My niece said to her mother once, "Nothing but evil comes out of that thing" when referring to a slow cooker and I am starting to wonder if she is right!
I'd heard such great things about slow cookers that I decided to buy one. I bought a great big 5 litre type that would be big enough to fit lamb shanks in and to serve a big crowd of people.
First attempt:
Grey meat and blood stains on the potatoes. I cooked it over night and Mr Foodie Teacher said he woke up at 3.00 am and the smell of a casserole cooking at that hour made him want to be sick and he couldn't get back to sleep. It tasted OK but there is no way I could serve up grey meat to anyone so into the bin it went :(.
Second attempt: Family all afraid of what colour the meat was going to be this time. I cooked it during the day this time to avoid making Mr Foodie Teacher sick again. The colour looked much better this time around - added more beef stock and gravy type ingredients and left out the potatoes. Taste was OK but to be honest, it's not the falling apart, beautifully tender meat I get when I use my cast iron casserole dish (and that cooks quicker too).
Third attempt: Any suggestions???
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Thanks to Foodie BlogRoll
I just wanted to say a thanks to Foodie BlogRoll for allowing my blog to be on your site. My traffic has increased heaps since I was added. It's really nice to have some interest on my site.
If you have a food-related blog then head over to Foodie Blogroll at http://www.foodieblogroll.com/ and add your blog!
If you have a food-related blog then head over to Foodie Blogroll at http://www.foodieblogroll.com/ and add your blog!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days
The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
I started this in August and was not going to publish until I had the full list ready, but decided I would never get it done unless I posted my list unfinished. I will attempt to finish compiling my list ASAP!
Start date: 15 August 2010
End date: 12 May 2013
Key
In progress
Not yet started
***************************************************************
1. Write my 101 things in 1001 days list.
2.
3. Make a pavlova.
4. Do a Wilton cake decorating class.
5. Make a Christmas cake and decorate it using the Wilton method.
6. Do a cupcake making course.
7. Make fancy cupcakes for staff morning tea.
8. Eat dinner at the French Cafe (Auckland).
9. Eat a meal at a Cuisine Magazines top restaurant finalist or winner.
10. Take a group of students to the Student-run restaurant at AUT.
11.
12. Make 12 new untried family meals (3/12)
13. Develop gluten free recipes for the Year 7 Present in a Package unit.
14. Try the Degustation menu at Dine (Auckland)
15.
16. Make pasta from scratch.
17. Send a recipe into a magazine.
18. Visit and leave a comment at 50 other food blogs
19. Bake bread
20. Make hot cross buns
21. Go on a food safari somewhere...
22. Write at least one blog post a week for a year (2/52)
23. Start a herb garden
24. Plant a fruit tree
25. Make jam
26. Make marmalade
27. Plant a vegetable garden
28. Buy a kitchen blow torch and make creme brulee
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
Cinnamon Pinwheel Scones - take a walk down memory lane!
I think most people my age who have lived in New Zealand have made these scones at some point in their Food Tech (or Home Economics) past.
They are very easy and super yummy. Even if they go a bit wonky while they are cooking, they will still be delicious.
These are also a low-cost treat to make on the weekends. If there are any left the next day (highly unlikely), warm them in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Cinnamon Pinwheel Scones
Ingredients
3 c plain flour
6 t baking powder
¼ t salt
50 g butter
1 ¼ c milk
Topping
¼ c brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
50 g soft butter or margarine
1. Collect all equipment and ingredients before starting to cook.
2. Preheat oven to 220°C.
3. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl.
4. Cut or rub in butter into flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
5. Add milk and mix quickly to a soft dough with a knife.
6. Lightly knead the dough.
7. Roll out dough into a rectangle 1 cm thick.
8. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and butter/margarine together.
9. Spread butter mix over the surface of the dough.
10. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough into a log.
11. Cut the log into 2 cm pieces
12. Place each scone, cut side up on the baking tray. Place the scones close together, nearly touching
13. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the scones are cooked and golden brown.
They are very easy and super yummy. Even if they go a bit wonky while they are cooking, they will still be delicious.
These are also a low-cost treat to make on the weekends. If there are any left the next day (highly unlikely), warm them in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Cinnamon Pinwheel SconesIngredients
3 c plain flour
6 t baking powder
¼ t salt
50 g butter
1 ¼ c milk
Topping
¼ c brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
50 g soft butter or margarine
1. Collect all equipment and ingredients before starting to cook.
2. Preheat oven to 220°C.
3. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl.
4. Cut or rub in butter into flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
5. Add milk and mix quickly to a soft dough with a knife.
6. Lightly knead the dough.
7. Roll out dough into a rectangle 1 cm thick.
8. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and butter/margarine together.
9. Spread butter mix over the surface of the dough.
10. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough into a log.
11. Cut the log into 2 cm pieces
12. Place each scone, cut side up on the baking tray. Place the scones close together, nearly touching
13. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the scones are cooked and golden brown.
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