Lunch at My Pantry

Earlier this week one of my best friends and I went to a new restaurant/cafe called My Pantry to enjoy a lovely early lunch. The food was fantastic and so lovely, I got the smoked salmon bruschetta which was so yummy! My friend got this tea that was so delicious called Melbourne Breakfast, I wished that I got a pot for myself.

After that we went op shopping where I picked up a great leather suitcase for only $1.50 and a cool skirt for $4, Bargain! Then we went grown-up shopping as my friend needed to get some things for the new place she is about to move into. So it was a lovely day all together.

White Chocolate and Raspberry Scones

It's been such a lovely week on my blog with sharing all this British related stuff with you guys. Now for my final post, as my other one went astray but will share another time, I have a lovely scone recipe. I have been inspired by Amanda's recipe posts that she has sharing lately on her blog Here Comes the Sun to do a recipe post for you guys. I got the recipe off my mum which she got off from a lady the school she works at. So I hope you guys like the recipe and you have a go at making them yourself :)

Ingredients:

3 cups of Self Raising Flour, 2 tbsp of white sugar, 300ml of cream, 1 packet of white chocolate melts and some Raspberries (I would usually use fresh ones but they didn't have any in the store)

In a large mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients so the 3 cups of SR flour, 2 tbsp of white sugar and the packet of white chocolate melts

Then in another mixing combine the wet ingredients, 2 eggs and 300 ml of cream. Then whisk them until well combined

Combine the dry and wet mixtures

and stir together to form a dough like consistency

 

For each scone use about a palm size ball of mixture

 

Then grab 3 raspberries and combine with mixture. Fold gently with the dough so the raspberries nearly keep their form and roll them into a ball. 

Once you have done this with all the mixture place them on a baking tray and pop them into the oven at 200 degrees. Cook for around 20 minute's or until browned

and then you're done! Serve with butter, whipped cream and jam.

I hope you guys like them and if you decide to give them a go let me know to see how it turns out :)

Dinner is served

I attempted my first Jamie Oliver Recipe tonight. From his Jamie at Home I made his Ultimate rib of beef with rosemary and garlic roast potatoes. It was a solid effort on my behalf. Sorry that I didn't take any pictures of the finish product, it didn't even occur to me. The potatoes were lovely but I need to roast them a bit longer next time. I ended up using just steak instead of ribs as we already had some at home and was a lot easier. Over all it was a nice meal. I got nice comment from my parents, which is always nice. I hope to be trying another recipe sometime this week, maybe a dessert :)

Also I am thinking about re-doing the blog layout and making a new banner and such. And if anyone has cute drawing/illustration skills I am looking to do a new banner. If you are happy to do such a thing free of charge, but might be able to receive a little gift through the mail, please contact me via email - murphy.bouma@hotmail.com.

Photo Credit: Elliot Norwood

Cook with Jamie

I have finally purchased my first Jamie Oliver cook book, Cook with Jamie: My Guide to Making You a Better Cook. I've read quite a lot of good reviews from this, saying it's a really good starting off cook book. It's very simple, easy to understand and covers from basic techniques to advice on ingredients and how to put dishes together. I am loving all the recipes that are in it,especially his recipe for a Pear tarte tatin. I'm thinking of cooking his Ultimate rib of beef with rosemary and garlic roast potatoes this weekend for my family as a little treat. I will in the future be following a lot of these recipes and be posting about my attempts at them :)
Does anyone else have any other Jamie Oliver cook books? I am hoping to buy his Jamie at Home cook book next but if their are any other ones that people recommend would love to hear.

Herbs

I've taken such a liking to cooking over the past year and thought it was finally time that I had my own herb garden. Over buying my herbs from the supermarket I set up some pots of dirt and got started on having a fresh supply of herbs 24/7. So far I have cherry tomatoes, chives, oregano, thai chillies, lemons, strawberries, basil, mint, curry plant, rosemary, thyme and parsley. They all seem to be growing good, especially the cherry tomatoes as they are like over growing. I can't believe believe how fantastic fresh herbs smells, I sometimes go outside and pick a bit of basil just to smell it. If anyone else grows their own herbs and such I would love to hear some tips.

I am also on the look out to buy some new tags for the herbs, but I was thinking of making some of my own. Here are some more picture of my lovely little garden :

The Naked Chef

What an amazing, inspiring and all round funny guy. I'm am sure this man has entered your home at some point in your life. Being brought up by parents running a successful pub/restaurant Jamie Oliver always knew he wanted to be a chef. Being noticed by the BBC while he was working at The River Cafe in Fulham as a sous chef in 1999. In that year his first show 'The Naked Chef' debuted and was a great success and he also published his first cookbook. Now he is a internationally cooking celebrity and has gone to do great things. Like his campaign to stop serving junk food in school cafeterias and serve healthier food to kids. He is definitely my cooking inspiration and also a role model.
I have been trying to find a cheap copy of his cookbook 'Jamie at Home' as I remember watching the series when it first started here in Australia. Definitely thought it was the best yet. I also kind of wanted to do a 'Julie and Julia' kind of style thing on my blog as I work my way through his cookbook within 365 days. Thought it could be quite fun.
I also want to try and get some of his series on dvd as I have been watching countless of Youtube videos of him.  Not good for the internet I tell you :)

Check out his official website if you have not already here and his Youtube channel here.

P.S. Some of you may have notice my newest addition to my blog, the music player. Thought it would be a fun idea to put up 10 songs each week or so that I have recently discovered or just can't get enough of. It will also would be cool, if some people get my music taste, suggest new songs or bands that I should check out. Even unsigned artists as well as it would be a great opportunity for them to have a different audience listening to them. Anyway hope you all have a lovely day.

Photo was found via here.

How to cook...

One of the things that I have been really getting into lately is cooking. Even though I don't see it as a future career, I still like being able to cook top grade dishes. Seeing as my mum is more then happy for me to make dinner every now and again here is what I would like to make throughout the year :)

♥ Bruschetta
♥ Poached egg's
♥ White chocolate scones
♥ Roasted pumpkin salad
♥ Banana bread
♥ Enchilada's
♥ Macaroons
♥ Something involving fresh raspberries
♥ Chicken casserole
♥ Homemade pizza bases
♥ Smore's
♥ Sushi

That's all I can think of so far. If anyone else has any other great recipe ideas then hit me up with them.

Photo credit: Piccolina Photography

Cupcakes

I need to make some pretty cupcakes like these ones, especially that pink rose. I plan on organising a tea party in the holidays with my girlfriends which will be lots of fun.

Photo's by Society Cupcakes