Dairy Free Classic Vanilla Crème Brûlée

 

The classic Crème Brûlée is a masterpiece of culinary contrast, a dessert that relies on the perfect marriage of texture and taste. 

The textural symphony of a Crème Brûlée is the dramatic interplay between its two distinct layers. The crowning glory is the brittle, caramelised sugar crust—the cassonade. This amber pane should shatter with the light tap of a spoon, providing a sharp, glassy crunch.

The soul of the dish is a chilled, silk-smooth custard that has a rich, luxurious, velvety consistency.

Each bite of this dessert delivers a controlled explosion of flavour: the dark, bittersweet notes of the sugar crust followed by the soothing, cool sweetness of the vanilla bean cream.

The allure of the French dessert, the Crème Brûlée, lies in these contrasts.   

This recipe has been adapted for dessert lovers who are dairy-free, baked using the bain-marie method.

The taste is the same as a dairy-based Crème Brûlée, with the custard just slightly heavier.

I'm a lover of Crème Brûlée and thought the dairy-free version was more delicious.

Dairy Free Classic Vanilla Crème Brûlée 

Preheat oven to 160C (71F)

2 1/3 (400ml) cups dairy-free cream

6 size 6 egg yolks

1/2 cup (110g) white sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla paste

pinch salt

About 1/2 cup sugar for caramel crust

Put the egg yolks, salt  and the vanilla in a bowl, then whisk to combine.

Put the cream in a pot, heat on the stove until almost boiling.

When almost boiling, slowly add the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously until incorporated.

Pour the Brulee mixture into ramekins.

Boil the jug and fill a baking pan with water for the bain-marie.

Place the ramekins into the bain-marie. The water should come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

Bake for 30 minutes.

When baked, sprinkle the tops of each custard ramekin with a good layer of sugar.

You can use a chef's blowtorch or hot grill to caramelise the sugar tops.

Refridgerate until serving.

Serves 4 large ramekins or 6  small.

You will find a printable recipe HERE.

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#dairyfreerecipes #cremebrulee #dessertrecipes #dairyfreedesserts

Let's create Fun Bubble Art!

    Creating personalised home decor doesn't require professional training—sometimes, all you need are some acrylic paints, a bit of dish soap, and a straw. Bubble art is a mesmerising DIY technique that produces abstract, ethereal patterns perfect for modern wall art or creative holiday projects for older children.

The Science Behind the Art:

Bubble art relies on the surface tension of soapy water mixed with acrylic pigments. When you blow air into the mixture, you create clusters of bubbles that hold the paint in thin membranes. When these bubbles pop against the surface of the art paper, they leave behind delicate, circular imprints and marbled textures that, as a newbie artist,  are difficult to replicate with a brush.

To create your own fabulous abstract bubble artwork:

 You Will Need:

· Acrylic Paints: Bright, high-pigment colours work best. (the paler the colour, the more pastel the end result will be)

· Liquid Dish Soap: This is the secret ingredient for structure.

· Water: To thin the consistency.

· Straws: For blowing the bubbles.

·  Art paper or Canvas: 200gsm+ watercolour paper or heavy plain white sketch paper

· Shallow Bowls or plastic cups: One for each colour you plan to use.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Mix Your Solution

In a shallow bowl or cup, combine one part acrylic paint, one part dish soap, and two parts water. Stir gently until the mixture is fluid and consistent. The goal is a watery, ink-like texture that still retains the  colour of the acrylic.

 

2. Create the Bubble Dome

Place your straw into the mixture and blow gently. Instead of blowing "into" the liquid like a drink, aim to create a mountain of bubbles that rises above the rim of the bowl. For older children, this is the most entertaining part, but remind them to only blow outward!

3. Capturing the Print

Once you have a thick head of bubbles, carefully lower your paper or canvas onto the foam. Do not press all the way down to the liquid; let the bubbles pop against the surface. Lift the paper straight up to reveal the intricate, overlapping rings.

