SWEET IDEAS

SWEET ENDINGS …..THE LITTLE CANDIES FOR YOUR COFFEE.

At the end of the evening, when all the food has been consumed and guests have enjoyed conversation and a good time together, we serve the sweet ending. Please believe me, there is always space for the sweets things at the end of a meal. Even the people on a careful eating routine, will have something to taste and enjoy.

I use a large tray or glass plate. Doilies or individual cookie cups look good with the sweets in them
The best way is to set them out in rows,or in circles.

Use the following. Dates, good chocolates, nougat, almonds, halvah and marzipan, dried mango, small fruits like cherries or grapes. The grapes should be firm, red and white. I use nuts and dried raisins too. Baklava is a welcome sweet with a good coffee, and in season watermelon, Bulgarian cheese and arrack, is great.
Good toffees and candies always fit in anywhere………………

Strawberries, and small fruits in season, are a welcome addition to any candy plate


Dates. Wash and slit the dates and fill with pieces of marzipan that has been rolled in coconut.

Apricot and raisin clusters.
113g plain chocolate, 2 large tablespoons honey, 55grams chopped dried. apricots and 55 grams of seedless raisins.
Break chocolate into pieces and put into a bowl with the honey. Stand bowl over a saucepan of hot water. Stir the mixture. Add chopped apricots and raisins. Drop teaspoons of the mixture into small paper cups. Decorate with a small cherry or nut.


Chocolate Fingers.
See the recipes of 25th July 2009–


Chocolate truffles.
These are features in the column of 25th August 2008.

Date Balls
A favorite candy. Easy to make and you can freeze these and remove as needed.
Look at the article of 18th August 2008

Nougat.
I use slices of nougat and dip the ends in melted chocolate.

Halvah.
These can be served in squares in a paper cup.

Apricot and almond candies.
I soak twelve dried apricots in a little liquor overnight. Just enough to cover the apricots. Then I cut them tiny and mix with four tablespoons of crushed almonds and a little ginger. Roll into balls and coat with coconut.

Enjoy you sweet platter of delights with a good coffee or a well chilled glass of Recanatti dessert wine.

Have a sweet year. Love and Light Rona

DINNER TABLE, CLOTHS AND DINNERWARE

BEAUTY OF TABLE WARE, CLOTHS AND DÉCOR.

         We all enjoy sitting down at a table that is attractive. A good cloth, serviettes ,dinnerware and glasses that are  crystal clear. They create an ambience that will match the efforts of the hostess

Recently I was given a cloth that I am delighted with. It is a hand blocked printed fabric, subtle coloring, glorious design and so easy to launder. The company sell online . They are called SAFFRON MARIGOLD. They make linen ware for the table, curtains, cushions, bed linen,, sheets , pillowcases and covers for eiderdowns.  Just treat yourself. You will be amazed at the designs and colors. They have all shapes including round tablecloths .

I have a collection of candles,  pottery pomegranates, crystal grapes, ornaments and little bits and pieces that make a good centerpiece. People like some toothpicks on the table, some look for sugar substitutes or hand wipes. These can be incorporated into the décor or centerpiece.

I also use my soup plates for décor, fruit dishes that match the set for a final course of nuts, chocolates and candies.

Remember one does not need to spend much to make a table look good. Just imagination and a few leaves or flowers. Use little wine glasses at each setting with a flower, or a little bracelet for a serviette holder.

 When you have guests, prepare the items for dessert and coffee or tea , on trays. You will be glad you do not have to scramble to look for spoons,  little milk jugs and all that…keep extra  serviettes and  a choice of teas ready. It is now the trend to choose a tea. Have a  caffeine free coffee as well.

 When you have kids, the best dessert is a large salad glass bowl filled with ice cubes and a variety of all kinds of ice lollies, ice pops, mixed ice creams in wrappers. Just watch them disappear. The adults love to tumble into a choice of ice cream…….whatever is not used, is just popped back into the freezer. Soya based parave ice creams are a good addition too.

Have a fun holiday and enjoy the extra fussing that makes life special

 Love and light

 Rona

SCHOOL LUNCH BOXES

Rona Kruger on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 8:51pm

Hi and good luck to all the children going back to school and to the teachers who cope with dozens of our children daily. We wish you all a Good Year and great learning in a happy environment

We have a role to play in the going out of the home for so many hours a day.

School lunch boxes are to serve a purpose. We are responsible for what we give our kids to eat and drink at school.

The following is what we have to do:

1. Sit down with the kids and talk about lunches.

2. Determine what time they eat, how much time they have. Find out if they have a place to sit

Comfortably in the shade. Also find out if eating time is under supervision.

3. Choose a lunch box that is well made and with a cooler department and separate places for drink and food.

4. You must buy containers that can fit into the bag, that hold liquids, snacks, dried fruit, a good spoon and knife and fork.

5. Give the kids a serviette or wet wipes to clean hands before and after eating.

6. Do not use inappropriate wrapping for food. Never plastic wraps on cheese and milk products and no aluminum foil. You can use paper, brown bags and baking paper and good containers with lids.

7. You can place a freezer pack in the bag to keep foods cool.

8. Remember, this food bag is very important. You and you kids can bond well as you create the lunches in the evening and have them ready in the fridge. As you work and chat, you are giving them tools for life. They will understand that you care about their needs, and they will understand the effort you are making re the things they like.

9. Never underestimate the importance of ordinary chores. These are the examples we give them. They are also the memory makers of the years ahead.

10. You attitude must be, this is not a chore that I do daily, it is a pleasure for these kids I love.

11. Remember, you need a surprise in the box now and then. A love note, a candy, a chocolate bar, a cookie or a book or mascot that is the trend. All your efforts express love. Lastly, wash and air the lunch box regularly.

IDEAS FOR LUNCH BOXES.

Snacks. I like dried fruit, nuts, home made cookies and snack bars, halva, sunflower seeds and granola cereal, cookies and bars. Recipes will follow.

Vegetables and fruits. You can have peeled carrots, celery sticks, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, pears, bananas, peaches, plums and all fruits in season. Lettuce can be washed and dried and packed in a container.

Ready foods. Humus, Techina, honey, cream cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese and yellow cheeses. Apple sauce is a great snack and you can choose an organic type in the health store. They have less sugar too.

Drinks. Give water, fruit juices, rice milk, almond milk, carob powder shakes, and health drinks

Baked goods. Good breads, crackers, baked muffins and health snacks and cookies.

Vegetarian lentil burgers are great to prepare and have ready in the fridge.

GOOD LUCK  FOR HAPPY SCHOOL DAYS.  RESPECT YOUR TEACHERS AND SAY THANKS TO YOUR PARENTS WHO CATER TO ALL YOUR NEEDS.  

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