Chimichurri Quinoa Salad |vegetarian | gluten free

The star of this hearty summer salad is most definitely the dressing. A triple-threat of bright and flavoursome herbs with a splash of lime juice this chimichurri inspired dressing soaks into every bite and unites all the other ingredients in summery perfection.Chris and I arrived in New Orleans after a very long day of travelling. Our lovely Air BnB host Georgia recognised two weary and hungry travellers and took us on a tour of the neighbourhood, which ended at the gorgeous St. Roch Market.If you are staying anywhere in the St. Roch neighbourhood or nearby, you need to stop by the marketplace. Walking inside you are welcomed by a line up of vendors on either side of the historic building each offering a different taste experience or regional cuisine. Chris fell in love with the ‘Dirty Mac and Cheese’, which features smoked gouda, crawfish, and bacon. My heart, however, belonged to the team at JuiceNOLA from the very first bite of their Greek Goddess Salad. When I tasted their Chimi Chimi Bang Bang Salad for lunch one day, and had to return for a second round at dinnertime that night, I knew I had to find a way to keep getting this salad in my face when I returned home.

The base of this salad is quinoa and your favourite green. I used oak leaf lettuce because I have a serious leafy green crush on it that will never end. To this you add butter beans. The team at JuiceNOLA used black beans so mix it up as you wish. The magic is in the dressing. Chimichurri is essentially a mix of parsley, coriander, chives, and basil with a spark of bright acidic sharpness and garlic. It is absolutely what makes this salad such a stand-out.The magic dressing aside, there are just so many bits and pieces in this salad that make every nibble unique and moreish. Into our solid base of quinoa + greens + beans we add chopped roasted capsicums and a healthy dose of pumpkin seeds. Toss everything together with the dressing and make sure all the nooks and crannies are coated in green deliciousness, and then top the bowl with avocado and feta. I may not be in New Orleans anymore, but I can bring some JuiceNOLA magic to work in my lunchbox everyday!

Chimichurri Quinoa Salad

Vegetarian | Gluten Free | Serves 3 generously | Leftovers will keep for up to two days in an airtight container in the refrigerator

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 2 cups low sodium vegetable stock
• 1/2 head of oak leaf lettuce (or 4 cups of your favourite greens)
• 400 gram can butter beans, drained and rinsed well
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted capsicum
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
• 1 medium avocado
• 1/3 cup crumbed feta

For the chimichurri dressing

• 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/3 cup fresh coriander leaves
• 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or use oil from roasted capsicums)

Method

1. Rinse quinoa thoroughly and place in a medium saucepan with vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then cover with the saucepan lid and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes then remove from the heat and let the quinoa stand, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Cool to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.
2. While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the dressing. Place basil, coriander, parsley, chives, lime juice, garlic, and olive oil into the bowl of a small food processor. Process until everything is finely chopped and then pulse until pureed.
3. To assemble the salad place cooled quinoa, lettuce, butter beans, roasted capsicum, pumpkin seeds and dressing into a large bowl. Pour chimichurri dressing over the top and then toss gently but thoroughly until everything is well mixed and coated in dressing.
4. Thinly slice the avocado and place on top of the salad. Crumble feta over salad and serve.

