Chicken Peri-Peri Marinade

No photo here, just a recipe for my own reference to make a 'Nando's'-like marinate for chicken breasts.  Very tasty indeed and very much like a Nando's chicken breast when popped into a Hamburger bun with sliced iceberg lettuce and tomato...

We found this recipe via the Internet in a Yahoo discussion site.

Ingredients

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

2 tbs cider (or white wine) vinegar

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp angostura bitters

1 tsp hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)

1 dried hot red chili (I omitted this)

1 fresh red chili

2 cloves garlic

Chicken Breasts

Method

Combine the lime juice, vinegar, paprika, bitters and hot pepper sauce in a glass baking dish.

Wearing kitchen gloves, split the dried chili with a sharp paring knife and remove the seeds.  Do the same with the fresh pepper.  Mash the peppers with the garlic into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle.  Add the paste to the lime mixture in the baking dish and combine.

Toss the chicken breasts in the marinade until they are completely coated.  Cover and let marinate several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

BBQ or grill, basting regularly until cooked through.

Play Dough (cooked)

I'm always after a good play dough recipe. One that lasts. And I have finally found one! This recipe is quite brilliant and is oh-so professional. I'd even go to say that this recipe is even better than the 'real thing'. Yes, it is that good.

I made a batch of this over 6 weeks ago and it is still getting a good workout and is as good as the day that I made it. I store it in a large zip-top plastic bag when not in use.


*Taken from the side of the McKenzie's Cream of Tartar tub*

Ingredients
2 cups plain flour
4 tbs McKenzie's Cream of Tartar
2 tbs cooking oil (I think I used olive)
1 cup salt
food colouring
2 cups water


Method
Mix the ingredients in a saucepan, stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until the mixture congeals. (I think it took a while longer than that!)

New Banner

I hope you like my new banner. Thanks to Rachel for giving me hints on how to correctly put my own picture behind my Blog name.

Kitchen Appliances (part II)

I'm in love with a few things in my kitchen today.

First thing. My new measuring cup. (Thanks Marianne!)

Can you see how clever it is? You can read it from the side AND the top. I love that.

My Mixmaster. How easy is one of these things to operate to mix ingredients? And lastly, my dishwasher.Do I have to explain why? I love the fact that now when I bake, it doesn't matter how many utensils, bowls, cups etc., I use, because I don't have to wash them.

I'm in love with those items today.

How about you?

You Like?

I saw this Pot Holder in my local Coles the other day. I thought it was pretty 'kitch'...

...and I thought it was about time I threw out the last one I bought in the Year 2000!

Food Photos

I got some food photos I have taken, enlarged yesterday to 6x8s and I might get a few more done. I figure I will frame them and put them on a wall in my new kitchen (which we move into in 3 weeks time today!)

I got these ones enlarged...


Do you like them? Do you think there are other food photos I have on this blog worthy of blowing up and framing? Or do you think it is altogether a silly idea?

Food Obsession?

I think I might be getting a little too food obsessed.

If you read my other blog, you would know that I am after a pair of these shoes...

...yes, they are little strawberries on them. They are very adorable. You can get ones with cherries on them, but then, my daughter has a cherry dress....

...and a strawberry one too for that matter...



Both of those dresses were made by yours truly.

Surfing the net the other day I found some other items that seem too irresistible for someone like me.

A Cupcake t-shirt to begin with...

And a shopping bag, also complete with a cupcake on the front...


And then these gorgeous kitchen tiles that would not look out of place in my new kitchen...


No, I haven't ordered any because I know a shop in Cairns that actually sells the t-shirt, I doubt they have the tiles though...

Kitchen Appliances

Is there a piece of Kitchen equipment you can't live without? Besides the oven and sink of course. That goes without saying. But an appliance?

Mine is (and has been for ages), my Bamix. I couldn't live without it as I use it often. It was an engagement present from my sister and her partner, four years ago. It came with a few attachments so I can whip, beat, mix etc., The best attachment is the one which works like a mini food processor. I always make my fresh breadcrumbs using this attachment. Always. If only it was a bit bigger I'd be happy, but in the meanwhile it does the trick.

