A pinch.. and a punch... in the head!

Argh, dreadful headache. Probably dehydrated... keep drinking, keep drinking...

I have had a pretty organised day though. Last night was cool-ish so thought I would start hanging out washing and doing some baking... baked peanut butter cookies and cheated using Betty Crocker Triple Choc cookies.. made up some yoghurt in the Easiyo.

This morning made Mummy's pancakes for the little ladies and two more breakfasts' worth making it easy on me for the next two requests and then prepared tonight's dinner before the sun hit the kitchen this morning (meatballs in sauce). All in all pretty good- everyone dressed all washing out on the line and dinner made and house cleaned up by 9.30am (thanks to hubby for joint effort on the house).

So this morning was a bit more relaxing, the odd changing of the barbie clothes (wish I had a dollar for every request of barbie clothes - I'd have a well-paying job!) watched a little bit of telly and then headed out to Chatswood to get Daddy a haircut and some groceries.

We found quite a little discovery today whilst Daddy was getting his hair cut. The Fairies' ride complete with 'the bubble' 'elf's shoe' and 'click-clock' to sit in. Very exciting for our little fairy-mad-threesome.

This is advantage to having 3 girls sub-5. I don't have to pay for other kids whilst their stingy parents look on with these rides (this used to annoy me a little when Eloise was the only one old enough to go on and I'd be paying for everyone else's kid with no offer of another ride at their expense etc!) and feel pretty good saying 'oh are you having a turn? We'll wait' the shocked parents usually scurry away in embarrassment.

The only issue now, is now where know where it is, it becomes a whingy request of over-tired children from time-to-time (but that said probably a very good incentive too!)

OK, so some recipes of the past 24 hours.

Peanut butter cookies (makes 24)

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence/imitation essence
• 1 large egg
• 1 + 1/4 cups flour

Method:
In the food processor, combine the butter and the peanut butter, combine, then add the sugars, baking powder and soda, and vanilla essence, then the egg. Gradully add in the flour and when it turns into a very soft dough, stop adding (this might arrive you at 1+1/2 or 1+3/4 but don't worry).

Transfer to a bowl and cover with cling wrap and put in the fridge for about an hour, by which the mixture should be pliable, but not sloppy or hard. Preheat oven to 180 deg c.

Roll into 3cm diameter balls and place onto a greased baking tray and squish down with a fork. Cook for about 9 minutes or until the bottom becomes brown.

They remind me very much of the gooey in the middle-fresh-baked yumminess of David Jones Cookies which I used to get treated as a child... yumm. Got the seal of approval from my three today as you can see!



Melissa's Meatballs: (makes 2 lots, 1 for now, 1 for freezer)

Meatballs:

• 1kg topside mince (you could use other mince but might not get as much out of it)
• 2-3 multigrain breadrolls or 5 slices multigrain bread
• 1 onion, diced
• pepper

Method: Pre-heat oven to 200degc. In your food processor, whizz the bread/rolls until breadcrumbs, add about 4 pinches of pepper or a good lashing if using the mill and diced onion, whizz until combined, then add the mince and ensure all ingredients are combined well.
The bread allows the sauce to stick well and gives it a yummy texture/flavour. When all combined, roll into desired size meatballs and place on a greased baking tray (I just used canola spray) and bake until brown. set aside or if you've timed it so, add to the meatball sauce as you've cooked.
Meatball sauce Ingredients:

• 3 tb olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, finely diced
• 3 sticks of celery and one head of celery stick, finely diced
• 1/2 cup good red wine (I use DeBortoli Shiraz 2006)
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed/chopped
• 2 sprigs of fresh oregano chopped finely or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 8 large leaves of fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil.
• 3 stalks italian flat leaf parsley
• 2 x 420gr tins diced tomatoes
• 800 ml of water
• 1 tb tomato paste

Method
In a large stockpot, heat olive oil and add onions, carrot and celery+ tops, sweat off (stir until glistening and hot) and then add garlic, oregano and basil, stir well. turn onto low heat and add diced tomatoes, wine and water and tomato paste. simmer at low heat, and add meatballs. You can simmer for 30 minutes if you are cooking on the spot, but best results are gained by simmering for 2 hours or so, or even turning off the heat and leaving for a few hours and simmering for another 30 minutes.

Serve over any pasta you like!

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