Mocha Banana Buckwheat Granola | gluten free | vegan

Mornings are hard. Let’s all acknowledge that and move on because I have found the solution: make a breakfast that you can’t wait to leap out of bed to eat! Cue my latest, and greatest, granola recipe: Mocha Banana Buckwheat Granola! Get those bowls and spoons ready folks!I got very excited in a health food store the other day. I’m sad to report that this happens quite often, and not just in health food stores. The abundance of awesome new ingredients to try in a different grocery store has me busting into rhyme, and the taste of the first sweet summer peaches can induce worrisome dancing. If you’ve been around me and food, you have seen some manifestation of the excitement that comes from me finding something tasty or new. Anyway, what had me excited this particular afternoon was the discovery of buckwheat flakes! As in, buckwheat kernels that have been rolled into wholesome oat-like flakes, but not oats! As soon as I had a box in my hot little hands I just knew that I wanted them to feature in a new granola recipe.This gluten free, vegan granola recipe is an absolute winner and probably my best granola recipe ever. Ever. Just look at those clumps! I love chunky, clumpy granola and this recipe is perfection! It starts with a base of super gluten free grains. The aforementioned buckwheat flakes, which behave like oats in this recipe and provide a super stable base to build on, are joined by buckwheat groats (for super crunch), and raw quinoa. So much the crunch.To these grains of goodness (actually, both buckwheat and quinoa are seeds) we add walnuts, chia seeds, mashed banana, a touch of maple syrup, cocoa powder, and a dash of instant espresso powder because some mornings we need to put the coffee in our breakfast as well. Granola is one of the best things to make for yourself. Not only do you save money but you can customise it to suit your tastebuds. This granola was exactly what my tastebuds wanted. It’s crunchy and interesting, every bite brings something different. There’s crispy bits and the slightly chocolaty binding holding it all together and it’s a not too sweet a start to your morning. I paired mine with tart protein-rich Greek yoghurt and some sweet seasonal blueberries. It’s also great for snacking on, or for dessert with a sneaky square or two of dark chocolate.

Come on folks, take back your mornings and get a great start with my Mocha Banana Buckwheat Granola!

Mocha Banana Buckwheat Granola

Gluten free | Vegan | Makes about 5 cups | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Note: If you do not require a gluten free diet, or you can buy certified gluten free oats where you live, you can substitute the buckwheat flakes for 1 cup of rolled oats.

Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat flakes (see note)
• 1 cup buckwheat groats (kernels)
• 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 cup walnut halves
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 large banana, mashed (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons rice bran oil (or melted coconut oil)
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee powder
• 1/2 cup banana chips (about 100 grams)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 160C (320F) and line a large, rimmed, baking sheet with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl mix together buckwheat flakes, buckwheat groats, quinoa, walnuts, chia seeds, salt, cinnamon, and cocoa powder until very well mixed.
3. In a small bowl whisk together mashed banana, oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and instant coffee powder until very well blended.
4. Pour wet mixture over dry blend and mix well with a wooden spoon until there are no pockets of dry mixture.
5. Spread out over the lined baking sheet and press down slightly with the back of the wooden spoon. This will help the clumps to form.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Switch the position of the tray halfway through baking time to ensure everything browns evenly.
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
8. Once cooled, break into clumps and mix banana chips through the granola.
9. Store or serve and enjoy!

If you are looking for more granola inspiration check out these delicious nibbles around the ‘net:

• Pumpkin Spice Granola from Grain Changer
• Apple Quinoa Granola from Fresh April Flours
• Oatmeal Cookie Granola from Joy the Baker
• Cranberry Orange Granola from Cookie + Kate
• Vanilla Almond Granola from Sally’s Baking Addiction
• Homemade Almond, Cranberry & Coconut Oil Granola from Bake Play Smile

Nourished Life Gratitude List 2015 – Week Forty-Four

I can’t believe it’s been a full week since we were on holidays. I’m not finding it hard to be back into normal life though because every part of the holiday was perfect in its own crystalline quality and exists as a beautiful memory of experience and emotion. I can’t wait to share our photos with you in some future posts, but for now there was a lot to be grateful for in our week of returning to normal life. Here is my Nourished Life Gratitude List 2015 – Week Forty-Four:Monday: Today we landed back in Brisbane! I was grateful to Mum and Jess for meeting us at the airport with big hugs and congratulations. When we got home we discovered that Mum had sewed me a beautiful Halloween apron and she and Dad had created cute and spooky Halloween decorations for us! I’m grateful that they were so thoughtful when they heard that we weren’t able to stay for Halloween in the USA.Tuesday: Back to work today! I was grateful to catch-up with my workmates and congratulate our two new dads in the office. There is so much to celebrate in life when you remember that the ordinary is always extraordinary.

