Macarons are here to stay!

Without any doubt Macarons are here to stay! Because they are super yummy and eye candy :)
Last month my sister went to Paris... and guess what I asked her to bring me :)

and of course I had to have a photoshoot with them!! this time with a digital SLR! my humble Canon Ixus has been good to me.. but an SLR is another league!

yummy flavors! of Rose, Jasmin mango, Blackcurrant Violet, Caramel with salted butter and Liquorice,

a close up of this yummy treats,


I also gave another task to my sister :) to get me some pictures from the tea room of Ladurée Bonaparte shop. Thanks a lot Sis :)))




it has a impressive room! I need to visit it next time I'm in Paris :)))




who can resist to the Macarons of Laduree? they should open a store here in Belgium!!!

Super Easy Yummy Scones!

I've tried this recipe from Jamie Oliver's book Ministry of Food several times and the scones always came out excellent! Its also pretty straight forward recipe :)

*Makes 10 scones

-120g mixture of sour cherries and/or raisins
-orange juice, for soaking
-450g self-raising flour, plus a little extra for dusting
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-120g butter
-pinch of salt
-2 large eggs
-5 tablespoons milk, plus a little extra for brushing

*To make your dough

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Soak the cherries and raisins in a little bowl with just enough orange juice to cover them. While they're soaking, you can either pulse the flower, baking powder and butter in a food processor just until the mixture starts to look like breadcrumbs (don't be tempted to over-pulse) or you can rub them together by hand (that is what I do). Transfer to a mixing bowl and make a well in the middle. In another bowl, beat the eggs and milk with a good pinch of salt. Then pour your beaten eggs, milk, cherries and raised into the well in the flour mixture and stir well, adding a splash more milk if necessary, until you have a soft, dry dough.


After just roll out the dough with a rolling pin and cut 2cm thick or as you like it best :) . Dip the pastry brush into some milk and brush the top of each scone. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until risen and brown.

result super yummy scones!!!!

what to put on them!?!!?!? what about homemade jam!!!! recipe from my second favorite cook Rachel Allen!, Summer fruit Jam recipe

nothing better then an afternoon tea with some homemade scones and jam!


yummy :)

We love Cupcakes!

Last weekend I was in Lisbon :) , every time I go there I always end up wondering around in Bairro Alto there is always something new going on in this trendy neighborhood. This time I've came across this new Bakery that has some of the most amazing cupcakes I've ever tried!


I've been to the famous Magnolia Bakery in New York City and I have to say I like these Cupcakes better! :) . This bakery is called Tease and is located at Rua do Norte.


I had the above cupcake and it was super yummy!!! I love the detail that the cupcakes are served in vintage china, being myself a collector of vintage china being served in them was a true delight!


This lime one was delicious as well!!

The bakery has a really vintage look like and old tea house,



but with some rock and roll vibe as well,


super cute poster! "Keep Calm and Eat a Cupcake"


more super eye candy cupcakes,




If you are visiting or living in Lisbon! Is worth to go check it out! :)

Why do we love Macarons?

Why do we like them so much! It might be the fact that we can find them in ever imaginable color! the visual appeal.. Or that they are amazing tasting!! They are indeed a true explosion of flavors and colors!

The last time I was in London I couldn't resist to buy some of my favorite macarons in Laduree at Harrods,

I know that we shouldn't play with food.. but I couldn't resist to try doing some photo styling :)


I love their boxes they are super cute!!

The Flavors above are Pistachio, Coffee, Lemon, Liquorice , Raspberry and Praline! I have to say that the Lemon and the Liquorice are my favorites! such and explosion of flavors! You can find all the existing flavors here

My new challenge is try to bake them!! I just need to get my hands on this book:

Sweet Cupcakes Liners!

I have a little obsession in collecting Cupcakes liners, they are simply super cute :)
And everyones enjoys more eating a cupcake decorated with a nice cupcake liner.

My own collecting of Cupcakes Liners that keep on growing!


my latest acquisition from Hema, 200 liners for only 2.99 euros!


If I talk about cupcakes liners I need to talk about baking :) here are the apple and raisin muffins I did last weekend,


One of the things I enjoy about baking is the nice smell your house is left with!


The recipe comes from my all time favorite baking book Bake from the amazing
Rachel Allen,


here is the Muffins recipe being read by my two new little friends,


Also, I've recently in Etsy I've found this super cute CupcakeSocial,


for valentines day!


my favorite one :)

Ready to eat in 25min!

Ready to eat in 25min! you can bet on it :) There is nothing more simple then doing a Quiche or a Tartelette!

Here are my favorite recipes!

*Courgette Quiche:

1 shortcrust pastry
2 eggs
2 natural yogurts
1 courgette
2 tomatoes
250g Mozzarella
olive oil, salt, pepper

1.Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C ( or follow the temperature from the shortcrust pastry instructions)

2.Cut the courgette and fry it until is gold, put apart. Cut the tomatoes and mozzarella in little pieces.

3. In a medium bowl combine the eggs and yogurt. Also add some basil leaves. Season it with salt and pepper.

4. Arrange the pastry case, combine the mozzarella, tomatoes and courgette. Cover it with the combined eggs and yogurt mix.

5.Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Let it stand 5 minutes before cutting.

If you don't eat eggs you can change the receipt to replace the eggs and yogurt with
250g of Tofu and a 1/3 cup of Milk. In a blender combine the tofu and milk until smooth, adding more milk if necessary. Blend in salt and pepper. Use this mix instead to top the quiche.

*Quick Salmon and goat's cheese tart

"375g pack ready-rolled puff pastry sheet
4 large tomatoes, thinly sliced
100g French goat's cheese
300g sliced smoked salmon
handful of chopped chives

1.Pre-heat the oven to 200C

2.Line a roasting tray with baking paper, Unroll the pastry on the the tray and cut to your preferred shape.

3.Scatter on the slices of tomato, then crumble the cheese over and finally arrange the salmon on top.

4.Pop in the oven, on the top shelf, for approximately 20-25 or until the pastry is golden.

5. Just serve, sprinkle with chopped chives."

This receipt is from the Fay's Family Food


Yummy!!! this is what i call healthy fast food :)

We love cookies!

One of the easiest things you can bake are cookies, easy to assemble and fast in the baking.

The most impressing ones I've seen are this Giant Toblerone Cookies
simple to do and cause quite and impression as they are simple Huge!!!!!

You can use toblerone or another normal black chocolate they come up always really tasty!

Hugeeee super duper cookies!

If you are looking for a more nutrient cookie then there is also the wonderful Oatmeal and raisin cookies from Rachel's book Bake.

The recipe is the following (makes about 30 cookies):

110g (4oz) butter, softened
110g (4oz) caster sugar
110g (4oz) soft brown sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp water
1tsp vanilla extract
250g (9oz) porridge oats
110g (4oz) self-raising flour
1 level tsp salt
110g (4oz) raisins

1. Preheat the oven to 180’C (350’F), Gas Mark 4.
2. Cream the butter in a large bowl or in an electric food mixer until soft. Add the sugars and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg, water and vanilla extract while still beating. Reduce the speed and gently mix in the oats, flour, salt and raisins to form a dough.
3. Using your hands, roll the dough into walnut sized balls and place slightly apart on two baking trays.

4. Bake in the oven for 12-25 minutes or until light golden brown but still slightly soft in the center.
5. Allow to cool on the trays for a minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

They are simply yummy at any time :)