Sweet paul

Christmas idea no.4

I always loved brussels sprouts.

Even as a kid I loved them.My dad called them "the green balls".

They where always a part of our christmas dinner.

This year they will be made with pancetta and almonds.

The taste of the pancetta is amazing with the "green balls".

Great to serve with christmas ham or any pork roast.

500 g brussels sprouts, cleaned and cut in half

200 g pancetta, cubed

2 tablespoons olive oil

50 g almonds

salt

pepper

Heat the oven to 200C, 380F.

Place brussels sprouts, pancetta, oil and almonds in an oven proof baking dish.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the brussels sprouts are al dente and the pancetta is golden.

You need to stir every 5 minutes so that the fat from the pancetta covers the sprouts.

Take it out, taste with salt and pepper.

Serve warm.

Photo by Frances Janisch

Christmas idea no.3

Paper snowflakes

These snowflakes are cut out of transparent white paper.

You can find lots of templates online, just search for templates snowflakes.

I glued these on an old door using tape.

Would be really pretty on windows to.

This image is from a story I did for Country Living last year.

Photo by Frances Janisch

Christmas idea no.2

I always enjoyed simple table settings.

This is a christmas setting I did for a book a while back.

Its a linen runner with two garlands lade of olive branches running on each side.

The milk glasses are filled with anemones. I tend not to mix flowers, I thing by using one beautiful kind the whole expression gets much stronger.

What do you guys think?

Like it simple or want a more lavish christmas setting?

Photo by Studio Dreyer Hensley

Christmas idea no.1

This is my first christmas posting of the year.

This time for some really simple and wonderful chocolate-dipped peppermint sticks.

Easy to make and even easier to eat!

Great with a mug of hot cocoa.

12 peppermint sticks

7 ounces white chocolate, melted

1/4 cup white nonpareils

Dip the sticks, one at a time into the melted chocolate.

Roll the ends in nonpareils.

Transfer to parchment paper.

Let stand in room temperature until set

Photo Frances Janisch

Happy thanksgiving!

I want to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

I will be back on the 28th with my countdown to christmas.

Recipe monday

I know. Recipe monday on a tuesday...what's up with that.

Just been so buzzy.

But here it is kids!

My grandmother was amazing.

She's the one that learned me to cook.

She knew all the old recipes from her mother.

Every sunday during winter time she made me home made hot chocolate.

Not from a powder but from real Belgian chocolate.

Her is her recipe.

Enjoy!

1 1/4 cup full fat milk

2 ounces good quality dark chocolate

1 teaspoon sugar, or more to taste

whipped cream to serve

 

Heat the milk in a saucepan.

Melt the chocolate in the milk.

Add the sugar and whisk until dissolved.

Serve hot with whipped cream. 

Makes 1 kid very happy!

Photo by Colin Cooke

Presenting Elizabeth Anne Designs

I would like to introduce you to Elizabeth Ann design.

This great blog was started by two best friends who share their love of design with us.

Its their combination that makes this blog so great.

Elizabeth loves classic and elegant design while Ann is more into vintage with a focus on graphics.

Together They make a very interesting blog duo.

Cool stitches

I made this pillow a while ago for the norwegian edition of Elle deco.

Wanted to take something people look upon as a bit frumpy and turn cool.

So I blew up a fashion pic from Elle and used it as a template.

Stitched the outlines so it turned into a very simple picture of a hot girl.

Quite easy.

A great christmas present idea.

Thanksgiving ideas

Some simple Thanksgiving ideas for your table.

Photos by Colin Cooke, rest by me.

Recipe monday

This mondays recipe is not so much for you, but more for your 4 legged friends.

Last year I made a cookbook for dogs called "WOOF".

Out only in norwegian I'm afraid.

So todays recipe is for turkey woof balls.

Its a take on the swedish meatball. You can make this for your self as well.

Add some salt, pepper, sauteed onions and garlic and chopped mint.

I make Tanner a new batch every week. I freeze them and take out what I need every day.

Mix it with some rice or pasta and some dried good quality dog food.

Turkey woof balls

makes 10-20

(All depends on how big you make them)

1 pound ground turkey

3/4 cup cooked brown rice

3/4 cup cooked broccoli, chopped

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped oregano

butter

Mix together all the ingr in a bowl.

Roll into large meatballs, there should be enough for between 10-20. All depends on the size of your dog.

Fry them in a pan with butter on medium heat until done.

Serve with cooked rice, pasta or mashed potatoes. 

Photo by Colin Cooke