Real Heroes…

November 10, 2015November 13, 2017 ~ Harper220

Tomorrow is a national holiday in America. It has been celebrated on November 11th since the year 1919. In the beginning it was called Armistice Day, but in 1954 it was changed to Veterans Day. Living in London at this time of year you can’t turn a corner without seeing someone wearing a Red Poppy in honor of Remembrance Day which is also recognized on 11/11. Though this is the first time I have had to write about the holiday, it has had meaningful significance to me for many years.

I have a great fondness for the military. It seems strange to say that given the fact that I abhor conflict of any kind. I don’t even like to get in a disagreement with anyone and will usually defer to others just to avoid it. I’m always going on about Love and Peace, not War and Peace. However, deep down I appreciate my freedom. And that saying, “Freedom isn’t free” rings true to me. It is a fact of life that one of the things that protects our freedom is the military.

In my own life I have had family members serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Though not in the military, I have shared the story about my father who was a fireman. I think that this kind of life, not just wearing a uniform, but sacrificing their own lives to save another’s, must be a calling. The way being a nurse, teacher or someone in the religious orders is a calling. When someone has a “calling” to a vocation, it isn’t normally an external drive, as in making money etc. However, it is the internal drive that seems to motivate them. Which is why honoring these people is so important. It lends credence and significance for their devotion to the cause.

I am grateful our country has a day to honor those who have given their time and devotion to protecting its citizens. Sure there are critics, and many people feel there should be this change or that. But there is an underlying sense of security that we are blessed to have knowing that a Hitler type person isn’t going to come rolling through our streets taking away our liberties. When my Hubby and I went to Normandy in France and toured around the area once occupied by the Germans during WWII we saw the visible scars that remain. Yet, the French there are still so appreciative for what the Allied troops did to free them from the Nazis. When we visited Auschwitz it was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever had. To see the remnants of those horrors made me pray that it would never ever happen again. But this is why we need our military, strong and ready, to circumvent a human disaster such as that.

Though I was born in Chicago, for many years I lived in Los Angeles. It’s where my kids were born and raised. A place where people worship Hollywood heroes with animated 3D capes. Where “Showtime” Sports heroes are given parades for their bravery at winning trophies. Where reality tv show heroes are showered with massive sums of money for their sacrifice of showing up at an opening of a new nightclub. However it is the real heroes, the ones without capes or parades with money pouring down like confetti, who are the ones we honor this day. These heroes wear dog tags. They have their names, social security number, blood type and religious affiliation engraved on them. But what is engraved on my heart is how much I love and appreciate my family that has served, and all the military personnel and their support systems at home.

God bless America!

YDP

My Grandpa O’Neill (Army) with my mom

My Uncle Joe (Navy) with my dad and their mom, my Grandma Geraghty (from Sligo)

Recipe: Black and White Baby Bakes

November 9, 2015October 7, 2017 ~ Harper220

Living in Los Angeles for many years, I would have dined at the famous Cheesecake Factory on a number of occasions. But I never actually ate a cheesecake there. Because their food portions are so large I was usually too full for dessert. I know, for a sweet tooth like me that says a lot! On one visit there I did order a slice of cheesecake, but asked for it in a “to go/take away” container. Then I tucked into it later on that evening, with help of course. It too was so big! We Americans do like our super sized portions! However, it got me to thinking that it would be fun to have a mini sized cheesecake. One that didn’t leave you feeling so full and/or guilty! And since I am a cupcake aficionado I thought why not do a mash up of the two!? Oh yea! Continue reading →

Foodie Fieldtrip Friday Soho Style

November 7, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

So Yankee Doodle Paddy (that’s me) took the Tube to F -cubed (Foodie Fieldtrip Friday) and once again brought along her snapchat friends for the fun. It’s a pity the snapchat story disappears in 24 hours. It would be great to continue to visually digest all the amazing places we visited along the way. But I will recap the adventures for you and provide links to the various restaurants and famous places we explored.

