Anzac Biscuits with Lemon Zest

Happy Easter fellow Foodies. Well I'm not a big chocolate fan so today on Easter Sunday I have made some Anzac biscuits.

I used a traditional recipe & simply added extras. This batch has almonds, pecans, dates, apricots & lemon zest. I added the zest of one lemon to get a really fragrant flavour. They taste really fresh.

Anzac biscuits are an Aussie classic, so celebrate our National Day of Remembrance with these tasty homemade treats.

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups plain flour, sifted
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup caster sugar
3/4 cup desiccated coconut
2 tablespoons golden syrup or treacle
150g unsalted butter, chopped
1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda

Extras

Zest of one lemon
Handful of Almonds/Pecans
Few chopped dates or apricots

Method
Preheat oven to 170°C. Place the flour, oats, sugar and coconut in a large bowl and stir to combine. In a small saucepan place the golden syrup and butter and stir over low heat until the butter has fully melted. Mix the bicarb soda with 1 1/2 tablespoons water and add to the golden syrup mixture. It will bubble whilst you are stirring together so remove from the heat. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix together until fully combined. Roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls and place on baking trays lined with non stick baking paper, pressing down on the tops to flatten slightly. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Shelly Beach, looks like Italy

After a 30deg day of incredible heat we went out for dinner on my son Connors 1st day back at school. While most buckle down for the school term of early dinner & early to bed, we opted for a walk along Manly Beach in a salty mist that almost hung along the shore line. As we walked I found this gorgeous door & wall that seemed like it should of been in Italy or Greece.

The rustic paint has been left by the new Cafe owners that create a well loved look.

Hope u like it as much as me.

Side Tables

Today its over cast & it's time for a jiggle and reshuffle of the furniture in my office/lounge. I have become sick of my black printer crowding my space visually. So I swapped the office set of drawers & put the drawers closer to the lounge & have created a nice little side table. I've gone for my favorite look of seaside bleached chic.

My 'Collection' of Flowers

Barbequed Ocean Trout

 Yes it was the family coming to dinner.

And it was 'oh so easy'

These vegetables are a mix of home grown and bought. You can create you're own mix to 'stuff' the trout but this is what we did....

Sliced a large leek

Then we sliced a large red capsicum

We added plenty of sliced Australian garlic

Sliced up half a red onion

Squeezed in lemon juice

Added a handful of lemon thyme

This Ocean Trout weighed approximately 3.6 kilograms. We placed the fish on foil with leeks on the base. We then cooked in a 'medium' heated BBQ for 40 mins. It was sensational - a real crowd pleaser. 

Note ... friends cooked a salmon about the same size in a pre-heated BBQ but with the heat turned off. They said it 'sat' in the BBQ for 45 minutes and cooked to medium rare and was delicious. 

Oh so Pretty in the Country

 Some of the homes that I have passed in the last few weeks are picture perfect.  Living in the country is a sensory delight of space, the colour green and prettiness. I hope not to get in trouble for photographing peoples houses. Sometimes I'm not even getting out of the car to take these beauties. By the way there are some horrors... but I'll leave them for another day.   

Balinese Doors - Balgowlah

Source: Uploaded by user via Lisa on Pinterest

I captured these magnificent Balinese doors 2 streets away from my home. There solid and rustic looking that add a stately yet earthy look.

Its wonderful living in a beach side suburb, where frangipanis and Hydrangeas fill the gardens. Cars drive by with surf boards,  and kiddlets walk the pavement after school for board training at Nippers. Australia has a Asian feel, and these doors confirm that when you come home form work - that paradise awaits.

Rose Frill Cake

Source: maggieaustincake.com via Sarah on Pinterest

If I was a cake, this is what I would look like. I love the delicate frill and how pretty it looks.

• 250g butter, softened
• 3 cups white sugar
• 7 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
• 3 cups plain flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 250ml (1 cup) sour cream

Preparation Method

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 1 hour

• Preheat oven to 160 C. Grease and flour a 23cmx30cm cake pan or a 25cm Tube or Bundt pan.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla.
• Combine the flour, baking soda and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix until all of the flour is absorbed.
• Finally, stir in the sour cream. Mix for 1 or 2 minutes just to be sure there are no lumps. Pour the mixture into the choice of prepared pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a fine skewer inserted into the centre of cake comes out clean. 

