Quick Bakes for Snacking Emergencies

I’m not sure if anyone else encounters snacking emergencies as much as I do, but I am always looking for quick ideas that mean I can bake, but also not wait ages to actually eat some of it. So much so I wrote a whole book on it, but I think you all know about that already*!

I always end up coming back to baking myself, as I love it and no matter how tired or unwell I am or how busy, homemade bakes are ALWAYS better than store bought. I am perpetually disappointed by the things I buy out (a few pastries and breads notwithstanding, thank you Flour Shop 🧡🙏🏻), and am often frustrated by how unsatisfied store bought baked goods can be. 

I mean we all know that eating that much sugar and butter isn’t exactly good for us, so if I am going to eat it, it’s GOT to be worth it and I want to enjoy it and not feel like I just wasted my time/money/sugar intake with that random cookie or piece of cake that looked nice but did not follow through with flavour.

So with all that said, here are a few suggestions for quick, simple and tasty bakes that you can make even when you are low on time/energy/motivation/the desire to actually stand up for too long.

Get some bought shortcrust pastry (buy as good as you possibly can or the pastry may end up falling into my ‘store bought bakes aren’t good’ thing, see above) and make jam tarts (pictured above), which are as simple as cutting out rounds of pastry to fit whatever size cupcake type tray you have, fill with jam and bake at 180 degrees Celsius until the pastry has cooked (10-15 mins). Little free form jam tarts like hamantaschen are a great option if you find yourself without any cupcake type trays to use - just make sure you chill them before baking and yours will look better than mine did!

Messy but Easy Cheats Hamantaschen

Some homemade pastry is easy to make if you feel like spending a little more time in the kitchen, and can be easily frozen too. Some recipes like this sour cream one work for sweet and savoury bakes and would make a lovely free form tart. The anchovy twists are made using the sour cream pastry, the original recipe is in Now For Something Sweet by Monday Morning Cooking Club (video of them making them and this pastry here!).

Anchovy Twists using easy Sour Cream Pastry from Now for Something Sweet by Monday Morning Cooking Club

Super easy oil based biscuits are a great time saver that yield delicious results. One time I saw my friend make my Caramilk Cookies while her baby was napping, it was a mega nap (thank you nap Gods), but still, these cookies were prepared, out of the oven and partially eaten by the time said baby woke from her slumber and it would have still been fine if she ended up sleeping for less time (for the cookies I mean, not for her parents (obviously)). If you have my cookbook Everyday Bakes the Choc Chip Cookies on page 58 are also a super easy oil based biscuit. 

Caramilk Cookies

Easy cakes notably those that are oil based also make for a fuss free bake. Oil based cakes mean no waiting for butter to soften, or realising you have no butter so now need to go to the shops and this wanting to bake thing just got a whole lot less quick and easy. If you take a look at this Rose Cake, this is the kind of cake I am talking about. The I Love Lemon Cake in my eBook Cosy Winter Bakes also falls into this category, as does the Blood Orange Cake in my free eBook Seasonal Cakes and Bakes.  

Yoghurt, buttermilk, sour cream or creme fraiche can be used in this kind of recipe, and the size of the tin you use will determine the length of the cook time. So if you have time, bake in a 20cm round tin for 50 mins. If that sounds like too long for you, bake in a tray to make a slab/sheet cake and you’ll shave about 20 mins off the cook time. Same goes for cupcakes which would take about 20-25 minutes to bake!

Blood Orange Yoghurt Cake from my free eBook Seasonal Cakes and Bakes

* if you are new here, firstly Hi! It’s so lovely to have you. Secondly I wrote and self published a cookbook last year called ‘Everyday Bakes’ that contains recipes for bakes and a few snacks that won’t take up all your time but taste really good. Some of the recipes are a bit more involved than my suggestions above, but definitely still come under the ‘easy’ banner. There are still a few copies left, you can find out more and get yourself a copy here.

Cookbooks Worth Waiting for in 2021

I know I posted a list of cookbooks a couple of weeks or so ago, but as a cookbook lover (or obsessive depending on your opinion), I felt it would be remiss of me to leave it too long into 2021 to discuss the cookbook releases we are waiting for this year. 

If we’ve learnt anything from last year, it’s good to have small things to look forward to. Books, with their physical assuredness and dependability can lift us into moments of joy and can continue to do so each time we open them.

And the prospect of new titles being released from my favourite cookbook authors and by some I don’t know so well, have definitely been added to my list of things to look forward to. In fact, they make up most of that list if I’m honest!

Here are the top five books I feel will be worth waiting for this year (a.ka. My cookbook wishlist for 2021!):

1. In Good Company by Sophie Hansen - I doubt I am alone in being excited about Sophie’s next book! I know many of us love her last cookbook ‘A Basket by the Door’, and I have a feeling we will all like this next one just as much! I also heard Sophie talk about the next book she is working on after ‘In Good Company’, which I hope she shares more about soon!

