Gluten free apple, raspberry & dark chocolate muffins

My mum, bless her, is wanting to eat gluten free as she thinks it will be less fattening.  Who am I to argue?  She asked me to make some muffins for her freezer that she could carefully portion out guilt free.  

Gluten free apple, raspberry & dark chocolate muffins

2 apples, cored but not peeled

1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries

1-2 tablespoon of honey, manuka if you have it

3 -4 free-range eggs depending on size, beaten

180g melted butter, you could use evoo or the like

50g 70% cocoa dark chocolate, roughly chopped

1/2 muscovado  sugar

1 tbspn chia seeds

1 cup gluten free S.R.flour

1/2 cup amaranth flakes

1. Preheat oven to 180c.
2. Sift flour into a large bowl and then add the amaranth flakes, dark chocolate, raspberries and sugar.
3. In a food processor, blitz the apples and honey until finely pulped.  
4. Add all remaining ingredients to the flour mix and gently fold until all incorporated.  Don't over beat though.
5. Using an icecream scoop, plop into patty pans.  This quantity made 12 muffins
6. Bake for roughly 40 minutes, they will be golden and the chocolate gooey.

Well, I have to say it.  I'm sorry Mum but gluten free doesn't mean fat free, but these babies are packed full of healthy antioxidants and low GI ingredients hopefully she will stop at one, but if not, at least the damage won't be that great.

Do you make 'healthy' cakes to help justify their daily consumption?  Are you on a diet or do you eat what you like and not gain weight?  I believe everything in moderation and made with the best ingredients I can afford is the way to go, thats my story and I'm sticking with it!

Ciao, Jan

Week 1 down of the DD challenge & some garden treasures

Oh I just love how good decluttering feels.  Little effort for big rewards!  I don't know about you, but when I rid myself of the clutter it eases and declutters my mind.  Strange, but true.  This past week I've tackled my daughters bedroom and things are looking up.  I've smuggled out 2 garbage bags full of stuffed animals, books that she has out grown, a zillion pom poms, pipe cleaners, scraps of paper, stickers and other craft supplies that have seen better days, seemingly unnoticed!! I'm so sneaky but it does highlight how little our kids take notice of whats around them without too much attachment unlike some of us adults.  I haven't taken the really special things played with over and over or that have been hugged to death, I'm just certain the used craft supplies and bits of paper hoarded aren't really of any use even to a desperately crafty child! 

The technique I used this past week that I love, and will put it through its paces again this week, was putting the kitchen timer on for 10 minutes, putting some music on and going my hardest for that time.  Each day I tackled a different room and put the items that didn't belong back where they did live or into the recycle, bin or op shop piles. You could just do this all week to one problem area in your home.  The kitchen, a bedroom, the garage, the car, the lounge, the linen press, the office/study or the childrens play area/bedroom will be transformed with just 10 minutes a day.  Be ruthless.  Go on, you can't take it with you.

Do you have some clutter 'hot spots'? Places that just grow stuff no matter how hard you try to keep it minimal and zen like?  It amazes me how I can NOT, no matter how I try, keep the end of the kitchen bench clear of my crap.  You need to put your keys, handbag, your latest magazine, school notices, mobile phone, a book you are reading or your knitting somewhere don't you?  I'm never going to have a sterile spotlessly clean decluttered home like you see in home beautiful.  Although, it can look like that at the start of some particularly good weeks, but it doesn't last long.  Honestly, its a waste of precious time and energy being a total slave to you house. Add a child into the equation and a husband that can walk over the same toy on the ground for days and you are seriously setting yourself up for failure if that type of perfection is high on your list.  Lower your standards just a little.  Let it go.  

I worked with a woman once who wouldn't let her kids play in their bedrooms as she didn't want them to mess them up. I'm serious.  They were show stoppers those rooms.  Perfection at its finest.  But that sort of pressure must be toxic to a person don't you think, not to mention the tension it caused the whole house, just for order.  if you are constantly picking up after little maniacs people, do it once a day, get them to help if they are old enough or do it after they have gone to bed or if you really can't cope that long, do it once at lunchtime and then at the end of the day.  While you are cleaning up the day's fun remnants, pour yourself a wine or make a cupa and put the timer on and go for it!  You may as well do a quick declutter while you are at it.  Your sanity will thank you.  Remember, there is a difference between a clean but messy house and a dirty one.  Kids need to make a mess, its in their DNA, the more you fight it the more stress and tension there will be.  Lighten up just a little.  