Eating London Food Tours put together a Twilight walking tour around the infamous Soho part of London. Having been on another of their tours, around the East End during a busy Friday morning, I had no doubt that this tour on a Friday evening would be just as delicious and informative. And I was 100% correct! It was so incredible in fact that I want to go again as soon as possible and take along Hubby. Although I am the foodie in the family, he would be more of the history buff. Indeed there is so much history that we learned from our able and affable guide Joe. He had the seven of us in the group on a tight schedule. Joe kept us well looked after as it was not only dark but also extremely crowded around that part of town. And we had a busy itinerary in the three hour tour stopping at six different places along the way for food and drinks.

The first stop, possibly my favorite of the night, was the modern Mexican restaurant La Bodega Negra. The owner is a descendent of Winston Churchill and we even had crockery plates with the family moniker. We were treated to a frozen Taquila Sunrise (a beautiful brain freeze) and two different kinds of tacos. The pork tacos with pineapple were so flavorful but the highlight were the shrimp tacos. They were on a slice of jicama instead of the usual tortilla. This light and surprising taste was a massive winner!

Though most people associate a Gin and Tonic cocktail with the Brits, it was actually the Dutch that invented it. But the United Kingdom is so fond of it that they even have their own fabulous London Gin Club which was our second stop. The owner and chef shared some interesting facts about all types of gin (like, hello, it used to be 70% alcohol). They make their own brand at the London Gin Club, though theirs is only 46% proof. And not only is it delicious but it also makes their gin-infused beef pie so moreish! Sadly, my pics of the gin tasting were quite dark, so you will just have to go on the tour yourself to taste and see!

At this juncture I was beginning to see why they have an over 18 year age policy on this tour! Hiccup! As we were treated to a beautiful Spanish red wine when we went to Enrique Tomas for our third stop. We were presented with an amazing selection of jamon and cheese tasting at the Barcelona transplant’s family run establishment. Of the three cheeses I loved the goat’s cheese and the Manchego cheese best. Of the three jamons the Rolls Royce of Iberico was a unanimous winner in our group. These black hoofed pigs are raised in the countryside of Spain and mainly eat acorns. Therefore the jamon is buttery with an oaky flavor without being fatty.

I really love seeing other foodie people passionate about what they are doing and how they are doing it. They take pride in their craft and have patience to make sure that the hams are cured the perfect length of time (which can be up to 3 years). And these delicacies are not cheap! Though I didn’t take the placemat with me, I have a pic to peruse a bit more to appreciate the specificity of this gourmet product!

While we were still technically in London, we traveled to another part of Spain (food-wise) into the Basque region. We visited Pix Bar and delighted on pintxos (their versions of tapas). We had some white sparkling Basque wine (of course) and a choice of two items from the buffet. I chose the seared tuna on a slice of baguette with red onion marmalade fitted with a wooden skewer (a pintxos) and a churros and chocolate shot. OMG! The churros were so fabulously fantastic! I don’t have enough adjectives to describe my excitement! It too was dark inside so this was the best pic I could get. But if you like chocolate, cinnamon, sugar and donuts, this is like the perfect combo! The tour could have ended here and I would have been a happy camper.

But no, we had to soldier on to more decadent destinations. And I was like a little girl on Christmas morning when I saw where we were headed next, CHINATOWN! London’s Chinatown is the biggest in all of Europe. It is home to over 80 Chinese eateries in a very small area. So deciding where to go could be quite confusing. But not with Joe and Eating London Food Tours! We tucked into an unmarked door (complete with a body guard out front) and climbed several flights of stairs before we arrived at our (dark) Dim Sum Shangri-la. Joe told us that the translation for Dim Sum is “touch the heart” which is so precious. Take my word for it, they will do just that, as these were the best dumplings I have ever tasted in my life!

We were served two kinds, crab with samphire and mushroom with truffle. Our liquid accompaniments were two pots of tea served traditional style. The eclectic decor and cool jazz music lent a unique feel to the experience. It made me wonder if real opium dens were in fact like this.

