My week in pictures: whoopies and home cooking

Cherrie Moore — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:14:37 +0000

This week I picked the winners of the Cheesecake Shop vouchers competition. They are :

Wendy M

Winston

Leaf

Agnes

Daisy

The winners have been contacted and I have mailed out their vouchers. Enjoy your desserts from The Cheesecake Shop, guys.

Our goodies from Misty’s diner we bought last week. Pretzel and coconut M&Ms and Mandarin soft drink. Mandarin!!!

This week, kids and I tried out whoopie pies using Betty Crocker packet mix. Review post to come soon.

Bibimbap for dinner. A family favourite.

Friday night nachos made by hubby

Saturday morning family breakie before heading off to work. I had home made sausage patties in the freezer so I made a sausage and egg “McMuffins”

I ended the week with a dinner I wanted to cook for ages. I finally made chicken rice. It took me longer than I expected but it was worth the wait. It was delicious, though I want to try again and tweak a few things.

Bon appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: In Pictures, My week, Weekly roundup

My Week In Pictures: first day of prep, dinners and diner

Cherrie Moore — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:54:36 +0000

This week has been a little emotional for me as a mummy. My little girl had her first day in prep. I’m so proud and happy for her. She is doing well and is making lots of friends quickly. My mission now, is to find yummy and delicious lunch box meals for her. I’ll post my ideas and creations.

This week’s dinners have been simple but varied.

Toad in a hole. Not very pretty but yummy!

Home made hamburgers. Hubby had a double beef and cheese one.

I had left over roast chicken in the freezer so I made a salad with green beans, bacon, croutons and roasted tomatoes.

We ended our week by dinning at Mistys diner. An American style diner that serves hotdogs, hamburgers and all things American.

For dessert, we had pecan pie, pumpkin pie and the children shared a cinnamon peaks and chocolate.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and the service was friendly. We plan on going back there again.

What did you eat this week?

Bon Appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: Burger, Chicken, Deanna, Eating out, Homemade, In Pictures, My week, Restaurant, Weekly roundup

My Week in Pictures. Eating locally, 300 and Australia Day

Cherrie Moore — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:17:58 +0000

This has been a good week, food wise. This week we ate out at a couple of local places. We celebrated Australia Day and I posted my 300th post on my blog.

Hubby and I rarely eat out on week nights but we had the chance to try out the Bistro at WestWaters Hotel and Entertainment Complex in Caroline Springs. I had the lamb salad with beans and chorizo, Hubby had the chicken parma and the kids had spaghetti and chicken strips. The meal was simple but delicious.

On Australia Day eve, Hubby created a cocktail called Aussie sunset. It was perfect on a warm evening.

On Australia Day, we enjoyed breakfast at our local cafe called Cafe Gourmet. The Egg florentine was cooked to perfection. Hubby really enjoyed his french toast with maple syrup and bacon while the children gobbled up their egg and bacon on thick sourdough toast.

We headed over to my mother in laws for our Aussie Day BBQ

In the evening we headed over to “The Memorial Shrine” to watch the Australia Day fireworks.

Finally, this week, I celebrated my 300th post on my blog. I have a competition going to win a $25 Cheesecake Shop voucher. You can enter here.

How was your week?

Bon Appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: In Pictures, My week, Weekly roundup

300th Post, Cakes and a Giveaway

Cherrie Moore — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:44:23 +0000

I’ve finally made it to 300 posts. It was a long road to get here.

I started back in 2006 because I wanted to share recipes with friends. Along the way, I’ve had many great food experiences, enjoyed eating for the sake of my blog and best of all, I’ve connected with lots of wonderful food bloggers. A couple of times I lost my blogging mojo when life got a little busy with work and most importantly my family. However, I got back into it. I can’t stay away too long.

To celebrate, I have eaten cakes for you. I have enjoyed cakes and desserts from The Cheesecake Shop.

I thought the cheesecake shop only had cheesecakes but they offer so much more. I first discovered this at the “A Foodie Affair” event held by 360 Focus PR.

They have a variety of desserts, cakes and treats on offer. They have something for every day treats or a cake for that special celebration.

I have enjoyed the strawberry continental cheesecake. The cheesecake is so light and has a moussey texture. This was a favourite with the family.

The Rocky Road was full of marshmallowy goodness coated in dark chocolate.

The Rumballs were delicious little morsels but be carefull, these are addictive.

The Boston Mudcake was rich and full of chocolate flavour. I thought it would be dense like some mud cakes but this one was actually light.

I got “The Treasure Cake” for my dad’s birthday. The cake is a chocolate Mudcake coated in chocolate frosting and topped with profiteroles and fresh strawberries.