Wednesday: This afternoon I was grateful for pushing myself just a little and making it to the gym for a run. I’m trying to keep my holiday exercise streak alive and tonight’s 8km run was absolutely perfect. So was the aftermath of lying on the couch watching Ice Road Truckers and nibbling on some Hershey’s Kisses 😉Thursday: I had the most lovely surprise today when my friends at work Jess and Chris brought me back a huge and lovely arrangement of flowers to congratulate Chris and I on our engagement. I am so grateful and touched that they would give us such a lovely gift of well-wishing.Friday: Today Jess and I resumed our Friday lunch dates – I missed them while I was away and I was grateful to talk about holidays and weddings and all the good things. After work I went for a sweet and sweaty Friday night run before getting back to my kitchen for a serious baking session! I am so excited for all the wonderful holiday and summer foods coming up – and to create recipes inspired by my holidays to share with you all. Saturday: This morning Mum and Jess and I made our return to the farmer’s markets where we feasted on gluten free bagels and coffee and stocked up on lots of fresh fruit and vegetables for the week. I was grateful to spend a few hours with my ladies to start the weekend. Fuelled up on bagel I had a fast and brilliant 10km run and spent a few hours in my kitchen. Tonight Chris and I joined the family for some Halloween fun! We got dressed up (I make a very convincing witch apparently) and spent a few hours having spooky fun with kids of all ages with Dad’s exciting Halloween display. I’m so grateful to have a family who really gets into the spirit of celebrations of all kinds. It was so much fun on a Saturday night. Sunday: Today I had a well-deserved sleep in before a short sunny walk and then – brunch! Caroline and I enjoyed a brunch date in the sun at our corner cafe before she had to get back to marking high school home economics assignments (no fun!). I was grateful for a few hours of talking and catching up. This afternoon I have an important date with my couch, and then perhaps a little more work in the kitchen 😉 

Also this week:

• I recreated one of my childhood favourites with this easy gluten free slice.
• This towering peanut butter and chocolate creation was a hit with all of my workmates and I’m sure you’ll love it too!

Chocolate Layer Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting | gluten free

A slice of moist gluten free double-layer devil’s food chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting is hard to resist. So get ready to dig in! This year for Halloween instead of making spooky-themed treats (which I love by the way) I wanted to share with your desserts and treats influenced by my favourite childhood sweets. Hence: honeycomb, cherry ripe, and caramel popcorn. Now for the ultimate in all decadences, and a dessert influenced by our collective obsession: chocolate and peanut butter.This cake is based on a recipe that I have made many, many, many times in it’s gluten-ful incarnation. I was a little apprehensive in adapting it because, let’s be honest, sometimes things are lost in the translation from gluten-ful to gluten free. I weighed, creamed, mixed, poured, and then waiting. When the cake was cooked and cooled I levelled the tops and taste tested the scraps of cake. Perfection. Just the same bouncy, tender, moist crumb. The same cocoa intensity. Exactly as I had remembered, now friendly for us gluten free folks. We can have our cake and eat it too!

As with any cake making expedition, here are my top tips:

• Make sure your butter is softened.
• Bring your eggs to room temperature because they will whip better this way and give your cake the right light, airy texture.
• Whisk your dry ingredients together (or sift them) very well to ensure no lumps and to make sure your leavening ingredient (in this case baking soda) is evenly distributed.
• Lick the spoon. Obvi.

Two perfect layers of devil’s food cake are sandwiched together here with salty-sweet peanut butter frosting. Oh my Reeses. I could eat a bowl of this frosting all by itself. Who am I kidding. I probably have eaten a bowl of this frosting by itself once or twice in my baking life. I use chunky (or super chunky when I can find it) peanut butter in this frosting because I love the texture the chunks of peanut adds to the smooth, buttery frosting. You could use smooth but you do it at your own risk. Team Chunky all the way.
This cake is nothing but simple, classic, perfection layered together. This gluten free devil’s food cake is moist, tender, and deeply chocolaty. A classic chocolate cake that is perfect for birthday, Halloween, and every cake requiring celebration in between. This is a gluten free layer cake that you can be proud of, and that I want you to have fun with. Not interested in peanut butter frosting? Firstly, who are you? Secondly, try a classic chocolate frosting, or a white chocolate frosting, or contrast the chocolate with a smooth vanilla buttercream. Take this gluten free cake and make it your own!

