I have been craving cake for days - I am female and cake cravings are entirely normal. When I got home from work I decided that I would have to do something about it and recalled a cake that Auntie Ganching had made with chocolate and marmalade - Store Cupboard Chocolate-Orange Cake. The [...]
Sky
Originally uploaded by ZMB.
I’m finding it increasingly difficult to wake up in the morning. Especially Mondays. I like to wait until I’m sure that the sun is up, too, and that he’s got his hat on.
I made the chocolate whiskey ice cream and it is delicious. Cousin S didn’t want to offend [...]
Last summer, whilst in County Kerry, we ate an extraordinary amount of Murphy’s ice cream and it was delicious. Last week I discovered that they have a blog with lots of recipes! Hooray! D has already requested that I make him Chocolate Whiskey Ice Cream.
I think it is marvellous that they share [...]
I am typing one-handed as a small dog is lying, softly snoring, on my lap with her head resting on my left wrist. She can quite often be found on my lap when I am at the computer. She is also very fond of lap lying while I am knitting.
This week I won [...]
Chocolate Guinness Cupcake
Originally uploaded by ZMB.
D had a birthday this week; we went out for dinner at the Blackstone (starters were a bit dodgy, but mains were delish), then home for pudding - Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes. They were every bit as good as the full sized cake but in a handy paper case.
Only thing [...]
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Serves 2
Based on Mushroom Risotto from How to Eat by Nigella Lawson
30g Butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/2 jar dried wild mushrooms (about 15-20g), rehydrated in hot water for about 20 mins
180g arborio risotto rice
60ml white wine or marsala (optional)
750ml hot stock, including mushroom soaking liquid
3 tbsp parmesan
Cook the onion in half [...]
Edinburgh is stunning, but not so much if you have been before. The first time is like magic. Last time I was here I followed D in a daze, just absorbing all the new sights. This time I feel like I am getting a better understanding of where places are in relation [...]
Chillifest
Originally uploaded by ZMB.
I try to fit in at least one ‘fest’ a year. Last year it was Woolfest - held in Ballymena Livestock Market. This year is was Chillifest.
The venue was the marquee at custom house square. The theme was chillies. The soundtrack was cajun. It is part of [...]
Another batch of chili has been made. This is one of our staples and it is very unusual for us not to have a couple of portions in the freezer. For a few weeks our freezer has been bare! Horror!
The recipe is from ‘Two Cooks and a Suitcase’. It really is [...]
Titanic Model Deck
Originally uploaded by ZMB.
The picture above is of a model of SS Titanic that is onboard SS Nomadic.
I had meant to write about all the fun things I have been up to and all the delicious food I have cooked and eaten, but now I am having difficulty remembering everything (I hate getting [...]
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cupcake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting
Originally uploaded by ZMB.
I’ve not got a lot of time to write but have a heap of stuff I want to share. Like buns (Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cupcake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting) and quiche lorraine. Both delicious.
Yesterday, Gracie experienced her first big party and she coped very well [...]
Last weekend was spent gadding about and walking into things.
On Saturday I went to St George’s Market with my mum and sister. Gracie went to Cully and spent the day being chased around Pearlie’s mobile by Bonnie the German Shepherd.
On Sunday we climbed Slieve Donard and were rewarded with a bit of a view, [...]
Bliss is being able to spend the morning rummaging in boxes in charity shops, spending time knitting (this in case you are interested), eating peanut butter on toast, eating a juicy pear and drinking a nice cup of tea.
Not so blissful is the fact that I have spots and cold sores; one scabbing, the other [...]
I was up at the crack of dawn this morning to let Gracie out to the toilet, but I still managed to be late picking my mum up for a walk as I had forgotten about the clocks going forward.
We went to White Park Bay and Gracie squeaked with excitement for most of our walk. [...]
Poor Gracie is sat shivering on my lap. Partly because we had a bath and partly because she knows her dinner is ready, and it’s got lambs liver in it. We are both on a diet of comforting foods tonight. I’m having sausages, mash and onion gravy.
D is away on a diving [...]
