tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65007315114010576132024-03-18T03:03:42.676+00:00helen james designMusings on design, food, flowers, painting, gardens, but mostly food...Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.comBlogger283125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-8259094634223071752015-03-21T19:04:00.000+00:002015-03-21T19:04:40.358+00:00considered by Helen James <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well its been a long time but I have not been idle </div>
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Things have been so hectic......... and are due to continue along that path </div>
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but I did want to pop back here and say hello and let you know,</div>
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in case you hadn't heard,</div>
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that my new range launched at Dunnes Stores (Ireland's largest retailer)</div>
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<a href="http://www.dunnesstores.com/considered/content/fcp-content" target="_blank">"Considered by Helen James</a>" </div>
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is a range of bakeware, textiles and food</div>
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that I have designed and developed </div>
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All of the food is made in Ireland and I have also worked with local producers to create bespoke wooden chopping boards and wooden furniture which is made in my local village in Westmeath.</div>
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Also made in Ireland are a range of candles that I designed to be burned in your kitchen, with scents like Basil & Fennel leaf and Lemon Balm.</div>
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This collection is a culmination of a dream to bring my love of design</div>
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and passion for food and baking together<br />
I hope you like it </div>
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<br />Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-60270503525049555402014-07-25T12:43:00.000+01:002014-07-25T12:45:37.139+01:00HELMSLEY AND HELMSLEY<div style="text-align: center;">
A few weeks ago i had the pleasure of meeting the Helmsley and helmsley girls who were in Dublin promoting their new book </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Eating-Well-Jasmine-Hemsley/dp/0091958326/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406287223&sr=1-1&keywords=helmsley+and+helmsley" target="_blank">Hemsley</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Eating-Well-Jasmine-Hemsley/dp/0091958326/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406287223&sr=1-1&keywords=helmsley+and+helmsley" target="_blank">Hemsley</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Eating-Well-Jasmine-Hemsley/dp/0091958326/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406287223&sr=1-1&keywords=helmsley+and+helmsley" target="_blank">the Art of eating well </a></div>
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They gave a demonstration in the <a href="http://www.cooksacademy.com/" target="_blank">Cooks academy</a> in Dublin</div>
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You could feel their passion for what they do </div>
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and they are certainly the best possible advertisments for what they preach</div>
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Bursting with energy and glowing </div>
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They were so warm and relaxed.</div>
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I have made quite a few recipes from the book</div>
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and every one has been delicious</div>
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I have boiled up some good batches of bone broth</div>
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something I used to do all the time but somehow fell out of the habit of. </div>
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The bliss balls recipe is now a real favourite and in the demonstartion they made it into a fudge </div>
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sprinkled with cacao nibs on top </div>
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This is now my go to snack </div>
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simply 220g bar creamed coconut warmed through, </div>
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2 tablespoons tahini </div>
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and a tablespoon raw honey mixed together with a pinch of salt </div>
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and poured into a 8" x 8" square tin </div>
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sprinkle with cacao nibs and refrigerate </div>
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simply delicious</div>
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I have also tried their raw avocado chocolate mousse</div>
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I loved it but little mouths were not so sure </div>
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have to work on that sugar habit </div>
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The sesame chicken salad was a big hit</div>
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Ok so I am not eating like this all the time </div>
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and as I write this a batch of cinnamon pulla dough is resting in the kitchen</div>
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But i figure if i can add some of this philosophy into my day </div>
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and swap out 40% of my meals with something they recommend i will be striking a good balance </div>
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In other news summer is here </div>
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and the garden is bursting </div>
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the lake is calling for a swim </div>
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my garden </div>
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Out for a walk</div>
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Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-54854822783446764222014-04-20T12:26:00.000+01:002014-04-20T12:26:20.431+01:00London, Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few weekends ago I was in London to visit my brother </div>
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The weather was glorious and while this was a family weekend </div>
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I did manage to squeeze in a few shop visits </div>
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Mini bouquets on Dalston High street </div>
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I finally got to visit </div>
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<a href="http://www.shopfolklore.com/" target="_blank">FOLKLORE</a></div>
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in Islington </div>
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a beautifully curated shop </div>
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simplicity</div>
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honesty</div>
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integrity</div>
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as I made my way up Islington high street I popped in to </div>
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<a href="https://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/" target="_blank">OTTOLENGHI</a></div>
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I didn't stay........</div>
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I love Ottolenghi,</div>
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but now that he is a "celebrity"</div>
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the place was rammed!</div>
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well, it was a saturday afternoon</div>
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bought some cookies to go and kept on moving</div>
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Next I popped in to </div>
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<a href="http://abigailahern.com/" target="_blank">ATELIER ABIGAIL AHERN</a></div>
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which was mostly full of beautiful faux flowers</div>
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Next was a trip to </div>
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<a href="https://www.aesop.com/fr/?show_banner=1&___store=fr_en" target="_blank">AESOP</a></div>
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where it seemed like a really good idea to part with a large chunk of cash for some beautiful products </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLz7IhjyK8E/U1OsjptFYJI/AAAAAAAAECA/VzHHZcAgVT4/s1600/photo(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLz7IhjyK8E/U1OsjptFYJI/AAAAAAAAECA/VzHHZcAgVT4/s1600/photo(2).JPG" /></a></div>
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Since I have been home Spring has well and truly landed </div>
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Every year it feels like a full body stretch after being curled in a ball for 5 long cold months</div>
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Such a feeling of hope and optimism</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
projects, small and large vying for space in my brain </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and all seems possible</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMCfp3Uwo0M/U1OtQor03yI/AAAAAAAAECI/wzMLNeWwQ1w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMCfp3Uwo0M/U1OtQor03yI/AAAAAAAAECI/wzMLNeWwQ1w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QtLvybxDsis/U1OtU4gqGmI/AAAAAAAAECQ/OlLikBKiaqE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QtLvybxDsis/U1OtU4gqGmI/AAAAAAAAECQ/OlLikBKiaqE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-32912860584526005812014-02-28T12:38:00.000+00:002014-02-28T12:39:42.051+00:00crispy and chewy chocolate chip cookie <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuYAcFxplGw/UxB_W1TwGqI/AAAAAAAAD-E/pDABBdFmBns/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuYAcFxplGw/UxB_W1TwGqI/AAAAAAAAD-E/pDABBdFmBns/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am constantly searching for a perfect choc chip cookie </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I found an amazing one </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which i posted about <a href="http://helenjamesdesign.blogspot.ie/2011/04/ultimate-chocolate-chip-cookies.html">here</a> </div>
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and i still think that is a keeper </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but a girl likes to explore and discover </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and my quest means I must constantly test, tweak and eat </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tough eh?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
anyway today I lifted these ladies out and i knew i was on to something special </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pLlZseddxE/UxB_XErYYCI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/z-PZ6jWSEvQ/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pLlZseddxE/UxB_XErYYCI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/z-PZ6jWSEvQ/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
crispy on the outside with a slight chew in centre </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
very light and utterly more'ish</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qcqXDhVi9PQ/UxB_XFETWkI/AAAAAAAAD-U/nene3i1DW8Q/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qcqXDhVi9PQ/UxB_XFETWkI/AAAAAAAAD-U/nene3i1DW8Q/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>RECIPE</b></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
11ozs/320g flour </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 tspn baking soda</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
8ozs /220g butter melted and still warm </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5ozs/140g sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5ozs/140g dark brown sugar </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 teaspoon sea salt</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2 large eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4ozs/100g semi sweet chocolate chopped into chunks </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4ozs/100g milk chocolate chopped into chunks </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">METHOD</span></b></u> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
makes 30-40 cookies </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
melt butter ( I always melt mine in the microwave, so easy, just keep an eye on it)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
add sugars and stir to combine</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
add 2 eggs and stir well</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
add in dry ingredients flour, bak soda and salt, make sure you have combined them first (i just spoon bak sod and salt onto weighed flour and combine with a fork)</div>
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stir in dry ingredients until almost fully incoporated</div>
