Homemade Heaven

This has been a hectic month. I have started a new business, Property Supervision.
After 15 years of working for the same company – I am venturing out on my own, to make my own path in the business world.

As you can imagine, food blogging has had to take a step aside, while I made all the plans and preparation for my big life change. I have however been cooking some really good meals lately, but there just hasn’t been time to photograph, style, write and post about them.

I do have one jewel I have been desperate to share with you and I know you’ll love the budget friendly and simplicity of this dish. For those with small children, I can vouch it is a big hit with them too.

Click here to get the recipe

This week has brought many changes to Homemade Heaven life. I am starting on a new career path at the end of this month, which after 15 years at the same company, is daunting to say the least.

I have been very busy on social media, researching and putting together business plans, before we launch my new business. All this besides finishing off my current job.

Staying normal at home is hot work, Cape Town has had a 2 week heat wave, so keeping it cool physically and emotionally is almost a full time job in its self.

Almonds are one of the most nutritious of all nuts.They are low in saturated fat and contain many other protective nutrients, said to protect against cardiovascular disease and even cancer. They also build strong bones and teeth. Still trying to find if they can calm my nerves though.

All that aside, these biscuits taste very good indeed and are wonderfully crispy and nutty. The almond flavour comes through as nutty and not like marzipan. My little grandson loves them too – his endorsement is “more”, which means “don’t think only one is going to work for me Granny!”.

Click here for the recipe for Almond Butter Biscuits

I spent Christmas in Australia, Rockhampton – Queensland to be exact.

Until now I thought Hell was a really hot place place deep under the earth, where evil people spend eternity burning and gnashing their teeth.

Rockhampton has a special tourist attraction for those wishing to experience the heat of hell, without being surrounded by pesky evil people and those with irritating teeth gnashing issues. It also has the added advantage of being only 20 kms from the sea and you don’t have to go far (usually at least 3 rooms in your home) to find an air conditioner!

Like I said earlier this week I got to eat some amazing food, even the crocodile ribs. But there are things in Australia which you just have to live without (unless you can get to the South African shop, which seems an institution any place more than 2 South Africans have emigrated to.) One such treat is Peppermint Crisp. How sad is that? A whole nation of people never knowing the delight of drinking milk through a Peppermint Crisp, no church bazaar with Auntie Sarie’s Peppermint Crisp tart? All I can say is “Ag Shampies”.

This last week in Cape Town has been pretty close to Rockhampton hell. But lucky for us we have Peppermint Crisp and an ice cream maker. So I pulled out all the cheating tricks I could find and made a really good ice cream, that I think even an Australian might like!

Click here to get the recipe for Peppermint Crisp Ice Cream

Well, what an adventure Homemade Heaven has had. I don’t want to brag too much, but that would be impossible after the grand time I just had.

3 Generations of Love

I spent the last month travelling around the world. I got to see my sister and brother – in -law and meet my new grand niece and my nephew-in-law in Australia.

I also met some amazing people, new family and experienced life in HD full technicolour. It was a blessing to be with my family, everyone is so special to me and I wish we didn’t have to wait 12 years between visits!

If that wasn’t enough, I then moved on to Los Angeles. I dined at some of the best restaurants in the city, including Red O Restaurant, Mexican Cuisine by Rick Bayless. I have found the food I want to eat for the rest of my life – tamales.

I tried real burgers, sweet potato fries, Red Velvet Cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory), King crab and hot dogs – just to name a few. And just in case you are thinking, yes I did pick up lots of weight, but every bite was worth it!

To celebrate my return I used my authentic American pie dish, which I was so excited to find in a kitchen store. Watch this space for more American Pie recipes – Pushing up Daisies!

Pecan Pie Recipe Click Here