My gem squash seeds have not only sprouted, but all of them have grown into seperate plants on their own. We got big leaves on all of them and they are very happy. With all this rain we are receiving, they are growing really good.
Home made Caramel & Chocolate Custard Tart
Yummy caramel and chocolate custard tart. Original recipe from BBC Food. I adapted it and doubled it and added a few things to make it caramel custard and chocolate custard. Ingredients for home made Custard:1L Milk30ml Vanilla Essence240ml Caster Sugar8 Eggs, yolks only90ml Cornflour90ml Butter Ingredients for the Caramel Custard Layer:1 Can of Caramel Ingredients…
Double Dipped Crispy Golden Teriyaki & Ginger Chicken Nuggets
My first try with my own mixture of chicken nuggets dip, it was yummy and there weren’t any leftover. Double Dipped Crispy Golden Teriyaki & Ginger Chicken NuggetsIn a bowl add in:30ml Cornflour30ml Lemon Juice 1 Egg, mixed40ml Ginger Powder40ml Teriyaki SauceSalt and Pepper to tasteA little bit of oil and some soya sauceMix everything…
Exploring the Last two enclosures at Auckland Zoo
Our last two explorations at Auckland Zoo, was so much fun. The zoo was packed as usual. Full of kids laughter and kids running everywhere. We saw some alligators and otters as well as some monkeys and big birds and the biggest tortoises I have ever seen, our toddler was so fascinated by them. Here…
Vanilla & Banana Birthday Cake with Strawberry Jam Filling and Strawberry Flavoured Buttercream Icing for my Mum’s Birthday
This year, for my mother’s birthday, I baked her a banana and vanilla cake and it came out delicious. Here is the recipe: The Recipe for the Vanilla Cake: Ingredients:300g Butter at room temperature 320ml Caster Sugar6 Eggs, seperated 750ml Flour3Tbs Baking Powder 220ml Milk80ml Vanilla Essence Method:Whisk your egg whites in a bowl till…
The 90’s Kid
The era I grew up in is long gone but the memories are there, where tamagotchi was a thing and wearing pink eyeshadow was a thing. Where movies was made of VHS tapes and you couldn’t stream movies or series but can get them in a video shop. The 90’s was a simple era, where…
The Immigration Journey
Every immigration journey starts different and also somewhat the same, in the sense that we all start with a suitcase, a new job in a new country and some cash in the bank and a dream to start fresh, all from scratch. The hard part is, leaving all the things you grew up with and…
Old Bee Photography
The older bee, is much more lighter in colour. The older bee is slower in speed as well compared to the younger, faster bee.
Young Bee Photography
The younger bees are the brighter one’s while the older bees are lighter and somewhat a gray colour in my observation of taking photos of them.
Two Bees Photography
It is very interesting to watch two bees on the same plant fighting for territory while giving pollen to the lavender plants. These are the photo I took using the Super Macro function on my phone.
Close up of the Bees Photography
I decided to zoom in on the bees and take some more close up photos of them. It’s amazing the technology of today. I had so much fun taking photos of them, the bees got annoyed with me but it so interesting to learn about them.
Lavender Bees Photography
I had so much fun taking photos of all the bees in our garden, flying between the lavender growing in our garden.
Slow Cooked Beef Lasagna
I made beef lasagna in my crockpot using the slow cooker function and it came out perfect, creamy and delicious. You can follow the recipe of the beef lasagna on my blog, or use your own, to your own preference. This is our go to beef lasagna recipe: https://kristiespantry.com/2020/03/22/beef-lasagna/ The beef lasagna contains ricotta but…
Creamless Chocolate Mousse
I made this chocolate mousse cause I only had eggs and not cream. It forms a layer on top. It is very delicious even though it contains no cream. The condensed milk gives it a delicious taste and not overly sweet. Ingredients:100g 70% Dark Chocolate Block3 Large Eggs Seperated60ml Caster Sugar1 Tsp Condensmilk Method:In a…
Kumara Fritters (a.k.a Sweet Potato)
I enjoy inventing new fritters. And our toddlers approve, they enjoyed it so much. Peel 1 big kumara and cut up into blocks.Place in a microwave safe bowl, and add a little bit of water and a pinch of salt.Place uncovered into the microwave and cook for 20 to 25 minutes till soft.Drain the water…
Dark Chocolate Milk Tart
Another new addition to the milk tart family! I must say this was actually really nice and not too bitter or overly sweet, just perfect! Ingredients:750ml Milk4 Eggs120ml White SugarPinch of Salt250ml Cocoa Powder250ml Boiled Water3 Tbs Cornflour mixed with 3 Tbs WaterCinnamon Powder Crust:250g Krispie biscuits50g melted butterCrush the biscuits up using a food…
Growing Up