Chocolate Layer Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Gluten free | Serves 12

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 3/4 cup Greek yoghurt
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 120 grams buckwheat flour
• 100 grams white rice flour
• 100 grams brown rice flour
• 100 grams sorghum flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 300 grams butter, softened
• 2 cups (400 grams) caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

For the frosting

• 150 grams butter, softened
• 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 500 grams icing sugar (gluten free)
• Shaved chocolate for decorating (optional)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180C (350F) and butter and line two round 8-inch cake tins with baking powder. Set aside until required.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together cocoa, warm water and Greek yoghurt until very smooth.
3. In another medium mixing bowl whisk together buckwheat flour, white rice flour, brown rice flour, sorghum flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. In the bowl of a standmixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl using a handmixer) beat together butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy, about three minutes.
5. Add eggs one at a time and beat until well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl between additions. Mix in vanilla.
6. Turn your mixer to low speed and mix in flour in two parts alternating with the cocoa mixture. Beat until combined.
7. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the tops of the cakes spring back when lightly touched and a wooden skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
8. Remove cakes from the oven and cool completely before frosting.
9. To make the frosting: beat butter and peanut butter and light and creamy. Add remaining ingredients and beat until light and fluffy, about three minutes.
10. Trim tops of cakes so that they are flat. Place one layer on your cake plate or stand. Frost with 1/3 of the peanut butter frosting. Place other cake cut side down on top of the bottom layer and then frost the cake with remaining frosting. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate if using.
11. Serve. If not serving refrigerate until required. Take out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving.

Cherry Ripe Slice | gluten free

Cherry and coconut filling coated in dark chocolate atop a cocoa biscuit base. It’s everything you love about a Cherry Ripe bar in gluten free baked form! Get out a cold glass of milk and put your feet up with a slice of this delight by your side!Cherry ripes were not one of my favourite chocolate bars as a little kid, but when I got to high school I took a liking to them. There’s something a little naughty sweet about the sweet cherry coconut filling coated in dark chocolate. It’s the perfect chocolate bar for a teenage girl. And it’s actually one of the oldest chocolate bars sold in Australia! There’s your Random Australian Fact for the day. This slice is just like a cherry ripe bar met a biscuit and they became friends. Delicious, delicious friends. These bars start off with a very simple biscuit base that is pressed into a tin and partially baked. Then you chop up pretty pink glace cherries and mix them together with sweet condensed milk, and shredded and dessicated coconut and bake it for a little while until the condensed milk caramelises slightly on top. Once this naked cherry ripe bar (ooh) has cooled the bar is topped with molten semi-sweet chocolate. Just look at those swirls.I could not get enough of this slice. I loved the not-so-sweet biscuit topped with the sweet and sticky cherry-coconut filling and the deeply dark chocolate coating. Paired with a cold glass of almond milk this is the afternoon delight I would choose after a long sticky summer run. This would also be the perfect treat for boardgame night. It’s a little more of a grown-up’s treat than a treat for kids given the dark chocolate and it’s just so moreish. Give yourself a treat this weekend and leave the mini chocolate bars for the kids. I know I’ll be sneaking a few slices while I’m scaring little trick-or-treaters!

Cherry Ripe Slice

Gluten Free | Makes 16 squares

Ingredients

For the base

• 125 grams butter, softened
• 1/3 cup caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 large egg
• 30 grams (1/4 cup) cocoa powder
• 80 grams buckwheat flour
• 40 grams brown rice flour
• 40 grams white rice flour

For the filling

• 200 grams glace cherries
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup dessicated coconut
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut

For the topping

• 150 grams dark chocolate

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 160C (320F) and line an 8-inch square baking tin with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl beat together softened butter, caster sugar, and vanilla essence until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat well.
3. In a small bowl whisk together cocoa powder, buckwheat flour, white rice flour and brown rice flour.
4. Add flours to wet ingredients and mix until well combined into a sticky dough. Place dough into the lined baking dish and use the back of a spoon to press the mixture into the tin. Ensure it is as level as possible.
5. Bake base in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Then remove and allow to cool slightly.
6. Use a small food processor to finely chop glace cherries.
7. Place cherries, condensed milk, and both coconuts and mix well.
8. Spread filling over the base evenly.
9. Bake filling for 20 minutes or until the top is slightly browned.
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before topping with chocolate.
11. Chop dark chocolate roughly and place in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second bursts, stirring well with a metal spoon between microwave bursts until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
12. Spread melted chocolate over the cooled slice.
13. Chill until chocolate is completely set and then use a very sharp knife to cut into squares.

