Bits & Pieces – Page 6 – Loving Family Life

Baked Lemon Cheesecake

I have been making this baked cheesecake for years. I found the recipe by Rick Stein in a Delicious magazine. I have made a few changes to the original. I’ve been told by many that it is really delicious – nothing to do with my baking skills – I’m just an excellent follower of recipes!! This is for you Tony & Sue xx

Ingredients:

Base

100g unsalted butter
200g digestive biscuits
2 Tablespoons caster sugar

Filling

500g cream cheese
200g caster sugar
3 eggs
2 Tablespoons cornflour
300mm cream
1/4 cup lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 150 deg.C. Lighly grease a 20cm springform pan and line the base with baking paper.

For the base: melt the butter and crush the biscuits into crumbs in a plastic bag or food processor, then add to the butter with the sugar and mix well. Tip into cake pan, level out and press the base into an even layer with the back of a spoon. Set aside.

For the filling: beat the cream cheese and sugar using electric beaters until smooth. Add eggs one a a time, beating after each addition. Add cornflour, cream and lemon juice, then beat again.

Pour filling over the base and bake in the centre of the oven for 50-60 minutes until just set, but still with a slight wobble in the centre (if you over bake it dries it out too much). Leave to cool completely in the switched-off oven (for up to 3 hours).

To serve, carefully remove cake from pan and transfer to a serving plate. If I’m transporting the cake I leave it in the pan until I arrive and then transfer it to the plate.

If you make this cake please let me know what you think.

Edit: My friend Vanessa made this cheesecake and put a cup of water in the oven, which helped the cake retain it’s moisture (and not split). The photo she sent me of the one she made looked absolutely sensational. I will definately try this next time I make it. Thanks Vanessa xx

Bon Appetit!

Chris

Lest We Forget

When I was in my early teens I was a member of the Hornsby RSL Youth Club and on Anzac Day we were encouraged to represent the RSL Youth Club by marching in the local Anzac Day March (I also participated in the march in Sydney in the early seventies). I felt so proud marching on this special day even as a 12 year old. My grandfather Colin Thomson, who served in the Second World War, participated in the local march as well. One of my proudest moments was when we finished the march and we were standing in remembrance around the Cenotaph in Hornsby. It was and always has been a solemn and reflective time. I looked over to see my Grandpa’s head bent in remembrance and it made me feel so proud of this lovely man, who had lost his brother Lachlan in the same war (I didn’t know that as a 12 year old).

I suppose this is why I always feel that Anzac Day is such a special day. I’ve spent many Anzac Days watching the telecast on the ABC, which always brings a tear to my eye. We used to watch with the hope of seeing one of my uncles or parents’ friends on the TV as these very proud men marched by (of course they have all passed away now). Even today just hearing the stirrings of the drums in the pipe bands, as they begin their march, makes me thoughtful.

My brother’s son Nicholas belongs to his school’s cadets and wears his Great Grandfather’s medals in his school’s Anzac Day March.

Today I’m able to go and watch the march in Sydney and I will definitely be taking a box of tissues.

If you have an Anzac Day story please let me know.

We will remember them
Lest we forget.

Chris

Backyard Camping

If you’re looking for way to keep your children happy – put a tent up in the backyard. We as adults can’t fathom the fun that can be had just by this simple adventure.

I just saw this photo on my friend’s Simone’s Instagram and just thought back to the fun times our girls had. They used to do it all the time, and often with their friends along as well. We would give them torches, camping mattresses, lots and lots of pillows, cushions, blankets and of course midnight treats. A little bit of chocolate doesn’t hurt too much, does it?

There is a huge amount of effort to get this adventure going – all hands on deck. You might plan to do just one night, as Simone’s family did, but after all the effort, her husband Sam and their boys Eden and Pip stayed out for two nights.

If our girls were old enough or happy to be on their own, we would leave our mobile phone with them in case they were feeling a little unsure. Just be aware you could have some very tired and cranky children the next day.

Happy campers, happy family!!

Happy Easter Sunday. It’s the only day of the year when you can wake up, have a cup of tea and chocolate for breakfast and not feel guilty (well maybe a little). Oh the pleasurable first bite into the Red Tulip Bunny’s ear!!

Chris

Dad Jokes

Every man has the right that when he becomes a dad, he joins a special group – men telling “dad” jokes. Geoff has been telling this joke for years, and he still gets a laugh from any unsuspecting child.