2. Chasing Smoke by Sarit Packer & Itamar Srulovich of Honey & Co - The restaurant Honey & Co was on my London restaurants to visit list (honestly, I know there is no point in this list anymore!), however a new book from Sarit and Itamar is the next best thing to visiting their restaurants. Check out this Instagram Story Highlight from Honey & Co which explains what this new book is about, it is certainly on my wish list now. 

3. Ripe Figs by Yasmin Khan - I love Yasmin’s books, and I was really excited to hear she had been working on another. Yasmin’s books focus on one country/geographic region and not only does she seek out all the amazing recipes, but all the amazing stories behind the food and the people who make it. This third book is set in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus and I just know the recipes will be delicious.

4. Jew-ish by Jake Cohen - This book is described as “an innovative take on classic Jewish recipes that was created with the modern millennial in mind.” By the sounds of it, this book is right up my alley. If you don’t follow Jake on Instagram, go check him out, it will give you a pretty good idea about this book and his cooking style.

5. Simply Julia by Julia Turshen - If you have any of Julia’s previous books, you will know this one is worth waiting for. Julia’s books always have such a comforting feel to them and she really guides you through each recipe with such care. The subtitle of this book is ‘110 Recipes for Healthy Comfort Food’ and while I wouldn’t usually buy books that claim to contain ‘healthy’ recipes, I think I will be in good hands with Julia.

Links to books on Booktopia removed 15/07/2024.

The Best Cookbooks of 2020

While it does seem strange to have a list of anything that could be the best from 2020, the cookbook releases during that difficult year I dare say kept many of us going. Here are the ones I particularly enjoyed, and continue to do so.

What would you add to the list?

In Praise of Veg by Alice Zaslavsky

And here was me thinking I probably didn’t need another cookbook purely devoted to vegetables. How wrong I was! This book really surprised me in the best kind of way. It is vibrant, informative and really engaging. I like how Alice has divided, up the sections of the book into vegetable colours, it really is a completely new take on the world of veg.

Now for Something Sweet by Monday Morning Cooking Club

I love everything the Monday Morning Cooking Club does, and their most recent book has been no exception. I have really enjoyed the Coconut and Passionfruit Cake from this book, as judging by social media many others have too. This is definitely one to add to your collection, experienced baker or new to the game (or kitchen).

Beatrix Bakes by Natalie Paull

This cookbook is equal parts cosy and informative. Natalie’s way of writing a recipe means that, even though many of these bakes wouldn’t be considered simple recipes, she holds your hand and walks you through it all in a way that makes everything manageable. Even letting you know what to do when you have a bake-fail or what adaptations you could make to her recipes. Plus, for most of us it was the closest we could get to Melbourne’s famous bakery Beatrix in 2020, and it was a pretty good substitute.

A Year of Simple Family Food by Julia Busuttil Nishimura

I was slightly hesitant to get this book, I really haven’t made an awful lot from Julia’s first book ‘Ostro’, and wasn’t sure I should add this one to the collection. However, I am glad I did. This cookbook is completely different to ‘Ostro’, and I really like the recipe’s emphasis on the seasons. There are many recipes I want to make from this book, and they all look fairly simple to make yet very flavoursome.

Saturday Night Pasta by Elizabeth Hewson

I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday night than being at home cooking a good meal. And the idea that this practice, done regularly could become some kind of cooking therapy, just adds a magical touch. While the premise of the book is to make your own pasta, even if you didn’t, the recipes and sauces to go along with the pasta are lovely and well worth making even if you don’t have the time or inclination to make your own pasta every time.

5 Essentials for a Food Photoshoot

I set up photoshoots for every blog post I create (plus for paid client work as well). Below are my five essentials for a photoshoot, and also some photos of the photography set up and what the finished product ends up looking like. 

5 Essentials for a Food Photoshoot

1. Camera - The first and most obvious thing is a camera! I use an Olympus EM-10, which is a mirrorless (or compact system) camera with a 40-150mm lens, and more recently a 25mm lens as well. I have been using my camera for a few years now, and (after much practice!) I use it on manual settings, though I am still always learning something new!

2. Background - I have a few backgrounds to chose from. I have a couple I have bought (such as those from Capture by Lucy & FoodBackgrounds on Etsy), as well as a marble top from an old dresser that we kept after the dresser had to be thrown away. I also use our black granite kitchen bench and an old pine table (pictured in the photo above). I tend to like using the bought backgrounds most as they are portable, which means I can set up a shoot wherever the light is best at the time, or can be taken to client work too.

3. Natural Light - This is one of the most important aspects of my blog photoshoots. All my photos are shot in natural light, and I often go to great lengths to get it! Sometimes I set up my shoot outside, but most often it will be by a window or on the floor with a door open next to it. In the photo above there was an open door to the left of the shot to bring in natural light, as well as closed windows behind.

4. Props - I have accumulated lots of 'props' over the years! I have a few different cake stands, a stack of various plates, different mugs and cups as well as lots of old cutlery. Some things I buy specifically for photography, others are things we just have at home (my Mum has been a collector of antiques and vintage for many years) and others I have been given or inherited from my Grandma. 

