Blackberry lime muffins (vegan)

February 27 2014
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by emma

I make muffins quite often to freeze for morning teas and such, so thought I’d use some blackberries I had in the freezer and a few limes left over from gin and tonics on a recent weekend to bake some summer inspired, vegan little cakes.

There really isn’t any difference between these and muffins using eggs and dairy; they rose beautifully, are comfortingly soft and fluffy, just like traditional muffins and you get to save your eggs and help the chooks a bit.  I loved the lime flavour and burst of sweet blackberry with each bite and as usual, these taste best warm from the oven with a cuppa.

Just a quick chat about sugar and vegans; since I’m not vegan nor do I have anywhere near a complete understanding of the vegan lifestyle (and the sugar issue is an important one), I found some links which might explain things a bit better than I can:

Grassroots veganism
Vegan nutritionista
Panela organic cane sugar

lime blackberry muffins

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1970s playlist

February 21 2014
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by emma

love wall
Although I was only a babe at the time, I love anything 1970s and the music is the best bit.

So the other night I stayed up until the early hours and created a 1970s music collection; it was so much fun, the time just flew by.  I’ve managed to capture early new wave, disco, country, rock and folk (where would a 70s playlist be without the Angels, Fleetwood Mac, Lou Reed, Donna Summer, Elvis Costello or Blondie?) – so have a listen to a few if you like.

Rear Window

February 11 2014
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by emma

I’ve always had a thing for Alfred Hitchcock films – like a lot of people, I think he was a genius.  I remember first watching Rear Window, along with another classic, Psycho, when I was around 18 or so and I was hooked, completely freaked out by the creepy storylines and fascinated by Rear Window’s voyeuristic perspective.

Is there a remake of Rear Window?  Don’t tell me!  I don’t want to know, I prefer to think of the original in it’s pure, brilliant, perfectly framed form.  I’ve also included a clever time lapse video of the movie by Jeff Desom which is pretty trippy.

clock

 

 

Images belong to the movie Rear Window, 1954, USA, Paramount Pictures
Image of clock belongs to me
Time lapse video by Jeff Desom

Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune

February 7 2014
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by emma

postcard bruges

I’ve always loved Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune.  It’s featured in the movie Frankie and Johnny with Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer (if I see that this movie’s on TV, no matter how late it is, I always watch, I just love it to bits).

This piece makes me feel sad, wistful, hopeful and dreamy all together and whenever I hear it, I always stop what I’m doing to listen #sappycheeseballalert.

Have a lovely weekend.

Image from an old postcard I purchased

Fig, apple and watercress salad for one

February 2 2014
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by emma

fig apple salad

I’ve always said I love salads with fruit in them, not actual fruit salads so much, they remind me of school, but salads with slightly bitter greens and luscious, sweet fruit.

So it’s fig season here in Australia and as I always do, I ran out and picked up a whole heap of juicy, plump figs.  The trick with savoury salads with fruit is to ensure contrasting flavours so I decided on salty, creamy Parmesan, crunchy walnuts, soft figs and crisp apple slices, greens and a nice, rich, orange scented dressing with extra virgin olive oil.

I like to throw together super easy yet decadent salads for myself when I’m home on my own, there’s no reason to always fall back on miso soup or cheese and crackers like I usually do!

apple fig salad

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INXS: Never Tear Us Apart (2 part biopic)

February 1 2014
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by emma

film music festival

Can’t wait to see this!  I grew up with INXS, like a lot of Gen Xers and will sadly always remember the day Michael died (you know you’re getting on a bit when you start saying things like, I remember when such and such died).

Youtube video from: INXSVEVO
Images from TV series: INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, Australia, 2014, channel 10
Image of festival belongs to me

Cinnamon French toast with strawberry sauce

January 29 2014
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by emma

cinnamon french toast

I like my French toast golden brown and crisp around the edges yet soft and cake-like in the middle, sort of like pancakes in texture.  If you prefer it a bit crispier, less squishy, then use less milk in the mixture (or thicker bread).  I love the cosy cinnamon sugar flavour in this and I didn’t make it too sweet because I don’t think French toast needs to be, especially with luscious strawberries piled over the top.

french toast cinnamon

cinnamon french toast

 

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Lamington butterfly cakes with jam & cream for Australia Day (small batch)

January 23 2014
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by emma

lamington cupcakes

In honour of Australia Day on Sunday, 26th January 2014, I thought I’d make two Australian traditional baked goods in one; lamingtons and butterfly cakes.

These soft little cakes are filled with thick cream and sweet jam and topped with fudgy chocolate icing and flakes of coconut.  I’m not sure if lamingtons are just one of those things that only aussies understand (like vegemite?!) but I really love the combination of chocolate, coconut, jam and cream.  They’re even pretty good without the jam and cream if you didn’t want to mess about making butterfly wings and spooning jam and cream in.

And these are only a small batch of 6 which is great if you don’t need want to make a large amount.

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