Jamaican Carrot Drink

Sep 20, 2012 by lovelypantry

Greetings friends of The Lovely Pantry! I have certainly been missing in action for the past few months. Mainly because I went to Jamaican for most of the summer. I usually take the time to spend with my family and my friends during the summer months. The connection is very important to me. Sometimes, you need to reconnect and rejuvenate, and that’s exactly what I did. I’ve been trying to get back into blogging but obstacles just keep popping up. Since I’m no quitter – I’m going to press on and continue what I really enjoy doing with the friends that inspire and encourage me every day. I should also try to make nice with my scale. I did not hold back when it came to food while I was in Jamaica! LOL!

A big hearty THANK YOU to my fabulous Food Blogger friends who did not hesitate to guest post for me while I was away! Sofie, Chung-Ah, Renee, Anuradha, and Sandra ~ You guys are so AWESOME!

Today’s post is a wonderful refreshing drink that is quite lovely with a Sunday dinner, or a special drink for entertaining. I got the recipe from a book given to me by the BESTIE a few months ago. I’ve added it to my growing collection of Jamaican Treasures and I’m so happy to be sharing the recipe with you here. The book is called The Real Taste of Jamaica by Enid Donaldson. I had it on my wish list for so long! I believe I had the book years go but gave it away because I wasn’t really into cooking at that time. I’m glad I have it once again! I’m keeping this copy! It has sentimental value 🙂

 

 

 

I’m just too excited. I love books – of course photography books and the like, but I have a soft spot for Cook Books. I just can’t have enough. Here are a few books that I got on my recent trip to Jamaica (except the one by Enid Donaldson). I absolutely adore the book called Jamaican Food, that documents the origin of certain foods that are a big part of the culture and some foods/dishes that are unique to Jamaica. I’ve never had a book like this before. Clearly, I have some reading and cooking to do!

 

 

I’m happy to be back! I feel like giving my kitchen a big hug!

Take good care everyone! *Virtual Hugs for you all*

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M&M and Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake by Anuradha of Baker Street

Jul 31, 2012 by lovelypantry

Today’s post is by none other than Anuradha from Baker Street!!! Anuradha is the brilliant baker behind Muffin Mondays. You all know how I look forward to Muffin Mondays. I always get to express my creativity with each weekly selection. I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things! Check out Anuradha’s awesome Muffin Recipes, Cake Recipes, and… okay look, just go to her blog. She has everything you ever dreamed of baking! From sweet to savory, there is something there to tickle your fancy. Her photography will leave you drooling (kind of like what I’m doing right now). You’ll thank me later!

Thank you Anuradha, for being so willing and might I say determined to see this post through! You’re such a trooper and I appreciate you! You made my day with this rich and amazingly chocolatey treat! What’s funny is – M&M’s is the treat that my kids get while they are here on vacation! A sweet coincidence! This cookie cake is absolutely perfect! Chocolate is my weakness!

Please enjoy today’s post by Anuradha: M&M And Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

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I’m thrilled to be guest posting for one of our very own Muffin Monday bakers, Lyn from The Lovely Pantry today. Her beautiful blog is a marriage of her two favorite hobbies – Cooking and Photography! A Jamaican Mom who improvises recipes as she goes along, her range is worth experiencing. She could whip up anything from a Chocolate Chip Granola Bar to a Spicy Thai Tuna and Fennel Salad.

When Lyn asked me to guest post, I agreed immediately but the deadline was strict and even though I thought I would make it, my two traumatizing weeks at the dentist’s did not allow it. Lyn, despite being continents away, was entirely understanding and let me have additional time. I can’t thank her enough for it.

In turn I decided to bake for her my favorite chocolate chip cookie cake. A cake that is perfect for just about every occasion. It’s easy, delicious and easily adaptable. My variation today is a personal favorite – M&M and Chocolate Chips.

M&M and Chocolate chip is quite a mouthful as it is and trust me the cake is perfect and needs no alteration but one thing I know about Lyn is she’s a chocoholic so I decided to give it a little bit of an extra chocolate glaze for her. A slice of this is just perfect to brighten any day.

Over to the recipe: Not a cookie, Not a cake. But the best of both worlds: A cookie cake sprinkled with M&Ms and chocolate chips.

M&M and Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Adapted from Food.com

 

 

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Strawberries and Cream Popsicles, Guest Post by Chung-Ah of Damn Delicious

Jul 17, 2012 by lovelypantry

Today’s post is by the lovely Chung-Ah from Damn Delicious. Chung-Ah’s recipe’s often remind me of my own or something that I’d eat in a heartbeat. We pretty much like the same food. I’ve said to her a few times that we could be cook-sisters. You know, those friends who you don’t mind sharing a kitchen with? Yep, that’s her. We are a part of some really cool movements like #SundaySupper and #MuffinMonday. Such a sweet brilliant soul. I was so happy when Chung-Ah agreed with such fiery spirit to guest post for me. Take a moment and visit her blog. I guarantee that you’ll love it. Her photography is beautiful too!

Check out some of Chung-Ah’s awesome recipes! A few of my favourites are Strawberry Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins, Pancetta Fried Rice and Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo (Keeping this recipe close) 

Thank you, Chung-Ah for guest posting today while I spend some quality time with my family in Jamaica. I appreciate you!!

Please enjoy today’s post by Chung-Ah: Strawberries and Cream Popsicles

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Lyn is off in Jamaica and even though I wanted to sneak into her suitcase and tag along, that didn’t quite happen as I had imagined. So here I am to provide you with a refreshing dessert option, or breakfast option for some.