                                                                            This coming week I'm decluttering my facebook account.  Firstly, I want to clear the air.  I like facebook for many reasons.  It makes me feel connected to my friends, allows me to share special moments, brag items, fill in time and if I'm honest, its where I get my news content of whats happening in the world, sad but true.  I have an 'A gluttonous wife' page that I've got some likers on.  Half are people I do not know, but for what ever reason, they have decided they like what they see and have clicked on the 'like' button that has changed the world.  I am very grateful for support and have actually made 'friends' with people on there who are like minded people and feel some kind of connection.  So thank you from the bottom of my heart if you are one of them reading this .  I truly value my readers and likers and feel very blessed to be living out my hobbie in this internet space. 

What I'm talking about decluttering is my personal facebook page.  I know it isn't polite to say, but here it is my friends, the cold hard truth....I have many 'friends' on facebook as I'm sure you do too if you were silly lucky enough to start.  I have people on there that I haven't actually spoken a word to since primary school and that wasn't yesterday nor was it always a meaningful exchange.  I have 'friends' who have turned the other way to dodge saying hello in the supermarket or crossed the street in avoidance but are happy to share with me their childs precious moments or their deepest darkest feelings about something or other.  To me this is just plain weird.  So I'm sorry if I offend anyone, I really don't like hurting peoples feelings deliberately, I'm a lover not a fighter, but I am deleting non-friends on facebook and decluttering my feed.  I'm just being honest and if you are still my friend on there, you are special to me in your own way.  

Other areas I will be hitting in the house this week will be the plastics cupboard in my kitchen.  You all know what I'm talking about.  If you are one of those people who have organised caddies and glass containers, I applaud you.  I can't open the door of this cupboard without a lid or a container falling out and I'm sick to death of it!  Its time to finally throw out the lids with lost bottoms for once and for all.

So tell me dear reader, what is on your decluttering radar this week?  

If you want to start the challenge(I know its Christmas silly season but seriously, less than 10 minutes a day), its not too late!! You can read more about it here  to find out how to start.  If you really are lacking motivation, invite someone over for a cuppa...nothing like company coming to get your A into G!

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In gardening news, it was garlic and onion harvest at our house this weekend.  It makes me so happy to see the fruits of my hubbies labour come to maturity.  So motivating and rewarding to be plaiting up your own garlic and onions let me tell you. It just gets my cooking juices flowing.  I can feel a garlic pizza and some caramelised onion jam coming on!!

Ciao, Jan

a porky kitchen experiment

So, whats under the foil?

I had roasted a leg of pork and as it sat resting all snug in its foiled bed, I had a brain wave.  Why not make a potato bake with a porky top? So that's just what I did.

I always roast my pork or any meats for that matter like this over a rack with water to collect the juices from the meat.  This is what I used to add to the 'bake' once I sliced up the spuddies and layered them up with salt & pepper, thyme, little dots of butter and then added the slices of pork and crackling on top, with some fresh sage leaves, with the stock half way up the dish.  I then let the oven work its magic for an hour and 20 minutes.  The first hour it was covered in foil then the foil taken off to brown the meat and crack that crackle a bit more.

Verdict? It was a revelation! Makes a damn fine change to 'normal' roast I can tell you! We teamed ours with some freshly podded broad beans sauted in pork fat, skimmed off the stock, wicked but so tasty!! Everything in moderation and all that jazz....

Do you have a re-creation experimental recipe that you love to make?  I'm so guilty of it, but thats just the thing that I love about cooking, throw in a bit of this and a touch of that and you can't go wrong if you use fresh good quality ingredients that work together.  

Ciao, Jan

Baby fruit mince tarts

There really isn't much to say about these 2 bite little Christmas treats or gifts.  I've been traditionally a shortbread maker at Christmas time, but was given a request for some fruit mince tarts.  I enjoyed making them so much, I think they will be on my to do list each December from now on.  

I used Stephanie Alexanders shortcrust pastry recipe from my bible "The cooks companion", a must have in any kitchen goddess abode.  I cheated and used brought 'mince' but added my own twist.  Next year when my apple tree is layden, I'll try to remember to make the mince from scratch.  This quantity of pastry made 22 mini tarts.  It is also worthwhile adding, these are best made on a cool day or with the a/c on and your rolling pin popped into the freezer for 5 minutes or so.  I have such warm hands, not ideal for this type of handie work, but I soldiered on.