Before our last stop, we took in some interesting local historical facts. We learned that Karl Marx lived in Soho from 1851-1856 and that Dr. John Snow discovered the source of the cholera outbreak in Soho in 1854. We passed several musical legacies, such as the Trident Recording Studio (used by bands such as The Beatles), the Marquee Club (where The Rolling Stones made their London debut back on July 12, 1962) and the renowned Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. And we saw where my fav Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart resided for the year he was in London. Though Soho has a reputation for houses of ill-repute, the first brothel later became a pickle factory. You see, there is a foodie culture everywhere! Love the sense of humor some people have, like the sign on the door of one of the homes: “This is not a brothel. There are no prostitutes at this address.”

Likely, most foodies around the world would agree that chocolate is the best way to end the night. And this night was no different. Our tour was treated to Said Chocolate for the most exquisite spiced hot chocolate I have ever tasted. We had a choice of three; milk, dark or hazelnut (which I had). We were encouraged to try different spices to the liquid molten goodness, and I opted for cardamon in mine. Then Joe brought out a tray of little glass jars filled with this tempting tiramisu. I was nearly filled to the brim but couldn’t say no. And I’m glad I didn’t, it was divine! The cafe had the most amazing aroma of chocolate and coffee, and the decorations of chocolate moulds on the wall and milking cans for stools made it so authentic. This Italian establishment is doing it all right. Lines out the door! Their original shop boasts that it is the oldest chocolatier in Rome

Finally, we gathered in front of a famous wall mural The Spirit of Soho that shows an infographic of the history of the area. From what was once a wooded area used for hunting, to today, where we went and hunted the best food and historical nibbles. Of course all with the help of a fabulous team. Well done Joe and Eating London Tours. Much thought, planning and effort went into putting together every detail of this enjoyable tour! I hope to see you all again soon, if not here, then at one of the other tours you organize in Italy, Amsterdam and Prague. Keep up the good work! I think it is the best way to see a city as a tourist. It is also a great way to get to know a city as a new resident like myself. I feel I know London that much better thanks to you! Though I still miss Dublin, I am relishing in the fact that London is a world class foodie destination with a rich cultural history.

There’s a bonus here folks! Any one of my readers will be treated to a 10% off discount on any of their food tours in any city! Just use the code, “Eating Europe” when booking (here is the link to their website) and you too will have not only a full belly, but a full soul. Their tours are delicious, informative and entertaining. You will truly savor the experience long after you have digested the tasty treats!

Happy+Grateful,

YDP

Recipe: Don’t Bite the Hand That Feeds You

November 6, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

As I have shared on this blog before, my Hubby calls me The Giving Tree. It seems lately I’ve seen lots of quotes that have to do with happiness being related to doing for others. For instance this was on a recent blog post from Richard Branson: “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

We have opportunities at every corner to help don’t we? On Tuesday I was at a midday mass and the priest put out a request that someone needed some home cooked food. He didn’t ask people to officially sign up for it, just to drop it in the rectory and they would sort it. So yesterday morning I decided to go ahead make a meal (steak, potatoes and green beans). I also added to the helping hamper, as I coined it, some of my famous Lemon-Aid and goodies (Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies and the banana loaf I had made from the Women’s Crush Wednesday). I realized I hadn’t shared my recipe for the Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies so decided today I would share that and an interesting encounter I had after I dropped off the food.