Salted Caramel Popcorn and White Chocolate Chip Cookies | gluten free

We are nibbling our way around Las Vegas at this very moment, but oh the memories of this cookie are lingering, and I’m planning on a batch as soon as we get home.

Chewy gluten free cookies full of salted caramel popcorn morsels and sweet white chocolate chips. These are a combination of two of my favourite childhood treats!Have you ever had the pleasure of eating Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs? If you haven’t, I’m sorry, but I do hope you have your own favourite sticky, caramel-coated popcorn treat. Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs were an 80s favourite, but they’ve never gone out of style.

For these cookies I made my own salted caramel popcorn because it’s super, super easy (that’s dangerous knowledge for our waistlines I know) and then I mixed it into chewy, brown sugary, buttery, cookie dough with some white chocolate chips. The caramel popcorn coating melts slightly as the cookies bake creating pools of sticky salted caramel perfection. Drooling.I sent these home with my Mum and Dad to thank them for being our taxi to and from the airport. A day later I got a photo of the empty container. All gone. Yes, they are that good. And my parents have a sweet tooth. See! It’s genetic! Every butter, caramel-soaked, white chocolate studded fantasy you have is answered in these cookies. And I only got to eat one. One. And my house smelled like these cookies for days. If you aren’t into scented candles or air-spray contraptions, just bake a batch of these. You will drive your neighbours wild. And probably find yourself sneaking to the cookie jar for just one more…Bite into this cookie and your teeth first meet chewy cookie dough, then crunchy popcorn pieces, super sweet chocolate chips and, if you are lucky, a little pool of molten caramel. Be generous with these cookies. Share the happiness and gobble up some of this biscuits of bliss! Although, it is totally acceptable to hoard the whole batch for yourself and eat them while hiding in your closet with a good book and a glass of cold milk. I won’t tell anyone.

Salted Caramel Popcorn and White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten free | Makes about 18 cookies | Preparation Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to four days.

Tip: to make these extra quick you can use pre-made caramel popcorn.

Warning: this recipe involves melting sugar. Molten sugar is incredibly hot. BE CAREFUL when handling the caramel and if making this with kids be sure to keep little fingers out of the way. Take it from someone who had third-degree burns from making caramel, okay?

Ingredients

For the salted caramel popcorn

• 4 cups air-popped popcorn
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 50 grams butter
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

For the cookies

• 50 grams sorghum flour
• 50 grams buckwheat flour
• 40 grams brown rice flour
• 35 grams white rice flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 120 grams butter, softened
• 1/2 cup caster sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180C (350F) and line two baking trays with baking paper.
2. First, make the popcorn. Place the air-popped popcorn into a large mixing bowl.
3. Place sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. The sugar will begin to melt in a few minutes. Gently shake the pan to mix the molten sugar around the pot. When it starts turning a deep honey colour remove from the heat and whisk any un-melted sugar until it dissolves.
4. Add butter and whisk until is incorporated. Add salt. Pour caramel over popcorn and use two wooden spoons to toss and mix the popcorn until it is coated in the caramel mixture. Do not use your hands as the sugar will be incredibly hot. Set popcorn aside to cool while you make the cookie batter.
5. Weigh sorghum flour, buckwheat flour, brown rice flour, white rice flour, and baking soda into a medium mixing bowl and whisk them until well combined.
6. In the bowl of a standmixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl using a handheld mixer) beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about three minutes.
7. Add egg and vanilla and beat until well incorporated.
8. With mixer on low speed add whisked dry ingredients and mix until incorporated.
9. Using a wooden spoon mix in popcorn and white chocolate chips.
10. Using your hands form heaped tablespoonfuls of batter into balls and place on prepared baking trays. Leave about 6cm between cookies to allow for spreading. You may need to bake the cookies in two batches depending on the size of your baking sheets.
11. Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes or until they are spread out and the edges are golden. These cookies will still be incredibly soft when they come out of the oven. This accounts for the chewiness. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the trays before removing and serving or storing.

