Category:

Food

Baking Buns- Sticky & Yummy

by thelifestylelady October 20, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

How are you? We are enjoying the cooler weather and start thinking of cozy food. When in comes to baking nothing says yummy like sticky cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. A few weeks ago a friend of mine hosted a fall play date where we were asked to bring a fall snack. My toddler effort was blogged about here. One of my very talented friends bought these. I was in heaven. She told us they were dead easy, she is a wonderful cook so her idea of easy is not necessarily comparable. To those who follow the blog regularly you will know my monthly baking commitment and how I like to vairy the offering so when something new falls on my lap, it would be rude not to challenge myself and give the recipe a go.

I understand the recipe is one by the Barefoot Contessa, I have never tried anything by her but am led to believe she is a well-respected chef. Am I right? Do you have recipes of hers I must try? So here is my attempt at Sticky Buns. I did make 20 plus buns in several batches so the photographs reflect the second batch (when I was a pro at it – obviously.)

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup pecans, chopped in very large pieces
1 package (17.3-ounces/ 2-sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted

Filling

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup raisins

First thing I did was turn the Lifestyle oven to 400 degrees F.

I then placed parchment paper on a baking sheet and then a muffin tray on top.

Place the brown sugar and butter in a mixer to cream together. A LL top tip is to ensure the butter is room temperature as it creams with the sugar better 😉

Pre-creaming, please note this is the second batch I made

Apres creaming it is a light brown mixture, it does look a little grainy

I then placed a tablespoon of the mixture in each of the muffin tins

I did not bother with a food processor for the nuts as I wanted them fairly large

Sprinkling the nuts on top of the butter sugar mix. I measured by eye. No method to the craziness

Next you tackle the pastry. It is important to ensure the pastry is thoroughly defrosted. I then brushed the pastry with melted butter

You then add half the sugar and cinnamon. You only make six buns out of each slice of pastry so you have to remember to split the ingredients. As the recipe requires two pastry sheets. I forgot this on the first batch 😳 It is also important to give an inch border around the edge.

Then add half the raisins

Then you roll up the pastry, ensuring the close seam is underneath

I then cut the buns, I firstly cut the excess from each end. Then I marked the centre and then halved the remainder on each side, if gives you 6 fairly even buns.

You then place your cut buns into the muffin tin on top of the mixture. Then place in your hot oven for approx 30 mins. The smell is divine.

Once out of oven allow to cool in tin for 5 mins and then fish them out. They should come out easily and you just spoon any excess left in the case on top of the buns. Voila, divine x

A closer look. Wish I could explain the smell.

Oops notice a little one missing? Would be rude not to try 😍

So these get better each batch you make. I have to say these are not good for the person who should be dieting (😜moi!) I am not sure if you are like me but calories matter and the sin has to be worth it. This ladies and gents is worth it. Give them a try, they have been added to the LL repertoire. Have you got a great bun recipe?

Let me know what you think of these. Thankyou Barefoot Contessa- where is the name from?

Ta Ta for now

TLL x

October 20, 2015 0 comment

Baking Food

Hummingbird Cake – Yes Please

by thelifestylelady October 13, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

How are you doing? Hope you had a good Columbus Day. Which was a public holiday or sorts, but not in this house. Little L and I celebrated by avoiding many public places and watching Frozen for the millionth time! I have been meaning to write about this particular recipe for a few weeks. Those of you who follow my blog with some regularity will know that I have to produce some baking effort once a month for Mr Lifestyle and his colleagues; it is a job requirement I am informed. This was September’s effort. Since I had made cupcakes in August, I wanted to do a more traditional cake but something a little different that perhaps people had not had before, and this sprang to mind. It could appear a little intimidating with all the ingredients, but I promise as a mum of a toddler who does not take naps and whose favorite hobby is to assist me, I need something that I can concentrate on while making sure Little L does not cause too much havoc, and that also has things she can contribute to. This recipe worked. I must be honest and say I generally enjoy the challenge of producing baked goods once a month and I do try to vary my offering. I also like it because I cannot eat any of it: not sure it would look good if a slice was missing :0( but this one was difficult not to try. It looked yum, and I did get a couple of requests for the recipe, and nobody has keeled over yet – good sign. So if you enjoy baking, give this a go and I do not think you will be disappointed. Any recipes I should try? Have you made this? What did you think? Get in touch. I love to hear from you.

Below is all you need! I hope.

Ingredients

300g caster sugar

3 eggs

300ml sunflower oil

270g peeled bananas mashed

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus extra to decorate

300g plain flour

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract

100g tinned pineapple, chopped into small pieces

100g shelled pecan nuts or walnuts chopped plus extras whole to decorate

2 Quantities of Cream cheese frosting

3 20cm lined cake tins.

Method

Preheat oven to 170 oc or 325of Gas 3

Put sugar, eggs, oil, banana and cinnamon in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld whisk.) and beat until all ingredients are well incorporated (don’t worry if mixture looks split.)