Growing up is a funny thing. How would we have guessed that the last time we will play outside, being care free and to have no worries in the world. The last time we will attend school and be surrounded by laughter, silliness and to do homework each day and study for exams and tests…
Dear Me
“Dear me, I am sorry. I’m sorry that you tried so desperately to fix others, when your own hands were shaking. I’m sorry that I didn’t give you enough time to heal, that I let you seal the wounds of everyone else whilst your own were bleeding. I’m sorry that there were days when smiling…
Rare Gift
My daughter handed me her school progress report. Although it displayed a steady stream of positive check marks, there was one check mark standing dejectedly alone from the rest. “How am I doing, Mom?” my child asked with a level of maturity that did not match the small dishevelled person gazing up at me with…
Bubblegum Milkshake
Bubblegum milkshake I have missed drinking since arriving in New Zealand. When I came across this bubblegum syrup I was so happy to have found it. I don’t know if all the South African shops in New Zealand stock them. This bubblegum milkshake syrup is sold at Ossewa in Pukekohe for $7.80. To make the…
Mother’s Day Spoils
My mother’s day gift this year was a goodie box from Lush. My favourite pampering shop since living in New Zealand. Lush Website: https://nz.lush.com/
Mother’s Day Brunch
For mother’s day my husband took me out for brunch. We went to our favourite place, I had the grilled salmon and my husband had the waffle with chicken. Our toddlers had a milkshake each. It was a rainy day but we loved going out for brunch.
Mother’s Day Sunflower Cake with German Buttercream Filling & Sun flowered Buttercream Topping
For mother’s day this year I made a sunflower cake. I had so much fun from baking the cakes to decorating them. This cake recipe is the vanilla cupcakes recipe that I tweaked and changed to form a vanilla cake recipe. It came out better than what I expected and super delicious and yummy. I…
German Buttercream
This German buttercream is used on cakes or cupcakes. It is not so sweet like buttercream, some people prefer German buttercream to normal buttercream. Ingredients: 250ml Custard 70ml Sugar 226g Unsalted Butter at room temperature 1/4 Teaspoon Salt Method: Using an electric mixer mix together the butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy. Add in…
Home-made Worcestershire Sauce
This is a really easy and simple recipe. It only have 3 ingredients. Ingredients: 125ml Vinegar 40ml Soya Sauce 2 Tbs Sugar Method: Mix all the ingredients together. Place in the pan with your sausages or any other meat. Fry with the meat until sausages are cooked. Serve with some mash and enjoy!
Slow Cooked Marinated Ribs
Me and my husband absolutely love ribs and marinated ribs is even better. With this easy recipe it is even easier for an easy quick family meal. Ingredients: 1.2kg Marinated Ribs 1 Large Ovenproof Dish Foil for covering the dish Method: Turn the oven temperature to 140 degrees celsius. Wait for the oven to reach…
Gem Squash Seeds started Sprouting
I am happy to report that my gem squash seeds have started to sprout in our veggie and herb garden. Unfortunately our potato plant died due to accidently being poisoned, but I planted some new potatoes so they will see what happens to the new potatoes being planted. I just took gem squash seeds from…
Home-made Custard
Home-made custard is definitely much more delicious than the store bought ones. This custard was used in making German buttercream. Ingredients: 375ml Fresh Milk 10ml Vanilla Essence 150g White Sugar 60ml Cornflour 2 Egg Yolks Method: On the stove heat up the milk on low heat till bubbling. Set aside to cool down completely. Mix…
You Flew Away Today
You flew away today,The skies grew grey,Clouds poured tears on the ground,The Earth grew still not a sound,Rainbows ended and the sun failed to shine,Even the stars did not align.You flew away today,I choose the words to be delayed,Can it all just be a lie,You did not even say goodbye,My world has stopped turning,My whole…
Bubbles Photography Take 2
I had some more fun, taking photos of bubbles. The bubbles stick to water or wet surfaces better than on dry surfaces. Here is my photos:
Sweet & Sour Pork Sauce
Me and my husband uses the sweet and sour pork sauce in all of our dishes, well most of them. Your welcome to remove the sauce after the first 36 minutes. The sauce adds a new depth of flavour to any dish. It’s so good and delicious it can be bottled and sold. My mother…
Bubbles Photography
I had so much fun playing around with these bubbles and blowing them into the trees and grass and everywhere, trying to capture them as quick as possible cause they pop so quick and the wind isn’t helping either, but I am sharing these photos with you of what I managed to capture. All captured…
Creamed Spinach
I love home made creamed spinach. This is the perfect side to any dish. My own recipe. In a pot add in some olive oil. Add in one chopped onion and fry till brown and soft for about 10 minutes. Add in 100g of freshly chopped spinach. Add in a little water and close the…
