It's that time again...macaroons!

My mum requested macaroons so I turned to Marian Keyes again and picked the Tiramisu ones as I had most of the stuff.

It was all going so well, except when I added the almonds it was really dense and I was a little concerned so I added the coffee and it was fine.

I had the circles all drawn out on the baking paper and then when all the mixture was mixed up I didn't pipe or use a spoon I used my hands to roll the mixture into a ball and put on the circles.

When I put them in the oven after the time they had expanded dramatically again, I have a feeling it is my oven that is nuclear and usually burns everything, it cooked them but they were massive.

Also the filling was meant to be mascarpone cheese and coffee. However, they didn't have any in the shop, so I bought some double cream and when I got home I whisked it up and added some sugar and the coffee and made coffee cream.

Rather than tiramisu they were coffee but everyone loved them, even if they aren't quite Paris standard...still! But at least they weren't burnt.

But Marian Keyes is still my macaroon queen.

All that glitters doesn't have to be gold

Another week, another nail polish.

This week's purchase was two polish black multi glitter and pink sparkle glitter.

Two coats great coverage and after a couple of days still no chips. My only concern is taking it off I hate it when the cotton wool sticks so any suggestions would be appreciated.

These are offer in Superdurg at the moment buy two get a pound off so I indulged.

I can't wait to see what they bring out next.

It's a Rocky Road...recipe

I think my mum has been a little fed up with my baking. She loves the eating but hates the mess and my constant battle with our temperamental oven.

I had seen a couple of recipes for Rocky Road all of which don't include baking so I thought I would give them a go.

This time I strayed from Marian and picked The Hairy Bikers Mum Knows Best book.

Really easy and really sweet, delicious you can cut them into small squares as they are quite rich but went down a storm. Also as the chocolate was a little hot the marshmellows melted a little which was perfect.

Quick also just the time it takes to mix and melt the chocolate easy!

I don't usually do this but thought I would share the recipe.

You will need:

* 3 Mars Bars

* 100g butter

* 5 shortbread fingers

* 140g marshmellows

* 50g Rice Krispies

(I used mini marshmellows not the big ones)

What you do:

* Chop up the Mars Bars and place in a small pan with the butter

* Over a gentle heat melt the butter and Mars Bars

* Break the shortbread into chunks and stir into the mixture

* Stir in the Rice Krispies and marshmellows

* Press the mixture into a lightly oiled 15cm square tin and leave to set in the fridge

* Once set cut into squares turn out and serve

Delicious!

Red Velvet cupcakes with a difference



I suppose I have always been a little frightened of making red velvet cupcakes, some of the recipes seem very involved and complicated.


Also I have had issues with cream cheese frosting.

However, yet again Marian Keyes is my saviour! Although you have to put in the vanilla essence, white wine vinegar, cocoa powder etc in a particular order and mix in between can seem a little daunting, I thought as it had no icing I would give them a go.

Also no frosting, you make the cream cheese filling bit with the cream cheese and sugar and once you have made the chocolate part you layer them and mix them to get the marble effect.

I was a little unsure but they turned out really nice and were worth the number of bowls to get the different bits.

My cupcakes always turn out massive though but I think everyone appreciates them

Red velvet cupcakes done! Now what's next....

When the Olympic Torch came to Portsmouth

Over the last couple of weeks the Olympic Torch has been weaving its way around the UK, and every day in the week I have heard Chris Moyles talk about torch cam on his show.

When I found out the torch was not only coming to Portsmouth twice but was coming on a Sunday I knew I had to go and see what all the fuss was about.

Portsmouth held an event on Southsea common, with performances from Twist and Pulse from Britain's Got Talent, local dance groups and Brighton band Rizzle Kicks. The band performed for about 15 minutes until the torch came in at 6.55pm. They were fantastic and I'm glad I got to see them live.

Three sponsors, Lloyds TSB, Coca Cola and Samsung ,had vans around the side where you could have your photo taken with a torch, there were long queues and after a little 'what are they doing? They are so silly queueing for a torch photo...' We got in one and had our photo taken.

The torch was lighter than I thought it would be.

The atmosphere was just amazing, it was buzzing so many people around and as the torch got closer it just built and built.

Then the torch, buses from coke came by and then just peeping over the top of the crowds heads was the torch, I don't know who was carrying it but it looked fantastic and I could see the flame.

I felt privileged to see it with thousands of other people. There aren't many times you can feel proud to be British but seeing the people of Portsmouth cheering and clapping and just getting involved made me feel very proud of not only my city but where I come from.

I wasn't that bothered about the Olympics before but after seeing the torch I cannot wait for the Olympics to start and Team GB to win some gold!!

The torch just outside the Queen's Hotel in Southsea...

Things aren't always what they seem....

Now to some, due to the size, these may look like Whoopie pies, like cupcakes but like a mini dense sponge.

But alas these are not Whoopie pies but massive macaroons.

My mum asked me to make some macaroons and I felt after the last disaster I needed to try them again. With my faith in Marian Keyes I knew as a non-baker her recipe would be perfect for me to get back onto the baking horse, so to speak.

You add melted chocolate to the egg whites, which deflates the mixture but Marian says not to fear, this is what is meant to happen.

These are less hassle as you don't pipe them out but use a spoon.

Now this is where the problem of size started. This mixture was meant to make 12 pairs, 24 singles, due to my big dollops I made 14 singles, so 8 pairs...ah well!

I then got on to the filling which was delicious. 

Due to the massive size of the macaroons I did some on their own and some as a sandwich as they could be a bit too much.

These were delicious and the size aside I think I have nailed the macaroon mixture, thank you Marian Keyes you have restored my faith in macaroons.

Marian's mixture uses more ground almonds than other recipes which I think is better.
If you are unsure about macaroons try Marian's not hussle or fiddly.

Chocolatey and delicious!