This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Cook Up With Vicki No 12...

Another Cook Up With Vicki has happened...



 from donna hay magazine Issue 58 Aug/Sept 2011...
Vicki and I decided to each cook something from each issue and then blog it...
anyone is welcome to join us...just cook something up from the issue and blog it!!!

Menu is...
Quince-glazed Pork with Haloumi and Sweet Potato Gratin...
Salted Caramel and Vanilla Baked Cheesecake



Sweet Potato, Caramelized Onion and Haloumi ready to bake...


All done...


This would have to be one of the most delicious meals...I have since made it again...


I used Quince Paste and Smoky Caramelized Onion from Cranky Pants...
absolutely delicious...
I think I will try and make some Caramelized Onion one day...can't be too hard I figure!!!


Instead of using regular brown sugar I used Rapadura Organic Sugar purchased from Rustic Pantry...
This sugar is still brown but not gone through all the processes...
Ordinarily we don't usually have a lot of caramel here from regular brown sugar as it can react with JoJo...
this time she was absolutely fine...
will have to make this sauce again to confirm it but looking good!!!

Organic Rapadura is an unrefined sugar, popular for its unique caramel flavour, fine grain and gorgeous golden colour. It is produced by simply evaporating the water from the organic sugar cane juice. It has high nutritional value as it retains most of the natural vitamins and minerals, because, unlike other sugar it is not separated from the nutrient dense molasses part of the sugar cane during the pressing and drying process.  For more info on this sugar go over here...


This cheesecake was awesome...especially the salted caramel sauce...
I used Arnotts Rice Cookie for the base as it is gluten free...


Going into the oven...


Topping is basically Ricotta and Cream Cheese...



Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
The recipe can be found over here...


And the perfect drink...
Rekordelig Apple Cider...

Bon Appetit...Dzintra

18 comments:

Bev C said...

Hello Dzintra,

Oh I wish I could send you some of lmy quinces. Our tree has loads of them. The meals you cooked look so delicious.
Happy Monday.
Bev.xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hello Dzintra, those meals you have cooked look absolutely delicious. I would love to please join? I loved your description of what ingredients you used and your photography is excellent. Delicious and I think even Donna Hay would be impressed!~

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

Ohhhhhh.... that looks delicious!!! On Saturday I found the biggest Quinces I've ever seen at the farmer's market down the road. They aren't so well known around here, so I was surprised to see them. I SO miss my Donna Hay Magazine subscription! I've been buying them off the book rack whenever I can find them, but the bookstore hasn't had them since the beginning of summer. I'm going to have to go through my old Donna Hay mags and find a few delicious recipes that I haven't fixed for awhile and do a cook up too. Thanks for keepin up on it Dzintra! You keep me going too (: xxxVicki

Terry said...

Oh yum can I come for dinner at your house. Thanks for mentioning the rice cookies are gluten free.
Noticed you had started Union Quilters. I read it while traveling always a good read.

Sandi said...

It all looks so yummy!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Dzintra, You are so much fun!! I love the sound of all these wonderful dishes and fabulous ingredients. I'm going to try to find some of that sugar.

Simone de Klerk said...

I'm glad I already had my breakfast, otherwise I would get very hungry!
Oh, how you must have enjoyed this meal!!
Love the little pot with the grumpy little girl on it.
Have a good week, Dzintra!! xo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dzintra, THIS IS AN AMAZING CHEESECAKE!!!!!!!! WOW, the higher, the denser looking, the BETTER! BRAVO! And every other dish here is out of this world. Thank you precious one, for visiting me!!!! Anita

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

That cheesecake looks wonderful Dzintra! And I love that name-Cranky pants! :P

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh dearest, this has to be one of the most beautiful and appealing cheesecakes!!! THANK YOU FOR THE SLICE!!! Anita

Pooch Purple Reign said...

once again i wish i lived closer to you !
this looks terrific
~laura xx

Seawashed said...

That looks delicious! Thank you for the help with blogger. I have been deleting photos like crazy but still won't let me upload for a blog post. I am deleting from my Picasa album files. But if I have to pay $5 to get more space that is alright...I just wonder where do I pay that? And how long has your $5 for more space lasted?

A Magical Whimsy said...

Hello, Dzintra
Thank you for sharing Donna Hays cheese cake recipe...I will have fun translating it into cups and ounces.
I think I have a cookbook that has a conversion chart in it.
I was drooling over the other photos of the food you prepared too. Looks quite scrumptious!
Have a lovely day!
Teresa in California
and: Cloth and Clay doll ning site
It's fun to create and make dolls!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Now sweetie, what time did ya say your were servin' that up again???

I looks like a bit of heaven on earth and that cheesecake....my oh my!!! Divine!!!

I must tell ya...caramelizin' onions...easy girl..go for it!

God bless and have a delightful day...I'll grab a fork and be right over! Heeehehehe!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

MILLE MERCIS DEAREST ONE!!!!!!! I KNEW I WAS FORGETTING SOME DEAR LANGUAGES!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH.......

Je t'embrasse mon amie!!! And that killer cheesecake; I have to take down the ingredients and make this for my holiday dinner on Thursday!!!! Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

I WILL SAVOR THIS DEAREST, I WILL...with YOU in mind...salted caramel...WOW.

CHEERS!!!! Anita

Jeni said...

oh Dzintra..i must have miss this blog...my goodness that cheese cake
what can i say ...thanks for sharing as always my friend

Palomasea said...

Dzintra Dear,

How am I so late to this post??
I really love the Donna Hay magazine..so gorgeous. I peruse it every now and then at our local book store.
This is one fantastic meal!! I adore haloumi and sweet potatoes, and that cheesecake..wow! I must try these:))
Beautiful, dear Dzintra..

Wishing you a lovely weekend!
xoxo,
- Irina

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...