Azoresgal~Life on an Island

 A Happy New Year to you all! The French Galette des Rois or “King Cake” celebrates the end of the Christmas season, on Epiphany January the 6th. It is made with two layers of puff pastry and filled with frangipane, a thick, sweet paste made from almonds, butter, eggs and sugar, and it is oh so delicious!   Tradionally baked inside the galette is a feve  (a broad bean), and when the galette is sliced, and divided up by the number of people present, the youngest child of the family gets to decide who has which piece and the person who gets the fève in their piece of cake gets to be crowned King or Queen, and is in charge for the day! Now to avoid a trip to the dentist, just place a piece of candied fruit, an almond or a rasin instead of a feve. This is the first time I ever made a Galette, and I am so pleased with it! I was scared to make one, I thought it was complicated, but you know what it's not! Lots of little steps, but nothing you can't do I promise! ...

So here's the thing, you either love eggnog or you hate it! I have to admit here in our home, we like it, and brace yourselves my kids even ask me to make it. Yup, I have those kids, eggnog connoisseurs! Most of the eggnog haters, dislike it because of the eggs in it. I get it I do, so this recipe may just convert you to an eggnog lover, because no eggs are involved, yup no eggs! No eggs means it's also safe for the kiddos, pregnant mommas, and the elderly. So now you have no excuse not to give it a try! Ingredients 5 cups milk ( I use skim milk) 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 (3.4 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix 2 teaspoons vanilla 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon allspice Pinch of ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon salt Instructions Add 2 cups of milk, sugar, pudding mix, vanilla, spices and salt to a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Let stand 5 minutes. Pour into a large pitcher and stir in remaining 3 cups milk. Refrigerate until thickened sl...

   I hope that you and your loved ones are having a wonderful holiday season! Just wanted to share these  scrumptious waffles with you, they are lovely! They remind me of yummy gingerbread cookies,I love them for the holidays.  I think they make breakfast extra special, without  being complicated to make, because we all know I like things easy around here! ‘Tis the season for hanging out in your pyjamas all day and being lazy, am I right?  So please make these, grab a cup of coffee, pour some mimosas and enjoy some gingerbread waffles together! INGREDIENTS 1 1/3 cups milk, warmed to room temperature 3 tablespoons melted butter 1/2 cup molasses 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1 large egg 1 3/4 cups (290g) all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves Melted butter or cooking spray for coating...

These candy cane hearts, are so easy to make, seriously just three ingredients, you have no excuse not to make them! Besides being easy, they are so stinkin' cute and delicious too! I like to make them to serve with hot chocolate, as a topper. They are also a great addition to a cookie platter oe even a sweet little gift for someone!  I hope you give them a try! 24 miniature candy canes 1 cup white chocolate candy melts  holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes Arrange the candy canes into 12 hearts on a sheet of parchment paper. Melt the candy melts in the microwave in 30 second increments until melted. Stir until smooth. Pour the candy melts into a piping bag or a plastic bag. Snip the tip off the piping bag or plastic bag. Pipe a dollop of chocolate into each heart. Use a toothpick  or spoon to spread the chocolate into the point and curves of the heart. Add sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet. Let sit until firm, then serve. **I like t...

This is my  favorite icing for decorating  my favorite sugar cookies ! It's quick and easy to make, with very simple ingredients. Great for cookies, gingerbread houses, I  have even used it to frost my Christmas fruit cake. The icing dries nice and hard, tastes yummy, and will make your cookies look beautiful. So bake some cookies, and gather up the family to help decorate them. Listen it will be a rather messy event, but I promise it will be fun and you will be creating so yummy food memories!  cookies baked and cooled ( sugar cookie recipe ) 2 cups powdered/icing sugar 2 egg whites (or 1/4 cup liquid egg whites I prefer to use these for food safety) 2 teaspoons lemon juice ( this helps to harden the icing) *food coloring in desired colors *sprinkles  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed until foamy. Switch to low speed and gradually sift the sugar into the egg whites until it's comp...

Well here we are again, just a few weeks away from Christmas! Now I know it comes every year, but gosh it just seems like a year goes by faster and faster as I get older. If you are anything like me I am sure you are already making lists, and checking them twice trying to get things done! This month everything  seems to happen all at once, parties, school activites, church activities it's seems never ending. More often than not you will be asked to bring something, or perhaps you want to take a gift for a teacher, or a "secret santa"! Well look no further, these super delicious treats require only 3 ingredients and  about 10 minutes  of your time from start to finish! That's it, when you are finished, you can pour yourself a cocktail for all your hard work! All you need is a bag of Rolo candy, a bag of mini pretzel twists, and a bag of pecan halves. Preheat your oven to  200 C/400F degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper....

