Olive's Teddy Bears Picnic

Teddy Bears at the Beach Birthday Cake

Children's birthday parties.... just the mere thought of throwing a birthday party fills most mums with anxiety and overwhelming exhaustion! I hosted a BIG first birthday for my eldest daughter five years ago inviting pretty much everyone we knew and celebrating in our backyard. Plus she also had a rather large 4th birthday party last year that was probably a little over-the-top looking back. But hey, you're only four once!

So taking these two "events" into account, I thought it was only fair to do the same for my second daughter (to try and prove the second child doesn't get forgotten with less parties, less photos, less one-on-one play time, less fuss etc!) To be honest I didn't really have much enthusiasm to pull it all together but I sure am glad I did. She thoroughly enjoyed herself and beautiful memories were made!

I decided on a 'Teddy Bears Picnic' because the theory was to have something simple down at the local park so all I had to do was buy some sausages and throw all the used napkins into a plastic garbage bag and walk away. Hahahahahha..... yeah that didn't happen. We ended up inviting all her little friends to our home and were blessed with the most beautiful sunny day in a very cold and miserable week! Luckily I have a very clever girlfriend who made the little Tiny Teddy racing cars and tea cups for me, plus my aunt made some special Honey Crackles for the little bears to enjoy! The bigger bears LOVED my gourmet sausage BBQ with home made onion relish. Such an easy way to feed a crowd on a crisp Sunday afternoon!

I also made all my own decorations using my Photoshop that I was given for Christmas (but I'll write something about that experience another time!). So here's to Olive. A beautiful and serious little bub who has bought nothing but joy and happiness to our dear little family. Happy Birthday sweetheart. Mummy loves you

Family Favourite: Potato & Bacon Soup

This soup is ideal for when you have an empty fridge and pantry and desperately need to do a shop but can't be bothered! All you really need are a few potatoes and a little bit of bacon and you've got a delicious soup that the whole family will love! It's a warm, hearty, nutritious and really yummy winter soup!

Ingredients

4 bacon rashes, diced
30g butter
3 medium onions, diced
2Tbs plain flour
1L (4 cups) water
4 vegetable stock cubes
4 medium potatoes, chopped
2 egg yolks
300g carton of sour cream
Parsley to garnish

Notes

The number of vegetable stock depends on the amount required  per 250ml of water. My cubes in the pantry are 1 cube for every 250ml.

Method

• Cook bacon and onion in a large saucepan until lightly browned.
• Add butter and onions cooking over low heat for about 5 minutes.
• Add flour, stir over medium heat for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat, gradually add water, stock cubes and potatoes and bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are cooked.
• Combine egg yolks and sour cream then gradually stir through and reheat without boiling.
• Serve in your favourite soup bowl with some chopped parsley to garnish.

Family Favourite: Crepes

Crepes are something I've always enjoyed eating and have also always thought they were too hard to make at home. But I was SO wrong! I've been making my family crepes for awhile now and we all find them easier to eat than pancakes and you don't feel as sick and bloated after an indulgent Sunday breakfast! I've tried a few recipes but have modified a couple to create my own. I hope you get a chance to whip some up!

Ingredients

2 cups of plain flour

2 1/4 cups milk

1/2 castor sugar

4 eggs

1tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp vegetable oil

Pinch of salt

Spray oil for pan

Notes

Recipe makes approx. 12 crepes. Castor sugar is optional whether wanting sweet or savoury crepes. The batter should have the consistency of pouring cream so if it's a little thick add some more milk.  

Method

• Mix eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla essence, salt and oil well. I use a blender to ensure there are no lumps in my batter but a whisk would also do the job.
• Heat frying pan and spray lightly. Reduce heat if pan appears to be burning the batter. I LOVE to use a handy little frying pan I got from Ikea for $8.00 (Bargain!) It makes a 20cm diameter crepe.
• Pour 1/3 cup of batter into the frying pan and pick the pan up and roll the batter around the edges a few times (similar to how you would an omelette).
• Once you see the majority of the batter has cooked through one side (and the edges start to curl up around the crepe) flip it over for about 30 seconds just to lightly brown the other side then serve.
• Serve with your choice of icing sugar, maple syrup, sugar & lemon or with some delicious bacon! 