Slowly add flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and vanilla extract and continue to beat until everything is well mixed.

Stir in chopped pineapple and pecan nuts by hand until evenly dispersed.

Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tins and smooth over with palette knife.

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and the sponge bounces back when touched.

Leave the cakes to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire cooling rack. Once on the rack leave to cool completely.

When the cakes are cold, put one on a cake stand and spread one quarter of the cream cheese over it with a palette knife.

Place the second cake in top and spread another quarter of frosting over it.

Top with the last cake and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides. Finish with pecan nuts and a light sprinkling of cinnamon.

Cream Cheese Frosting

300g icing sugar sifted

50g unsalted butter at room temperature

125g cold cream cheese

Method

Beat the icing sugar and butter together in an electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use handheld whisk.) on med-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed.

Add the cream cheese in one go and beat until it is completely incorporated

Turn the mixer up to med-high speed and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, (at least 5 mins.)

Be careful not to over beat as it can become runny.

Firstly I took a separate bowl and measured the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt and gave it a whisk. I mentioned before that this is LL top tip to whisk instead of sieve, it does the same thing with much less mess!! I know the recipe does not require it but I think it adds to a lighter sponge.

The LL cheated as I could not be bothered to get my mixer out I just used good old elbow grease. I think it worked just fine. I need all the workouts I can get :0)

Once I have mixed the mixture does look a little split, but that is totally fine.

The you gradually add the dry flour mixture slowly, to keep it as light as possible. Also remember to add the vanilla as I did not add to the dry ingredients originally.

The mixture with the dry ingredients incorporated.

The mixture after adding the pineapple and pecans. It is beginning to smell yummy.

The prepped cake tins, a quick LL tip is to have cut out plenty of 9 inch cake circles already so you have enough prepped for several baking sessions. I am all about saving time.

The mixture in the tins before the oven. I did measure the amount in each tin using an ice-cream scoop, so I could ensure an even bake.

The cakes baked!! I always use a wooden skewer to check cooking. I am an old fashioned sort of gal.

Now cooling on the wire rack. Looks a little like Mickey. You can see the yummy pineapple.

I used a cake carrier as my stand. As I started icing and layering. Please note the Ipad as I was catching up on You Tube videos. Who says a women can not multi task?

Looking more like the finished article!

Voila and Bon appetit.

You will see that I forgot to photograph the preparation of the Cream Cheese Frosting, to be honest I was time pressured so I skipped it Daddy L was arriving at the airport (am I bad? Hell Yes.) It is so easy to make, the only tip I could offer is to place a damp drying cloth (or tea towel) over the machine while mixing the icing sugar, it has a habit of going everywhere and this really helps prevent it! Please remember to double the ingredients for the frosting.

Hope you enjoyed. Now I need to work out what I will make this month! A women’s work is never done!!!

Ta Ta for now.

TLL x

October 13, 2015 1 comment

Baking Family Food

Toddler Halloween Treats

by thelifestylelady October 8, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Thursday. So Little L and I have been invited to a Fall themed play date, (yes my friends and I are so sophisticated we theme our play dates!) and the request was a Fall snack. Being British I panicked, we are not familiar with a 1000 items to make with a pumpkin. I did what most people do in my situation and surrender to Pintrest, to be honest I was not overly inspired by the offering but this gave me all I needed and I think the recipe here would work very similarly to mine. I am often looking for things which need limited concentration from me so I can supervise Little L and recipes which she can partake in the majority and this was just the ticket. It was interesting, there were things to keep her occupied while I did the only taxing part, melting the butter and marshmallows. She was engaged from start to finish and the whole recipe took 30 mins max. Win win.

Out in the day at the local pumpkin patch gaining inspiration for our snack idea! Can you see how hot it is!

Out in the day at the local pumpkin patch gaining inspiration for our snack ideas! Can you see how hot it is!?

Ingredients picture. All we needed to get the yummies ready.

Melting the butter, use as large saucepan as you own, you will se why!

While the adults do the technical and dangerous melting. This kept the chef busy. The important job of mixing the rice crispier. She was in heaven x

While the adults do the technical and dangerous melting. This kept the chef busy. The important job of mixing the rice crispies. She was in heaven x

Once the butter melted and began to brown I added vanilla essence. The I added the marshmallows to melt.

Once the butter melted and began to brown I added vanilla essence. Then I added the marshmallows to melt.

Be patient, the marshmallows need to be very melted. This took longer than I thought.

Once the mm are melted I added, orange food coloring gel. It needs more than you think!! Pumpkins are very orange.

The fun part, adding the rice crispies.

Stir quickly to mix it thoroughly before it starts to cool.

Preparing the Tootsie rolls,may unwrapping. And slicing In half.

Preparing the Tootsie rolls, by unwrapping and cutting in half.

Making them different sizes, bigger for adults smaller for kiddies. Push the Tootsie in while it is still warm.

Time for decoration! You need to do this while they are still warm so the candy sticks.

