Yorkshire Pudding

The first time I remember tasting these little,  golden-brown puffs of delight was with my Nana. She prepared the Sunday roast (usually lamb) with a matter-of-fact style. I don't know if cooking was a pleasure for her, but she always seemed to do traditional English & Irish fare with ease. 

The Yorkshire Pud, as it is better known is always best if eaten straight from the oven and smothered with gravy (homemade gravy of course).

 I never had the chance to make these with my Nana, but was fortunate enough to be given the recipe from a work friend many years ago. We were unpacking boxes of cosmetics at the time, when the conversation came up. This recipe is from her Nana...I'd like to think it's the same one my Grandmother used. I wrote it on a piece of cardboard that I tore from one of the cosmetic boxes and I've kept it with all my other little scribbled down recipes ever since.

Mr 3P loves these protein rich dumplings....they taste even better with farm fresh eggs, laid that day, if you can get them. 

So I made them for him this week when we had a roast pork, potatoes and steamed winter veggies.

And I thought of my Nana...and how much I miss her

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour

3 eggs

pinch of salt

2/3 cup milk

1/3 cup water

(oil for cooking)

Mix all of the ingredients (except the oil) together ...whisk to remove lumps.

Add a few drops of oil into each cup of a muffin tin and place in the oven at 210º C to heat for 7 minutes.

Carefully remove from the oven and pour batter into each cup about 2/3 full.

Return to the oven and cook for 13-15 mins at 210ºC until risen, golden and puffy.

Serve immediately with your roast and gravy.

Pizza Master Class

Hands up if you like pizza?

....me too!!

Last week Mr 3P and I attended a Pizza Masterclass in Melbourne and I thought I'd share a few of the tips we picked up from the experts and what we used for our base and toppings.

• Yummy fresh ingredients will always make your pizza special. 
• Not overloading the base with too many toppings will ensure that your pizza will cook evenly and not end up a soggy mess. I love that the pizza (above) that one of the chefs' made has just a few simple ingredients and fresh, uncooked toppings too!
• Some toppings, like mushrooms should be pre-cooked before using. The chef cooked his mushrooms in a little olive oil and garlic. I cooked some at home in the same way but added some chilli too!
• Other toppings should be added AFTER your pizza is cooked... like rocket, baby spinach and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.

Now you can make your own base (like my Farmer's bread recipe here) or you can save the hassle, especially if you're on your way home and can't be bothered making the base, but still want to have some home made pizza. You can pick up these fresh bases from Baker's Delight. They kindly supplied the bases on the night and they were really yummy. Simply add your toppings and pop in the oven....easy

On my pizza I used

• a little of the Leggos Traditional Basil Pesto and some Sugo di Pomodoro
• Bertocchi Flat Sopressa hot salami
• Sauteed button mushrooms
• Lots of anchovies
• Fresh chilli (seeds removed)
• Bertocchi pancetta
• Black olives
• Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus...what a difference this cheese makes to a pizza! I'd normally just use some cheddar. This was a blend of cheese that is perfect to sprinkle on your pizza. It really made the difference and wasn't oily like the cheddar can be.

 Mr 3P and I enjoyed a few drinks on the night thanks to Dan Murphy's. I had a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon called Cat Amongst The Pigeons and he tried this interesting beer ^^

 We were so inspired by our pizza masterclass that we made some more for lunch the next day.

So, what's your favourite pizza topping? And the biggest debate of all time.....does pineapple have the right to be on a pizza?


x Marnie

All of these photos were taken with my iphone as I didn't want to lug around my DSLR on the night, so sorry about the picture quality. xx

Chocolate Cups

Do you like my little chocolate cups? 

The look kinda fancy pants don't you think? 

If you stick around for a minute, I'm going to tell you how to make them for your next fancy pants dinner party....or any shindig that requires chocolateyness.

That would be any day ending in Y................

 I hosted a Chef's Toolbox party for a friend of mine, many moons ago and one of the things I purchased was a set of mini silicone tart cases (not sure if that's what they were actually called, so if you work for Chef's Toolbox, feel free to share in the comments). I've seen similar in most kitchenware shops...so long as they are flexible to peel away from the chocolate, then you're good to go.

Grab some chocolate melts and place into the silicone case. I then microwaved for about 40 seconds. Carefully remove from the microwave and use a teaspoon to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the base and sides. you need a nice thickness so the cups don't crack when you remove them. I'm still trying to perfect this!! You will probably make a few at first that will not work out...but practice makes perfect AND there's leftover choccie to crumble and garnish...or taste test ;)

When you've spread the chocolate evenly, then turn the case upside down onto a plate. I set mine in the fridge and it only takes about 10 minutes.

When set, VERY GENTLY peel the casing away.....and there you have it! 

Ready to be filled with whatever takes your fancy pants!!

I've filled these with whipped cream, sweetened with a little icing sugar and topped with some sweet strawberries. I was thinking a nice adults only version of whipped cream flavoured with a little Baileys and mixed with crushed Maltesers, maybe in a white chocolate case? Or a mixture of fresh berries and yoghurt?

What would you fill your choccie cups with?

sharing here today........

Maggi Stir Fry Creations

I was recently invited to try the Stir Fry Creations range from Maggi as part of Product Talk by Nuffnang.

The team at Maggi has discovered that the secret to a great stir fry is the layering of flavours.  Working with Asian cooks, they have developed a way for you to do this at home.  

