Christmas 2015 | Book of Elsa

Merry Christmas,

I wish you all peace and happiness this festive season.

Elsa 

xo

Gabriellas' Pavlova Book of Elsa

I've had a love affair with pavlova on/off for the last 10 years. Adjusting recipes in order to achieve crispy sides and bottom with marshmallowy insides has not been easy. My first attempt can only be described as a crispy egg white and sugar biscuit with over whipped cream and limp defrosted berries. 

Now please don't let the description above stop you from trying this. I mention it only so that YOU dear reader know that if for whatever reason the following recipe doesn't work the first time. PLEASE try again. 

The recipe below comes from How To Eat by Nigella Lawson (1998) p. 373 

Some words of wisdom before we begin:

1. Do wipe your mixing bowl and whisk with a segmented lemon or lime before you begin. The eggs just won't grow in volume if there's any grease.
2.  Any fruit/berries on top will do. I'm using strawberries here as they are my sister Gabriella favourite. Indeed this is her favourite dessert. But please no frozen defrosted ones. You'll just end up disappointed. Take it from me: it's not worth it.

Mickhaels' 12th Birthday - Book Of Elsa

Saturday in Chester

Book Review: Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson

Before I get into this, there something you should know: I'm in love with Nigella Lawson. Everything about the way she cooks and writes just speaks to my soul. Her attitude and ethos towards food has shaped my life more than any other author of cookery books. Or other genres if I'm being honest.
However, this like all book reviews I write has to be honest. So here goes:
In my opinion, there are 3 stages to reading a cookbook.

1. Looking at the pictures stage. If they don't make you want to dive in at once... #nobueno
2. Quick read of the chapter titles/introductions and other notes. Those provide insight into the mind of author.
3. Reading the book. 

I've marked certain recipes I think will be awesome (see stage 2) and will let you know how it goes in another post.

Prawn Fritters | Book of Elsa

I feel kind of silly typing this up because it's not really a recipe. No really, it isn't. Most of the ingredients you probably have in your kitchen (bar the prawns) plus the whole process from raw to mouth should take twenty minutes max.

However, these are addictive; If you ever make just one of my recipes: This is THE ONE. 

Promise.

Elsa

xo

October is here - Book of Elsa

October is here!!! For those of you new to this blog (welcome by the way) I'm a die hard autumn lover. This month in particular represents so much for me about life, change and of course Halloween. But more about Hallows Eve on my next post. The following represent in picture form why I'm such a fan of this particular season. Besos.

Book of Elsa

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Candles here

Ankle Boots here

Cosy Sweaters: Cape Cardigan here | Bardot Top here

Pumpkins | Couldn't resist...

Saturday Haul a Video | Book Of Elsa

So... I went shopping! 

Spent a whole load of my very hard earned cash and here is what I got. If you're interested that is. 

Have a great weekend, whatever you're up to.
Book of Elsa 

xo
 

Let's Talk About Guacamole - Book of Elsa

There's a debate going on in the world about TRUE MEXICAN GUACAMOLE. Tomato or no Tomato?! 

Please pay attention. Very serious stuff going on here.... 

Original recipes contain tomato (mostly); However, I tend to find that it makes the guacamole too liquid-y also I don't like the red interfering with all the other shades of green.

The Mourning Bride - Zara

The Mourning Bride (excerpt) by William Congreve

by russellboyle.com

Zara from Act iii Scene viii

Ha!
Who waits there?
As you’ll answer it, take heed
This Slave commit no Violence upon
Himself. I’ve been deceiv’d. The Publick Safety
Requires he should be more confin’d; and none,
No not the Princes self, permitted to
Confer with him. I’ll quit you to the King.
Vile and ingrate! too late thou shalt repent
The base Injustice thou hast done my Love:
Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past Distress,
And all those Ills which thou so long hast mourn’d;
Heav’n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn’d,
Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn’d.

William Congreve
1670-1729

DIY - Under stairs Shelving Unit | Book of Elsa

It cost a lot less to make THIS than to buy new storage shelves from Ikea (hundreds less FYI). Not going to lie: it takes time. A lot of time. 2 weekends total. BUT the end product is fantastic and you have the satisfaction of owning something you built with your own hands.

Peace, xo

Basically Good BBQ Marinade | Book of Elsa

The mush:

1 Red onion

1White onion

1inch piece of Ginger

4 cloves of garlic (or to taste)

Fish sauce

Olive oil

Rice wine vinegar

Dry Rub:

Jerk Seasoning

Chillie flakes

Ground Cumin

salt and Pepper

Book Review | The Martian by Andy Weir

Summer Sales | Book of Elsa

Hi Lovelies,

Summer sales are in full swing, as usual I went shopping for something very specific in mind (winter boots FYI) and ended up with some delicious looking robe, pants and heels. The elusive perfect winter boots evaded my debit card this time but I can't wait to have another go...