Next time I might decorate with glitter, but I wanted decoration Little L, could do. They don’t look to embarrassing and are perfect for a toddler playdate.

It was great fun for us to do together in the afternoon. Can you tell which one is head chef? Not me that is for sure!!! She definitely likes to taste the offering at every stage ❤️My heart melted when she said “mummy we made pumpkies x”

Do you have fun recipes or activities to do with a toddler? Will you give this a go? I can’t tell you how invaluable the learning tower has been. Now we just have to wait to eat them, something Little L was struggling with.

Get in touch.

Ta Ta for now.

TLL xx

October 8, 2015 2 comments

Food Meal Planning Recipe

The Crock Pot Challenge!

by thelifestylelady October 6, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Tuesday, how are you doing? Life here is pretty good, I was a proud Mama Lifestyle yesterday because Little L had her first swimming lesson without me. It was bittersweet. I was full of pride, if you had looked closely you may have seen a tear (heaven forbid;) but also it was like someone had kicked me in the stomach as I realized that Little L is needing me less and less. Full blown “big girl” status has begun, but there maybe one place that she will always want to go with mummy and that is the kitchen. It is that which provided inspiration for today’s post. I want to establish a meal/family time atmosphere where we gather and share not only food but thought and feelings about our day. In my childhood sitting together at dinner was not always possible with my fathers work commitments but without fail (unless traveling) we sat to a breakfast together every morning. (Civilized Brits!) I want to continue this where I can.

Whatever your situation is in life we are all busy and stressed, and are all looking for ways to be more effective and efficient. I for one have much more energy in the morning and by the end of the day I am tired and the idea of producing a home cooked meal is less appealing so another reason for my love of October is cracking out the Crock Pot or Slow Cooker. For those of you who have an Aga you could follow the same recipes, in your cooler oven. Several months ago a dear friend linked something on her Facebook page which appealed to me. 8 Super Easy Crock Pot Freezer Meals. The article suggested that these meals could be prepared in 45 mins (not buying the groceries obviously.) The Lifestyle Lady loves a challenge so low and behold I had a crack at it. I loved the fact you prepared the meals raw into individual freezer bag and then leave to thaw overnight in the fridge, then the next morning very little is needed other than to throw it into the Crock Pot.

Preparing for the challenge x

Here is what I found…….

Meals to be prepared:-

Crock Pot Orange Chicken
Crock Pot BBQ Spareribs
Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Potatoes & Broccoli
Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
Crock Pot Nacho Chicken
Crock Pot Chicken Sweet Potatoes
Crock Pot Pulled Pork

The majority of the ingredients needed for the challenge

The first thing I did was label up all the bags so they were good to go.
Use a black Sharpie I have found these survive the freezer best. Plus it is the easiest to read when you need the instructions after thawing.
I then piled them up in order of preparation so they were much easier to grab.

If you notice in the ingredients picture I did cheat a little and buy smaller carrots which do not require peeling or chopping they can go straight in the bag. Which I think must also have been used in the original challenge because 45 mins does not leave much time for food preparation even if you use an electric chopper or food processor.

Crock Pot Orange Chicken

This one was an easy start and not labor intensive, the bell pepper required chopping ( you could cut time down by using a machine.
I also used the entire bell pepper as I get fed up with that quarter or half that ends up in glad wrap looking sad in my fridge and more often than not I end up throwing out.
You will also note that I used chicken breasts that were already sliced, yes this is expensive but I got these on deal. Plus I am always a little anxious of raw chicken.
I am also a fan of the chopped garlic in a jar, I know it is not as good as the fresh variety but for meals like this it works great and I found easier do deal with and more economic.

Crock Pot BBQ Spareribs

This was not labor intensive but when I was buying the ribs I could only find 4lbs of ribs (this is Texas after all.) I got chatting to the butcher and he cut one of the portions in half. If I had a larger freezer I would have bought the full portion and made two meals.
I also had to cut the 2lb portion in half to fit into the zip lock effectively.
We have already eaten this and it was delicious. Ribs are a big hit with the men in my life. I served them with coleslaw and jacket potatoes but you could easily serve with fries or a salad. Whatever your thing is!

Super easy and super yum!

Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Potatoes & Broccoli

As you begin to hit your food prep stride this one is a little more labor intensive.
I am not the greatest delicate chopper. This does require some delicate chopping. In fact if you have a mandolin to slice the potatoes very thin, that would be the best.
The cheese is not pictured as it is required to be added on the day of cooking rather than freezing. I may also vary the cheese, Velveeta might not be my thing.

Got to love anything with Worcestershire Sauce

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

The preparation for this was less because of my choices. Buying small prepared carrots and garlic in a jar, all I had to do was add it to the bag.

God Bless easy prep

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

This one is more time intensive just because of the sheer amount of ingredients.
The preparation is very straight forward.
I also bought the mushrooms already sliced.

Crock Pot Nacho Chicken

This was the easiest to prepare. Not rocket science.

