Weekly Highlights & a Coconut Water Giveaway!

Don't you love my new bowl? 

My friend just brought it back from Venice for me - it's hand blown Murano glass! Gorgeous, huh. (And the gooey fudge brownies are pretty amazing too, but more on that another day.)

Okay, it's time for an update on what's been happening over on the 

Quirky Cooking Facebook Page!

Yeah, I know, I missed a week... my bad. Been hiding in my recipe testing cave.

But at least there's chocolate in there. 

And pizza. And pie. And pancakes. So no need to feel sorry for me. :)

Now if only I can focus long enough to get this blog post done... :D

Now, where was I? Oh yes, blogging...

Ok, the Weekly Highlights. 

But wait, there's a giveaway!! Want to hear about that first? Of course you do. So here it is:

I have 2 cases of 12 x 330ml cartons of Raw C Coconut Water to give away!

Want some?

I love coconut water in my smoothies and juices, or just on it's own, cold from the fridge. It's a great way to stay hydrated! Known as 'Nature's Gatorade', Raw C is popular sports drink alternative because it naturally contains electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. 

Raw C is 100% Pure Coconut Water - no sugar, preservatives or concentrates, and no funny stuff.

Check it out here!

[Updated, due to such a great response!!]

To WIN some Natural Raw C Coconut Water, all you have to do is comment on this post, 

mentioning Raw C coconut water in your comment. The prize winner will be drawn on Wednesday 7th August at 5pm, via Random.org, and the winner notified. 

Winner's name will be posted on this page. 

(Competition open to Australian residents only)

And the winners are...

Kym - 1st Prize: 2 cases of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water

Healthy SA - 2nd Prize: 1 case of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water
Shaarn - 3rd Prize: 1 case of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water

How about you pop by the Natural Raw C Coconut Water Facebook page and say Hi? 

They'd love to hear from you!

[Note: If you are reading this on a mobile device, you will need to swap over to the web version to be able to comment. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'view web version'.]

I do have another giveaway to share with you, but will let you know about that one in another day or two. Now onto the Weekly Highlights - there's lots to share!

FOOD...

Local produce... do you know what all this is?

Cooking to impress! Need to cook for a dinner party? Here's some quick and easy dishes that will knock the socks off your guests...

What's in your green smoothie today? I love coconut water in mine, plus lots of other goodies... Readers share their favourites here.

Quick snacks: What snacks do you make to take with you when you only have 20 minutes before you need to dash out the door? Here's some of mine, and lots of reader's ideas.

Bake & freeze snacks: What about snacks you can freeze for when you need them?

New Thermomix? How to stock your pantry: Readers share their tips for what to stock up on when expecting your new Thermie to arrive! (Excitement!!) :D

Vegetable spiralizers: Wondering if you should get one, what to use it for, what brand to buy? Answers here.

How to get turmeric stains out: Does your Thermomix lid, seal and butterfly look kind of odd from cooking with turmeric? Try these handy tips to remove the stain!

Quick & easy lunches: A reader who was 'falling back into bad habits' asks for ideas for quick, healthy lunches, and wow, so many great suggestions!

Grain free & dairy free lunchbox ideas: It's not always easy to think outside the box ;) but here's some tips.

Egg free breakfast ideas for little ones: Karen's 10 mth old has been diagnosed with an egg allergy, and she's stuck for new breakfast ideas. Here's lots of suggestions, including my egg-free pancake/waffle recipe.

Leftover pulp from making almond milk: Every wondered what to do with it? Here's some ideas.
And here's another one I spotted on Instagram - Superfood Nut Sprinkle.

Leftover ganache: What do you do with your leftover ganache? (Is there even such a thing??)

Matt Stone & Thermomix: Love the look of this raw cauliflower 'cous cous' salad Matt whipped up on the Morning Show - did you see it?

Friday night pizza: What's your favourite toppings?

Mandarine recipes: Are they dropping off your trees? Here's some ideas so they won't go to waste.

Naturally sweetened icings: Some ideas for icing cakes without refined icing sugar.

