Categories
Recipes

Knead Some Creativity? Make Stunning Focaccia Designs

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Why settle for plain bread when you can bake a garden? This focaccia recipe is your ticket to creating a delicious masterpiece that’s as stunning as it is scrumptious. With simple ingredients, a little patience, and a sprinkle of creativity, you’ll craft a loaf that’s golden, crispy, and blooming with veggie “flowers.” Let’s turn your kitchen into an edible art studio!

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 cups “00” flour or bread flour if you don’t have 00 flour
  • 1 tsp salt 
  • 2 cups warm water 
  • 2 tsp dry instant yeast 
  • 1 tsp sugar 
  • ½ cup olive oil 

For decoration:

  • Capsicum, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mushrooms, or whatever veggies spark your creativity!
  • Parsley, you can add other herbs if you like, for example, rosemary, chives, or basil.

I sourced all my fresh ingredients from Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market, a true gem for any home chef. Their vibrant displays of produce are a feast for the eyes, with fruits and vegetables so fresh they practically glow with flavour. From crisp capsicums to fragrant herbs, everything I needed for my focaccia garden was right at my fingertips.

Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market

Parsley

Red onions

Cucumbers
Mushrooms

Green and red capsicums

METHOD

NOTE: Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F

Mixing the Magic: Creating the Dough

1. Awaken the Yeast

Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Make sure the water is just the right temperature—like a baby’s bath. Let it rest until it gets foamy and bubbly, like a tiny science experiment.

The dough rising in the garden as the kitchen was a bit cold

2. Stir It Up

In a large bowl, mix your flour and salt. Slowly add the foamy yeast mixture and a tablespoon of olive oil. Stir until it turns into a sticky, thick dough. Drizzle on a bit more olive oil, coat your hands, and gently roll the dough around in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap—it’s nap time for your dough.

Watch It Grow: Letting the Dough Rise

Put the covered bowl in a warm, cozy spot and let the dough rise for about an hour or until it doubles in size. Give it a gentle fold, drizzle more olive oil, and if you’ve got the patience, let it rest overnight in the fridge. This slow rise will give your focaccia a flavour boost that’s worth the wait.

3. Build Your Bread Garden

Spray a deep baking dish with nonstick spray and add a generous layer of olive oil. Tip the dough into the pan and gently stretch it to the corners, dimpling it with oiled fingers. Now, channel your inner artist! Use sliced capsicum as petals, cherry tomatoes for bold pops of colour, and fresh herbs for stems. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for the perfect finish.

Adding the dough to the pan
Decorating the focaccia

Ready to go into the oven – looking so bright and colourful

4. Bake and Admire Your Work

Bake your creation for 30–40 minutes. The bread should be golden brown, crispy on the outside, and sound hollow when tapped. Let it cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack.

Cooked and ready to eat, looks so yummy!

5. Slice, Serve, and Savour

Your focaccia garden is ready to shine! Whether you’re impressing friends or just spoiling yourself, this edible beauty is guaranteed to wow. Don’t forget to snap a pic, soak up all those compliments, and revel in the delicious fruits (or flowers) of your labour. Who knew baking could be this much fun—and this gorgeous?

The crust and the cooked tomatoes looking delicious

The focaccia cut up and ready to eat
Focaccia cut up

POST FEAST REVIEW

As a newcomer to focaccia making, I was honestly impressed that my bread looked and tasted just like store-bought focaccia—and it really wasn’t that hard to make! But I think the real art is in making it taste authentic. While I did capture some of those classic focaccia flavours, I added my own modern twist with vegetables on top. They might not be traditional, but they were tasty and added a unique touch.

WOULD I MAKE THIS AGAIN?

Yes, I would make focaccia again. I have never made focaccia before, and I’m absolutely taken with how you can really make it your own! While it’s still focaccia, the toppings and design completely transform it into something unique—truly a work of art. It’s amazing how a simple loaf of bread can turn into a personalised creation. Now, I’m eager to perfect the traditional flavours of focaccia and experiment with different variations. It’s such a fun and rewarding experience, and I can’t wait to bake more delicious batches in the future!

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Categories
Party ideas

Digger Birthday Cake

I loved this cake I made Alexander for his 2nd birthday – it is so easy to make. Your little one will love this fun digger birthday cake.

Do you have a construction mad person at home?
Are they having a birthday soon?

If you answered yes then this simple but effective cake might be something that is of interest.

How did I make this cake?

  • Firstly I made 2 cakes so that the diggers had the height for the rubble to be coming off the side of the cake
  • I made it easy and used a vanilla cake mix.
  • I then iced the outside of the cake with chocolate icing
  • I printed out a big number 2 so that I had the size and shape right and cut out the paper for a template.
    I then filled in the template area with the M&M’s or you can use smarties to create the number on top of the cake
  • To create the rubble on the side of the cake and in the diggers I used Violet Crumble and purchased a few bags to crush and have around the side of the cake
  • To make sure it is indeed a digger cake I added 2 diggers scooping up the Violet Crumble
  • You will need to have diggers for the decoration for this cake and some can be easily purchased online.

To get the most chocolatey icing
do the following

Get organic Cocoa Powder from the health food shop, then mix it with just icing sugar and a little water or maybe some juice (apple, orange or even just lemon juice is nice) This icing is like pure chocolate and is so yummy.


This cake is super easy to construct and decorate and looks fantastic. It was made for Alexander’s 2nd birthday. It is easily made for any birthday number, all you have to do is to change the number on top of the cake.

Alexander’s digger cake for his 2nd birthday

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Categories
Party ideas

Making Birthday Parties Easy with Coles’ Vanilla Pink Drip Cake

Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake
Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake

Have you ever thought that birthday cakes should be easier?

What if they can be and you can take all the glory for not doing that much at all? Coles has the perfect cake to make you look like the best parent in the world.

The Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake will help your next party be a HUGE hit.

If you are not a fan of the Pink Drip Cake, you can also get a Chocolate Drip Cake

Our summer-inspired Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake
Our summer-inspired Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake

Coles Vanilla Drip Cake Makes Birthday’s Easier

I like any mum who wants to make their child’s birthday party special. Each year I ask each kid what they would like for their birthday, and I go out of my way to make it happen.

Hubby is a bit over all the trouble I go to and keeps on saying I should just get a cake from the shop and make it look pretty.

So when I was asked to test out the new Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake I thought this might be the answer to making birthday’s easier.

 

What did the girls choose as decorations?

The kids wanted to make it a summer cake filled with tropical decorations.

I think they did an amazing job and had fun too.

I think next time I have a party I will make things easier for myself. As a mum, there is so much to do and to organise, if you can get more time back it is a win, right?

Will you be testing out the Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake?