These bars are in a word...amazing!  They are a  combination of a blondie base packed with white chocolate & cranberries,  topped with a cream cheese frosting then sprinkled with a few more bits of  cranberry for good measure and white chocolate drizzled over the entire thing. Oh my, just describing them makes me want to eat one or two!They are super rich, so you may want  to cut them into small pieces. Smaller pieces just means you can have more than one.  Enjoy! Ingredients Bars: 1 cup  butter, melted 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon orange extract ( I used orange zest) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup white chocolate chips 3/4 cup dried cranberries Frosting and Topping: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon orange extract ( I used orange zest) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/3...

Can you believe Christmas is just four days away? My goodness I have lost track of how many  trips I have made to the grocery store already. I have also chosen to ignore the fact that I have a ton of gifts to wrap, and crossing my fingers my mailman brings one last missing gift on Monday. In the meantime, instead of entering panic mode, I opted to go into the kitchen and make some homemade Baileys. That's right folks, I made Irish cream, because you all know tis' the season to drink and be merry!  Super easy to make, once you have all the ingredients, it's is as easy as throwing everything into a blender. Then just whirl everything up, and ta-dah you are done! Keep it all for yourself, or make same for sharing, as gifts. Just make it, I promise you will love it! INGREDIENTS 1 cup/250ml heavy cream  ( I used a 200 ml box) 1 can sweetened condensed milk 400 ml (1⅔ cup) Irish whiskey  (I used Jameson) 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup 2 teaspoon vanilla extra...

Can you believe it's the last week of November and that we are coming up on Christmas again? I must admit, I am already a bit excited about it, it's by far my most favorite time of the year. I can't tell you how many times over the years, I have wanted to share this recipe with you, but by the time I got  around to actually baking my cake and wanting to post the recipe, Christmas had already passed. So this year I am finally adding it here, the pictures are from last year, because I am no where ready for the holidays, and  because life happens, I will probably only bake this cake the night before Christmas, again  this year. I know that alot of people can't stand fruit cake, but you see I married a man who loves it! Yes Mr. G is the reason I bake this cake every year, I will not judge the man for loving candied fruit, he's just lucky he is cute! Truth be told, I really do not like anything with candied fruit in it, but this cake I will eat. Lord know's I sure ha...

 Tis' the season to invite family and friends over for a Christmas lunch or dinner to enjoy good food and wonderful company. This weekend Mr.G and I did exactly that, we hosted our Christmas lunch, and it was fantastic! Lots of story telling, lots of laughter, the kids giggling, the youngest baby peacefully sleeping, oh and lots of glorious food ! I tried to keep the menu simple, while having enough food for 25...yup you read that right, 25 and growing! The mains where turkey and ham, both roasted in our brick oven. I also made a potato and leek soup , and for side dishes, I made, portuguese stuffing, mac & cheese, brown sugar glazed carrots, roasted brussel sprouts , gravy, mashed potatoes, for dessert a Black Forest Pavlova .... and a partridge in a pear tree! Now I know you must be thinking... I thought you said simple...  and it was , the hardest thing, heating the brick oven early, to be able to roast the turkey and the ham, and have them done for our 1pm lunch...

 These Peanut Butter Bars couldn’t be easier, with only 5 ingredients and no-baking, the hardest part is waiting for them to chill in the fridge. Oh and lets not forget.... they are really delicious too. Is there anything better than peanut butter and chocolate together? My kiddos, Sara and Simon, actually made them, they are perfect for little hands to help with! Christmas is just around the corner, and these are perfect for your cookie plate, of for sharing as a gift. I hope you give them a try! 1 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (Marie biscuits or Digestive cookies) 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (200gr, chocolate) 4 tablespoons peanut butter In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan, I like to line my pan with parchm...

Well here it is another Christmas day ! I hope you are enjoying a beautiful day with your families where ever it is you may be ! We are all still in our pyjamas, watching movies, enjoying new gifts, and just relaxing. I do not know about you , but I am really exhausted, I feel like I was hit by a truck. I gave it my all this week, really just trying to do and make or bake all of my kids favorite things. It's what I love most about Christmas, getting everything ready for them, in the hopes that many, many years from now, they may stop and remember, "that´s how mom used to make it". Find myself a bit overwhelmed, I admit that baking gingerbread cookies this year, was something I had crossed off the to do list. Somehow I thought it was something the kids would not miss, boy was I wrong, yesterday mid afternoon, Simon asked, "when are we baking the gingerbread cookies?" I told him "we already have so many other things on the dessert table, we can leave them ou...

