COCONUT AND PINEAPPLE FROZEN COCKTAIL

Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely looove Vodka; Its definitely my booze of choice. One of my favourite vodka brands is Ciroc (others are Russian Standard and Ketel one) and I absolutely adore the coconut, pineapple and peach flavours; I love them all but these three in particular are amazing; sooooo good! Today’s recipe uses a whole cup (250ml) of the pineapple flavour; yup one whole cup.  I like my cocktails really strong but don’t be scared you can always reduce the amount of vodka in it if you don’t like your drinks yummy strong. 

I recommend putting half a cup of vodka and then tasting it as you blend it and adjust it to your personal taste it. I almost don't want to call this a recipe because it’s so easy. Really the hardest thing you will do here is make the coconut syrup and that's pretty easy! The recipe for this coconut syrup is taken from the The Food Charlatan. I adore her blog and regularly spend hours just drooling over the recipes there. 

Her recipe calls for corn syrup but corn syrup isn’t readily where I live so I substituted with sugar syrup. All you do is add 1 tbsp of sugar and half a tbsp of water and heat in the microwave for 10 – 30 second increments till the sugar is completely melted; took about 50 seconds in my microwave.

COCONUT PECAN AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BLONDIES

My friend had the most gorgeous baby boy about three weeks ago and I went to see them this weekend. I just love babies, so cute, cuddly and they always smell so good. I didn’t get to carry him and play with him for as long as I wanted to because there were many grandmas and uncles and so on waiting to carry himas well and I didn’t want to seem like a baby hog even though I totally am.

Even before I had decided on when I was going to visit them, I had already decided to take these blondies with me. They are so so easy to make and chewy, moist , delicious................ just how I like my blondies.  

The base recipe for these blondies is from Smitten Kitchen; I love recipes like this that can be easily adapted to suit your tastes, whatever mix ins you decide to use is entirely up to you, the possibilities are endless!!!!!!!

CINNAMON COCONUT DANISH SWIRLS

Ok guys I have finally decided to get into the Christmas spirit. I have been fighting against the fairy lights, tinsel and Christmas carols but I've finally given in and embraced it.

Over the next few weeks most of my posts will be Christmas inspired from recipes that would be great additions to your Christmas party, to home made gifts, to drinks etc. I'm getting excited just thinking about it all.

Anyhoo let's kick things off.  One of my favourite things about Christmas is the spices; cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg, cloves............. I looooove them which is why my first Christmas inspired recipe is cinnamon coconut danish swirls!

This recipe is super duper easy (I say that a lot don't I?) as I 'cheated' and used shop bought puff pastry. I mean let’s be honest you don't want to be stuck in the kitchen and then be too tired to enjoy all the festivities, but hey if you are a purist feel free to make your own puff pastry - it's ok, I'll still be your friend. 

COCONUT JOLLOF RICE

COCONUT JOLLOF RICE

Coconut and I have a great relationship, I love everything with coconut in it from Thai curries, to macaroons to chocolate (mmmm.............. bounty); the exception to this rule however is coconut rice.

My first experience of coconut rice was terrible; I ABSOLUTELY detested it and have stayed away ever since (I know now that it was the way it was served that was the issue, with tomato stew!!!!!! Who does that???? If anyone offers you this never ever speak to them again, seriously it was vile).

I'd never heard of coconut jollof rice and so when I was at my friend’s house a few weeks ago and she announced that coconut jollof rice was for lunch, I thought to myself thank God she has Indomie.

She managed to convince me to try it and I fell in love.