Fabulous Food

Great recipes and ideas for serving food in fabulous ways.

Nov 25 2016

Strawberry Lemon Water

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: No Comments
12 Days of Christmas Ideas 2016 – Day 10
drink

Healthy and refreshing

Ingredients:
  • 1 Litre of Filtered Water or Sparkling Water
  • 1/2 Lemon Sliced
  • 4-6 Strawberries Sliced
  • 1-2 Sprigs of Basil
  • Additional: Strawberries & Basil for garnishing.
  • Optional: Vital Zing Raspberry Water Drops for added sweetness.
Method:

Step 1: Add the Strawberries and Lemon slices along with the Basil sprigs to the water.If you are using sparkling water just add it to the bottle.

Step 2: Place in the fridge for a couple of hours to allow the flavours to infuse the water.

Step 3: Serve in tall glasses and garnish with remaining Strawberries and Basil.

Notes: If you would like your drink to be a little sweeter then add 5-6 drops per glass of Vital Zing Raspberry Water Drops. Also I recommend drinking it all on the day it was made – otherwise the fruit and basil go a bit soggy if kept for longer.

 

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Credits:

 

© 2016 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.

Nov 24 2016

Guilt-Free Christmas Cookies

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: No Comments
12 Days of Christmas Ideas 2016 – Day 9

This year I decided to make some big changes to the way I eat in an effort to improve my health. For me this basically meant saying goodbye to refined sugar and reducing the amount of wheat based products that I consumed. While I can’t say I’ve been 100% successful all of the time I have seen some amazing improvements. With Christmas just around the corner I wanted to be prepared for continuing along this healthy path without missing out on the yummy treats that come with the festive season, so I set about creating some tasty recipes. These cookies are refined sugar free, gluten free and dairy free. I hope you enjoy them as much I do.

cookies

Guilt-Free Christmas cookies – with Pecans, Cranberries and Chocolate Chips.

 

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups Almond Flour
  • 1/4 cup Coconut Flour
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/2 cup Rice Malt Syrup
  • 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips (70% Cocoa or higher)
  • 1/2 cup Cranberries
  • 1/4 cup Pecans, chopped
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 2 pinches of Salt
  • 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
  • 6 Tbsp of Coconut Oil, melted

 

Method:

Step 1: Pre-heat the oven to 180 °C.

Step 2: Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl, making sure the coconut oil goes in last (if it is hot from being melted it can cook the egg). Mix together until well combined.

Step 3: The mixture will be a bit sloppy so set it aside for 5-10 minutes to give the coconut flour time to absorb some of the moisture. While you wait line a baking tray with baking paper.

Step 4: With wet hands roll the cookie dough into balls, no larger than a golf ball. It will still be rather sticky. Flatten each cookie slightly.

Step 5: Bake for 10-15mins. Cool on the tray for a few minutes then transfer to a rack and allow to cool completely.

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Credits:

 

© 2016 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.

 

 

May 27 2016

5 Favourites for Winter

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: No Comments
Winter Faves

Photo credits: 1. As You Wish Events; 2. As You Wish Events; 3. Pen N’ Paper; 4. Paperblog.

 

With the recent turn in the weather one can’t help but think winter is almost here. I have to admit, winter is my favourite season. I love snuggling up on the couch under a blanket to watch a movie with a warm bowl of popcorn; sitting near an open fire toasting marshmallows and making them into s’mores; cooking up wintery meals that make you feel cozy on the inside or even just holding a freshly brewed cup of hot chocolate.

So on the blog this week I have scoured The As You Wish Blog archives to bring you my top 5 favourite winter articles. Just click the links to see it in full. I trust they will inspire you to embrace and celebrate this winter in style. Let the countdown begin:

#5 – The Fantastic Fudge Cake – smother this cake with a warm custard to make one yummy winter dessert.

#4 – 5 Creative DIY Food Stations

#3 – S’mores by the Riverside – S’mores are great in the winter too.

#2 – The Hot Choc Tube

#1 – 10 Ways to Warm Up Your Guests

 

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© 2016 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.

 

May 05 2016

Mother’s Day Activity for Little Bakers

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: No Comments

This week I have found myself planning a Mother’s Day activity for a group of pre-schoolers. The plan is for the children to make and decorate their own individual cupcake for their Mum.