Pink party! What to feed a bunch of 6 yr old girls for a healthy pink party? Yummy ideas!

Diabetic friendly recipes: Thermomix friendly suggestions for diabetic recipes.

Breakfast ideas for a toddler with excema: Dairy & wheat free suggestions for an 8 month old.

What to make with egg whites? If you had 5 egg whites in the fridge, what would you make?


HEALTH & OTHER GOOD ADVICE...

What is the one small change you could make that would have the biggest impact on your health? Clare of Checks & Spots asks this question of 13 'bright sparks' who have a unique perspective on health, wellness and nutrition. (Including me!) :D

How to fatten pigs, and people: I found this article VERY interesting!!

Join a bulk food buying co-op! How? and Where?

How to boost iron levels naturally: A mum who is 30 weeks pregnant with low iron levels asks for advice - lots of great suggestions!

How to search on my page: I quite often have people puzzled about this, so if this is you, here's how... Just type into the search box the ingredient or subject you're looking for, and lots of links will come up that you can click on. Or you can go to the Recipe Index on the left of the 'Quirky Cooking' logo and click on that to get a drop down list of the labels you can search through. :)

What would you do? A reader asks for advice for how to get her family and friends to stop bringing junk food over as it's affecting her child's behaviour. Lots of discussion on this one!!!

How to get lots of housework done! Set a timer and FOCUS! Do you do this?

Do you love kitchen shops? What would you spend a $40 gift voucher on?


NEWS...

For those of you up here in FNQ (or visiting FNQ in August!), we'd love for you to join us for The Organic Experience food tour! Paddock to plate, meet the growers, tour the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, and gain a deeper appreciation for the way food connects our community, wellbeing and environment. I'll be cooking lunch with local produce on the 24th, it'll be heaps of fun and I hope to see you there! 

And that's about it for now... have a great week, and may it include homemade bread and lots of books. And chocolate. 

Jo xx

Miss C in her happy place - bread and books. :)

What could be better?

Weekly Highlights & some NEWS!

(Ummm, no, this isn't the recipe for my Cherry Delight 'Cheese'cake, so sorry. I just thought the photo might get your attention.) :D

Hello everyone. I know, my Weekly Highlights are very late, but I have an excuse!

I'm not sure if you've noticed that I've been a little bit absent from my blog and Facebook page lately. Well, there's a good reason for that. I promise it's not because I've been lazing around the house in my PJ's all day eating dulce de leche on fresh strawberries (as much as I've wanted to). It's just that I've been madly recipe testing and writing out recipes for the last couple of weeks because ... I have a publisher for my COOKBOOK!!!! EEEEK!!! (A bit exciting!!) Yes, a really real printed book, complete with really real photographers and stylists and all that fun stuff!

And along with a publisher comes DEADLINES and SECRETS and eating, sleeping and breathing RECIPES! And as much as I'd love to, I'm afraid I can't share the recipe for my cherry 'cheese'cake yet, because I need it for my book. You do understand, don't you? I'll try not to tease you with any more photos that do not have recipes attached, okay? (Although now and then I might post a sneaky one on Instagram, so if you want to see some sneak previews that's the place to look.) :)

So although I haven't had as much time to chat, there were still quite a few subjects discussed on my Facebook page this past week. Here's the main ones, to keep you all up to date.


FOOD

My big girl turned 16 last week (yes, I'm feeling old!). She wasn't interested in going out for dinner or having a party, she just wanted a big, family, Mexican fajita feast with a cherry cheesecake to finish it off. So that's what we did...

Fajitas with the lot!

Spelt tortillas, Mexican rice (mum's recipe - another option is my Mexican Quinoa), marinated fajita beef & chicken, sauteed red peppers (capsicums) and onions, guacamole, and my dairy free sour cream. So good.

Oh, and some smoky chipotle chilli sauce to top it off. Woweee, love that stuff!

(Do you like my cow apron? Lol!)

Mmmmm... fajitas!

What healthy treats would you cook for a 16th birthday party? Here's some reader's ideas.

Coconut Caramel Custard: In case you missed this, I posted this quick and easy recipe on the blog last week. Warning: dangerously addictive!

