Mandarin Crepes with Mandarin Syrup...

Citrus and crepes =LOVE!

Mia Bella Gardens is overflowing with winter fruits this season.

The Mandarin tree is ripe for the picking.

Vibrant orange organic deliciousness! 

Mandarin juice is divine, 

so when I came across this recipe in a vintage cookbook for mandarin crepes, 

the recipe development began...

First, the saucy syrup was prepared. That sweet citrus smell was heaven!

The crepes whipped up, folded, plated, ladled with syrup and served.

Mandarin Crepes

Serves four. Whip cream ready for serving. Make mandarin Syrup, then crepes and serve immediately. MANDARIN SYRUP: In a small pot dissolve over a medium heat 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup of water and 3/4 cup freshly squeezed mandarin juice. Add 1 cup of mandarin segments. Thicken with 2 Tablespoons of cornflour mixed to paste with cold water.   (The syrup can be made thin or thick, adjust amount of cornflour to thicken to your desired consistency) CREPES:  Sift 3/4 cup plain flour into a bowl and add 2 Tablespoons caster sugar,  three beaten eggs, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 cup milk. Mix well and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes.  Mix again,  and proceed to make crepes. Make thin crepes in a small nonstick pan by placing 2-3 spoonfuls of batter in the pan. Cook until lightly brown and flip to cook the other side. Place on a dinner plate - cover with foil to keep warm, until you make all the crepes. TO SERVE: Fold each crepe half and half again. place on a plate or in individual serving bowls.  Spoon the sauce over the crepes and add extra mandarins.  Add a dollop of cream and serve.

For the printable recipe click HERE.

#mandarin #crepes #citrus

How To Make a Pallet Picture - For Signs, Art or Crafts...

 Making a pallet board base for signs, art or crafts is not difficult to do...

You will need:  some lengths of pallet wood, ruler, marker pen, saw or drop saw, and a hammer.

 Remove any nails in the pallet wood.

 Make the desired length of you sign or picture.

This one is going to be 60cm long.

 Cut pallets (I used a drop saw)...

 you will need three lengths at the desired measurement.

Next you need backing support to hold the lengths in place.

 Cut two back supports the width off the three boards as shown.

 Nail the support boards in place.

If you want a hanger - add this now.

A clip hanger on the back or rope/chain on the top.

 And that is it:  Ready for your pallet creation...

Shell artworks are great fun for the older children to make.

(Remember glue gun safety when doing this project).

 Sketch in pencil a simple outline shape - a butterfly, star, heart, anchor or upper case alphabet letter.

We chose a butterfly shape.

 Glue various shells inside the shape.

Now that's a fun picture, to add a little summer to Mia Bella's winter porch!


#shellcraft

Another Paint It - GOLD - Project!

Have you ever bought something for the home décor online, 

thinking it would be fabulous?

And when it arrives in the post is NOTHING like the image you bought it from???

Well, this is what happened with this darling...

French styled - tick ✔

Birds - tick ✔

but...

colour - yuk - tick ✔

almost tacky - tick ✔

Does not fit anywhere in the house - tick ✔

Disastrous purchase - tick  ✔ 

Try and fix said disastrous purchase...

paint the leafy green bird grey to tone the super bright colours down.

Looks a bit better now... and some may even like it...

But for me, it just wasn't right.

Into the cupboard it went, and it stayed - until it was painted white.

But I still didn't like it, so back into the cupboard it went!

I have seen on Pinterest how people are spray painting anything and everything white!

Kids plastic toys, ornaments, books, vases, book ends - EVERYTHING!!!

And as I am having a 'quite fond of gold' moment...
and the red sitting room has now developed accents of gold,

I Painted it gold, as well as an old vase I have had for 20 years.

Best idea ever - tick  ✔

 I used White Knight Super Gold
(LOVE this paint as it has SUPERB coverage!)

Two items relegated to cupboard life
now...with a funky painted new style.

 Up-styled décor pieces that I'm now loving...Painted GOLD!

#gold #upcycled #diy

LOVE Many Things....

Easy Persimmon Jam...

Easy to make persimmon jam...

Made from  Mia Bella Passions Gardens persimmons...

organic... 

 and spray-free...

 So delicious there is definitely a competition going on as to to whom gets to eat them!

 The Wax eye birds LOVE persimmons.

and as it is winter in New Zealand, we don't mind sharing this wonderful food source with them.

 To make jam you will need to peel about 6 tree ripe persimmons.

Dice and core

The total weight needs to be 1kg (2.20pounds).

Have your jars sterilised ready to use.

Add 1 teaspoon of water to the microwave bowl containing the diced persimmons.
Cook for 5 minutes on high.
(adjust timing to the power of the microwave you are using.)

Mash roughly with a potato masher.

Add 1 kg (2.20 pounds) of Chelsea Jam setting sugar.

Over low heat stir in sugar until dissolved.
Add 25 grams (0,88 ounces)of butter. mix to melt.
Increase heat and bring the jam to a boil that cannot be stopped by stirring.
Boil for 4-5 minutes.

Bottle.

And enjoy!

Easy Persimmon Jam

Peel and dice approximately 6 large (tree-firm)  persimmons. Weigh as you dice as you need 1kg (2.20 pounds) of fruit. Microwave with 1 teaspoon of water until soft  (about 5 minutes, but will depend on your microwave). Mash roughly with a potato masher. Put into a heavy base saucepan and add 1kg (2.20 pounds) of Chelsea jam-setting sugar. Heat mixture over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add 25 grams (0.88 ounces) of butter. When melted and mixed through increase heat to bring the jam to a boil. When it is a boil that cannot be stopped by stirring, boil for 4 - 5 minutes.  Test on cold saucer. It is ready to jar when a blob is cooled slightly and surfaces of jam wrinkles when you put your finger through it. Place immediately in hot sterile jars.   Lid, and cool.

Pop over HERE for the printable recipe.

Grab a cuppa, and visit

 my Fine Art America gift store

And

'Tracey Lee Cassin Design'  

For the latest posts CLICK  :)

#jam #persimmon #homemade #preserves