Food

Super Fast Wedges

Savoury • Savoury Bakes • Sides • Vegetarian

Wedges are a firm favourite in most families, but to get them cooked can easily take a hour. Last summer I worked out a solution to this, by microwaving the raw potatoes before you bake them, you cook the core, allowing the bake time to be much shorter. I found that they were always ready by the time I had finished making the salad they were to accompany.

1

Prepping Potatoes

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°C.
  2. Wash your potatoes and then place them in a microwave safe dish.
  3. On medium power, microwave the potatoes for 10mins.
  4. Remove from the microwave and using tongs to handle them (they will be very hot inside), place them on a chopping board and cut them with skin into eigths.
  5. Place the wedges into a baking tray and coat with the Olive Oil, then sprinkle on the Pepper, Salt and Paprika.
  6. Carefully toss the potatoes in the seasoning (trying not to break them up!).
  7. Place in the oven for 20mins.
  8. Meanwhile chop your herbs, ready to cover the finished wedges.
2

Halfway

After 10mins of baking, remove the potatoes and then turn them all over to make sure that they crisp on every side. Return them to the oven of the final 10 mins. For a really crisp finish, you can also put the grill on now.

Serve with

These wedges are great on their own but you can also pair them as a side to so many dishes. Here I served them with my Flatbread Pizzas but I also love them alone with my Truffle Mayo or Guacamole.

Photos by Kit Lee
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Food

Peanutbutter Crispy Brownie Tower

Baking • Sweet

This traybake is the ultimate indulgence. It is perfect for a big picnic or party, it travels really well and is so intense you can only eat one piece and live to tell the tale. If you like a more melted texture use small marshmallows on the top.

1
  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C.
  2. Line your baking tray with greaseproof paper.
  3. Combine the Butter, Sugar and Chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on full for 1 minute.  Remove and stir. Now microwave for 10 second intervals until the chocolate is melted completely.
  4. Beat the Eggs and Vanilla into the melted chocolate mix with a spoon.
  5. Then add the Flour and Salt and beat again until smooth.
  6. Pour into the baking tray and bake for 30mins or until the screwer comes out with a light crumb on.
  7. Set aside to cool.
  8. Now prepare the peanut butter crispies. In a pan melt the Butter, Peanut Butter, Marshmallows and Butterscotch until combined and liquid.
  9. Pour over the Rice Crispies and moving quickly combine throughly.
  10. Transfer the mix onto the the Brownie and allow to cool.
  11. Preheat your grill on medium high.
  12. Cut the large Marshmallows in half and then cover the top of the tray.
  13. Place the whole tray under the grill for about 5 mins, keep an eye on it, you want the marshmallow to melt and brown but not burn.
  14. Remove from the tray and cut into cubes the size of the topping, then in half diagonally.
  15. Serve with a hot cup of tea!
Photos by Kit Lee
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Lifestyle

Diamond Dogs

Getting a dog was the best decision I ever made. It’s a big responsibility and thought about it a lot before I went ahead but I have never been anything but grateful that she is in my life.

If you follow me on Instagram you will know I am obsessed with my dog Thumbelina and that we recently got a new addition to the family. Plum. They are sisters but from different litters. Thumbelina is now coming up for three and she is the best part of my day, the love I’m never over.  On this site I share the best parts of my days, everything is created to be as beautiful and interesting as possible, but nothing is more beautiful and interesting to me that Thumbelina, so I wanted to share her and her siblings with you.  I hope these pictures will explain a little more why I love them all so much. Thumbelina is the one in the middle, Chicken George (my mothers male puppy) is wearing the brass trim collar and Plum is the little one wearing the matching black harness.

Thumbelina is a very calm dog, she’s hugely affectionate and has never so much as growled at a human, let alone bitten one. She is always happy and waggy tailed. When she gets shy and puts her ears back so she looks like an afghan goat. She is always sitting on my lap and she is so dedicated to being my dog that if I put my bag on the floor she will throw herself on top of it so that she can come with me.
Plum is very bold and clever. We have trained her to do roll over, which she happily does, paws in the air. She is full of energy and hurtles around the kitchen, she also has a very pretty face and lots of love to give. When I am working at my desk they both insist on sitting on my lap. This has resulted with Thumbelina behind me (along the back of the chair) and Plum balancing on my legs, needless to say I’m left perched on the edge.
Chicken George has only been to stay with my a couple of times, but I hand fed him as a puppy so I know him very well. He is very gentle natured and loves to lollop on your lap and flop over your feet. He is very squishy and has a slightly undershot chin so that when he falls asleep upside down he looks like a baby shark!

All three are the puppies of my parents pair, Cinderella and Cedric. Cedric (the oldest) was our first smooth haired miniature, but my family’s women have had dachshunds for four generations so they are a long term love. We have had long haired too but I love the neatness of the smooth.  As a breed they vary a lot but in general they are the most loyal dogs, following you even to the bathroom, they don’t like to be separated at all. For example Thumbelina wont go for a walk without me. Dog walkers are a total non starter. This makes them the most special of pets. Thumbelina sleeps in a bed beside mine and is happy being carried to meetings in my bag. I couldn’t have dreamt up a better dog. I’m so blessed to have her.

Cape Harrods, Leather Jeans J Brand and Boots Siton Venice

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Photos by Kit Lee
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