What's Cooking in Sophia's Kitchen ?

I can so clearly see where you got your love of cooking & good food from, Pepi.

Sounds good Peps, have you ever tried sloe gin?

you can buy Speculaas spice in a mix? or do you combine them yourself?

Speculaas is one of my favourite autumn/winter treats. I'd love to try to bake them myself.

We can buy it ready mixed in the shops, even at a regular supermarket. I looked for a receipy for the mix but do not find a precise one. I guess it is like currie-mixes; endless variations with the different herbs. Some books make a difference between the mix for cookies and typical speculaas, which has a little ginger in the mix.

Speculaaskruiden:
Cinnamon, Chinese anise, cloves, pimento (Jamaican pepper), orangepeel and lemonpeel, cardemon, ginger, mace and nutmag

I never tried making it myself yet since it's so easy to come by. I used it in crusts for fruitpies because I like the combination of sweet fruits and species. If I come across something else I will let you know. Anyway, it's perfect to make a mix to your own taste. I would skip the peel (better fresh) and use more mace/less nutmag...

I'll have to keep an eye out for a Speculaas spice blend. I could always try to mix up my own, but I'm not sure I've got a good enough sense of what the right balance would be.

I've taken Speculaas cookies in the past, and crushed them up to be part of a cookie crumb pie base - deeeeeeeeeelicious!

It's also very Mmm on a sandwich !

Ovendish with Sauerkraut

Cut 1/2 green, 1/2 red, 1/2 yellow pepper (paprika type)

Fry 250 gram of minced meat, add peppers and simmer for 10 minutes

Boil potatoes and crush them

Put layer of potatoes, layer of meat-pepper, layer of sauerkraut

Top of layer of potatoes with some butter

Put dish for 30 min at 180*C in oven, enjoy !

Pepijn;
Just another farewell,
Don't forget to call tomorrow,
not before your One though.

I hope you don't worry,
I will call you when ever the road gets lonely,
check your post box,
I will be sending you post cards.

All my love and speak with you soon.
Me

Just marshmallows, spaghetti and stock cubes for the next however long.

I am going to eat stuffed paprika/peppers. Got some left, with a white sause, grounded beef and tomato's . Realy lekker !

It is so hot to-day...Master Pepijn will not be pleased upon arrival. Nothing is cooking !

Nothing at all?

Tea-Break

O2 is on again

Excellent.

Tea & excruciatingly hot weather are a marriage made in heaven!

Drink on, Pepi!

My husban C* is watching TV, so

And this causes you to drink lots of tea?

Oh. Another thought, P.
Curry. Curries are excellent during hot weather.
Nothing like a great curry!

I am soo Tired of Politics

Especially in the kitchen, Pepi.
Politics has no place in the kitchen, I always say!
It spoils the food.

Worst; it spoils my mood

True.

But only in the kitchen. (I am addicted to politics, I'm afraid.)