Sesame & Coconut Cookies

These are yum but coz I like the cookbook I'm not gonna nick it & post it - go get the book, it's not very much & it's on Amazon.

Choices Chocolate Buttons

Nom nom nom I love these big time! They're very nice though a bit pricey like all dairy free chocolates. Is rice flour & coconut oil really that much more expensive than milk?

It's def nice to have some quality tasting "milk" chocolate rather than just the really dark stuff. The choc orange ones are subtley flavoured an are reminiscent of a chocolate orange - though it's been quite a while since I've had one.

I've mentioned choices before I think - they do some brilliant "milk" chocolate caramel cups.

The buttons I got from Ocado, the caramels I've had from Waitrose, Ocado, Sainsburys & Tesco.

Banana Nut Bread

I followed the recipe on this one so I'm just gonna link to it here: http://www.tiana-coconut.com/coconut_flour_recipes.htm. I went for the walnuts. I did change one thing - I didn't have any almond extract so I used maple. I don't think a hint of maple is ever a bad thing so don't think it was a bad substitution! The maple certainly worked with the banana & walnut flavours.

It is intended for my breakfasts but you may see it over on bambi's bento's!

Chocolate & Cupboard Stuff Ice Nohm

Sometimes you've shopped & planned, sometimes you just want something and make do! I've got some gluten free cones from ocado and wanted some ice cream to go in them. Chocolate I had the ingredients for but I like my ice cream Ben & Jerry style with bits so I raided the cupboard. I made double quantities as I wanted a scoopable amount; this made a small ice cream tub full.

2 Tins of coconut milk
Carton of coconut cream
1/2 cup sugar (I prefer golden caster sugar) 
1/2 cup good cocoa powder
Big pinch of salt
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Tsp xanthan gum

Handful of chocolate chunks (more would have been better)
Glace Cherries (half a tub)
Couple of big tablespoons of fluff

I mixed the icecream then put it in the machine til it got to soft set stage. I stirred through the bits & swirled in the fluff before slopping it into a tub & putting it into the freezer to firm up (not for long enough - it was still a bit sloppy to scoop). Sometimes winging it really works. 

Smoked Duck, Apple, Sesame & Ginger Salad

Today's lunch is a small lesson in matching things. I wasn't impressed with the ginger & sesame salad dressing when I tried it on a side salad with chicken & chips - ginger & sesame salad with chicken & chips? Of course it didn't work! However on this salad (mixed leaves, cucumber, red pepper & apple) topped with smoked duck slices it totally rocked. It's one of those combos you know will work before you taste it! I made a bit of potato salad on the side; a girl's gotta have some carbs!

The ginger & sesame dressing and smoked duck were from ocado - the smoked duck you will no doubt see on bambis bentos - I'm thinking maybe smoked duck nigiri tomorrow.