To share in the celebration, I have 5 cheesecake shop vouchers to the value of $25 each. It is valid at any of The Cheesecake Shop outlets near you. Simply leave a comment below to enter and I will randomly pick 5 winners. The winners will be notified by email and will have the vouchers mailed out by post.

Be quick, the competition closes midnight Monday 6th February AEDST.

Unfortunately, this competition is only open to Australian residents only.

Vouchers are courtesy of The Cheesecake shop and 360 Focus PR

Bon Appetite and Good luck,

Cherrie

Filed under: Announcement, Bakery, Blog Event, Cake, Celebration, Dessert, Giveaway, Review, Sweets

Baked Peach Pancake

Cherrie Moore — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:38:28 +0000

It’s peach season! I love peaches and using up the juicy fruit in a dessert can only be a good thing. This recipe is adapted from Taste.com.au

When it first comes out of the oven, it is so puffy but it does deflate after a few minutes out of the oven so don’t be alarmed. I also like to eat this cold the next day.

I will try using different fruit next time. I’ve seen recipes using apples and pears. Perfect for autumn.

Recipe:

1 tbs butter
1tsp Vanilla paste
6 eggs
1/3 cup caster sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
pinch salt
3/4 cup plain flour
3 cups stone fruit, sliced ( I used peaches but apricots or plums can be used)

Preheat oven to 220degC (200degC fanforced)
Butter a pie tin evenly
Using a mixer, whisk together vanilla paste, eggs, sugar, milk and salt
Add the flour and blend until smooth
Pour batter into the pie tin and then distribute fruit evenly over the top
Bake for about 25mins or until a skewer inserted into the batter comes our clean and golden brown crust has formed on top.
Serve with whipped cream or ice cream

Be sure to make this during its short season. It’s delicious!

Bon Appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: Baking, Dessert, Fruit, Sweets

Peach and Butterscotch Mess

Cherrie Moore — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:32:10 +0000

I love Summer because it means all my favourite fruits are in season. Peaches are one of them. I love to eat them straight as a snack. Sometimes, I like to make something a little special with them.

This simple and quick dessert is delcious and perfect for the whole family. The only cooking you need to do is the butterscotch sauce but that only takes 5 minutes.

Recipe (makes 4)

150ml cream, whipped till soft peaks

meringue

2 peaches, peeled, and diced

butterscotch sauce (recipe below)

Simply layer all the ingredients into a bowl.

Crush up some of the meringue and sprinkle on top

Pour a little more of the butterscotch sauce on top.

Butterscotch sauce recipe:

75g brown sugar

180ml cream

70g chopped butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins.

Bon Appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: Dessert, Easy, English, Sweets

My week in pictures: Home grown and Cutler

Cherrie Moore — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:01:30 +0000

This week I was lucky to get hold of some home grown fruit and vegetables.

Mum has an abundance of juicy tomotoes in her back yard. I decided to peel, deseed and blitz in the blender to make passata. Right now it’s still sitting in my fridge but I plan on making pasta sauce with it.

Hubby made dinner using my mum’s tomatoes

My mum’s perfect lemon. I can’t bring myself to cut into it.

My kalamansi tree. Every year it fruits well. I’m hoping for a bumper crop this year too.

My pear tree. This is the first year it’s bearing fruit. I’m patiently waiting for the fruit to ripen.

For a belated birthday dinner for hubby, we went to Cutler and Co in Fitzroy. I’m hoping to blog soon.

Hubby and I had the degustation meal. This was the first course. The entree selection

Followed by beautifully presented and delicious dishes.

I had a great week of food. I hope you did too.

Bon Appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: In Pictures, My week, Weekly roundup

My Week In Pictures: Jamie and James

Cherrie Moore — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:06:34 +0000

This week is all about Jamie and James. The whole week Hubby and I have been cooking dinner from Jamie Oliver’s 30 minutes cookbook. We’ve been getting inspriation from also watching his series that accompanies the book. It’s a great book to get dinner ideas from as there are serveral dishes to complete one meal.

Roast beef with mini yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and braised zucchini.

Piri piri Chicken, dressed potato and Portuguese custard tarts.

We also cooked a pasta dish with sausage and salad. Somehow, I forgot to take a photo of it. Hubby made the frangipani tart. It was sooo good and easy to make that he made it again a couple days later.

We made the rogan josh curry, carrot salad, lemon pickle and yoghurt dip.

Definitely the highlight of the week was a tweet from Jamie Oliver himself. He commented on Hubby’s great effort on the frangipani tarts he made.

On Sunday January15th it was Hubby’s birthday. I surprised him with a delicious cake from Luxbite. It was the stoned Meringue Monster. A cake he called “Best cake of the year” last year. I think it’s still the best cake he’s tasted. Thanks guys at Luxbite.

Bon appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: Uncategorized

My Week in Pictures.