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add chocolate </div>
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stir until combined but do not over mix </div>
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chill for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hrs (or longer)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
when you are ready to bake </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
preheat oven to 375f/ 190c</div>
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place round cookie balls on lined cookie sheet each ball should be walnut size </div>
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space 2-3" apart </div>
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bake for 9-11 minutes </div>
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allow to cool </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">adapted from<a href="http://alicemedrich.com/"> Alice Medrichs</a> chocolate chip cookie recipe </span></div>
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<br /></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-33545541020638579172014-02-14T13:54:00.000+00:002014-02-14T13:54:07.658+00:00Lemon drizzle cake with a twist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--p2cItl7OJU/Uv4c0kN3FgI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/PJ6d2HNuMTc/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--p2cItl7OJU/Uv4c0kN3FgI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/PJ6d2HNuMTc/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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The thing is I have been so busy </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not that I am neglecting this blog </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's just that I am working on a very exciting new project </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which really came about in many ways <i>because</i> of this blog</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't tell you about it until September </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it's VERY exciting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wish me luck </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2uvdRFohvc/Uv4cr6LU9QI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/DIvt5aLzuAg/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2uvdRFohvc/Uv4cr6LU9QI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/DIvt5aLzuAg/s1600/photo-5.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Meanwhile Ireland is in the midst of storms </div>
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windy, rainy, sleety wetness</div>
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when your window looks like this </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
light the fires</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
snuggle up with something comforting like</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9m1uBPpXs0/Uv4dH1ObQoI/AAAAAAAAD78/vfyi5wBM7kA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9m1uBPpXs0/Uv4dH1ObQoI/AAAAAAAAD78/vfyi5wBM7kA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lemon drizzle cake - a classic </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
why mess with it ?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
well why not </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I added some Jasmine green tea </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the resulting combination is quite delicious</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The earthiness of the tea cuts through the sharp lemon and grounds it </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
perfect with steaming hot tea on a day like today </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yfs8c-UMHVc/Uv4dH-C1OQI/AAAAAAAAD8E/VQoEOoixS8s/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yfs8c-UMHVc/Uv4dH-C1OQI/AAAAAAAAD8E/VQoEOoixS8s/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>JASMINE TEA LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE </u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
RECIPE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tablespoon jasmine tea </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5 tablespoon boiling water</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
125g butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
175g sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 large eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
zest of 1 lemon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
175g self raising flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pinch of salt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SYRUP</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
juice of 1 lemon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
100g icing sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tablespoons jasmine tea </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
METHOD</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
place tea in a shallow dish and add 5 tablespoons of boiling water</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
set aside </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add eggs 1 at a time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add lemon zest and s.r. flour and combine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add salt </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pour in jasmine tea and tealeaves fold into mixture</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spoon into lined loaf tin</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bake for 45mins or until cake skewer comes out clean </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while the cake is baking make your syrup </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add juice of 1 lemon to 2 tbspn jasmine tea and icing sugar in a small pan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
heat slowly </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
leave to infuse</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when cake is done remove from oven and skewer with holes </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pour syrup onto hot cake </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(you can strain the syrup or leave tea leaves to sit on top of cake I chose to strain it)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
leave to cool slightly</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
eat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2F5DxLpFGE/Uv4c10KiVBI/AAAAAAAAD70/KJxY2JfiM74/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2F5DxLpFGE/Uv4c10KiVBI/AAAAAAAAD70/KJxY2JfiM74/s1600/photo+4.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yum</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-75382678960627045462014-02-02T17:29:00.001+00:002014-02-02T17:29:04.694+00:00CHOCOLATE DIGESTIVES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_iLtriiduo/Uu59rCY5dOI/AAAAAAAAD6s/O0KJHlrrJIA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_iLtriiduo/Uu59rCY5dOI/AAAAAAAAD6s/O0KJHlrrJIA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Homemade Chocolate Digestive biscuits</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
............no argument from me </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who doesn't love a chocolate digestive</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q4UhylUJys8/Uu59plbod7I/AAAAAAAAD6o/O6wSDi-Ozds/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q4UhylUJys8/Uu59plbod7I/AAAAAAAAD6o/O6wSDi-Ozds/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
RECIPE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
100g medium size oats*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
50g wholewheat flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
50g plain flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
100g cold butter </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
50g light muscovado sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pre heat oven to 190c </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have medium oats place in food processor along with flours</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*if you only have jumbo oats (as I did) place them in the food processor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and blitz for a few minutes to reduce their size</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add butter and blitz</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
blitz until it comes together in a dough</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
turn out onto lightly floured surface</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
roll to 5mm thick and cut with 7cm cookie cutter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(makes 14-16 biscuits)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bake for 16-20 mins </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cover in chocolate if desired </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they are honestly nice either way </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9XSCZsS9FGY/Uu59r4p7EpI/AAAAAAAAD60/PZ2tkXZPnSY/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9XSCZsS9FGY/Uu59r4p7EpI/AAAAAAAAD60/PZ2tkXZPnSY/s1600/photo-4.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
recipe adapted from <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/countryhomesandinteriors">country homes and interiors </a></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-17981420636259241012013-12-22T12:27:00.000+00:002013-12-22T12:27:36.469+00:00unwind christmas time <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
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Since we last spoke I have been in New York, Hong Kong, Bang Kok, Shanghai........</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
needless to say I am looking forward to some quiet family time over the holidays </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I predict I will be spending a lot of time here </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_y_BChAP4Q/UrbVKp76LLI/AAAAAAAAD5M/pSrNdJcteMQ/s1600/709e4315fc41374be1c51b2296e5058b-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_y_BChAP4Q/UrbVKp76LLI/AAAAAAAAD5M/pSrNdJcteMQ/s640/709e4315fc41374be1c51b2296e5058b-1.jpg" width="396" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(image from pinterest source unknown)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wearing something like this </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4R-kQOM50U/UrbVNTTtuOI/AAAAAAAAD5U/qQD-q8afJUU/s1600/b0b47a38cc20680aadae612d8fd7d29c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4R-kQOM50U/UrbVNTTtuOI/AAAAAAAAD5U/qQD-q8afJUU/s640/b0b47a38cc20680aadae612d8fd7d29c.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
image and pyjamas from <a href="http://sleepyjones.com/women/clothing/pajamas/">Sleepy Jones</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and well, if i must arise then maybe i will throw this on </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGvabRnsqzM/UrbVQjdPv6I/AAAAAAAAD5c/uZFj0VkfNhY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-22+at+12.03.10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGvabRnsqzM/UrbVQjdPv6I/AAAAAAAAD5c/uZFj0VkfNhY/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-12-22+at+12.03.10.png" width="388" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
lounge robe <a href="http://www.zarahome.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/zarahomegb/en/zarahomegb/634522/3332002/Knitted%2BDressing%2BGown">Zara </a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I may even wander here </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_UtES8WMlI/UrbZGVFw_EI/AAAAAAAAD5w/Fjtf3o2xbZs/s1600/b989a51f4e3bfcf26a719701fc318327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_UtES8WMlI/UrbZGVFw_EI/AAAAAAAAD5w/Fjtf3o2xbZs/s640/b989a51f4e3bfcf26a719701fc318327.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and do a little of this </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://helenjamesdesign.blogspot.ie/2012/10/no-knead-bread.html">no knead bread </a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn8Z3Ft3Y4c/UrbZBsR751I/AAAAAAAAD5s/2FQHuQLRgf8/s1600/tumblr_muphcwm3KM1qei7a7o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn8Z3Ft3Y4c/UrbZBsR751I/AAAAAAAAD5s/2FQHuQLRgf8/s640/tumblr_muphcwm3KM1qei7a7o1_500.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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whatever you are up to this Holiday season</div>
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I hope it is wonderful </div>
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see you on the new year </div>
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<br /></div>
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x Helen </div>
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<br /></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-14557979952374585232013-11-15T20:57:00.001+00:002013-11-15T20:57:29.948+00:00ROSE CUPCAKES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7uFr0-dt64/UoaJADSUnJI/AAAAAAAAD38/eWf0MhWe6m4/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7uFr0-dt64/UoaJADSUnJI/AAAAAAAAD38/eWf0MhWe6m4/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bought my first piping bag last week </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While I have been an avid baker for more years than I would like to mention</div>
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For some reason piping bags intimidated me</div>
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<br /></div>