Pandan leaves: Ever see 'pandan leaves' in an Asian recipe and wonder where to get them, how to use them, whether you can grow them yourself, and what to substitute for them if they're nowhere to be found? Wonder no more, answers here!

Date loaf/cake recipes: Do you have a favourite date loaf or cake you like to make? Here's some readers' favourites.

Grapefruit recipes: It's grapefruit season, our fruit basket is overflowing with them! Need some ideas?

Travelling with Thermomix: A reader asked for simple Thermomix meal ideas that don't need heaps of pantry stuff, as she wanted to take her Thermomix with them on holiday. With a 2 year old and a 7 month old, it's a lot easier to 'eat in' than 'out', and the room they were to stay in only had coffee/tea making facilities. Here's some ideas readers suggested for travel meals.

7 Ingredient challenge: A desperate plea for a quick dessert idea using the 7 ingredients available brought out some very creative suggestions!

Vegan dinners: Recipes and ideas for a meat free meal.

Traditional afternoon tea ideas: Except they need to be gluten, dairy, sugar, and soy free! No problem.

Free-from birthday cake! A reader needs a recipe for a birthday cake that's gluten, dairy and soy free - preferably something rich and decadent.

Passionfruit recipes: Ideas for using up all those passionfruits that are falling off the vine! (At least here in FNQ, anyway!)

Paleo and nightshade-free food: A reader needs some ideas for paleo meals/food that are also free from potatoes, tomatoes, chillies, eggplants, capsicum and most legumes. Some great ideas here.

Lactation biscuit recipe: Have you heard of these? I hadn't! Basically it's a biscuit containing ingredients that help with lactation. Lots of other ideas for helping to increase breastmilk production here too.

Soup weather: What soups are you making on these wintery evenings?

And just a quick tip for when you make your tortillas or wraps - this is how thin you want to roll them, then cook them quickly in a really hot, dry frypan so they don't dry out. Make sure you keep them wrapped up in a clean tea towel while you cook them, so they stay warm and soft. Enjoy!

AND MORE...

Boosting your immune system: A reader asked for help for immune boosting ideas, as her husband has Ross River Fever.

Making soaps in your Thermomix - yes or no? Some great ideas and discussions here.

New Thermomix Blog & FB Page! If you need some help meal planning with your new Thermomix, Thermonerd may be the blog for you. Being a work-at-home mum of a little boy and twin baby girls means this busy lady HAS to plan ahead to keep up! Meal planning is definitely the way to go for helping with time management and budgeting... if you haven't tried it, you should.

By the way, there's lots of menu plans on my blog, as well as some here on my Facebook page!

Favourite Thermomix recipe books: What's your fave?

What the rural life is really like. I loved reading this blog post by Rural Miss and seeing her beautiful photos. Have you thanked a farmer today?

So now I'd better get back to my recipe writing...

I might have to get Mr I to do a guest post for me this week, so my blog doesn't look so neglected. :D

Have a great week!

Coconut Caramel Custard

Coconut caramel custard with bananas & macadamias

A reader told me the other day that she had been searching everywhere for my coconut caramel custard recipe on Facebook but couldn't find it... Well, we can't have that! This is so yummy (and quick and easy) that it really needs to be on my blog so it's easier to find.

When I shared this on my Facebook page back in May, it got 164 shares and 466 likes and 136 comments. Yep, I think you really should try it.

So here it is... no need to say too much, except don't blame me when you get up in the middle of the night to polish off the leftovers, okay? ;)

Just pop all the ingredients into the Thermomix bowl and cook for 7 mins/90C/speed 4.

- 500g coconut milk (or 250g thick coconut cream + 250g water)
- 60g coconut sugar (or Rapadura)
- 1 large tsp vanilla bean paste
- 2 Tbsp butter or ghee (optional, but awesome)
- 20-30g arrowroot starch (depending how thick you like it)
- 1/4 tsp Himalayan or sea salt
- 2 eggs

For an egg free version, just leave out the eggs and increase the starch/cornflour to 50-60g.

P.S. This custard is dangerously good on brownies. Just saying.