Did you know that the Coles Drip Cakes was voted product of the year for 2020?

I can see why it won product of the year, it’s yummy and a stunning-looking cake.

COLES VANILLA PINK DRIP CAKE
The Coles vanilla pink drip cake is a stunning and cost-effective solution to creating the cake of your dreams! The white icing with a delectable pink drip puts this stunning dessert on par with the decadent, Insta-worthy cakes that are continuously popping up. This cake is light, fluffy and drizzled with a sweet pink topping and makes the perfect base for decorating and dressing as you see fit! Whether it’s for a bridal shower, kids’ birthday party or just for impressing your guests after dinner, the Coles pink drip cakes are perfect for every occasion.
RRP $28.00
Available at Coles.

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to make your next celebration fantastic with this super stylish cake.

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Posted first on Feb 21st 2020

Categories
Recipes

Mango, Blueberry and Pecan Dump Cake

Mango, Blueberry and Pecan Dump Cake
Mango, Blueberry and Pecan Dump Cake

I had no idea dump cakes were a thing. Did you know about dump cakes? If you did, I feel like now I am in on the secret too.

I read a few dump cake recipes and thought they all sounded a little bit like crumble and decided I had to give one a go.

During the week when you are busy and tired having a go-to dessert or a dessert that can change with the ingredients you have available is ideal and having a dish that can be all dumped into a baking dish and cooked in the oven with no extra work is a magical thing too.

You will be the star as everyone will think you have slaved in the kitchen for hours and hours. Don’t tell them and get someone to pour you a glass of wine while you enjoy your dump cake.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups of blueberries
  • 3 and a half cups of mangoes (I used frozen mangoes that was already chopped)
  • 1 cup of pecans chopped
  • 96 grams (3/4 cup) of butter cubed
  • Vanilla or Butter Cake Mix (You can make your own or get a cake mix from the shops)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence
  • 1/4 cup of sugar

Put the oven on to warm up. Set it to 180°C or 356°F

Mango, Blueberry and Pecan Dump Cake
Mango, Blueberry and Pecan Dump Cake

METHOD

Step 1: Add the blueberries and mango to the baking dish

Step 2: Pour the sugar over the fruit

Step 3: Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence over the fruit and sugar.

Step 4: I added the ground cinnamon by sprinkling it over the fruit but you can add the cinnamon to the cake mixture and then add it over the fruit.

Step 5: Pour the butter or vanilla cake mix over the top of the fruit and make sure it covers all the fruit.

Step 6: Cut up the butter into cubes and add to the top of the dish. Make sure that the cube butter is evenly spread across the dish.

Step 7: Now add the baking dish to the oven and back for 40mins.

Step 8: Serve hot with ice cream and enjoy!

DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE CARD

POST FEAST REVIEW

I thought the dump cake was more like a crumble.

It was tasty and the pecans added an extra crunch and texture that was a good mix with the mango and blueberries.

Creating this dessert was easy, and didn’t require much at all other than dumping ingredients in a baking dish and cooking it. It is definitely a winner for a very busy parent.

I will definitely be cooking more dump cakes, and testing out other ingredients for new dump cake creations.

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Categories
Creative

Create Fairy Lights

Would you like to create fairy lights?

Need a great activity to do with the kids?  I have seen this on the web and thought “Does it really work?” “Will it do as advertised?” and as you guessed it the answer is YES!

Read on to find out what to do and what you will need.

createfairylights_blog

 

What you will need to create fairy lights
What you will need to create fairy lights

 Now that you have the following items:

  • Jars – I got ours from Big W. You might have some in your kitchen or pantry that are not being used.
  • Glitter – You can get glitter from anywhere. Newsagency, supermarkets, $2 shops and so on. (To make your fairy lights really glow make sure to get the silver or gold glitter. You will see that we tried on with red glitter and it was not as bright.)
  • Glow Sticks – I got ours from the local hardware store as it was cheap. I got a pack of two glow sticks for around $6.00.
  • Scissors – You should have a pair but you might need to use a heavy duty kitchen scissors to make sure they can cut through the plastic on the glow stick

Here are the steps to follow to make your very own Fairy Lights…..

Step 1: Crack and Activate the Glow Stick

Activating the Glow Stick before cutting the top off it.
Activating the Glow Stick before cutting the top off it.

Note: Be super careful of the glass inside the glow stick. To make it work it needs to be still in the jar. Make sure that little fingers don’t touch it. Also, have sealable jars to ensure kids cannot open them.

Step 2: Cut the top off the glow stick – Be careful of the broken glass

Cutting the end off the glow stick to get to the glowy goo to make the fairy light sparkle!
Cutting the end off the glow stick to get to the glowy goo to make the fairy light sparkle!

Step 3: Empty out all the glowy goo into the jar

Glowy Goo is now in the Jar. Waiting for the glitter to come and sparkle!
Glowy Goo is now in the Jar. Waiting for the glitter to come and sparkle!

 Step 4: Add the Glitter

Adding the glitter
Adding the glitter

Step 5: Your Fairy Lights Are Complete – Have Fun!

Completed fairy lights. Great idea for a party. Enjoy!
Completed fairy lights. Great idea for a party. Enjoy!
Amazed by the fairy lights. So bright and amazing! This light worked the best due to the fact it had the gold glitter. The red one was not as bright.
Amazed by the fairy lights. So bright and amazing! This light worked the best due to the fact it had the gold glitter. The red one was not as bright.

Note: Make sure to use gold or silver glitter as mentioned before. You will get much better results with lighter and brighter glitter.

I hope you have enjoyed this activity and my instructions on how we did ours. I am sure your little ones will love it as the twins cannot wait to give it another go.

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Originally posted June 16th 2014

Categories
Recipes

Mandarin & Rhubarb Crumble

Would you like to make a super yummy and easy dessert?

This crumble is so simple and tastes amazing, it will impress everyone.

If you are taking a dessert to a dinner party this is the thing to make, you can make a big tray of it and all you need to add after heating it up is some vanilla ice cream.

Many of these crumbles call for oranges, not mandarins, I love mandarins and look forward to mandarin season, so adding mandarins to a dessert is vital. Since I have never added mandarins to anything I have cooked before I thought why not give it a go.

