Sweet Saturday: Sophisticated Crunch

Its obvious our tastes grow and mature as we do, 

from liking coffee to wine to dark chocolate.

As a child, dark chocolate was the enemy. 

Bitter, sour, not sweet enough. 

For me it was milk chocolate or white chocolate on the odd occasion. 

Now I'll choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate any day.

Though I do still have a soft spot for milk chocolate every now and then. 

But isn't that the same for most people?

Is it because our tastes do change, or is it because what's expected of us changes?

I sure as hell haven't seen business men sucking on lollipops!

Alter Eco sent me their newest block of chocolate, Dark Chocolate Quinoa - Midnight Crunch, to try.

This is a 61% cocoa bar with crunchy, crispy quinoa pieces. 

I loved it. It may quite possibly be my new favourite chocolate bar.

I loved CRUNCH bars just for the rice krispies - but now I've found an even better solution.

A more sophisticated, grown up CRUNCH. 

I've never actually tried quinoa - so I don't exactly know what it tastes like alone. 

But this bar is deeeeeeeeeelicious.

Plus, what more could you want - Alter Eco chocolate is:

Organic

Fair Trade 

100% Natural

200% YUM! (the most important part)

I suggest you quickly take a look at their stockists and make a mad dash to buy yourself a block!

But do tell me, 

Do you ever indulge in (seemingly) childlike activities? 

I'm still a big fan of colouring in. 

I don't care how old you are, it's fun! 

I will happily colour for hours - and I don't even need an excuse for it.

Sweet Saturday: Sweet Simplicity

I love baking being in the kitchen.

I couldn't narrow it down to just baking, 

because I'll take any excuse I can to be in the kitchen

cutting

stirring

frying

baking

grilling

mixing

chopping

You name it. 

It's only ever on a rare occaison where I don't feel like cooking or baking

(probably much to my mother's annoyance)

But sometimes the thought of pulling down the stand mixer (which weighs a tonne)

just doesn't seem attractive.

Some days I don't want to spend hours making something, 

only to have to spend hours cleaning it up.

Some days I just want something simple. 

Whipping eggwhites until stiff peaks

Tempering chocolate

Separating eggs

Stirring until your arm falls off 

No, not today.

I always like to have something out when people come over, even on surprise visits.

To whip something up on a whim is a skill I've started to master. 

But when you combine a surprise visit and a day where the mixer just seems too heavy

and the pile of dishes in the sink make you want to run for the hills, what do you do? 

Why - you turn to a box mix, of course. 

What?! Yes I did just say box mix. 

Why?! Quick, easy and you don't need a cupboard full of ingredients. 

But it won't taste home made?! Or will it? 

I was sent a bunch of Melinda's Gluten Free Goodies mixes to review

and the Heavenly Chocolate Fudge Brownie was one of them.

All I needed was two eggs and some butter.

I opened the box to find two sachets.

The first was the brownie mix made up of fair trade Dutch cocoa and the second, a sachet of specially sourced lactose-free chocolate. 

These brownies are perfect if you're baking for someone with allergies.

You get a gluten free, wheat free, lactose free (as long as you use a lactose free margarine or butter substitute) and yeast free brownie and you don't need to spend hours perusing the shelves of health food stores trying to find unusual allergy friendly ingredients. 

After baking, and letting them cool 

I had fudgy brownies with a chewy edge. 

But did they taste good?! Why yes, they did. 

You know what - don't tell your friends they're from a packet and they will never know.

In fact, you might need to come up with an excuse as to why you can't give them the recipe.

Maybe your old Aunt will do the trick!

You know she doesn't like her secret recipes revealed! ;)

Or you could share the secret,

and dispel the myth that packet mixes are rubbish.

But you'll have to get in quick, because these brownies disappear fast. 

It's okay though - because it's so easy to get your hands on another box and whip up a fresh batch. 

Just head to your local supermarket or look at Melinda's list of stockists.

Now tell me, 

What have you got planned for the weekend?

and do you have a specialty that you serve to guests? 

or always take to parties or friends houses?

I think my specialty would have to be desserts.

Cakes, brownies, cupcakes, cookies, slices - you name it!

Kristy was sent Melinda's Gluten Free Goodies products courtesy of www.melindas.com.au

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

Sweet Saturday: I'm in a Jam.

Have you ever been so inclined to make something,

only to open the fridge or cupboard and find your missing some of the most vital ingredients?

I know I have, alot.

Yesterday I decided I was going to make scones.

Butter, cream, lemonade, oil - 

the thousands of different recipes left me confused as to which one to try.

Until I opened the fridge.

No butter.

No cream.

