Top 3 Summer Favourites

It's been a while since my last favourites post so I thought I'd pick my top 3 favourites I have been using constantly the last couple of months. I'm calling this my summer favourites but I'm still not sold on London having had a real summer yet! Have a great Bank Holiday weekend and here goes with my favourites.

Bank Holiday Brunch Menu

With the last Bank Holiday of the year approaching (apart from Christmas of course) why not indulge in some miniature savoury bites and sweet treats. Start the day right and treat your loved ones with an impressive yet simple brunch.

Don't worry if you are short for time as most of this can be pre bought or requires little preparation.

Here are some of my ideas for the perfect brunch!

Healthy Banana Ice Cream

Ice cream is another one of my favourites, great for topping puddings, like my Apple & Cinnamon Oat Crumble but equally great by itself on a summers day.
This is definitely not an All Hans-on original as there are recipes all over the internet but it's such a good healthy alternative, I couldn't resist sharing it. I'll also be showing you how you can create Chunky Monkey Ice Cream from this basic recipe.

Apple & Cinnamon Oat Crumble

Now apple crumble has to be, hands down, one of my top 5 puddings!!

So I was gutted to think that I would have to cut down if I was serious about eating healthier but I knew there must be a way to still enjoy this delicious pudding, and there is...

Oat Crumble! 

With less sugar and butter but still packed with all the flavour of a great apple crumble.

As am sure you can tell but oats are a running theme in these healthy recipes. This is because they are a great source of fibre which is further boosted by the apples and blueberries and they are so versatile, not just for breakfast!

If you haven't been following my healthy series then take a look for some of my healthy breakfast ideas.

Greek Yoghurt and Granola Parfait

For my final healthy breakfast in the series is this lovely fresh parfait, it's perfect for those warm summer mornings. Today I will be sharing with you my simple cinnamon pecan granola recipe and how I pair it with greek yoghurt and berries to make this healthy and nutritious breakfast.

Granola is simply toasted oats which you can add you choice of nuts, dried fruit, spices or even chocolate to. This is much cheaper than buying in the supermarket and this way means you will know exactly what is going in to your granola.

Tortilla Egg Cups

For those who prefer a savoury breakfast then these tortilla egg cups are perfect, great for on the go and very easy to make. They are so versitile, you can fill the cups with pretty much anything.   Perhaps pizza cups with tomato puree, cheese and your favourite pizza topping or fajita cups with salsa, sour cream and chicken.

Cinnamon Oat Smoothie

Next in my series of healthy recipes comes this nutritious thick and creamy breakfast smoothie, packed with flavour and fibre keeping you fuller for longer. An easy grab and go morning pick me up.

Prior to making this smoothie you need to make sure you have one frozen ripe banana, peeled and diced into small discs. Bananas don't take long to freeze but I would recommend freezing them overnight. I always have a couple ready as they are a great natural ice cube and really thicken up any smoothie or shake, giving it a lovely creamy texture.

Healthy Banana Oat Pancakes

To start off my healthy recipe series it's got to be Banana Oat Pancakes. I have been absolutely loving these over the past couple of weeks, they are high in fibre and protein and totally guilt free! Perfect for weekend breakfasts or why not even make up the batter the night before and whip up a batch before work. With only three ingredients these couldn't be any easier and you know how I like a simple and easy recipe.

Here are some less healthy pancakes recipes on my blog if your not on a health kick and fancy a naughty treat: Cinnamon Swirl and Bacon Strips

Series of Healthy Recipes

 If you read My Healthy Week post you will know that I am on a bit of a health kick.

I used to think that healthy food had to be boring and bland and you couldn't have those yummy sweet treats that I like so much. How wrong was I?!
My health kick has been going very well so I thought it would be great to share some of my favourite breakfast and pudding recipes over the next couple of weeks. So until the end of the month I will be posting twice a week - Monday and Thursday.

Mint Choc Chip Ice Cream

With the sun making a regular appearance, as are my Ray Bans, as we move into the summer months it is definitely time for some summer treats. Ice Cream has got to be the ultimate summer treat and mint choice chip has got to be one of my favourite flavours.
If your on a health kick then this recipe probably isn't for you but why not take a looks at my Berry Frozen Yogurt.
I do love my simple recipes and this one really couldn’t be any easier with only two ingredients to make the ice cream base and then just add any flavourings you desire. No fancy ice cream machine is needed, just an electric whisk and you are ready to go.

My Healthy Week

So yet again I attempt a health kick but this time I thought documenting it would be a good way to keep me on track.  To help, I put together a weekly meal planner, this also made the weekly food shop soo much easier.

Disaronno and Cranberry Jelly

Doesn't jelly just remind you of your childhood? - Summer BBQs and parties.

