Month: October 2013

WORDPRESS FAMILY AWARD :)

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Tadaaaaaa.  I’ve won another grammy, or it sure feels like it.  Ok, I’m sure that’s a different feeling but still can’t feel anything but happy to receive an award by a fellow blogger – Ada!

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Thanks for it!  🙂  Wordpress blogging definitely feels like I’m part of an online community.  Am really enjoying it!  Thanks for being part SPARKLE BUBBLE everyone 🙂

xx

B

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Bread Cups filled with Fresh Guacamole

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Hello!  I was thinking of trying bread cups – so simple yet they look so pretty!  I had avocados in the fridge and they were softening up and waiting to be mashed.  So thought I’d whip up some fresh guacamole!

First, lightly oil/butter muffin cups to prevent bread from sticking.  cut the edges of the bread and put it in the cup!

photo 1 (4)Bake them!  And top them up till they look yumyyyyy…

photo 2 (5)A nice close up … yummm….

B’s Bread Cups filled with Fresh Guacamole

Ingredients:

  • slices of bread (edges cut out)
  • Guacamole
  • cut pieces of tomatoes

Method:

  • Preheat oven to 190 degrees.  Oil muffin pan.
  • Press bread inwardly to form a cup shape.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or so (keep an eye on it).
  • Fill it in with guacamole and any other toppings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Travel Thursdays: Zurich

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I absolutely loved Switzerland.  It’s probably my favourite part of Europe simply because of the magical feeling on Mt Titlus (part of the Alps). I’m feeling terribly nostalgic thinking about it!

I stayed in Moveenpick hotel as we got a reasonable deal for this four star hotel.  However, I would not recommend this hotel as accessibility to the city was misrepresented.  We were told the walk to the train from the hotel was 5 minutes and in reality it was 25 minutes.  I’m questionable at the humanly possible speed the staff is able to walk. Very questionable. Other than that the hotel was very comfortable.

Things to do in Zurich:

  1. Day trip to Mt Titlus by a coach and cable car up the mountains.  We were extremely lucky to get a clear sky.  The day trip cost about 80 euros each.  After the mountains, the tour group stopped at Lucerne.  Lucerne was breath taking, a quaint village.  I would love to move there 🙂 ok maybe not, I would get bored after a day or two.  I’m a city kind of person!
  2. Sprungli Cafe (Lindt Choco) – you have to go there on your first day and order any luxemburgli.  I was in love after eating this!! No macaroon can ever compare to the softness and lightness of this amazing textured macaroon. I’d fly there for it 🙂 Ok, so you got the point.  If you only try it on your last day, your heart will be filled with regret as you can’t have it daily during your stay! The hot chocolate is divine too 🙂
  3. Bahnhofstrasse- Main Street -walk the streets like any city!  This street is the most expensive for retail property in Europe (I saw that on wiki btw) There’s a Sprungli here and there’s another one in the airport.  I’ve been to those two!
  4. Cheese fondue – the best cheese you’d ever eat in your life.  We literally stalked the restaurant till they opened. Very eager. Hahahahha!  There’s cheese fondue just about anywhere. You can google it depending on the area you are visiting!

Photos that encapsulate the beauty of Switzerland:

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The view from the cable car on the way up Mount Titlus 🙂

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On the Mountains! Alps is just beautiful…. Took my breath away!