I hope you like the video.

Laters, xxo

Love Scares Most Of All - Book Of Elsa

Love scares most of all

Thoughts of losing members of my family bring me out in hives and breathlessness

Thoughts of adding to my loves terrifies me

Exposing pockets of my soul to the world than is safe 

More to hurt, more to bleed, love cuts way too deep

But then, what would be the point in existing? 

If we had no one to share it with

There are billions of us in this world.

Maybe, just maybe the point of it all is to have witnesses of our existence

People to not only say she was here. 

She was loved and she lived.

Someone to acknowledge all that was done and did by the departed.

So in a way love scares most of all because in the end, it is all we have left.

It's our legacy.

BOE

Happy Friyay! - Book of Elsa

Hello Lovelies,

Its Friday!

Which can only mean one thing: the weekend is here... And aren't we all excited (to completely waste it).

To get you all in the mood I've been trolling Youtube for the cutest video I could find.

Enjoy

Elsa

Book Haul | Book of Elsa

The Bees - Laline Paull

The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me - Lucy Robinson

The Martian - Andy Weir

Random Clip - Book Of Elsa

Let's Talk About Periods - Book Of Elsa

It has come to my attention that I've had periods for fourteen years!

In all that time it is only just now that I've managed to get it under control. 

The first sight of my monthlies no longer induces sheer panic but more of a relief annoyance.

As it can be a bit scary time for teenager girls I thought a guide to periods would be most welcome.

I was way to embarrassed to want to talk about it. So here is some of my knowledge.

1. It will take a year or two for your cycle to become regular. sorry ladies but that's a fact. Mine actually took five years before I could predict when they would happen so always (and I cannot emphasise this point enough) carry a pad/tampon with you at all times. If however, you forget like me plenty of times at lets say a cinema. Go to the bathroom and ask a lady for one. She will understand and most likely help you.
2. Day one of a cycle is the 1st day of your period and your cycle last until the beggining of the next one which is between 28 to 30 days.
3. There are a wide variety of products on the market but I would suggest starting with pads.

I am Back - Book Of Elsa

It's been a while beautiful people,
Technical issues stopping me from posting have finally been resolved. 

See You 
xo

Gateaux Bedoum - Book of Elsa

Roughly translated, Gateau Bedoum are puffed up cakes. The recipe below is one I use often; not too sweet and traditionally they are drenched in granulated whilst served in newspaper from the lady down the street.

What I've Been Up To?! - Book of Elsa

Plane Essentials - Book of Elsa

Plane Essentials

Travelling is one of my fave thing to do however, it can get quite stressful so here I suggest what things I take on planes, hopefully it will help you guys.

Also, if you're not travelling alone it might be more economical to share hold luggage between you because honestly being free of bags on a journey is worth the money! 

THE LIST includes but is not limited to:

Magazines

Books

Playing Cards

Ipod/Phone

Headphones

Chargers/Adaptors

Passports

Snacks

Blanket

Sunglasses

Kindness - Book of Elsa

Kindness is cheap

It's free

Clear and supposedly easy 

Why then aren't we kinder to each other?

This author isn't putting herself on a pedestal.

I am guilty as charged

Greed, mood and anger have been said to stop us being kind not only to our kin but strangers too

Although arguably it IS easier to be kind to people you don't know 

They, after all haven't had a chance to hurt you

I ask then, if kindness cost us nothing. 

Why are we so shy about giving it?

Book of Elsa

What's in my bag | Book of Elsa

Summer is HERE! - Book of Elsa

For me, Summer hasn't truly begun until A: Roland Garros has started and B: I've made this fruit salad. 

I Hope you love it as much as I do.

My Black Is Beautiful - ZINHLE MLOTSHWA

My Black Is Beautiful - ZINHLE MLOTSHWA 

Yes, I'm black, darker than most, 

But in my blackness I boast.

Boasting of my own? No! 

But boasting of the quality

Which He: my God gave me! 

From the curvature of my hips

To the thickness of my thighs, 

Yes; even down to my big brown eyes? 

He made my black beautiful! 

And for the first time in a long

Time, I'm loving me and mine.

Come to the truth, should have

Known it from my youth, 

But now that I know my

Black is beautiful, 

You cannot use me, mistreat

Or abuse me.

It is no longer a allusion but

I have come to the conclusion

Even if it means me loving

Me, cause you see

I have the power to love

Myself hour after hour.

I am God's creation. Yes, 

A master plan even the

Absence of a man.