All the ingredients ready to make Mandarin & Rhubarb Crumble
All the ingredients ready to make Mandarin & Rhubarb Crumble

 

 

Download the recipe card for Mandarin & Rhubarb Crumble

 

Chopping up the rhubarb
Chopping up the rhubarb

 

Put oven on 180°C or  356°F to heat up
while you get everything ready

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chopped Rhubarb
  • (I used 1 big bunch of Rhubarb)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • I small bag of mandarins
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
  • Ice cream to serve

 

Make sure to cut out the mandarin seeds
Make sure to cut out the mandarin seeds

 

 

Method

Step 1: Cut up Rhubarb into small pieces

Step 2: Peel all the Mandarins and cut out the seeds

Step 3: In a large bowl, add the rhubarb and sugar let stand for 15 mins, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, oats, flour and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 5: Add Rhubarb and sugar mixture to a large baking dish

Step 6: Add the Mandarins on top of the Rhubarb – make sure they are evenly spread

Step 7: Add the crumble mixture on top making sure it fully covers the top

Step 8: Bake at 180° for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown

Step 9: Eat the yummy mandarin and rhubarb crumble with some ice cream. ENJOY!

Mandarin & Rhubarb Crumble cooling down and getting ready to eat!
Mandarin & Rhubarb Crumble cooling down and getting ready to eat!

I hope you enjoy this yummy recipe.

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Categories
Recipes

Poké Ball Cake

Got a Pokémon superfan in your life? Someone whose love for those pocket monsters knows no bounds, whether they’re a kid or a kid-at-heart adult?

Imagine their eyes lighting up like a Pikachu’s cheeks when they lay eyes on a Poké Ball cake! 🎂🌟 Have you ever thought about surprising them with this epic creation for their upcoming birthday bash? Trust me, it’s bound to be a hit among Pokémon trainers of all ages!

ϞϞ૮(๑⚈ ․̫ ⚈๑)ა

Oh, let me tell you about my energetic Pokémon enthusiast! My little guy adores everything about Pokémon, especially collecting those coveted cards. So, when his birthday rolled around, there was no surprise when he demanded a Pokémon-themed cake.

Now, I pondered for a moment, scratching my head (figuratively, of course!), and then it hit me like a Pikachu’s Thunderbolt – a Poké Ball cake!

It seemed like the perfect solution to grant my kiddo’s birthday wish, and hey, who doesn’t love a challenge that involves edible artistry? Keen to see the finished cake, scroll down to the bottom of this post or watch the Instagram Reel on this post to get an idea of how it was created.

Ϟ(๑⚈ ․̫ ⚈๑)⋆

ϞϞ(๑⚈ ․̫ ⚈๑)∩

Ingredients

  • 2 vanilla cake mixes (I made it easy for myself and used vanilla cake mixes – if you want to make your own from scratch that is fine too. You can create a chocolate cake if you would rather. Mine was vanilla due to the birthday boy not liking chocolate).
  • 4 eggs (2 for each cake mix)
  • Oreo Cookie (for the middle of the Poké Ball)
  • Milk
  • Butter/oil (I find that oil mixes better, I used vegetable oil but you can use olive oil)
  • Lemon juice from 1 lemon and zest from the lemon
  • 1 Egg white from a very large egg – for the white icing
  • 2 cups of icing sugar
  • Half a teaspoon of water (for the icing)
  • Red and Black gel colouring for the icing (this makes more vivid and stronger colours)
  • Lollies for the centre of the cake (I used snakes and other gummies, you can have M&M’s if you wish or say skittles – the bright colours would look amazing).

NOTE: The centre of the cake was cut out to add lollies to the middle of it. Looks a bit worse here but will soon be covered over with icing and also an Oreo Cookie.

The Poké Ball cake is half decorated. The white icing looks amazing so far.

Ϟ(๑• .̫ •๑)∩

Pre-heat oven to 180°C or 356°F

Method

Making the cakes


1. Grease 2 round cake pans

2. Mix the cake mix and follow the instructions on the packet. My only changes are that I add oil instead of butter as well as fresh lemon juice and rind from a fresh lemon.

3. Cook for around 30 minutes or until the cake is golden and when you put in a knife it is all cooked through.

4. Allow cakes to cool a little before getting them out of the tins

Nearly complete adding the red icing to the Poké Ball cake

Making the white icing/royal icing

  1. Add 2 cups of soft icing sugar, 1 egg white and half a teaspoon of water to a bowl. Mix well or use a beater to make it more fluffy looking.
  2. If you need to you can add more water
  3. Also for flavour you can add some vanilla essence or a little lemon juice – I decided to just leave mine plain.

Decorating the Poké Ball cake

  1. Make the bottom of the cake white
  2. Make the middle a thick black line
  3. Make the top of the cake red
  4. In the middle of the black line place the Oreo Cookie with the icing side up. If the icing isn’t as you liked it you can add some white icing to the cookie to make sure that it looks correct.
The Poké Ball cake is finished and ready for the Pokémon birthday party

If you are planning a Pokémon party you will need the below items:

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This was posted 11 Dec 2023

Categories
Things to do

31 Rainy Day Activities

Note: We have had non-stop rain again, and it is 2025. In 2021, it caused chaos, flooding, road closures and landslides too, not much has changed, right? Also created difficulty travelling anywhere! You will see a quote from my little boy from 2021, as the post was first published on 21st March 2021.

We have had non-stop rain, and according to my little boy, it has been raining for ages and ages, see his quote below for how long it has been raining.

“It’s been raining for 100 weeks”

Alexander 21st march 2021

And yes 100 weeks of rain is what it has felt like and currently no end in sight of when it might stop.

Here are the 31 Indoor Activities

Having movie night with my girls. We are so happy and excited to be watching SING on DVD.
Having movie night with my girls. We are so happy and excited to be watching SING on DVD.
  1. Watch a movie with the kids
    Set up your living room with pillows, cushions and blankets. Get the movie popcorn ready and put on a new film or a family favourite. Watch the whole series of Harry Potter, Addams Family, Back to the Future, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level or anything that takes your fancy. There is nothing better than being cosy in warm blankets while it is raining and watching a fun film with your family.

  2. Draw and Paint
    Set up tables, paint, crayons and textas ready for kids to create future masterpieces. Make sure that you have kids in old clothes and put newspaper or a cloth down to ensure you don’t get heaps of mess on the floor.
    See if the kids can draw a self-portrait or maybe do a picture of another family member.

3. Make your own Paint
I wanted to get the kids painting, and I did not want paint that causes issues with clothes or bad if you accidentally eat it. So I made my own paint. How I hear you ask??

  • Cornflour
  • Water
  • Food dye

    I started with 1 cup of cornflour and enough water to make a paste. I created all the mixture before I added the colour as I wanted different colours that would allow the kids to paint a picture and not be restricted to two colours only. I added the mixture without the colour into a cupcake tin and then added the colour to each area of the tin.

    I decided to make, yellow, purple, orange, blue, green and red. I ended up using more cornflour as it was not quite a paste consistency and I used more water than I should have as it was my first attempt at making this. To make each paint set I put it in the freezer to set. I am not sure if that is the done thing but it worked out quite well.