Crock Pot Chicken Sweet Potatoes

Just when you thought you had this prep thing in the bag another slightly intensive one springs its head.
I did cheat and use my food processor as I was SICK of chopping by this point.

Little more prep to this one!

Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Again this final meal is super easy to prep.
The size of the meat is the most difficult to store, I did cut this up into smaller parts as it was easier to manage and marinade.
To be honest by this time I was a little sick of measuring and chopping.

One big old butt and I can not lie :0)

The collection of meals!

All done, prepared and labelled!

I think the preparation took me a little over one hour, please note that I was taking photographs at the same time, which certainly added to the preparation time. I do think I am a fairly competent cook so 45 mins for all prep seemed a little ambitious. But maybe as I become more familiar with the recipes that would shave time off. I have not cooked all the recipes yet. I take comfort in knowing if I have a busy day coming up I can pull something out of the freezer (if I remember!!!) I do not have a large or practical freezer, if I did I would be off storing more of these meal ideas. I did keep the receipt for these meals but in my LL cleaning frenzy I threw it, but I think I remember it costing around $150 mark. Please note I buy organic and I also buy certain things already prepared purely for convenience so you could shave some cost that way. You also don’t have to do all this they way I have. You could wait for store deals or coupons and make meals on individual basis. I am the sort of person who likes to prepare a few meals at one time. This is also a great idea if you have a friend who is sick or had a baby. They can freeze and cook when needed. I enjoyed the process and have had positive feedback from the family regarding the results. We have not had many of the meals but the ones we have, we certainly enjoyed.

Do you use a slow cooker? Do you have menus you love? Is this challenge something you would be willing to try? Get in touch!!! I would love to hear from you!

Bon Appetite I am off to enjoy a drinkie with the fruits of my labor x

Ta ta for now!

TLL xx

October 6, 2015 2 comments

Family Food

That dreaded word SNACKS

by thelifestylelady October 2, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

Hope you are doing well and congratulations it is Friday, you have made it through another week!! Today I wanted to share something mummy related which had made my life a little easier, as I navigate this rocky road of parenthood. As Little L has grown that magic word SNACK has grown infamous. I would go as far to say as that it ranks as one of her top words, NO being the most popular (obviously.) Snacking had never really been a massive issue earlier on with Little L, she has always been a good eater. Recently I have been noticing, with growth spurts, more socializing with peers and her increasing independence of spirit the desire to snack is on the increase. I need to preface because as Mr L likes to point out I have an inclination to explain myself (so here goes 😄) I am not a snack tyrant . I’m not against them, I love a snack, I’m hardly Kate Moss but I also want to teach Little L healthy habits and to make good choices. I basically follow the mantra, everything in moderation. I’m also proud enough to admit that I have used snacks to pacify Little L when I need her to just keep quiet for a few more minutes and when Daniel Tiger on the cell phone no longer works.

So dealing with this increased desire to snack has made me take more responsibility in looking into what is in toddler snacks. (OMG! Another post on that!) Before I receive a barrage of information on what a healthy snack is etc. I’m fairly clued up but there is only so much fruit and veg you can give your little one. Plus when Little L is at the park with other kids and they are eating Goldfish or Animal Cracker (both yum) another round of cucumber sticks might not hit it. Other mummies will also know the perils of the sippy and snack cup. Yup we have all been there, two cups full of identical liquids or snacks but it always tastes better in the cup belonging to the other child, which you can somewhat stomach when you know the other child! But I often find there is that spare cup belonging to no man floating around the park 😜.

I remember reading a while back in some diet article about breakfast cereal, generally people eat at least double the recommended portion of cereal per day because they don’t bother to measure the recommended portion size. This got me thinking. When buying snacks for Little L purely for convenience I tend to buy snack already portioned out. This is more expensive and sometimes not possible, especially when you buy some of the smaller organic brands. So a couple of weeks ago I thought I would look into the recommended snack portion for littlies and the standard seemed to be roughly 30g. If your like me, trying to cram too many things into a too smaller time frame, you are often running for the door thinking coffee, key, purse, phone, diapers, wipes, drink, child and SNACKS!! I’m usually rushing out and don’t have time to consider the correct portion of something. So I have started portioning the snack basket when I buy them and I have been really impressed with how it works. I am more aware of how much she is having and I noticed it’s enough. It is also really helping with decision making because I allow her the option of one of another. I basically measure out the recommended portion in a zip lock back (snack size) then either write on the bag with a sharpie or clip all the bags together with a peg or bulldog clip. I also do this with fruit and veg in the fridge. The only snacks I don’t do this is with is the freeze dried fruit I buy because I find the foil packets keep it fresher. Although this system takes a little time I have found I feel better and for housekeeping I can see much quicker what we are out of. If you are a Costco shopper and buy in bulk this is another way of buying the bigger boxes and still managing portions. Some of you might feel zip locks are expensive but you could reuse and honestly whether it’s Costco or a grocery store they usually have coupons or great deals on zip lock bags. (Especially at this time of year!)

