salad

Main 1 - Ham with mustard fruit

Main 2 - Beef, potatoes etc etc

Dessert - chocolate mousse, Pavlova roll

Unfortunately I don't have pics of it all as after a few Champagnes I forgot to take pictures....

Here are a few of the shots!!

Christmas Biscuit Surprise

2013-02-03T12:20:00.000+11:00

Every year it is a tradition in our family to make some Swiss Christmas biscuits.

This year was the first time that Princess was interested and wanting to help - I think she ate more of the raw dough than actually making biscuits.

Some of the finished products (promise I'll post the recipes and step by step this year )

Surf Cake

2013-02-03T12:14:00.002+11:00

I think this has to be one of my favourite cakes I have made. It had a certain element of Reto .. fun and some new bits and pieces - oh and not to mention the cool glitter sand, small shells and fun.

Work in progress


The Cake

Catching up to do...

2013-02-03T12:00:00.001+11:00

Wow - it seems like forever since I last posted something.. that doesn't mean I abandoned cooking - life just got in the way.

In retrospect I will post some of the cakes - the surf cake and backpack cake, some dinner party pics and will try to keep it a little more regular in the future.....

30 Day Thermomix Challenge

2012-09-03T17:01:00.001+10:00

After being at the Thermomix demo I have set myself a Thermy challenge

30 days in a row of use - at least 30 days where I am home

Day 1- beetroot salad and berry dream
Day 2 - pikelets, blueberry jam, blueberry cream ( for Macarons), celeriac purée and hummus
Day 3 - pumpkin risotto
Day 4 - Hidden vegie pasta sauce for Princess A
Day 5 - Vanilla Buttercream

Thermomix Demo

2012-09-01T09:51:00.001+10:00

I went to a Thermy demo last night, although the consultant did a brilliant job most of the girls present weren't that impressed.

I love mine, I discovered I only use it for a few things and so probably don't really get my monies worth, having said that, it was the best thing for baby food, for sauces and for making soups.

I will try and post a few more thermy recipes to spread the word.

Last night the consultant made Risotto, creme patisserie, beetroot salad (this I thought was terrific), a berry delight dessert and some houmous. The houmous was also really delicious.

Need to get my thinking cap on and make some more creative food ideas for Princess A and A.

Wishing you a terrific Saturday - I have a cake to plan for - next week is surf cake

x

Food food food

2012-08-27T18:33:00.001+10:00

I have been doing a small experiment today - to see whether food tastes better if it's mindfully eaten

The answer is a definite yes !!!!

Try eating even the simplest of meals with all your senses.

Sight - really look at the meal, the effort someone went to prepare it, the colours, textures etc

Smell - take a few seconds to really smell the aromas. What seasoning has the cook used, what herbs, what spices.

Taste - take the first bite, let the taste buds enjoy the sensation
Is it spicy, sweet, salty, sour, peppery, bitter

Touch - well if you are eating with your hands this is a possibility, but for most of us, what is the texture on your tongue, soft, crunchy, rough, slimy, gooey, crispy etc

Hearing - well at least listen to your fellow diners, but maybe it sizzles or you can experience the sound of it crunching, breaking or the subtle sounds of you chewing

I challenge you to enjoy your next meal with all your senses

N

Saloon Cake

2012-08-19T17:31:00.001+10:00

Just so it made it on the blog
Here is my latest creation, I will write more details in due course
N

Dora cake

2012-08-14T21:52:00.001+10:00

Here are the pictures of my latest cake.

I'll post the recipe and details later.

Macaron Madness 2

2012-08-05T15:43:00.001+10:00

I found the best recipe for Macarons online - well I haven't perfected it yet but will keep you posted

I used the Italian meringue method rather than the French and it tastes good - still no feet but close to great

Here are some pics in progress

More family dinner surprises

2012-08-04T20:09:00.001+10:00

I never thought that rissoles could be gourmet ....

Menu - rissoles, served with ham wrapped asparagus spears with homemade egg free hollandaise, steamed steamed carrots and mushroom risotto

... A has recently found out that he can't eat wheat, eggs or any milk products ( cow, goat, Sheep etc)
So hollandaise without eggs was a real challenge

I managed it with some egg replacer and Nuttlex ( dairy free butter)
Turned out surprisingly well - couldn't have done it without the thermy !!!

Weeknight delights !!!

2012-08-04T20:04:00.001+10:00

The inner domestic goddess in me has been desperate to show some mid week magic.

So ..
Lamb racks served with fennel and beetroot purée and sweet potato rounds.
Accompanied with baby eggplant and small zucchini boats ( covered in seasoned breadcrumbs)

The thermomix made easy work of the purée - put the veggies in and one lid of water, season to taste - perfect !!

Boats - thermomix breadcrumbs, thyme, salt, pepper and some
Parmesan - spread on each half of the zucchinis and eggplants, add some dollops of butter and drizzle with olive oil. Cook in oven and grill for a few minutes at the end to make golden brown

Delicious mid week delight

Gourmet Delights

2012-07-20T21:21:00.000+10:00

Several months ago we invited some friends for dinner a night of true indulgence !!!!

something to wash it down

Menu -

Entree
Chilli and lemongrass prawns with lime
ginger and soy scallops
Green fresh salad with balsamic figs

the raw prawn

Prawns with fresh lime


fresh figs... one of my favourite ingredients

Scallops

Main
Roast pork glazed in quince paste, wrapped in proscuitto baked in stock
crispy crackling
Beans
Apple Sauce - well a twist on this - roast apples

prepared pork

Main

Dessert
Vanilla pannacotta with caramelized oranges

Pannacotta and caramel oranges

To Cake or not to Cake

2012-07-20T20:26:00.000+10:00

How do I get myself in these situations, I love decorating cakes but... I am not sure if I am great at making them under pressure.