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But now I feel like we are going to become best friends </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-woQc7KUQMWI/UoaI_s1-g0I/AAAAAAAAD4A/hmFO3vRoEQA/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-woQc7KUQMWI/UoaI_s1-g0I/AAAAAAAAD4A/hmFO3vRoEQA/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jP7JxRFo7n0/UoaJAWXuUsI/AAAAAAAAD4M/F75OcnN9rg8/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jP7JxRFo7n0/UoaJAWXuUsI/AAAAAAAAD4M/F75OcnN9rg8/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="578" /></a></div>
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What could be better than combining two of my favourite things </div>
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Cakes and Flowers</div>
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</div>
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Vanilla cupcakes with Vanilla icing </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos by Helen James </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright Helen James </span></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-70282615237850695552013-10-28T08:45:00.000+00:002013-10-28T08:45:11.735+00:00LEMON POLENTA COOKIES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jha_Et9LfGQ/Um4fy2r013I/AAAAAAAAD1s/rQzuLLiE1Ws/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jha_Et9LfGQ/Um4fy2r013I/AAAAAAAAD1s/rQzuLLiE1Ws/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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Lemony, Buttery, Sugary</div>
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............. no more explanation needed </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fkn2bSxBMf0/Um4f0JDTddI/AAAAAAAAD18/P-UGtL82DyY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fkn2bSxBMf0/Um4f0JDTddI/AAAAAAAAD18/P-UGtL82DyY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
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LEMON POLENTA SHORTBREAD COOKIES </div>
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100g sugar</div>
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200g flour</div>
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100g fine polenta (cornmeal)</div>
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zest 1 lemon<br />pinch salt </div>
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200g cold butter</div>
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If you have a food processor</div>
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dump all ingredients and whizz for approx 5 minutes until mixture clumps</div>
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otherwise put all of the dry ingredients in to a bowl </div>
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add butter and rub in until mixture clumps together</div>
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<br /></div>
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tip mixture out on to a sheet of cling film (seran wrap)</div>
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bring together into a large sausage shape</div>
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wrap in cling film and refrigerate for at least 1 hour</div>
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remove from fridge and slice into 1 cm discs</div>
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if the mixture crumbles you can just squidge it back together </div>
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but a few more minutes in the fridge will make it easier </div>
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<br /></div>
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bake for 30 minutes</div>
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until edges are just turning</div>
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turn oven off and allow cookies to cool in the oven with door ajar</div>
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(this makes them really crisp and crumbly) </div>
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<br /></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-8431740409156791432013-10-20T11:22:00.002+01:002013-10-20T11:23:37.436+01:00WINTER WEAR<div style="text-align: center;">
What do you want to wear this winter ?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMLZhEHu62Y/UmOrmfjle8I/AAAAAAAADyU/3owRvX7uRr4/s1600/021a9d05ea43b4963bcf4de58902382f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMLZhEHu62Y/UmOrmfjle8I/AAAAAAAADyU/3owRvX7uRr4/s640/021a9d05ea43b4963bcf4de58902382f.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yW8ZBpu37k/UmOrvM_dioI/AAAAAAAADzk/G0UpURA4gZk/s1600/043f124ea91da73c1ada9a98fa74bfaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yW8ZBpu37k/UmOrvM_dioI/AAAAAAAADzk/G0UpURA4gZk/s640/043f124ea91da73c1ada9a98fa74bfaa.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Are you lusting after a teddy bear coat?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6gWqgsDeErw/UmOrvLlq-CI/AAAAAAAADzw/_xi-EpbuYjk/s1600/86d00a86e70f32767f8bac3534710a30-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6gWqgsDeErw/UmOrvLlq-CI/AAAAAAAADzw/_xi-EpbuYjk/s640/86d00a86e70f32767f8bac3534710a30-1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IA8WsY9piyY/UmOrte-dssI/AAAAAAAADzQ/xrZ-wZqFLBI/s1600/44a762f6b8161e2623b1019a96fd16c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IA8WsY9piyY/UmOrte-dssI/AAAAAAAADzQ/xrZ-wZqFLBI/s640/44a762f6b8161e2623b1019a96fd16c7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Or maybe a fur collar</div>
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A gilet ?</div>
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in orange?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLHqlhxxB8c/UmOr1SvJ6rI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/GEcDuzbF-dM/s1600/19934f235b61d1f2d97e46e9685c3bbf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLHqlhxxB8c/UmOr1SvJ6rI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/GEcDuzbF-dM/s640/19934f235b61d1f2d97e46e9685c3bbf.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlzEpp4XZMk/UmOruvq8e_I/AAAAAAAADzg/JlnZoiKDbqo/s1600/72c4f6c5f1a2fe2dac9c67126e09087e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlzEpp4XZMk/UmOruvq8e_I/AAAAAAAADzg/JlnZoiKDbqo/s1600/72c4f6c5f1a2fe2dac9c67126e09087e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or maybe an orange oversize handbag <br />
This is one of my favourite hues</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JtLYCEenXJo/UmOrw-9hO2I/AAAAAAAAD0E/5ScevtZV4FI/s1600/89b929dbc7870935497ad5da0e419ab3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JtLYCEenXJo/UmOrw-9hO2I/AAAAAAAAD0E/5ScevtZV4FI/s640/89b929dbc7870935497ad5da0e419ab3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
although all shades of camel come a close second</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUomUUiECWE/UmOrnyEbt7I/AAAAAAAADy4/GRKf2tjXtQI/s1600/8fbd59c1db4d2fead2117c41c393ff8d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUomUUiECWE/UmOrnyEbt7I/AAAAAAAADy4/GRKf2tjXtQI/s640/8fbd59c1db4d2fead2117c41c393ff8d.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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teamed with metallic shoes?</div>
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instant update </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvH9uMGjnZY/UmOrnCvMiOI/AAAAAAAADyw/8mW4sU8Jk78/s1600/6ba7dcd3c38f94b344eded0a0eee0b2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvH9uMGjnZY/UmOrnCvMiOI/AAAAAAAADyw/8mW4sU8Jk78/s640/6ba7dcd3c38f94b344eded0a0eee0b2d.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cosy oversized cardigan</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vVhVHRR93A/UmOr1C2eqRI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/n_3Xt4z3_gA/s1600/34489d6ac8d54221f2399a52d446f947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vVhVHRR93A/UmOr1C2eqRI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/n_3Xt4z3_gA/s640/34489d6ac8d54221f2399a52d446f947.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epcy9wh1XGQ/UmOr1b_4V_I/AAAAAAAAD0g/eNaT-DowCxU/s1600/b5e2ae899b0fe3e808c718326a7bb66c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epcy9wh1XGQ/UmOr1b_4V_I/AAAAAAAAD0g/eNaT-DowCxU/s640/b5e2ae899b0fe3e808c718326a7bb66c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Always love me a scarf </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
never thought to combine scarf and fur collar together </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3iSRYiaP4Fc/UmOrmDx3JZI/AAAAAAAADyc/ZdwSEtUiSNw/s1600/0d8ee8584c0103b4247fb686aacb5caa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3iSRYiaP4Fc/UmOrmDx3JZI/AAAAAAAADyc/ZdwSEtUiSNw/s640/0d8ee8584c0103b4247fb686aacb5caa.jpg" width="402" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is this the IT sweater for Winter 2013 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an IT sweater now that is a sign of the times </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3PCaB9WUNE/UmOr33wDeTI/AAAAAAAAD1A/e91OwrHkQ7Y/s1600/d976eefc4f96a96644873d0871a61cff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3PCaB9WUNE/UmOr33wDeTI/AAAAAAAAD1A/e91OwrHkQ7Y/s640/d976eefc4f96a96644873d0871a61cff.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3ibncANAq8/UmOro1m2v7I/AAAAAAAADzE/vCq14sj1M_w/s1600/9d3b0e2a60524387260d8c4858ecaec4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3ibncANAq8/UmOro1m2v7I/AAAAAAAADzE/vCq14sj1M_w/s640/9d3b0e2a60524387260d8c4858ecaec4.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How do you feel about winter white ?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgQgNA3YZBg/UmOrtTIiUoI/AAAAAAAADzU/aSs7krw7APQ/s1600/47e3ac50b18f5a9f9490e8ab6ea74a03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgQgNA3YZBg/UmOrtTIiUoI/AAAAAAAADzU/aSs7krw7APQ/s640/47e3ac50b18f5a9f9490e8ab6ea74a03.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and a winter suit ?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
slim cut</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMiNwlnJVfM/UmOrmtJf6tI/AAAAAAAADyo/deVTiZikh9U/s1600/5b066ffc4f88f1fe1c6136d0bf669daa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMiNwlnJVfM/UmOrmtJf6tI/AAAAAAAADyo/deVTiZikh9U/s640/5b066ffc4f88f1fe1c6136d0bf669daa.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or loose fit </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9b7-lCQkR0/UmOr2jrDU1I/AAAAAAAAD0w/5k9DIffjdlw/s1600/bf535c97914a0d57e76335a60536ce7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9b7-lCQkR0/UmOr2jrDU1I/AAAAAAAAD0w/5k9DIffjdlw/s640/bf535c97914a0d57e76335a60536ce7a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you cant beat black </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which is having a come back........ did it really go away?</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPi9Wg2q7Hc/UmOrnoFZk4I/AAAAAAAADzA/6sapmUwVviU/s1600/8b37b8fea4f0876c930de95806627118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPi9Wg2q7Hc/UmOrnoFZk4I/AAAAAAAADzA/6sapmUwVviU/s640/8b37b8fea4f0876c930de95806627118.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
love the idea of wearing all black but with a brown belt </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
All photos from<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/helenmagdajames/style-inspiration/"> PINTEREST</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for original links go to my pinterest page </div>
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<br /></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-13758413525601154282013-10-13T10:52:00.001+01:002013-10-13T10:52:57.827+01:00HEARTY WINTER SOUP AND BROWN BREAD <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-EGt-anYoA/UlpnMhLKW5I/AAAAAAAADxo/qaEhLRXh0t8/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-EGt-anYoA/UlpnMhLKW5I/AAAAAAAADxo/qaEhLRXh0t8/s1600/photo-2.JPG" /></a></div>
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As the garden offers up her final fruits</div>
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The days are that beautiful autumnal crisp and heavy with the scent of damp leaves</div>
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Fire is now a ritual every evening as opposed to an occasional occurance</div>
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The seasons are vivid in the Irish Countryside</div>
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and so much of the season is about what we eat </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8aNy1wkz1U/UlpnR3tpPFI/AAAAAAAADx8/L66F2YoA2y4/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8aNy1wkz1U/UlpnR3tpPFI/AAAAAAAADx8/L66F2YoA2y4/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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and right now hearty soups with warm brown bread feel just about right</div>
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The thing about soup is, to me it feels a little contradictorary to offer a recipe </div>
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as really soup, in this house, is usually about what is available or waiting to be used up </div>
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So the following "recipe" is a guide and you should substitute the contents of your own larder</div>
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<br /></div>
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HEARTY WINTER SOUP</div>
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2 onions chopped </div>
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A 1" piece of fresh ginger </div>
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2 large carrots</div>
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2 sticks celery</div>