I might be late to the party of course, and you are all doing this as standard. I wanted to share and surprisingly Little L has not been quite so snack obsessed this week, maybe an impending growth spurt. Snacking has been one of my learnings as I navigate this journey of motherhood. I am so blessed to have such fantastic and responsible mummy friends who also care about snacking and who humor my uptight British tendencies. I won’t even bore you with how I expect Little L to sit down while snacking, no eating while running or playing (beginning to relax this one.) Poor Little L it will be a miracle if she can grow into a civilized and contributing member of society with me as a mother.

I have rambled.

Happy Weekend

Ta Ta for now

TLL x

The essentials, love these scales.

Yummy snacks!

Neat & tidy snack basket

October 2, 2015 1 comment

Family Food Meal Planning Organizing

Recipe Organization – My Pink Bible

by thelifestylelady September 29, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Tuesday. One question I often have been asked is how do I meal plan? When I am out with friends we often quiz each other with “what you cooking for dinner?” One thing I have learnt that does not work (for me at least) is to turn up at the store and think that inspiration will fly out at me from the grocery aisle and say “make me.” Despite knowing this I occasionally find myself in this predicament. I do love to cook, this does not mean I am good at it, or that I love to cook all the time. I should say I love to cook when I’m organized in my life. My mother and grandmother are and were excellent cooks so they set the bar and probably started my interest in cooking . To some the idea of planning and a lack of spontaneity may take the joy out of cooking but for me it is quite the opposite, the more I plan, the more I enjoy. I have meal planned for a while and I am an avid recipe collector. I think I mentioned in an earlier blog I have a bookcase almost exclusively dedicated to cookery and baking. I do very much enjoy looking through the books in the evening and gaining inspiration. I also use websites, Pintrest and I luckily do have food magazine subscriptions. In Casa Lifestyle you will often see print outs or tear out recipes on my coffee table where something has inspired me to try it.

It was several years ago where I found I had a plastic wallet full of recipes I wanted to or had tried and very little order to them. This did not agree with my slightly organized side and my Bible was born. I mean no offense to anyone by referring to it as my Bible. It is a very important file to me. It would probably be in my top ten possessions to save in case of fire. (Fear not Mr L and Little L your above it.) It is a work in progress, I am constantly adding and editing it. It is not neat or beautiful but I think that adds to its authenticity. To me its a little like an old cookbook, I like to see splash marks over the pages it signifies love and usage, my pink Bible is like that. It is a little like me it has swelled and has had to move up a size but it is full of love and memories. I can honestly tell you that I am very proud when my family tell me something tastes delicious and Little L goes “num num num.”

The Pink Bible – special to me x

I mentioned that my pink Bible is a work in progress. I will explain. I have ten dividers :-

Beautiful handwriting

Recipes I want to try. If I have a new recipe I wish to try it goes in here. I aim to try at least one from this section once a week. I also cull this section regularly, if something is not a fit out it goes.
Menu Plans. If I have a very successful week, where every meal has been a hit then I will add the plan here. If my week is crazy busy and I have had little or no time to menu plan, I have menus with grocery lists in here where I can grab and go get what I need. I try to use these only in emergencies because I like the discipline of creating new menus each week.
Everyday Meals Meat. To make it into this section, the recipe will be tried, tested and loved. These are recipes I know how to cook and will be a hit. They are scruffy and covered in notes where I have added comments to remind me what works better. This applies to all the following sections.
Everyday Meals Fish and Veg. Similarly to meat to make it to this section the recipes are much-loved. Fish is loved in this house but I am married to a carnivorous male who enjoys meat and fish, so vegetarian meals have to “cut the mustard” so those recipes are good.
Everyday Meals Slow Cooker. My favorite section especially at this time of year. I have been asked lots of questions about slow cooking and I promise to do some blog posts about it.
Starters. These next sections relate more to entertaining or special occasions, like the rest, a collection of recipes that work.
Entertaining Mains. These recipes tend to be more complex or extravagant than everyday but they are ones I have used and work very well. This is a great idea if you have unexpected guests or recipes you can lend to friends.
Desserts. Who doesn’t love a pudding, we don’t have them very often but occasionally if entertaining or on a Sunday I might whip something up and I have a much treasured collection.
Baking. I actually have baking books with recipes that I am loyal too but I have occasionally found one or two that I have found tried and loved and they go in here.
Holiday Cooking. This is full of recipes relating to holidays that I have tried and love. This is ever-expanding. Halloween cookies, pecan pie etc. I am including lots of my new US finds in here.

So that is how I arrange and organize my recipes. Do you do similar things? Do you have a system that works better? I will explain in another blog post how I actually plan meals. I also find that this system would benefit you, if you are a coupon lover or if you use the store flyers to plan your meals. Fresh produce can soon add up so having a collection of recipe means that you have something that works when pork loins are on special or there is a great price on fillet steak. I also enjoy the familiarity of it. I will share with you a little secret, it is my ambition to create a file full of recipes Little L loves so that when she flies the nest I can duplicate and give it to her and she can share with her family. I have several recipes in my file which belong to my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and take comfort in handing these on.