I have 3 orders, a Western Cake, a Surf cake and a wedding cake.
Yes - that's right - its not a typo - a Wedding Cake. I am already having sleepless nights just thinking about what happens if i screw it up? Should I have said no ? or should I just do it and use it as a way to launch my new adventure?

so... where to start - I have been busy searching the net for pictures of cakes as inspiration, there is so much out there.. and to add to the pressure the bride to be would like piping.. I don't even know how to pipe. So I am on a mission to try and convince her that piping is not the way to go... lets see how you go.

I will keep you posted on the wedding cake... Updates shortly !!

Western cake - the brainstorm went a little like this -
- hat
- horse
- gun
- boot
- Clint Eastwood
- the good the bad and the ugly
- a saloon
- a cactus

and so on... leaning strongly to cactus

Surf Cake - that was a bit easier...
- a wave and a little surfer
- a board
- a thong
- water
- palm tree

lets wait and see....

I have been so flat out with my normal work ... but will keep you posted
N x

The Cake

2012-04-22T17:31:00.001+10:00

It was the best cake ever according to A !!! Wow coming from the man who said cakes normally end in tears and tantrums I was secretly a little pleased ...

Everyone loved it - yeah !!!

I can't take full credit for the recipe - it is one of Valli Littles recipes

Check out the November 2011 delicious magazine .... Chocolate butterscotch layer cake

Recipe to follow xx

Friends for Feeding Frenzy

2012-04-21T21:33:00.001+10:00

Preparing for a friends lunch tomorrow

Menu plan -
Nibbles - sorry not so domestic goddess of me - chips and bits

Entree - also doubles as kids lunch - chicken wingettes honey soy and Peri peri, sausages and yummy bread

Main -
Fig, buffalo mozzarella and radicchio salad
Pumpkin tarte tatin
Sweet potato tarte tatin
Roast pork
Roast apples and pears

Dessert -
Decadent chocolate tower cake with butterscotch cream and caramelized hazelnuts

Home made vanilla icecream

Jelly for the kiddies

I will post recipes and pictures tomorrow

Wish me luck !!! X

Ps pic is the cake work in progress

Mama's' Dinner

2012-03-29T09:09:00.000+11:00

Morning all.... after dinner madness....

We had everyone over, MIL, FIL, Brother, and of course the birthday girl Mama. Princess made her usual impact (joined us for dinner and had a great time scoffing pork).

Pork - for the first time in ages I stuffed up the crackling.. not very Domestic goddess of me...!!)

Pork Recipe -
Stuffed pork loin from butcher without the bone, crackling attached.. (normally i take this off the roll and roast it separately - hence the crackling disaster.
Salt the fat, place in deep roasting pan, surround with halved apples, pour in 500ml of beef stock, heat oven to 200 place in over, cook for 20 mins, then turn oven down to 180 and cook for about 20 minutes per 500g.

Roast Vegies -
I roasted kipfler potatoes, normal potatoes, some sweet potato and a tiny bit of pumpkin because that was all I had in the house. Just rolled them in oil and placed on over tray in over above the roast.

Cauliflower Cheese
I was going to skip this, but my brother made a special request, and as it was his birthday last week, I obliged.
Stem the cauliflower in rosettes. at the same time add a nob of butter, melted in a saucepan, then a tablespoon plain flour to make a rue. I kept adding flour till it made a paste, I left the heat on to cook the flour a little to remove the floury taste. Then added Milk about 500ml and whisked it to absorb all the rue and not have lumps. When it started to thicken i added some more milk and again whisked. Let it thicken a second time, added cheddar, a big handful, some pepper and then stirred till the cheese was melted.
Pour this over steamed cauliflower, top with another handful of grated cheese and place in the oven.

Dessert was Creme Caramel
I make this with milk.
2/3 cup of sugar and a table spoon of water (or there about ) enough water to dissolve the sugar. Place in a saucepan, and heat till it turns to a light brown caramel. Pour into ramekins or in our case a round baking tray
While caramel is on the stove, combine 4 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, 2/3 cup of sugar and a teaspoon of Vanilla or in my case I used a teaspoon of vanilla bean paste. Whisk all to combine.
Pour over hardened caramel in baking pan and cook in a water bath in a 180 degree oven for 45 mins or till it is wobbly but cooked.
Cool and then place in the fridge.

Serve with fresh fruit . We had it with Watermelon and strawberries as that is what we had in the house.

that was Mama's birthday spread... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA !!! xx

Mamas birthday dinner plan

2012-03-27T22:16:00.001+11:00

Its my Mamas birthday and time to create a little mid week magic!!

Menu plan

Creme caramel
Roast pork
Roast apples
Vegetables

Good wine
Great champagne
Fabulous company ..

Happy birthday Mama - we love you !!!