A slice of paradise

What would you do if you need cheering up and find a recipe in one of your baking books called 'Paradise slices'? Wouldn't you be tempted to bake it straight away too?! I simply could not resist the title. When I had a look at the ingredients (coconut, almonds, orange, raspberry jam), I was absolutely sure.  A slice of paradise it was going to be. And you know what....it worked for me!

You do need to have some time to prepare the slices, as they have three layers and need to go into the oven twice, but it's oh so worthwhile! I have been thinking how to describe the slices best: the sweet taste of the almonds, the grated coconut that gives it a tropical flavour and the layer of jam that makes it simply irresistible. You won't be disappointed!

Wishing you a happy weekend!

LOVE,

Madelief x

Paradise slices

for the shortbread base you will need:

175g butter

75g light brown caster sugar

150g plain flour

100g ground almonds

finely grated zest of one orange or lemon

120g raspberry jam (I used rosebud jam)

for the sponge on top:

110g butter

150g caster sugar

4 eggs

150g dessicated or freshly grated coconut

75g ground almonds

1 teaspoon baking powder

110g sultanas (I left these out)

Put all the ingredients for the shortbread into a food processor and keep running until it comes together into a ball. You can do it by hand too. Press the dough into the base of a 30x23cm non stick baking tray. To smooth out, place a piece of cling film on top and use the back of a spoon. Chill in the fridge for an hour.

Preheat the oven to 140°c/gas 3. Prick the base all over. Bake for

25-30 minutes, until just beginning to brown. Leave to cool. Then add a layer of jam.

Increase the oven temperature to 170°c/ gas 5

Put butter and sugar into the processor, or mixing bowl, and whisk until fluffly. Add the eggs one at a time. Weigh out the coconut, almonds, baking powder & sultanas {if using} and put the ingredients in a large bowl. Pour in the butter/sugar/egg mixture and fold gently. Pour onto your shortbread base and bake for 25-30 minutes until the sponge is set and the top is golden. Leave to cool then cut into slices. It makes around 16.

Recipe taken from Gorgeous Cakes by Annie Bell

The fashion world of Gaultier

The French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier was in town, and there is no getting around it! Trees are covered with blue and white stripes, the rabbits in the Museumpark have striped ear warmers and even Rotterdam's pride 'The Euromast' is wearing the signature Gaultier look.

The master himself was in Rotterdam two weeks ago, to open an exhibition of his work in 'de Kunsthal' called:

 'The fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, from the Sidewalk to the Catwalk'.

135 of his ensembles from the past 35 years are featured. In the first weekend only, almost 2000 visitors came to see his designs. My youngest daughter and I visited this morning, when it was still quiet and we could study the amazing dresses, corsets and other outfits at length.

The creations on display are diverse. From punk-chique to Avant Garde and Haute Couture. Gaultier's eye for detail is amazing. We were impressed by the beadwork on several of the dresses.

The exhibition is very much alive. 3D holographic faces are projected onto the mannequins. It really feels a bit weird, because they look you in the eye now and then. Some even talk or sing. Overall it is very cleverly done! 

Madonna, Kylie Minoque and Catherine Deneuve are longtime fans of Mr Gaultiers work. Mr Gaultier, you can add two new devotees to your list :-)

If you want to see the exhibit, please have a look at the website of De Kunsthal for more details. The exhibition is on until the 12th of May.

Wishing you all a lovely new week!

Love,

Madelief x

 

Snowdrops and Hellebores

 

After weeks of rain and frost, we had our first -not so cold- and sunny Sunday today. Perfect for doing a bit of much needed gardening. Although the thermometer did not go higher than 7 degrees Celsius, it felt much warmer. There was hardly any wind and when sitting on the veranda with my face in the sun, it could have easily been spring!

I had not realised how much I had missed the garden. The peace and quiet, the birdsong.  It was a joy being there.

There was a lot of clearing up to do. One of my favourite occupations is to get get rid of decayed leaves and stems. The surface of the soil is revealed once more and with it tiny green shoots and even some flowers, like snowdrops, Hellebore and cyclamen.

There is still a lot of work to be done, but while looking back over my shoulder on my way home, I was happy to see the difference. We did a good job today!

Have you been in the garden lately?

Wishing you a happy new week!

LOVE,

Madelief X

Thank you for your kind comments on my last two posts. They are much appreciated!

How much is that doggie in the window?

Do you remember I told you about my youngest daughter and I doing some DIY? After my eldest daughter moved out, I decided to refresh her old bedroom and turn it into a quest room/craft room. The walls were painted shocking pink and lime green, which looked really sunny, but the colours were faded and the room looked tired.

As Annebelle, my youngest daughter, likes a new project just as much as I do, she offered to help.  My eldest daughters bed was going to stay, so that there would always be a place for her and future guests. Annebelle and I painted the walls duck egg blue and white. The new colours make the room look peaceful and the light is amazing. It will be the perfect place to paint, sew and store part of my porcelain collection.

There is still a lot of work to be done. The floor has to be replaced, I need curtains and I am on the lookout for an old desk, bedside table and comfortable chair. My aim is to use reclaimed materials and spend as little money as possible. So the thrift store and flea market it's going to be.

When I visited the thrift store last week, I spotted this little doggie in the window. I don't know why, but somehow it appealed to me :-) When I heard the price, which was less than one euro, the decision was easily made. However, my greatest finds were the two American Beauty cups by Royal Albert. I have been hoping they would turn up for some time now and when I saw them in the display last Friday, I could not believe my luck. I am confident my bedside table, desk and chair will turn up too. It's only a matter of time. I will keep you posted on my progress!

A happy weekend! Rotterdam is covered in a thin layer of snow and the sun is shining brightly. It looks magical!

LOVE,

Madelief x

So very kitsch!

When having a good look through my china cabinet this week, I realised part of it is so very kitsch :-)! Our house is modern, even design, but when it comes to my taste in porcelain, I tend to go over the top. I find it hard to resist pretty florals. My husband and daughters are used to it now and even start to like the treasures I regularly take home with me. Nevertheless there are times when I ask myself, for instance when I look at the colourful cake forks I recently found in the thrift store, what possessed me to buy them?! Does this sound familiar to you?

As we are having guests this weekend, I decided to bake a pie and use the forks straight away :-)! Apple Almond pie it was going to be. It turned out to be a good choice. It's a classic apple pie with a crispy shortbread bottom and a creamy butter almond filling. Although the taste is mild, we all liked it. Unfortunately I don't have the time to write out the recipe, but it came from Annie Bell's cookbook Gorgeous Cakes. When you enjoy baking, I can recommend the book to you.

I wish you all a lovely Sunday and a good start of the week. We are off to celebrate my fathers 75th birthday!

LOVE,

Madelief x