Mother's Day Activity for Children

While it may be considered ambitious by some, after a few trials I’m cautiously optimistic that these little bakers will succeed. And if you are brave enough to give it a go with your little ones here’s what we are going to do, along with some free printables for decorating the packaging.

I began with my favourite fudge cake recipe that I use all the time for cupcakes and broke it down to single serves.

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Apr 07 2016

The Best Plain Cookie Recipe

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: No Comments

I started this week by doing some baking with my 4 year old son. While I tend to do most of the work, he likes controlling the speed on the cake mixer,  licking the bowl and occasionally helps with adding in the ingredients. We began by making a banana cake, as I had some over-ripe bananas to use up, then I suggested we make some cookies. I was thinking we could just whip up a batch of my Grandma’s Plain Cookies, but my son had other plans. “Mummy, can we make rainbow cookies?” he asked. I quickly thought it through and replied with “We can sure try.”

Best Plain Rainbow Cookies

Now you may be thinking, but that’s not very plain at all. Well here’s the ‘Plain’ part:

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Feb 25 2016

S’mores by the Riverside

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: No Comments
Smores Welcome Party on the Thames Coast

I love to take any opportunity to celebrate. Recently the extended family on my mother’s side had a family reunion. It was the first time in years that so many of us had been in one place. We all gathered at the beautiful Te Mata Lodge just north of Thames where we enjoyed a fabulous, sunny weekend together.

As everyone was arriving on the Friday evening I wanted to create something special, a welcoming party if you will. Instead of the usual supper I decided to greet everyone with a glass of bubbly and a make your own S’mores Bar.

For those who aren’t familiar with what a s’more is,  it’s a traditional campfire treat popular in the United States (and now New Zealand), consisting of a toasted marshmallow and layer of chocolate sandwiched between two biscuits. They are very yummy!

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Jan 13 2016

Strawberry Soufflé – The Perfect Summertime Dessert

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: 2 Comments

Growing up, every summer when the strawberries came ripe, my family would look forward to our mum making for us our favourite summer dessert – Strawberry Soufflé. I don’t really know why it is called a soufflé since it is nothing like your traditional variety, you don’t even bake it (apart from the crumbs). All I know is that it is yummy, goes a treat and that I want to share the recipe with you.

Strawberry Souffle

So let’s get cooking!

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Jan 08 2016

Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: 2 Comments

For the last few years I have put together a very simple Gingerbread House Decorating party for my son and my nieces. This year I decided to go all out with for this annual party and invite a couple more friends. We had an absolute blast decorating the gingerbread houses – it was such a special time for both kids and parents alike.

It all began with the invitations being hand delivered by these giant gingerbread men.

Gingerbread House Decorating Party

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Dec 10 2015

12 Days of Christmas Ideas 2015

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: No Comments
12 Days of Christmas Ideas 2015

In case you missed any or have only just joined us here, we thought we would make our 12 Days of Christmas Ideas for 2015 easier to find by re-posting the links here.

7 Christmas Terrariums We Love
Fabulous Foils For Christmas
One Super Juicy Idea
How to Stress Less This Christmas
Delightful Decoupage Décor
Designer Christmas Crackers
Five Tips for Festive Family Photos
A Very Poppy Christmas
Handy Hints for Hosting a Gingerbread House Decorating Party
The Pre-Christmas Gift
The Hot Choc Tube
A Red & White Christmas Table Setting

 

Plus here’s a few bonus ideas from previous years that we featured in our live demonstration.

Paper Craft Christmas Décor
Christmas Bling
Mug Cookies In a Jar
Christmas Card Frame

 

Thanks for stopping by, we hope you find this helpful and enjoy these Christmas ideas.

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© 2015 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.

 

Dec 03 2015

The Hot Choc Tube

Author: Nadine Crozier • Discussion: 2 Comments
12 Days of Christmas Ideas – Day 11

Hot Chocolate in a TubeHere’s a quick an easy gift idea. It works great as a small thank you gift or can be teamed up with a few other items to create a gift that is more substantial.

All you need for this individual serve is …

  • • A plastic tube with screw top lid or something similar – I found these ones at our local dollar
  •   type store.
  • • Hot Chocolate mix – 2 heaped teaspoons.
  • • Chocolate Chips/Drops – Just one teaspoon for a little added luxury.
  • • Mini Marshmallows – About 9-10 of them to fill up the tube
  • • A sticky label – Either create your own or download ours.

Put it together in this order and you are all done. Ready to give it away.

 

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© 2015 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.