Now for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Chung-Ah of Damn Delicious. I’m a recent public health graduate and I love spending time in my closet-sized kitchen, whipping up quick and easy homemade meals using fresh ingredients. With my love for food, I created a food blog over a year ago which in turn led me to meet so many wonderful foodies like Lyn. I’m definitely a big fan of hers, to say the least, and I am incredibly honored to be guest posting for her. She has the most wonderful recipes, and she never ceases to amaze me with her Jamaican favorites. I mean have you seen her Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding? I could seriously gobble that up for breakfast every morning!

Anyway, before I spend the whole day talking on and on about how I adore Lyn and how I need to try every single one of her recipes, we should get down to business and talk about these popsicles.

So I bought these cute popsicle molds from Crate & Barrel a while back and even though I had like 10 popsicle recipes lined up, these molds just sat in their box, unopened, for several weeks. I don’t know why but I have this tendency to leave brand new kitchen products in their original packaging for an indefinite amount of time. I did that with my Le Creuset dutch oven and I did it again with my KitchenAid mixer. I think that sat on the couch for like a month.

It’s a sickness really. Maybe I should see someone about that.

Anyway, when I finally managed to get the molds out of their box, I inaugurated them with this awesome strawberries and cream recipe I found over at My Baking Addiction. It’s seriously one of the easiest things to make, and the only hard part is pouring the mixture into the molds without making a mess on your kitchen counter.

Yeah, like I said, super easy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you don’t have a popsicle mold, you should totally get one. The popsicle recipe options are endless, and you get to use up such fresh ingredients that bring natural sweetness to these babies, unlike the sugar-loaded store-bought ones. Plus, it’s a sure way to cool off on these hot summer days!

 

 

 

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Almond Banana Espresso Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins

Jun 25, 2012 by lovelypantry

That title was a mouthful. The best mouthful I’ve had in a while. I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoyed these muffins. Thank goodness for Muffin Mondays!

When I saw this recipe, my first thought was…this isn’t the healthiest muffin recipe but I can work with it! I was determined to make this muffin as healthy as possible. Ah well, I’ll experiment some more at a later time but these muffins were terrific. They were beautifully moist with a lovely hint of espresso, and of course a few Dark Chocolate Chips to make it really special. You know Dark Chocolate is good for you, right?

Todays recipe is adapted from the book called Baked: New Frontiers In Baking by Matt Lewis & Renato Poliafito. I made a few changes that would hopefully ease my conscience even just a little. I wanted to incorporate almonds so I replaced regular milk with almond milk. I also substituted 1/2 cup all-purpose flour with almond flour (or almond meal). I had a bag of sliced almonds just waiting to be used. I put some in a food processor and pulsated until it was finely ground. I placed a few sliced almonds on the muffin batter just to see what it would be like and it turned out just fine. I knew the kids wouldn’t like them there so they had the ones without the almonds. I only used 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips. Good call – it was just the right amount for me.

 

 

 

 

We started eating these muffins before I took photos. How on earth did I let that happen!? Once you’ve had one of these muffins, I kid you not, you won’t be able to stop…

 

 

I was quite pleased with the almond slices on top. They were perfectly toasted and crunchy.

 

 

Extremely moist and rich in flavour. These muffins are a delightful breakfast or snack!

 

 

We thoroughly enjoyed my adaptation. I will continue to convince myself that I made myself a healthy version of the original recipe.

Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street. A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week. Drop in a quick line to join her on her journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week.

I hope you enjoyed todays post. Have a wonderful week!

~Lyn

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Sweet Potato Bun

Apr 15, 2012 by lovelypantry

I had to share this recipe. It tastes too good to keep to myself. I will also say that this is the last bun recipe I will post until next Easter. Seriously.

However, I will not classify this bun as an Easter Bun even though I found it in The Gleaner’s Easter Cookbook 2012 (Page 26). No, not this bun. This bun can be prepared at any time throughout the year. There are many recipes in the cookbook that I will be trying very soon. I have the best Dad. He mailed me the booklet so that I could have a resource for my posts. He knows how much I like to flip though pages. Isn’t he great? I’m sure you guys remember one of my most favourite things is sending and receiving mail. My dad put a really big smile on my face! Thank you Dad!

The first time I made this bun, and it was a hot mess. I’m not a baker so I had no idea what I did wrong. The batter was thin and after baking it for more than the suggested time, it still came out like a pudding. My husband described the texture of the outside of the bun felt like leather. I was so disappointed because the flavour was quite pleasant but the texture was not good at all. This was my very first baking flop. I decided to look through the ingredients again and compare with all the other bun recipes. I realized that there was probably too much liquid and not enough flour. I made some changes to the original recipe and got it right! Success!!! This is the bun that I will be making next year! I only used raisins and there’s no mixed peel to pick out.

The only way I’ll be making this bun again this year, is if someone specifically asks me to make it or places an order ($$).

 

 

 

 

I was watching the consistency so closely the second time around.

 

 

I like the contrast in colours here.

 

 

In go the raisins. The batter at this point is fairly firm and has a thick consistency. Exactly what I want.

 

 

Ready for the oven!

 

 

Fresh out  the oven, looking good, smelling great and not feeling like leather on the outside 🙂

 

 

Checking for the consistency – looks perfect. And then I realized I had cut my bun before I glazed it.  So anxious!

 

 

Now this is more like it!

 

 

This bun was so nice, I had to double up on the cheese. It was moist and dense, as it should be. I think that’s totally acceptable since I’m not having this bun again until next year.

 

 

I feel great about this bun. Have you had any baking triumphs? I’d love to hear about it.

Have a wonderful Sunday and an awesome week!

~Lyn

 

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