Weekly Highlights... and a Giveaway!

A bit of randomness to end the week... :D

Mine started with cooking all day for two days at the Atherton Show (lots of fun! but exhausting...)

Then along came a nasty bout of the flu (kids and mum and hubby looked after me very well - plenty of chicken soup and tea brought to me in bed, AND Mr I's newest invention, Lime and Coconut Custard with walnuts)...

When Mr I served this up to his big brother, Mr S was heard to comment, "DUDE!! You're the best cook EVER!! Pity we don't have any licorice to go in it though..." Ummm, lime and coconut custard with walnuts and licorice? That's even a little too quirky for me! :D

And then a massive day of cooking today with a friend, to make up for all the days of being in bed! :) (Can you believe, I was so focused on cooking I didn't take any photos?? I think the flu has damaged my brain...)

But I DO remember that I tried out Nutra Organics Coco Biotics Superfood Bars and they are truly delicious, very good for you, and I think you really should ALL try them! So guess what? I have some to give away! Actually, I have a VALUE PACK of three boxes of bars to give away - three different types! In this value pack you will find a bar to make everyone in the family happy. And the best bit is - there are no nasties. :) (Click on links below to see ingredients for each bar)

WIN!!

The Cocobiotics Bar helps to enhance gut health and digestive balance; it contains multi strain fermented probiotics and organic fibre rich coconut.

The Super Greens and Reds Bar is a nutrient dense multivitamin energy bar packed with essential vitamins and minerals, alkalising greens, antioxidant rich reds, and probiotics. (Click on link to see ingredients)

The Berry Choc Chunk Lunchbox Bar is a favourite with our kids (although the Cocobiotics bar may have just taken its' place!), and they would never know by the taste that it's packed with phytonutrients, bioflavinoids, omegas, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other good-for-you stuff. (Click on link to see ingredients) 

To WIN this great value pack, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post saying that you'd love to try these superfood energy bars. Prize winner will be drawn next Friday night 

(19th July) at 7pm by random drawing, and announced on the blog. Winner will be notified by email, and bars posted to them at no expense to the winner.

And the winner is... comment no. 151: Amber B!

*     *     *     *     *

So how was your week?

Here's what was happening on the Quirky Cooking Facebook Page this week...

FOOD

Mr I's Lime & Coconut Custard recipe - it really is yum!! Link to recipe here.

Great Gluten Free Facebook pages & sites: lots of GF inspiration here.

How to steam bread rolls in the Varoma while cooking soup in the bowl: if you have a Thermomix and haven't tried this, you really should!

Craving bread but it doesn't agree with you? Ideas for bread free satisfaction here!

Healthy School Breakfasts: This question was asked this week on my page, with lots of great answers:

"My husband works at a primary school where there are really big issues with nutrition. Most of the kids don't have breakfast and those that do are seen eating fruit loops and the like. They run a breakfast club where all that is on offer is white toast with nutrient void spreads. The tuck shop is full of hotdogs, potato gems, "chicken" nuggets etc. They have big issues with concentration and behaviour (no wonder, right?!)

Can you think of any good breakfast ideas that could be made (I have a Thermomix) in bulk without too much expense for these kids at the breakfast club? I've thought of wholefood pancakes or chocolate whole food milkshakes? Would be great to get the kids to see that healthy food can be yummy, and to see if they feel better that day too!"

Gluten free, additive free ideas for snacks & lunches: for those not used to cooking gluten free - ideas here.

Pandan leaves: where to get them, how to use them, here.

AND JUST FOR FUN...

So I have been absent a lot on the blog and Facebook, with all my busy-ness and sickness, but I just wanted you to know, I've still been thinking of you...

Hee hee!

Weekly Highlights

This week has been super busy, and although some of you may think I'm Super Woman and keep up with everything effortlessly, I'm not, and I don't. In fact, today I feel a bit like my little nephew after a hard day of being Super Man...

(Isn't he just too cute?)

Yep. That's me right there.

