Italian chocolate Christmas cake

 

• 200g soft unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
• 100g light soft brown sugar
• 100g dark soft brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 100g self-raising flour
• 75g ground almonds
• 25g cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 200g sultanas
• 50g cut mixed peel
• 50g blanched hazelnuts, roughly chopped
• 50g blanched almonds, roughly chopped
• 50g pistachios, roughly chopped
• 100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• zest and juice of 1 large orange
• 1 tsp vanilla extra

The cake will keep, well-wrapped and in an airtight container, for up to 1 month.

1.   Preheat the oven to 160°C, fan 140°C, gas 3. Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm springform tin. Beat the butter and sugars together in a stand mixer with the ‘K’ attachment (or with an electric whisk) until well combined and fluffy abour 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing between each, (if the batter starts to split add 1 tablespoon flour) then on a slow setting fold in the flour, ground almonds, cocoa and baking powder.

2.   Add all the remaining ingredients, and using a spatula or wooden spoon, mix everything together. Scrape into the prepared tin, level the top, and bake for 1 hour 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. (Be careful not to hit the pockets of melted chocolate as this will look like raw cake batter, go in again if you’re unsure.)

https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/

INSPIRATIONAL SELF ESTEEM QUOTES.

 “Successful people have fear, successful people have doubts, and successful people have worries. They just don’t let these feelings stop them.” – T. Harv Eker

“You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you can’t have it.” – Dr. Robert Anthony

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – 

Oscar Wilde

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” – Dale Carnegie

 “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

 

WISDOM OF TODAY

The wisdom of today


"We often wish for more, without realizing that life's most precious

treasures, are often within the palms of our hands.

It is not success, but rather the journey there,

that often makes our lives complete.

We are most at peace with the world, when we accept

the wonderful and amazing creature - that is - ourselves.

When we give our all TODAY; and look forward to giving tomorrow

the same, then there is no reason for regretting our yesterdays.

Despise not the past, for in it lies the wisdom of today,

and the hope of tomorrow.

- Eric Jordan -

 

Crispy Potato Roast

 

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 12 russet potatoes, peeled
Kosher salt
1 small onion or 4 shallots, peeled and sliced very thin
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
4 - 6 fresh thyme sprigs
About 3 ounces pancetta, cubed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine the oil and melted butter in a small dish. Set aside.

Brush a round baking dish (around 9 - 10 inches) with a little of the butter and oil mixture.

Slice the potatoes as thin as possible crosswise.  Arrange potatoes vertically in the baking dish.  Wedge onion or shallot slices throughout potato slices - in about 3 or 4 sections of each potato.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper flakes (use some black pepper if not using red pepper flakes).  Brush with the remaining butter and oil mixture.
http://www.joyouslydomestic.com/

CRAFTY TOYS TO MAKE FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

 

ATITUDE É TUDO!

Uma mulher acordou uma manhã após a quimioterapia, olhou no espelho e percebeu que tinha somente três fios de cabelo na cabeça.
- Bom (ela disse), acho que vou trançar meus cabelos hoje.
Assim ela fez e teve um dia maravilhoso.
No dia seguinte ela acordou, olhou no espelho e viu que tinha somente dois fios de cabelo na cabeça...
- Hummm (ela disse), acho que vou repartir meu cabelo no meio hoje.
Assim ela fez e teve um dia magnífico.
No dia seguinte ela acordou, olhou no espelho e percebeu que tinha apenas um fio de cabelo na cabeça.
- Bem (ela disse), hoje vou amarrar meu cabelo como um rabo de cavalo.
Assim ela fez e teve um dia divertido.
No dia seguinte ela acordou, olhou no espelho e percebeu que não havia um único fio de cabelo na cabeça.
- Yeeesss... (ela exclamou), hoje não tenho que pentear meu cabelo.
ATITUDE É TUDO!
Seja mais humano e agradável com as pessoas.
Cada uma das pessoas com quem você convive está travando algum tipo de batalha.
Viva com simplicidade.
Ame generosamente.
Cuide-se intensamente.
Fale com gentileza.
E, principalmente, não reclame!!!
Se preocupe em agradecer pelo que você é, e por tudo o que tem!
E deixe o restante com Deus. ..
As vezes reclamamos tanto, quando na verdade deveríamos agradecer!
O que é de fato significativo?
O filho que muitas vezes não limpa o quarto e fica vendo televisão, significa que...
está em casa!
A desordem que tenho que limpar depois de uma festa,
significa que...
estivemos rodeados de familiares e amigos!
As roupas que estão apertadas,
significa que...
tenho mais do que o suficiente para comer!
O trabalho que tenho em limpar a casa,
significa que...
tenho uma casa!
As queixas que escuto acerca do governo,
significa que...
tenho liberdade de expressão!
Não encontro estacionamento,
significa que...
tenho carro!
Os gritos das crianças,
significa que....
posso ouvir!
O cansaço no final do dia,
significa que...
tenho saúde e posso trabalhar!
O despertador que me acorda todas as manhãs,
significa que...
estou vivo!
Finalmente pela quantidade de mensagens que recebo,
significa que...
tenho amigos pensando em mim!
Mude o seu jeito de ver as coisas e seja mais Feliz !!!
Agradeça pelo que você tem.

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MINCE PIE ROLLS

5 tablespoons store bought sweet mincemeat 

½ apple peeled, cored and diced

½ pear peeled, cored and diced

4 sheets filo pastry

2 tablespoons melted butter 

2 tablespoons caster sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F / 200C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. 

Mix the mincemeat and diced fruit. 

Lay out one sheet of filo pastry (cover the rest with a damp tea towel so it doesn't dry out) and brush with melted butter. 

Lay another sheet on top, then cut the stack of two into four equal sized rectangles.

Spoon a little of the mincemeat mixture along one side of each double layer rectangle, fold in the ends and roll like a cigar. Place on the baking tray.

Repeat with the remaining filo. 

Bake for 12 minutes or until golden.

Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar and enjoy!