Because I was racing against time 

(read: the sun was looking like it was threatening to go back into hiding)

I decided to use a butterless and creamless recipe. 

Don't you agree these gorgeous jams from Anathoth were just SCREAMING for scones?

I was lucky enough to be sent their Three Berry Jam  and Cherry Berry Jam

I love good jams. 

I say good, because that's what they have to be.

I want them to taste real and homemade and have chunks of actual fruit.

I don't want to be eating something that's 99% sugar, 1% fruit. 

Now that I've gotten older and discovered real jam,

I love it with cream cheese on toast

or as a topping for oatmeal.

Anathoth's Three Berry Jam is a combination of strawberries, boysenberries and blackcurrants

and contains no preservatives, added pectins or colours.

The three berries combine to make a delicious jam that, like their pottles say 

"tastes just like homemade"

The Cherry Berry Jam is a new flavour for Anathoth,

It's full of juicy cherries and has a delicious flavour.

I'll admit, I was wary about this one. 

I looked at the label and thought about that horrible processed fake cherry flavour.

But my fears were soon relieved when I tasted the jam.

No fake cherry flavour in sight! Instead it was a delicious natural cherry flavour.

Just as it should be.

It's not quite as thick as the other jam because cherries are a fruit that is lower in natural pectin

but it's thick enough to spread on scones or toast - well, whatever you please really!

The Help! I'm out of Butter, scones recipe

2 cups of Plain Flour 

1Tbsp Baking Powder

1 1/2 Tbsp Sugar  

(you can use caster sugar or icing sugar - depending on what's at hand) 

1/4 tsp Salt

1 egg

1/4C Oil  

(Light flavoured oils like vegetable, canola or rice bran oil work best)

1/3C Milk 

1/4C Warm Water 

Preheat oven to 200*C (390*F)

In a large bowl sift flour and baking powder, add sugar and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, oil, milk and warm water.

Add wet mix to dry mix and mix until just combined (adding a little extra water if required).

Turn dough onto a floured workspace and pat out until 2cm thick.

With a scone cutter (or the rim of a glass cup/tumbler) cut out scones.

Place scones onto a baking tray, allowing room for them to spread.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until risen and light golden in colour. 

So there you have it, 

A scone recipe for when you're in a butter-less jam.

I know I know, That was lame!

To get your hands on some Anathoth Jam, head to your local Coles, Woolworths or IGA store.

I promise you won't regret it! 

But do tell me,

What would be your ultimate morning/afternoon tea menu?

and Are you often caught without vital ingredients on hand? or are you more organised!

My mum's ultimate morning tea is exactly what you see above

hence why you're seeing it! 

I'm a fan of a summer morning tea, full of delicious summer fruit.

Kristy received Anathoth Jams courtesy of www.anathoth.co.nz

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

Sweet Saturday: Chocoholic

Chocolate - it's thought to have been around for at least three thousand years

with it's earliest documented use at around 1100 BC. 

Surely something that's been around that long has to be good - right? 

Chocolate is one of the most popular food types and flavours in the world.

I don't know about you, but I love chocolate.

Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate - as long as it's good, I'll take it in any form.

When I was younger I would only eat Cadbury chocolate - dairy milk, crunchie, fruit and nut, top deck etcetcetc. 

If you had have presented me with anything else, I wouldn't have touched it. 

As I got older I found myself moving away from Cadbury chocolate and becoming more interested in rich dark chocolate.

But I still have a love for the chocolate contained in that signature purple wrapper.

I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when I opened a package to find SIX blocks of chocolate from Alter Eco

It was like Christmas had come early!

Afterall, chocolate is one of the most popular holiday gifts.

Alter Eco chocolate is made from the finest organic cocoa and cane sugar that's grown exclusively by small-scale farmers.

This means sustainable farming methods are used to preserve local agriculture biodiversity.

So I guess you could call it guilt free chocolate?

Each of the six blocks were a different flavour, 

but they were all delicious. 

Dark Chocolate Twist 

 a block of rich dark chocolate with pieces of crystallised orange peel

much like a sophisticated version of a jaffa. 

Dark Chocolate Mint

bittersweet chocolate paired with the refreshing taste of mint

a perfect way to finish off a meal! 

This block had to be my favourite - I love the combination of mint and chocolate

Dark Chocolate Blackout

one for the true dark chocolate connoisseur,

an intense block with 85% cocoa.

If you're after a strong chocolate block - this one is definitely for you!

 Dark Chocolate Cacao

a rich block of chocolate with 73% cocoa and crunchy roasted cacao nibs.

This probably takes the place as my second favourite because I love the balance of the bitter cacao nibs with the sweet chocolate

Dark Chocolate Almond

a delicious dark chocolate block with generous chunks of crunchy roasted almonds.

