Cookbookmaniac
  • Glorious Butter Cake
    Glorious Butter Cake
    American Recipes

    I was recently given a set of Jamie Oliver DVD's as a housewarming gift. It took me a while to get around to them but I finally watched the Ministry of Food the other day and was really surprised that someone could feed their toddler doner kebabs every night. It was also frustrating to see that almost an entire town of people were at risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity because they didn't know how to cook. Whatever happened to learning how to cook from your parents?! One of the tasks that Jamie set for himself and the group of people participating in the show was to pass on a recipe. It's so magical how a simple task like this can really change a community. I've made this cake for my family, friends and colleagues over the years and everyone has been enamoured by this glorious slice of heaven.…

  • Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes
    Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes
    American Recipes

    It's been a while since my last post. I've been busy re-designing my blog layout and house-hunting. Both tasks are proving to be a big challenge, but I will soldier on and not give up. I am too determined to have the blog layout of my dreams and a humble abode. One thing is for sure I have a bad habit of diving into the deep end of things without a crash helmet. There are some important lessons that I have learnt: Firstly, patience and understanding is a virtue. My poor sister has to put up with my nonsense explanations, multiple emails, random phone calls and constant questions. She really is a gem for doing this probono. Secondly, don't listen to anyone (except your mortgage broker) when it comes to advice about home loans and real estate. It is currently an unstable/unpredictable economic climate where legislation and laws change almost…

  • White Velvet Cake with Real Buttercream Frosting
    White Velvet Cake with Real Buttercream Frosting
    American Recipes

    I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to children. I've never grown up with a burning desire to become a wife and a mother. My parents spent more time pressuring me to go to university and study than teach me how to keep a house and tend to babies. Please don't get me wrong. I am not a hater of children. I want to have children of my own in the future. I'm just not the first person in the room to leap out of their seat when a baby enters the room. In fact, the desire to have children of my own only sprung up when I met Pizzaboy. He was so cute and wonderful. I decided that I would one day need to produce more little joys like him. (My apologies if that sounds a bit too gross). I become really confused when I receive Baby Shower invitations. Firstly,…