This week has been: school holidays and lots of kids coming and going; an exciting project I'm working on (which I'll tell you about soon); lots of cooking (mostly for the exciting project); wrapping up loose ends with my job (I'm scaling down there - can't do everything!); sight seeing tours with a visitor from overseas; a birthday party with a bunch of noisy boys (plus a few girls who don't like to miss out on nerf wars and messy fun, ie. my 16 yr old and her friends); plus everything else. Result: exhausted 'super woman' with saggy muscles. Lol.

So here's a quick update, with the highlights from our discussions on the Quirky Cooking Facebook page...

I bumbled my way through the boys' birthday BBQ on Thursday. I'm not great at organising amazing kids' parties. I'd rather just supply some food and let them entertain themselves by running around outside, so a BBQ at the lake seemed like the easiest option. Sadly, the weather turned bad so we arrived at the lake, took one look at the wet and windy BBQ 'shelter', then turned around and drove back to town. Thankfully my lovely friend Giselle was happy for a party of 14 boys (plus a few girls) to descend upon her home and run around crazy in her yard, so a fun time was had by all despite the rain.

Of course, being a country kids' birthday party, it included things like an 'epic' nerf war (I borrowed that word from Mr I, who seems to say it a lot), bushwalking to a waterfall, throwing rocks into a volcanic crater, and eating sausages and fried onions in bread with plenty of tomato sauce. No lollies at this party, or party games or party bags - but I'm pretty sure they all had a good time. :)

I managed to get a birthday cake made before dashing out the door in the morning - another Zebra cake (Mr I's request), but with a few changes to make it healthier and yummier. The kids loved it. It's a bit messier than my last one as I was in a hurry, but I really don't think the kids noticed.

It's funny how we mums sometimes think that if we don't do everything 'just right' the world will fall apart. I'm always reminding myself that there are more important things to worry about in life than whether a cake is beautifully decorated, or a party is perfectly organised. Sure, if you can do it and enjoy it, that's great! But getting stressed out over things like that just spoils the fun. So we had a slap dash, informal party, and a fun day was had by all. 

Here's what's been happening on my Quirky Cooking Facebook page this past week... 

FOOD

Pear recipes: This 'Whole Poached Pear Cake' was being tested and tweaked this week in my kitchen. I'm working on a dairy free, grain free version, and although it's not quite there yet, it still tasted delicious! What are you favourite pear recipes? Try some of these out.

Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake: the lovely girls from Confetti Mag shared my cake recipe on their blog - check out the recipe here, and make sure you subscribe to their beautiful online magazine!

I'm also working on a recipe for a gluten free, dairy free shortcrust pastry... lots of pies being cooked here lately! (No one's complaining.) No recipe yet, all part of the 'project'.

Weird breakfasts: I explain why I eat weird things for breakfast, like chicken soup and fried rice, here.

How to make soft eggs, poached in the shell: too easy, very quick, and delicious! Photo and recipe here.

Don't have time for a 'proper' breakfast? My quick protein smoothie recipe.

A very interesting version of my Creamy Chicken & Brown Rice Soup: You know that soup that everyone's making? Well, you may not want to make it like this. Then again, maybe you will, just for fun!! :D

15 foods that can be regrown from scraps: great tips from Mrs Happy Homemaker

Favourite thermomix chicken recipes: Got chicken? Try these!

Trout recipes: some tips and recipes for cooking trout here.

Homemade two minute noodle seasoning mix: healthier versions you can make yourself!

Healthier biscuits to replace Tiny Teddies: some great ideas here for little homemade bikkies for kids, without the nasties.

10 reasons to make your own bone broth: check out this article by Alexx Stuart - I call bone broth 'liquid gold'. 

How to dry ripe olives: tips for drying and perserving olives here.

How to make dairy free dulce de leche with honey to sweeten: a reader's tip!

Homemade fruit chutney: readers' favourite recipes here.

Chilli jam recipes: find some recipes and links here.

Fig jam recipes: made with dried figs - ideas here.

Pickles: I also made pickled cucumber slices this week, so if you're wanting to try them yourself, the recipe is here - first half of recipe is in the comment on the photo, second half of recipe in the last comment on the photo. (These are not sweet pickles, they're the salty, vinegarry type.)

