Elizabeth April 14th, 2009

Part of my 101 Things in 1001 Days challenge.

There isn’t much to say about this task, other than to say that it’s done! I’m very glad that this is out of the way. I actually found myself standing in the cafe queue at lunch time, trying to determine which meal would be easiest to draw!

I think I deserve extra credit for going to a birthday party in the middle, where the food was served in a variety of bite-sized pieces.

• 101 in 1001 , Food
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Elizabeth March 6th, 2009

STOP PRESS: I made this again tonight, adding a mashed up overripe banana and substituting walnuts for the hazelnuts. BEST CAKE EVER! This time I cooked it in a dessert bowl because of the extra volume, and gave it an extra 30 seconds in the microwave. Try it!

It’s been a really long time since I’ve posted anything here, so I thought I’d come back with a gift for my readers!

The 5-minute “cake in a mug” isn’t new, as a google search will quickly prove. I’ve noticed that the recipes out there vary a lot (and so does reader feedback!) so I thought I’d experiment a little myself. This is my own little contribution to the obesity epidemic – the Chocolate & Hazelnut Cake in a Mug.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

4 Tablespoons of Self Raising flour
4 Tablespoons of sugar
2 Tablespoons of cocoa
1 egg
3 Tablespoons of milk
3 Tablespoons of vegetable oil

1 mug
1 Tablespoon

I added a small handful of hazelnuts and cooking chocolate, which added a much-needed dose of class to the recipe! I only used about half of the quantity in the picture.

Throw in whatever chocolate you have handy, as it can be a bit dry otherwise.

STEP ONE:

Combine the flour and sugar, and add the egg.

STEP TWO:

Add the cocoa, and mix all the ingredients well with a spoon.

STEP THREE:

Add the oil and milk, mix well.

STEP FOUR:

Add a small handful of chopped hazelnuts and chocolate.

STEP FIVE:

Mix it through, and it should look a little like this.

STEP SIX:

(Here’s somebody else’s mug-of-cake. Mute your speakers if you don’t enjoy the screams of an excited small child.)

Cook the mixture in your microwave for 3 minutes, on high. A perfect cake will rise well above the top of the mug without falling apart, but don’t worry too much if some spills over the side during cooking. This is a tasty cake, not a beautiful one!

Otherwise, do this part in a bowl. Crybaby.

STEP SEVEN:

Here it is! Allow it to rest a little before transferring it to a plate. The cake looks best if you slice it in half down the middle. And besides, it serves at least two people – don’t be a pig!

STEP EIGHT:

Be a total show-off, and serve the cake with icecream and berries. And if you add Haighs Raspberry Sauce you will not only quadruple the cost of each serving, but you will possibly see God.

STEP NINE:

Eat it, quick, before the icecream melts! This cake is absolutely designed to be eaten warm.

Anyway, by now you’ll know that it smells too good to put aside for later.

STEP TEN:

Seek the support of a trusted friend or family member, and promise them that you will not make this cake every day for the next week. For the sake of your arteries it is very important that you be accountable to another person.

Preferably a boring, skinny person.

That’s it! Sadly, cake of any other type will be completely uninteresting to you from this point on.

Next time I want to try a banana & walnut version – just to see if it works. Try this out and tell me how yours was!

• Cool stuff , Food
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Elizabeth February 19th, 2009

I recently came across an incredible new diet, and can’t stop telling people about it. It really has changed my life, so I wanted to share it with my readers.

This is a specially formulated diet for women to help deal with the stress that builds throughout the day.

You will notice instant results!

BREAKFAST
1 Grapefruit
1 slice wholemeal toast
1 cup skimmed milk

LUNCH
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken with a cup of spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 biscuit

AFTERNOON TEA
The rest of the biscuits from the packet
1 tub of Gino Ginelli ice cream with chocolate topping

DINNER
4 bottles of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size Supreme pizza
3 chocolate bars

LATE NIGHT SNACK
1 whole cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)

Don’t forget, “stressed” spelled backwards is “desserts”. Coincidence? Not likely.

• Food , Funny Stuff , Health & Fitness
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Elizabeth February 15th, 2009

Just a quick update to show you some of the beautiful meals I’ve been making. This task is fast becoming one of my favourites in my 101 Things in 1001 Days list!

VIETNAM: Fresh rice paper rolls, and CHINA: San choy bau

FRANCE: Creme Brulee

SCOTLAND: Shortbread and Cheese & Chive Scones

AUSTRALIA: Damper

MEXICO: Caesar Salad
Look, I was as surprised as anyone that this originated in Mexico – but it did!

So good to expand my horizons a little with this challenge. I am keeping track of my progress over here – your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

• 101 in 1001 , Food , Photo Posts
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