Thursday 28 October 2010

Choc-strawberry meringue gateau Recipe


Here the recipe for all of you that asked for it.
125 gr. butter
4 eggs, separated
165 gr. sugar
150 gr. self -raising flour
35 gr. cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
250 ml milk
150 gr. caster sugar, extra
30 gr. coarsely chopped roasted hazelnuts
160 ml. thickened cream
1 tablespoon icing sugar
250 gr. strawberries
* preheat oven to160 degrees
* Beat egg yolks and sugar in bowl, stir in flour,cocoa and soda and the milk.
Divide mixture between 2 pans.
* Beat egg white in small bowl with electric mixer until soft peaks form, ad little by little the
sugar.
* Divide meringue over cake mixture in pan.
* Sprinkle hazelnuts over one cake.
* Bake uncovered for 25 min.
* Cover pans with foil and bake for another 20 minutes.
* Beat cream and icing sugar.
* Place cake without nuts on a plate, spread with cream and strawberries, top with remaining
cake.
TIP: This recipe is best made on the day of serving, so you have to eat a lot !!
HAPPY BAKING :)

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Crafty time and a road trip.


I love to be organized and have my things organized so when I saw this little box in the second hand shop I had a plan for it. The box didn't look as nice as it does now so there was some work to do. Have a look yourself.


Before.


After.


Here in New Zealand we had a long weekend last weekend (labour day). For me it was a normal weekend because I always work on Saturday and have Mondays of. So on Monday we had an extra family day.
We went for a bike ride to Eastbourne (with the car from the Kapiti Coast to Eastbourne) and biked to the lighthouse, it was a great bike ride except from the wind on the way back. But we did it and it was great.


In the evening we went to the beach and made a small bonfire. The sunset was lovely and by the tine the fire was burning we were surrounded by little boys and girls. Where they came from I don't know, but they loved it that was for sure!



Monday 18 October 2010

Just a wet Sunday!


Life is not always easy, teenagers, family, lots of things to sort out and being forty something. No the sun is not always shining even like the weather last Sunday, wet and cold.
But I always try to be positive so why not organize a little party. I bought myself a new Cath Kidston bag (Why not) and love it , so to celebrate this little baby we had a little party.


First I had a good look around for a nice cake /dessert recipe and found this ! Yum Yum


Then I picked some flowers from the garden when it was dry outside, what is a party without flowers?


I wrapped up some nice chocolate with pretty pink paper and some Cath Kidston stickers.



Lit a candle in a handmade candle holder. An old mustard jar covered with a Cath Kidston paper napkin and finished of with a lovely ribbon.


Made a starter.



A nice pasta salad.

And a super dessert. It was delicious, we eat it all !!
I think the cake I made looks even better than the one from the book.



At the end we all had a great time so even when the "sun" is not shining you can have a little party!

Monday 11 October 2010

Welcome in my garden room


We are still not finished with the garden room though but I like it to show you some pictures. Most of the inside is painted and we still have to do the outside (waiting for a nice weekend) and we are looking for more red bricks for the floor. But most of the plants and seeds are in and you see them grow every day. We already had our fist rocket salad.






In the hanging basket I planted strawberries.


Even our little cat made herself at home.





Saturday 9 October 2010

Weekend away.


Here are some pictures from our trip last weekend. It was a surprise for the birthday boy, I told him to pack his bag just for 1 night away.
Staying at the Chateau was on his bucket list and I think you have to do as much as you can if it is possible.


So if you ever in the Taupo region it is worth to bring a visit to Chateau Tongario, also the High tea was pretty good.


If you have an eye for love hearts you find them everywhere.






Wednesday 6 October 2010

Birthday weekend.


Last weekend we had a birthday weekend. In the beginning it was very strange to celebrate it without our friends and family because they are on the other site of the world. But after 5 years we found our own way to celebrate it. For the kids we always organize a party with school friends, but when it comes to our birthdays we love to go away.
I organized a trip for André as a surprise.
But before we went we had a great family dinner and a made a nice table in blue and white.








I love cooking and baking so I made this lovely apple cake.


And this is how it looks with 40 something candles.




After dinner we still enjoyed the lovely flowers and candles.
In a later post I'll tell you all about the trip were we went and what we did. I can tell you it was great !!



Friday 1 October 2010

baking time.


Every body that knows me a bit better knows that I LOVE a nice coffee, but not only coffee I love home made baking as well. Love to bake but also love to eat it. Not good I know, but you only live ones isn't it.

This is a great Dutch recipe from speculaas.
If you feel like it here is the recipe:
300 grams self raising flour
175 gram soft brown sugar
1.5 tablespoon milk
200 gram butter
3 tablespoons "speculaas kruiden" or mixed spice
70 gram sliced almonds
1 egg
Mix the ingredients together and wrap in glad wrap for a few hours.
Roll out and brush with the egg and sprinkle with almonds.
Bake for 40 minutes on 175 degree.
Enjoy with a great coffee!!


Introducing

This is the first time that I write in my blog.
I am Jacoline, me and my family emigrated to New Zealand from The Netherlands 3 years ago.
I can tell you, we went through some hard times in those 3 years, but we found our dream.

We bought a lovely home close to the beach. I spend a lot of time in our garden which has a lot of fruit trees, a nice vegetable garden and great flowers.

I love to shop in secondhand shops and garages sales are the best invention ever.
My days are filled with craft, cooking , baking and of course my 3 girls.
I try to have a beachwalk every day and on wednesday I join the quilt club.

We are still busy with rebuiling the house to make it a great home.
We like traveling and like to discover our new country.
I keep you updated with new stories, recipes, ideas and pictures every week.