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2 cups red lentils</div>
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1 tsp salt</div>
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1 stock cube </div>
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METHOD</div>
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put onion in pan and sprinkle with salt, sautee until soft, </div>
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add chopped carrots, celery and finely chopped ginger</div>
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sautee for 5 mins</div>
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add 2 cups of lentils </div>
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add 3 pints of cold water and stock cube </div>
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simmer for 45 mins until everything is soft </div>
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Blend until smooth</div>
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<br /></div>
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serve as is or with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkled with chive flowers </div>
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<br /></div>
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(sweet potato, butternut squash and parsnip would all be welcome additions)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N6TYh1MFydY/UlpnQ9YxWrI/AAAAAAAADx0/I99ZzrC2LMs/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N6TYh1MFydY/UlpnQ9YxWrI/AAAAAAAADx0/I99ZzrC2LMs/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was one of those occassions where I didn't have everything the recipe called for, </div>
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made some substitutes and the results were better than the original </div>
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<br /></div>
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BROWN BREAD</div>
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225g coarse wholemeal flour</div>
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100g whole spelt flour*</div>
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150g plain flour </div>
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1 tspn salt</div>
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1 tspn bread soda </div>
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25g butter</div>
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1 tbspn dark brown sugar </div>
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300 ml milk</div>
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100ml plain yoghurt</div>
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1 egg</div>
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seeds (optional) </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>*if you do not have spelt flour simply divide the 100g between the other 2 making it </i></div>
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<i>275g wholemeal and 200g plain</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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METHOD<i> </i></div>
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Pre heat oven to 200c<i><br /></i></div>
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line a loaf pan with a sheet of grease proof paper</div>
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Place flours, salt, bread soda into bowl</div>
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add cold butter </div>
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rub in </div>
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sprinkle in brown sugar </div>
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put the egg, milk and yoghurt in a jug and combine</div>
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add the wet to the dry mix and combine </div>
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add a handful of seeds if desired, pumpkin, sunflower, poppy all work well</div>
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pour mixture into loaf pan </div>
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<br /></div>
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Bake for 40-45 mins </div>
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allow to cool completely before cutting</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-14675087405356619292013-10-06T10:13:00.001+01:002013-10-06T10:13:38.996+01:00Falling into Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Autumn has well and truly wrapped her temperate hands around Ireland </div>
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The <a href="http://helenjamesdesign.blogspot.ie/2013/06/sunshine-and-pear-tart.html">balmy days of summer</a> are a distant memory </div>
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<br /></div>
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Although the days are shorter </div>
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There is something wonderful about the onset of this new season </div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbfo9cjKqEQ/UlElM_8eugI/AAAAAAAADwM/Bp_43KfeTjE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbfo9cjKqEQ/UlElM_8eugI/AAAAAAAADwM/Bp_43KfeTjE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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This was a bumper year for our Apples</div>
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If you happened to visit me in the last few weeks no doubt you were sent </div>
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home clutching a paper bag of these beauties</div>
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The excess were carefully wrapped in newspaper and stored in the outhouse </div>
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I do foresee quite a few Apple crumbles, pies, tarts in our future </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M4J79t_Dpq8/UlElM3jtnGI/AAAAAAAADwc/VOKkmAylgi4/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M4J79t_Dpq8/UlElM3jtnGI/AAAAAAAADwc/VOKkmAylgi4/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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were you surprised when you took a bite and the pink tinged flesh revealed itself</div>
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The name of this Apple is </div>
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<b>"Discovery"</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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The menu has changed </div>
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From Tarts and salads to </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cuga5RyOCgQ/UlEnH2jrInI/AAAAAAAADw0/Oq3IGpxxptE/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cuga5RyOCgQ/UlEnH2jrInI/AAAAAAAADw0/Oq3IGpxxptE/s1600/photo-1.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Steak and Guinness Pie</div>
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made for a visiting Brother </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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With an Autumnal Pavlova to finish </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0mBnBE4ZWE/UlEnEZ36tyI/AAAAAAAADww/W6hEYgxeizc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0mBnBE4ZWE/UlEnEZ36tyI/AAAAAAAADww/W6hEYgxeizc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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Honeycomb, chocolate Pavolva with toasted almonds and toffee sauce</div>
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On the weekends</div>
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Planting Spring bulbs </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jsz5Ge5pgy8/UlEn2t5ZYaI/AAAAAAAADxI/Sh8AF7HhONI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jsz5Ge5pgy8/UlEn2t5ZYaI/AAAAAAAADxI/Sh8AF7HhONI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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or maybe a walk in the woods </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3YHcmvIKHg/UlEn_g0COTI/AAAAAAAADxU/dgodrSVMNIg/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3YHcmvIKHg/UlEn_g0COTI/AAAAAAAADxU/dgodrSVMNIg/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
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Spiderman costume optional </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPdxW7kn16o/UlEn1uKJMZI/AAAAAAAADxA/IuRsnnNW4mY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPdxW7kn16o/UlEn1uKJMZI/AAAAAAAADxA/IuRsnnNW4mY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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So many mushrooms around right now </div>
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Unfortunately I am not a confident Mushroom connoisseur </div>
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Not a risk worth taking !</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alF6Pf1HhG0/UlEn3XLmNfI/AAAAAAAADxQ/vAkqXKxBvLI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alF6Pf1HhG0/UlEn3XLmNfI/AAAAAAAADxQ/vAkqXKxBvLI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
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Conkers, on the other hand provide little danger </div>
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and we filled our pockets </div>
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<br /></div>
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Hope you are enjoying the new season too</div>
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x </div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-85853663074308575682013-09-09T11:19:00.000+01:002013-09-09T11:19:19.245+01:00Rose bakery, Merci Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I Can't believe that it has taken me up until now to visit</div>
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<a href="http://www.merci-merci.com/en/">MERCI Paris </a></div>
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I was pretty sure I was going to love it </div>
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and guess what </div>
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I did </div>
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I was in Paris for Maison et Objet </div>
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as were the rest of the design world </div>
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and Merci was teaming with japanese, Americans, Northern Europeans </div>
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This is where the inspirers go to get inspired </div>
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<br /></div>
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After a spot of shopping </div>
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We made our way to Le Bon Marche </div>
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and the highlight here was I also finally got to eat lunch at a Rose Bakery outpost</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
simplicity </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
taste</div>
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texture</div>
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perfection</div>
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and the cakes......</div>
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I purchased the<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breakfast-Lunch-Tea-Little-Bakery/dp/0714844659/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378721867&sr=1-1&keywords=rose+bakery"> cook book </a></div>
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and I have already begun working my way through it </div>
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Highly recommended </div>
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</div>
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</div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-1329040925485167352013-08-25T17:13:00.001+01:002013-08-25T17:13:47.056+01:00Salted Butter Ice Cream<div style="text-align: center;">
Ice Cream + Butter + Sea Salt = AAAHHH DELICIOUS</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdTUyb1Fn1k/UhorxGHE52I/AAAAAAAADuA/xkLiUcgpk1w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdTUyb1Fn1k/UhorxGHE52I/AAAAAAAADuA/xkLiUcgpk1w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Salted Butter Ice Cream </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Recipe </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
400 ml milk </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
320 ml double cream </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
100g butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 egg yolks </div>
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130g sugar</div>
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big pinch sea salt</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
METHOD</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
heat milk and cream,</div>
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In a mixing bowl whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale</div>
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<br /></div>
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remove milk and cream from the heat and add butter </div>
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let stand for 2 minutes until butter has melted</div>
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pour mixture slowly over eggs stirring continuosly</div>
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pour mixture back into pan and heat until thickened</div>