First of all I have to say that when we feel called to help others it doesn’t come with a guarantee of a grateful response. Or if the help is refused, it doesn’t necessarily come with a gracious decline. So the story goes that I dropped off the food at the rectory before going into mass. Then I had to pop over to the post office for an errand before I went back home. On my way a young Asian man approached me asking for money so he could buy something to eat. I took that request in and stood there with him for a moment. How could I say no when I had just done a favor for someone else I don’t know because a priest asked? But I don’t always feel right just handing over money to someone that may or may not be hungry (and it’s not always a hunger for food my friends, it can be for other unsavory things). I responded to him by saying, “I’m sorry you are hungry, let me go get you something to eat.” Now I wasn’t going to go home and prepare another dinner given the fact that I would have needed to go grocery shopping again, and I sensed from his anxious body language that he was in a bit of a time crunch. So I popped into the nearest food shop called Greggs (I’d never been there before) and bought a sambo and crisps (that’s chips for my American friends). When I went back out, the guy was literally just getting an older woman to give him a 5 pound note/bill. As I handed him the food he said, “I’ll take the chips, I don’t want the sandwich” and turned around and walked away. The lady and I stood there watching the guy and we shook our heads. Okay then. So maybe he was a coeliac who didn’t eat bread? But the point I am making is that sometimes these interactions are really just a test for us, a sort of teachable moment. And one thing I learned, after I went home and had that sambo for lunch, is that Greggs isn’t that bad!

While I was finishing the last bite, I got a phone call from the priest. While we are so new to the parish, I surely didn’t expect him to call or even know me. He has greeted Hubby and I after we’ve attended Sunday mass. But he does that with loads of people. However, he got a glimpse of the foodie hamper I delivered and he just wanted me to know how much he (and the person who would be receiving it) appreciated the gesture. He was effusive in his thanks! I felt compelled to tell him the story of the man I met on the street. And he agreed that we need to give to others, even if we don’t know what to do with the responses. Who knows what that Asian guy is going through. Maybe just showing him a little care, stopping what I was doing and going into a shop to get him food (whether or not he only took half of it), might leave an impact. Who knows.

Hubby told me of a time back when we lived in L.A. that he was approached by a homeless person asking for money. He gave the money with the caveat that the person buy food not alcohol. Sadly, Hubby saw the man shortly thereafter going into the store to buy, what else, alcohol. I used to think that local communities should have a voucher system whereby citizens that want to help could donate to a “group-on” like place and get coupons to hand out to people in need. Participating businesses would redeem the coupons/vouchers from the needy folks whether it be for a meal, a coffee, a hotel room, whatever. I might have another look at my idea especially in light of the European refugee migrant crisis. Some people need help. Other people want to help. But how to combine the two in a dignified way? Often times people are very generous to charities donating money or buying raffle tickets for fundraisers etc, yet still feel guilty when approached by someone on the street. If they have in their wallets and purses these vouchers, which they have received from making a donation, then they know it is going to help in a positive and productive way. They won’t worry that any cash they hand out is going into the purchase of a liquid, pill or herb that will just go down the hatch perpetuating the problem.

It is hard to just walk by someone on the streets who is looking desperate and not do anything for them. The awkwardness of avoiding them, not making eye contact, ignoring them as if they don’t exist. Or else passing a look of disgust at what they have let themselves become. As I said in my story about my mom, sometimes I think, what if she is one of them? There is a saying, “There but for the grace of God go I” credited to an Englishman named John Bradford. I don’t know about you, but I think about these things. It makes me grateful for what I have and also strive to help others. Cooking and baking are two things I know I can do to help others. It won’t solve the world’s problems, but it gives me a bit of peace knowing I can put my love into my food and then share that with them. A package of cookies purchased at the store that was made in a factory just doesn’t have that love in them. Sure they may taste good, but you could eat a whole pack and not feel satisfied. In my opinion, only things made with love and care in them make you feel truly satisfied. That is why so many people reminisce about their mom or grandma’s cooking! It is the love that feeds our soul! So into the kitchen I go!

These peanut butter cookies are not only delish on their own, but I add a little “sumpin, sumpin” to them by drizzling them with melted chocolate and sprinkling them with crushed pretzels. Then you get the perfect combo of sweet and salty! Or you could just put chocolate chips in them if you want . And if you are really adventurous like I am, you can make them into ice cream sandwiches by putting a scoop of your fav or homemade ice-cream in between two cookies. Bam! Now we are talking! Not that you need any prodding, but if you read this post here, you will see why I LOVE to cook and bake with the pretty paste I like to put on a pedestal ! And in this post you will see how I try to incorporate peanut butter into my daily life even lending a hand with my morning porridge ! Ha ha!