Cherrie Moore — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:36:34 +0000

I love to share my food experiences, be it what I cooked or what I ate. That’s why I have this blog. I love to blog but sometimes time gets away from me and before I know it, it’s been two weeks with no posts. So this year’s new year’s resolution is to blog more.

To help me along, I’ve decided to share what I’ve cooked and ate during the week with a weekly wrap up. I take a lot of photos with my iphone and share on instagram, twitter and facebook but doing this will help me keep a record of what I’ve been up to (or how much I’ve eaten).

I will still continue to share recipes and my foodies experiences. So I hope you will still enjoy reading this little blog of mine.

This week is a little late but I’m hoping to post my round up every week.

The year started off quietly. After having a week off work during the Christmas period, the family spent everyday enjoying my time off work. When New Year’s Eve came, we decided to have a quiet one at home and invited my parents over for a simple meal and a movie.
Our simple dinner of lasagne, 3 salads and garlic bread

Deanna even made her special cupcakes in ice cream moulds. Thanks Shellie!

On Jan 2nd it was my dad’s birthday. Happy BIrthday Dad! It was a hot day that day so no one wanted to cook. We ordered take away from our local Chinese restaurant. We all dug into the food before pictures could be taken.

On Jan 7th, the youngest in our clan was baptised. We celebrated with a huge feast. My contriubtion was a chicken curry that was slowly cooking away all day in the slow cooker. There was so much food and all were so delicious.

So that was my first week of 2012. Looking forward to more delicious eats this year.

Bon appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: In Pictures, Weekly roundup

My Christmas 2011 in pictures: 3 days of eating

Cherrie Moore — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:36:49 +0000

My three days of eating was full of not only food but was full of family, love and laughter.

The past few months have been a really busy time. Christmas, this time has been dedicated to spending quality time with the family. Time goes so fast and I don’t want to miss any part of it. Working 7 days a week at the shop can make that a little difficult but I’ve learnt to make time for not only with my husband and children but also with my mum and dad.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas, just like me.

My Christmas celebrations started a month before. I held my annual Christmas Cocktail party for family. You can see the post here.

I started my Christmas baking two weeks before the big day. I wanted the house to be filled with the smell of Christmas. I found a recipe for cute mini chocolate pudding cookies. You can get the recipe h e r e. With the left over cookie dough I made black and white cookies and tea cup cookies.

I made mini gingerbread houses for the family to decorate. I think the children did a better job than I did.

Christmas Eve

Noche Buena was held at my parent’s house. Dad worked hard on the barbequed lamb, pork and pork tocino (sweetened cured pork) and all was beautiful and delicious. Mum also had roasted chicken maryland and cooked up an amazing paella. Sis in law and I made salads to complete the feast.

For dessert, my cousin brough along a box of sweet mangoes. Sis in law made a delicious chocolate and honey cashew bombe wtih mocha sauce.

My contribution was a Christmas Wreath pavlova. I got the idea from Donna Hay’s Magazine, Christmas issue however, I decorated mine with fruit with Christmassy colours.

Christmas Day

After the children opened their Christmas stocking presents, we started the day off with waffles with crispy bacon and maple syrup. Hubby made a buck’s fizz for me to drink while I cooked up breaky.

The chidren then opened up their main presents. Santa was very kind to them this year. To see some of their presents, you can go to Deanna’s blog post here.

For our Christmas lunch, we had goose. I used Jamie Oliver’s recipe. So easy and so tasty. Our sides consisted of roast potatoes cooked in beef dripping, cauliflower cheese, corn cobs, pigs in a blanket, mashed swede and carrot and brussel sprouts with bacon. Needless to say, we were completely full after our lunch.

For dessert, we had choc-honeycombe ice-cream pudding. A quick and easy cake, I adapted from super food ideas Magazine, December issue. Hubby also had my Christmas cake which I started 2 months ago. It’s the usual recipe I use, which you can get here, but I added chocolate chips to this one just to change it up a bit.

For late supper, we had my home made country pate with Cheddar cheese and crustini. I made the pate about 4 days before. I try to make this every Christmas so it’s sort of a Christmas tradition in my house now.

Boxing Day

Boxing day is traditionally spent at my mother in law’s. As we don’t get to see her on Christmas day, the Moore families head over to her house to celebrate a late Christmas. She put on a lovely spread of roast turkey and ham, assorted roasted vegetables. As usual, we go home with full bellies.

For dessert we had a mango cheesecake and a pavlova. Yum.

As you can see my Christmas was fabulously filled with delicious food and fantastic company.

I hope yours was the same.

Happy New Year!

Bon Appetite,

Cherrie

Filed under: Baking, Barbecue, Breakfast, Christmas, cocktail, Cookies, Family, Feast, In Pictures, Lamb, Lunch, Meat, Mum, Party, Pork, Seafood, Special Occasion, Sweets, Vegetable