Colours of Our Dinner

And the sun has finally reemerged from behind a sky filled with clouds, and the warmth heats up the deck for sitting out with a cool glass of lemonade, and its finally warm enough to plan trips out on my friend's boat this weekend. Having lunch up at the cafes seems more of a social event, with walkers and their dogs chatting to each and every person to say their hellos, and the patio fills up with lunchtime guests - all of which who are eager to enjoy as much sun, and as much jovial conversation, as possible.

This week, mum and I have had a little more energy to cook delicious meals for dinner with less early
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Can't Control It

Mother's Day was a big cooking and baking day for me: waking up with dad a little earlier than mum to cook breakfast and have a pot of coffee ready to go with a plate of eggs, getting a head start on a rich and freshly flavoured cheesecake for the evening's dessert quickly after breakfast was eaten and cleared, and just before sitting down for a break, and to write, a whole spread of English tea was prepared and served, including Devonshire clotted cream (although we skipped a step and went ahead with buying the store brand).

Since experimenting with gluten free pancakes and crêpes has become sort of a regular occurrence on the weekends (banana pancakes, maple almond pancakes... To name a few, and of those posted), it didn't seem quite special enough of a meal to make for Mother's Day brunch. Plus, mum's favourite has always been a colourful and flavourful plate of freshly cooked eggs, tomatoes, and mushrooms, and you can almost guarantee a good mood out of her (and if you're lucky, a big hug afterwards) by cooking up an array of flavours in complementing herbs and vegetables with one or two softly cooked eggs. So, with the addition of our own flare in the form of steamed kale, roasted asparagus, and freshly sliced avocados, dad and I cooked for mum, which she could enjoy with a large pot of coffee split between the three of us.

We sat underneath the large bouquet of flowers that my sister and I bought for mum together, the bright pinks and purples of roses and tulips, as well as the green of baby ferns, that cast a colourful glow over the table, and made the house look both bright and cheerful - a welcome contrast from outside: overcast and rainy. It also made mum so appreciative, as she loves flowers in the house, and especially loves receiving a stunning bouquet. To show her affection, she fawned over them, placing them in the perfect jar, and cooing at the colours and the shapes of each flowers petals. Later, as we sat down for dinner, she began again, exclaiming how interesting the feathering was on one particular blossom, a perfect complement to the entire arrangement.

"More wine?" I asked, as she continued. It's a mum thing. 

Now we sit as the rain continues, huddled between packed tables with customers similarly scoping out dry ground from the rain. Orders for soups and hot chillis are flying across the counter, as the lineup builds for those who need something to warm up with - we've had our hands heated by chai lattes and London fogs. It seems odd to have everyone back to bright raincoats and dripping brollies, when only last Friday I sat outside this café in shorts and a tank top. Good thing my driving test is in the next hour. I've got the thunder to keep me company; the rain will clean the road for me as well. 

People are using anything for cover from the rain; a man walks along the sidewalk with a chair over his head, the bright colours almost as apparent as the lady ahead's North Face raincoat. I suppose we weren't the only ones caught by surprise in this rain. People beside us exclaim their mixed views on thunderstorms: some eagerly watching the sky with each clap of sound, and others who look back down into steaming mugs, taking a long sip while the sound passes overhead. 

Personally, I love thunderstorms. I love the excitement of the roaring sky and soon after the bright flicker across the clouds, casting eerie shadows for a moment. However, I'm not sure how to take this storm today; there's no telling at the moment whether its a good or bad sign as I sit nervously before my driving exam. Everything has a reason when you're nervous, and everything may or may hold some clues for what's to come. What will happen in the next hour and a half? I guess I'll just have to see what happens, there's no use worrying about it because I can only do what I am able to do, and the rest is in the examiners hands. 

Oh but how I hate leaving things up to someone else's decision. I want to be the one in control, to decide whether I've done all I need to in preparation for this test. I want to skip this nervousness as well, mainly because its of no benefit to me, or the outcome. Butterflies have never left me with a feeling of confidence, and instead keep me away from caffeine which only makes their little wings flutter more excitably. 

Luckily scones can always keep me from lifting off with the wings of butterflies - and I eye the whole wheat scones in this coffee shop enviously. (I should have brought with me the leftovers from yesterday's tea: not too sweet treats for any occasion).

Orange Cranberry Scones

{Print me here}

The refreshing taste of orange, and the tartness of cranberries make the perfect blend of flavours in these scones, baked with almond meal flour for a nutty taste as well. Everybody loves scones, and scones with the sweetness of fresh orange zest make everyone reach for a second helping. And what makes that second helping more enticing: these scones contain no added sugar, oil, or butter. In fact, they're completely dairy-free. For a vegan option, replace the eggs with an egg replacement (1 tablespoon of ground flax and 2 tablespoons of warm water per egg), and use maple or agave syrup instead of honey. Delicious either way, guaranteed!

Served with a topping of fresh jam (we like ginger peach, given to us by friends, or quince jelly - both adding an alternative flavour, one not masked by the overpowering sugary taste often had by store-bought jams and jellies), and freshly whipped clotted cream, scones bring everyone together to the table for an afternoon tea. Even if that means Skyping family members from across the country - conference calls on Skype could bring everyone from England into our home for afternoon tea.

