Marshmallow Slice

To celebrate my new swap 'Scrumptious Slice' I am sharing my new favourite slice recipe. It is full of chocolate goodness and marshmallows. I got it from my friends mum. She found it on a side of a tin years ago. Here it is:

Marshmallow Slice
Prep: 20 mins (plus refrigeration time)
Makes: 16 pieces

Ingredients:
-250g sweet biscuits crushed
-3/4 cup mini marshmallows
-3/4 cup desiccated coconut
- 3/4 cup choc chips
- 1tsp baking cocoa
-Can of sweetened condensed milk (375g)
- 100g butter, chopped
- 1 tsp banilla essence
- 150g milk chocolate, melted

Method
1. Grease and line a 18x28cm lamington/slice tin with baking paper. In a large bowl combine biscuits, marshmallows, coconut, choc chips and cocoa. Reserve,
2. In a medium saucepan combine sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla essence. Stir over low heat until melted. Pour over biscuit mixture, mix well and firmly press into prepared tin. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
3. Once slice is cooled spread melted chocolate over the top, refrigerate until set, cut into squares.

This is good with scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you don't like milk chocolate it also works with dark chocolate but is much richer.

DELENN IN A BOX! extended version

Delenn is so cute and just knows how to make me crack up laughing. She is still playing with the shredded paper from previous post. She just loves boxes though.

Maggie Island-watch out for green algae

Echidna Curled Up- she/he heard Scott

Not the best start to the day. We missed our Ferry and when we finally got to Horseshoe Bay it was covered in green algae which smelt FOUL. However, we regrouped and headed on over to Geoffrey Bay. Everyone was going to Alma to swim and play so we scooted on down to the opposite end of Geoffrey under the pine trees and stretched out on the beach for a good 3-4 hours. It was so relaxing to hear the waves and just chill out reading. Scott got to explore the exposed reef at low tide and managed a nice gash in his toe. I was also super lucky to see my second ever Echidna in the wild. Scott was the one who spotted it. So small and spiky, he/she blended in beautifully with the bush. We found it on the walking track that takes you back to Nelly Bay from Geoffrey. I also snapped a pic of two mischievous Galahs!


Inquisitive Echidna

Silly Galahs!

100 000 Swaps Completed On Swapbot

Yay! What a great occasion. Rachel has set up a special swap to celebrate this event. Check it out here. Anyways, I went for a random approach. I have been thinking about getting my students to write a recipe for the 'Spirit of Christmas.' So I took this concept and this is what I came up with. Hope you like. 1 of you may receive this from me. I know a bit gooey for what I normally do but it was fun.



For those who bright pink makes the eyes hurt here it is.

Recipe: Superb Swapbot Swapper Slice
Kitchen of: aussielisa
Ingredients
- 2 cups Mail Addiction
-3/4 cup Community Spirit
-1/2 kg Fun Loving
- ¾ cup of Sense of Humour
-2 tsp Can do attitude
- 1 ½ cups of Communication
- 1 cup of Angel
- 2 tbsp Risk Taker
-1 tsp Punctuality
-1 block of Patience
-Extras of decorate
Method
Combine Mail Addiction, Community Spirit, Fun Loving and Can do Attitude in saucepan, simmer on low heat and frequently stir until combined, smooth and shiny. In a large bowl add Sense of Humour, Communication, Angel, Risk Taker and Punctuality. Pour over Mail addiction liquid and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Press into a prepared 26x16cm slice tin. Place in fridge for 1 hour or until set. Melt block of Patience in saucepan. Pour over the top of Superb Swapbot Swapper Slice. Use Extras to decorate appropriately. Serve every login with a glass of happiness
Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hour Serves: A community

Steak for dinner here

Mmmmm had a yummy dinner before football tonight. Sad to see the Melbourne Storm lose but the Warriors from Auckland deserved it. Dinner was simple steak but added a bit to it by adding this glaze. Give it a go when you get a chance. Probably really good for a barbecue. Plus, we have the herbs growing again in our garden so any excuse to use them.

Steak with Honey, Thyme and Mustard Glaze
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cooking Time: 15 mins

Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
4 lean New York Style Beef Steaks (i also use rump)
2 tblsps honey
1/3 cup of lemon juice
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tblsp seeded mustard
1 clove garlic, crushed

Method
Heat oil in pan, add steaks, cook until done as desired; remove from pan. Add remaining ingredients to pan, simmer uncovered until mixture thickens slightly.
2. Serve glaze over steak.

Tonight because it is so warm I served with a tossed garden salad but I think it would be great with either mashed potatoes and green beans or roast vegetables.