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leave to cool completely</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
preferably in the fridge overnight (but ok to just leave for a few hours)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Pour into ice cream machine </div>
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or freeze in a container and remove every hour to whisk away ice crystals </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ux7Dm8oTv-E/UhorxL0nR3I/AAAAAAAADuM/bEpN6uEL-i4/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ux7Dm8oTv-E/UhorxL0nR3I/AAAAAAAADuM/bEpN6uEL-i4/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
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</div>
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enjoy </div>
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x</div>
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<br /></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-82116990693772460062013-08-05T11:29:00.002+01:002013-08-05T11:37:52.999+01:00Tartine @Ballymaloe<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple of months ago I was pondering my Bread making skills</div>
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I am a massive fan of Jim Laheys <a href="http://helenjamesdesign.blogspot.ie/2012/10/no-knead-bread.html">No Knead Bread</a></div>
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and make it every week </div>
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But I felt like I wanted to push things up a notch </div>
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After a little bit of a web trawl I was amazed and delighted to discover that </div>
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Chad Robertson from Tartine in San Francisco </div>
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was teaching a workshop at<a href="http://www.cookingisfun.ie/"> Ballymaloe</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chad Robertson in cork!!! teaching a workshop that I can attend!!</div>
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I have been a massive fan of <a href="http://www.tartinebakery.com/">Tartine </a>for some years and have dabbled in his country bread</div>
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although I must admit I found the prospect of starters and leavens a little intimidating </div>
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<br /></div>
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I literally felt like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas </div>
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And finally the day came last week </div>
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<br /></div>
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Firstly this was my first visit to Ballymaloe</div>
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and most certainly will not be my last </div>
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The Weather was not on my side but I still managed a stroll around the impressive gardens</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now that is a herb garden !! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(below) </span></div>
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</div>
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I ate dinner at Ballymaloe house on the first night </div>
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(the cookery school is about 2 miles away)</div>
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Local, fresh, they make their own butter and cheese and of course bread </div>
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and grow their own vegetables</div>
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Each day the menu is designed around what is fresh and available </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M98RvPHGZZc/Uf9rHNpBEXI/AAAAAAAADq4/JDLi9dssEJU/s1600/IMG_3274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M98RvPHGZZc/Uf9rHNpBEXI/AAAAAAAADq4/JDLi9dssEJU/s640/IMG_3274.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mackerel to start </div>
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and then slices of sirloin with spinach and Ballymaloe potatoes</div>
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Heaven... </div>
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<br /></div>
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The following morning after eating a delicious breakfast </div>
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Day 1 began </div>
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Darina introduces Chad</div>
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Chad talks us through the process as Richard his right hand man </div>
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gets busy mixing the doughs</div>
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<br /></div>
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I would say the message of the morning was pay attention to your environment</div>
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Your starter and leaven are living things </div>
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they react to room temperature drafts etc </div>
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be aware of what is going on with your dough</div>
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<br /></div>
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Chad is an intuitive baker</div>
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and talked more about look, feel, smell </div>
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than measurements and scales</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am not going to post the recipe for the bread as if you are familiar with Tartine </div>
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then you have the book</div>
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and if you are not and you want to make the best bread of your life then buy it </div>
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<br /></div>
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The recipe in the book is 38 pages long</div>
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and I will not do it the injustice of writing a synopsis</div>
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<br /></div>
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Chad talked about the autolysse (initial resting of the dough) </div>
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and the resting and turning of the dough</div>
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and the hydration (water percentage)</div>
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This dough is WET!</div>
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after resting and turning for about 3 hours </div>
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and leaving for a bench rest </div>
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Richard and Chad got to the shaping </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSP3fp0orrY/Uf9zokOkYrI/AAAAAAAADsE/t7A7Cc2Bv2g/s1600/IMG_3299.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSP3fp0orrY/Uf9zokOkYrI/AAAAAAAADsE/t7A7Cc2Bv2g/s320/IMG_3299.MOV" width="179" /></a></div>
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</div>
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Chad shaping the dough</div>
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Chad makes it look very easy ...... </div>
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<br /></div>
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In the afternoon the discussion was about Chad's new book (available end of November)</div>
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and how his travels to </div>
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Denmark and Sweden had influenced his baking </div>
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He is looking at darker breads </div>
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and using a lot of sprouted grains</div>
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I look forward to getting it </div>
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Richard cuts the Rugbrod for tasting </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Me the groupie with Chad and Richard</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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The real highlight came though on the second day </div>
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when we actually got to go into the kitchen with Chad and Richard and mix a dough </div>
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What an honour</div>
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and Richard and Chad were so gracious and patient</div>
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as the attendees ranged from the experienced chef </div>
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like Skye Gyngell to the complete novice </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Me and Skye</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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At 2 o'clock I left Ballymaloe </div>
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with 2 doughs in plastic bags nestled around a 2 litre of cold milk </div>
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to try and stall the fermentation process while i drove home </div>
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<br /></div>
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then when i got home, 4 hours later, I tipped them into bread baskets </div>
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left them for 2 hours and baked </div>
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and without a doubt the BEST bread I have ever made </div>
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a light crust </div>
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a chewy centre</div>
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complex flavour</div>
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This bread has no equal </div>
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</div>
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</div>
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So Thank you Richard and Chad </div>
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It was a privilege</div>
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x </div>
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Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-78627291474314774342013-07-20T08:37:00.001+01:002013-07-20T08:38:52.750+01:00Strawberry and Rose Petal Ice Cream<div style="text-align: center;">
.....Or Summer on a plate</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ireland is enjoying an uncharacteristically hot spell</div>
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Temperatures are averaging 24c</div>
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and have been that way for a few weeks now</div>
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We just don't know ourselves!</div>
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I cracked out the ice cream machine </div>
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last week I made a pretty delicious caramel ice cream with almond praline</div>
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basically it was a basic custard mix with half a can of carnation* caramel tossed in</div>
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then almond brittle broken into pieces and thrown in while churning</div>
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<br /></div>
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This week though I felt like something a little fresher</div>
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and considering I had 2 punnets of strawberries that were past their best in the fridge this seemed like the perfect answer</div>
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The addition of rose petals gives this a slightly more grown up twist </div>
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You could also throw in some chopped pistachios </div>
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which would taste great but also look incredibly pretty</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFW6uPSftZk/Ueo5KYOfp4I/AAAAAAAADpw/tFXUbCL_eL0/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFW6uPSftZk/Ueo5KYOfp4I/AAAAAAAADpw/tFXUbCL_eL0/s1600/photo+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I added a few mint leaves chopped finely</div>
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I always use Apple mint (wooly mint)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients </span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
500g strawberries</div>
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175g sugar, + 2 TBspn</div>
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500ml full fat milk</div>
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500 ml double cream</div>
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TSpn vanilla extract</div>
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5 egg yolks</div>
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2 TBspn lime juice</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Method </span></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hull the strawberries and chop </div>
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Place in a flat dish (like a lasagna dish) and sprinkle with the 2 TBspn of sugar</div>