5. Food - Of course!! Without some food my blog photoshoots wouldn't be complete! I usually shoot the recipe straight after it has been cooked, and plan my day around when the recipe will be finished and when the natural light of the day will be best to shoot in. I think about how the end product will look, and what food related props might be necessary for the shoot. For example in the photo above I have a few fresh raspberries in the shot as the cake has them inside and as decoration. 

Click on the each image below for more information on the shoot set up.

View fullsize

Duck Egg Pavlova

View fullsize

Duck Egg Pavlova Shoot

View fullsize

Ginger Snap Iced Tea

View fullsize

Ginger Snap Iced Tea Shoot

View fullsize

Pistachio Raspberry & Rose Cake

View fullsize

Pistachio Raspberry & Rose Shoot

Cookbooks Worth Waiting for in 2020

I'm sure I'm not the only one, but when the prospect of a new year means new cookbook releases I get pretty excited. Every now and then I check the 'Coming Soon' in the Cookbook section of Booktopia and have a look at what and when things are going to be released. Sometimes I preorder straight away (as was the case for a few below!), others go into my wishlist so I can remember them for another time. 

Below are a few new releases for 2020 I am especially excited about. 

What cookbooks would you add to the list?

1. 'Now for Something Sweet' by Monday Morning Cooking Club - release date 24th February 2020: The highly anticipated fourth book by the Monday Morning Cooking Club ladies is the top of my list, because if the previous three books are anything to go by, it will be good. And the fact that it is almost solely dedicated to sweets means it's right up my alley!

2. 'Beatrix Bakes' by Natalie Paull - release date 1st March 2020: This is the cookbook all those who have visited the bakery Beatrix in North Melbourne have been waiting for. I visited once last year, and the one cake I tried had me desperate to recreate it at home it was that good (recipe here if you are interested). Soon there will be a whole book filled with these glorious recipes, my guesswork will no longer be needed!

3. 'Confidence in the Kitchen' by Emmylou MacCarthy - release date 1st June 2020: If you follow Emmylou on Instagram, or have watched her TV show, you'll know this book is bound to be as fun and jam packed with ideas as possible. Emmylou has showed some of the BTS of the photoshoot for this book, and it has been so interesting to really see more of what goes on before a books hits the shelves.

4. 'Falastin' by Sami Tamimi & Tara Wigley - release date 31st March 2020: Co-written by one half of the Ottolenghi empire, Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley are taking us through Palastine via recipes and stories. I am imagining this book to be in a similar vein to Jerusalem (by Tamimi and Ottolenghi), and I for one cannot wait.

5. 'Table Manners The Cookbook' by Jessie Ware & Lennie Ware - release date 3rd March 2020: If you listen to the podcast 'Table Manners' this is the cookbook for you. Mother and Daughter team up to compile the recipes they made their podcast guests, and I think I'll have to listen to a few more episodes before the book is released!

Links to books on Booktopia removed 15/07/2024.

The Hottest Cookbook Releases of 2019

This is the time of year where it becomes obvious that some pretty good cookbooks have been released. The few months in the lead up to Christmas see's us welcome many new titles to the cookbook section of our favourite bookshops (or even our own cookbook shelves!). Here are the recent releases I am most excited about. 

1. Veg by Jamie Oliver - As a lover of vegetarian food I was really excited to hear Jamie Oliver was releasing a book dedicated to veg. It's filled with really interesting and often fairly simple recipes and great food photography (I love it when a book has an image for each recipe!).

2. Bake Australia Great by Katherine Sabbath - This book seems like pure fun. And I don't think we could expect anything else from the queen of cakes Katherine Sabbath. Katherine and her wild imagination have dreamed up a selection of recipes paying homage to all things Aussie.

3. Just Desserts by Charlotte Ree - A super cute book by a super lovely person. This little book packs a punch in terms of fun, colour, design and photography. And of course baking recipes! I tried the Brown Butter Bundt at one of the book release events, and it immediately went straight to the top of my must bake list.

4. From the Oven to the Table by Diana Henry - Diana Henry is a food writer based in the UK, and if you've not heard of her you're in for a treat. Diana creates beautiful recipes and gorgeous cookbooks, and this one is all about easy and tasty food that takes minimal effort from you. I have bookmarked many recipes in this book, but I first want to start with Chicken with Plums, Honey and Pomegranates - as soon as plums are in season! Check out Diana's previous releases such as How to Eat a Peach for more divine recipes and food writing.

5. Just Add Love by Irris Makler - If any book could be described as a book filled with love, this is it. This book compiled by journalist Irris Makler, shares the stories and recipes of Holocaust survivors. The stories are detailed and to be honest, they are what keep me picking up this book to read more. Irris also has a blog of the same name which I highly recommend you check out if you want to know more.

6. The Little Library Year by Kate Young - If you are an avid reader as well as a lover of cookbooks this is the book for you. Kate had created recipes to suit the changing seasons and paired them with the perfect read. I own Kate's first book, The Little Library Cookbook, which contains recipes created from the pages of Kate's favourite novels, and even though I am not a very avid reader of novels I still love the book and particularly enjoy the Harry Potter references!

Links to books on Booktopia removed 15/07/2024.