*The above recipe makes one Cake, if your are making 2 Layers, Reduce the Ingredients by 1/2 and bake in a smaller tin.

Suppliers of Gumpaste and Fondant in Sydney -

http://www.sydneyessential.com.au/essential-guides/cake-decorating/all-pages
http://bakingpleasures.com.au/

How to make - Fondant Roses

Fondant Ruffles

Create the Ruffles as in the Video below, and add the Ruffles upside down.

French Baskets

Today I went to Fox Studios Farmers Markets & saw these divine French Baskets. The morning was blessed with glorious sunshine & as i strolled through the crowds, every body seemed to have big bunches of flowers wrapped in earthy brown paper. You must go in early as by the time we were there at
10:30am there were only a handful of suppliers. The French lady who sells the Baskets also sells Duck Fat and Duck Pate. Yummy, but duck fat seems to be a annual special for the roast potatoes at Christmas.

If your after one of these baskets visit 2 Ducks Trading http://www.2ducktrading.com.au/

I have one & it is fabulous & smells earthy from the leather handles & woven grasses.

You just need a blue & white stripy top & a fresh baguette hanging out of your bag in your Capri pants & ballets flats to be the essence of French chic shopping in a village market... Ahhh to dream & recreate a simple life in the south of France in a Paddington Market.

Enjoy the dream girls.. I did for a wee moment.

Angelic & White

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Starfish

Source: Uploaded by user via Lisa on Pinterest

We love Starfish and add them around our home in Fairlight. They give a bowl of Seashells a splash of fun. We often see living Starfish in Sydney at Clontarf, though there small and are red in colour. I would never dream of collecting anything unless is was dead. It just does not seem right.

I photographed this one on my Rustic Table that has become the home of many new objects I love collecting and photographing with my son's camera.

Shabby Chic Roses

Source: lesapeamusings.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Shabby Chic Roses, simply added to a old Tin. This is so beautiful and feminine.

Pretty Old English Rose's

Source: justcallmegrace.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Beautiful William Morris David Austin Old English Rose's, just so so beautiful.

French Tables

Source: alifeofbeautyandgrace.tumblr.com via Astridchristine on Pinterest

The collection of White chairs with this French table are exquisite. Simple and fresh suitable for City or Country living.

Rustic Candles

Source: minlillaveranda.blogspot.com via Astridchristine on Pinterest

Finding old furniture and giving it lick of fresh white paint will turn any old table into a Shabby Chic dream. Adding candles and a pile of magazines creates a Chic Beach look. I love this Shabby Chic Scandinavian style..Using lots of neutral colours creates a elegant feel.

Country Settings for a Lady

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

White Rustic Tables

Source: hereiamloulou.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: abeachcottage.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Beach Chic Table Settings

Source: 79ideas.org via Lisa on Pinterest

I love the soft creams and whites in this gorgeous Beach Chic Table setting. So easy to achieve.

Blueberries and Yoghurt

Source: adeline535.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

There is nothing nicer than fresh Yoghurt with Blueberries with a sprinkle of your favorite Toasted Museli.

Tofu & Scrambled Eggs with Soy

Grilled Firm Tofu

Cut Tofu into 2cm Slices, this should give your around 4-5 slices .
Lightly cook Tofu in a frypan with a small drizzle of olive oil.

• Sauce
• Soy Sauce
• Grate frozen Ginger
• 1x Garlic - grated
• Small drizzle Sesame Oil
• Cut 1 x small Chili
• 1 x stem of green Shallots

Scramble Eggs

• 4 x Eggs
• 100ml of Shape Milk
• Mix eggs & milk well & pour into a lightly coated Teflon fry pan.
• Fold eggs-gently, don't over stir.

Serve Eggs with Tofu and a sprinkle of Chives. Drizzle cooked Tofu with Soy & Ginger sauce mix.

Very high Protein Breakfast