Homemade Honeycomb | gluten free

We’re in New Orleans at the moment experiencing all the delight of the bayou and Bourbon St. I left these with my sister when I left…I wonder if she’s saved me any…

Sweet crystals of honey delight! Make your own honeycomb at home with just a few simple ingredients and have fun decorating it just the way you want! I am not exaggerating when I say that chocolate coated honeycomb contributed to my good report cards in high school. Violet Crumble bars, strawberries, and almonds dipped in Nutella (try it, but don’t blame me…) were what fuelled my late night study of religion essays, math assignments, chemistry calculations, and Japanese vocab memorisations. Whenever end of term came round Mum knew to stock up on Violet Crumble and strawberries and make sure my little dog Tex stayed inside while I worked late into the night. Thanks Mum.I’ve always loved honeycomb. The way it shatters. The sticky, pure sugar sweetness. And most of all, the chocolate coating. Now, in Australia there is a division between Crunchie people and Violet Crumble people. I am a Violet Crumble girl myself. Unfortunately most chocolate-coated honeycomb bars include both wheat and gelatine. No bueno. Enter: my kitchen and a little bit of really awesome chemistry! See Mama, those late night sessions didn’t go to waste!Honeycomb is essentially a heated sugar syrup with most of the moisture removed by boiling it for a long time to a high temperature. When you add the baking soda to the hot syrup it is forced to break down quickly and carbon dioxide molecules are released in bubbles. These bubbles become trapped in the sugar syrup that has formed long threads of crystals, hence the light, airy, bubbly texture of honeycomb. Sweet, sweet science. Making honeycomb at home is a great way to teach kids about science!

Now, let me issue my warning: this recipe involves heating sugar syrup to high temperatures and is therefore not suitable for small children to make on their own. Be very careful when you make this candy treat so that you can enjoy it at home, and not in the hospital. With that warning out of the way. Let me say: making honeycomb at home is totally worth it. You only need a few inexpensive ingredients, a large pot, a massive baking tray, and a candy thermometer. I picked mine up at out local grocery store for under $10.

I had so much fun making and eating this favourite childhood treat and then I decided that the only way to up the ante was to decorate it with sprinkles! Because sprinkles make even the best treats even better! Try this for some homemade trick-or-treating fun or as gifts for friends! Just remember to brush your teeth afterwards 🙂

Homemade Honeycomb

Gluten free | Makes: A LOT. Seriously, if you aren’t prepared to eat honeycomb for a ages, or give it away, then make a half batch.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 200 grams chocolate, roughly chopped
• Sprinkles to decorate, optional

Method

1. Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet by lining it with baking paper. Spray with cooking oil or spray to make removal of the honeycomb easier. Make sure your baking sheet is at least 20 x 12 inches. Or prep two smaller baking sheets.
2. Place white sugar, honey, water and golden syrup into a large saucepan. Warm over a low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has melted.
3. Increase temperature to high and bring the sugar syrup to boiling point. The mixture will rise in the pan while it is boiling. Cook without stirring at all until the temperature reads 154C (309F) on your candy thermometer. This is hard crack stage. Be very careful around the syrup.
4. Remove from the heat and allow the bubbles to reduce then add baking soda. Quickly stir the baking soda in. The mixture will begin to bubble immediately.
5. Working quickly spread the honeycomb over your lined baking sheet. It will continue to bubble and foam so place it on some newspaper on your kitchen bench just in case.
6. Allow the honeycomb to cool completely.
7. Break honeycomb into large shards.
8. Melt chocolate by placing it into a microwave-proof bowl and heating in 30 second blasts, stirring well in between with a metal spoon, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
9. Coat honeycomb shards using a spoon and decorate with sprinkles if using.