Yes, the next appliance I would like is a food processor.

What appliance would you like? But would you use it?

Indulge With Me...

Sometimes I find it is nice to have a drink when cooking dinner. There is something about standing over a stove top sipping a beer or wine.



Tonight's choice was an icy cold Danish Carlsberg. Delicious.



Do you ever indulge in a drink when cooking your evening meal?

The Heart Of The Home

We all know the heart of any home is usually the kitchen. If you read my other blog you will know that we bought a new home this week, but we don't get to move into it until mid-March. Pity. I can't wait to do all my baking and cooking in my new kitchen...

The windows on the side, act as a servery to the outdoor balcony which will be handy as we tend to eat a lot outside. I love the fact there is lots of cupboards and lots of bench space. Big enough for me to be able to (hopefully) make my own pasta!

The only thing our new kitchen lacks is a dishwasher which is on our 'to buy list'... We're not too keen on the mismatched drawers which are a dark colour compared to the rest of the cupboards. Lyndon thinks he will get them changed over.

What things do you like about your kitchen? What things don't you like about your kitchen? Is there anything you would change?

A Post About Cookbooks

I love Cookbooks and I know I am not the only one (am I Sarah and Marianne?) I find that most women like a good cookbook but it is something that men don't seem to understand. We women might buy these lovely books but not necessarily cook from them, because we like the idea that we can or could. I would love to own many more than what I currently do, but the majority of them are just too expensive. (Since when have Cookbooks have hefty A$60 price tags I ask?)

My favourite cookbooks read like novels. Jamie Oliver's 'Jamie's Kitchen' and Nigella Lawson's 'How to be a Domestic Goddess' for example. I like the fact that not only can I cook from their recipes I can also read them. You know what I mean.

My last Cookbook purchase was written by Melbourne Chef, Karen Martini's 'Where The Heart Is'. Her recipes are easy to understand and most look very yummy. I am yet to make something from it yet but will do soon...

I do really like the wonderful cookbooks that the Australian Women's Weekly release and are great value for money. (Usually RRP A$12)

I have been meaning to subscribe to Super Food Ideas magazine, for about five years now, but I never have. Released each month I don't think there has been an issue when I haven't made something from it.

Two cookbooks on my 'to buy' list is the new Jamie Oliver one, named 'Cook with Jamie' and the new biggy released by the Australian Women's Weekly named 'Cook. How To Cook Absolutely Everything'.

How about you. Do you enjoy reading cookbooks? Who is your favourite author? What cookbook would you recommend to me?

Food Safari

Did anyone catch the new show on SBS last night named 'Food Safari'? Hosted by Maeve O'Meara (the old cooking host on Better Homes and Gardens), the show concentrates each week on a different culture's food. Last night (the first episode) was about delicious looking Moroccan food. Oh My.

Here is a link to the web site, full of wonderful recipes and photos from the show.

Wednesday nights, 7:30pm SBS

Play Dough (uncooked)

Okay, not exactly a food as such, but you still have to make it like you would a biscuit recipe. I find this recipe easy and the play dough turns out wonderful, just like the expensive shop one! Yippee... Good recipe to get the little ones involved...

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour

1/4 cup salt

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup water, combined with food colouring (colour of your choise)

Method

Place the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Add the oil and stir. Gradually add the coloured water into the dry ingredients.

Turn the dough out and knead until soft. Store in an airtight container.

Questions...

I have a few questions for you in regards to this recipe blog of mine. If you could spare a minute or two, please comment.

1. How often to you check this blog?

2. Do you use these (few) recipes I have added?

3. What type of recipes would you prefer to see in this blog?

4. Would you mind me doing posts on food in general too? If I did, would you check in here more regularly?

Thanks guys...stay tuned for a new aspect in regards to this blog!

To Share With You

A new blog for me to share my recipes with you... I'm not the world's greatest cook or baker, but I like to think I am pretty good... Stay tuned for some recipes soon...