Pizza | Book of Elsa

Okay so the premise is this: I cannot make bread.

Long ago I accepted that combining flour, water, yeast and salt just wasnt meant to be. I have wasted kilos of flour trying to make bread and everytime it has fallen flat <literally> until today!

The recipe below is WORKS. Just try it and you will not be disappointed.

Obviously any toppings you like will do, I used:

Pesto, cooked sausage, cheese and sweetcorn

Orange Scented French Toast | Book of Elsa

To anyone familiar with my Instagram these are no surprise: I adore french toast. Most of the time I can only make them on saturdays when I have time to let the custard soak into the bread  and cook in butter low and slow, like. I'm salivating just thinking about it. This orange scented version is extra special and I hope you try it. However, the orange flavoured syrup showed on the picture above is not very good and I would not even think of giving you the recipe until it's perfect so I'd suggest you have greek yoghurt with.

How To Eat | Book Review

Book Review | Mamushka - Olia Hercules

Book Review | The Ten (Food) Commandments - Jay Rayner

First things first: this is not a recipe book. It contains recipes sure and good ones at that, but they are not the raison d'être of this book. They are, like snacks to nibble on whilst you ingest the true message of the written word. That word is worship. At the altar of PIG and other foodstuff... 

If like me you love food, then this is definitely a read for you. Funny, smart and current Rayner does something with words I had only previously experienced with Nigella Lawson: he makes me want to eat. To eat very well indeed.

Thank you

Book of Elsa

PS: it's available here

Cuba Vlog | Book of Elsa

Holiday Essentials | Book of Elsa

First and foremost, a book. If like me you believe in entertaining yourself then a great read (or two) is the way to go; Magazines are acceptable too... If you must.

   

Sun cream and insect repellent are vital = your older self will be full of thanks and the mosquitoes won't take you for an all you can eat buffet. On the same note don't forget to apply the latter at night especially if you're going somewhere tropical.

  

Tablet/Phone: Be sure to download a few games that don't require internet to play.

OBVIOUSLY.

DUH....

Chocolate | Book of Elsa

Alright you fantastic people of the internet here is a recipe to change the way you feel about chocolate! Please excuse my enthusiasm for the subject matter but take it from someone who on a regular day doesn't even LIKE chocolate...

This Sauce is to die! I was eating churros with it :-) whilst seriously considering taking a bath of this stuff so here is the recipe such as it is

Book of Elsa

Ingredients

50g dark chocolate

50g milk chocolate

100ml double cream

Method

Chop the chocolate and put it in a sauce pan, add the double cream and cook slowly until the chocolate has melted. 

Take off the heat, stir, swoon and eat/drink :-) x 

Food for Thought - Book of Elsa

Food is much more than just fuel; we use it to celebrate all major life events. Sharing a table laden with delicious things is our way of showing how much we care about the people in our lives. Be it by baking cupcakes for a boyfriend or making your sisters' engagement party cake. Not only that but we also use food as a way of caring for those less able than ourselves such as the elderly and infants.

Therefore, with this in mind when I'm told to stop talking/writing about food all the time I know that I can never stop. It is much too important to all of us. Indeed much depends on dinner; in my opinion food and the preparation of food either alone or in a group is the most basic way of showing we care.

Happy Eating :)

Book Of Elsa

xo

Christmas 2015 | Book of Elsa

Merry Christmas,

I wish you all peace and happiness this festive season.

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.

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

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

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

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.