Moving to America has totally changed me - FACT. Not only have I become a wife (aiming for fully fledged domesticated goddess status!), but I also find myself saying "have a nice day" to complete strangers, I throw out the "trash" rather than the rubbish, I eat an entrée instead of a main, and I no longer consider putting sweet and … Continue reading Slow-Cooked Spicy Beef Chili
I've just arrived back in the UK, so it's perfect timing to share the afternoon I spent baking and taste-testing English Scones with the fantastic Estela, "Head Foodie" at Liberated Foods. Estela is a self-taught cook who specialises in gluten-free and allergen-free cooking and baking. Since the birth of her now 14 year old daughter, who was born with over 50 different … Continue reading Estela’s Gluten-Free Scones
This year the holiday season was, for me, the season of Eggnog. I had heard of Eggnog before, but had never really felt the desire to try it. A hot drink made with eggs? Disgusting! Add it to my latte? Pure coffee travesty! But since nervously taking a sip of my husband's eggnog one morning, I have been addicted - God bless America and all the eggnog recipes made … Continue reading Eggnog Coffee Cake
I've had the most fantastic Christmas!!! A holiday filled with family, food and fun - what more could a girl ask for? (Apart from the wonderful handbag my hubby bought me, of course?!!!) But now Christmas is over (boo!), we only have to suffer a few days at work until we can let our hair down and celebrate … Continue reading Get Ready For New Year’s Eve!
So my guess is that you're still feeling full from over-indulgent Christmas dining and the head is just a touch foggy from the Christmas spirit?! No doubt, you're also fed up to the back teeth of being in the kitchen, but know you have to do something to get rid of the barrowful of turkey, and other festive leftovers, that are taking over the … Continue reading Boxing Day Pasties
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose..." ...what a romantic image of Christmas those lyrics conjure up in one's mind. However, if you're anything like me you'll only be half way through your Christmas shopping, have just two presents wrapped (because the store did it!) and your kitchen will resemble a spewing volcano of … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Cranberry Sauce Muffins
I both love and dread this time of year. It's such a merry, festive time with Christmas songs playing wherever you may be and the scent of cinnamon filling the air. Everybody seems to be full of Christmas joy and we suddenly lose all of our inhibitions (and taste) by proudly donning jumpers that look like they have been … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Cranberry & Pistachio Biscotti
The Christmas tree is up, the line to see Santa is over 4 hours long outside Nordstrom, and the Gingerbread Village is displayed in full Star Wars themed glory (Gingerbread Star Wars?!!!) at the Sheraton hotel - so it MUST be Christmas! Our holiday always starts on Christmas Eve with mom's yum-tastic Italian dinner, followed by a family breakfast and present opening … Continue reading Christmas Bliss Bowl + Cranberry Sauce Bonus Video!
Are you sitting down? Because I have something to tell you, something that may come as quite a shock... ...because today's recipe is like no other on my blog. You'll find no chocolate, no candy, not even any peanut butter. Most surprisingly you'll discover this recipe contains NO SUGAR! Yes that's right, self-confessed sweet-toothed queen of the … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce
My appetite and waistline are already well and truly into the Christmas spirit. Being a food blogger, and having Thanksgiving to add to my culinary repertoire this year, I feel just like a turkey with my rapidly expanding waistline in the run-up to Christmas! This week's recipe has certainly not helped matters for it contains my most favourite … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Peppermint Patties & Mint Crunch
There can be no doubt, Christmas is on it's way! The party season has begun and my social calendar is already buzzing with lunches, dinners, and more importantly, drinks. Like most, I do enjoy a Christmas tipple! Even more so since moving to Seattle with my tee-total husband, as I now only tend to "indulge" at Sunday dinner … Continue reading Christmas Cheers: Drinks & Cocktails
Today I am congratulating myself with a huge pat on the back and TWO squares of peppermint fudge, because I succeeded in resisting all temptation! I cannot say it was easy and I definitely cannot deny that I wasn't sorely tempted to give in - but I did it, I ignored all festive urges until the month of December! Don't get me … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Festive Peppermint Fudge
Green beans are wonderful and very nostalgic. Many people will have grown up with fond memories of eating home-grown green beans from the vegetable patches of their back garden. However, rather surprisingly, it was not until I arrived in Seattle that I discovered the wonderful dish that is Green Bean Casserole. Again it was at mom's dinner table that I got my first … Continue reading Thanksgiving Countdown: Green Bean Casserole
Catching up with family and friends is fantastic, but every meeting is held over brunch, lunch or dinner. So while I thought my waistline was going to be endangered by the legendary American portions, it is in fact back home in England where I can feel the pounds invading my hips. The food in America is … Continue reading Thanksgiving Countdown: Biscuits & Gravy
I've just arrived in the UK and am SO excited to be back. I love living in Seattle, but as Dorothy said "There's no place like home" and who could argue with a girl in such fabulous shoes?!!! But there was something rather disagreeable waiting for me in the arrivals lounge at Heathrow - not my family, my girlfriends, or even George … Continue reading Thanksgiving Countdown: Skillet Cornbread
Today is always one of the hardest days of the year for me, because today is my husband's birthday. That's not to say it isn't a day of happiness and celebration, because it most definitely is, but like many other men, my husband is insanely difficult to buy a gift for. He is the man who has everything, … Continue reading Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies
The evenings are drawing in and there's a brisk chill in the air, so I've been seeking warmth and comfort in whatever which way I can. One morning, looking out at a grey sky full of rain clouds I decided to make a bold move and re-light the fires of an old flame. I don't think my husband will mind, … Continue reading Slow Cooker White Chicken Chilli
Why do the weekends always go too quickly? Especially when they are great weekends like the one I just had. It was typically cold, wet and grey outside, but I spent most of it inside, cosy and warm, huddled up on the sofa with my hubby. I didn't even have to cook as our Mom … Continue reading Halloween Fright Night Fudge
Trick or treat? Trick or treat? Let's bake something good to eat, Something spooky, scary and mean, Spookadoodles for Halloween! It's just one week until Halloween, and yes, I'm still excited! I have eaten so much pumpkin I'm starting to turn orange and my waistline is steadily becoming pumpkin-shaped due to all the Halloween candy I've devoured. By the … Continue reading Spookadoodles Halloween Snickerdoodle Cookies
We 'Millennials' are often criticised for falling victim to the law of instant gratification. Instant gratification is basically the desire to have what you want and to have it now. Imagine the scene... ...I'm having a fantastically successful girls night in when the unthinkable happens - we run out of wine. Do we go without??? Do we stop … Continue reading Three Ingredient Pumpkin Oreo Chocolate Brownies
My husband has another love. He has been very open about his love affair and I have known about his "weakness" for a few years now. But who am I to complain? Especially as I also share in this particular love fantasy. So when he returned from a business trip away this week, I thought we could both be there to welcome … Continue reading A Pumpkin Bread Affair
Arugula & Rocket 