Books to Read on a Plane, or a Train, or an Automobile

We are doing a bit of travelling at the moment! As you read this we are getting ready to make our way to Philadelphia to meet up with some dear friends. I find travelling to be a great time to really sink my teeth into a new read or an old favourite. I love hanging out in airport bookshops while I’m waiting for a flight. If you are planning a getaway you might want to pick up a new read yourself (my current plane read: The Girl with All the Gifts). Here are some of my top recommendations for books to read on a plane, or in a train, or anywhere you might find yourself in-transit. I’ve divided them into my own whimsical categories, of course.

Tell me a tale: cracking good reads with a hint of magical realism.

• Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (formerly reviewed here)
• The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (formerly reviewed here)
• The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
• The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth
• The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (translated by Alison Anderson)

Fantastical Fantasy

• All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness (A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, The Book of Life)
• His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman 

Non-Fiction Fancies

• The Brain that Changes Itself by Dr. Norman Doidge
• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
• In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

Airport Favourites 

• Nora Roberts. My picks: Whiskey Beach, The Search, Black Hills, Northern Lights.
• Monica McInerney. My pick: The Alphabet Sisters.
• Michael Crichton. My pick: Prey (seconded by Chris on this one).
• Bill Bryson. My picks: A Walk in the Woods, Notes from a Small Island.

Tell me dear reader what are your favourite books for when you are travelling?

My other dirty secret: when I’m flying is the only time I let myself buy a stack of magazines. My usual picks: Scientific American, Time, Outdoor Magazine, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Cooking Light. And sometimes, People….

Pistachio Chai Muffins | Gluten Free

Today we are spending the day with our friends Lynn and Matt in Philadelphia! But I remembered to bake you a few delicious morsels that you could enjoy while Chris and I are off on our grand USA adventure! Today I’m bringing you these tender, spiced muffins studded with creamy pistachios. My latest career aspiration: become The Muffin Woman. You know, the one who lives on Drury Lane? Okay, I don’t live on Drury Lane, but maybe I can become The Muffin Woman. Or the muffin and cookie woman? Or the muffin, cookie, and way-too-many-quinoa-salads woman? I think I’ll just stick with Moonlighting Food Blogger Woman. Who also happens to make lots of muffins. Because make muffins I do.I baked these beauties one Friday night in anticipation of a sweet, slow breakfast the next morning. The smell of baking spice and brown sugar wafting through the house was so tempting – and I managed to only gobble one of them down when they came out of the oven. The combination of creamy pistachios and hearty spiced chai is delightful and these muffins are definitely better on the second day. The spices settle and become more pronounced when they are cooled down, and the tops become slightly crispy-chewy while the crumb stays moist, fluffy, and soft. The chai taste here comes not from a mix of spices, but directly from the tea bag! You just cut open two chai tea bags and add them directly to the batter – direct flavour delivery!While these muffins taste decadent, they are actually secretly healthy! There’s only 1/3 cup of brown sugar and 3 tablespoons of oil in the whole recipe! The secret to great-tasting healthier muffins is to amp up the spice factor, and these Pistachio Chai Muffins deliver! They are also kept moist by a healthy dose of Greek yoghurt in the batter – another healthy muffin making secret. Pistachios are one of my favourite nuts, and these creamy green delights are both mixed into the batter and sprinkled on top. Put the kettle on my friends, pour yourself some chai and make a batch of muffins today!

Pistachio Chai Muffins

Makes 12 muffins | Gluten Free | Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to two months

Ingredients

• 80 grams sorghum flour
• 80 grams white rice flour
• 80 grams brown rice flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 chai tea bags
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup Greek (or natural) yoghurt
• 3 tablespoons rice bran oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons shelled pistachios

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180C (350F) and oil a 12-hole (1/3 cup) muffin tin very thoroughly.
2. In a large bowl whisk together sorghum flour, white rice flour, brown rice flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the contents of the two tea bags.
3. In a medium bowl whisk together milk, yoghurt, oil, vanilla essence, egg and brown sugar until very well combined.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Add 1/3 cup of pistachios and mix until distributed.
5. Divide mixture evenly between holes in pre-oiled muffin tin.
6. Roughly chop extra two tablespoons pistachios and sprinkle over the top of the uncooked muffins.
7. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until the tops are golden and spring back when lightly touched.
8. Remove muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. To remove easily run a thin-bladed knife around the baked muffins to loosen them from the tin.
9. Serve with a cup of chai!