I will blog soon on how I actually plan my weekly meals.

Ta Ta for now.

Sometimes a much-loved recipe will be typed, printed and laminated. (God I love a laminator.) This is often when I have shared it with others or it has been destroyed by my messy cooking style :0)

An example of recipes torn out of a mag, but used and loved x

TLL x

September 29, 2015 2 comments

Editorial Food Lifestyle

August – Non Beauty Favs!

by thelifestylelady September 1, 2015

Howdy Y’all!

Today’s vlog is a little longer than the others so get a cuppa or a glass of vino and enjoy.

Ta ta for now

TLL x

September 1, 2015 0 comment

Food

High Five Monday- Cab Sav Loving!

by thelifestylelady August 31, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

How ya doing? Hope your weekend was fine. My weekend was relaxed and got some much needed R and R with great friends – thanks Mr L. Last week was a little taxing so here is to hoping this week is a little better. To toast in the new week and to help get us all through to happy hour I thought I would share my five favorite red wines under $15. I love my wine a little like I love life, big and bold. Red wine is my wine of choice and Cabernet Sauvignon is my grape. Even studying the color or watching it being poured conjures memories of happy times in front of a log fire in a pub after a long walk. Love it, even on a hot Texas evening, that first sip and the rich flavor that fills my mouth. I am no sommelier, and I am not a wine etiquette expert, but I know what I like. I would not recommend one of the following wines if I was having fish or salad but with red meat or chocolate – yes please. I have always wanted to learn more about wine but at the moment it’s not at the top of the priority list. I often find myself shake as I pull our last bottle of red out of the rack. If you’re like me and a trip to a wine superstore is a NO NO with a toddler and your wine purchasing is in addition to your usual supermarket sweep, then like me you need to grab some good bottles super quick. I can vouch for the following wines yumability. These are available in all stores, but can vary as much as 5$/bottle depending where you buy fyi. Let’s jump in:-

Josh Cellars Cabernet. California. Approx. $12
Who can forget a great wine with a simple man’s name? Had this at the weekend and was delicious.
14 Hands Cabernet. Washington. Approx. $10
Great wine. A Lifestyle faithful and with a label like that what’s not to love?
Concho Y Toro Diablo Cabernet. Chile. Approx $8
Have loved this wine for years. So affordable and yum!
Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon. California. Approx $9.
Great wine.
Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon. Washington . Approx $12.
Yum.

What wine do you like? What do we need to try? Let me know! If you are at the store give these a try, I think their scrummy. Happy drinking.

Ta Ta for now.

TLL x

August 31, 2015 3 comments

Baking Food

Memory Making and Rate that Recipe – Hazelnut and Chocolate Cupcakes.

by thelifestylelady August 18, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Tuesday, I think I mentioned in an earlier blog that one of the responsibilities of Mr L’s job is that I have to produce cakes once a month to boost team morale (poison everyone more like.) So at first I was a little daunted, I used to love to bake, that was before Little L arrived and more honestly before we moved to the US. I have found it difficult getting used to ingredient changes. It may sound peculiar but butter, milk etc seems a little different and converting recipes from UK to US conversion is not as simple as it sounds. So this has given me the incentive to get my LL butt into action. This month I decided we would give Hazelnut and Chocolate Cupcakes a stab. So here is a very amateur photographic journey of sampling the recipe.

Recipe, so easy to follow on this lovely wooden stand, (thanks Mr L) prevents cookbooks from getting dirty.

Hazelnut and Chocolate cupcakes The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

Servings: 12 (I doubled all ingredient amounts below to make 24 cupcakes.)

You will need a muffin tin and cupcake cases.

Ingredients

100g plain flour

20g cocoa powder

140g caster sugar (I used regular organic cane sugar.)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

A healthy pinch of salt

40g butter, at room temp. (I used organic unsalted butter.)

120ml whole milk (I think you need the fat content to give lightness to the flour.)

1 egg

120g Nutella (I used yummy Justin’s Hazelnut & Chocolate Butter (same thing, worked fine.)

36 whole, shelled hazelnuts, to decorate

Frosting/Icing

250g icing/powdered sugar

80g butter, at room temp (I used organic unsalted butter.)

25 ml whole milk

80g Nutella (I used yummy Justin’s Hazelnut & Chocolate Butter (same thing, worked fine.)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 325F/170C

2. Put the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a hand whisk.) and beat on a slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined.

No not slave labor but Little L loving mixing.

When it calls for the hard work, bring out the big guns! God bless Kitchen Aid Mixers.

3. Slowly pour the milk into the flour mixture, beating well until all the ingredients are well mixed. Add the egg and beat well. (Scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)

The mixture coming together.