HEALTH

Homemade face masks: no need to spend big bucks on fancy schmancy facial treatments! Try these homemade face mask recipes!

10 reasons you should be using coconut oil: here's why I love coconut oil...

Why sugar makes us sleepy and protein wakes us up: ...and this is why I eat protein at breakfast time!

A reader's experience: how a mum got her daughter have more energy by giving her a protein breakfast before school! Her story here.

Sucrase Isomaltase Deficiency: a disorder that affects a persons ability to breakdown sucrose (fruit/table sugar) and maltose (grain sugar). Donna asked for some recipe ideas, in particular snacks & lunch box treats, for her 5 year old with SID - here's the answers and ideas that were shared.

AND OTHER STUFF

French Rules for Feeding Children: the French are known for having children who will eat all sorts of things - fussy eaters are just about unheard of! Here's some tips for developing great little eaters.

Nut milk bags: what do you use to strain your nut milk? Reader's tips and favourite brands.

How do you store recipes you find online? Here's readers' favourite ways to keep track of recipes they want to make.


Have a great week everyone!

Miss C and Shadow have the right idea...

Weekly Highlights

These Corella pears were one of the highlights of my week - gorgeous aren't they! 

So many interesting things come to my notice each week, and I often find myself wanting to sit down and blog about them... but first the dishes, and the washing, and the home schooling, then the cooking, recipe testing, recipe writing, paperwork, phone calls, emails, answering messages and questions... and suddenly it's past bed time again. Oops.

My usual solution is to dash off little notes and mini recipes to share (with quickly snapped iPhone photos) on Instagram and Facebook throughout the day - phone in one hand, spatula or pen in the other. But then all those interesting questions and answers from readers and links to articles and recipes seem to get lost in Facebook cyberspace... And my favourite photos of the week disappear into the backlog of Instagram photos. 

One of our recent discussions was 'where in the world do you live?' 

I'm on the Atherton Tablelands, in the mountains west of Cairns, 

Far North Queensland, Australia. How about you?

I've decided to share the best discussions, photos, and links here with you each week, so that way they're easier to find again. Then next time someone says, 'What can I cook for my friend who is going into hospital and needs some freezable meals for the family?' I can say, 'There's a whole list of ideas right here!' Good idea? I think so. :)

I know Friday isn't really the end of the week, but it's a day we all look forward to because the weekend is nearly here, right? Therefore, my 'Weekly Highlights' will be shared on Fridays! I hope you enjoy the photos and find the discussions and links helpful.

Happy Friday!

Yep, this is where I live. Just around the corner from my house. Blessed.

PS On Saturdays, I'd love for you all to join in by sharing the highlights of your week (favourite blogs and FB pages, interesting articles, great recipes, best pins on Pinterest...) on my Saturday Shout Out post on my Facebook page. I want hear what you've been reading and enjoying too!

FOOD

Dairy free dulce de leche

I think this recipe was one of the biggest highlights of my week, and made quite a few dairy free people very happy! Pictured here as the topping for a chocolate chip coconut flour brownie. Recipe for dulce de leche is here if you missed it. Also includes a recipe for dairy free condensed milk.

By the way, dulce de leche is awesome on strawberries. You're welcome.

Recipes for citrus fruit

So many great ideas here, for those of you who are overloaded with an abundance of citrus fruit at the moment - and the recipes are not just for food. Check out the cleaning spray!

Winter dinner ideas
Need some ideas for warming winter meals? Plenty of inspiration here. (If you want a particular recipe, just ask!)

How to make your own gluten free flour mix

Here is my recipe for GF flour, for biscuits, slices and cakes. I've also tried it in scones with success. (You won't be able to use it cup for cup in regular yeast bread recipes, stick to gluten free bread recipes.) To make this mix into self raising flour, you just add 1 tsp of baking powder per cup of flour. (1 cup of flour = 150g)

Dry to liquid sugar substitution chart

A handy chart if you're wanting to convert recipes from white sugar to honey, rice malt syrup or pure maple syrup. (Use same amounts for honey and maple syrup.)