    It might have been in the freezer for a bit long but after adding a bit of water with the paintbrush the colour melted a bit and it was just like real paints but with cornflour and water.

Homemade paint works a treat.

4. Make Autumn Pictures with Leaves
There are so many bright and colourful leaves that have changed colour during Autumn. Use these bright leaves to create wonderful artwork.

5. Read books
Read books to the youngest kids and older ones can have some quiet time in their room reading too

Act out your favourite scenes or part of the book you just read
Put on a play for your family – it could be from the story you just read or a story you have just made up.

6. Shadow Puppet Show
Create a shadow puppet show. You can make paper characters or just use your hands. All you need is a darkened room and a torch…oh and shadow puppets and a fun story.

7. Create Painted Rocks
While the weather is not great and you are indoors it is a perfect time to decorate rocks with the kids.

Create Painted Rocks

Learn more about how we made these amazing space looking rocks.

7. Make a blanket fort
Grab all the blankets to create a blanket fort. It is helpful to have some rubber bands and string to help tie the blankets to chairs and other furniture. You can also knot blankets together so that they all stay intact to allow you to have a bigger fort.

8. Camp out for the day in your blanket fort
Now you have your own hidy hole and it is all comfy with more blankets, pillows and cushions you can now camp out here for the day. Bring your most favourite toys, teddies, cars and a torch to allow you to have fun in your secret base.

9. DUPLO/LEGO Skittles
Make your very own skittles from DUPLO or LEGO. Super easy and fun to make and once your skittles are created all you need is a tennis ball or something similar to use to knock them down. Hours of fun can be had for the whole family.

10. Playdough Fun
Make your own Playdough. It is so easy and you can create so many unique colours. Everyone can get involved in making their own playdough masterpiece. I love using McKenzie’s Playdough Recipe and I think the magic ingredient is McKenzie’s Cream of Tartar as it makes the playdough so soft!

Playdough all made and ready to play with

11. Bake your Playdough
Now that you have made a stunning piece of art in playdough you can keep it by baking it in the oven

Put the playdough creations on a baking tray with baking paper. Have the oven on for 200 degrees for around 30mins.

Baked Playdough Creations

12. Make Salt Dough Ornaments
Super easy and fun for the kids to make, these ornaments will be able to be given as gifts or just hung up around the house. You can use them for Easter, Christmas or for any occasion.

Make Salt Dough Ornaments

13. Make Raspberry Playdough – Smells Amazing!
Playdough is fun and playdough that smells fantastic is even better! Make this super easy raspberry playdough

Raspberry Playdough

14. Make Jewellery, brooches and character statues with Fimo
When I was younger and still in primary school, I made Fimo jewellery, beads and characters with my sister. We were rather good at it and sold them at the local markets. It is a fun activity to do with the kids and fosters creativity. Fimo is so much fun and something I want to do more of again.

15. Bake a cake
Make a cake with the kids for afternoon tea or just because. It can be a yummy choc chip one or if your little one is like mine you might have to make vanilla cakes with blue icing.

Marble Cake with chocolate icing and blueberries

Choc Chip Pumpkin Bread is so yummy and you will just love it.

16. Make Gingerbread People
If cakes are not your thing, get creative and make some fun and yummy gingerbread people. I have the best gingerbread recipe to download. Everyone will enjoy decorating their gingerbread people.

17. Bake cookies or brownies
Cookies and brownies might be easier to create and also allow for more people to have something little to eat.

18. Cook Hot Chips from Scratch in the Airfryer
Cooking chips from scratch in the airfryer is super easy and also a healthier option. Give it a go for a movie night or an addition to a quick dinner.

19. Play dress-ups
If you have a dress-up box you will have hours of fun dressing up as all sorts of different characters, police, magician, princess, firefighter, superhero’s and more!

20. YouTube Tutorials
For older kids and adults you can learn online with YouTube. One of my girls has taken to watching art tutorials on YouTube and has created stunning drawings as a result.

21. Online Learning for Parents or older kids
MasterClass is a wonderful way to learn from the comfort of your own home and is perfect for rainy days. You can learn magic from Penn & Teller, Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography, Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing For Television, Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking and loads more wonderful classes!

22. Decorate Your Own Handerchiefs with Stained Sharpies
This is a great project and fun for all. You can make a unique design on handkerchiefs and either use them as gifts or keep them for yourself.

23. Learn to Code with Tynker.com
Tynker.com has great online lessons for kids who would love to learn to code

24. Piper Computer Kit – Learn how to program and build a computer
My kids love their Piper Computer Kit and it is so fun to use.

Inspire Invention In Your Kids With Piper – Hands-On STEAM Learning! Have Your Children Learn Computer Science, Electronics, & Coding With The Piper Computer Kit!

25. Decorate Cups with Sharpies
The kids decorated some mugs for Father’s Day but you could do it for any occasion or just for a great project. Having constant rain is a good idea to just do something fun.

Decorated mug for Daddy

26. Make a Paper Chain Calendar
This is a fun activity to help kids learn more about dates for each month.

Make a Paper Chain Calendar

27. Play Sight Words Bingo
While stuck indoors, why not play a game that is fun but also educational? Play Sight Words Bingo to help your kids recognise more letters for reading at school.

Play Sight Words Bingo

28. Fizzy Dyed Easter Eggs
This is a fun way to dye Easter Eggs and could be a messy one. Make sure to have ample protection and old clothes for this activity.

29. DIY Wind Chimes
Make your own wind chime from recycled items.

30. Add Google 3D Animals to your Photos
Add some fun animals to your photos and amaze your friends.

31. Make Fairy Lights
Make glow in the dark fairy lights… and yes, they work and are amazing!


I hope this list helps you out and keeps kids occupied while being stuck inside on a wet and horrible day.

I will be adding more things to do to the website so make sure to check back to see the new content.

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Categories
Creative

Create Painted Rocks

Kids love being outdoors and I find that if kids don’t get the outdoor time they are hard to deal with.

How about searching for painted rocks at your local parks? Or other parks?

WEAR OLD CLOTHES AS THE PAINT MIGHT NOT WASH OUT

How to create your very own painted rocks

  • Rocks are essential to have, you can either find wild rocks that live in your garden or park, or you can buy smooth rocks from a craft shop (otherwise known as captured rocks). We used wild rocks that were living in our garden.
  • Acrylic paint in bright colours.
  • Sharpie pens – we used the metallic ones to add a nice shimmer and due to the twins wanting to do a space theme this looked great with their space and galaxy rocks.
  • Paint brushes.
  • Container with water to wash out paint brushes.
  • Baking paper to put rocks on to ensure they don’t stick to paper (You don’t want your kid to go to hours of trouble to then have paper stick to the wet paint on their rock)
  • Waterbased Sealer – Use Mod Podge as this is ideal for rocks. I couldn’t get any and the one I used was not perfect and some of the colour of the paint came off. Once dry was okay.