Not just a favourite for special occasions, although the nice china is required for Mother's Day tea, scones are delicious when served with a large pot of steaming black tea.

{Makes 8 scones}

{Ingredients:}

200 grams almond meal flour
115 grams potato flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1/2 cup dried cranberries

2 eggs
splash of orange extract (it's really not a big deal if you don't have any of this ingredient, instead add another tablespoon of orange zest)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
orange juice as needed

{Directions:}

Preheat the oven to 325° Celsius, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients, mixing well to combine.

Making a well in the centre, add the eggs, orange extract, lemon juice, and honey. Starting in the centre, mix the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir well.

If the batter won't stick, add in a small amount of orange juice at a time, until the mixture just begins to form a large ball.

Cover with plastic wrap and set in the fridge for ten to fifteen minutes - or until cooled.

Forming palm-sized balls, press the scones down onto the palm of your hand, shaping into eight scones, and placing on the baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, careful not to overcook the scones as there won't be much browning on the tops.

Cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and serve.

Enjoy! xx S

A Party of Turkeys

I've tried to make blogging a consistent thing for me, especially with new goals for the upcoming year to stay focused on projects and commitments, but it turns out that stress and things going on really do get in the way. It's been test after test the last week, leaving me without time for cooking, and barely any time for just sitting on the couch to relax.

Usually, I get everything done on the weekend, however last Friday through Sunday each day was filled with jobs to do, and a birthday party one evening! I turned seventeen last week, and for my special day I invited a few of my close friends for a little afternoon tea party. I expected a small little get-together, but to my surprise when I walked in the door, the dining room table was laid with elegant little porcelain teacups and saucers, and two steaming pots of Earl Grey tea - my favourite.

There were six of us seated around the table covered with a red table cloth and a delicious array of mum's gluten-free home baking, from scones with clotted cream and jam to almond macaroons with orange icing sandwiched. There was also a small plate full of traditional English cucumber sandwiches on gluten-free bread - a must for any proper British Teatime.

I was so surprised to see so much baking, and so much delicacy put into my tea party, and it truly made it special to walk in the door to the perfect table setting. It is without a doubt that everyone enjoyed the gluten free treats, and no one hid their shock at everything being gluten free but still so tasty. Instead, the scones, macaroons, and jam filled shortbread cookies, were devoured as cups of tea were refilled continuously, and the kettle remained on for at least an hour.

Just as we thought that mum had been amazing by baking and preparing everything, one of my friends jumped up and pulled something from the fridge - my view was blocked luckily! She hung around in the kitchen for a few moments, before a large chocolate cake was brought over with brightly lit candles and everyone began singing Happy Birthday.

It definitely made it that much more special that I haven't had friends over, or really done anything, for my birthday in a number of years. In the middle of January things always seem to busy to plan a party, and it's usually much easier to pass by another birthday without creating more havoc with the stress of trying to do something. Except, it wasn't like that at all. Mum told me that she would plan the party, and do the baking, and make the tea, and clean the house - "All for me?" I asked.

"Just for you."

The cake which mum made was definitely the best cake I've ever eaten, it was made from real chocolate, and layered with a creamy chocolate coconut icing (we still had a lot of leftover chocolate from Christmas, which everyone was happy to put to good use). I remember when I was little her cakes were always decorated amazingly, one year she made a pink castle cake for a castle themed party, and another made a cake in the shape of a kid in pajamas when I had a pajama party. And this year, because I love chocolate, and asked for a gluten-free party, she made a wonderful, stacked, iced, and decorated chocolate cake that was about as good as you can get. It didn't even deflate after being cooked, and it didn't even crumble.

Everyone was so full after all the tea and baked goods, that we sat around the table chatting and laughing. Mum even said that all she could hear from upstairs at certain points when she took out her headphones was bouts of hysterical laughter, as if we were all caught in fits. We must have sat around that table for about three hours, completely enjoying being around each other and being so comfortable chatting away like gobbling turkeys. Every one of us has known each other from when were at least in preschool, and have grown up together, through elementary school, and now nearly through high school together. It was while looking through my old albums that we realised how close we all are, there are pictures of us all together at my previous birthday parties (the castle party and pyjama party included) and playing at school or at home as well. Each of my friends who came for that tea party found themselves numerously in the albums, and we just laughed more at some of the faces pulled in photographs.

I was in such bliss of being around my friends, all so close to me, and my stomach ached from laughing so hard with them that afternoon.

"Thank you mumma," I whispered after my friends had gone home, "That was the best tea party ever."

Smoked-Cranberry Turkey Balls
Print recipe here.

These were not served at the tea party, but they could be, as a perfect pairing of sweet and sour, these little turkey balls are delicious appetizer-sized meatballs with a cranberry-orange barbecue sauce. Pierce them with toothpicks, and they're perfect for sharing at a party!

