I know, another recipe, but I'm only posting the ones that are my absolute favourites!!!
This recipe I have taken from Jo Whitton's blog "Quirky Cooking" quirky cooking.blogspot.com. This lady produces some amazing recipes and caters for the allergy prone eaters out there.
Gooey Gluten Free Brownies:
Ingredients
200g dark chocolate
130g raw dates, pitted
180g cold pressed coconut oil
30g coconut flour (or any other GF flour)
4 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt
Method
Preheat oven to 190C. Line a 22cm square baking dish with baking paper
Place the chocolate (broken into pieces) into the TM bowl and mill for 10 seconds/speed 9
Add the dates to the bowl and chop 15 seconds/speed 10
Add the coconut oil and cook 5 minutes/60C/speed 2.
Add remaining ingredients and mix 20 seconds/speed 8. Scrape down the lid and sides of the bowl and mix for another 10 seconds/speed 6.
Scrape mixture into a lined, square baking dish. Bake in pre-heated 190C oven for 18-20mins. Be careful not to overcook or they won't be gooey! Just until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
Cool, cut into small squares, and refrigerate until cold.
These are so rich and yummy!!!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Gluten Free Bread! Thermomix Style - Best I've ever tasted!
I would like to share with you all a recipe for Gluten Free bread that you can make from scratch!
If anyone has had the unpleasant experience of eating GF bread bought from a packet, not only is it like eating crumbly cardboard, but it is full of preservatives and nasties worth steering clear from.
This recipe I have taken from the Thermomix Recipe Community website. I find it easy enough to make, bake and store in the freezer for future consumption!
Gluten Free Bread (Cyndi's Modified & Supersized)
Ingredients
Freshly Milled Flour
330g rice (white, brown, wild - use a mix)
120g millet*
60g dried chickpeas
Additional Dry Ingredients
210g arrowroot flour or tapioca starch*
60g seeds of your choice (sesame, sunflower, linseed, chia)
3 tsp xantham gum*
2 sachets dried yeast
1 heaped tsp sea salt
30g rapadura sugar* or raw sugar
Wet Ingredients
600g luke warm water
45g rice bran oil
1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 large eggs
* Buy these items from a health food shop. For the Shire-ees I find Mrs Watson's at Cronulla has the best range and stock availability for these items!
Preparation
1. Pre-heat oven to 180C fan forced. Line a large solid metal bread tin 31cm x 13cm x 1cm with baking paper.
2. Place rice, millet and chickpeas into the TM bowl and mill for 1 minute on Speed 9 to make flour.
3. Add other dry ingredients and to TM bowl and mix for 20 seconds on Speed 4.
4. Add wet ingredients to TM bowl and mix for 20 seconds on Speed 5. Stop and scrape down sides of the bowl if necessary
5. Transfer mixture into the tin lined with baking paper. I use pegs to hold the the baking paper to the tin, remember to remove them before baking though! Spread mixture evenly in the bottom of the tin.
6. Place bread tin in a warm place and allow the mixture to rise to the top of the tin. This can take 20 mins or longer on a cold winters day. I place the tin at the back of my stove as it's then warmed by the hot air from the pre-heating oven.
7. Place bread tin in the oven and bake for 45 mins to an hour, depending on your oven. Check it's cooked by inserting a wooden skewer.
8. Remove the loaf from the tin and baking paper and leave upright on a cooling rack. Once it's cooled, I slice the bread, double wrap the bread in plastic wrap and freeze.
If you can't wait for the bread to cool, it's super yummy warm with some ham and cheese!!
This recipe makes a large amount of bread 'batter'. What I often do is make a GF pizza base with left over mixture.
1. Simply line a pizza tray with baking paper and spread the mixture out evenly.
2. Spray the mixture with spray oil and sprinkle herbs of the mixture - rosemary is nice!!
3. Pop in the oven for around 20mins.
GF pizza base ready for your favourite toppings!
HUNTER VALLEY GOODNESS!
How good is the Hunter? For those of you whom haven't had the pleasure of visiting, you should try to go at least once in your lifetime!
I had the pleasure of attending a beautiful wedding there a few years ago, but at that time didn't really have the opportunity to explore and soak up the experience and culture that the Hunter Valley has to offer...
So when the opportunity arose to visit there for a long weekend away, kid free, with a great group of mums... how could I refuse?!
