World Cooking

We'll start with this lovely breakfast that I've been enjoying this week. And I think it's actually pretty nice to look at. I bought some homemade Cranberry Walnut Bread at the Church Health bake sale last week. I sliced it and froze it so I could pull out slices as needed. This week, I've been enjoying the bread for breakfast with a smear of Miyoko's Creamery Plainly Classic Vegan Cream Cheese. 

Yesterday morning, a co-worker came to my desk with an offer of Vegan Fig Streusel Muffins from Lucy J's Bakery, the new bakery in Crosstown Concourse. They just opened, and they're working on adding vegan options. So I was excited to try these. And they were amazing!! Way to go Lucy J's! Nailed it.

Source: http://vegancrunk.blogspot.com/2018/09/prettyish-food-ugly-food.html

Thanks to Vitamix for sponsoring this post!

Hello lovelies! After that brief hiatus I am well and truly back. Like properly, this time, as I’ve just actually finished all my coursework and finals for university. I haven’t *officially* graduated yet but I will officially have my Food Science and Nutrition BSc degree in about a month and a half.

So now that I’m properly moved back to London I can focus on creating recipes again! And that break has given me ample time to get inspired so there’s much content in the works. I’m also going to Portland and New Mexico in a few weeks which I’m sure will inspire some future recipes. Today, however, we’re focusing on these little gnudi (pronounced nyew-dee) dudes!

You may be wondering what these are: think of them like ricotta gnocchi but less flour-y and more ricotta-y. As a result, the dough is a LOT wetter than a classic gnocchi dough and thus, they have a little clever step to help you form them; you blob the mixture into a tray generously lined with semolina and sprinkle even more semolina on top. This then sits in the fridge for 2-48 hours so that the gnudi soak up that semolina and form a light crust around the outside. This stops them falling apart when you boil them.

Usually, gnudi are plain but here I’ve used my Vitamix Ascent Series blender to blitz cooked carrots into a puree which I folded into the dough. They’re boiled and then fried in a bit of sage butter to get super criiiiispy. I made a classic Italian walnut sauce which the Vitamix is perfect for, blitzing the nuts into THE MOST smooth, luscious sauce which sits under the gnudi. I even scattered on some roasted carrot coins to add extra flavour & veg to the dish. All in all it’s a pretty easy yet impressive dish to make (so perfect for dinner parties) but it’s also fun and a bit hands-on so is great to make with kids!

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Recipes

If you don't want chocolate, you should try Swiss Buttercream.  It is so unbelievably delicious and a dream to decorate with.   So, so buttery and smooth.

If you want to make a homemade chocolate cake from scratch, try this recipe - it is a favorite when I have more time and there is not pressure to make sure it is perfect : )

Cake Essentials

Shop all of the Cake & Cooking Essentials, here.  I've created their own collection so you can see everything on one page that you'll need - and use over and over in your kitchen.

This is a small investment item that make smoothing and decorating so much easier.  The offset handle really does make it easier to get those smooth sides and doesn't have the serrated edge of a butter knife.

Smooth the sides with the offset spatula, going all the way around, covering the spots and smoothing.  Blend it in with the top slightly and making a clean edge.  This part can take a while and requires some patience.  This is the time to remember that it is supposed to look delicious and not perfect.

Shop all of the Cake & Cooking Essentials, here.

Source: http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-to-decorate-cake-homemade.html

Fireball Apple Cider Jell-O Shots: These fall themed Jell-O shots are made with Jolly Rancher Apple gelatin, Fireball Whiskey, and fresh apple cider. It will be sure to warm up those chilly fall nights.

This week’s Tipsy Tuesday Jell-O Shot is Fireball Apple Cider Whiskey.

Inspired by my overflowing apple trees in my backyard and the cool crisp mornings we are starting to get around here.

If you don’t know Fireball is a cinnamon flavored whiskey and therefore is perfect for complimenting apple anything.

While the shots themselves are super tasty the are beyond ugly.

Like I really thought about not putting them on the blog ugly.

Yours will be even uglier than these.

I will admit that I did a little photoshopping to make them be less than the weird color they are. �

So don’t panic when you make them and the color is not appetizing…because the shot sure it.

Jolly Rancher a few years ago started making gelatin flavors. All are awesome.

I highly suggest buying all the flavors when you see them. I can usually find mine at Winco or I just buy them on Amazon.

As will all apple ciders, if you can get fresh pressed that will always give you the best flavor.