Now to tell this joke properly, dad needs to put his fingers in his mouth and pull his lips very wide when our friend, the wide-mouth bull frog speaks.

It’s morning time and the wide-mouthed bull frog decides he wants to go exploring. Hippity hop, hippity hop, and he meets a sheep. ‘Hello, Mr Sheep’, says the wide-mouthed bull frog. ‘What do you eat?’ ‘Well,’ says the sheep, ‘I eat grass’.

‘That’s great,’ says the wide-mouthed bull frog. ‘Cheerio!’.

Hippity hop, hippity hop – off he goes, and he meets a horse. ‘Hello, Mr Horse,’ says the wide-mouthed bull frog. ‘What do you eat?’ ‘Well,’ says the horse, ‘I eat hay’. ‘That’s wonderful,’ says the wide-mouthed bull frog. ‘Cheerio!’

Hippity hop, hippity hop – off goes the wide-mouthed bull frog. He then comes across a snake. ‘Hello, Mr Snake,’ says the wide-mouth bull frog. ‘What do you eat?’. The snake looks him up and down and then hisses ‘I eat wide-mouth bull frogs.’

‘Oh,’ says the wide-mouthed bull frog, desperately pushing the sides of his mouth together with his little fingers, ‘You don’t see many of those around these days, do you?’

Have a Happy Easter. We’re off to church to celebrate!!

Chris

Holiday Fun

If you are looking for something to do these holidays/Easter break can I suggest a walk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. It sits at Sydney’s most northern point – Barrenjoey Head at Palm Beach and is part of the National Parks (so you are unable to take your puppy dogs).

The walk is extremely picturesque and is about 1km to the top. While the walk to the top is easier than it appears, it does require a moderate level of fitness, hence the photo of Eloise on Geoff’s shoulders at the top of the walk. She actually spent most of her childhood on his shoulders on any of our outings.

Parking is available at Governor Phillip car park and this is paid parking, unless you have a Pittwater Council sticker.

Why not pack a BBQ lunch for the end of the walk, you can bring your own BBQ, although since this photo was taken quite a few years ago, gas BBQs have been installed.

You can also visit the Palm Beach Boathouse, which has great coffee!

Have fun and please let me know if you do it and what you think.

Chris

Table Manners

Teach your children table manners. Here are a few ideas:

How to use their knife and fork properly.
Wait for everyone to be served before they start eating their meal (especially the cook).
Chew their food with their mouth closed.
If dining at a restaurant, when the meal is finished, place the knife and fork in the middle of the plate to let the waiter/waitress know you have finished.
I always encourage our girls to take their plate to the sink when the meal is over.

You never know who your children will dine with one day!!

Chris

Seven Daily Juices

Day 1 – 2 Apples, 1 Carrot, 1 Celery Stick, 1cm Ginger

Day 2 – 2 Oranges, 1 Beetroot, 1 Celery Stick, 5 Mint Leaves

Day 3 – 1 Beetroot, 1/4 Pineapple, 1 Carrot, 1cm Ginger

Day 4 – 1/4 Pineapple, 1 Carrot, 100g Spinach, 1/2 Lemon

Day 5 – 1 Medium Cucumber, 1 Apple, 1 Celery Stick, 1/2 Lemon, 5 Mint Leaves

Day 6 – 1 Apply, 1 Celery Stick, 1 Carrot, 1/4 Pineapple

Day 7 – 1 Beetroot, 1 x Apple, 1/4 Pineapple, 1cm Ginger

These amounts make 300ml so adjust accordingly. I always make at least double the portion, they are really yummy and oh so good for you.

I also make a Green Smoothie consisting of:

1 Cup each of Almond Milk & Coconut Water

1 big handful English Spinach

2 stalks of Kale

1 Pear deseeded

1 big handful of Green Grapes

The girls take them to school, college for morning tea. A really healthy alternative. Enjoy!!

Chris

Rainy Days

Just speaking to my dearest friend Jen Tooley and she tells me she is cleaning out her pantry. I said I was thinking of posting things to do on rainy days and that was the first thing that popped into my head. So it’s meant to be – clearly by the photo attached mine definitely needs a clean out.

A tip from Shannon Lush (Spotless, Shannon Lush & Jennifer Fleming) – wipe the shelves with lavender oil and place a bay leaf every 60 centimetres along the shelves to discourage moths and silverfish.