4. Layering for Depth

Wait for the first layer to dry and then repeat the process with a complementary colour. For a stunning decor artwork, overlapping metallic gold bubbles over a deep red, navy, or forest green base will create a high-end, gallery-style look.

5. Add More Interest!

Use a paintbrush to create hand-painted leaves.

Use a black Sharpie pen or a contrasting coloured paint pen to add abstract dashes to the artwork.

 

Why It’s Perfect for the Holidays

If you’re looking for a holiday activity for older kids (ages 8+), bubble art offers the perfect balance of "cool factor" and artistic results. It’s less "crafty" and more "abstract expressionist," making it something they’ll actually want to hang in their rooms.

During the festive season, you can use this technique to create custom wrapping paper and personalised holiday cards.

Pro Tips for Success:

· Control the Bubble Size: Blowing slowly creates larger, more defined rings; blowing quickly creates a fine, frothy texture.

· Safety First: Ensure the workspace is covered with a drop cloth, as popping bubbles can spray tiny droplets of tinted water. 

Or as I did, I placed the artwork station on an outside table with a drop cloth under it.

Wear old clothes.

· Seal Your Work:  Once dry, you can spray your DIY art with a clear acrylic sealer to protect the delicate patterns and make the colours pop.

· Frame The Art: Place in a frame of your choice.

FOR MORE DIY ART IDEAS, VISIT HERE!

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#diyartideas #childrensartideas #howtodobubbleart #funabstractart

Easy To Create Mini Sea Glass Wreath

Let's create an easy-to-make mini sea glass wreath.

I love making these to give.

They make great teacher gifts.

I have one hanging in a sunny inside window.

The light glowing through the glass is so pretty!

But it's also pretty gorgeous when the sunshine is not glowing through it!

These mini sea glass wreaths also make fabulous Christmas tree decorations.

You will need:

20 to 30 pieces of sea glass

If you cannot collect your own from the seashore, you can purchase it online or find it at craft stores.

20cm (8-inch) piece of heavy twine.

Thin twine for a hanger. A short piece for an ornament, a longer piece for a window suncatcher.

Scissors

A glue gun and glue sticks

Optional: Embellishments such as small shells, mini hearts or ribbon bows.

To Make:

On a tabletop, create a circle with the twine and glue the ends together.

Create your twine hanger.

Add it to the circle where you have joined it.

  

Next, glue the pieces of sea glass around the circle of twine, with each piece slightly overlapping the others.

Turn it over and add another ring of sea glass, but don't overlap the back ones.

Add embellishments if desired.

Hang in a sunny window.

And let the sun shine through it!

For MORE  DIY PROJECTS visit HERE.

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#diysuncatchers #diyornaments #seaglasscrafts

#diycrafttutorials

Waves Quote

Artwork in oils by Tracey Lee Cassin.

Sharing a new quote with y'all today.

Feel free to share on socials.  :)

 

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#lifequotes #oceanquotes #wavequotes

FIFA WORLD CUP Half Time Snack Cups

 Elevate Your World Cup Viewing With The Ultimate 'Half Time Snack Cup'!

The roar of the crowd, the tension of a penalty shootout, and the 15-minute window of halftime—the FIFA World Cup is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the game. For the dedicated fan, potato chips simply won’t cut it when the stakes are this high. If you are looking to impress your fellow supporters as you watch a game, this snack is a fabulous team player! It is time to retire the communal bowl of chips and embrace the "Snack Cup."

This guide is for the host who values both gourmet quality and the ability to jump back to the TV the second the whistle blows. We are diving into the art of the Bamboo Snack Cup: a portable, eco-friendly, and protein-packed powerhouse.

Step By Step Anatomy of the Perfect World Cup Snack Cup

To create a snack that keeps energy high, you need a balance of fats, proteins, and salt. 