Dark Chocolate Velvet

a dark chocolate block with a touch of milk chocolate

perfect for those who aren't quite a fan of dark chocolate yet. 

Just re-reading those flavours makes me want more
and perhaps you want to try them for yourself? 
Have a look at Alter Eco's Stockist List
I just saw that there's one right by my house - any guesses where I'm heading today? 


Once again it's the weekend! 
I have my fingers and toes crossed that the lovely weather of late will stick around
(pleaaaaaaaase mother nature - I'll make you chocolate PB!) 

What are your plans for this weekend?
and what's your favourite chocolate combination?  


Have a SUPER Sweet Saturday Lovelies :)


Kristy received Alter Eco chocolate courtesy of www.alterecopacific.com.au
If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

Sweet Saturday: Sunshine, lollipops and....

It's Sweet Saturday! 

Did the last week fly by for you?

or did it go slowwwwwwwwwwwly?

My week was a little bit muddled up.

See, On my brain wanted to think that every day since Tuesday was Friday

(wishful thinking?)

and then, all of a sudden

It was Friday!

Lollipops are probably one of the candies I associate with being a kid.

I don't think i've ever had to many lollipops where I haven't eventually given in and chomped on it though.

Have you ever noticed how much your mouth hurts after you suck on a lollipop for hours and hours?

A little while ago, Artisse sent me some products,

the first thing I noticed were these two packets of lollipops. 

I was sent both their Original and Gone Wild varieties that are:

• Certified organic
• Non GMO
• Gluten, wheat, dairy, peanut and soy free
• Vegan
• Free from artificial colours or flavours 

oh, and I forgot to add YUM! 

My sister was my lead taste tester for this review!

and she wanted to make sure you all knew that she was the hand model

(Hi Katrina, here's the five seconds of blog-world fame you asked for) 

My favourite flavour out of all of the lollipops would have to be sour apple

and then mango comes in at a close second!

Artisse also sent me some of their organic food bars to try

I loved the bright packaging

and clear panels are always important, so you know exactly what's inside!

 

These bars are also gluten, wheat and dairy free

as well as being Low GI and Vegan

 

 

The All About Nuts baris filled with almonds, peanuts, brazil nuts, walnuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, agave and brown rice syrup

and no funky mystery ingredients!

This was probably my favourite of the three thanks to the crunchy nuts and seeds

and juicy bursts of raisin.

The Cranberry Crunch bar started off on the right note for me thanks to its pink packaging

(my idea is that - if it's pink, it has to be good)

The bar was filled with peanuts, raisins, almonds, sesame seeds, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, brown rice and brown rice and agave syrup to naturally sweeten. 

I'm not usually the biggest fan of cranberries in bars because they're usually filled with way too many, but this bar had the perfect balance!

The Seed Delight bar was very much the same as the Cranberry Crunch bar, 

just without the cranberries - so this is perfect for a not-quite-a-cranberry-lover like me!

and to end the review on a sweet note, I was also sent their almond nougat

which was deliciously soft and chewy and filled with crunchy almonds.

and guess what! It too is gluten, wheat and dairy free :)

This is definitely a sweet treat I would consider again,

the ingredients list secured that consideration too!

Ingredients:  

Organic Corn Syrup, Organic Raw Sugar, Dry Roasted Almonds, Organic Crisp Brown Rice, Organic Egg White

Are you enjoying the sunshine as much as I am?!

or maybe you're just getting the first glimpses of winter?

I know that i'm super psyched for more sunshine, 

as is my wardrobe! 

But hey, do tell me!

What's the number one candy you associate with being a kid?

Kristy was sent Artisse products courtesy of www.artisse.com.au,

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

Sweet Saturday: Rosewater Cupcakes

Sometimes it can be really simple to turn something plain and ordinary into something special.

Lately I've been baking like crazy on every possible opportunity.

I love being able to make yummy things for my friends and family to enjoy.

These cupcakes were one of those treats.

I haven't made cupcakes in what seems like forever,

I'd gone from the girl who created ridiculous amounts of these petite treats,

to someone who was weighed down by the dreaded HSC.

That had to change, obviously.

A while ago I was sent some rosewater from the Turkish Store

and I had yet to do anything with it.

I scoured the internet for things to do with rosewater when I remembered the pretty pink cupcake wrappers I had sitting in the cupboard above my stove.

Perfect!

So cupcakes it was, I got straight to work, slightly altering my go-to vanilla cupcake recipe.