Now the summer is finally trying to make an appearance I thought some old school jelly was in order but as an adult now I thought it would be great to join my favourite alcoholic drink and love of jelly. So here it is ... Disaronno and Cranberry Jelly, this is definitely an adults only treat. You could however remove the alcohol and replace with fruit or lemonade perhaps. There are so many possibilities and combinations for a great jelly.

Paul A. Young's Sea Salted Caramel Class

Surprise!

When Kat's fiancé Dan asked for Christmas present advice and he mentioned a Paul A. Young class I knew he was on to a winner.

Sea Salted Caramel Class

Kat and I have met Paul and watched many of his demonstrations at shows. This was us at the Taste of Christmas last year with our signed aprons at Paul's truffle making workshop.

Double Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies

Now who doesn't love a good chocolate chip cookie and even more when they are on the healthy side right?

I had planned to make chocolate chip cookies this week but after reading Amanda Bootes Banana and Oat Cookie post she inspired me to try something a little more healthy. After several batches and recipe tweaks later these were the end result; with only a few ingredients and no special equipment needed this is a very simple all in one recipe.

Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson

My friends and I have been meaning to try the Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel for a while now. We always like to go for a meal or afternoon tea for birthdays and Kat's was no different - so off to the Sanderson Hotel it was.

They invite you to "tumble down the rabbit hole"
and you absolutely get that Alice and Wonderland feeling.

Chocolate and Almond Biscotti

I loved making the biscotti pictured in my DIY tea bags post and I have since made several batches so I thought I would share with you my recipe for a crisp and crunchy chocolate and almond biscotti.

Biscotti means twice baked and that is exactly what these are. Originally made during war time as they can be stored for long periods so perfect for making in advance.

Happy 1 Year Blogiversary!

I can't believe it has been one year since I wrote my first post - wow how time flies!
I started this blog mainly to record my recipes because there is nothing worse than not being able to recreate a great dish or a yummy cake because you can't remember how you did it.
But it has also become a great place to log, kind of like a diary to look back on, some of the great places I've visited and things I've done whilst in London and further afield.

Nutella French Toast

I'm a huge fan of decadent weekend breakfasts and this weekend was no exception, there is just something naughty about chocolate in the morning. This Nutella French Toast would also be a great Mother's Day breakfast for a Mum with a sweet tooth.

For some more of my favourite weekend breakfasts check out my pancakes and porridges posts.

Mother's Day: DIY tea bags

Show your Mum some love this Mother's Day with these cute personalised tea bags.

My Mum loves tea so I thought these would be a perfect little gift. I love the personal touch and every time she has a cup she can read the quotes, I hope they will make her smile.  Each element of this project is totally customisable so you will be able to tailor it to your mum a friend or whomever it's for. You will notice that I decided on a purple colour scheme throughout as this is my mum's favourite colour, and mine if you hadn't guessed.

Before I start this is just a little warning that it is going to be a long post - please bear with me until the end and you will have the perfect personalised gift for a tea lover.

Secrets St.James Montego Bay with Thomson

View from my balcony.

It's going to be a short and sweet post this week as I am just back from a fantastic holiday in Jamaica for one of my best friends weddings. I thought I would give you a quick review of the flight and resort and a peek at a few of the photos and I mean a few as there were 2,500 of them to sort through.

Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes

Ok. So I couldn't resist, not just one pancake recipe but two!! If you haven't already check out last weeks post for my Bacon Pancake Strips but only after you've read this one of course!!

If you like cinnamon buns then you are going to love these Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes. Fluffy pancakes with a cinnamon twist.

Bacon Pancake Strips

Seeing as I'll be in Jamaica for Pancake Day . . . ahhhh so so so excited. I decided to have an early Pancake Day because of course I couldn't miss out! This year I wanted to try something different to the usual crêpe like pancakes I make every year. I have seen these Bacon Pancake Strips or Dippers all over Pinterest and I thought they were a good way to combine my love of bacon and maple syrup!!

January Favourites

It's that time again... Monthly Favourites! I can't believe January is already over, hasn't it just gone so quick.
I have been hoping for snow this month as we didn't have a white Christmas but no ... London has just been very cold and wet. At least I know I'll be having my fix on the slopes in March but first it's off to Jamaica next week for some Sun, Sea and one of my besties WEDDINGS - I  cannot contain my excitement!!!!
Just one more week to power through.

DIY: Oven Glove

My sewing machine has been lacking some love recently so I was looking for a new project and with my oven glove having seen better days I decided on today's project - a DIY made to measure Oven Glove.

December Favourites & New Years Resolutions!

Firstly I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and are looking forward to 2015 and the year ahead, I certainly am. Bridesmaid at two of my best friends weddings, 1 sun and 1 winter holiday booked and oh yes, I'm going to be an AUNTIE!!!! 
What are you looking forward to this year?