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

240 g crunchy peanut butter

340 g Plain Flour (sifted)

200 g Caster Sugar

200 g Soft Brown Sugar

225 g Unsalted Butter (if using regular butter just omit the salt)

1/2 tsp Salt

2 Large free range eggs

1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

2 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Optional: chocolate chips and/or melted chocolate and crushed pretzels

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 170 C/325 F

Combine the sifted flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a bowl and set aside.

Beat the butter and sugars in a mixer until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and add the eggs one at a time stopping in between to scrape down. Then add the vanilla and peanut butter and mix well.

Add to the mixer the flour/salt/bicarb soda combo in stages and scrape sides of the bowl in between. It is done when well combined and a nice dough has formed. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper (or on a silicone baking pad) in balls. Then using a fork press down on the balls. Only bake about 6-9 cookies per tray so they don’t spread into each other.

Bake for approx 10 minutes. Let them sit on the baking tray for a few minutes after you remove them from the oven before you transfer them to a wire rack. When fully cooled drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with broken pretzel pieces. You can place in the refrigerator if you want to harden the chocolate quicker, otherwise let the chocolate cool at room temp.

And if you are the adventurous type then you can make up your ice cream sandwich! No one will refuse these sambos that is for sure! A helpful hack is to slice up your ice cream carton and then you have the perfect portion to go in between each cookie.

Guaranteed you will love these Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies so much you’d eat them in one bite if you could. Just be careful that you don’t bite the hand that is feeding you!

Sweet and Salty Love!

YDP

Recipe: 3 Weeks until Thanksgiving Guys!

November 5, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

It is all festive and fall-ish around here. The clocks have turned back an hour now in the U.S. (we did it over in this part of the world almost two weeks ago) and it is getting dark earlier and earlier. The leaves are a million shades of color and there are more of them on the ground than on the trees. We made it through Halloween and that means we are nearly to my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. But first, today is Guy Fawkes Day. Say what?

I know I had the same reaction. Here is a little ditty to jog your memory…

Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
We see no reason
Why Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot ….

So, basically the upshot is that on this day 410 years ago a guy named Guy Fawkes (and that IS where we get the term ‘guy’ that we use today) tried to blow up Westminster on the opening of Parliament in an attempt to assassinate the King and his ministers. G-Fawk led a group of Catholic activist who were tired of being persecuted by the Protestant Regime. The plot was foiled (Guy and his men were executed) and every year since then the British have celebrated the day by blowing off fireworks and having bon fires. As a way to say “In your face dude (or rather “guy”) if we want explosives we’ll do them ourselves!” And indeed they do! They even sell them at the neighborhood Tesco at 2 for 1!

And so tonight whilst the rest of London is out partying and pyromania-ing, I’ll be home comforting my pretty pit Stella (dogs don’t’ like fireworks, hello) and making something nice and pumpkin-y. Lest we forget that Americans celebrate the last Thursday in November as a way to give thanks for having food, family and friends as well as to honor our history. When the Pilgrims left England and sailed to the New Land it was only for the help of strangers, the Native American Indians, that they were able to survive. Not that it is a somber holiday, but it is reverential. We save the hoopla and fireworks displays for our Independence Day which is July 4, 1776. It is still amazing to me that the U.S. is such a baby country in comparison to this part of the world.

I’ve already shared with you a pumpkin cheesecake recipe and a pumpkin pancake recipe which are both beyond delish. And last week I shared a super tasty smashing pumpkin penne pasta recipe as well. Note to yourselves, all of these can be enjoyed through the year my friends! But this recipe, for pumpkin bread pudding, will seriously make you want to freaking go out and have a bon fire, like, tonight. Then you can use it to make smoke signals to say, “Hey, guys, come on over to my pad and eat the best tasting dessert you’ve ever had in your entire lives. Now that is something we can really celebrate.” Well, maybe that is too long for a smoke signal message. In fact it is probably too long for a twitter 140 character message. But the recipe is so quick and easy you have that to look forward to!

