Valentine gingerbread "loveshack" house

So this is part two for Valentine's Day, I've had this idea of a 'loveshack' for ages, pretty much since when I created the last gingerbread house just before Christmas. I thought to myself, I want to build this house again but I can't wait for Christmas. What's in between now and then... ahh Valentine's, ooh I could do something there, and the thought just came to me, so now I can't stop singing the B52s song, 'loveshack, baby loveshack'! Its terribly cute and lovely. All those hearts everywhere, I searched sweet shops high and low for all different kinds of sweeties.... and I'm pleased with the result.... 

Chocolate Amaretto Truffles for Valentine's Day

So yes, I'm aware that I'm a bit late with this posting, but trust me, the efforts I have had to go to in order to get this online. 'Nuff said really.

I wanted to make something lovely for Valentine's day, I'm such a softie (wait till you see what else I made), lol. 

I love this box - its so cute from paperchase and I fell in love with it instantly. And these chocs are just soo delicious, you don't know how tempting this process was. Truffles don't take too much time really, just depends on what you want the product to look like so that plays a part ... and patience, lots of it! A perfect pressie for any time of the year...

Chinese New Year cookies

So I'm a bit behind on this posting - I was trying to get this sorted for the start of the Chinese new year which is now about 2 weeks ago, but better late than never.

This particular chinese new year celebrates the year of the dragon - which is me. Apparently its supposed to be a good year for luck... I'm still waiting for that, but I shall be patient.

Every year in London, they have a celebration in Trafalgar Square and Soho. So off I went to brave the cold (and train delays, I might add) to go and partake in the experience of all things Chinese. After some alfresco chicken and noodles we followed the crowds around Soho, in search of the dragon who visits all the restaurants and eats the lettuce or vegetables left out for him. This is a form of good luck and fortune for the restaurants I am told.

So this year I made some chinese cookies, 4 different varieties; sesame seed, peanut butter, almond and fortune cookies. I have no idea which is my favourite - they are all just really yummy and moreish and really didn't last long at all!

Lemon & ginger biscuits

So the weather's been a bit rubbish lately (this is England after all), and January is just depressing and I really can't wait for February (a certain person's birthday, ahem!) aswell as my sisters', on the same day I should add!! I digress.. but basically I just want it to be spring.

I've also had a bit of a horrid week, so as the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, just bypass the tequila and buy some lemons down the market and get baking! Oh and while you're there, get some daffodils too!

This recipe really appealed to me and lemon and ginger are supposed to be calming, or is that just the tea? Either way, these didn't disappoint.

Rum 'n raisin fudge pressies

My mum lives a fair way off from me so she's not always around to taste the delectables I make from time to time so I thought I'd make something special for her for Christmas... some fudge. My mum and I went to Bath last year and watched someone making fudge, their technique of pushing the fudge around with a paddle on a marble table and by someone so young aswell. Nonetheless the beating process is what makes the fudge all smooth and not at all crumbly or crystallised.

Fudge I find, isn't the easiest thing to make, it depends on which recipe version you use, I've seen recipes with glucose syrup, condensed milk, marshmallows and others where you need to use a sugar thermometer. I can't be fussed with that, so I just used an old trusted recipe with condensed milk. But because it takes a while to cook, next time I might just boil the tin of condensed milk in a pan of water for a few hours to caramelise (or you can just buy the caramel in a tin). That might speed up the process a bit I reckon. Oh and next time, I might use more rum....way more rum!!