Bulk, freezable, cook ahead meals

We all need these now and then - when preparing for a new baby arriving, or to help out a friend who's sick. Plenty of great ideas here for cooking in bulk.

Mexican black bean & chorizo soup

Mexican feast over at Confetti Mag's blog

The Confetti Mag team and I had a bit of fun cooking together, and this week they put up some recipes and photos of our mini Mexican feast on their blog. More recipes to come! Check it out here.

(And if you haven't already, make sure you subscribe to their online magazine - it's beautiful, and free!)


HEALTH

One of the most fascinating things I learnt this week was how coconut oil can help to get rid of candida. I knew it was amazing stuff, but wow! See more on this topic here. 

"I am a walking testimonial to the benefits of a low carbohydrate/ high fat diet with regard to Candida and cystitis. I used to purchase Monistat two or three packages at a time. Now I use lots of coconut oil for cooking and eat plenty of coconut products such as fresh coconut, coconut flakes, and coconut milk. Coconut contains capric/caprylic acid and lauric acid both proven to kill Candida while leaving healthy intestinal flora intact. I was taking a long-term, broad-spectrum antibiotic for chronic cystitis for over two years and now its been two years since I stopped refilling the prescription with no recurrence! By far the most remarkable transformation occurred when I started using coconut oil and simultaneously eliminated skim milk and all soy products from my diet. And I lost weight! – Laura (The Coconut Diet Forums.)"

Ketogenic diet to manage epilepsy 
An interesting discussion here about using diet to manage severe epilepsy, and where to find out more about it.

Fructose malabsorption

I seem to get questions about recipes for those with fructose malabsorption a lot lately. In this post readers have shared ideas for high protein snacks/drinks for someone with fructose malabsorption, who is also dairy intolerant and sensitive to high salicylates and amines! She also can't have potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, sweet peppers, chili peppers, paprika and cayenne pepper.

And here you'll find more ideas for lunchbox and party foods for children with fructose malabsorption.

Low FODMAP diet

For those looking for low FODMAP recipes, here's some links and sites to help you in this post.

INSPIRATION

How to live to 116 years old... 

Love it!! (via the Healthy Home Economist)

Last week's Saturday Shout Out!

Reader's favourite blog posts, articles, sites, pins, FB pages...

I especially found this article on 'How Caffeine Short Circuits Creativity' fascinating! Think twice before you drink coffee to stay alert, if you're trying to think creatively!

My little kitchen

I don't know if you'll find this inspiring, exactly... but I thought you might like to see a glimpse of my home and my little kitchen. People who visit are often surprised that I don't have a big fancy kitchen and yet I do so much cooking and food photography. I'd love a big fancy kitchen... but you make do with what you've got, right? You don't need a big kitchen to cook amazing food. :)

My favourite photo from last week

Just had to share this one. My little girl looking for shells, Kurrimine Beach, FNQ. Taken with my iPhone, as usual. Love it.

And one last photo of those lovely Corella pears, before they get eaten...

I had to laugh... I bought these pears to look at (because I'm unpractical like that sometimes), and posted this arty photo on my FB page, and one of the comments was, 'great for constipation'. LOL! I guess not everyone thinks of pears as art. :D So funny.

Have a great weekend, guys! xx

Dairy Free Condensed Milk & Dulce de Leche

The other day I asked on my Facebook page, "What's something you reeeeaaallly wish you had an allergy-friendly recipe for (and what's the ingredient/s that is stopping you make the original recipe)?" Well. I got lots of comments. Like about 180 of them. And one that was mentioned a few times was dairy free condensed milk, so I thought it was about time I had a go at it.

There are a few dairy free condensed milk recipes online - I had a quick look for Thermomix versions and found this one over at The Thermomix Diaries, which linked back to this one on the Thermomix Recipe Community. Of course, I had to have a play with the recipe to reduce the sugar (too much for me!), change it to a sweetener I prefer, and start with a creamier (dairy free) base instead of milk. And this is what I came up with... So delicious!! 

