Soft Pretzels

Ooooh they were good.  They were very good indeed.  Being that we don’t live in America, and soft pretzels are not something I have ever seen here in New Zealand, my only reason for giving these a go was because when I used to live in the States, on the odd occasion where I indulged, I do recall the soft bounce of the dough as you took a bite and the crunch of the rock salt on top, and thought these would be fun to try.  Plus I was fairly certain my kiddos would love them!   Paired with a cheesy dipping sauce, or honey mustard, or whatever your poison and these beauties make a wonderful weekend snack!  They are best made first thing in the morning, giving the dough time to rise before boiling and baking.

Creamy Chicken & Leek Pappardelle

We’ve had a magic day out and about enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze that Autumn in Auckland offers.  We visited friends with a brand new six-week old Siberian Husky (super cute!) and had lunch with the grandparents in Devonport, followed by a scootering adventure.  The kids were both shattered as we climbed into the car at 4.30pm for the drive home.

As soon as I began the half hour journey home, I thought about what on earth I was going to make for dinner.  I had some creamy, cheese sauce left over from Pretzels we made yesterday.  I also had boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the fridge and a lovely leek.  How to combine these ingredients, quickly and end up with something delicious that the kids would love?  Originally I thought I could do a little pie with a mashed potato top, but swiftly realised the peeling, boiling and mashing of potatoes was going to take too long.  This meal is the result of my highway thoughts.

Champagne Macarons

The first time I ever attempted the macaron, I experienced success.  I figured all the things I kept hearing and reading about how difficult they were must have just been crazy talk.  And so, I tried them again – with perhaps a little too much confidence.  Fail!  I picked my pride up off the floor and tried another time.  And another, and another, and another. All resulted in a big fat Fail!  Gee, those people really were talking some truth!

Zucchini Slice

As I’m sure anyone with children & busy lifestyles can attest, it is necessary to have one or two trusty recipes that can be relied on in a pinch.  Especially if you value your sanity!  Meal ideas that are quick to put together and satisfying no less!

This is one that my mother-in-law was kind enough to share with me.  It’s the kind of thing I make during the afternoon on Athletics day when I know that getting home at 7pm with tired, hungry children is going to rid me of any ability to whip up even a quick pasta.  Having this delicious all-in-one ready and waiting makes life less stressful!

Lunchtime Wraps

Most days and for days in a row, my kids want sandwiches for lunch. Simple old marmite will do, they’re not fussed. Due to this insistence I stopped offering toast as a breakfast option because I didn’t like the idea that they were just living on bread.

These wraps (which obviously still contain a bread-like component) are a perfect way to get a bunch of sneaky veges into your little ones, and what’s more, they’re a lunchtime treat I am also happy to enjoy.

Chicken & Leek Risotto

Risotto is one of those dishes that, to me, always seemed so technical.  And complicated.  Just the thought of it terrified me.

Add to that my first experience eating real risotto in Italy.  A quiet little eatery in the back alleys of Venice, a seafood risotto to rival the best of them.  Incredible.  And then in Florence (my favourite Italian city of them all), where I enjoyed the most indescribable meal I think I’ve ever had – SO good that I had it two nights in a row and only didn’t repeat it on the third because I thought “I should probably try something else”.  Imagine my extreme disappointment when the dish of my choosing did not live up to the best prawn risotto ever.  I should have had it 3 nights in a row!

Bananarama Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes for Miss 4’s Hula Party primarily because I had an abundance of overripe bananas hanging out in the freezer taking up valuable space.  I figured banana flavours worked for a Hula themed affair and dug out this recipe from my folder that I had never tried before.  (I’m one of those people that used to – prior to Pinterest – tear or copy recipes out of magazines, stick them into my awesome Kikki-K recipe folder and then almost never actually make them.  Now I just pin everything and hope to get to it one day too!)

Anyway, for me, these were a stand out item and a recipe I will use over and over again.  The finished product was so moist and, although banana cake can sometimes be dry, these were so soft and almost fluffy.   Topped with insanely yellow banana flavoured buttercream frosting, they were as Bananarama as you’ll get!

Raspberry Sour Cream Frosting

I love this frosting.  It makes such a delicious change from your standard buttercream and the silky smooth texture created by the addition of the sour cream is so welcome in my mouth!  Because I created this flavour using the FreshAs Raspberry Powder, you could use any flavour of your choice in combination with the sour cream and it would be equally as delicious.

Vanilla Cupcakes

These are about as simple as a cupcake recipe gets.  With a stand mixer, these take all of 10 minutes to make, and with a hand held beater or a wooden spoon, I think you could manage in fifteen.

I have more elaborate Vanilla versions, but when I’m needing cupcakes urgently and only require a small quantity, this is my go to recipe.

Easy Peasy Macaroni Cheese(y)

I have Italian heritage and enjoy a truly delicious pasta, yet sadly the basic Mac & Cheese does not do it for me.   My husband and children, on the other hand, absolutely love this meal and it’s become my “what to make when I’m headed out for the night” to leave behind for my {extremely happy} family.

I’ve been making this for years, and don’t follow a recipe these days.  I guess my original was probably from The Edmonds Cook Book, but I just throw it together nowadays.  I was careful to write down my quantities of everything this time so I could share with those of you who were interested.