WARNING KIDS WILL GET MESSY AND NEED A SHOWER/BATH AFTERWARDS.

This post was also featured in full on Kiddipedia

Check out Facebook for a Rock Group in your area, they are all over Australia so you will be sure to find one.

Online you can get clues for where to find your next rocks.

Get the whole family involved and enjoy the outdoors.

Have fun and let me know what you create, send your photos to my Facebook Page

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 Originally published Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Categories
Recipes

Pretty Pastry Apple & Rhubarb Crumble

Are you a crumbles or pies aficionado? If so, chances are you’ve whipped up a few in your culinary adventures! You might have mastered the classic pastry tops – whether it’s the fully covered version or the artful weave of long pastry rectangles, creating a delightful basket-like appearance.

Why settle for ordinary when you can jazz up your pie or crumble into a showstopper? Elevate your dessert game and turn it into a jaw-dropping centerpiece that’ll leave your guests amazed!

Creating a visually stunning baked crumble is a breeze—grab your favourite cookie cutters and get creative! With a plethora of patterns at your disposal, the possibilities are endless. I opted for quirky choices like flower shapes (with funky-edged cutters) and whimsical stars. The result? Not exactly flowers or stars, but a unique blend that looked out-of-this-world!

Preheat your oven to 180° Celsius or 356° Fahrenheit.

Prepare to level up your dessert game! Follow these steps to create a show-stopping crumble or pie that steals the spotlight at your dinner party! 🌟

Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market

I love hitting up Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market for my fresh produce fix! It’s the jackpot for top-notch ingredients at unbeatable prices. But let me tell you, shopping there isn’t just about stocking up—it’s a vibrant burst of colours and a haven of friendly faces!

Yummy looking rhubarb at Todarello’s Katoomba
Fresh produce in my trolley at Todarello’s Katoomba

On my recent visit, I snagged a bunch of rhubarb and scored four juicy green apples. This place is a treasure trove! 🍏✨

Now armed with my fresh ingredients I’m ready to start my apple and rhubarb crumble.

Granny Smith apples at Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market
Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples at Todarello’s Katoomba

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 Apples ( I chose green apples but you can use red ones if you wish)
  • 1 big bunch of rhubarb
  • Shortcrust pastry ( you can make your own from scratch – in this recipe I used frozen shortcrust pastry to save time)
  • A little water to cook the rhubarb before it goes into the dish with the pastry
  • Cookie cutters for the top of the crumble or pie
  • Egg yolk to brush the top pastry before you put it in the oven
  • Cream or ice cream for serving
The rhubarb softened from a little cooking in a saucepan
and ready to put in the dish with the pastry.

Filling the crumble with the rhubarb and apples – it looks so bright!

Apples cut up ready for the crumble
The rhubarb from Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market

METHOD

  • Chop the apples (have the apples thinly sliced).
  • Chop up the rhubarb into bite-sized pieces.
  • Cook the rhubarb with a little water to soften it – Cook for around 10 minutes or less depending on how fast it softens up.
  • Add pastry to the bottom of the dish for the crumble or pie, make sure that the pastry goes to the side of the whole dish. Ensuring that all the area is covered with pastry means that when you cut into the crumble or pie it will have a nice side crust. Cook the pastry a little in the oven to ensure that when you put in the other ingredients it isn’t soggy and the base holds. Cook for around 10 minutes, until a little golden but not too much as you will need to cook again when the ingredients are in the dish and you don’t want to overcook the pastry.
  • Create delicious layers of goodness in your dish! Start by adding half of the rhubarb to the bottom, followed by a layer of apples. Repeat this delightful pattern of rhubarb and apples until you’ve used up all your ingredients. This layering technique ensures that the crumble gets evenly coated with both rhubarb and apples, guaranteeing a flavorful bite in every spoonful!
  • Use the pastry to cut up different shapes to form the top crust of the crumble or pie. Layer them so they look nice and also cover the top of the crumble or pie.
  • Use the egg yolk to brush the pastry on the top and then put it in the oven to cook.
Cutting the pastry with cookie cutters to form the top of the crumble
Adding the pretty pastry top to my crumble

All ready to go into the oven – Apple and Rhubarb crumble with cut-out pastry for the top of the crumble. It is also brushed with the
egg to make it a nice golden brown.
  • Cook until the pastry is golden brown and the rhubarb and apples are bubbling away and are very cooked through. Cook for around 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
  • If you have cream, you can whip it with electronic beaters or by hand. I like to put the cream into my blender and put it on the chop setting. I do this for a few minutes and it makes instant whipped cream. I call this the cheats whipped cream!
Such a pretty-looking Apple and Rhubarb Crumble
Cooked and ready to eat! The pretty apple and rhubarb crumble all ready to serve.

It is so YUMMY and an easy dessert to impress everyone!

So yummy and looked stunning

Enjoy, and I hope you and your guests love this as much as we do.

More Rhubarb Recipes

Rhubarb from Todarellos at Katoomba

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Categories
Recipes

Make Mum a Feeney’s G & Tea

Do something nice for mum.

Wouldn’t it be nice if mum was able to put her feet up and relax with a Feeney’s G & Tea.

It is super simple to make and also delicious. Mum will thank you.

What do you need to make this fabulous drink?

  • 40ml Feeney’s Irish Cream
  • 10ml Bloom Gin
  • 2 dashes of Orange Bitters
  • 5ml Caramel Syrup
  • 35ml Camomile Tea
  • Ice for the drink
  • Cocktail Shaker, measurements for ingredients, cocktail strainer.
  • Martini glass
  • Garnishes: I chose a strawberry and some nutmeg to sprinkle on top. It also would be yummy with shaved dark chocolate and strawberry too!
Click image to download Feeney's G&Tea Recipe. Make it for mum today!
Click the image to download Feeney’s G&Tea Recipe. Make it for Mum today!

Method: 

  1. Add all ingredients into the cocktail shaker. Make sure that you add the ice.
  2. Shake hard for 10 seconds.
  3. After you have mixed all the ingredients in the cocktail shaker pour into a martini glass with your cocktail strainer.
  4. Garnish and enjoy!
Making my glass of Feeney's G & Tea. I was really looking forward to having a sip while relaxing on the lounge.
Making my glass of Feeney’s G & Tea. I was really looking forward to having a sip while relaxing on the lounge.
I shook the cocktail shaker and mixed all ingredients around for a good solid 10 seconds, or maybe more. I wanted to make sure that they were all chilled with the ice.
I shook the cocktail shaker and mixed all ingredients around for a good solid 10 seconds, or maybe more. I wanted to make sure that they were all chilled with the ice.
The finished product. My Feeney's G & Tea! It does look very yummy. At this stage I was very keen to test it out.
The finished product. My Feeney’s G & Tea! It does look very yummy. At this stage, I was very keen to test it out.
Normally I look a bit more put together but it was a long day and I needed a drink. I thought that this is like every mum out there. I was ready with my comfortable clothes on to sit on the lounge and relax with a nice drink just for me!
Normally I look a bit more put together but it was a long day and I needed a drink. I thought that this is like every mum out there. I was ready with my comfortable clothes on to sit on the lounge and relax with a nice drink just for me!