Jan's fruit mince tarts....with a little help thrown in

for the pastry

180g unsalted butter

240g plain flour

pinch of salt

1 tablespoon or 2 of water or less

1 tablespoon of sugar (not in the original recipe

1 beaten egg yolk, to use to glaze your star lid

Take butter from fridge around 30 minutes before making the pastry and now is a good time to preheat the oven to 200c.  Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl.  I added the sugar now too.  Chop the butter into small dice, or you can grate it, and add to the flour and lightly rub it with your finger tips to create breadcrumbs.  The aim here is to coat every bit of dry ingredients with a layer of butter.  Once you have achieved this add a tablespoon or less of water, go easy, it is just to help bind the dough into a solid ball.

Cover the dough with glad wrap and leave to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.  While that is chilling, fold a large sheet of baking paper into a rectangle and cut off long strips.  I came up with this idea as my mini muffin tray couldn't be trusted to be non stick as it has had years of love.  This baking paper will help you unearth your buttery gems down the track.

Lay the strips across the muffin tin as pictured above.

Once your 30 minutes is up,  using 2 pieces of baking paper to stop the pastry from sticking to your board and roll it out quite thinly. This technique is wonderful as it  alleviates the need for extra flour and the frustration of pastry sticking.

Using a round cutter and a star and/or heart cutter, create your base and lid.  When you place your round base into the tray, you need to help shape it into place and even add some left over pastry to make a side higher or the base thicker if that is needed, but not too thick, mind.  I used my fingertip, but only do this if like me your manicure is over due and you have no nail length!

For the mince

1 jar of shop brought fruit mince.  I confess I used, from Aldi, Robertson's, but it really was good.

1/2 cup of roughly chopped walnuts

1 cup of chopped cranberries

1 grate of fresh nutmeg

Stir altogether and leave in the fridge overnight, but its not essential.  I think it just helps the cranberries soften up.  Use around a teaspoon full, but don't be greedy, too full and you will have molten fruit mince lava that will be your undoing once you are trying to delicately get them out of the tray.  

Are you still with me? Ok, now you have added the mince, take a precious little star or love heart and brush lightly with the egg yolk and gently place on top of the mince and push down ever so slightly.  

Bake at 200c for 10 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 180c for a further 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool for around 5-7 minutes in the tray then carefully lift, using your baking paper strip and put onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Douse with icing sugar and quickly get them into the container you are giving them away in so you don't eat the gifts!!

Seeing as there are many of my dear readers who are living frugally, I'll share the cost.  These made 22 tarts and I would allow 6-8 per receiver if you are gifting them.  They all up cost well under $10 and that was using organic butter, sugar and flour.  It would be a lot more cost if you were organised and made the mince months earlier, but I'm sure the result would be a flavour punch worth the expense.  So its around, $3 or so for 3 special homemade gifts for 3 dear friends who will love them, but that can be our little secret.

Tell me, do you hand make any of your Christmas pressies? I think it is such a lovely way to say I love you.

Ciao, Jan

Scrummy Apple Pancakes

Who doesn't love pancakes? As a child, my nan would make these for all us grandkids as it was a cheap and simple way to feed us all.  She always had an array of toppings for us to choose from -lemon & sugar(my personal fav), jam, chutney and cheese, vegiemite (how could we...), honey and peanut butter.  

I make them all the time, they are cheap and easy to make, especially on the weekend when we have more time to enjoy the ritual.  I always make extra for the next days lunchbox treat as well.  I had never thought of adding sneaky fruit to the batter until I read this recipe for apple and cinnamon pancakes here.  I've changed this recipe slightly, so here is my adaptaion where I used agave syrup and soy milk but I've added the options of normal sugar and full cream milk.  It is always best to make this batter the night before, it allows the starch in the flour to swell and gives the batter a thicker more viscous consistency.  You can of course prepare the batter and make pancakes the same morning, but they won't be as good, trust me.

Apple Pancakes
1 cup s.r flour
2 tspn of agave syrup or 1 tbspn sugar
1 cup soy milk or full cream milk
1 large egg, beaten
dash of vanilla
1 grated apple, I used royal gala

Sift flour into a large bowl and make a well in the centre.  Crack in the egg, vanilla and sugar then gradually add in the milk.  You are after the consistency of thick runny cream.  Leave in fridge overnight.  Next morning, give the batter a stir and add a few tablespoons of milk if it is too thick.  Add grated apple.  

I use a non stick fry pan with cooking spray to keep them low fat but you can use butter in the pan.  Spoon mixture into pan to whatever size you like, we like small ones, and when bubbles start to appear in the uncooked side, its time to flip.  I had these with greek yoghurt and Lana's garden Rhubarb coulis which was a dreamy combination.