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Serves 6

For the bread pudding:

2 cups (500 ml) Single Cream

1 15 oz (425 g) can of pure pumpkin puree (or fresh)

2 large eggs

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp packed dark brown sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

1 ½ tsp Vanilla extract

10 cups (10 oz) ½ in. size cubes of white yeast or brioche bread

*optional ½ cup golden raisins or pecans

For the caramel sauce:

1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar

½ cup (4 oz) unsalted butter

½ cup (4 oz) double cream

Preheat oven to 180 C/350F/Gas mark 4

Whisk the single cream, pumpkin, dark brown sugar, eggs, spices and vanilla in a large bowl. Fold in the bread. Stir in the raisins or pecans if using. Transfer mixture to an 11×7 inch glass baking dish. Let stand for 15 minutes. Then bake for approx. 40 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let sit for few minutes before slicing.

Meanwhile make the caramel sauce. Whisk the brown sugar and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the butter melts. Whisk in the cream and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and the sauce is smooth, about 3 minutes.

Serve pudding warm with a dusting of icing sugar and the caramel sauce. You can add vanilla ice cream as well for an extra indulgence!

In the pic above, I made the pudding in the large tray but used a round cutter (usually used for scones) to make the single serving size. Totally not necessary, as you can just use a spatula to serve a portion. I was just trying to be fancy. But defo make sure you douse it in the caramel sauce. And if you are like me you will be transported into a caramel coma! Vanilla Ice Cream is super nice with it too, especially if you can make homemade like I did! MMMMmmm!

Remember to savor the flavor! Or savour the flavour, as you would do in this part of the world. Especially cuz it’s a British holiday I’d better defer on the spelling. Which by the way, most holidays are for something that has been accomplished, not something that wasn’t. And this holiday is for something that wasn’t. Does that make sense? Well, you will surely accomplish making this pumpkin bread pudding and eating it all! Then you will be thanking me like a Pilgrim!

Pump up the pumpkin!

YDP

ps. In no way am I being disparaging of this country’s national holiday. I have great respect for the United Kingdom. In fact if you look at its size relative to its influence in the world, it is actually astounding. English might well be considered the global language as it is spoken literally everywhere! And a recent visit to the Greenwich Observatory reminded me that even our time keeping has been impacted by the genius of the British. So maybe because they don’t have an Independence Day like the U.S. or a St. Patrick’s Day like the Irish, this is their one day to kinda go a bit bonkers and have a some of fun (or craic as the Irish say).

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

November 4, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

If you have been following along on this Woman Crush Wednesday journey you know that it is truly my favorite aspect of this blog. The news/media is burning up at the moment on the topic of gender imbalance in the work place. In fact a dear friend of mine actually runs a media research center on this topic. So that is why I adore giving the lady chefs their deserved limelight. And today’s recipient will blow you and your baking pans away! She is beyond an amazing chef, this renaissance woman is straight up an amazing human being! I could actually write an entire week’s worth of blog posts about her! I mean look at that HAPPY face of hers!!! I love it!

Former Sport’s Illustrated Swimsuit Supermodel Lorraine Pascale has this magnetic megawatt smile and at first glance one might think, aw lucky her she’s had a charmed life. But when you delve into her past, which she has openly shared, you will see that it hasn’t been a bed of fondant roses. Given up for adoption as a baby, she spent years in foster care, but has somehow maintained an upbeat outlook on life. One peek at her social media such as Instagram and you’ll find all sorts of positive quotes and inspirational messages for her followers. To top that off, she is always thanking them for their support. That doesn’t go unnoticed on the internet world where many famous folks don’t like to engage at all with their audience.

With fabulous sales of her cookery books and successful television shows that followed, she is now on to American television. Lorraine is one of the judges on Holiday Baking Championship for the Food Network. Though she sits along side Ace of Cakes’ Duff Goldman she is on a throne all to herself in my mind. She emanates love and forgiveness and positivity. She has gone beyond the modeling and the foodie world and worked hard to bring awareness to the issues involved with adoption and fostering in a BBC documentary.