Vanilla Rosewater Cupcakes

makes 12 cupcakes

Cupcake batter:

3 Eggs

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup caster sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups self raising flour, sifted

1/2 tsp vanilla 

2 tbsp rosewater

Frosting:

1 cup icing sugar

1 cup butter

1 tsp rosewater

1 tsp vanilla 

Preheat oven to 160*C (320*F).

Lightly beat the eggs, add butter and sugar and mix until light and fluffy.

Add milk, flour, vanilla and rosewater and stir to combine.

Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until light and creamy.

Divide the mixture evenly between the cupcake papers/tin. 

Bake for 15-20 minutes until risen and a skewer inserted removes clean. 

Allow to cool before transferring to a wire rack.

For the frosting: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add rosewater and vanilla and beat until incorporated.

These cupcakes were delicious and the delicate rosewater flavour was perfect!

I'm thinking about making these again and adding pistachios for an extra flavour kick!

So tell me, 

what are your plans for the weekend ahead?

and which do you prefer - the cake or the frosting?

Kristy received rosewater courtesy of www.turkishstore.com.au

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com 

Sweet Saturday: Blueberry Crumble Muffins

so I'm back and so is Sweet Saturday!

I thought about what I should include in SS's come back post

and I decided a super sweet recipe would definitely fit the bill 

The only problem was deciding what to make. 

The last couple of weeks I've been promising my sister I would bake her something while she was at school

(an act of procrastination? you betcha!) 

But, alas, I didn't quite get there. 

So yesterday as soon as I'd gone out and bought eggs I was in the kitchen, 

cooking up a storm (or muffins, if you want to be realistic) 

But these weren't just any muffins, 

they were Blueberry Crumble Muffins.

Picture your favourite blueberry muffin - moist, fluffy, full of blueberries.

Now add a crunchy, buttery, sugary crust on top.

My sister is the blueberry muffins number one fan.

She's a bit of a blueberry muffin connoisseur, so this muffin faced a tough critic!

 But I had promised her a recipe that didn't include any weird ingredients

(the girl does not like chia seeds or wheat bran or cakes made with butter substitutes) 

So she arrived home from school, blueberry muffins sitting pretty on the end of the bench.

I see a look of disgust on her face and she cries "Did you make bran muffins?!?"

After some reassuring that the crusty tops were infact a mix of brown sugar, flour and butter 

and the muffins were free of any bran - she tried one. 

Did I pass the test? 

Did my muffins meet the blueberry muffin connoisseur's criteria?

Well, she told me to keep the recipe

she told me to make them again

and she told me to post it on my blog.

I think that's a win, no? 

Especially when we're talking about the girl who always finds a problem with what I cook

(sisterly love) 

So here's the recipe,

I promise it won't let you down!

Blueberry Crumble Muffins 

150g butter, melted and cooled slightly

1/3 cup milk 

1 large egg 

1 large egg yolk 

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups plain flour 

3/4 cup brown sugar 

1 1/2 tsp baking powder 

2 cups blueberries (see tip) 

For the topping: 

60g cold butter, cut into cubes 

1/2 cup plain flour 

3 1/2 tbsp brown sugar 

Preheat oven to 180*C.

Spray a muffin tray with cooking spray, or line with paper liners. 

In a bowl, whisk together milk, butter, egg, yolk and vanilla. 

In another larger bowl, mix together sifted flour, baking powder and brown sugar.

Add wet ingredients to dry and stir gently to combine. 

Make the crumble topping by rubbing the butter into the sugar and flour until there are no lumps of butter and the mix resembles bread crumbs. 

Add the blueberries to the muffin mix, being careful not to break the berries. 

Fill the muffin tins evenly, with the batter almost reaching the top of the cups. 

Sprinkle over an even amount of the crumble topping over each muffin. 

Bake until golden and crisp and a skewer inserted into the muffin removes clean (about 20-25 minutes for regular sized muffins, 30-35 minutes for texas sized muffins) 

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing and placing onto a wire rack. 

Tips: 

- You can use fresh, canned or frozen blueberries (I used frozen this time)

- For frozen berries do not defrost as this will add too much extra liquid to the batter and you'll end up with bright purple muffins 

- When using canned blueberries, drain as much of the liquid off as possible

- When turning out the muffins onto a wire rack, place a cookie sheet underneath to catch any of the crumbly topping bits that fall off (trust me, they're the best part!) 

So tell me, 

What's your favourite baked treat? 

and are you a lover of the crunchy top, soft bottom or fluffy middle of a muffin?

(I'm a big fan of the crunchy top!)  

Have a fantastic weekend! 

Now that I'm finished with school and my exams, 

I'm planning on cooking and baking alot more. 

Do you have anything you'd like to see me make?