Movie Adventure: Red Dog

I can count the number of Australian Movies I like on my fingers. But, this has to be one of my favourites. I have just finished watching 'Red Dog.' A wonderfully funny and moving story set in a mining town in Western Australia during the1970's. This movie is actually based on a true story of the Red Dog who united a local community while roving the Australian outback in search of his master. He is even has a wikipedia page. I laughed so hard because this movie nails a small remote town in the 1970's and cried like a baby in other parts. Beautifully made. If it is in a cinema near you check it out. Warning, it is very Australian at times down to the footy shorts and bad hair.

Check out the trailer here :)



Remember if you do find yourself in Dampier, stop by and see 'Red Dog's' statue.

Cereal Boxes!

Okay this is going to be a random post. I LOVE cereal boxes. They are just so handy to have. I use them in my classroom all the time to help students create art works, make displays or even in hands on mathematics lesson. However, I use them at home all the time so sometimes I have to eat LOTS of it so I can get my own crafting done on top of what my students need.

As a lot of you know I am newish to the sewing game. In fact I have only been making softies etc. for the past year. It is good fun. I am tired of tracing around baking paper traces of my patterns. So I have begun the process of cereal-fying my crafty patterns which I got as freebies online or from Funky Friends Factory or Dolls and Daydreams. It will be a long enough process but it will make life easier in the end. I managed to get hold of some cheap expandable folders so I was going to put them in order of purchase so I can just whip them out and go. Cut down on the prep time which I find arduous at times. Here is my first pattern I am cereal-fying from Dolls and Daydreams, Skeleton.

Kitty Escapades

This is one of the reasons I wanted a kitten so badly. The cuteness factor of her discovery today almost made my head explode. This is the first time Delenn has seen shredded paper AND it came in a box. You can hear here purring through the whole house. It's been hours and she is still going. I do have a cute video and may try to upload it. Here is the cuteness that is Delenn exploring.

Hiking around Town Common

First Sunday where I don't have to work. WOOT WOOT! Scott took me out hiking behind the Town Common on a beautiful trail. The birdlife was fascinating to watch. A pair of Brolga spent a good 15 mins dancing in the wetlands. They have just finished back burning so the paths were nice and clear. Some wonderful views that photos just cannot do justice for. Here are a few pictures of the local wildlife. I will hopefully be able to add some cute bird pictures once my camera charges. Enjoy.

Hosting My First Swap!

I finally decided to just do it and have a go hosting my first swap on Swapbot. It is a simple swap called 'Sweet Tooth Recipe Swap.' Swappers are being asked to send 3 of their favourite sweets recpices e.g. desserts, cakes, slices etc. So please sign up if you want to join the fun :)


I have also added and Pasta recipe swap here called 'Perfect Pasta Recipe Swap.' So if you are interested check it out and sign on up.

Spicy Chicken Marinade

I am noticing a theme in my cooking lately. I have tried a lot of new chicken combinations to play with flavour but have not done much with beef. Will have to change that. For now however, another chicken marinade that Scott convinced me to have a go making. Warning, this is spicy (for me anyway, I am sure there are hardcore spicy food eaters who will laugh at me). So if not spicy enough for you, add more chilli. If too spicy add less chilli :) I think that is everyone covered. I could not get the smell of this out of my house for a good day and a half, it was sooooo good.

Spicy Grilled Chicken

Prep Time: 10 mins (plus marinating time)
Cooking Time: 10 mins

Ingredients
4 skinless single chicken breast fillets
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 sml fresh red chillies chopped
2 cloves garlic crushed
2 tsps grounded turmeric
2 tsps cumin seeds
1/2 tsp grounded cinnamon
2 strips of lemon rind
cooking oil

Method
1. Cut 3 slashes in each fillet. Blend/process juice, wine, honey, coriander, ginger, chillies, garlic, turmeric, seeds and cinnamon until smooth. Cut rinds into thin strips, combine rind, chicken and pureed mixture in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or for a few hours).
2. Drain chicken, reserve marinade. Heat bbq or heavy griddle pan, coat wit cooking oil, add chicken, cook on both sides until tender brushing with marinade through out process.
3. Serve with a fresh salad and bake potato or rice and asian greens

Memories- of sweetened condensed milk

So I was lucky enough to come by an amazing recpice book that was given to me by a friend. Their is only one problem/awesome thing. The main ingredient for the entire book is Condensed Milk. It was designed by Nestle to celebrate 100 years of their product. OMG the recipes in here make my mouth water. The official title is '100 years of Sweet Baking Memories' A Collection of Australia's favourite Sweetned Condensed Milk recpices. *Drool* I think I will just start at page 1 and make each recipe. One of them is precisely the recipe I got from my grandma, I wrote it into my cooking notebook when I was 6. So here it is 6 year old me's favourite recipe.


