Archive for January, 2010

And the winner of ‘Top of the Props’ is…..

…..#28!

At the end of the competition, I had a total of 67 comments. I took away 4 because 1 person didn’t want to be counted ‘in’ and 3 comments were from my friends who aren’t into blogging…leaving me with 63.

Off I headed to Random.org….and the number generator chose….#28, which is Aoife of The Daily Spud.

Giveaway_Top of the PropsCongratulations Aoife, please send me an email at kitchenbutterfly.giveaway@gmail.com and I’ll pop your box in the mail ASA….

Some top prop secrets? Here they are, a selection from the comments:

  • Using giftwrap as nice backgrounds
  • Ikea….hold lots of promise for some (me included!)
  • Use props from your home…
  • ….and collect from (extended) family….!
  • Look in the remnant bins at fabric/craft stores and at secondhand stores
  • Some ‘scour for mini pots and cutlery they serve inedible airplane food in for bento making props…and eco foodstalls for pretty wooden sporks’
  • Dried leaves and twigs from the park
  • Tea towels and place mats are super useful too

Thanks for joining in the fun!

Have a blessed ‘new’ week and join me tomorrow for some Empanadas….♥♥♥

Top of the Props….and my first GIVEAWAY!

Hey Houston, we have a PROPLEM…

Too much of a…For when it comes to the acquisition of props…..I am shameless.

Read more…

Rainbow Lamingtons a la Fondue…..

IMG_1391This is my entry for Mr P’s re-invent the Lamington challenge and in celebration of Australia Day today. Read more…

Out of Nicaragua: Arroz con…many things!

IMG_1826 As soon as she opened the jar to show me what they looked like, I found myself breathing in the fragrance of my Nigerian childhood (while standing in a Parisian shop on a cold February day): hot, sweaty, scented days; all the intensity of my youth, captured in a few black Tonka beans. Read more…

My All-American food box and awards….

My Foodie box

IMG_1126I first met Velva of Tomatoes on the Vine when I was weeks old into blogging. I did a Google search for Dutch Delights…..or something similar and found her and we became ‘friends’, kidding about how we could have walked past each other on Dutch streets without knowing it for only a few weeks before, she had been over to the Netherlands from the US on holiday. Read more…

How to make poffertjes aka Dutch mini pancakes

I have a new Saturday job. Unpaid. And it may remain that way for a while, :-) .

IMG_7259And I’ll say this upfront, without fearing the need to plead the 5th or 8th or 12th – nothing I say, can and will be used against me!!!!!!!!

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El Salvador, Plátanos Fritos and Me….

In Nigeria, we call it Dodo.

IMG_1259No, silly….. not the bird, I’m talking about fried plantains and please don’t ask me why we call them that, ’cause I don’t know the history! Read more…

‘If’ Rudyard Kipling were a foodie….

…..what would ‘IF’ be like?

I have a passion for writing poetry, albeit it completely overshadowed by my love for cooking.

One of my favourite poems ever is ‘IF’ by Rudyard Kipling. I can still remember clearly a teacloth we had growing up, which had the words on it (thanks to my English teacher of a mum).

Nested citrusThe words fill me with hope, with courage, with zest and zeal. Portions like this comfort me and strengthen me and I think and wonder…..

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

…what he would have written had he been one of us?

Read more…

Minced Chicken Satays with the Daring Cooks

The January 2010 DC challenge was hosted by Cuppy of Cuppylicious and she chose a delicious Thai-inspired recipe for (Pork) Satay from the book: 1000 Recipes by Martha Day.

We, cooks had the options of doing what we wanted as long as we marinated the chosen meat or veg!!!

IMG_9664

Can you believe it is already the second week of January and this is my first ever contribution to the Daring Kitchen.

Before we proceed though, I must share my shock and surprise of this week with you, and nothing to do with this challenge! Read more…

Chocolate and Raspberry Macaron Mess

IMG_9719Macaron buddies, if you’ve ever had disasters whilst macaron-making; this is your moment of joy! Look no further for you will no longer have to bin them or eat them grudgingly or be annoyed at how cracked up they are.

IMG_0044 IMG_9687

Read more…