Happy 2011!

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Take it or leave it

I don't know if these are well known in the US but I noticed them in a shop for the first time a few weeks ago. I thought they were pretty funny and I might get some for my girlfriends (for Christmas?).

I cook every day and I don't usually mind it but sometimes... I really don't feel like it. And it's annoying when my son gets picky... This is exactly how I feel:

And here's another one. Breakfast in bed is a romantic idea but we never do it at home. I'm pretty strict - food only in the kitchen! - because I'm scared we might get hungry multi-legged visitors climbing into bed with us. 

There are quite a few different designs so you can choose if you want them as tea towels (above) or aprons... 

Or mugs.

Check them out here.

P.S. Thanks for your kind words on my tree post yesterday... It's sad that so many of you had similar stories to tell. But I'm glad there are many tree lovers out there! Together we can save our planet--!!! Go and hug a tree this weekend :-) 

Avocado oil: The new olive oil?

So apparently Jamie Oliver is a fan of this stuff: extra virgin avocado oil. That's all you need to know - now go and buy!

No, just kidding. But I definitely want to try it. I love avocados and they're supposed to be very good for you so this makes sense. One 250ml bottle contains the oil of 20 avocados. 

They claim that it is the only extra virgin oil that can be used for high heat cooking. Their suggestions include:

- brush onto summer vegetables and bake at 200°C

- brush onto fish or prawns and grill / barbecue

- use in salad dressings.

To find out more about avocado oil, click here. 

I found this in the latest issue of Jamie magazine.

I just had to include this. The heart-shaped avocado is so sweet!

I'm guessing most people use olive oil for salads but what do you use for high heat cooking?

"I would die without lemons"

What do you do with your lemons, once you've squeezed out the juice?

Mine usually end up in the bin (feeling guilty now) because I can't be bothered to keep them for peeling later etc. They would just take up valuable space in the fridge. 

I was quite surprised (but nodded with approval) to read that Jamie Oliver peels the zest from every single lemon that he squeezes, and I'm sure that's a lot. He continues:

"The zest can be dried out in a dish then used in a curry or meat rub. Or mix it with dried lavender to make potpourri, then put it in a bag and keep it in a drawer with your clothes."

I like the potpourri idea. Let me know if you get round to trying it. 

Check out his magazine(s) for more tips and recipes.