Can I tempt you...

So if the kid's activities and market stalls of my last post couldn't tempt you to come along, can these??

Pink and sparkly mini cupcakes with butter frosting - they'll be on the cake stall at the festival.

PS - Chocolate brownies are about to go into the oven - they will be there too...

It's not too late - 10am til 2pm today.
Full details in the last post.

Teddy attack!

These little guys invaded last night...

There seemed to be hundreds of them, but in fact there were only 34.

They're gone now - into the stomachs of Miss G's little playgroup friends in anticipation of her upcoming birthday.

Two sleeps, and yes she's counting them down.

A "super-easy to make and transport" treat for birthday celebrations.
Ideal if you are not a whizz in the kitchen like Cathie!

(Mini Milky Way bar for the car then use some icing in a piping bag made of baking paper to stick on a Tiny Teddy driver and some Smarties wheels. Done.)

Kids in the Kitchen

If you were expecting a little 'Change in Mood' from the 80's rock band Kids in the Kitchen - sorry to disappoint.

What you have instead is my three - and lots of mess in the kitchen!

'The Guy Who Lives Here' is having a birthday - and he loves nothing more than the trusty 80's treat, the Wagon Wheel.

So after seeing this post by Tas at Little Boozle - I knew we would have to give them a go when the day arrived.

It all started innocently enough - jam and marshmallow on biscuits.
Easy.

Marshmallows in mouths!!
Inevitable.

Smooshy melted mallows - looking at Tas's post I realise they should have been like this in the oven - not with the 'lids' off how we had them, as the marshmallow oozed all over the place!
Manageable.

Looking for small spills and spoons to be licked!
Irresistible.

Then came the chocolate dipping...
There was extreme concentration...

Followed by extremely messy hands...

And faces!

And while they may look unappetising here, I can't wait to try them.

Here's the resulting carnage!

I 'smoothed' them over a little with some more of the chocolate to cover any patchy bits created by small fingers.

There's a lot to be said for baking paper - use it liberally for this project and things will be pretty fuss free.  Messy but fuss free!

Thanks Tas for sharing - I am sure we will be making these up again one day.

And Happy Birthday to the man we all love the most.
You're one in a million and we're all delighted to have you in our lives.  I love you lots honey. xx

My Creative Space

I've been getting creative in the kitchen!

Don't fall off your chair, it's not like I baked the cakes or anything, in the way that this very clever lady would have.


I cheat and buy very plain slab sponges from Coles, which I then decorate with copious amounts of butter frosting and lollies!


I put the first layer of icing on, then draw the design onto the cake using a toothpick - then it's pretty much like colouring in.

I do this rather than cutting the shape from the cake as it's quite hard to ice the cut edges of cake, they tend to crumble.

My efforts were appreciated and the 'big girls' had a very wonderful 4th birthday on Tuesday.

I think possibly the only downside of having twins is having to make two cakes!

Check out what others have been whipping up by visiting the 'queen of creative' - Kirsty.

Dinner anyone???

I think I have admitted in the past that I am not a great one for spending hours in the kitchen, I'd rather be at the sewing machine really.

Recpies that are quick, easy, nutritious and child-friendly suit me to a T.

I'm always on the lookout for recipes that meet this criteria and thought others might also be, so thought I'd share one that works well for us.

CHICKEN MEATBALLS

A quick and easy recipe that the kids will love, these can be spiced up according to your taste or kept simple and served with sweet chilli sauce for dipping.
A great recipe to make ahead and keep in the freezer for a last minute dinner.

This makes quite large meatballs but use a teaspoon, make them smaller and they are great finger food for at a party.

Makes 16

INGREDIENTS
500g chicken mince
½ cup of breadcrumbs
1 small onion finely chopped
1 medium carrot grated
1 medium zucchini grated
1 egg
1 clove of garlic
1 dessertspoon of basil
Salt and pepper to your taste

STEP ONE
To ensure the onion is not crunchy in the finished meatballs cook it either in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.

STEP TWO
Combine all the above ingredients in a large bowl and using your hands (for the best result!) mix thoroughly together.

STEP THREE
Take dessertspoon sized portions of mixture and roll them into a ball.
If you find your mixture is too moist to keep its shape add a little more breadcrumbs.

STEP FOUR
Spray a wire rack with cooking spray and place on an oven tray then place the meatballs on top.
This ensures that the fat drips away when they are cooking.

STEP FIVE
Cook in a moderate oven for 35-40 minutes.

STEP SIX
Serve with steamed vegetables and sweet chilli sauce on the side.

Not a very glamourous pic I know but the three-year-olds always ask if there are any more when they are on the menu for dinner.

Got a recipe you want to share - leave a link in the comments and let me know.