Not only are Lorraine and I both single moms who were born in November (though I might be a bit older than she, haha) she also spent some time in Santa Monica, my former hometown. But the biggest aspect that draws me to her is this; she, like me, found solace from her chaotic world through cooking and baking. We also share a great appetite for food, therefore a necessity to work out! Hey, I think it’s great to get a good sweat, then you can have a good sweet! No guilt treat! However, Lorraine is a super motivator and has blog posts detailing ways to maintain “stick- to -it-tiveness” for a healthy routine.

Speaking of healthy, I decided of all her recipes to give her banana bread recipe a go. I know that there are three times as many banana bread recipes out there in the foodie world as there are ovens to bake them. But I really love this recipe as Lorraine incorporates a surprise element not seen in other versions. Maybe it is a nod to her birth mother who is of Jamaican roots. I for one am glad that her mum decided to give birth to this angel Lorraine. I would imagine it must be hard on these moms to give their children up for adoption. But like Steve Jobs and John Lennon who were both adopted, the world is a better place because of their existence!

Ingredients:

A rectangular baking tin and Vegetable oil for greasing the baking tin
Handful of pecans (toasted in a pan or the oven), plus more to decorate

100g (3 1/2 oz) butter

150g (5 oz) soft light brown sugar

2 drops vanilla extract

3 medium eggs

150g (5 oz) plain flour

1 heaped tsp baking powder

Generous pinch of ground cinnamon

Pinch salt

2 overripe bananas, mashed

Rum Sugar syrup: 100 ml (4 fl oz) dark rum plus 100 g (3 /12 oz) soft brown sugar
Method:-

Preheat oven to 170C/325 F/Gas mark 3. Line a 22 x 10cm loaf tin with baking paper making sure to overlap top of tin and brush with oil then set aside.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy and pale. Add the vanilla extract and one egg and beat well.

Add the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and rest of the eggs and beat well, then stir in the bananas and pecans.

Pour into the loaf tin and bake for 55- 60 mins until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Meanwhile make the Rum Sugar Syrup by mixing the rum and sugar in a pan over high heat. Boil furiously until it begins to get thicker (about 5 mins) then set aside. Once the cake has cooked, remove from the oven and pour lots of rum sugar syrup over the top. Sprinkle with a some of the extra toasted pecans.

This moist banana loaf is beyond delicious!! That Rum Sugar Syrup on top is a lovely surprise that takes this to a whole other level. What’s not a surprise is that I am bananas about Lorraine! She is a cool and chic chef, a magnificent mom, a terrific tv presenter, and an awesome and inspiring individual! Your day will seriously get sunnier if you bake one of her treats, follow her on instagram or simply read her story. And her Youtube channel is choc o block with video tutorials. I love this one on making crusted avocado nibbles!

With massive love and tons of props to you Lovely Lorraine!

YDP

P.S. the 24 hour love fest on snapchat (user name; blissbakery) may be temporary, but the adulation will continue a lifetime for this awesome lady!

Stella the Sneaky Sweets Eater

November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 ~ Harper220

Our dear sweet pretty pit bull Stella is a girl after my heart. She loves her treats. And everyone else’s treats! We have to monitor her as she tends to get in the “bulking” stage which isn’t good for her knees. I’m serious! She actually had one knee replacement years ago and we were told by the vet that she might have to have another. But if we kept her in shape and her weight down than we had a better chance of avoiding it. Stella is ten years old now (that is 70 in doggie years folks) and so far so good. However, she has fallen off the wagon every so often and the repercussions haven’t just been her gaining a few L-Bs (thats pounds for those of you on the metric system or stone system).