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Pour the milk and cream into a heavy based saucepan</div>
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heat, not to boiling </div>
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remove from heat</div>
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place egg yolks in a bowl and whisk with sugar until pale</div>
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gently pour on the heated cream and milk</div>
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whisking while you are pouring</div>
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place back in pan on the heat and stir until it begins to thicken</div>
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10 mins approx</div>
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Mash your strawberries with a fork or potatoe masher</div>
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add petals from 1 rose roughly chopped</div>
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(make sure you use an unsprayed rose)</div>
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add vanilla and add mixture to cream</div>
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pour into ice cream maker </div>
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add chopped pistachios or mint if using</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am off to Turkey on a much needed vacation see you in a couple weeks </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-58351669121900139142013-06-30T10:51:00.001+01:002013-06-30T10:56:22.603+01:00Chloe <div style="text-align: center;">
I rarely talk about Fashion anymore on here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now that I don't make clothes anymore </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My relationship with Fashion has changed </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were a long term stressed out Marriage that took each other for granted </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and had forgotten why we got together in the first place </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now we can enjoy each other again</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With a new found appreciation and none of the pressure</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Knowing that our relationship is for fun and not for life </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On that note I particularly loved the Chloe Pre Spring show </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDecCcAOSqo/Uc_952W5b1I/AAAAAAAADoA/s__ZpuEW6yY/s555/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.32.00.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDecCcAOSqo/Uc_952W5b1I/AAAAAAAADoA/s__ZpuEW6yY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.32.00.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TRF3QRZtrtA/Uc_-B1Lv5uI/AAAAAAAADog/NWgJnqODfYY/s552/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.32.40.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TRF3QRZtrtA/Uc_-B1Lv5uI/AAAAAAAADog/NWgJnqODfYY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.32.40.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nG2-iIgag8s/Uc_97u7IlVI/AAAAAAAADoI/bgG4zHM-2Ck/s552/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.32.56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nG2-iIgag8s/Uc_97u7IlVI/AAAAAAAADoI/bgG4zHM-2Ck/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.32.56.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOWx60jwFag/Uc_-qCBmMXI/AAAAAAAADpI/4y6a72XaK8w/s594/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.33.10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOWx60jwFag/Uc_-qCBmMXI/AAAAAAAADpI/4y6a72XaK8w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.33.10.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztAWZu4cFaE/Uc_-ADf66VI/AAAAAAAADoY/-iIH2tPfu4c/s546/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.33.49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztAWZu4cFaE/Uc_-ADf66VI/AAAAAAAADoY/-iIH2tPfu4c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.33.49.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flat sandals with a ballgown</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so chic and modern</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFsGABdehFs/Uc_-CXFMGVI/AAAAAAAADoo/9UELSQKJs6s/s547/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.34.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFsGABdehFs/Uc_-CXFMGVI/AAAAAAAADoo/9UELSQKJs6s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.34.01.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXQo6lW5pHs/Uc_-HCdDOcI/AAAAAAAADo0/clHUVdGJyyM/s597/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.34.17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXQo6lW5pHs/Uc_-HCdDOcI/AAAAAAAADo0/clHUVdGJyyM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.34.17.png" /></a></div>
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Accessory lust</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xfq_1AsjAc/Uc_-H5kHUII/AAAAAAAADpA/66h9yR5Qklg/s551/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.34.29.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xfq_1AsjAc/Uc_-H5kHUII/AAAAAAAADpA/66h9yR5Qklg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.34.29.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMTGDC2HA_4/Uc_-G23k8-I/AAAAAAAADow/309o4YAJAIM/s547/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.35.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMTGDC2HA_4/Uc_-G23k8-I/AAAAAAAADow/309o4YAJAIM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+10.35.18.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all images <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/ready-to-wear/chloe-pre">vogue.com</a><br />
simplicity and elegance<br />
This is how I want to dress </div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-88334338138638064382013-06-16T09:29:00.000+01:002013-06-16T09:36:02.838+01:00SUNSHINE! AND A PEAR TART <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we recently had a spell of very fine weather here in Ireland </div>
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It is amazing how the landscape changes here when the sun comes out </div>
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and the humour</div>
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when the weather is 24c suddenly all kinds of things are possible</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xBO_paJH9d0/Ub1wNG2dZiI/AAAAAAAADm4/9INfXnjcYYY/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xBO_paJH9d0/Ub1wNG2dZiI/AAAAAAAADm4/9INfXnjcYYY/s1600/photo+5.JPG" /></a></div>
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A dip in the lake </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2MFMs_tsGX4/Ub1wKx0S4MI/AAAAAAAADmg/FELUgcUV69w/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2MFMs_tsGX4/Ub1wKx0S4MI/AAAAAAAADmg/FELUgcUV69w/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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An evening walk collecting wild garlic becomes a thing of beauty</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gESIGJZZs4s/Ub1wLtQH4II/AAAAAAAADms/ph8OpsLiCYw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gESIGJZZs4s/Ub1wLtQH4II/AAAAAAAADms/ph8OpsLiCYw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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you can stop and blow the dandelion clocks</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xb0J18IZ_v4/Ub1wL2yttDI/AAAAAAAADmw/t0aEhWfpX9k/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xb0J18IZ_v4/Ub1wL2yttDI/AAAAAAAADmw/t0aEhWfpX9k/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
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You can potter in the garden until 11pm </div>
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because in summer, in Ireland it stays light until then </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chc1dInlUNQ/Ub1wFN8lbjI/AAAAAAAADmY/79gsn1sf1GU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chc1dInlUNQ/Ub1wFN8lbjI/AAAAAAAADmY/79gsn1sf1GU/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or you can go for a dip in the pool!!</div>
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All of this "hard" work calls for a little refreshment </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCPvCPIbNNU/Ub1yOiJNjKI/AAAAAAAADnM/AznZ8Gh8A-4/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCPvCPIbNNU/Ub1yOiJNjKI/AAAAAAAADnM/AznZ8Gh8A-4/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some mint, lemon balm and nettle tip tea</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkVPySCIZs0/Ub1yocUKeAI/AAAAAAAADnk/6RzCZl8Tgwc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkVPySCIZs0/Ub1yocUKeAI/AAAAAAAADnk/6RzCZl8Tgwc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></a></div>
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Pear and Almond tart</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
If you read <a href="http://helenjamesdesign.blogspot.ie/2013/03/pear-back.html" target="_blank">this</a> post </div>
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You will know that I am attempting to make some healthy changes</div>
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the running is going well</div>
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after a few stalls I have kept going and am really starting to see and feel a difference</div>
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I downloaded the couch-5k app</div>
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I try to get in 2 runs a week </div>
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The no sugar thing is tough but i have definitely cut down considerably </div>
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and i have also tried to adjust some of my favourite recipes </div>
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to up their nutrition and make them a treat but a slightly healthier one </div>
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so here is a slightly healthier but incredibly delicious pear tart </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spelt Flour Shortcrust</span></div>
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250g whole spelt flour</div>
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95g cold butter</div>
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Tbspn sugar </div>
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1 egg yolk</div>
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<br /></div>
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preheat oven to 180c </div>
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butter and line a 25cm tart tin </div>
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<br /></div>
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Rub butter into flour until you get breadcrumbs</div>
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add sugar, stir</div>
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add eggyolk and bring together to form dough</div>
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wrap in plastic and pop in fridge for an hour</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2hb2u6Kc_4/Ub1yjhvmB-I/AAAAAAAADng/88FnW-IFbm0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2hb2u6Kc_4/Ub1yjhvmB-I/AAAAAAAADng/88FnW-IFbm0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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remove from oven and *grate into a prepared tart tin </div>
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push and flatten evenly to create crust</div>
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refrigerate for 10 mins</div>
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prick the base with a fork </div>
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line with parchment paper and add baking beans </div>
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cook for 15 mins</div>
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remove beans and parchment and cook for a further 5 minutes</div>
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allow to cool </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Topping</div>
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3 ripe pears peeled, cored and sliced into quarters length ways</div>
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200g soft butter</div>
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200g ground almonds</div>
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2 large eggs lightly beaten</div>
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200g honey</div>
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<br /></div>
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preheat oven to 150c</div>
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</div>
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cream the butter for 3 mins until light and fluffy</div>
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add almonds, eggs, honeyand fold carefully until combined</div>
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place the pears on the cooled tart case</div>
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spoon mixture over allowing pears to stand proud of the mixture </div>
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bake for 50 minutes until golden brown</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCDb8tVRGC4/Ub1yipVHfVI/AAAAAAAADnY/f1fYwTSQowY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCDb8tVRGC4/Ub1yipVHfVI/AAAAAAAADnY/f1fYwTSQowY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
