Website is GO!

Sorry its been a long time between posts.....life has been hectic to say the least.

My business has now become techno!  I have my very own website.

www.poppyseedcatering.com.au

Its been quiet with business lately but on the home front very busy. Jackman turned 2 and we had a little party for him. What I love about this day and age is our life has become so easy to document thanks to Technology. I was able to take loads of photos and video. I'm also in the process of creating a printed photo book for each year of my sons life.He will be able to look back over the years and see his childhood.

So thanks to you brainacs out there, forever creating and upgrading our technology systems.

I often use the Internet to source recipes and different cooking methods, its quick,easy and cheap.

Still nothing beats going into a bookstore and choosing your next cookbook. I love the smell of a new book (weirdo??) I always have a good whiff then I flick through the pages.

 

My next purchase is going to be the book  "BabyCakes NYC"  an absolutely inspirational gorgeous woman who has created a cupcake bakery in New York for people with strict dietary requirements.....gluten free,sugar free,wheat free.

It hasn't been released in my town yet so I might have to get it on Amazon. I cant wait any longer. It has given me a few ideas for another cafe venture I would like to do in the next year.

I have been thinking about opening another cafe, my hubby is a bit resistant to this idea...who can blame him, we have only just sold our cafe!!

I will have to work on him gently...... ;)

Well need to start getting tonight's dinner ready while my wee button has his midday sleep. How very stepford wife of me.

Enjoy your day and remember.....

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...its about learning how to dance in the rain"

Hot Chocolate and a Cookie??

Well today it is wet,cold and my little treasure has a tummy bug....I have never seen so much liquid come out of something so small. Where does he store it all?

My washing machine and dryer has been working on overtime.

I remember when I was sick as a child mum always gave me my favourite food to eat. My little button's favourite food are my home made choc chip cookies.

This recipe is a fantastic freezing cookie dough. It will make a few sausage rolls of dough but just wrap them in glad wrap and freeze for up to 5 months!!

Good for emergency drop In's. Or for bringing a plate to share...

Awesome Cookie Dough

250gms unsalted butter

1 cup caster sugar

2 eggs

splash vanilla essence

120 gms almond meal

1 cup brown sugar

3.5 cups S.R flour

This is the best part of this recipe.....

The flavours you add to your dough can be any combination you like!

But it must be 250gms  of each. Choose 2 flavours only.

Total of 500gms in weight.

So for my choc-chip cookies I add in 250gms milk choc chips and 250gms of white choc chips.

Pre-heat oven to 180.c

Cream butter and sugars till fluffy add your eggs and mix again till smooth.

Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl, add the almond meal.

Add the butter mixture to the dry and work in with your hands.

Massage and knead the dough till it starts to come together.

Add your chosen flavours and keep kneading the dough.

It should come together to a nice smooth pastry like consistency.

If its a bit dry add a splash of milk.

Separate the dough into 3 or 4 balls, and then roll into a sausage roll shape. Cover in glad wrap.

Let it set in the fridge for about 1/2 hour. If your going to freeze some of the dough then do this now.

When the dough has been rested you can unwrap it and slice it into rounds. You can make your cookie as thick or as thin as you like.

Thick cookies will take longer to bake and the centre is nice and chewy.

These cookies will spread while cooking so don't over crowd them on the baking tray.

Line your tray with baking paper. Place the cookies on it and pop into oven.

I usually bake them for 12 mins first then check. You will have to decide how long to bake them, this depends on the thickness of your cookie.

Keep in mind the cookie might be softish but it will crisp up when it cools down.

Here are some flavor combination ideas....

Macadamia/white chocolate

Pecans/dries apricots

Pistachio/ Dark chocolate

Almond/apricot

Dried Fig/ chocolate

Let your imagination go wild. I sometimes scout the cookie shelves at gourmet foodie shops for flavour ideas.

Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, put up your feet and don't stop at one cookie!!

Or in my case make a cup of warm chocolate that will be shared and end up with soggy cookie bits in it,most definitely be spilled over me, have a cookie rubbed into my pants and sit on the floor playing trains and passengers.......bless.

In the words of the blue hairy master connoisseur of cookie eating... "COOKIES...num, num, num, I love the cookie!!"

Enjoy. x