One such time that she got into some sweets trouble was when I had baked a wedding cake for a friend of a friend. It was a simple three tiered cake. The wedding couple were having an all inclusive dinner for their wedding at a hotel in County Wicklow and only wanted the cake for the photo opps. Bespoke wedding cakes in Ireland are seriously out of control price wise. So I offered to make a cake which would be delicious, and though not super fancy, would look nice while not breaking the bank. The result was a lovely sponge with butter cream frosting and some burgundy colored ribbon accents and rose petals to match the decor of the wedding.

Back then I was working full time as the manager of a gourmet fresh food store in Dublin and so I had to bake the cake through the night. Besides, I always like my cakes to be eaten when they are super fresh. My Hubby was supposed to deliver the cake to the wedding for me since he was also going to be doing some filming for them. I left for work the morning of and didn’t expect to hear from Hubby until later that night after the wedding festivities. Then mid morning I received a phone call at the shop that literally stopped my heart. I heard my husband’s voice and it sounded as though he had been crying. He was so upset he couldn’t speak. I kept asking him what was wrong. Luckily there weren’t any customers in the shop at that moment as I was the only staff there. Finally he uttered sounds in fragments, “Sttttt-eeee-lll-aaaaaaa, got….” and my first though was Stella got hit by a car or something. I said, “Dear God, what happened to Stella is she okay?” and then he pulled himself together and said, “Yes she is, but your cake is not. Honey I am so sorry.”

At this point he was able to relay the story that while he was carrying his camera gear out to the car he left the wedding cake in its box on our living room coffee table. It is a very cool coffee table as it is a door that was converted to a table. But it is quite low. In fact so low that it is just the right size for four legged creatures to come sampling cakes! Yep, our pretty pit Stella decided she would have her elevensies just minus the cuppa! My Hubby was gutted and I could tell he was panicked as to how I would react. I calmly told him to bring the cake and my decorating tools to me at the shop before he went down to the wedding. I thought I might asses the damage myself and see if I could resurrect it.

When he arrived he looked as white as a ghost. I stayed calm and while Hubby was profusely apologizing and I starting working on it. But I realized quite fast that there wasn’t much I could do. I would have needed to bake another layer for the very top and re-ice almost the whole thing. I couldn’t leave the shop and so I just told him to take the cake as is and explain the situation to them. Luckily since the were mainly using it for photos they could turn it to hide the dog eaten part. The dinner at the hotel included the dessert so they were okay on that front. Finally I told him to apologize and offer that I would bake another cake for them to make amends. And of course I emphasized to refuse to take any money at all for the dog eaten cake!

This wasn’t the first time Stella showed an interest in my cooking or baking. In fact, as my snapchat followers know, she plays a pivotal part in all my snapchat stories. She is always nearby hoping for a morsel from mommy. But she had never, and I mean never taken something unless it was given to her. She is good keeping a distance (even if at close range) and waiting for the magic words.

I realize she is foodie focused but being a sneaky sweets eater was a first! But once she got the taste for it, I have to say that it wasn’t the last! Case in point, the brownies below! So now I have to make sure that she is never ever alone with goodies in a geographical range!

So what happened with the wedding cake you are wondering? Well, since the couple happened to be best friends with the people that have taken care of Stella since she first arrived in Ireland from the States, they were fine. In fact, they thought it was actually funny. They were able to take fantastic photos and no one seeing the pictures would have even guessed that it was a half eaten cake on the other side! And the kicker of it all is, they actually ate the cake! They cut off the Stella slobber part, then sliced and served the rest! They even told the whole wedding reception the story, which got a good laugh, and seeing as they were all dog lovers, didn’t bat an eye while they were eating it. In fact, I actually got a few more baking jobs out of it as the guests at the wedding said it was the best cake they had eaten! OMG!!!

Well thanks be to God, nothing else has left my kitchen with her special sauce on it! But we love to talk about that story. Though it was stressful at the time we can laugh now. The only lingering aspect is Hubby is still on a self imposed moratorium from watching, caring for, monitoring or delivering any of my baked goods!

Four legged Licks of Love!

YDP

Yankee Doodle Paddy

America + Ireland = LOVE

Author: Harper220