Welcome to Kissing Couzens. I'm a mother of two, wife of one, and lover of many things - from collecting and creating simple, yet delicious recipes to home DIY projects for the whole family.
This blog focuses on my three passions in life...family, food and flair...
Visit the official home of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald to learn more about the brilliant author behind The Great Gatsby and his life during the Jazz Age: http://...
¤
Love it
Up for a little jazz? The Great Gatsby companion soundtrack featuring recordings by The Bryan Ferry Orchestra is now available! http://smarturl.it/Gatsbybfo
Carrington’s Canadian Advertisement - Gourmet: May 1959
Happy Mother’s Day!!!!!! ❤
Calidor Theme created by Style Hatch
Powered by Tumblr
…or you could call it by it’s less intriguing name of ‘pea soup’…
It’s called Potage St Germain because it was served to Louis XIV of France and then named after his court, the Chateau de Saint Germain en Laye, around 1660-80.
This is the last of the Autumn soup series. Time to move on!
This is a fantastic soup originating from Eastern Europe. It got a ‘woah!’ from Ben after his first spoonful. That’s a good thing.
Ok, it’s cold now. Some of you may shed a tear, but I’m jumping for joy, because now I get to eat corn chowder while watching the rain outside. Bliss.
This is another one of Mum’s recipes and it’s always been a favourite in our family. The new generation are loving it too - add some peas for extra veggie goodness for them.
I’m going a little soup crazy at the moment so I’ve decided to do a run of my favourites over the next week or so (or until I get sick of them).
The first one is Thai Chilli soup, one of my Mums recipes which I have now been making for years. It’s like eating all the best bits of Thailand, all at once.
My obsession with roasted garlic continues with this delicious Autumn salad.
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago (well, Christmas last year) Ben and I bought an amazing but run down dolls house from Daylesford market for Evie. We promised that one day soon we would do it up for her. Now that day has come! We have finally renovated the exterior. The interior is only half done, so that will come later…
This is how she was, all tired and broken…
…and here she is now, happy, alive and back to her former glory!
She’s had a new paint job, her roof repaired and the front door and windows fixed. She is now ready to get in the ring again with the imagination of a 2 year old girl and have the odd bout with her 14 month old little brother…
The old entry way. Not very welcoming…
…and now, welcoming!
Old roof: rough, leaky and dilapidated…
New roof: sanded, puttied and painted a gorgeous slate grey.
Credit where credit is due - Ben actually did most of the work. I’ll admit it.
Real Estate Agent ’He-Man’ (pictured below) says “..this renovation has definitely increased the value of this sought after property by at least 20%, in today’s market”. Great! Thanks Mr Man.
We all need a little inspiration for a quick, simple and healthy brekky sometimes. These recipes couldn’t be any easier and can be made in less than 10 mins.
Go!
Semolina Porridge with Vanilla Bean, Strawberries, Almonds and Maple Syrup
Take 1/3 cup semolina and mix to a paste with a little cold water. Add a cup and a half of milk. Slice 1 vanilla bean down the middle and scrape out the seeds, add to the porridge. Stir until porridge thickens and is nice and smooth. Remove from heat. It will thicken even further while standing. Add some slivered almonds, chopped strawberries and a drizzle of maple syrup. Serves 2.
*This morning we had this porridge with stewed rhubarb which I made last night, in place of the almonds and strawberries. It took longer than 10 mins all up but soooo delicious. (Cut rhubarb into 2.5 cm pieces, discard leaves, place in saucepan with raw sugar (25% weight of rhubarb). Cook for 10-15 mins.
Goats Cheese, Tomato and Spinach Egg White Omelette
A healthier alternative to a heavy, cheesy and yolky omelette…
For 2 omelettes you need about 5 egg whites, a tbsp of water and a heaped tbsp of marinated goats cheese. Whisk.
In a small non stick frypan on medium heat, spray a little olive oil spray, add the eggs and cook for a few mins or until it starts to firm up. Then add some chopped tomato, spring onion, spinach, salt and pepper (only add it to half the omelette, it’s easier to flip). Cook for a further few mins until its only slightly runny (it will cook further once you take it off the heat). Then carefully flip one side. Serve with some extra spring onions for garnish.
Tomato and Chunky Pesto Bruschetta
Throw a handful of basil, a handful of toasted pine nuts, a clove of garlic, a good sprinkling of grated parmesan and a dollop of olive oil and whiz in the food processor for about 10 seconds for your chunky pesto. Toast some crusty bread and in the meantime, deseed and chop up some tomato. Mix the tomato with a splash of balsamic vinegar, a small dollop of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Spread the toast with the pesto, spoon over the tomato mixture and crumble over some fetta.
Vanilla Yogurt with Strawberries and Walnuts
So simple, but absolutely delicious. We’ve all had yogurt and fruit before but add the walnuts and it’s so much better. I only came across it recently when my friend Lu, served it at brunch at her house. Thanks Lu!
Yogurt, strawberries walnuts…done.