Belgian Waffles
I recently got myself a waffle maker and I absolutely love it! Love having waffles for breakfast and for dessert with some ice cream. This recipe is from the booklet that I got with my waffle maker. It’s really easy. Ingredients: 2 Cups Flour 60ml Sugar 8 Tsp Baking Powder 120ml Vegetable Oil 2 Eggs…
Hearty Winter Warmer Beef Stew
I made this winter warmer beef stew and it came out better than what I expected. I used the sauce from our sweet and sour pork recipe and it enriched the flavour so much. It gave this beef stew a new depth of flavour. Put the crock pot on saute/brown and press start. Add some…
Come Jesus Come
This song really touched my heart. It’s perfect for the times we live in today with all the uncertainty and scary times. Sometimes I fall to my knees and prayCome Jesus come let today be the daySometimes I feel like I’m gonna breakBut I’m holding on to a hope that won’t fadeCome Jesus come we’ve…
Onion Plant Growing
Update on our veggie garden. Our onion plant started to grow to my amazement. I planted either a halve an onion or a whole one. Here is the photos:
Chocolate Mint Mousse with Whipped Cream
I had so much fun making this dessert and it’s yummy too. The chocolate mint goes perfect with the whipped cream. Take 100g 70% dark mint chocolate and break into pieces, melt in the microwave in a glass bowl for 30 seconds to 1 minute till melted. Set aside to cooldown to room temperature. Seperate…
My Husbands 30th Chocolate Birthday Cake with Chocolate Buttercream & Plum Jam Filling
I made this chocolate cake for my husbands birthday and it was delicious. I enjoyed it so much making it and decorating it, even though the icing sugar I added too much cocoa powder, so it didn’t came out as I planned, but was still delicious. The plum jam is the perfect pairing for the…
Maraetai Beach
We visited Maraetai Beach today. It is a beautiful beach that is crystal clear and there is a park too by the beach as well as a wharf and lots of shells on the beach. Maraetai beach is about 50 minutes from Pukekohe. It was a lovely sunny day and the kids enjoyed it alot…
South African Pancakes
Nothing beats South African pancakes on a rainy day with cinnamon and sugar. You can add in milk tart filling, caramel filling and even mousse. South African pancakes is bigger than crêpes and a little bit thicker. This is the best recipe and easiest and the yummiest too! Sift together:1 and 1/2 Cups of Flour1…
Mushroom Sauce
My husband makes the most delicious mushroom sauce. This is really easy. Start by adding some butter in a pot. Add in some chopped mushrooms. Fry in the butter till soft. Add in about a cup of milk or more. Place heat on high and turn down. Mix a few teaspoons of cornflour with some…
The Start of Our Veggie and Herb Garden
I started our veggie garden a month or so ago. I gave up when I saw that our seeds we planted didn’t grow at all. I decided to plant halve a potato and halve a onion plant which is not growing yet. To my amazement it started to grow. The plants are so happy and…
French Toast
Me and my husband love french toast and this easy recipe is both me and my husbands work. It’s super easy and delicious and not overly sweet. In a blender, blend together: 4 Eggs 2 Tbs Flour 1/2 Tbs Vanilla Essence 1/2 Tbs Baking Powder 1 and 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon Powder 1 Tbs Brown Sugar…
St Pierres Sushi of Japan
After our visit to Butterfly Creek we stopped over at the sushi place for some sushi for lunch. We love these sushi, all these sushi was $50. Seaweed salad was really nice and first time I have tasted it. The St Pierres Sushi of Japan is located just outside of the airport, next to Butterfly…
Golden Egg Hunt at Butterfly Creek
This weekend we visited Butterfly Creek again. They have a golden egg hunt on the whole weekend. Their is a dinosaur walking as well. Butterfly Creek was packed and got even more packed before we left at around 2pm. There is a golden egg hunt on at the moment, where you have to search for…
Johnny’s Steakhouse
Me and my friend visited this restaurant for our moms night out. Their brownie are the best and crème Brûlée is delicious but would prefer it warm. The service was great and the staff very friendly, we had such a fun time.
Moms Night Out
This was my first moms night out, since becoming a mom. I must say we had so much fun. Me and my friend walked down to the restaurant. The restaurant was Johnny’s Steakhouse. We had some chips and dessert. We already ate before we went. The town was eary and quiet, until we went into…
Lifelong Friends
We all have those friends that will stick by us in our life. Who we know is always there for us. Whether we talk everyday, it’s irrelevant. We know we can always count on them. They are unfortunately not very easy to find. In today’s world, people don’t want to go the extra mile anymore,…