serve with Greek yoghurt with a little honey added</div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
* The method of grating a cold pastry dough into the tin is one which i think works incredibly well and it is much simpler than rolling and lining the tin<br />
also because you are not pulling the dough it remains very light and crumbly<br />
I will never go back</div>
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Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-74539816423614543632013-05-04T19:03:00.000+01:002013-05-04T19:03:02.031+01:00Abigail Ahern e-course<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J18yYTfrUgU/UYVL6rU4JZI/AAAAAAAADkY/xasc9RDTX3o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-03+at+13.58.51.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J18yYTfrUgU/UYVL6rU4JZI/AAAAAAAADkY/xasc9RDTX3o/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-03+at+13.58.51.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple of months ago I signed up for </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://abigailahern.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Abigail Ahern's</a> new E-course </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"Creating your dream home"</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The course started last week </div>
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First assignment was to create a mood board for a room in your house you would like to decorate</div>
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Above is mine </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGE725iriRo/UYVM1pG89QI/AAAAAAAADkg/hzmaAhcwgv8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-04+at+19.00.23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGE725iriRo/UYVM1pG89QI/AAAAAAAADkg/hzmaAhcwgv8/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-05-04+at+19.00.23.png" width="217" /></a></div>
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I have stock piled Farrow and Ball Down Pipe</div>
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Before the shops closed for the weekend </div>
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Paint brushes at the ready.....</div>
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Hope you have a great one </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
x </div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-63153662602815559732013-04-28T10:37:00.000+01:002013-04-28T10:37:08.646+01:00Jacques Henri Lartigue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w665XyNj9GU/UXzsb0WdwhI/AAAAAAAADjc/7ELlh7jTbcM/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w665XyNj9GU/UXzsb0WdwhI/AAAAAAAADjc/7ELlh7jTbcM/s640/2.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3mOZMRYmvk/UXzsdW2GO2I/AAAAAAAADjk/Kl084ytBvEM/s1600/6203243316_2c5d4d5ddf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3mOZMRYmvk/UXzsdW2GO2I/AAAAAAAADjk/Kl084ytBvEM/s640/6203243316_2c5d4d5ddf_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQn4d4YmEE4/UXzse55s9MI/AAAAAAAADjs/9a4AF8g8YBs/s1600/Jacques+Henri+Lartigue++Jeanine+Lhemann,+Royan,+September+1966+mine+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQn4d4YmEE4/UXzse55s9MI/AAAAAAAADjs/9a4AF8g8YBs/s640/Jacques+Henri+Lartigue++Jeanine+Lhemann,+Royan,+September+1966+mine+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPvUc2j1DzE/UXzshclPcTI/AAAAAAAADj8/aN2mr2sxu8w/s1600/Lartigue1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPvUc2j1DzE/UXzshclPcTI/AAAAAAAADj8/aN2mr2sxu8w/s640/Lartigue1_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igV2f1ZJ44g/UXzshVjNd9I/AAAAAAAADkE/svv7O0KikyM/s1600/http--img845.imageshack.us-img845-6310-lartigue2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igV2f1ZJ44g/UXzshVjNd9I/AAAAAAAADkE/svv7O0KikyM/s640/http--img845.imageshack.us-img845-6310-lartigue2.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSXHMAc9rqA/UXzsfht9nKI/AAAAAAAADj0/yBu6TmLI2LE/s1600/jacques-henri_lartigue_plongeur_rouzat_c_1908_d5662469h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSXHMAc9rqA/UXzsfht9nKI/AAAAAAAADj0/yBu6TmLI2LE/s640/jacques-henri_lartigue_plongeur_rouzat_c_1908_d5662469h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While Travelling through Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris recently</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was struck by the large photographs on show by </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lartigue.org/us2/jhlartigue/" target="_blank">Jacques Henri Lartigues</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was unfamiliar with his work </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was known as an artist and really only gained acclaim as a photographer in his 70's </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Born in 1894 his is an Inspiring story</div>
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It's never too late </div>
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His images are so modern and fresh </div>
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and unlike any I have come across </div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-33098327590312934952013-03-30T13:19:00.000+00:002013-03-30T13:19:19.125+00:00Pear Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgDo4gpxNZk/UVbcw3to6FI/AAAAAAAADik/vB2i33fgGDs/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgDo4gpxNZk/UVbcw3to6FI/AAAAAAAADik/vB2i33fgGDs/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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I cook to relax</div>
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Currently I am away from home 4 days a week working in Dublin</div>
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and when I come home at the weekends I bake</div>
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Baking, for me, is a form of meditation</div>
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I can concentrate on what I am doing and not worry about anything else </div>
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It is also a great activity to do with my 4 yr old son, who is very happy to help</div>
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The problem with this is </div>
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All this baking leads to a lot of baked goods</div>
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and a lot of baked goods in the house leads to a lot of snacking on baked goods </div>
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This, in turn leads to me no longer fitting in to my jeans .........</div>
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So, I am at a turning point</div>
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The last week I have been on a Staycation</div>
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There has been a lot of baking......</div>
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So, if you follow me on Pinterest you may have noticed my pins in the last 24 hours</div>
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have changed from this </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-536AvQHq1eg/UVbe5DFgoNI/AAAAAAAADjE/mxdgh-SbbCg/s1600/202452ea54ef1b69ad1054ea15859e26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-536AvQHq1eg/UVbe5DFgoNI/AAAAAAAADjE/mxdgh-SbbCg/s1600/202452ea54ef1b69ad1054ea15859e26.jpg" /></a></div>
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To this </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnlr20A3KEk/UVbfAjNumPI/AAAAAAAADjM/xtvRbubiEmM/s1600/7bd3ed30f3643d5292443d27483393a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnlr20A3KEk/UVbfAjNumPI/AAAAAAAADjM/xtvRbubiEmM/s400/7bd3ed30f3643d5292443d27483393a1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have decided it's time for a change </div>
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This is my plan </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 Start Running </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 Go back to Bikram Yoga</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 Cut out refined sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4 Eat a healthy breakfast </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5 Cut down (way down) on Carbs </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 Add more fresh fruit, vegetables and seeds to my diet</span></div>
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It's not rocket science......</div>
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This is what I have achieved so far</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 Start running</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bought new sneakers, I actually went to a sports shop and did a fitting where they video you running and recommend the correct shoes for you. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have heard too many injury stories from cheap sneakers.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I downloaded the "couch-5k" running APP</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yesterday did my first run EVER!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I did enjoy it</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">although it was tough at times and I wouldn't say I LOVED it </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2 Go back to Bikram Yoga</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I used to practice Bikram and I did love it but I haven't done it in 6 years</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I did a little research online and found out </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">there is a bikram studio literally 3 mins from my office</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">signing up when i return from Far East trip next week </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bought a Yoga Mat </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3 Cut out refined Sugar</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I had a little chocolate yesterday </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hey it's progress</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bought Agave syrup </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4 Eat a Healthy breakfast </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This morning had a delicious smoothie</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">frozen raspberries, frozen banana, clementine juice (didn't have any oranges), natural yoghurt, oats and chia seeds (both were soaked for 30 mins) 1 tsp agave syrup</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">yum! and a good by product is everyone else in the family had some too</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(i didn't tell them bout the oats or chia seeds)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YnekjotRxLA/UVbcoaVeziI/AAAAAAAADig/tm7gefNAzqQ/s1600/photo-107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YnekjotRxLA/UVbcoaVeziI/AAAAAAAADig/tm7gefNAzqQ/s1600/photo-107.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />I also made Granola </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I followed <a href="http://www.alaskafromscratch.com/2013/03/23/ginger-cashew-granola/" target="_blank">this recipe</a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but substituted flaked almonds for the nuts (only because this was what I had)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I added the flaked almonds 10 mins before end of cooking time </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I substituted Agave syrup for Maple</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also added apricots and raisins to final cooled granola</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is delicious </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I love ginger though </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If ginger isn't your thing simply leave it out </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is a very simple and very delicious granola </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">5 Cut down on carbs</span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am <span style="font-size: small;">not cutting out carbs completely</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">but none after lunch </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will eat bread but only brown and seeded</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will also eat Short grain brown rice</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6 Add more fruit, vegetables and seeds</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Doing well so far</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(see 4) </span></span></span></span></i> </span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I als<span style="font-size: small;">o find that simply cutting out carbohydrates makes me make better choices </span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">that is, not a croissant for breakfast </span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">not a white bread sandwich for lunch </span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">not a cake for a snack</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It takes a little more thought and planning though. </span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday i bought Chia seeds <span style="font-size: small;">and lots of fruit and veg</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This <span style="font-size: small;">is a<span style="font-size: small;">n easy one for me really as I actually love fruit and<span style="font-size: small;"> veg and all kinds of salads </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just forget sometimesor I fall in to the trap of waiting</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">until I am absolutely RAVENOUS </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">before I eat </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">this almost always <span style="font-size: small;">leads to a bad decision </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, that is it </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stay tuned for my progress</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">xH</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<br />Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-64971955377679600422013-03-22T10:01:00.002+00:002013-03-22T10:02:54.444+00:00Bakewell Tart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhS8qyEzgqo/UUwoHD8WHYI/AAAAAAAADh8/l6GDmvuNDbI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhS8qyEzgqo/UUwoHD8WHYI/AAAAAAAADh8/l6GDmvuNDbI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bakewell Tart has always been a favourite of mine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shortcrust pastry, jam and Frangipane </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">what's not to like !