Spicy Black Bean Burgers with Sriracha Sauce | gluten free

Today we are exploring New York City and discovering all the tastes this vast city has to offer. While I’m out and about, enjoy these hearty vegetarian burgers!

Juicy, hearty, spicy vegetarian burgers full of flavour and topped with a cool and spicy sriracha sauce. Get out your buns and let’s get grilling!Vegetarian burgers don’t always get the best reviews. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a commercially made vegetarian burger because they always just seem so lackluster and like they are trying to be meat. You aren’t meat, Miss Vego Burger, you are a vegetarian burger and you need to celebrate your uniqueness and embrace your true personality! Down with the burger patriarchy! Ahem.

When Yum. Gluten Free Magazine contacted me to contribute to their burger issue I jumped at the chance to create a vegetarian burger that could proudly stand on it’s own two feet and declare – yes, I am a vegetarian burger and I have a lot to offer the world of flavour! I attempted to Oprah the burger. Yes, Oprah can be used as a verb.

The thing with meat is that it is layered and complex and contributes lots of umami flavours by virtue of the glutamine (an essential amino acid) found in muscle. Take away the muscle, and you need to add that umami back in, and bump up all the other flavours to create a whole vegetarian burger experience that doesn’t feel like second place. So, we are bringing soy sauce into the picture to contribute umami, cumin for a deep background flavour, and sriracha and chili flakes for top level heat (reduce/omit to tone down the spice).The body of these burgers is made up of black beans and quinoa. Black beans are sensationally hearty and make a wonderful base for a burger when coupled with quinoa. When you bite into my hearty, wholesome vegetarian burgers you get spicy, umami, hefty burger, creamy avocado, and spicy cool sriracha yoghurt. Every bite is full of flavour. There’s nothing weak, wimpy, or second place about these vegetarian burgers. Stand in your truth Miss Vego Burger and embrace your natural beauty. 

Spicy Black Bean Burgers with Sriracha Sauce

Gluten Free | Vegetarian | Makes 4, easily multiplied

Preparation Time: 45 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Tip: If you don’t want these burgers to be quite as spicy you can leave out the sriracha and the red chili.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup quinoa
• 1 ½ cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup black beans (approximately 400gram tin)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon gluten free soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 spring onion, thinly sliced
• ½ red chilli, finely diced
• ¼ cup coriander leaves
• 1/3 cup quinoa flakes

To serve:

• 1 small avocado
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ½ cup Greek yoghurt
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (plus extra to serve)
• 4 gluten free hamburger buns
• Lettuce leaves

Method

1. Place quinoa and vegetable stock in a medium size saucepan. Cover and bring to the boil. Allow quinoa to boil for 5 minutes, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain thoroughly, and allow to cool to room temperature.
2. Drain tinned black beans and rinse. Place some paper towels on a rimmed baking sheet and spread beans out to drain completely.
3. Preheat oven to 180C (350F) and line a rimmed baking sheet with baking paper.
4. Place one cup cooled quinoa and half the drained black beans in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until a chunky paste starts to form.
5. Place paste into a bowl and add cumin soy sauce, sriracha, pepper, egg, onion, chilli, coriander, quinoa, and remaining beans and quinoa and mix thoroughly to combine.
6. Form batter into four patties and press down slightly to flatten.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then turn patties over and bake for a further 15 minutes.
8. Mash avocado with a little salt and pepper and lime juice.
9. Mix sriracha with Greek yoghurt.
10. To assemble: slice buns and place lettuce on each. Top with a spicy black bean burger, a dollop of mashed avocado and a serving of sriracha yoghurt.