New home!!!

I am sorry to have left ye all here waiting for so long but I have been settling into my new home over on paulaskitchentable.com and I would love if ye would join me over there! Lots has been happening so please come on over and join in!! xxxx

Ariel House Afternoon Tea

Delicious macarons displayed in my mother's 45 year old china!

Two years have passed since I started blogging and what an exciting two years it has been. New foods sampled, interesting people met and lots of fun experiences have all paved my way along the blogging path. I enjoy the styling and the photography side of the blog so much and I am so delighted to be able to help others now with some great pictures for their websites. It has been such a learning curve for me and everyday I discover something different that I cannot wait to try, long may it continue! I have been overwhelmed with the level of support from all my twitter and facebook friends over the last few weeks since I launched my facebook business page which you can find here if you would like a look....

http://www.facebook.com/PaulaRyanPhotography?ref=hl

Yesterday I spent the day in the elegant surroundings of Ariel House in Ballsbridge. Such a gorgeous spot and despite being within a stones throw of the Aviva stadium it is surprisingly secluded. I had the pleasure of photographing some of the beautiful baked goods that are served as part of an afternoon tea, what a delightful way to while away an afternoon. I am looking forward to going back as a guest and relaxing with a chilled glass of champagne and some delicious sweet treats!

I hope you don't mind me sharing some of my photos with you but you have all been such a fantastic support to me I want to keep you all posted on my goings on!

Homemade shortbread

Lemon curd cake

Melting moments, caramel brownies, coffee & walnut bake

Delicious cupcakes

Mini berry tarts

If you wish to follow Ariel house on twitter you will find them here

https://twitter.com/ArielHouse

or on facebook here

http://www.facebook.com/ariel.dublin

Enjoy!

Honey, lemon & chilli halloumi!

I am prone to a little bit of exaggeration and embellishment of a story but when I tell you that you have to try this and you will think it is one of the best things you have ever eaten please believe me!!! I made this last Saturday as part of a dinner party spread and it went down with such success that I made a second round of it after dessert, I kid you not. The lovely Wise Mona had this recipe http://www.wisewords.ie/index.php/2013/02/honey-sweet-syrupy-sticky/ on her blog recently and I haven't stopped thinking about it since I spotted it. This is my version of something similar!

Take a block of halloumi cheese and slice it up into nine slices, lay flat in a dish with a lip. Chop a red chilli finely and scatter over, add the zest and juice of a lemon and a drizzle of honey. Allow all these lovely flavours to soak into the cheese for around an hour before heating up a drop of olive oil on your frying pan and adding the slices of halloumi.

There will be lots of sizzling and hissing so stand clear. Fry for approximately ten minutes or until all the liquid is gone and you are left with delicious caramelised slices of halloumi. Serve on a bed of rocket and wait for your round of applause. Simply divine!

 Did I ever tell you about the time I wrestled a bear to the ground? No? That is a surprise, pull up a chair!

The Pruntys!

So my new little photography venture is off to a promising start!! I have three bookings already which has THRILLED me!!! I took these pictures late last year of one of my favourite families, love the way the kids personalities shine through. Don't worry I am not abandoning the food blogging I just wanted to let you all know how things were going and to say a huge thank you for all the well wishes and the lovely messages, much appreciated!!! xxx

The lovely Uma!

Model family!

Love the light in this one!

Sibling love!

A tad excited!!!!

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When my food blogging obsession and prop buying sprees started I had no idea where it was going to lead. When I bought my first 'proper' camera last summer I just fell in love with it. My kids think they are professional models at this stage I take their photo so often! My love of food has turned into a love of photography and I am enjoying learning lots of little tips to make my photos more interesting. I have just set up a new facebook business page and I would love if you had a moment to click and like! 

http://www.facebook.com/PaulaRyanPhotography

Thanks so much everyone!! 

Lime & chili miso broth!

Fast day number 11 and I am still in love with the fast diet. I love the simplicity of it and the fact that it doesn't encroach on my social life. I was actually really looking forward to today's fast and to trying out this dish. It is spicy so feel free to leave out the added chili if you please!

You will need;

• 2.5ml rapeseed oil (20 calories)

• 2 garlic cloves (10 calories)

• Tesco stir fry medley, includes chili, spring onions, long stem broccoli, baby corn and mange tout (70 calories)

• Lime, zest & juice (20 calories)

• Sachet of miso soup (18 calories) 

• 1tsp crushed chili flakes (5 calories)

Heat the rapeseed oil in a non stick frying pan before adding sliced chilli, two cloves of crushed garlic and lime zest.

Once these are sizzling add the rest of the vegetables and stir fry quickly to seal.

Add the sachet of miso soup, 200ml of boiling water, the juice of a lime and a teaspoon of chili flakes and stir before serving.

Hot, hot, hot but delicious! 

Would love to hear how the rest of ye are doing on the intermittent fasting plan, drop me a line to let me know! xx

Minestrone soup!

Fast day number ten and I am feeling good! This delicious soup is 353 calories for the entire pot! The key to this eating plan is to be very wise with your 500/600 calorie allowance and squeeze in as many nutrients as you can! 

You will need;

• 100g raw onion, chopped (40 calories)               
• 3 cloves of garlic, sliced (13 calories)               
• 100g celery, sliced finely (14 calories)
• 100g carrots, cubed (41 calories)
• 400g tin of chopped tomatoes (72 calories)
• 100g kidney beans (65 calories)
• 100g green cabbage, shredded (24 calories)
• 25g pasta (84 calories)
• 1tsp dried basil, salt & pepper

Add a splash of water to a large saucepan and soften the onion, garlic, carrot and celery.
Once softened add the tin of chopped tomatoes and two tins of water, stir.
Add the kidney beans, pasta, shredded cabbage, basil, salt and pepper and allow to simmer for twenty five minutes or until the pasta has softened.

Ladle into warm bowls and dream of hunks of fresh bread to dip into it!