I've made it a few times now, each time a little different, so here's two different versions - one is just a basic dairy free condensed milk made with bought coconut cream, and the other is a dairy free dulce de leche (caramel) made from homemade coconut cream, inspired by this recipe over at the UK Thermomix FB page. I'm thinking you could use the dulce de leche recipe and just cook it for less time to make a 'from scratch' version of the condensed milk - that will be my next experiment! (Thought I'd better just hurry up and get this posted!!) 

By the way, great news - not once has it boiled over, or even gotten close. I know that's the dreaded danger when you make condensed milk or dulce de leche with cow's milk. (I remember the horror stories my friend Bel told me about the sticky mess all over her countertop and under her Thermomix! Eek!) Cow's milk has a tendency to do this when boiled, but I have never had a problem with dairy free milks and creams. (Hopefully no one proves me wrong!) 

Dairy Free Condensed Milk

Place ingredients in the Thermomix bowl and cook at Varoma temperature for 45 minutes on speed 4, with the rice basket on the lid (instead of the MC) to let the steam out.

- 1000g organic coconut cream (I used 18+% fat Spiral brand)

- 200g pure organic maple syrup

Leave to cool for a bit in the bowl, blend gently again on speed 3-4 for a few seconds (as it sometimes separates a little), then carefully scrape into a glass jar. This recipe will make about 400g, so it can be used to replace a tin of condensed milk in recipes.

[Note: When it's cold in the fridge you may notice little bits of coconut cream flecked through it that have kind of solidified - don't stress, if you whiz it up they disappear. And for most recipes, it wouldn't matter anyway as it will be cooked or blended with other ingredients.]

Okay, and now for the amazing Dairy Free Dulce de Leche!

Dairy Free Dulce de Leche

First make the coconut cream. Because it's going to be cooked anyway, just make raw coconut cream, it's quicker. 

[Note: If you're thinking of making this raw coconut cream to go in your fridge to be used for other things, just be aware that it will separate quite drastically - when you cook it, it stays 'together'. If it's going to be added to a recipe straight away it doesn't matter, but if you like it in your coffee (like I do), cooked is best. (Recipe for cooked coconut cream is here.)]

1. Grind up the coconut for 20 seconds on speed 9.
- 300g organic dessicated or shredded coconut 
(you can buy preservative free coconut from the health food shop)

2. Add water and blend for 1 minute on speed 9.
- 1000g (1 Litre) water

3. Strain coconut milk through a nut milk bag into a bowl, squeezing it out really well to get as much cream as you can. 

[Set the cream aside and tip the coconut pulp back into the Thermomix. Add another 300g water, blend once more for a minute on speed 9, re-strain into a separate bowl, and you have milk for another recipe. Freeze the coconut pulp, and when you have enough you can dehydrate it then grind it up to make coconut flour.]

4. Measure the coconut cream back into the Thermomix bowl. Add other ingredients and cook at Varoma temperature for 55 minutes, speed 4, with the rice basket set on top of the lid (instead of the MC) to let the steam out.
- 1000g (1 litre) of coconut cream
- 200g organic pure maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (not essence)

That's it! Too easy. I was jumping around the kitchen in excitement when I opened the lid of the Thermomix after making this! And if you don't believe me, just ask my taste testers - they all agreed that it was totally amazing and exciting and were very happy they'd happened to stop by for a visit at just the right time!! ;)

This recipe results in about a little over a cup of dulce de leche. Sorry I can't be more definite than that - after eight people sampled it I realised I'd forgotten to weigh out the amount! Ah well, must make it again... :D

My taste testers... and the verdict was YUM!!

(You really should try dulce de leche on warm, freshly baked spelt bread rolls - mmmm!!)

Variations: 

- Try fresh grated coconut (brown skin removed) instead of dessicated coconut for the coconut cream.

- Try a different sweetener - honey, yacon syrup, rice malt syrup, rapadura, coconut sugar... different sweeteners will result in different colours, but they should all work fine. Adjust amount to taste.

- If you can't have coconut, you could use other dairy free milks, but make sure they're thick and creamy enough that you'll get a nice thick result, or just cook for longer if needed.