Happy for no reason

Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you’re in trouble, because that reason can be taken from you. Deepak Chopra

I quite like this quote by Mr. Chopra. It took me a few days to understand what he meant, and I finally got there.

I’ve always seen happiness as a state of mind. It’s not something you can buy, or get given. It’s something you experience. It’s not a destination, it’s a journey. It’s a bunch of magical (happy) moments put together.

Of course there will be things that will influence it, but don’t let it dominate you.

One more thing I’ve understood about happiness, and that is you can’t be happy all the time. There will be moments in life that you will anger, lose hope, resent, sadden, grief, and be confuse. The thing to remember is to fully be present in those moments, cherish it. Listen to your thoughts. Don’t run away, don’t distract your self. Like a child, let it all out – cry, if you must. Remember, this moment will past, and once it has, you will be able to cherish your happy moments. Don’t lose faith.

Having fun in the kitchen, cooking, is one of my happy moments.

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An almost authentic Carbonara

Pecorino 1/2 cup grated (sheep cheese) or Parmesan
3 Egg yolks, cage free
Salt
Pepper
Pancetta fried with oil and garlic bulb, drained. Crisp.
Pasta enough for two
1 large mixing bowl (glass, preferably)
1 small bowl (any)

In the small bowl, mix the cheese and egg yolks.

Cook pasta (add two tsp of salt).

Drain pasta in the glass bowl – meaning you want the hot starchy water in the glass bowl, with your pasta still in the colander. The idea is to heat the glass bowl.

Then empty the glass bowl, wipe it.

Through in the pasta, and slowly fold in the rest of the ingredients.

Season with salt and pepper. Serve with grated Parmesan, if you want.

It’s the yummiest thing ever. Bon Appetito!

Vanilla Yoyo’s

I have been very uninspired, lately. My response to every thing has been “I don’t know” or “what ever!” – very unlike me, if you know me well.

Any who, someone at work brought some Yoyo’s to work the other day. They were from a place called Rebecca’s, down at Port Fairy – they were yum!

I use to make these when I was younger, much younger. They are a special favorite of mine. It’s easy to make, and it’s so much fun.

I did all the mixing by hand. I don’t have an electric mixer. However, use one if you’ve got one. Doing it the old school can be tiring, especially if you’re making more then one batch.

You will need
1 cup plain flour
1 cup custard powder
200g unsalted butter, soften to room temperature
1 tspn vanilla extract
1/2 cup icing sugar

Tip: don’t go cheap on the butter. The home brands are mostly water. This is important for its texture. I used Grigar.

For the filling
1 1/2 cup icing sugar
50g butter
1 tspn vanilla essence

So, pre heat oven to 180C. Line two baking trays with baking paper. One was enough for me, depends on the size of your baking tray I suppose.

Sift flours in a mixing bowl and set aside.

Place butter, vanilla and icing sugar into a mixing bowl, and mix. If you don’t have a electric mixer, like me, elbow grease it baby! Mix until its light and fluffy. Combine flour, two table spoons at a time. Towards the end, I just gently knead it with my hands – don’t over do it.

Using your palms, shape them into little balls. The size of a tea spoon should be your guide, but if you want them bigger, go for your life.

Place them neatly on the baking tray, and lightly press down with a fork. Repeat for the remaining mixture.

Bake for 12 minutes on the center shelf of the oven until it goes slightly blonde. Stand for 5 minutes before removing, and slide onto a cooling rack. Allow biscuits to completely cool. Sandwich together with the filling.

Filling
Beat icing sugar, and butter for 3 to 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. And vanilla extract and beat for another one minute.

I refrigerated mine after putting them together. They will keep for up to 5 days in air tight container, unrefrigerated.

I got 18 little cuties – worth every elbow grease.

This year, I thought I’d give them away as Xmas gifts. After all, it’s made with lots of love.

Happy baking!

Breakfast in a Jar

Who has time for berries, yogurt and muesli in a jar ?!

I have never been a Morning person, and that will never change. Breakfast was never been my thing, hence who ever thought of brunch, is a legend. I’m always rushing or sleeping in the morning and the earliest I can stomach anything is at 9.30am. Anything before that has to be coffee, a good cup of coffee. Around 10am I would have something light – a small bowl of yogurt or porridge, a piece of fruit, toast, or sometimes even sushi. This use to be my routine all through Uni.

Now, I often do have the time for breakfast most mornings, when I’m not rushing, but most of the time I just don’t feel like eating anything that early – it nauseates me. I usually start my mornings with a glass of water, two mouthfuls of yogurt or a banana, a hug and some fish oil. Sometimes I make my self a cup of tea, but most of the time I just flask it.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and if you’re big on it, by all means, don’t let me stop you. But if you’re anything like me, I have found the perfect solution – breakfast in jars.

I’ve been eating out of these jars for a month now and I love it. Just put what ever you feel like into a jar – natural yogurt, homemade porridge or fruit salad, add some berries, muesli, honey, nuts or seeds to it, and eat it while you’re stuck in traffic or when you get to work. Have it for morning tea, or while you’re in a meeting.

I get to have mine on the train. The beauty about catching the the train to work, heading away from the city, every morning – I always get a seat, and its not busy.

It’s also a great way to take soups and stews to work.

Happy Jar-ing!