I still stand tall yell, 

Refusing to fall, screaming

Loud and very proud, 

MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL! 

It is more worth than gold, 

Cause my black runs deep

Into my only soul.

Not just for external for

Staring and glaring, 

But it is the inner me

That God would have you see.

And it causes me to

Shout beyond the shadow

Of a doubt, MY BLACK

IS BEAUTIFUL! So if

You are a woman

And you are real and you

Feel what I feel.

Do not be ashamed to

Proclaim what he said

And what you read.

Fearfully and wonderfully

Made god very good

With what I wish you

Would tell somebody, 

Anybody, your body, 

MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL! 

Red Prawn & Mango Curry - Book of Elsa

Red Prawn & Mango Curry

As I write, it occurs to me just how simple this recipe is but also how delicious it tastes. This serves 4 depending on appetites and which carbohydrate you are serving it with. I prefer rice but noodles of any kind would work too or even served soupily out of bowls with naan or other types of bread. There are no limits!! Also bear in mind the vegetables I used were ones I had in fridge at the time of cooking so please feel free to add (or leave out) ones you want. 

happy cooking!

Elsa

Rhubarb & Muscat Jelly - Book of Elsa

Rhubarb & Muscat Jelly - Book of Elsa

Rhubarb & Muscat Jelly - Book of Elsa

Rhubarb & Muscat Jelly - Book of Elsa

Bank holiday weekends are the best! Days out, barbecues, long walks in a park. Unless you live in the NORTH where it basically just rains, all the time.... 

This is my way of coping and I promise you it's worth it!! The reason I'm making such a statement first thing is because this is a long recipe. It will require patience and time, but it is oh so worth it. You can thank me for changing your lives in the comment box.

Enjoy,

XO

Ingredients:

800g Rhubarb trimmed and cut into 2cm lengths

335g Caster Sugar

1 Orange, zested and juiced

270ml Water

8 Leaves of gelatin

180ml Muscat wine

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C.

Put the rhubarb into a large ovenproof dish. Sprinkle over the sugar, add the orange juice and zest, and the water, and cover, either with lid or with foil. Bake for 1 hour. 

Take out of oven, remove lid, and let cool.

Strain carefully into a large measuring cup or bowl. I find this gives about 700ml. Put the pulp aside (you can freeze it for later use in a fool or trifle). 

Add the Muscat wine to the juice. Taste; you may want some more sugar or a squeeze more orange or, indeed, more Muscat.

Lightly oil a  jelly mold by dabbing a paper towel in some suitably flavourless oil and then rubbing it over the interior of the mold. 

Soak gelatin leaves in a dish of cold water until softened. Put 2 ladles of rhubarb and Muscat syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil. 

Squeeze out the gelatin leaves and whisk into the syrup off the heat. When they've dissolved, pour the contents of the pan back into the measuring cup. 

Pour into the jelly mold and place in the refrigerator to chill and set, about 6 hours or overnight.

Apple & Almond Cake - Book of Elsa

Apple & Almond Cake - Book of Elsa

Gluten Free and contains absolutely no FAT - Basically healthy (sugar doesn't count, right?)

Enjoy!

xo

Week In Pictures - 9th April '15

Her name is Smudge and she is the best Guinea Pig in the world.

First draft of a poem.

Nothing better than a chicken and two (types of) potato dinner.

Cinnamon toast recipe from The Pioneer Woman find it here.

Art in silver frames new pieces from my fave Charmaine Olivia - Find her here.

Happy Easter - Book of Elsa

Happy Easter - Book of Elsa

Winston Churchill  said that failure is not fatal; that our ability to get up and keep going ultimately defines us more than our mistakes ever will. 

So whilst it's alright to wallow in defeat... If you're like me a couple days spent in bed feeling like crap generally do the trick.

However, it is important to realise that things ALWAYS get better. 

Rise, shower, put make up on, do those little things that make you feel better and leave the house even if it is just to visit the library especially when one doesn't feel like it.

Life keeps us moving forward like a bullet train thus it's safer to stay onboard.

Happy Easter

xo

White Rabbit - Book of Elsa

White Rabbit 

Running because I'm a scared White Rabbit

In a hurry. Paranoid

The smile mere thoughts of you brought to my lips remains a distant memory

I want you to want me like you used to

Eyes hungry for no one else but me

Only you have me running, paranoid

Questioning my sanity and dare I say it

My ability to Love

Book of Elsa

Sunday Funday - Book of Elsa

Sunday Funday 

Weekends were made for this...
xxo

Happy Sunday - Book of Elsa

Happy Sunday,

Today is the second Sunday in March and it officially feels like spring is here. After the winter we've had I believe some sunshine is long overdue. Therefore below is a video from my very recent holiday to the Canary Island of Fuerteventura.