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President Donald Trump and rapper Kanye West got together for lunch at the White House Thursday. Trump is known to have a childish fast-food diet, but the menu for this event was adult and normal. The two dined on an appetizer of caprese salad with balsamic glaze, followed by roasted chicken, fingerling potatoes, and sauteed asparagus for their entree, per Associated Press White House reporter Zeke Miller.

Those are perfectly sane foods to eat. Trump and West were set to discuss manufacturing, prison reform, and other issues related to America in their meeting. So, how did that go? Normal, like the menu?

West suggested “Apple should build a hydrogen-powered iPlane to replace Air Force One and then showed [Trump] a design for the plane on his iPhone,” according to Telegraph special correspondent James Cook.

West said he “loves” Trump’s former presidential rival Hillary Clinton, but wearing a MAGA hat makes him “feel like Superman.”

Trump said West would make a great presidential candidate. West said he wouldn’t run until 2024.

West embraced Trump with a handshake and a hug.

West went on a 10-minute monologue, claiming, among other things, that he placed in the 98th percentile on an IQ test.

No, that wasn’t very normal at all.

• All Donald Trump Coverage [E]

While others are brunching with their families and posting pictures of their moms on Mother’s Day, some are feeling lonely and sad, wishing they had a reason to celebrate. Friend, if that’s you, we are so sorry that you’re having to navigate those feelings. We understand that a Hallmark holiday like this is tough when Mother’s Day is hard. 

We want to support you in taking care of yourself on Mother’s Day, and we know it’s not an easy day for everyone. Below find our suggestions for how to pick yourself up if Mother’s Day is tough for you.

When it’s not all cards and flowers. 

1. Stay off of social media. No matter what else you decide to do to get through the emotional stress of Mother’s Day, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of taking a social media hiatus. In our Instagram-driven world, it’s become the default for many people to share reflections about their loved ones on occasions like this, so you’re bound to find yourself overwhelmed with tributes to moms if you venture onto any of your social media feeds. Protect yourself by opting out of those feeds for the weekend. Instagram and Facebook will feel like kinder places for you when the holiday is over.

2. Reflect on the important women in your life. If you’ve lost or have a strained relationship with your mother, we understand that nothing and no one can replace what you’ve lost. Still, we encourage you to take some down time on Mother’s Day to think about the other women in your life who have been impactful and important to you. Is there a mentor at work who’s given you advice when you needed it most? A best friend with the kind of maternal energy you’ve needed on bad days? A neighbor who’s showed up with soup when you’re under the weather or watched your kids for you when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Take the time to find gratitude for these special people. You might even consider sending them a card or a simple text letting them know you’re thinking of them on a day that gives you complicated feels. 

3. Indulge in self-care. Self-care looks different for everyone, but we want you to do whatever makes you feel whole and healthy. Catch some extra sleep, go for a walk, do a little mindful meditation, treat yourself to something that will make you smile, or take your sweet time making yourself a healthy lunch. And, hey — if curling up on the couch and watching Netflix feels like self-care for you on a tough day, do that. 

4. Gather a community. Chances are that you’re not the only person in your circle who struggles to process difficult emotions around Mother’s Day. In the days leading up to it, gently reach out to anyone you know who doesn’t have a relationship with their mom, has suffered a loss, or lives far away from their family. Invite them to spend the day with you, then plan an informal brunch or other activity to bring everyone together. Gathering a community who shares in your experience will make you feel less alone in your discomfort with the day… and may even give you the chance to have some fun with it! 

5. Get outside. Fresh air is good for the soul. Take your workout outdoors, set out on an aimless walk around your neighborhood, or grab a blanket and find a grassy spot for reading, listening to your favorite podcast, or writing down some of your feelings. Your complicated emotions are totally understandable, but working through them outside might be more uplifting than being stuck indoors. 

6. Pick a theme song. Is there a song that makes you feel totally empowered? That reminds you of your best self, and of all of the amazing things that you’ve accomplished? That motivates you to forge ahead, no matter the obstacles you’ve faced? You should own that song on Mother’s Day (and any other challenging occasion, for that matter). Play it on repeat throughout the day — no matter what else you decide to do to cope — as a reminder of all that you can handle… because it’s a lot! 

7. Ask for support. When you feel the feels about Mother’s Day starting to come on, don’t be afraid to let your friends and support network know that you’re going to need a little extra love until it’s behind you. Calling in the troops before the holiday happens will ensure that you have people looking out for you and ready to love on you when you’re feeling too blue to reach out. 

8. Celebrate you. It’s not easy to navigate the ups and downs of life when you’re missing a relationship that feels like it should be all-important, but maybe Mother’s Day is a good moment for you to reflect on all of the ways that you’ve “mothered” yourself! How have you encouraged and inspired and pushed and forgiven yourself over the years? How have you built yourself into the person that you are? You deserve a celebration for that, so treat yourself. 