After placing mixture into cases. The reason I am showing this picture is because I used a small ice cream scoop to divide mixture into cases. I was hoping they would be evenly sized then. (Fail.)

4. Spoon the mixture into paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 mins, or until the sponge bounces back when touched. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto the wire cooling rack to cool completely.

24 cupcakes pre-oven

Apres Oven

5. When the cupcakes are cold, hollow out a small section in the centre of each one and fill with a dollop of hazelnut and chocolate spread.

Frosting/Icing

Beat the icing/powdered sugar and butter together in a free standing electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use handheld whisk.) On a medium speed beat till mixture comes together.
Turn mixer to slow speed and slowly add milk.
When the milk is incorporated, turn mixer to high speed and continue beating until icing/frosting is light and fluffy at least 5 mins (I did 7.)
Mixing Fun!e longer it beats the fluffier and lighter it becomes.
Stir in the hazelnut and chocolate spread by hand until evenly incorporated.
When cupcakes are cool, spoon frosting on top and finish with 3 hazelnuts per cupcake.

After adding the choc and hazelnut butter – trying so hard not to lick the bowl (am I 5- hell yeh!)

Finished product, presentation not briil but this photo does them no credit!

Cupcake complete and not too bad.

Lifestyle Lady Top Tips

Instead of sifting flour or icing/powdered sugar if you place it in a bowl and whisk it works the same way but less mess (I am all for that.)
If you are worried about any of the ingredients (especially powdered) escaping when you switch the mixer on place a damp drying cloth over machine and it stops the mess.

Lifestyle Lady Verdict

As I mentioned previously presentation is not my strength, especially when I have a toddler literally pulling at my leg begging me to go play. I am a little concerned that the sponge will be a dry as I put them in the oven for a little longer because my oven temperature is appalling. I also personally prefer my sponge a little drier than undercooked. I once had undercooked donuts and I can not touch them now. (Diet tip!) The recipe was also very clear and easy to follow. They always are from Hummingbird Bakery. I wanted to share with you that this will forever be a special recipe for me because it was the first I made with Little L. I can not express in writing how wonderful it was to have my little girl standing next to me (on steps,) sharing baking, something I remember doing with my granny before she was taken too early. I actually have tears in my eyes as I write this (not LL like at all!!) She was really interested and thrilled to be helping me and it is a memory I will treasure and carry with me always and wanted to share with you all.

I do not often share pictures of Little Lifestyle on the blog but today I felt was an exception. This picture sums up what a special memory was shared between us. Plus she is darn sweet, (even if I am a bias Mama Lifestyle.)

Happy Baking!

Ta ta for now,

TLL x

August 18, 2015 0 comment

Editorial Food Lifestyle

Fantasy/Dream Dinner Party

by thelifestylelady August 14, 2015

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Friday! So today I thought I would post something fun! My fantasy dinner party. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that Mr L and I love to entertain, although we have done less of it since Little L arrived. It’s certainly a long time since we had a dinner with this many guests 😜. So I set about working out who would be the sixteen people dead or alive I would have to my dream dinner party. Firstly this is meant to be fun. Secondly it is not as easy as it first appears choosing sixteen is no small task. Your guests, however much you try, reflect your personality and your interests. For example as much as I tried I definitely had more political figures and world leaders than sportsman. I am aware of this. I did want to have many more women and people from the arts world but I felt I could not overlook people on this list because of their gender or profession. So again I am over explaining, here is MY list, I will probably kick myself later as there will be someone I should have invited but forgot, so it’s an ever evolving work in progress. Enjoy:-

1. Queen Elizabeth II, my first invite and rightly so. In my humble opinion one of the greatest women in history. She is about to celebrate being the longest-serving monarch (the other being Queen Victoria, both women – interesting!) Although not known for her candor, (so no gossip) the changes she has seen, her sense of duty and the outstanding decorum she has displayed are a wonder to behold. What I would give to have her at my table. God Save The Queen.

2. Sir Winston Churchill. Undoubtedly one of the Greatest Brits that has walked the earth. I have no doubt the country I grew up in, if not the world, would be a very different place if not for this man. The questions I would ask. No table would be complete without him.

3. Thomas Cromwell, this is a no brainer for me, especially if you have read Wolf Hall and Bringing Up The Bodies. Mr Cromwell was pivotal through a fundamental time in my country’s history. Many believe he was the closest confident for a period to Henry VIII and saw through the detachment of England to the Catholic Church, the creation of The Church of England and several beheadings and burning of major figures including Anne Boleyn. Not one to get the notoriety, but perhaps the brains behind the operation. Very scholarly and I have many a questions.

4. Nelson Mandela, a very divisive invite, but could not have my fantasy party without him. During his lifetime he saw so much change in South Africa much stimulated by him. He went from an apartheid system to being President, which is entirely remarkable when you think about it. The 18 years he spent at Robben Island, much in isolation, fascinates me, how that affects a person and brings about change. So many questions for him.