Family Favourite: French Toast

We normally have a hot yummy breakfast on Saturday mornings before my hubby goes off to work for the day as we are lucky enough not to have Saturday sport yet (plus Sundays are always a rush to get to church on time!). French toast is definitely a family favourite and enjoyed by everyone! Here's my best recipe to date... 

Ingredients

4 eggs
2/3 milk
1/3 cup plain flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
6-8 slices of white bread
Butter for pan

Method

• Mix eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla essence, salt and cinnamon well. I use a blender to ensure there are no lumps in my batter but a whisk would also do the job.
• Heat frying pan and add butter to melt. Reduce heat if pan appears to be burning butter. 
• Dip a slice of bread into the batter and allow to soak for around 30 seconds a side. Place in the pan and cook each side until golden brown.
• Serve with your choice of  icing sugar, maple syrup, sugar & lemon or with some delicious bacon! 

Family Favourite: Chicken Croquettes

Thinking of ways to use that left over BBQ chicken in the fridge? Last night was really hot in Melbourne so we grabbed one for dinner to enjoy with some salad and a little under half was left over. One of my favourite meals growing up was mum's chicken croquettes so I decided to Google a recipe this afternoon and give them a go (could have just called mum but sometimes the internet is far quicker!) So here is the recipe I created which is slightly modified from the original... they were super easy and a massive hit with my 3yo and hubby. 

Ingredients

300g cooked chicken (finely diced)

60g butter

80g plain flour

400ml chicken stock

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 cup of mayonaise

Salt & pepper

2 eggs, whisked

Plain flour, for covering croquettes

Vegetable oil for frying

Method

• Melt the butter, then add the flour and mix thoroughly. Add the stock bit by bit and stir well using a wisk to avoid any lumps. When all the stock is added leave to simmer for a further 5 minutes.
• Add seasoning, nutmeg and a mayonaise. Stir well and then add the chicken.
• Pour onto a flat dish and leave to cool for a shot while. I used some baking paper under an oven tray. 
• Make croquette shapes (about 8-10) and pass through bowls with some flour, whisked eggs and then the breadcrumbs. You may find they don't hold their shape 100% but once chilled they are easy to re-work and look perfect for frying.
• Chill in the fridge for around an hour, if you have time.
• Heat about 2-3cm of oil in a frying pan (or fryer). Fry croquettes in hot oil rotating for 5 minutes or until light brown. (Handle croquettes carefully so crust is not punctured). Drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot or cold with vegetables or salad. We enjoyed ours with a simple Caesar Salad.

Chocolate Spider Cupcakes

How fantastic are these Spider Cupcakes! Perfect for an afternoon treat or themed birthday party. I came across these on The Age website and thought they were worth sharing!  These are quick to prepare and so rich and fudgy adults can enjoy them too.

Ingredients

250g butter
250g dark chocolate
6 eggs
310g castor sugar
70g plain flour
90g plain yoghurt
500g icing sugar
30g dark cocoa powder
48 Tic Tacs
200g liquorice strips cut into 4cm long, thin strips

Method

Pre-heat oven to 170C. Melt butter and chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. Whisk eggs and castor sugar on high for 10 minutes. Fold through chocolate and butter and then flour. Spoon mixture into 24 large cup cake pans and bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool. Mix together yoghurt and 300 grams icing sugar and spread over cup cakes. Mix together remaining icing sugar, cocoa and just enough water to make a smooth icing that is not too runny. Spread onto tops of cup cakes to create spider bodies and heads. Use tic tacs for eyes and liquorice strips for legs. Makes about 24

Read more: http://www.essentialkids.com.au/recipes/party-food/chocolate-spider-cup-cakes-20111019-1m6lz.html#ixzz2AMvDw5Qp