The unique two-step process allows for the perfect depth of flavour as the paste and sauce come together to create delicious Asian flavours. And by cooking the stir fry in steps the meat stays tender and the veg stays crisp.

The unique-two step process uses an Infusion Paste to coat the meat, so that the meat infuses with flavour as it cooks.  And a Finishing Sauce is added as the final step to complete the dish.

There are clear directions to follow and all you need to do is add meat and veg. In the picture below (taken with my iphone) I used a pack of frozen, stir fry veggies with Maggi Sweet Chilli, Ginger & Lemongrass Chicken, but of course you could use fresh veggies too....whatever ingredients you have on hand really.

 It took only minutes to make and even the fussiest one was impressed.

This one ticked all the boxes for me.

• Quick and easy to prepare.
• A balanced meal for the ones I love.
• I can use the meat and veggies I have on hand (and I know they'll eat)
• I'm often time-poor when it comes to dinners (especially soccer training nights) so these are truly convenient.
• Stir fry's have always been a challenge for me but since using the Maggi Stir Fry Creations, my meals look and taste like I've made it from scratch.  (OK, so everyone now knows that I didn't....don't tell the fam)

A range of five products gives you a diverse set of flavours to choose from – some old favourites like Honey, Soy & Garlic, and other more adventurous flavours in Sweet Chilli, Ginger & Lemongrass.  

I even had a little leftover to fill crepes for lunch the next day. First time making crepes too!

The verdict.....will certainly be repurchasing.

You can pick them up from Coles, Woolworths & Independent supermarkets for $3.29 RRP.

So what's for dinner tonight at your place?

Chocolate & Coconut Bites {recipe}

You know you want it................

 I'm sure many people already know how to make this tempting little treat, but I'm here to share it with you anyway.

I'm forever trying to think up new things for the kids lunchboxes and today I had a little light bulb moment....choc & coconut balls/bites!! It's enough of a little sweet snack to keep a smile on my pickles' faces, yet not so naughty to turn them into sugar OD fiends.

Pickle number one is currently playing "Lunchbox Wars" with his buddies at school and he left this morning with a huge grin, declaring that no one will outdo his lunch box today...WIN!

 Apparently...according to pickles one & two, this is THE BEST THING I have EVER made....in the history of my cooking.....like, EVER.

I'm not sure if I should be honoured or feel insulted?

Here's how you throw this treat together......

In a food processor (I used my trusty Ninja)... pulse a packet of Arrowroot biscuits until they are completely crumbed, them dump the crumbs into a bowl.

Add about 1/2 a cup of cocoa and combine.

Add a small can of sweetened, condensed milk and combine until you have a dough like mixture.

With dampened hands, take little meatball sized pieces and roll into balls, then roll to coat in dessicated coconut.

Place in an airtight container and chill until set.

Eat at least two before they get to the fridge.

Told you it was easy!

Till next time.

ANZAC Slice {recipe}

I love baking treats for my pickles. You may have seen my recipe for ANZAC cookies a while back (recipe here). Well these are EVEN BETTER! Why? Because they are the laziest version I have ever made...I'm not sure but I think they taste better too.......

This golden crumbliness is perfect cut up into bars (or soldiers as I like to call them) and popped into school lunch boxes. I had to hide some from this batch for the kids school lunch box because I made them for an after school snack (with a little fruit and milk). If some don't get hidden then they won't make it to the next day....it's like watching a swarm of locusts attack a field. You'd think I never feed my kids.............

Ingredients:
1 cup (90g) rolled oats
1 cup (220g) brown sugar
3/4 cup (65g) desiccated coconut
3/4 cup (110g) plain flour
1/2 cup (75g) self-raising flour
125g butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup

1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC. Line your slice tin with baking paper and overhang the paper so you can lift out the slice for cutting later.

2. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients.

3. In a microwave safe jug or in a small saucepan, melt the butter and golden syrup. 

4. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together...combine well.

5. Press firmly into prepared slice tin. I use the back of my measuring cup to press down and compact the mixture.

6. Bake for 20-25 mins, until golden. 

7. Allow to cool completely in tin (if you can wait...lol). Slice into squares or bars.

Got some good lunch box recipes you'd like to share? Leave a link to your recipe or write it in the comments box if you like.

Till next time.

Dettol Power & Pure Multi Purpose Wipes {product review}

I like to do a little spring clean in winter, especially on the school holidays as I like to get the pickles to pitch in. So when I was sent a pack of these Dettol Wipes for review, I thought it was a sign to start.

I always have at least one Dettol product in my home at any given time. I love the smell and I know I'm killing germs as I clean. 

I have three boys...three messy boys who don't always consider personal hygiene number one on their agenda. So when I give things a once over with these wipes, I have a little more peace of mind.

The wipes are one of a few different kitchen cleaning products that Dettol offer. I used them all over the house and not just in the kitchen) to "finish off" the sinks and table tops, even the toilet seat!

This week, I've had 2 sick little pickles (nothing too serious) so I wipe over door handles and the telephone....places we usually don't think about disinfecting, but where we can spread some nasties when someone is sick.

Overall, I quite like this product and will probably re-purchase. It's handy to throw in my little cleaning caddy and I might even grab an extra for my makeup kit!

Got any good cleaning tips? Share them here if you like!

Till next time.

Disclosure: This product was provided for editorial consideration. 3pickles has no affiliation with any companies mentioned and has received no remuneration for posting this review. All opinions are those of the author.