5. Mother Teresa, I am trying to stay away from religious figures but this woman to me is a world great. A servant of God who dedicated her life to helping HIV/AIDS victims in the poorest parts of the world. She is a Nobel Peace prize winner as well as many other world-renowned prizes. Religious or not (I am not Catholic) this lady deserves her invite. She dedicated her life to humanitarian causes and making the world better.

6. Angelina Jolie, another divisive invite, but a lady I admire, sadly not for her movies but for her work with the UN. She has served the UN for over ten years as a Goodwill Ambassador. The work she has done for refugees is remarkable. I don’t think since Diana Princess of Wales has one person been able to highlight humanitarian issues in the same way. She genuinely impresses me. I also think she is an ambassador for young people in how to turn your life around. It also helps she is breathtakingly beautiful and I want her to be my BFF so she is on the invite list. Plus Mummy L would like her to bring her husband.

7. Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers. If you have not had the good fortune to visit his beautiful home Monticello in Virginia USA it is a must. This great man was a thinker, an intellect and an inventor. His home reflects this. I think he would be fascinated by the scientific developments of the day and how his greatest works The Declaration of Independence still holds today (and I could give him a hard time about it!) Deserves his invite and Mr L would be thrilled.

8. James Corden, Love James. If you don’t know who he is you should. He is the new presenter of The Late Late Show in the US, and a comedy staple for the Brits. He is super fun, super cute, super talented and super smart. Every dinner party needs a comedian and it would be my honor to have James. Watch his show, he won’t be on the night of my party though.

9. Alan Turing, if you didn’t see the Benedict Cumberbatch movie The Imitation Game then you should. The movie was about Alan Turing. Undoubtedly the creator of the computer, one of the greatest creations in history. It was his machine that broke the Enigma code which ultimately led to the breakthrough and winning of WW2. Alan Turing’s life is not as well-known as it should be. I am appalled by the way my country treated him for being a homosexual. He has since received a royal pardon (after his death.) I have many questions for the great man. I am quite sure he would love to see how far his invention has come. Absolutely want him at my dinner party.

10. Andrea Bocelli. Voice of an angel. Humble, talented, romantic and could not imagine a better guest to get up and serenade us after dinner. Love all his work and could not think he would offend the sensibilities of any of the guests.

11. Emily Bronte, just the lady who wrote the greatest book of all time, Wuthering Heights. It amazes me how an unmarried woman, restricted by restraints of convention could write such a passionate book. The passion is not as today, explicit, but more subtle and raw. The questions I have for the vicars daughter are boundless and she is a definite at any dinner party of mine.

12, Lady Margaret Thatcher, enough said. The first female leader of the Western World. Great friend of Ronald Reagan. Interesting and undoubtedly influenced me as a person as she was Prime Minister when I was born. She was a leader of her times and whether you agree with her politics, she did a great deal for women and their position in the world, simply by being a leader. She would be such an interesting guests, makes the invite list.

13. Anna Wintour. Editor in Chief of US Vogue. Now she is another controversial choice, because many suggest she is not a ray of sunshine, surely that is how she has held her top position in the cut throat world of fashion for so long. Fabulous taste in sunglasses and everything beauty and fashion, I would be fascinated in her stories and her opinions on the world. Friendly or not this lady is highly impressive to me and I bet she brings fabulous hostess gifts. Anna your invite is in the mail.

14. Sir Ranulph Fiennes. One of the greatest living explorers. He has done it all, climbed Everest, been to the North and South Pole and is the first explorer to walk Antarctica on foot. So highly impressive chap. Great stories, amazing experience. Could not think of a better guest.

15. Brian Keenan. This for some may be a peculiar choice, some may even wonder who this man is. More famous would be Terry Waite or John McCarthy. I remember it was probably ten years ago that I read his book and it had a profound effect upon me, as I hope it would anyone. I recommend his harrowing tale to all who can. It shocks me how mankind can treat each other. Four and half years in captivity the majority chained and blindfolded. I have many questions for him and I would think his perspectives and view on world affairs and humankind would be profound and he makes my party list no hesitations.

16. Roger Federer, what is not to say about the consummate professional athlete. He is the only sports person to make the party. He is arguable the greatest tennis player of all time if not sports person. To me he is the epitome of class and upholds and displays every characteristic that a superstar athlete should. There is very little else to say. He is an absolute party must and imagine great company.

So that is it. My list, hope we can all find a date that works, especially with my busy diary :0) Who would you invite? Who do you disagree with? Anyone you think yes that is my list too? Mr L promises me he will produce a list, one I hope he will share on here one day!!!! This is also a great date night or dinner party question. It is really good for getting a conversation started and causing some interesting dialogue. I hope it is not too UK focused. Let me know what you think? This is not meant to offend anyone either. If you do not agree with my choices or commentary that is ok too.

Happy Weekend.

Ta ta for now,

TLL xx

Who are your dream guests? Give it a go and share with me!

August 14, 2015 4 comments