Ciao, Jan

Made by Me Markets and the start of the December decluttering challenge

The Made by Me Markets were held on the weekend down along our breathtaking foreshore.  The weather was just glorious, except for a bit of a sea breeze but we are in windy Warrnambool.  These markets were created by Lana Campbell, of Lana's Garden rhubarb products. "I wanted to raise funds to build some working gardens in Cambodia.  I had set a target of $2,000 and had at the time raised $800.  I thought a market might be a good option.  We raised over $1500!  The stall holders express their interest for each market or are invited.  They rotate depending on who applies.  It is a small venue and I would like to keep it interesting for repeat customers."  This was the second market and was this time raising money for Street Swags which is a not for profit organisation that produces durable bedding for the homeless.  

 I met up wth Liz from Lizad Art & Design and put the stall holders through their paces.  I have added links to the small few I talked the ear off.  They are all passionate and eager to talk about their produce, but try getting any of them in a photo! 

First up was Chris from Nhillbillies gourmet treasures which is an off shoot of her broader range of unique creations at Zeva designs.  Chris makes a range of gluten free baked goods, recycled metal jewelry, cards, chutneys, jam and relishes. It was so wonderful to hear her talk about cooking from a cookbook that is over 100 years old, just like your nana use to make with all the produce grown fresh, without chemicals in her backyard in Nhill.  I think I found my soul sister.  The seasons and her garden dictate what treats will be on her market stall.  She also has cute handmade things like sewing emergency kits  for those blessed with that gene, orgeous needle pin holders, cards and other vintage items, many made from recycled goodies.  I brought her Italian Beetroot relish which was tart and delicious, especially teamed with some good cheese and wine.

Lana from Lana's garden  started her Rhubarb business due to her son's health issues and now many years later has over 1,000 rhubarb plants to source her growing range of preserves.  I brought the Rhubarb Coulis and it was teamed perfectly with pancakes and greek yoghurt for breakfast the next day.  I'm looking forward to trying some of this pictured jam next.  My daughter thinks she doesn't like rhubarb but with no mention of the R word she decided this was now her favourite ;)

Did you know candles have a burn memory which when done correctly, optimizes the scent throw and burn life of your candle? Who knew! The candle man Gerard of Willaura Candle Company was very keen to tell us all about his beautifully scented products.  I was sold on the lemongrass & ginger with its crisp clean aroma but there were lots of different scents to chose from.  Soy candles are the healthy, 100% natural alternative to paraffin candles with oddles of benefits like being non-toxic and non-hazardous without any of the harmful cancer causing carcinogens and petro-chemicals their paraffin cousins omit. How wonderful is that.  You can track him down by email or phone willauracandlecompany@gmail.com or 5354 1199 to find out his next market location.  

Jane from Bowerbird Brown Jewelry has a funky range of handmade crafts.  Jane has only just recently started her new venture of all hand made bright, vibrant pops of colour to love and wear.  Bangles, necklaces and brooches are just some of the items Jane makes. The pieces are made from polymer clay that is moulded then baked.  I can't say what I might have brought or not brought in case my daughters teachers are reading....but they really are an ideal gift for someone hard to buy for this Christmas.

Ella Webb drawing and prints are truly uniquely beautiful.  Oh how I wish I could draw!! She has a large range of prints, cushion covers and cards to chose from and is also available for commissioned work.  I couldn't resist the reindeer card for a Christmas card with a difference for a friend.

Donna from Make Mine Milk sells earthy goats milk products like these amazing soaps.  She is very passionate about caring for the goats she raises on an ethical and sustainable dairy farm near Colac.  I could have talked to her for hours!  She really has the goats welfare in check.  I brought the walnut and pink grapefruit scrub which smells devine and won't go slimy in the shower like regular soap.  Even better, it can be used to take make up off and wash with, all using natural chemical free products.  I'm sold!

I had a lovely conversation with Carol and Louise from Bluestone Magazine.  Bluestone is an online magazine showcasing the best the South West has to offer.  Do yourself a favour and check it out, even better become a subscriber.  I love that there are finally like minded people spreading the word about the talented people who live in our special region.

I was really impressed with the stall holders and the quality of the items for sale. I didn't take photos of all the 22 stalls, but the same sentiment rang through with the others there.  Locals with a dream of creating goods out of a love or a skill.  I can't wait for the next one, which will be in February.  You can"Like" Made by Me on Facebook for updates if you are keen to attend the next one.  I will be stalking keeping a look out for all of these guys at the next one.

