Sunshine and Lemon Deliciousness

 Doesn't this Lemon cordial look like summer in a bottle? Today is the most glorious, sunny and hot day. As I worked all weekend including Friday on long days (that is 8.30am to 9.30pm), I missed the beautiful weekend we had here in Auckland. Luckily for me this week has also been lovely so I haven't missed out too much. It can be so hard looking out the windows of the hospital and just wanting to get out there yourself and join in the weekend fun. However today I took the opportunity to relax by using up some lemons our lovely neighbour gave me. I have figured out that I am an 'active relaxer' in that I have to be doing something that I enjoy to get the same benefit as someone else might get from lying around with a good book. Therefore for my 'relaxing' day off I have pretty much been in the kitchen all morning.

First up was this cordial. It is so easy to make and tastes so good. It's particularly good topped with some soda water and as we have a soda stream we have a ready supply of fizzy, filtered water. I also thought it would be lovely with some fresh mint, lots of ice and some vodka (for an adult treat). I think I'm going to try that tonight... I also thought it would make lovely Christmas gifts so this is what I will do this year. It can be quite stressful making homemade Christmas gifts and it can end up costing a small fortune especially as I am so particular. But this year I think I will make this, some lemon curd, maybe some homemade granola, and finally some truffles.

 Here is the lovely lemon curd I made from Jo Seagar's new cookbook. It was very, very easy requiring only a pot and a bowl. What I loved about it, other than its lemony deliciousness, is that there in no faffing about with a double boiler. It's all made in a pot and then I strained it before putting it into the jars to get out any bits of cooked egg white. This is lovely in little tarts, with ice cream, on bagels or with a number of other things. I'll be surprised if it lasts a week in this house as it's all too easy to just-have-another-spoonful-of.  

Don't they look beautiful....so summery...

Lemon Cordial

4 c sugar
4 lemons- juice and rind
4 c boiling water
1 1/2 Tbsp citric and tartaric acid

Dissolve the sugar in the water. Bring to the boil, add the acids, juice and rind and leave to cool. Bottle.


Thick Lemon Curd (Jo Seagar- 'It's Easier Than You Think')

200 gm butter
1 c caster sugar
grated rind and juice of 3 lemons
4 eggs

Melt the butter in a pot. Whisk the eggs, juice, rind and sugar together and then into the butter until well combined. Whisk continuously while the curd thickened and just comes to the boil. Remove from the heat, sieve through a strainer and cool in the jars. Store in the fridge and try not to eat it all yourself before you find something to do with it.

Karaoke and Nibbles

Last night we had a Karaoke night. Tarn has a machine so Dons organised a wee get together. Dad-am came over along with Tarn, Jules and Dons friend Diane. Although we were both a bit tired to start with, we had a really good time as we always do with our families, friends and a singing machine (and a couple of wines and Margaritas). We had a bit of a competition which Dons won of course....even though she stole my song.....!

I made some nibbles to have and then promptly forgot to take photos except for one of the half eaten plate of chocolate brownies (the fact that I had had a Margarita really had nothing to do with the forgetfulness I promise!). I made some Pork and Chinese Cabbage spring rolls (taken from a couple of Annabel Langbein's books) served with sweet chilli sauce; some Pork, Prawn and Shitake Mushroom Dumplings (which were totally delicious and a definite make-again) from the September 2010 Taste magazine; some mini Quiche Lorraine's; as well a couple of packets of the ubiquitous potato chips (standard for all Kiwi get togethers). I also made these fantastic brownies from Julie Le Clerc's new book called 'Made By Hand' which suited Dons as they are gluten-free.

Individual Chocolate Brownie Cakes (Julie Le Clerc 'Made By Hand')

100 gm butter melted and cooled

1/2 c cocoa powder

1/4 tapioca flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 c firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c coarsely chopped dark chocolate

Option: 1/2 c chopped nuts or raisins (I used walnuts but pecans or macadamias would have good too)

Preheat the oven to 160 C.

Grease a 12 hole muffin or cake tin and line the bottom or each (not too laborious as the recipe is so easy).

Sift flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Stir in the sugar making sure to get rid of the lumps.Make a well and pour in the cooled melted butter, vanilla and eggs. Stir just to combine. Add in the chocolate and anything else you wanted to add.

Bake about 20-25 mins until a skewer comes out moist but clean.

Cool in the tin. before turning out.

Just in case you are wondering how to make a great Margarita here is my recipe.... and I will state clearly for the record that I make THE best ones ever but be careful as they are easy to make and even easier to drink and they pack a real punch!

Best Ever Frozen Margarita's

30 ml tequila

30 ml cointreau

15 ml lime juice

15 ml sugar syrup (made by dissolving 1 c sugar into 1 c water and bringing to the boil for a couple of minutes)

Put all ingredients into a blender with loads of ice and blend to make a slushy consistency. In the summer fresh strawberries are amazing in this too.

Here are some other photos from last night.....



Dad thinking about singing...not!



Jules and Tarn

Diane and Tarn

Being a good hostess making coffee

Dad-am still thinking about singing....

Archie in the midst of it all

Dons, Diane and Me

The old timer photo of us all

Jules and Diane trying to get out of the frame



The crooner Dons