Makes 12 turkey balls

Ingredients

Meatballs:

1/2 lb (8-12 oz) ground turkey or shredded turkey leftover from Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner
1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs, such as Glutino brand
1/4 minced onion
2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
1 egg
Salt and pepper

Sauce:

1/3 cup cranberry sauce
2 tbsp smoky hickory or chipotle barbecue sauce
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp gluten-free soy sauce
1 tsp grated orange zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a food processor or large bowl, combine turkey, gluten-free bread crumbs, onion, parsley, egg, salt and pepper.

Form mixture into bite-sized balls, approximately 1 - 1 1/2 inches wide.

Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking oil, such as grape seed, and place the meatballs about 1 inch apart.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through completely. Halfway through cooking time stir meatballs to brown both sides.

Meanwhile, combine cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, lemon juice, soy sauce and orange zest in a small pot. Over medium heat, cook the sauce until the cranberry sauce has melted and the mixture begins to bubble, about 5 minutes.

Remove the meatballs from oven, and transfer to a large pot. Pour the sauce over and stir gently until the meatballs are completely coated in sauce.

Cover and summer over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot.

The Story of the Goose and Orange Oatmeal Muffins

I never used to be one for non-fiction reading, always turning away from mum or dad's, or even my sister's recaps of what historic event had come up during a peruse through a book. I even stopped taking history in school as early as I could because I was never interested in it, and because of that I wasn't willing to study very hard for each test...

However, recently I have been immersed in book after book on the subject of animals, and especially ones that have a behavioural component to them, like why dogs are the why the are. I came upon this story a couple of days ago, and it stuck with me. So after thinking about if for some time, I realised how perfect a description it is of how I think people should act around and with each other, and that's what keeps bringing me back to accounts of animals. Something that we find amazing which an animal does, a dog saving a humans life from a raging river, or more simply, a cat comforting a person who is upset, are all important morals and emotions which we value, but may not practice daily. What if everyone really did help out one another as much as they could at the time?

Unfortunately, the author was not stated and remains unknown, however, I'd still like to share this, after all, Christmas is a time of giving and sharing among each other, and it rapidly approaches.

When you see geese flying south in the fall as winter comes along, flying along in a 'V' formation, I recommend that you consider why such a pattern in created in such perfect harmony of all the birds.

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following immediately behind. By flying in this 'V' formation, the whole flock add at least seventy-one percent more flying range than if each bird flew on its own. 

People, like these geese, can get where they're going more quickly and much easier when travelling with the help of one another by sharing a common direction and a sense of community. 

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of oncoming winds as it tries to fly alone ... So quickly, it must get back into formation to take advantage of the power caused by the lifting stream cast behind by the bird in front.

If we have as much sense of each other as the goose, perhaps we will stay in formation with those who are headed in the same way, and can offer guidance and support along that path.

 As flying continues, the head goose begins to tire, and will rotate back in the wing and allow another goose to replace it as point.

It is sensible to rotate in and out of demanding jobs just like the goose, a habit people should also consider in our daily lives.

 Furthermore, the geese who follow behind the point flyer, will honk in encouragement to those ahead of them to keep up the speed. Isn't that much better than complaining or competing to get up front all the time? Instead, encouraging and assisting those around us will benefit everyone with far greater return.

Finally - and this is important in the habits of geese - when one flyer becomes either sick or wounded from a gunshot causing it to fall from formation, two other geese will fall out with that goose to follow it down to safety and lend help and protection throughout. These two will stay with the fallen goose until it can safely return to flying on its own, or until it dies. Only then will they launch back into the sky on their own or to tether behind another formation in the hopes of catching up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other in the same way, and in the same manner; elegant and unceremoniously.

Gluten-Free Orange Oatmeal Muffins
Print recipe here.

With the fruity fragrance from orange juice and a little extra flavouring, plus the added nutrients of oatmeal in these little muffins, they're sweet and tasty, and will fill your entire kitchen with warm smells of baking.

Another added bonus is how quick they are to bake - after a little soaking of the oats to make sure they hold as much orange flavour!

Makes about 14 muffins.

Ingredients

1 c gluten-free oats (I used Bob's Red Mill for these ones!)
1 c pure orange juice
1 c boiling water

1/2 c butter
1/2 c brown sugar

1 egg
1 tsp orange flavouring

1 1/2 c gluten free flour mix
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with reusable or paper muffin cups. Set aside.

In a bowl pour the orange juice and boiling water over the oats and set aside for 15 minutes, there will be some leftover water, but this will make your muffins lovely and moist!

In another bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer. Beat in the egg and add the orange flavouring.

Pour in the oats and beat once, quickly.

In another bowl, (might be a bit of clean-up here, but just tell someone in your family the goose story, and maybe they'll help!) combine the dry ingredients; flours, baking powder and soda, salt, and nutmeg.

Mix, and pour into the wet ingredients. The batter should be wet, however should not be runny.

Spoon the mixture into the muffin cups and place into the centre of the oven.

After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and bake for a further 5 - 10 minutes, or until a knife (or toothpick) inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Cool before serving.

**A Quick Note: If you don't have any orange flavouring (it comes in a little bottle like vanilla extract), try grating half the rind of an orange and adding it in after the dry ingredients, the result may be a slightly different texture - however you'll still get the flavouring at a much cheaper price!