Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies

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Let me just by saying… I LOVE HALLOWEEN!

I dunno, there’s just something about dressing up as a terrifying undead monster and going out in public and meeting other terrifying undead monsters that just really, really appeals to me. I’m not the only one, right?

I mean, I fully admit to being that girl who spends hours on her Halloween costume just for that one night.

Special effects make up and all.

I kid you not.

Exhibit A.

Screen Shot 2015-10-29 at 16.02.44I know, I have a problem. But, Halloween.

I also LOVE carving pumpkins!

It’s just basically a way of getting arty with food, so naturally I’m gonna love it. I’m that girl who will carve a pumpkin every year even if I’m not doing anything for Halloween. Just because.

Exhibit B.

Screen Shot 2015-10-29 at 16.02.29

I also love Nightmare Before Christmas.

Anyways, this year I find myself without any Halloween plans. Sad face.

So to compensate, I figured why not make something Halloween inspired that I could eat at least? Because food makes everything better.

Hence, Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies!

IMG_1020IMG_0999Like I said, I love carving pumpkins…

Continue reading “Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies”

Fig & Prosciutto Pizza

IMG_0740Fresh figs are just things of beauty aren’t they?

Vibrantly colourful, deliciously sweet, and super versatile! Not only do they make for some amazing desserts but they’re just as brilliant in savoury recipes when used to balance out something tangy or salty!

I just can’t get enough of them!

However, the same can’t be said for my adorable, cooky, and very Catholic grandma. Let me explain.

The other day I asked my dad to pick up some fresh figs from the supermarket for me. When he came home he told me how my Nana D full on shouted at him for buying figs and pretty much told him they’re evil.

Yep. Evil.

We later realised that she genuinely believes they’re the forbidden fruit that seduced Adam & Eve to the dark side in the creation story of the Bible… and therefore, EVIL! Bless her.

IMG_0731I dunno, maybe it’s the fact that they are ‘forbidden’ that makes me love them so much! (Always want what you can’t have and all that!) Especially when they’re paired up with salty prosciutto and a tangy balsamic! Nom.

I’d definitely be tempted too…  Continue reading “Fig & Prosciutto Pizza”

Rosemary & White Peach Bellini

IMG_0391Whilst visiting the Amalfi Coast back in August, Issy and I spontaneously decided to go for a drink one evening at the Hotel Caruso in Ravello.

We had planned to go to the ballet later that night (because we like to think we’re a couple of cultured mofo’s!) so we figured since we were all dressed up we may as well pretend to be all fancy and sophisticated and indulge in a cheeky cocktail at a luxury piano bar.

That cocktail was the hotels ‘Bellini Royale’ – white peaches, lemon juice, mint and champagne. A classic, but with the fresh peaches it just took it to another level! And so pink!?!?

IMG_0270 IMG_0276Naturally, being us, we spent the rest of our time at the bar talking about what other interesting flavours we could pair with a white peach Bellini. #foodieproblems

We settled on rosemary. Because rosemary.

IMG_0332To start I made a simple rosemary and lemon sugar syrup. I boiled some sugar and lemon juice till the sugar dissolved. I then took this off the heat and added a piece of lemon peel and 2 sprigs of rosemary and left these to steep as the syrup cooled. (This yielded about 75ml of syrup.)Continue reading “Rosemary & White Peach Bellini”