The Nanaimo bar, whose origins are said to be from Nanaimo, British Columbia is one of Canada´s much loved desserts. It is certainly one of my all time favorites! Sooooo why is it, that I never make them? I will tell you why....because they are down right dangerous! Do not be fooled by these little no-bake squares, they are pure evil, in an ohhhh soooooo delicious way. They are creamy and crunchy and chocolaty all at the same time. I made these babies yesterday, it's only one little tin, it is sitting in my fridge, and I can hear them calling me, you know like in the film Jumangi! You know what I mean! If you have never had them, you are in for a treat, they are amazing ! Please do not be discouraged by what seems like alot of steps, they are very easy to make, and so worth it, I promise ! Crust Layer: ½ cup butter, softened 5 tbsp cocoa powder ½ cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 egg, lightly beaten 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs ( marie cookies work) ½ cup chopped ...

These are really easy, and are a great last-minute addition to Christmas cookie trays. I use red crystilized cherries with almond extract, and they are always scrumptious. They are just sweet enough, buttery,  airy and light, and just melt in your mouth. With so few ingredients, there is no excuse not to make them. I bake them every year, they have become a Christmas staple at our house. Ingredients 250 grams butter, softened (2 cups) 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup icing sugar 2 teaspoon vanilla extract/ or almond (optional) 1/4 cup red maraschino cherry/ or  crystallized fruit or glacé fruit 1/4 cup green maraschino cherry/ or  crystallized fruit or glacé fruit Preheat oven to180/ 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl and using an electric mixer, combine butter, flour, icing sugar and vanilla extract; mix until mixture is a smooth consistency. ( I just use a wooden spoon) Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper. Spoon out dough onto parchme...

 Valentine's day is coming up and love is in the air! This 2 ingedient fudge is dangerously easy to make, it's smooth, creamy, delicious and perfect to share with your valentine. No valentine? No problem , that means there is more for you ! These are really cute for Valentine’s Day, but you can make them all year long, changing the flavors and colors of the frosting, and using dark chocolate instead of the white. 1 16oz can Strawberry Frosting ( not whipped) 1 12 oz bag White Chocolate chips ( I used 2- 200gr white chocolate tablets ) valentine sprinkles Line 8×8inch pan (20cmx20cm) with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. Place white chocolate and frosting in medium bowl and melt in microwave by cooking in 30 second intervals, stirring and repeating, till chocolate melts. Stir until well mixed. Spread into the pan. Decorate top if desired. Place in refrigerator for at least half an hour to set. Cut into squares or use heart shape cooki...

These cookies are just the right texture, nice and soft on the inside and the blend of spices and molasses makes them extra delicious. The taste of ginger is very subtle, and not over powering, as ginger sometimes can be. They bake up really quickly, about 10 minutes in the oven. The dough does have to be chilled, the longer the better, it will keep it from being sticky when you roll it out. I had a great time making these, with my kids, they were very hand´s on, rolling out and cutting the cookies, the dough held up really well ! It was fun to watch them decorate them, all in their own style. There were lots of laughs, you can only imagine some of the nonsense they came up with ! I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas Day ! 1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/3 cup molasses 1 egg 2 tablespoons water 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ...

Wishing you and your family health, happiness, peace and prosperity this holiday season and in the coming New Year. May the magic of Christmas fill your heart all year long.

I have been feeling under the weather this week,  a battle with the flu. On Monday right after I baked and packaged cookies for Simon´s school, I went straight to bed. I have been a bit of a sleeping beauty this week, my husband is amazed at how much I have slept. I am not surprised, my body tends to shut down, when it has had enough, it just requires me to sleep. While I do have the flu, I have been worrying about some things lately, and just wore myself out I suppose. As most of you know, I live far away from my family, factor in that Christmas is upon us, I become an emotional mess. This year is different, my mom, has been having some health issues, to many frequent  ambulance rides to the ER, because of her heart. My baby sister just gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl, but there were some complications, and my sister is weak, but on the mend. I worry about my father, and what it´s been like for him to see my mom, in and out of the hospital. I just feel helpless, I...

These little tarts, with their sweet gooey filling, in a flaky pastry are a wonderful Canadian dessert. I haven’t made them in the longest time, shame on me , but I know why, it's because they are addictive!  I ate two, straight out of the oven, for me the best way to eat them, and washed down with a nice tall glass of cold milk. For my American friends, the butter tart filling is similar to pecan pie, and like pecan pie, they sometimes have nuts. Some recipes call for raisins, I however am not a raisin girl, and I never add them, I like them plain, no nuts, no raisins. If you’ve never tried a butter tart before you have got to try them.  I promise you that you won’t be disappointed! Pastry 2 ¼ cups flour 1 tbsp  sugar ½ tsp salt 1/2 cup shortening (Very cold and cut in cubes) 1/2 cup butter (Very cold and cut in cubes) 6 tbsp ice water (approximately, enough to bring the dough together) For the Filling 1 cup lightly packed brown s...