Tag Archives: recipes

Reflection 2013

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This was my first full year of sewing/quilting. I originally started sewing in October 2012, and have been addicted to making things and buying fabric, since. I got a lot accomplished this year. My biggest goal was to try a new project/skill every month. I definitely did accomplish that and feel my skills have definitely developed over the year. Here are some of my finishes in 2013.

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I still struggle with “what is my style”, but I am sure it will come the more I make things. I did discover, I like designing from things I see around me (you also have to love pinterest).  I was delighted when my first quilt design won designers choice award, it offered some validation, which of course we all need :-). Since September, when I discovered threadbias, I have been able to come up with these designs. mosaic365af607ffad9a580baf0547924240a9047a0383

 

I have also kept up with the baking/cooking aspect of my blog but I will admit over the year my blog has shifted focus. Some of my favorite recipes over the year include the triple berry trifle, a Banana Nutella Chocolate loaf, Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffins and Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake.FoodCollage

I have big plans for 2014, and that I plan to post over the next couple of days. So, that was my year, how was yours?? What do you have planned for 2014??

I have been checking out some of the blogs on the subject that have been already posted….but looking forward to reading them all over the break.

 

Christmas baking, hamper goodies

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In the last couple of days, I have had the opportunity to take it a little easy…..and in my usual style, that does not mean, I did nothing :-).  I decided to catch-up on Christmas baking for the family + hamper gifts (gift baskets) for our two neighbors.

First, was my Pineapple Fruit Cake (my version of Christmas Fruit Cake, since I am not a fan).
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Second, Orange Lightening Cake (as muffins).
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Thirdly, Star Wars Sugar Cookies, with green and red sugar sprinkles for a Christmas flare. The forms, we purchased at Williams and Sonoma, while they were on special for $4.95. For these, I used this recipe, but found I had to add 1 additional egg, and 1/2 stick of additional butter as it was very dry.
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Lastly, something for my husband to remind him of home, German Christmas Cookies (made with almond meal)….recipe below. IMG_9069

German Christmas Cookies

Ingredients
1 egg (separate egg yolk and white)
60 g (1/2 cup)  Almond meal
180 g (1 1/2 cups) All purpose flour
1/2 tsp Baking powder
pinch salt
80 g + 40 g (1 cup) icing sugar (confectionary sugar)
80 g (3/4 stick) butter (softened)
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp water

Mix the yolk, almond meal, flour, baking powder, salt, 80g icing sugar, butter, vanilla and milk in a large bowl. NOTE: I start mixing with a fork and then use my hands as the dough starts to form). Form the dough into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F (200 degrees C). Once dough has chilled, place it between two layers of plastic wrap and roll out the dough. Cut out your cookies using your forms and place on a tray that is covered with baking paper (cookie sheets).

Mix the rest of the icing sugar (40g), egg white and water in a bowl and whisk to dissolve the icing sugar. With a brush thinly coat the top of the cookies with the glaze-mixture. Bake cookies for ~12 minutes or until golden.

Remove from the oven, leave on tray to cool for 5-10 minutes. Place on cooling rack thereafter until completely cooled.

What have you been baking for Christmas? I would love to hear.

Raspberry + white chocolate muffins

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When I came home from the Triangle MQG retreat,  I needed a quick recipe as I was off to a  the Triangle MQG pot luck in 3 hours.

What could I do??? How about Mini Raspberry + White Chocolate muffins. This recipe took me ~10 minutes to make + ~ 10 minutes to bake. They turned out great and were so delicious!! Perfect for this time of year.

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Ingredients

3 cups flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
3/4 cup brown sugar
125 g butter, melted
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
8 oz Raspberries (fresh, 1 pummet)
1 cup white chocolate drops
icing sugar (powder sugar)

Pre-heat oven to 415 degrees F (215 degrees C). Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the brown sugar. In another bowl, lightly beat the eggs, add the milk and butter. Add the liquids to the flour mix and mix until just combined. Stir in lightly, the raspberries + white chocolate.

Spoon the batter into 2-3 greased mini muffin tins/forms. Bake for 12 minutes or until skewer comes out clean. Place muffins onto a tray to cool. Serve with a coat of icing sugar.

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For the rest of the week, I am trying to concentrate getting my meals back on schedule and to a plan. Here is our week’s menu.

DAY BREAKFAST DINNER
Sunday Homemade French Toast  Raclette (Potatoes + Vegetables)
Monday Oatmeal + Banana + Soy Milk  Lasagne (GF pasta)
Tuesday Oatmeal + Rhubarb Apple Compote
+ Soy Milk		  Green Vegetable Frittata
Wednesday Oatmeal + Banana + Almond Butter
+ Soy Milk		  Vegetable Chili + Brown Rice
Thursday Rhubarb + Apple Crumble  Lentil Soup (Slow Cooker)
Friday Toast + Banana + Almond Butter  Ratatouille + GF Pasta