You can prepare the meats and cheeses in the cups prior to the start of the game, load everything except the hummus and garnish, which is added just before serving.

Here is how to build the winning lineup:

· The Anchor:  The bamboo cup or boat, gourmet beer sticks and cheesy herb cracker sticks.

Use high-quality, snap-casing beef sticks. And long rectangle cracker sticks. These provide the height and the "taste" that pairs perfectly with a cold lager. Position these toward the back of the bamboo cup or boat to act as the spine of your arrangement.

Bamboo cups and boats are available at most Dollar Stores.

· The Playmakers: Rolled Cheeses

Ditch the cubes. Use thinly sliced Havarti or Sharp Cheddar. Roll them tightly into cylinders. (Or use the ready-sliced cheese slices).  Add to your Bamboo cup arrangement.

Add the sticks of cheese.

· The Defence: Cured Meats

Add the Rolled Salami and rolled Prosciutto.

· The Extras: Hummus & Parsley

A dollop of hummus added to the middle of the cup just before serving adds a dipping experience.

Place them all in a basket to deliver to your World Cup Viewing area. Hand out with a serviette.

And if you don't like my chosen team of snack goodies, adapt and choose your own players!

Your World Cup watch party deserves a halftime snack that matches the elite talent on the pitch. The 'Snack Cup' is a functional, sophisticated way to fuel your passion for the game. By combining premium meats, rolled cheeses, and sustainable presentation, you’re not just serving food—you’re creating a match-day experience!

You might also like this snack platter too, find out more HERE.

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#worldcupeats #fifafoodies #gamedaysnacks 

Healthy Cashew Coconut Mango Slice

   

 A nutty, tropical health slice can be crafted by layering a cashew-coconut base with a mango-cashew topping. 

 The base features a crust made from desiccated coconut and roasted cashew nuts, pulsed together in a food processor until a sticky, malleable crumble forms.

For the topping, cashews are soaked until tender, then processed into a paste. This is enriched with a touch of coconut cream and vanilla. A natural sweetener, honey balances the earthy nuttiness. 

The final addition of mango chunks completes a tropical flavour.

 

Once assembled in a long flan or slice pan, the two layers—crust and creamy cashew mango topping are placed in the freezer to set. Served slightly thawed, it offers a refreshing, nutrient-dense experience where the buttery richness of the cashews and the floral sweetness of the mango are elevated by the aromatic presence of coconut.

Cashew Coconut Mango Slice

Base: 

1 cup of roasted unsalted cashew nuts

2 Tablespoons of hot  water

1/2 cup dessicated coconut

Process (I use a mini processor for this recipe) until a sticky crumble forms.

Press into a fluted oblong tart pan with a push-up bottom, 35 x 12 x 2.5cm (13.5 x 4.5 x 1 inch), or, if no push-up, line the pan with baking paper with an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the frozen slice.

Topping:

Soak 1 cup of roasted unsalted cashew nuts in boiling water for 1/2 an hour, strain them, then place them in the processor.

Add 3 Tablespoons of honey

1/4 cup  of coconut cream

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Blend until a smooth paste forms.

Add 1 and a 1/2 cups of slightly thawed frozen mango chunks.

Blend again until smooth.

Spread over the cashew base.

Smooth the mixture on top.

Freeze for 4 hours.

Suggestions:

Served as a dessert or slice, you will need to leave the cut pieces for 15 minutes to thaw slightly.

The crowning layers for the dessert are fresh or tinned mango flesh and a swirl of whipped cream,dairy-free or from the cow.

Cut into smaller pieces for a slice, and serve as a refreshing, icy, but healthy summer handheld treat.

Store the cut pieces in a sealed container in the freezer if not using them in one serving.

Yield: 6 large slices

You'll find a printable recipe HERE.

For more healthy recipes like these, Mandarin Lollies, visit HERE.

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#healthfood #healthytreats #healthbar #healthyslicerecipes