Bern’s Carrot Cake

November 22, 2016November 21, 20167 Comments

I just love Carrot Cake, I always have and always will. Since its my birthday this coming weekend I decided that I want a carrot cake for my birthday. Its kind of a tradition. Ever since I’ve been married my mother-in-law would bake me a cake for my birthday, and she always makes whatever I want. Since we are so far from them this year I would have to make my own birthday cake. I found the recipe for the cake on Bern’s Bakes. I made the cake before my birthday to test it out, so that when I make it for my birthday it will be perfect.

INGREDIENTS

4 eggs (room temperature)
2 cups of flour
2 cups of sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4-1/2 to 5 cups finely shredded carrots
3/4 cup of canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup pecans (optional)
1/2 cup of golden or red raisins (optional)

Full Instruction’s on Bern’s Bakes

For the frosting I also used Bern’s Cream cheese Frosting. Its easy to make and tastes great. All you need is icing sugar, some butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract.

I made a few alteration to the recipe, for instance I used walnuts instead of pecans because we can’t find pecans here in Korea. I also used brown sugar because its all I had in my home and thirdly I used 2 teaspoons of cinnamon because I love the taste.

My Birthday Cake was amazingly soft and moist. I’ll be making it once again this weekend.

My 5 favorite online clothing stores – at the moment.

November 21, 2016November 21, 2016Leave a comment

Ever since I’ve been in Korea, I’ve become more and more reliant on Online Clothing shops. As you know by now, Korea doesn’t freely carry average western sizes in all their stores and therefore you have to either travel very far to get something that fits you or shop online.

I’ve only really started following people on Instagram this year and found a few lovely fashion bloggers whose style I really like. Through their choices I have learned of quite a few websites I’ve never even knew existed.

Showpo

Showpo is an Australian brand. I think the reason why I like it so much is because all their outfits looks so summery. There are a lot of dresses that I would love to get from them but some of them won’t be acceptable here in Korea. One of the main reasons is that its not really proper to show your cleavage here. They have only just started showing their shoulders.

Lulu’s

Lulu’s are actually really cheap and their shipping is really fast especially considering that I’m in Korea. Although their prices are cheap the garment quality is really good. If there is one thing I hate, its when I have to buy a $40 dress that looks and feels like it should be $10.

Littlelace

They are a little more pricier than the other shops but their dresses are cute an feminine.

Hellomollyfashion.

They have cute little dresses and play-suits. I also love the soft colors.

NastyGal

I really love nasty gal although their outfits are more for dinners or clubbing and not really daytime outfits. I have bought some clothing and even some underwear here before but the shipping takes a little long.

Which online shops do you line?

Friday night dinner Dagwood

November 18, 2016November 17, 2016Leave a comment

When I was a child my dad use to buy us Dagwood’s at the sports-club every Friday night. Later he started creating his own Dagwood’s at home. Sometimes adding bacon or a home made relish. Dagwood’s always remind me of those days.

Yesterday was our 9 year wedding anniversary and since we’re going to Seoul this weekend we decided not to go to dinner yesterday but rather save it until the weekend. Since it is still a special day, we decided to have some home-made Dagwood’s, so off we went to the store to buy some minced beef.

Homemade Dagwood (serves 4)

For the beef Patty

100 gram minced beef
1 egg
1 slice of bread
1 Large onion
paprika
salt
pepper
Italian herbs

For the Dagwood

4 mince patties
8 slices of bread
4 eggs
2 avocado’s
2 tbs sour-cream
1 large tomato
slices cheese (enough for 4 servings)

First you have to start with the Patties if you’re making them yourself. Beat one egg and break one slice of bread into small pieces. Mix the two together and add the salt pepper, paprika and Italian herbs.

Chop up 1/2 an onion. Add your mince and onion to the bread mixture.

Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal parts and roll them into 4 balls. I keep them in the ball form until after they are cooked but you can press down on them with a spoon to make them flatter. Grease an oven pan and place them on the pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

While they were going in the oven, you can start with your ‘guacamole mixture’. I used 2 avo’s and 2 tablespoons of sour cream mixed with some salt and pepper.

You can then proceed to fry the eggs and the rest of the onion. Slice the cheese so that you have enough for 4 servings. Slice the tomato. Spread butter on one side of the bread and fry it,face down, in a non-stick pan until golden brown.

After the mince-balls are done, press them down with a spoon so that they are more patty shaped. They might break apart but this allows the cheese to melt into them.

Assemble your Dagwood and put it back into the oven for a further 5 minutes so that the cheese can melt. Remove from the oven and serve.

Viola!!!

Its quick delicious and easy to make. It takes around 35 minutes to make 4 yummy Dagwood’s.

5 Wonderful Cheese Platter ideas.

November 17, 2016November 15, 2016Leave a comment

I have always found cheese platters to be one of the easiest and effective appetisers to use for a party. The ingredients are mostly store bought and doesn’t need much prep time. In addition with a mix of fruits, cheese, meats and crackers, there is something for everyone.

The cheese-ball

When serving crackers with your cheese platter, the cheeseball is one of my favourites. You can add some spices, honey and even fruits to give it zing

Pomegranate Jewelled cheese-ball

ingredients:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 fresh sage leaves
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
4 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
6 ounces freshly grated sharp white cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced, toasted almonds
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup pomegranate arils
crackers for serving

Full instructions here

Pumpkin Shaped Cheese-ball

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INGREDIENTS

1 (8oz.) block cream cheese, softened to room temp.
1 (8 oz.) tub vegetable cream cheese
2 tbsp. Hidden Valley Ranch Spicy Ranch mix
3 green onions, diced
1 red pepper, finely diced (save the stem)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided use*

Full instructions here

Meaty Bites

Quick Salami and Cheese Bites

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INGREDIETNS

Deli hard salami slices
Cream cheese, softened
Olives {optional}

Full instruction here

The veggie Cheese platter

Cheese platters are often very rich and creamy so adding some more veggies will help neutralise the creaminess a bit

Recipe for Tomato pesto salad

INGREDIENTS

2 pints grape tomatoes, halved
6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, torn
3 T. drained small capers
2 T. olive oil
3 T. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 T. grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Full instructions here

Italian Marinated Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS

1lb mushroom
1 ¹⁄₂cups white vinegar
¹⁄₂cup water
1teaspoon salt
¹⁄₂teaspoon red pepper flakes
4garlic cloves
1teaspoon fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
extra virgin olive oil

Full Instructions here

Balsamic Berry Vegan Grilled Cheese

As a bread lover I think adding some kind of toasted sandwich will go very well with your cheeseplatter.

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INGREDIENTS

1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
2 cups spinach
1 cup vegan mozzarella cheese shreds
salt/pepper to taste
1 tsp vegan butter (1 tsp each spread on sides of the bread)
bread of choice

Full instructions here

The next time you’re having a dinner party and want a versatile selection of appetisers, remember the cheese-platter can be exactly that.

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Thanksgiving Table Decorations

November 16, 2016November 15, 2016Leave a comment

Maybe you’ve been planning Thanksgiving dinners for years and you’re already a pro, or maybe this is your first thanksgiving and you’re looking for some ideas for your table.

Here are a few of my favourites from around the web.