Monthly 4: February 2015

I did some nice things with friends and family this month.

 

 

1. Every year you can collect stamps at my local supermarket. When you have 60 stamps, you get a surprise grocery packet (normally costs 50 euros). I sound like a desperate housewife now, but it’s super useful!

2. I had a week off, so me and mom went shopping. And we also had a lovely lunch, with hot coco and cream on top. Not very healthy, but soooo delicious!

3. Me and my friends Natascha and Linda went for a high-tea, with a nice view of the river. Again not very healty, but fun and nice to catch up with my friends.

4. I already can’t miss little Vayèn and she also seems very comfortable when she’s with me. This photo is so adorable.

Top 5 Thursday: Chefs

I really love to cook and I like trying new things. I have some awesome cookbooks. Sometimes I try their dishes. I know I will never be as good as them, but I love cooking for people. Here are my favourite chefs.

5. Maggie Beer

She reminds me of my mum: rustic and homemade food. It’s very clear she loves cooking and she puts that love in her food.

 

4. Heston Blumenthal

Heston Blumenthal is a more complicated cook, he uses cool techniques. But I just love his style. It’s a pleasure to watch him cook.

 

 

3. Matt Preston

Technically he’s not a chef, Matt Preston is a food critic. But he can also cook very well and I just love his books. His books I actually use the most, because his recipes are quick and easy with not too many ingredients.

 

 

2. Jamie Oliver

People say British people can’t cook. Well, that’s not true. Jamie Oliver’s food might not always look appealing, he always makes a bit of a mess, but it’s very tasty. And simple. I also love his book “Save with Jamie” which can make everyone a good home cook.

 

 

1. Nigella Lawson

I really think this is home cooking to the max. Nigella really is a domestic goddess. Her food is simple, though very elegant and really tasty. Her Italian cookbook was the first I ever cooked from and I was hooked. Nigella is a wonderful cook.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Curtis Stone, George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan, Matt Moran, Marco Pierre White, Annabel Langbein

Top 5 Thursday: Products to Cook with

This is a complete different top 5 then you’re used to from me. It’s about food and cooking, something I’ve started to love ever since I live on my own. I choose to share with you my favourite products to cook with.

5. Onions

The shallot is my favourite onion, because of the sweet flavour. But I have all sorts of onions in my pantry, always. They bring so much flavour to you dish and for some reason, I never cry when chopping them.

 

4. Garlic

I think, of all the days in the week I cook a meal, I use it in five dishes. I love garlic!! Cooked and raw. A bit of garlic can change the entire dish for the better.

 

 

3. Cheese

Parmesan is fantastic, but I also love mascarpone, cream cheese, mozzarella, goats cheese. You might say I’m a cheese fanatic! And it’s so versatile, you can use it in so many different ways.

 

 

2. Lemon

I use lemon a lot. With pasta, fish, pastry, salads. It’s always great to give your dish an extra kick.

 

 

1. Pasta

All sorts of pasta, I just love them all. I’ve come to love the Italian cuisine and I cook pasta at least twice a week. I’ve also made it myself a couple of times, which I would do more often if I had the time.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Chocolate, zucchini, chilli, capsicum, mushrooms