I thought the drink was a nice twist on a classic and one that I will love to have again.  It was very tasty and just what I needed to help me relax and forget about my busy day.

A HUGE thank you to Feeney’s for sending me this amazing gift box. It was great to test out Feeney’s G & Tea. This new take on the G & T is a great addition to my favourite drinks.

Give this fabulous drink a go. You will love it, your mum will love it!

The lovely gift box from Feeney's. It was a wonderful surprise receiving all the needed things to make the Feeney's G & Tea Cocktail. Thanks so much Feeney's for this lovely gift pack.
The lovely gift box from Feeney’s. It was a wonderful surprise to receive all the needed things to make the Feeney’s G & Tea Cocktail. Thanks so much, Feeney’s for this lovely gift pack.

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Originally published May 8 2017

Categories
Lifestyle

May Self-Care Challenge

May is my favourite month, and maybe this has something to do with the fact that it’s my birthday month.

I’ve put together a valuable list of 31 practical ways to help you feel better. Taking care of yourself matters—if the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that self-care isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Will you be doing the May Self-Care Challenge?
Make sure to use the hashtag: #selfcarechallenge and tag us on all your posts @mummytotwinsplusone

How many can you do during the month of May?

31 Things To Do Just For You

  1. Meditate for 10mins a day
  2. Go for a walk
  3. Start an online course
  4. Listen to a podcast
  5. Listen to loud music
  6. Have lunch at a cafe
  7. Catch up with friends
  8. Go swimming
  9. Have quiet time alone
  10. Do yoga
  11. Get a massage
  12. Write the book you have always wanted to
  13. Learn to paint
  14. Get a manicure
  15. Have meals delivered
  16. Shop online to maximise your time
  17. Book time with a stylist
  18. Have a facial
  19. Hire a trainer
  20. Read a book
  21. Visit the hairdresser for a new do
  22. Join a networking group
  23. Take a road trip
  24. Save money for a rainy day fund (I know this is not exciting, but if something happens, you will be glad you have the extra cash)
  25. Spend time at a day spa
  26. Join a local group that you are interested in (what about drama, photography, or drawing)
  27. Have a pedicure
  28. Shop for a new outfit
  29. Outsource your housework
  30. Stay at a hotel for a few nights
  31. Schedule time in for you (Make sure you put the time in your diary for just you. This time is not getting booked out for work meetings, and is just for you!)

Download The Printable PDF Challenge

Categories
News

Mummy To Twins Plus One Named One of Australia’s Top Parenting Blogs!

I’m beyond excited to share some wonderful news with you all!

Mummy To Twins Plus One has been ranked 14 out of 80 in the FeedSpot Top 80 Australian Mummy Blogs! 🎉

When I first opened the email from FeedSpot, I couldn’t believe it — I had to read it twice just to make sure! I was so thrilled (and yes, there might have been a little happy dance in my kitchen). Being recognised for my blog — something I have built from nothing — truly meant the world to me. It’s moments like these that remind me how far this little space on the internet has come, and how much joy it brings me!

This blog has always been a space where I share activities for kids, family outings, fun ideas to keep everyone entertained, delicious recipes, fabulous giveaways, travel adventures, and so much more.

via GIPHY

Whether you’re looking for creative crafts, family-friendly meals, tips for parenting multiples, or inspiration for your next big (or little!) adventure, you’ll find it here at Mummy To Twins Plus One.

To celebrate, I’ve proudly added the official Top Australian Mummy Blogs badge to my website — make sure you check it out!

A huge thank you to FeedSpot for this wonderful recognition, and an even bigger thank you to my amazing readers for all your support and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you!

Also, make sure to check out all the other incredible blogs and websites featured on the list from FeedSpot — there are so many inspiring voices to discover!

👉 See the full list here

via GIPHY

Thanks for being part of the journey — there’s plenty more fun, helpful, and exciting content on the way!

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Categories
Family

Earth Day Should Be Every Day: The Lorax Was Ahead of His Time 🌍🌱

I may have missed Earth Day this year, but honestly, shouldn’t every day be Earth Day? We need to make caring for our planet a daily priority, not just reserve it for one day a year. Every day is a chance to reflect on how we can protect the environment, reduce our carbon footprint, and safeguard the ecosystems we depend on.

Dr. Seuss, in his timeless classic The Lorax, was way ahead of his time. Long before the world truly started to focus on environmental concerns, Seuss was telling us to pay attention to our planet and take responsibility. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” These words ring truer now than ever before. Seuss’s charming and heartfelt story reminds us that if we continue to ignore the environment, we’ll only have ourselves to blame.

In a world that’s increasingly feeling the effects of climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, we can’t afford to wait for Earth Day every year to reflect on our actions. The Lorax teaches us that it’s up to each of us to make a difference—every day.

So, while I may have missed Earth Day this year, I’m choosing to act every day as though it’s Earth Day.

Will you join me? 🌎💚

And speaking of The Lorax, have you explored the amazing eco-friendly activities from Twinkl? Dive into a world of Lorax fun and learning with their collection of eco-conscious worksheets and activities, perfect for teaching kids about environmental responsibility.

Why not get started with their beautifully illustrated Lorax Colouring Sheets? Kids can bring the Lorax and the Truffula Forest to life with colour! These iconic illustrations are sure to spark creativity and improve fine motor skills. Or, get crafty by making your very own Truffula Tree—what a fun way to bring Seuss’s world into the home!

Additionally, Twinkl’s Lorax Earth Day Writing Activity prompts kids to reflect on their impact on the environment. Through guided questions, they’ll explore ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. It’s a wonderful way to teach kids the importance of Earth Day while helping them develop important writing and critical thinking skills.

No matter which activity you choose, we’re sure you and your little learners will have fun while caring for the earth! 🌍

Check out Twinkl’s Lorax-themed activities here: Twinkl’s Lorax Resources

Let’s keep the Earth Day spirit alive all year long with these educational and fun activities. 🌱

Here are some ways to help all year round

1. Plant a Tree

Contribute to reforestation by planting a tree in your backyard or a local community space.

2. Nature Walk

Take a walk in a nearby park or nature reserve to appreciate the beauty of the Earth.