I was so impressed with the place: the landscape, the freshness of the produce and I even took part in my first ever wine tour! (and as a self-confessed non-wine drinker, I sniffed, sampled and even purchased a few bottles!)
'The Woods' Pokolbin www.thewoods.com.au
Thanks to the wonderful organisational skills of Jacqui, our accommodation was just perfect. "The Chapel House" slept 8 people and was homely, comfortable and nestled amongst a serene setting of bush landscape and the occasional Kangaroo!
After our wine tour (with the inclusion of a visit to a Vodka distillery, chocolate and cheese store), we indulged in wine, chocolate, homemade pizzas and cocktails (with the help of the thermie of course!) and chatted away until nights end.
Vodka Distillery
Trying my skill at wine tasting - notice the nose flare!
Mini Bus Adventures!
It was so relaxing and peaceful it was almost too hard to come home!! Thank you for a lovely weekend away together ladies, let's make it an annual thing!!!
Our last coffee together at Peppertree Winery before returning back to reality! :)
Monday, 21 October 2013
Engaging Engagement!
What a wonderful Sunday to celebrate LOVE!
Barefoot Bowls, BBQ's and Bowling Whites... sets the scene of my brother and his beautiful fiance's engagement party...
I was so happy to witness your celebration surrounded by your dear family and friends. It just goes to show how much love many people have for you as a couple. And I personally can't wait to share in the journey of your new lives together...
Now all you need to do is set a bloody date!!!!!! hahaha
No seriously, so glad to see that my little brother has found love and companionship with such a beautiful soul and we are so lucky to have her as part of our family!
Enjoy the rest of this exciting journey - together!
xxxxx
Barefoot Bowls, BBQ's and Bowling Whites... sets the scene of my brother and his beautiful fiance's engagement party...
I was so happy to witness your celebration surrounded by your dear family and friends. It just goes to show how much love many people have for you as a couple. And I personally can't wait to share in the journey of your new lives together...
Now all you need to do is set a bloody date!!!!!! hahaha
No seriously, so glad to see that my little brother has found love and companionship with such a beautiful soul and we are so lucky to have her as part of our family!
Enjoy the rest of this exciting journey - together!
The Happy "Bowls" Couple
(We'll have to re-take this photo again when you're in your eighties!!)
Getting their groove on at Erskineville Bowlo!
xxxxx
We're off to the Theatre!
Come and meet those dancing feet,
On the avenue I'm taking you to,
Forty-Second Street.
Hear the beat of dancing feet,
It's the song I love the melody of,
Forty-Second Street.
On the avenue I'm taking you to,
Forty-Second Street.
Hear the beat of dancing feet,
It's the song I love the melody of,
Forty-Second Street.
Taking my 2nd bubba to the Theatre on Saturday was probably one of the best memories I'll take with me forever.
The look on her face and the excited skips down the path towards the Concourse, were absolutely priceless. It was at this time it occurred to me that no toy, or material item could have taken the place of the pure happiness she was exuding!
As we were shown to our seats: front row! with full view of the stage and sitting intimately with the band, things couldn't have been more perfect!
At the ending of the show she quietly mentioned to me: "Mum, I could do this when I'm older"...!
As we ventured through Chatswood Shopping Centre we were delighted to find a table of Principle and Ensemble members of the cast! Much to our delight, they agreed to have a photo with one star struck individual!
The highlight of her day - a photo with 'Anytime Annie' & 'Peggy Sawyer'
(As well as Sushi, Cinnamon Doughnut and Chocolate Milkshake!)
Best birthday present - ever!
A toy may last a week or even a year, but a memory lasts forever!
xx
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Love is in the air!
Oh how I love a good wedding! And this one was definitely up with the best of them!

Congratulations Yaz and Tanz - thank you so much for having me share in your special day!
x
Dee
Although I flew the flag solo at this one (the first time I had ever had to do so, - (special mention goes to my hubby taking part in the 'Cure to Conquer Cancer' bike ride at the time) my good friends chauffeured me, looked after me and kept me entertained for the weekend.
Located in our Nation's Capital, Old Parliament House was the venue for the ceremony. Perfect backdrop, perfect weather, perfect setting to celebrate a day of love!!
Perfect backdrop for a beautiful ceremony...
| The boys scrub up ok! |

| Archie, suited up! |
Congratulations Yaz and Tanz - thank you so much for having me share in your special day!
x
Dee
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
My morning wake up call!