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Ice grotto @ Mt Titlus.  Loved the colored lights…

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Lucerne!  Beautiful 🙂

These are my main recommendations for you guys when you travel to Zurich! 🙂
xx

OPI – Eurso Euro & ORLY Crazy Diamond

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Loved this combination.  Just tried it out 🙂  And here’s how it looks on my nails…  Ok so my acrylic nails. 😉

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Love it!  🙂

It’s OPI EURSO EURO (12324ANV) topped up with ORLY Crazy Diamond (40483)…

London is getting cold again… *sigh*  I’ve been making hot, fresh homemade bread recently to dip in soup.  It’s been lovely!  Recipe coming up soon 🙂

xx

B

B’s Easy Coleslaw Recipe

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I’ve always wanted to try to make coleslaw – as I know it’s pretty easy but the creaminess of it made me feel it shouldn’t be rendered a salad. LOL 😉  Prior to this recipe I came up with I’ve been buying store bought creamy coleslaw.  I usually like coleslaw without onion and that’s not an option when you buy packaged coleslaw!  So my version is healthier, onion-less and less creamy without compromising the taste.

Firstly, I used a food processor to grate carrots and cabbage:

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And I whisked the dressing together… and tried it to make sure it was the taste I wanted… Hmm.. And adjusted it accordingly!

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I refrigerated it for about 2-3 hours and let the flavours combine properly… 🙂  Doesn’t it look yummy?? 🙂

B’s Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Makes: Enough for 3-4 people as a side 

Ingredients:

  • 2 carrots (grated)
  • 1/2 cabbage head (grated)
  • 6 tbsp ‘lighter than light’ mayonnaise (I buy into marketing! LOL)
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2-3 tbsp water
  • salt, pepper

Method:

  1. Grate the carrots and cabbage finely.
  2. Whisk all the dressing ingredients together.  Taste it once it’s done and adjust accordingly to your taste.  If you do miss the cream, add a few tbsp of cream 🙂
  3. Mix the dressing with the salad and refrigerate!

That was simple!  🙂  Enjoy this nice side with jacket potatoes! 🙂

xx

B

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Foodie Fridays: B’s EASY STOVE-TOP HOMEMADE SALTED POPCORN RECIPE

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Hello!  I’ve been trying popcorn at home.  I’ve adapted my recipe from this blog.  I really can’t believe how incredibly easy it is to make popcorn.  Not to mention – how cheap it is too!  (Cinemas mark up the price by 1000% or more! HAHAHA) Popcorn is best eaten when its warm 😉  Actually I love sweet popcorn (cinema-style) and have tried 2 different recipes but am not fully satisfied with the outcome.  So if anyone knows a good one, please leave me a comment or link!! 🙂

And here’s the picture of my home-made popcorn:

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B’s EASY STOVE-TOP HOMEMADE POPCORN RECIPE

Makes: Enough for 2 hungry people

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup corn kernels
  • 4 tbsp oil (enough to cover entire base of pan)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp butter

Method:

  1. Put oil in pan on medium heat,
  2. Add kernels and give it a shake to ensure kernels are coated evenly with oil.
  3. Put the lid on the pan (loosely) to allow air to escape.
  4. Give the pan a bit of a shake.
  5. Kernels will pop in 1-2 mins.
  6. Transfer popped corn (LOL poped corn = popcorn! LOL)  in a bowl and drizzle with butter and salt.

Note:  Putting half the amount of salt in the oil works well too.  😉  Do as you prefer!!

Enjoy!

xx

B

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B’s Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Mash Recipe

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I’ve been MIA for a bit but am back in case I was missed 😉

Thought I’d make something different – so voila!  It was pretty tasty but not perfect.  So I will def be trying it again 🙂

First I steamed the sweet potato and butter squash cubes:

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Then I mashed em and added melted butter with seasonings…

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Voila!  It was a perfect side.

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B’s Sweet Potato and Butter Squash Mash Recipe

Makes: Enough for 2-3 people as a side

Ingredients:

  • 250g Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash (cut in cubes)
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • salt, pepper and chilli flakes

Method:

  1. Steam the Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash for 15-20 mins.  It’s ready when it’s very soft!
  2. Mash it with melted butter and season to taste.

SIMPLE & EASY!  Being vegetarian is not hard.  It’s easy when you use culinary skills – ok so not quite. 😉 It’s easy when you use different ingredients and have a variety of food on the table!

Enjoy!

xx

B

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