laurasaur

These classic, iconic New Zealand biscuits are very yummy and very much loved by everyone. They are incredibly easy to make and failproof. I found this recipe in the gorgeous – “Ladies, a Plate” by Alexa Johnston. She has researched, baked and tested hundreds of classic “New Zealand” recipes.

This batch is going to my new work – hopefully they like them.

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup dessicated coconut
3/4 cup flour
1 cup sugar
40z/115g butter
2 tbsp golden syrup
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp boiling water

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees celcius or 350 farenheight. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

In a large bowl combine the oats, coconut, flour and sugar.

Place butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan and heat until melted together, stirring with a wooden spoon.

Place baking soda in a cup, and add the boiling water, stir if there is any baking soda not dissolved.

Pour into the melted butter in the saucepan (it will foam up, don’t be afraid!) and stir together.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix together until no dry ingredients can be seen.

Form into heaped teaspoonfulls and place on the baking tray with at least an inch (3 cm) around them or they will do what mine did and form a giant biscuit he he.

Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden for chewy biscuits, and 15 minutes and dark golden for crisp ones.

Cool on a rack and store in an airtight tin. Makes about 36.

most people underestimate the importance of protein in their diet. Protein is a vital part of a healthy diet and has way too many benefits for me to bother typing out, but a large benefit of making protein part of every meal is that protein requires more energy to digest and makes you feel “full” for longer.

1 medium banana
10 feijoas
30g whey protein isolate (or your protein of choice)
ice

peel the banana and add it to your blender. add the flesh of the feijoas, and blend until smooth. add the protein powder, ice and a spash of water. blend until ice is crushed and smoothie is thick.

So surprising how some things just taste so good together. Cheese and chutney, marmite and chips, tomato sauce and everything.. haha.. Feijoas and Bananas are another awesome combo. And real vanilla bean.. although you can substitute 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if you want. Nice way to celebrate the first day of a new job… I feel like a proper grown up. Onto my second real job.. it’s all good.

10-20 feijoas, halved and scooped
1-2 ripe bananas sliced small
seeds of 1 vanilla bean
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of butter

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup oats
50g butter at room temperature

Mix fruit and vanilla seeds in an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle brown sugar over and dot butter on top.

Mix all dry ingredients in a deep bowl. Cut the butter into rough pieces and rub it into the dry ingredients with the tips of your figures until well mixed in.

Crumble this mixture over the fruit in an even layer. Bake for about 20 minutes at 180C until you can see the caramel mixture bubbling just under the crumble. Let cool slightly before serving.

I’m trying to start a tradition.. pancake Saturdays. So far I have found the best time to do it is when we have people staying.. cooking pancakes for other people is easy and fun and most of all satisfying. I’m attempting to try a different recipe every weekend until I am satisfied.. but I am tempted to stop at these…

Look how perfect they are.. mmmmm. Even without the single egg pan I am lemming at the moment P

Sour cream pancakes

1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. Combine eggs, sour cream, water, and vanilla in medium bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until moistened.

Preheat frying pan or skillet over medium heat; grease lightly. Pour about 1-2 tablespoons onto hot pan for each pancake. Cook until tops of pancakes are bubbly; turn and cook until browned the way you like.

Feijoa Juice:
Shell loads of Feijoas.. see first pic. Mix with a handful of ice and blend until smooth. Drink straight away.

I don’t really have anything new to post but I just thought I would share how super cool and cute this JellyBelly dispenser is!!

My hubby put one in my bag to surprise me (yeah, I know, so awesome) and it is super cute. I have always loved Jelly Belly’s (especially the flavour that most people hate: buttered popcorn) ever since my trip to America when I was about 10.

So no new baking for now, I spent a few hours on Sunday making a huge brownie platter for an event we went too, 2 batches of regular brownies, 1 batch of caramel brownies, whipped cream and a rich chocolate sauce.

There was less than 10 people at the event and about 2/3rds of the brownies got eaten so definately a success, pretty much my backup plan when I need to bring something sweet and I don’t have much time or energy.