Thanks for your patience.

Just a little hello to let you all know I’m still here. My Blog site is still undergoing its reconstruction, it’s taking a little longer than we expected but it’s all good. I hope to be back blogging with you all very soon.
Until then
Zamamabakes

Thanks for your patience

Just wanted to check in and say hello. I’m still here!!! Thank you for your patience.
Things are taking a little longer than expected with the makeover of my Blog. Technology is quite the obstacle at times.
I would like to say a huge Thank you to the team at BCRE8IVE Media for all their efforts getting my Blog looking smarter and more productive. If anyone is looking for a fantastic digital media agency you need to get yourself in contact with BCR8IVE Media here.
Hoping to be back blogging with you all very soon.
Until then
Zamamabakes

Zamamabakes is going under a little makeover!!

Zamamabakes is going under some redevelopment over the next few days so I apologise for any inconvenience. The good news is I’ll be back with a refreshed Blog making it better for everyone!!!
I look forward to being back in touch as soon as the new developments are complete.
Thanks for your patience!!!
Until then
Zamamabakes

Easy, Tasty Cheese Ball Recipe

Well hello again. Hope your week is going well. We have had a great week. I am still very much enjoying the fact that it’s school holidays and we are not having to stick to a strict schedule.

I promised this recipe to everyone last year when I revealed the menu for our 2013 Christmas day feast!!
This delicious little appetiser first found my attention 3 years ago when Zaunclejim featured it on his cheese platter for Christmas day. It was a fantastic hit, everyone loved it. I believe it was one of Zaunclejims gorgeous work colleagues who originally shared it with him a few years ago. We love it so much we asked Zaunclejim to bring another one for the 2013 Christmas feast just passed. I love a great recipe that finds its way to me, so thank you Zaunclejim and Zagorgeous work colleague.

I have made the Cheese Ball a few times now, most recently I made it and took it along to a baby shower I attended last weekend.

A recipe like this should be shared over and over. So here is me sharing it with you.

You will need:

250g cream cheese
125g triangle of Blue vein cheese
60g butter softened
1/2 cup sliced black olives (I used a combination of olives and semi sun-dried tomatoes)
3 shallots finely chopped
Approx 150g chopped walnuts, pecans or cashews (I used walnuts)

Combine all ingredients except for nuts (keep them aside) in a food processor (if you don’t have a food processor a hand mixer will do, mix cheeses and butter first until smooth, then add the vegetables).

Process/mix until evenly combined. It is meant to be a textured mixture so don’t over process or mix.

To make the mixture a little easier to handle I refrigerate it for about 1/2 an hour.

Prepare your nuts on a piece of baking paper.

Remove chilled cheese mixture from the fridge. I moistened my hands a little which made the mixture a little easier to work with.

NOTE: Depending on the size of Cheese Ball you want for your platter, this quantity has the potential to make 2 good size balls and possibly 4 smaller ones you may just need a few extra nuts for rolling.

Carefully place cheese mixture in a mound on top of prepared nuts. Just work the nuts up and around the mixture, then roll it over and continue to press the nuts all over until the Cheese Ball is well coated.

Once you have your Cheese Ball prepared wrap it in cling wrap and place it back in the fridge to firm up for at least 20 minutes.

The Cheese Ball will keep in the fridge for a good 5 days so if you want to prepare it ahead of time you can.

I made a smaller ball for Zadada and I, as well as the larger ball to take to the baby shower pictured below.

I love colour so I served the Cheese ball with some raw veggies as well as some crackers.
I had a lovely morning at the baby shower.

You really need to put this recipe on your to-make list, you won’t regret it.

Next up in the Blog Post pipeline is an easy sweet treat involving licorice allsorts.

Until then
Zamamabakes

Crystal Creek Banana’s

I love the fact that on a drive home from town, if I need some fresh produce, Banana’s in particular, there is a great roadside, fresh produce stall that I can call into. It is known as Crystal Creek Banana’s and you will find them on Nerang – Murwillumbah Rd which continues off Numinbah Rd towards Chillingham. From the town centre of Murwillumbah it is approximately 11.5 km and will take you about 12 minutes. We just happened to call in there for some delicious Banana’s and some other fresh produce yesterday.

As you can see all Banana’s were only $1 per kg.

Alani enjoyed helping hold the cucumbers, they were 3 for $2!!!

We also purchased an avocado for $0.80, bargain.

The satisfied face says it all.

I would recommend stopping to make some purchases if you are ever passing by.

Crunchy Salmon Casserole

This recipe is a great comfort food dish for the whole family to enjoy. It’s a fishy take on macaroni and cheese I guess. My beautiful Mother-In-law was the person who originally shared and served the crunchy salmon casserole recipe to me. It’s actually one of Zadada’s favourite dishes, he enjoy’s it best the next day when the cheese has flavoured the dish just that little bit more.
It keeps in the fridge for a good 3 days and reheats really well. It’s not a fancy dish but its easy and it gets gobbled up by everyone in our family.

We are a family of 5, the quantities below easily feed us all for 2 separate meals with more to spare.

Here are the ingredients you will need:
2 1/2cups (400g) uncooked macaroni pasta
250g packet Arnott’s Cheds biscuits, roughly crushed
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
415 g tin pink salmon
2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups grated tasty cheese
Salt and Pepper to season

Method

Lightly grease 22cm x 30cm x 6cm baking dish.Cook pasta according to packet instructions. Meanwhile pop a frying pan on medium heat and add butter and 12 cheds biscuits, stir to evenly distribute melted butter with biscuits. reduce heat to low , add milk followed by 1 cup of cheese and salmon ( I slice thru the salmon to break it up a bit before adding), continue heating through until cheese has melted. Season salmon mixture with salt and pepper, remove from heat.

Preheat a moderate oven.

Place cooked, drained pasta into prepared baking dish. Pour or spoon salmon mixture over pasta and stir a little to evenly distribute in dish. Use another 14 crushed cheds biscuits and scatter over the salmon pasta mixture. At this point I usually push some of the biscuits down into the mixture as well as leaving some lightly on top. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese over the top of prepared dish. Bake in oven for about 25 minutes or until cheese has melted and is lightly golden. Serve with a garden salad or some steamed vegetables.

Homemade Detangle Spray

I use this spray on all 3 of my children’s hair, especially the girls. I was using detangle spray from the supermarket which soon adds up in cost. I found this idea online quite some time ago and just thought you may all appreciate it as much as I do. It works just as well as the store bought option and saves $$$$$.
Just mix approx 1 Tablespoon of a standard family conditioner with about 500ml of water in a spray bottle.
You are now ready to attack those tangles hopefully minus a few tears!