3. Clean Up Your Community

Organise or join a local cleanup to remove rubbish from parks, beaches, and your local area.

4. Start a Garden

Plant vegetables, herbs, or flowers to support biodiversity and grow your own eco-friendly food.

5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Commit to cutting waste by reusing items, recycling materials, and being mindful of what you toss.

6. Switch to Reusable Bags

Ditch single-use plastic and opt for sturdy, reusable shopping bags.

7. Compost

Start composting kitchen scraps and yard waste to cut landfill waste and nourish your soil.

8. Go Green with Your Commute

Bike, walk, carpool, or use public transit instead of driving solo.

9. Conserve Water

Take shorter showers, fix leaks, and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.

10. Create an Eco-Friendly Home

Switch to energy-efficient bulbs and unplug electronics when not in use.

11. Educate Yourself and Others

Read, watch, or listen to resources on sustainability, and share what you learn.

13. Support Local Farmers

Shop farmers’ markets to reduce food miles and support sustainable agriculture.

14. Make Homemade Cleaning Products

Use simple ingredients like vinegar and baking soda to reduce the use of chemicals at home.

15. Unplug for a Day

Take a break from screens and electronics to connect with nature and reduce energy use.

16. Switch to Plant-Based Meals

Go meatless for a day or more to lower your environmental footprint.

17. Encourage Wildlife

Add bird feeders, bee hotels, or native plants to make your yard a habitat.

18. Use Natural Products

Choose products with fewer chemicals and less packaging.

19. Write Letters to Leaders

Advocate for environmental policies by contacting your local representatives.

20. Create Eco-Art

Use recycled materials to create art that spreads environmental awareness.

21. Join a Sustainability Group

Find local organisations working on conservation and get involved.

22. Use Digital Rather Than Paper

Choose digital documents, notes, and billing to cut paper waste.

23. Spend Time in Nature

Hike, picnic, or just relax outdoors to connect with the natural world.

24. Teach Kids About Nature

Explore the outdoors with children and talk about how ecosystems work.

25. Support Eco-Friendly Brands

Buy from companies committed to sustainable and ethical practices.

26. Host a Clothing Swap

Reduce fast fashion waste by exchanging clothes with friends instead of shopping.

27. Create a Nature Journal

Track what you see and experience in nature to deepen your appreciation for the natural world.

28. Advocate for Clean Energy

Research and consider renewable energy options, such as solar, for your home.

29. Limit Single-Use Plastics

Say no to straws, plastic cutlery, and other disposable items when you can.

30. Live Minimalistically

Declutter and donate to reduce waste and live with intention.

31. Use Eco-Friendly Transportation

Try a bike, an electric scooter, or an electric car to lower emissions.

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Categories
Creative

Fizzy Dyed Easter Eggs

Would you like to do something fun with the kid this Easter?

How about making fizzy dyed Easter Eggs?

It is soooo easy and fun, the kids will love the fact that it is fizzy and bubbles away. It not only impressed the kids, I and other adults loved it too.

Hamilton Island Family Adventure 728 x 90 RVH

What you need

  • 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • White vinegar – 1/3 cup per cup
  • Cups for the eggs
  • Food dye
  • Newspaper/baking paper to make sure you don’t have a mess
  • Tray to put the cups on and to contain the mess

As you can see this is a super fun way to dye your Easter Eggs and one that is interactive and hands-on for the kids. I am sure you and the family enjoy this fun activity.

Enjoy and watch for other Easter Activities on the blog.

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First published March 13th 2021

Categories
Recipes

Mad About Mandarins

I love Mandarins!

My mum would get a whole bunch and just as soon as she put them in the fruit bowl they were gone. Yep, I would eat all of them in record time. I just couldn’t get enough. Now that I’m an adult not much has changed about my obsession with Mandarins.

Mandarins for me are perfect. They taste yummy, are sweet, are a perfect snack you can take anywhere, and of course can be made into anything; a dessert, a sauce, chutney or even a drink!

My favourite variety is the Imperial Mandarins.

As it is finally Mandarin season I thought, why don’t you see more dishes with Mandarins in them? Can you add Mandarins to your cooking? If so, what else could you cook?

My first thought was to investigate what I could make and made sure it was something I wanted to eat. However, I needed to make sure the rest of the family liked the recipes too.

The bright and colourful Todarello’s Fruit Market

Once I narrowed down what I was going to create, fresh produce was needed and the main one was, of course, Mandarins. I chose to shop at Todarello’s Fruit Market at Katoomba.

Todarello’s has a vast array of fresh fruit and vegetables. They are all displayed beautifully, and all the food displays are fresh, colourful and inviting. Shopping at Todarello’s is a delight for your eyes as the colours make you imagine delicious and colourful dishes that are great for a feast, and will also fill your belly.

After you fill your box or bag with all your shopping at Todarello’s you can get help from the kind staff to carry it all to your car. What a great service Todarello’s offer and any time I have needed help staff always have a smile on their face and nothing is an issue to help a customer. If you do want to shop from the convenience of your home Toddarello’s has a website that allows you to order and have it all delivered to your home.

Once I had plenty of Mandarins and other items that would assist in the creation of my meals, I was ready to make some amazing dishes.

Mandarins at Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market

To celebrate Mandarins I have cooked a variety of different dishes.

Download The Printable Mandarin Recipes Below

Mandarin Curd Tart

I saw this online and had to give it a go. The recipe was inspired by Rainbow Nourishments, and I changed it a little.

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 cup plain or all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup olive oil or vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup almond meal
  • 3 tbsp of sugar
  • 2 tbsp of LSA ( Linseeds, Sunflowers and Almonds)

Mandarin curd

  • 4-5 mandarins and also the zest of the mandarins
  • ½ cup (120g) canned coconut cream ( I used the whole can)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp of corn starch
  • 2 tsp (6g) Dr. Oetker Gelatine Powder ( I couldn’t find agar powder and this did the trick)

Decorations

  • 2- 3 mandarins peeled with seeds removed
  • Diced Pistachios

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)

I used a non-stick tart pan for the tart base

Making the Crust

Add all ingredients and mix to make a dough. If too dry add a little water and if too wet add a little flour. Roll out dough to be around 3mm thick (⅛ inch) and then put into tart pan. Cook for 15mins until golden brown and remove to cool.

The dough ready for the Mandarin Curd Tart Crust
The uncooked crust about to go into the oven

Making the Mandarin Curd

Add all ingredients to a saucepan and stir over heat until the mixture thickens. I cut up all the mandarin, removed the seeds and zapped it all in the blender to make sure it is all mixed nicely. Once the mixture has cooled down add to tart base and put in the fridge to set for 2 hours. You can leave for longer if you wish.