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Now, onto pressing issues, today is the first day for the Declutter for December challenge.  Just for a recap for those who are new to the challenge and are keen to declutter you life and in turn your mind, each Monday during December, select five items to declutter and place them into one of 3 boxes - bin/recycle, op shop or family/give to friends.  If you want you can have a pile for ebay or gumtree too, up to you. I'm not as I don't want it hanging round nor do I want even more time on the computer :) 

Then, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, select one item a day and add it to your boxes.  It could be a pile of magazines as one 'item', don't just move one mag at a time!  Same as a draw or a cupboard may be one thing if you have lots you want to get through.  Continue this rotation until the last day of December. As I said, set the timer and go hard for the time you allocate. Just to state the obvious, if you are decluttering magazines your local op shop or hospital/dr's surgery would love to have them.  Try and avoid the recycle bin and garbage bin as much as you can~up-cycling  its the new black.

God help me, I'm tackling my daughters black hole this week....she is the Queen of hoarding! Perfect example, yesterday when putting up the Chrissy decorations I was about to throw away some dodgy looking tinsel and a few little glittery balls that had fallen off something..."No, mum!! Don't throw them away, I can make something out of them".  They along with a tonne of stuffed toys, books, clothes, shoes, artwork and the kitchen sink will be in the box marked bin or for "the kids that don't have anything"* before school pick up I swear.

*I'm letting any parents in on my cunning trick.  This is my code name for our op shops.  In our town, the Salvo's drop off bin is situated at the front of their accommodation refuge which to a 6 year old, just looks like a house.  I'm playing on my daughters empathetic side by telling her about these poor children that live there that aren't as lucky as she is.  They have no toys, beds or food. This people is parenting gold in our house.  It is always a handy fall guy if I've had a clean out while she is at school and is looking for that special piece of paper she was saving to do god knows what with, "Oh darling I gave that to the kids that don't have anything, they needed it". If things are really crook and I'm after a bribery card there is always a chance I might take her there to spend a night. Whinging about what's for dinner, well you could go and eat nothing with the kids.  She soon gobbles up her vegetables and thinks her stuff will be looked after when we take it to the kids...bless.  I'm evil but it works!!

Ciao, Jan

Scrooge's Christmas 3 ingredient mini Christmas cakes

I was minding my own business, scrolling through my facebook feed, as you do, and this recipe for christmas fruit cakes caught my lazy eye.  It is 3 ingredients......3? No eggs, no butter, and could be made with gluten free flour.  It was from the ladies of the 4 ingredients fame.  I read closer, the ingredients are only mixed fruit, fruit juice and flour.  I rang my nan and asked her what she thought.  Very, very dubious let me tell you.  I asked a good friend who is a baker, her opinion was they might be dry. I had to make them....I'm praying to a baby in a manger that they work as it would be life changing.  It could be just the thing to add to my other homemade Christmas gifts. 

Mini christmas fruit cake
made 22 mini muffins 

• 1 kg of mixed fruit
• 3 cups of fruit juice, your choice, I'm using orange juice
• 3 cups of self raising flour

1. Soak the dried fruit in the juice overnight.  (this makes the fruit plump and juicy).  

2. Prehead oven to 125c.  
3. Stir flour into soaked fruit and mix well.  Make sure to incorporate all the flour down the bottom of the bowl.

4. Spoon mixture into 12 patty cake liners, I like to use an icecream scoop for consistency.  Bake in a muffin tray for 45 minutes to 1 hour in the bottom of your oven or until cooked through.  To test you can insert a skewer, if it comes out clean its ready.  It will depend on your oven and how big you make the cakes so keep an eye on them.  I did turn the oven up to 180c for the last few minutes just to brown them up as they were a bit light for my liking. Remember low and slow is the go!

5.  Remove from the oven and let cool out of the muffin tin on a wire rack.  Once cooled completely, you can wrap them up how you like and give to friends or place in an air tight container for up to 3-4 weeks.

I really am impressed with these mini cakes, but they are a little stodgy but nothing an extra heating and some vanilla bean custard wouldn't remedy.  Maybe I shouldn't be sharing how cheap and easy they are seeing as many of my friends that will receive them will be reading this post, but its the thought that counts.  The original recipe said this quantity of ingredients made 8-10 muffins, they must have been enormous! I made 22 using the icecream scoop size which is more than enough for a serve.  Further reading showed people using chocolate milk, rum & coke, and an array of mixed juices as the original juice component.  They are fairly moist and so easy, I'm wondering if I'll bother with shortbread this year!!  But of course I will......

Ciao, Jan