Hey Hey it's Donna Hay

The Gourmet Cupcake Packet Mix

Sorry about the corny title, but this is always what springs to mind when l see her name. I love all things about Donna Hay and you could even say l have a deep fascination with her. For many months whenever l'm in David Jones l always eye of these beautifully packaged Cupcake Mixes, but could never justify spending $14.95 on a Cupcake Mix that only makes 12 when l could easily make 24 for considerably less. That is until they came on sale, even at $8.95 I still find them expensive but if you are novice in the kitchen and want to make something special with a home made taste l would differently try these. The packet contains, the cake mix, icing mix and 12 cupcake case although l actually got 20. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

The mixture is quite thick, which makes it a bit tricky to get even amounts in the cases. I normally would use a piping bag when adding the mixture, but thought l should sticks to basics and just used two spoons. I was worried that l might have varying sized cupcake but as you can see they all came out pretty even.

The cakes are light and fluffy and slightly crunchy on the outside which l love, I'm not a huge fan of the icing but I'm not big of chocolate icing.

I have a new baby!

It has been a long time coming, but it has arrived my new Canon G11! I've been after a new camera for ages I'm always envious of the beautiful photos l see on everyone's blogs. Originally W bought me a Canon G10 while he was in Hong Kong, he took it out with him the next day and accidently left it behind on the ferry. It wasn't even 24 hours old, to say l was devastated would be an understatement. Hopefully it went to someone that was having a really bad day.

This little incident that l don't like to talk about could of been fate , the day that he lost it they released the new version. After we got the cheque from our travel insurance, we ran straight out and purchased my baby!

So far so good, now off to read all about it.

Enjoy!

Y x

A taste of Sweeden

Halloumi Finger Pirogs

You'll have to excuse the bad photo, but l was pushed for time. I was given the recipe from my cousins wife who is Swedish. These are delicious cheese pasties/parcels, the pastry is somewhat unusual and is something l haven't seen or tried before, but everything together worked wonderfully.

The recipe is easy to follow and relatively quick, the only problem I had was getting use to working with the dough. It is almost like pizza dough, l found l had to roll out each individual piece of dough to make it thin enough. I highly recommend giving these a try, the combination of the mint and the cheese is incredible!

Dough: makes 20

1/2kg flour
1 cup orange juice
1 100 water
125 ml olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

Filling:

250g Halloumi shredded
125g shredded cheddar cheese
50ml fresh mint chopped
1tsp baking powder
3 egg

1 egg wisked for brushing the pirogs before cooking
Pepper
Sesame seeds

Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add oil and mix well. Add juice a bit at time. Mix and let it rest for 20min.
Mix all the filling ingredients. Devide the dough to 20 bits and make little oval shapes. Put a tblsp of filling in each and press together. Place on tray and brush with egg and sesame seeds. Cook in oven for 20-25min in 225 degrees.

Enjoy!

Yx