Coconut Ice

Prep: 10 mins (plus refrigeration time)
Makes: 16 pieces

Ingredients:
2 cups icing sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Can of sweetened condensed milk (359g)
6 drops of red food colouring

Method
1. Grease and line a 30x20cm rectangular slice pan with baking paper.
2. Combine sugar and cream of tartar in a bowl. Add sweetened condensed milk and coconut, stir well. Place half the mixture in a seperate bowl. Add food colouring to one bowl and stir well until combined. Press uncoloured mixture into base of pan, level well, then top with pink mixture, pressing firmly.
3. Refrigerate for two hours or until set. Cut into squares and serve.



I have a memory of one of the first times I ate this. I was really little and dressed up as a fairy with massive wings (I am sure now I would think they were itty bitty) and the mum who brought us the food said, "here don't forget your fairy snacks, they match your costumes." We were all so excited and then on a massive sugar high running through the park with all the pink and white flowers around us.

Second cross stitch done :)

So I have been trying to get this one done for the past month but have been so busy at work. However, it is finally complete. I give you 'Got Brains?'. It is from the same pattern book as my previous cross stitch. I have a few cute ones to work on now involving kittens and hedgehogs. They are nice and small so hopefully will be more manageable. I am also in the process of finishing off my own personal Ellie the Elephant. I got this pattern from a wonderful website called Funky Friends Factory. Well that is the latest crafting update. Have a great weekend everyone.

Lemon, Garlic, Chicken Lunchtime Heaven

So I slept straight through most of the day and woke up starving! Seriously I feel like I am back at uni. Who wakes up at 3pm??? It is a new record. Even Scott was impressed. Although to be fair, it was 'Food N Dance Fiesta' at work so a 14 hour day almost killed me. Pft...yeah teaching is soooooooo a 9 to 3 job. But I won't go into that rant cause this is a happy blog :) Although students start walking into my room at 8:40 because of an assigned school bell...just saying.

Back to heavenly lunch :) I was so naughty and ate all of this over today and tonight. It serves 4! Here is the Lemon Garlic Chicken on Ciabatta that I enjoyed and will be making alot of. Sorry I forgot to take a picture of it. Again starving!

Lemon Garlic Chicken on Ciabatta
Cook time: 15 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients
1L (4 cups) water
400g chicken breast fillets
4 thick slices of ciabatta bread
1 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
Dressing
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsps finely grated lemon rind
1 fresh long red chilli, chopped finely
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Method
1. Bring the water to boil in a large frying pan; add chicken. Reduce heat; simmer, cover for about 10 mins or until chicken is cooked. Cool chicken in poaching liquid 10 mins, drain, shred finely.
2. Meanwhile preheat grill to hot.
3. Brush bread both sides with combined oil and garlic. Toast both sides under grill. ( i normally do a few extra pieces because so good while warm)
4. Make lemon, chilli and parsely dressing. Put all ingredients in screw top jar and shake.
5. Combine chicken and dressing in a large bowl. Place on toast and serve.

YAY! Cross stitch with a difference :)

I have been eyeing this book off for months and finally caved and brought it from the Book Depository (who doesn't love free international shipping). I have been enjoying cross stitch but am not a big fan of the traditional flowers, verse and other such things. Plus, I have a few friends who I think would enjoy these for Christmas presents. Julie Jackson is the author of the book and has a great website with kits if anyone is interested. I think I need to go down to spotlight and get my threads :)

Lime, Lime, Lime, Chilli!

I have absolutely fallen head over heels for this chicken marinade. I love it! It is so simple to make and it is good for diabetics and those with cholesterol. Tick, tick and yummy. I got this recipe from a good friend who picked it up from a Women's Weekly Cookbook ages ago (maybe 20 years or more). The name she gave it for me was Grilled Chicken in Lime Chilli Marinade. I serve it with a nice crisp salad.

Prep Time: 10 mins, then need to marinade (I recommend over night but a few hours is also good)
Cook time: 10 mins

Ingredients:
-4 skinless chicken breast
-cooking oil spray
-2 tbsp coriander, chopped
Marinade
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp low salt soy sauce
- 1 sml fresh red chilli, chopped finely
- 2 spring onions chopped

Method:
1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl and stir, set to one side
2. Pound chicken with a mallet to an even thickness. Combine chicken and marinade and refrigerate overnight or for several hours.
3. Drain chicken, heat bbq grill or pan, coat with cooking oil, add chicken and cook on both sides until brown and tender.
4. Sprinkle with coriander and serve with lime wedges.

I normally keep some of the marinade and pour over while cooking. Also, if serving for someone who is diabetic I would normally provide a carb of some sort with the salad. I actually want to try it on my kebabs next time instead of the Honey Soy I usually do.