Hope you enjoy and have a great end to your weekend.

Elsa

xxo

To The Moon - Boof Of Elsa

Like I love you to the moon

Like there's a lifetime guarantee

No exchange or warranty 

The tide came in during the storm 

I was lost forever screaming and crying inside 

I looked upon your tiny face and it smiled 

Sometimes love doesn't hurt

I hear it's actually quite common

Like I love you to the moon 

We'll play dinosaurs and draw until the end

You saved my miserable human life 

Made it magic with moon like

I love you to the moon and quite possibly 

Beyond the stars  

Book Of Elsa

Top Three Beauty Box Deals - Book of Elsa

Top Three Beauty Box Deals - Book of Elsa

It started with Youtube videos, I discovered vastly different mail order beauty products for under £15. Hosts of subscription beauty boxes have launched online in the UK after growing popularity in the United States. The idea is that you subscribe and then each month receive a box full (between 5-8) of new samples, travel and full size beauty products. 

While you can’t choose what’s in the box, you can decide which Beauty Box you sign-up for. Here are some of the best I could find due to the diversity of their products, price and customer reviews.

Shrove Tuesday - Crêpes

Shrove Tuesday - Crêpes 

And so it goes, being a purist I like mine with lemon and granulated sugar but I dare you to try it with Nutella, if you must bring in to play jam then any will do but I insist on unsalted butter on the base first. Trust me it will change your life. I tend to make these not only on Shrove Tuesday but whenever I get home sick; I'm pretty sure 'maman, une crêpe' was my little sisters' first sentence. 

Makes 6 on a 20cm shallow pan with sloping sides. 

Half Caste - John Agard

Half Caste - John Agard

Excuse mestanding on one leg I’m half-caste.

Explain yuselfwha yu mean
when yu say half-caste
yu mean when Picasso
mix red an green
is a half-caste canvas?

explain yuself
wha yu mean
when yu say half-caste
yu mean when light an shadow
mix in de sky
is a half-caste weather?
well in dat case
england weather
nearly always half-caste
in fact some o dem cloud
half-caste till dem overcast
so spiteful dem don’t want de sun pass
ah rass?

explain yuself
wha yu mean
when yu say half-caste
yu mean tchaikovsky
sit down at dah piano
an mix a black key
wid a white key
is a half-caste symphony?

Explain yuself
wha yu mean
Ah listening to yu wid de keen
half of mih ear
Ah looking at yu wid de keen
half of mih eye
an when I’m introduced to yu
I’m sure you’ll understand
why I offer yu half-a-hand
an when I sleep at night
I close half-a-eye
consequently when I dream
I dream half-a-dream
an when moon begin to glow
I half-caste human being
cast half-a-shadow
but yu must come back tomorrow
wid de whole of yu eye
an de whole of yu ear
an de whole of yu mind.

an I will tell yu
de other halfof my story.

Is Love Ever Enough - Book of Elsa

Is Love Ever Enough

As humans we have been spoilt: with food, with shelter, with ease. That has made us entitled to want everything else. AAAAND WHY NOT???

The world owes us right? We need to have our lives perfected an art of Kung Fu. Our men need to love us to death and respect us and be macho manly but secure in their own skin too. Ah. 

They need to be everything all the time otherwise what's the point? We can have it all! Wrong.

Relationships do not work that way, I've come to realise... It's all a game of give and take. Pass the parcel with hearts, minds and feelings; everyone is a player. Like it or not we all have skin in the game. And it's never enough. We keep chasing THE NEXT BEST shoes, house, boyfriend and for what?!

Book of Elsa 

Book Wishlist - 2015

Books on my Wishlist 

Probably will not end up reading all the books on my wishlist this year. I can tell you there are many, however these five are the ones I'm really looking forwarding to reading once I track them down (half the fun if I'm being completely honest)

 Extraordinary books are coming out every day/week thus it's only fair I read as many as possible right? 

Also, please don't feel like you have to buy books! Public libraries do fantastic work with their stock, and it's FREE!!! So, without further ado....

Vanilla Millefeuille - Book of Elsa

Vanilla Millefeuille

Have you made a recipe calling for puff pastry but then been left with strands, squares of puff that you just had to throw away because you had no idea how to use it all up? Well no more waste! All this pastry needs is a couple of tablespoons of vanilla sugar sprinkled on top then in a hot (200 degrees) oven for ten minutes. Et Voila! 

Also, if you don't have vanilla sugar, it works just as well with cinnamon sugar or just plain granulated sugar. The possibilities are endless...

Happy Baking :)

XO