Mia Bella Passions

Salted Caramel Peanut Squares...

Ok, folks...if you do not have a SWEET TOOTH,

Then STOP HERE...

Because this slice is mega sugary!

Because this slice is ONLY for the SWEET SWEET Lovers.

For a love of sweet on the palette, this slice is just that, the ultimate hit for a SWEET lover!

Did you ever put brown sugar (when no one was looking ;) ) on hot buttered toast when you were a child?

Terribly unhealthy in thought today, but it was an afterschool treat my brother and I adored.

Well, we've already talked now about the sweetness of this slice, but it also has a bonus kick too...

With the added bonus of salty peanuts!

The shortbread-type base is made and baked first.

Meet Nonna's little helper - Quinn,

we bake together every Monday.

While the base is cooking, you melt the brown sugar and butter together.

Which is slightly caramelized on the boil.

Then you add the chopped salted peanuts to the caramel mixture.

Pour on top of the hot base.

Return to the oven for 10 more minutes.

Then when it's cold cut it into squares.

A soft base with custard flavours topped with salted peanut caramel.

As I said it's definitely just for sweet lovers!

Recipe HERE.

Salted Caramel Peanut Squares

Preheat the Oven to 180 degrees (356 F) celsius.

Line an 18cm x 27cm (7 x 11 inches) pan with baking paper.

For the base:

Cream 125 grams (4.40 ounces) of soft butter with 1/2 cup caster sugar.

Add one egg and beat again.

Mix in 1 cup plain flour, 1/4 cup self-raising flour, and 1 Tablespoon custard powder.

Press into slice pan and bake for 15 minutes or until golden.

Topping:

While the base is baking prepare the topping...

Melt 90 grams (3.17 ounces) of butter in a pot.

Add 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1 Tablespoon Golden Syrup.

Stir over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Then simmer gently for 5 minutes.

Stir in 125 grams (1 cup) of chopped salted roasted peanuts.

Spread topping onto the hot base.

Return to oven for 10 minutes.

Cool, then cut into squares.

Grab a cuppa, and visit

my Fine Art America gift store

#sweetsslice #caramelslice #peanutslice

Venus Flytraps - How to grow & all that stuff!

Venus flytraps are the most fascinating of plants.

The are carnivores...

Resembling little aliens with their bi-fold jars and spiky teeth,

when a fly or small bug lands on the pink tinged centre,

the 'jaws' snap shut with lightning speed.

Venus flytraps botanical name is 'Dionaea muscipula'.

They are perennials plants which are native to the bogs of Coastal North and South Carolina in the US.

They are perfect for terrarium growing.

And can be potted in an acidic soil or sphagnum moss.

Which is what I grow my plants in.

I filled my terrarium with sphagnum moss...

Make a nest of it, and then carefully placed the venus flycatcher in the middle.

They must be keep moist and have access to sun.

Water with distilled water or rainwater,

as tap water may contain too many chemicals for this special plant to cope with.
If grown outside, bring the pots indoors over the winter.

Venus Flytraps have a period of winter dormancy.

And it is best to reduce watering during this time of rest.

But if grown indoors, and the conditions are to their liking, they tend not to completely die back.

Venus flytraps are carnivorous, eating flies and small bugs.

They can go a month or even two without food.

If grown outdoors they will catch they own prey.

But if grown indoors you may need to help, by putting small live flies in their terrariums and placing a temporary cover on top until the prey is caught.

As a child we had so much fun with these little alien plants,

And I am sure your children would too, just as mine did, and even as adults still do!

Valentine's For The Kids: : Strawberry Icys & Berry Flower Cupcakes...

Sharing Valentine's love with the kids is a simple as this:

Berry Flower Cupcakes...

And Strawberry Icy's!

Not only will they LOVE to devour these treats,

they will want to help make them too!

Just whip up a batch of your favourite vanilla cupcakes.

And cool.

Drop and swirl a large teaspoon of raspberry flavoured icing on top.

Pop raspberries onto the centre of the cupcakes, and slice petals from strawberries.

Place as shown.

In a blender place 2 and half cups of milk, 3 scoops vanilla ice cream,

and 1 tablespoon of sugar.

A a good cup of ice.

And 1/2 cup chopped strawberries.

Whizz and serve with the Berry Flower Cupcakes.

Valentine's for the kids = SORTED!

#valentines #cupcakes #strawberry

Passionfruit Cream Hearts...

Share the Valentine's Day love with family and friends...

With these sweet Passionfruit Cream Hearts.

Make a scrummy passionfruit & ginger biscuit dough...

And press out little heart biscuits.

Bake...

Make a creamy passionfruit icing...

Spread on a biscuit...

And pop another on top.

When you have joined all the hearts together with icing...

Generously sprinkle with icing sugar!

Don't you just adore sharing the love ...

And Valentine's Day is the perfect day to show all that matter to you how much you care.

Get the recipe HERE.

And if you would like to know how to make this pretty stamped heart picture...

pop over HERE.

#heart #cookies #kisses #homebaking #valentines

How To Create A simple Valentine's Vignette...

Bring a little love in the home decor for Valentine's Day with a vignette.

On a sideboard, Dining table or side table, this vignette is very simple to create.

I used a ceramic double vase, but you could swap that for a tall white jug for the heart branches, and a matching white shorter style vase for the roses.