Just thought I'd share with you all my new daily routine...
At least once a day, I drink the goodness of a green smoothie!
Not only are they extremely healthy for you but they are very refreshing and taste delicious!
A good friend of mine forwarded me some great green smoothie recipes taken from the website www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au, Jess Ainscough is a truly inspirational woman and her site is well worth a look.
So if you're interested in giving a green smoothie a go, this is my favourite at the moment:
Note:
I use my Thermomix to whip up this little concoction, however, I'm sure a blender would do the job just as well!
Dee's Green Morning Buddy
6-8 ice cubes
2 whole stalks of Kale or 2 handfuls of spinach leaves
1 large stick celery
1/2 lemon (skin removed)
1 pear (skin on)
1 cold glass water
Put all ingredients into the Thermomix and blend for 2 minutes on Speed 10.
Voila! Enjoy!
You could also substitute plain water for coconut water, and add your nutrient powder like Spirulina or I add 1 tsp of 'Vital Greens'
At least once a day, I drink the goodness of a green smoothie!
Not only are they extremely healthy for you but they are very refreshing and taste delicious!
A good friend of mine forwarded me some great green smoothie recipes taken from the website www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au, Jess Ainscough is a truly inspirational woman and her site is well worth a look.
So if you're interested in giving a green smoothie a go, this is my favourite at the moment:
Note:
I use my Thermomix to whip up this little concoction, however, I'm sure a blender would do the job just as well!
Dee's Green Morning Buddy
6-8 ice cubes
2 whole stalks of Kale or 2 handfuls of spinach leaves
1 large stick celery
1/2 lemon (skin removed)
1 pear (skin on)
1 cold glass water
Put all ingredients into the Thermomix and blend for 2 minutes on Speed 10.
Voila! Enjoy!
You could also substitute plain water for coconut water, and add your nutrient powder like Spirulina or I add 1 tsp of 'Vital Greens'
Yum!
My juice this morning had a different coloured tinge, it's usually greener than this.
I used purple-coloured Kale that's probably affected the end result!
Monday, 14 October 2013
A touch of paradise, food for the soul...
In the last school holidays, we were lucky enough to embark on two wonderful trips as a family.
We were able to spend quality time as a family, away from work stresses and obligations to relax and rejuvenate...
Trip One - Callala Beach
Located on NSW South Coast, this untouched little piece of paradise was the perfect location to begin our family escape, with not much around but this unspoilt beach, we were blessed by gorgeous weather and fun in the sun...
Trip Two - Seal Rocks 'Glamping'
Located in yet another unspoilt location up north, picturesque are the views of Seal Rocks as you drive down the hill towards the Caravan Park.
This was our family's 3rd camping trip to Seal Rocks, we are slowly getting better at the whole 'Glamping' experience.
Our 3-family annual camping trip welcomed two new families this year and proved the saying true - 'the more the merrier'!
As always, we were in great company and the kids were in their element as beach trips and time without electronic devices proved to be fulfilling. And may I add, it was beautiful to see how their imaginations can indeed provide hours of fun!!


Good times guys - See you next year!
Dee x
We were able to spend quality time as a family, away from work stresses and obligations to relax and rejuvenate...
Trip One - Callala Beach
Located on NSW South Coast, this untouched little piece of paradise was the perfect location to begin our family escape, with not much around but this unspoilt beach, we were blessed by gorgeous weather and fun in the sun...
The fam enjoying an afternoon stroll
A family selfie
A day ferry trip to Huskisson
Hyams Beach - the whitest sand in the world
| Hyams Beach fun with friends |
| No beach trip is complete without ice-cream! |
Celebrating 7 years of marriage with my wonderful hubby
Our first tooth fairy visit - whilst in Callala!
Trip Two - Seal Rocks 'Glamping'
Located in yet another unspoilt location up north, picturesque are the views of Seal Rocks as you drive down the hill towards the Caravan Park.
This was our family's 3rd camping trip to Seal Rocks, we are slowly getting better at the whole 'Glamping' experience.
Our 3-family annual camping trip welcomed two new families this year and proved the saying true - 'the more the merrier'!
As always, we were in great company and the kids were in their element as beach trips and time without electronic devices proved to be fulfilling. And may I add, it was beautiful to see how their imaginations can indeed provide hours of fun!!
Seal Rocks October Long Weekend 2013
Good times guys - See you next year!
Dee x
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