Decorate with Mandarin pieces & pistachios, remember to remove the seeds.

Mandarin Curd Tart
Mandarin Curd Tart cut and ready to eat – It was so tasty and you really got the hit of mandarin in the curd.

Spiced Mandarin Marinade

Previously I added mandarin pieces to a chicken, vegetable and noodle stir fry dish, but wanted to see what it would be like if mandarin was a marinade.

Chilies and Mandarin ready to become Spiced Mandarin Marinade

Ingredients

  • 4-5 mandarins (I used Imperial Mandarins but you can use any type you wish)
  • Half a red chilli with seeds intact
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 2 tablespoons of olive/vegetable oil
  • Grate mandarin zest as well
Mixing the chicken with the Spicy Mandarin Marinade – after this was done it was put in the fridge until ready to cook.
Spicy Mandarin Marinade in a chicken stir fry

Method

  • Cut up 4-5 mandarins and make sure to remove the seeds
  • Add the zest of the mandarins too for a more intense mandarin flavour
  • Add the zest and mandarin pieces to the blender and mix so that all the mandarin is blended together
  • Remove the blended mandarin from the blender in a bowl and add lime juice, chilli, oil and sugar
  • Mix all the ingredients well
  • Now add the item you wish to marinade, I used chicken. You can use beef, prawns or fish.
  • Cut up all vegetables you wish to have in your stir fry and then cook the vegetables a little
  • Now add the chicken with the Spiced Mandarin Marinade to the wok or fry pan
  • I added Udon noodles but you can have rice if you wish
  • Once all cooked serve in a bowl and enjoy
Chicken, Vegetables and Noodles with Spiced Mandarin Marinade

I hope this gives you some more ways to enjoy mandarin. Adding mandarin pieces to a beef or chicken stir fry is yummy as well if you don’t wish to go to the trouble of making a marinade. It is a simple way to add something different to your dish.

You don’t have to cook with mandarins to enjoy them, they can be added to your breakfast as well.

In Australia mandarins are available from April to October, however, the Imperial variety is only available till June. If you are like me and your mandarin of choice is the Imperial you need to be enjoying this fruit now.

What is your favourite way to add mandarins to your cooking?

I am exploring more ways to incorporate mandarins in more meals, make sure to send in your suggestions.

Previously I have made Mandarin and Rhubarb Crumble, it is very easy to make and will impress dinner guests.

Post Feast Review

Mandarin Curd Tart


I initially looked at this recipe and thought it was very complicated. Too much going on for a cook to just simply create a dessert. My love of mandarins and trying something new took hold and made me try it. The recipe is actually deceptively simple, as well as being delicious. It was a nice change to have mandarin for the curd and not lemon or lime. The addition of pistachios gave an added crunch and texture.

Will I make it again?
I would definitely make this recipe again, it got eaten in record time and came out just like it should. Next time I would love to make it even tangier with mandarin flavour, and create smaller individual tarts rather than one big one.

Spicy Mandarin Marinade


I have been thinking of different ways to add mandarins to meals and this recipe was something right out of my imagination. It was a simple and easy recipe to create and added enough mandarin flavour to the dish.

Will I make it again?
Yes, I would make this again but with a few changes. I would add more mandarins and zest to give a punchier mandarin flavour and make it a thicker sauce for the marinade.

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Originally published April 15, 2021

Categories
Family

Easter Printables

Easter is nearly here and what better way to celebrate than with a fun game with the kids, and some fun Easter Cupcake Toppers.

THIS IS GREAT FOR EASTER AND ALSO BIRTHDAY PARTIES.

Great fun for kids and adults too.

Pin the Tail on the Easter Bunny - Download your free printable today!
Pin the Tail on the Easter Bunny – Download your free printable today!

 

How to Play:

    1. Download the PDF file and print it out. See form below, once you subscribe your PDF printable will be sent instantly!
    2. Stick the rabbit onto a board so that it remains in one place.
    3. Cut out multiple tails for each child that is playing the game (If you have one each for all players the tail can stay on the board and you can see who gets the closest to putting it on the actual bunnies tail)
    4. Blindfold the person who is about to play.
    5. Spin the person around so that they cannot know where the tail actually is.
  1. Now the player needs to put the tail where they think it should go on the bunny rabbit.
  2. Each player does the same as above until all has had a go. Once all done the closest to getting the tail on the rabbits actual tail wins.
  3. The winner can win a lucky dip, lollies or a major prize. It is up to you.

This is perfect to celebrate Easter or for a Birthday Party game.

Enjoy and I hope that you get the tail on the Easter Bunny or Bunny Rabbit.

 

 

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH THESE CUTE AND FUN CUPCAKE TOPPERS.

Easter Cupcake Toppers - Make your cupcakes fun for Easter.
Easter Cupcake Toppers – Make your cupcakes fun for Easter.

These cupcake toppers are easy to use:

  1. Download PDF file, see the below form to subscribe and get the free printable.
  2. Print on a thicker card. Not too thick but thicker than normal printer paper.
  3. Cut out the cupcake toppers.
  4. Add a toothpick with sticky tape to the back of each cupcake topper.
  5. Once each cupcake topper has a toothpick put in decorated cupcakes.
  6. Serve and enjoy your party.

I hope you enjoy these cute decorations for your Easter celebrations.

 

 

Categories
Creative

Marbled Easter Eggs

Creating Marble Easter Eggs is fun and you get pretty eggs. It is also a fun project to do with the kids this Easter.

Marble Dyed Easter Eggs

What Do you Need to Marble Dye Easter Eggs?

  • Eggs (this is pretty essential, you will need eggs to have an Easter Egg)
  • Oil
  • Food Colouring
  • Vinegar (for dying the eggs in the fizzy solution)
  • Bicarbonate Soda (for dying the eggs in the Fizzy solution)
  • Water
Don’t they look amazing! Marbled Dyed Eggs

Method

  1. Hard Boil your eggs – If you would rather you can blow out the eggs so that you don’t need to boil them and the eggs will be preserved. I used boiled eggs.
  2. Cool down the eggs so they are not hot
  3. Dye the eggs with an overall colour first. You can do this by using my Fizzy Dyed Eggs project
  4. We dyed ours with the fizzy method
  5. Fill a bowl with water and a tablespoon of oil and another colour food colour. We did this for a bit and then also added the food colouring directly to the egg.
  6. Dry off with paper towels after you are finished.
Adding the Marble colour in the water and oil solution

This might not be the way many do this but it worked for us. Give it a go and see what different patterns and differently dyed eggs you can create.

Alexander helping with the marbled Easter Eggs
The finished product – Marble Dyed Easter Eggs

We noticed that some were not holding the colour so adding the dye straight onto the egg helped.

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Originally published April 2 2021