Please share this with those who may need it. Sending you lots of love.

In addition to having two levels of seating, the couch also includes a number of features (to ensure you get up as little as possible during a game) including:

- Chip, dip, and drink holders on each armrest
- A built-in mini-fridge
- Multiple tablets so that you can keep track of multiple games or your fantasy team
- LED lights lining both sofa levels that can be coordinated with team colors
- Smart device chargers and stands
- Electrical outlets

Photo via Tostitos.

These Three Amazing Recipes for Beef Curry can help you expand your culinary horizons if you’ve never made beef curry before! Any of these beef curry recipes would be a great choice for a delicious International dinner tonight.

Click here to PIN Three Amazing Recipes for Beef Curry!

Click here to see The BEST Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Roast Beef Dinners!

If you’re a fan of curry flavors, we’re hoping these Three Amazing Recipes for Beef Curry make you want to reach into the computer and take a bite! What makes curry so good is the amazingly fragrant spices that smell so good while cooking, and in these recipes the tender meat is enhanced by a rich curry sauce for international comfort food at it’s best!

We’ve updated this Friday Favorites post to include different styles of beef curry, with slow cooker or pressure cooker cooking methods, you can choose your favorite  flavors and method of cooking. Serve a delicious beef curry over rice, or you could make cauliflower rice if you would like to keep this a low-carb dish. Enjoy!

All photos are copyrighted to the site that posted the recipe. Just click the recipe name under any photo to see the complete recipe on that site.

Slow Cooker Pakistani Beef Curry from The Perfect Pantry is a Pakistani shredded beef dish with fragrant and flavorful spices like cardamom, nutmeg, turmeric, cinnamon, and garam masala. This is a perfect choice for an Indian dinner!

Pressure Cooker Thai Red Beef Curry from Dad Cooks Dinner uses a flat iron steak for this recipe that’s flavored with Coconut Milk and Thai Red Curry Paste. This delicious dish cooks up so quickly, you have curry in a hurry!

Lily and Dmitriy from Gastro Senses say this Beef Masala Curry is at the top their list for quick and satisfying meals. This beef curry with all the traditional Indian flavors that’s cooked in your Instant Pot could soon become a favorite meal!

More Tasty Beef in the Slow Cooker or Instant Pot:
Use the Index page for Beef to see all the slow cooker or pressure cooker beef recipes that have been featured on this site.

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Chi running makes a big promise to its followers. You can run effortlessly!

As the women above knows, most running doesn’t feel effortless. I am usually a sweaty mess after I finish my training runs – and I sleep well that night!

Danny Dreyer developed Chi Running after studying Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art and you may have seen people practicing it. Typically, they look like they are in slow motion, moving back and forth pushing their hands in the air. They seem to move like liquid.

The basic Chi Running concept is that you want to run in harmony with the laws of nature – in balance and in flow.

You are supposed to FOCUS YOUR MIND on proper technique (which he explains in his book) and relaxing your legs.

I came upon Chi Running during my sprint triathlon training. My running career had consisted of Couch to 5K in 2015 followed by my first 5K. I was amazed that I could train for a race and complete it!

But, I didn’t like running at all. I blasted music in my ears to keep me going and RUNNING HURT! I loved how I felt after a workout so I kept at it but I didn’t progress in my running. I kept finishing 5Ks but not faster or noticeably stronger.

I decided that I needed to do something different with my running and Chi Running was a technique that immediately appealed to me. I like anything that says it is “effortless”.

You are to go with the flow by using gravity to help propel you forward. Instead of powering through, you relax and allow your body to fall gently forward – then you catch it – and in doing so you start running. You take small steps and listen to your body.

Danny Dreyer is convinced that running is a practice like yoga that will help you clear your mind and RELAX.

He got me with those two words: practice and relax. I was doing the opposite with running. I did not consider it a practice (it was a chore) and relaxation happened at the end but not during the run. During the run, I was tense.

At any rate, Chi Running appeals to me. Every once in a while, I feel like I am getting it – and I get the effortlessness of it. I flow with the universe (and I am running at the same time). If nothing else, trying to relax during running has helped me like running more. Maybe, just maybe, I could become a runner that can’t wait to lace up her shoes and hit the pavement.

Fingers crossed!

There is also a book for the walkers in the group called Chi Walking. Have you ever thought about your form while walking? Do you ever get injured or feel pain? I think this could help but I haven’t tried it.

Have you tried Chi Running or Chi Walking? What do you think of it? Does it work for you?

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