Quick Fancy Dessert!

Having guests over and you don't have much time to whip up a fancy dessert? Or maybe you just want to enjoy something sweet at home without having to put in much effort. My 'Quick Fancy Dessert' is so easy that you'll be treating yourself to a great looking sweet treat more often than not! 

Here is one of the versions we enjoy after a nice dinner at home, feeling like we just ordered off the dessert menu :)

Ingredients:
Ice cream of your choice, chocolate mousse, fresh fruit pieces of your choice, wafer biscuit of your choice.

Make:
Use a martini glass or wine glass to give the 'fancy' dessert feel, scoop in some ice cream followed by chocolate mousse. 
Add your fruit pieces on the side then place your favourite wafer biscuit to complete the look. 
If desired, you can sprinkle some cake decorations on top (as seen here).

Takes 2 minutes and enjoyed thoroughly shared together your favourite people!

A little girl's favourite accessory!

Being a Mum of a little fashionista toddler who loves to dress and act like a Princess each and everyday, I am finding myself forever finding her new accessories to keep her smiling! Not to mention, accessories that do not cost a heap, as chances are she will get bored and be looking for something different within a week.

One thing I've learnt is that a simple HEADBAND is what keeps her happy, as I have also seen with other toddler girls. Nothing is as easy a cute little headband to match with the outfit for the day! 

Here's our headband look of the day :)

Spicy Vegetable Stack with Chilli Chickpeas

Roasted vegetables & crisp pastry stacked with tomato and onion relish, with a generous serving of pan fried chilli infused chickpeas....now this is what I call a party in your mouth! So many unique flavours coming togethter to make one delicious, healthy and hearty meal.

My Spicy Vegetable Stack was thoroughly enjoyed and here's how easy it is to create this wonderful dish!

 

Ingredients for two stacks: 
1 potato, 1 zucchini, 1 capsicum, 1/4 pumpkin, 2 tomatoes, 1 onion, 200 grams cooked chickpeas, chilli flakes, salt, few spoons oil for pan frying, 1 sheet puff pastry sheet cut into small portions.
   
Make:
Lightly pan fry with chilli flakes, all vegetables cut into large pieces until cooked but still crispy. Add salt as required.

To make tomato relish, simply cook chopped onion and tomatoes together and add salt (and chilli powder if required) for flavour.

On an oven bake tray, lay down first piece of puff pastry, then stack various vegetables on top followed by tomato relish then another piece of puff pastry etc. Use a bamboo skewer to hold the stack in place. Place completed stacks in oven at 160deg, until you can see the puff pastry is crisp and well baked (should take about 20 minutes).

To make chilli chickpeas, pan fry chopped onions, chilli flakes and cooked chickpeas until you achieve the char-grilled look.

Prepare your plate with your Spicy Vegetable Stack, chilli chickpeas and salad, as seen in our photo above. Enjoy!!

Pav Bhaji - Crispy bread with spicy topping

A very popular Indian street food and sure to please even the fussiest of eaters with its beautiful blend of spice, vegetables and bread. Pav Bhaji is so quick and easy to prepare and can be enjoyed as a snack or main meal. With a squeeze of fresh lemon, its sure to make mouths water!

Ingredients: 
Bread rolls of your choice, peas, carrots and potatoes cut into small cubes, lots of fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped onions, chilli, cumin seeds, salt, pav bhaji masala, few tablespoons oil, fresh lemon and butter for topping.


Make: 
In a pan heat oil and add cumin seeds, chilli, onion and lightly fry.
Add all of the chopped vegetables and cook for 10 minutes, adding as much tomato paste as needed to make a nice gravy. Also add during this process, the pav bhaji masala, salt and some butter.
'Bhaji' is ready!

Spread butter generously on bread rolls and roast on a pan until mildly crisp. 
'Pav' is ready! 

Serve as in photo, enjoy hot with a dash of lemon.

Mini Mango Madness!

Mangoes...hearing it brings a wonderful imagination of sweet and sour tenderness. The best thing about this gorgeous fruit is its versatility in desserts, blending in perfectly with so many sweets. 

Here's a super quick mini dessert that is sure to cure your mango madness and that of your guests, if you plan to serve these beauties as your sweet ending!

Ingredients:
Fresh mango (fresh always tastes better than canned pulp), fresh cream, 4 or 5 biscuits of your choice.

Make:
Grind your biscuits into a fine powder, spoon into shot glasses as the first layer. Place a few spoons of mango pulp on top as the second layer. Finish off with fresh cream.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes and enjoy your cool Mini Mango Madness!