Is this a food blog?

...I think it might be?  Recently my posts all seem to be about food - and I am not sure I am sorry about that!?  Not sure if I have told you that I trained at college as a Chef and worked as a Chef for a good few years.  Ever since I gave it up as a career I find I enjoy cooking, entertaining and baking far more than I did when I did it all day!  Funny that!?

All last week I was away at my sisters looking after my 6 year old nephew and twin 4 year old nieces!  I came back suitably tired but also full of warmth!  They are so adorable especially first thing in the morning when they come and snuggle in bed!

Anyways, today we had friends around for Sunday lunch - Roast Pork and all the trimmings (it was a little like an early Christmas dinner).  We also BOTH made puddings on account of my friend wanting to try the Nigella Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake recipe and her hubby not liking peanuts! - so I made my no cook lemon pie (easy peasy)

Here is the Nigella Cheesecake - made by my Friend Linzi

I have to say it was LOVELY.  Not too sickly sweet and a lovely texture (I do like a baked cheesecake).  I would definitely serve this again!

And here is my no cook Lemon Pie (can you spot the bit of crust missing!)

I can't really call the Lemon Pie a recipe - it is too easy, but here it is (yummy if you like fresh sharp lemony flavours).  My sister kindly gave me this recipe and I believe it was originally from Betty Crocker?

Ingredients:
200g Digestive or ginger biscuits (I have used either)
60g of melted butter

1 tin of condensed milk (497g tin)
150 mls of double cream
2 lemons (grated zest of 1 and juice of 2)

Whizz or bash up the biscuits and add the melted butter to make the base.  Press into a dish and chill.
Combine the condensed milk, lemon zest, lemon juice and double cream in a large bowl and stir until well mixed.
Pour over the crumb base - and refrigerate.
Serve Chilled!

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend!

POST EDIT:  My sister informs me this isn't from Betty Crocker at all... still yummy though (might have to go have another slice)

My new favourite utensil

Am I that far behind the times?  Do you all use these?  

I saw this suggestion on the Barefoot Contessa

My new Ice Cream Scoop
(that goop is destined to be Raspberry & White Chocolate Muffins)

It scoopes the PERFECT amount into each muffin case with NO MESS!

SEE!  No mess and all the same size ready to go in the oven

Fresh out of the oven - all nice, plump and round!

And all the same size and shape - OK now I just sound a little anal?

I have posted the recipe on my recipe's page

Talking of Autumn...

Couldn't resist...

Loving our new fire

My fav Season...

I love Autumn... especially on days like today.  It has been SUNNY with Blue Skies all day today.  A little windy at times - especially as we were eating out picnic lunch down by the sea - but had remembered my bobble hat so I was fine :) 

It also signals changes in the kitchen... like Breakfast:

Mmmm Porridge with sultana's and a little dash of Golden Syrup

We have just moved to our "winter menu" so soups, stews, pies and other yummies are all to look forward to.

Drinks are different too... swap the summer fruity wines for this:

Stones Ginger Wine - Straight up with lots of Ice

Admittedly a rather large glass (but there is lots of ice honest).  YUM

...and just a little anticipation building for Christmas (but we won't shout about that)

It was supposed to be raining...

We have had forecasts of high winds and lots of rain for the weekend.  Today has indeed been raining a lot of the day.  However, at about 4pm - the clouds cleared and the sun came out.

Ever the opportunists - we decided pack a coffee and head to Sennen Cove for the evening. 

 See - GORGEOUS!  

We did some rock hopping till the sun went down - then headed home.