</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but until recently I had never really thought to make it </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This recipe may seem long but it really is incredibly simple </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and the result is large and so will last you for a few days (depending on how greedy you are)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is a great recipe for a school sale or coffee morning as it slices into neat squares </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LIk_2Qz41O4/UUwoQ9Pe6uI/AAAAAAAADiE/J2GzjPp04sU/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LIk_2Qz41O4/UUwoQ9Pe6uI/AAAAAAAADiE/J2GzjPp04sU/s1600/photo+4.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is made with a Pate Sablee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">which is a shortcrust pastry made with ground almonds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but you can use regular shortcrust if you like </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">PATE SABLEE</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">200g flour (plus 2 tablespoons)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">50g ground almonds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">75g sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">160g butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 egg yolk </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Put flour, almonds, sugar into a bowl add butter and rub together until you get fine breadcrumbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">add egg yolk and bring together to form a dough </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(you can also do this in a magimix which make it very simple)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">roll into a ball cover with clingfilm and leave to rest in the fridge for 30 mins at least </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">BAKEWELL TART</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">150g raspberry jam</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">130g butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">160g sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4 eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">260g ground almonds 40g slivered almonds </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">butter a 34cm x 20 x 3cm tin and line with parchment paper </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Remove Pate Sablee from the fridge and let it stand for 15 mins </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Preheat oven to 170c (325 f)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">roll out pate sablee to 5mm thick and line the baking pan</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is fragile and may break </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">just fill any gaps with leftover pastry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />prick the base with a fork and place a sheet of parchment on top </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">cover with baking beans and bake for 15-20 mins </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">remove from the oven and set aside to cool</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">for the frangipane </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">add eggs one at a time beating after each addition</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">add ground almonds and combine </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">spread raspberry jam over the cooled base </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then add frangipane on top spread evenly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">sprinkle the top with slivered almonds</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(i didn't have enough slivered almonds for mine they are optional but if you have them they definitely add to the texture) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">bake in oven for 30-35 mins </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">until golden brown </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">makes 12 -16 slices and will keep in an airtight container for 5-7 days </span></div>
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Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-17008946098648621992013-03-08T14:42:00.000+00:002013-03-08T14:42:12.159+00:00Stella Jean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have posted about <a href="http://www.stellajean.it/" target="_blank">Stella Jean</a> before but only just came across her S/S 13 </div>
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images </div>
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I love her use of pattern and colour</div>
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Drawing on her Italian and Haitian heritage</div>
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I don't think her line is available in Ireland </div>
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but it is great inspiration for summer dressing </div>
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yellow eyeshadow anyone?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-607YClzHX2U/UTn3n0UBIXI/AAAAAAAADho/UDV8ZteuroE/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-607YClzHX2U/UTn3n0UBIXI/AAAAAAAADho/UDV8ZteuroE/s1600/29.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also love her A/W collection below </div>
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like J Crew on acid </div>
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Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-68035012980910973712013-03-01T17:25:00.000+00:002013-03-01T17:26:42.013+00:00Pantone App<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I apologise ahead of time for the hours of your life you are about to loose to this App</div>
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Have you heard about the Pantone App????</div>
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I am slightly obsessed</div>
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discovered it last night through Pinterest </div>
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you can upload pictures and create palettes</div>
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or simply create palettes without an image</div>
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Yes the colours are NOT true to pantone</div>
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and they differ slightly from screen to screen</div>
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BUT</div>
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what an amazing tool</div>
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a great starting point </div>
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or way to "jot" down a palette when you see </div>
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an interesting one on the street </div>
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Colour is transformative</div>
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and this is a great way to keep a record and play with it too </div>
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you can then keep them in the App or email them to yourself </div>
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I have a feeling this is going to have a BIG role in my life from now on</div>
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x</div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500731511401057613.post-75582449070497814892013-02-22T10:44:00.000+00:002013-02-22T11:11:11.423+00:00Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tysE7qRSmQ4/USdB7T7QnPI/AAAAAAAADdY/Hx2Jkf8AMlE/s1600/photo-105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tysE7qRSmQ4/USdB7T7QnPI/AAAAAAAADdY/Hx2Jkf8AMlE/s1600/photo-105.JPG" /></a></div>
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Yesterday I made bread,<br />
I am passionate about bread<br />
flour, water, yeast, salt<br />
and the variations are endless</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am a big fan of No Knead bread which I wrote about<br />
<a href="http://helenjamesdesign.blogspot.ie/2012/10/no-knead-bread.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
This bread is delicious<br />
crusty, a little bit sour, a grown up complex flavoured chewy bread<br />
Great,<br />
But sometimes you want something else from your bread<br />
and I found traditional (kneaded yeast bread)<br />
had never given me results I was particularly proud of<br />
So, I set about experimenting with some different methods and advice<br />
and yesterdays results are worth talking about<br />
An incredibly light soft bread with a crisp but light crust<br />
<br />
This is what I did<br />
(you will need a cast iron lidded pot)<br />
<br />
1lb of Bread Flour<br />
1 packet dried yeast<br />
2 teaspoons sea salt<br />
<br />
add enough luke warm water to get a VERY sticky dough<br />
This is the difference between a light or a heavy loaf (this and the kneading)<br />
sprinkle a small amount of flour onto your board and turn out your wet dough<br />
<br />
now you "knead"<br />
as the dough is so sticky this is a messy job<br />
but it is not diffcult<br />
basically you want to stretch your dough<br />
pull it toward you and slap it back on itself<br />
repeat this motion for about 10 mins until your dough becomes<br />
stretchy and smooth<br />
every couple of minutes you can scrape the dough together using<br />
a dough scraper<br />
<a href="http://bakerybits.co.uk/Flexible-Dough-Scraper-P388392.aspx" target="_blank">available here</a><br />
when you have a stretchy smooth dough <br />
form it into a ball tucking it under itself<br />
and turning over<br />
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place in an oiled bowl and leave covered to prove somewhere warm for 3 hours<br />
<br />
return to your dough which should have doubled in size and turn it on to a floured board<br />
stretch the bottom of dough out and fold it back in to the centre<br />
pushing it down hard with your fingers<br />
stretch the top of the dough and fold over the seam again pressing<br />
the dough into itself with your fingers<br />
<br />
turn your dough 90 degrees clockwise and repeat<br />
now leave to rise again for up to 2 hours<br />
The longer you leave it the more complex the flavour<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szj6Op6SYSE/USdNDJF-wXI/AAAAAAAADew/v7QxCS5L_tw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-02-22+at+10.47.03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szj6Op6SYSE/USdNDJF-wXI/AAAAAAAADew/v7QxCS5L_tw/s200/Screen+Shot+2013-02-22+at+10.47.03.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
20 mins before you want to bake it<br />
heat your oven to 250c with your cast iron pot inside<br />
When you are ready to bake<br />
remove crock pot .....carefully it will be HOT<br />
lift your dough in with the seam on the bottom<br />
slash the top of your dough<br />
place lid on<br />
bake for 30 mins<br />
remove bread from pot and bake a further 10 mins<br />
(times will vary depending on your oven out this is a rough guide)<br />
<br />
leave to cool .......<br />
EAT<br />
<br />
If you are a fan of bread I highly recommend the<br />
<a href="http://www.tartinebakery.com/cookbooks.html" target="_blank">Tartine Bread Book</a><br />
Chad the owner of Tartine is truly obsessed with bread<br />
he uses a starter in his bread making<br />
I have dabbled in starters but never truly been bitten by that bug<br />
......... I think it may be time to investigate further<br />
<br />
If you have never seen it<br />
this Tartine video is excellent<br />
and in it you can see the dough is wet light and sticky<br />
which is exactly what you are looking for <br />
<br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/14354661" target="_blank">TARTINE VIDEO</a><br />
<br />
UPDATE: just found out Chad of Tartine is coming to Ballymaloe in<br />
August for a 1 day demonstration,<br />
I have booked my place<br />
have you?<br />
<a href="http://www.cookingisfun.ie/pages/allcourses/101073/Guest-Chef-Chad-Robertson-Tart/&duration=oneday" target="_blank">click here to book</a></div>
Helen Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269872191732812812noreply@blogger.com0