Sweet paul

Recipe monday

Everyone should have a go-to-cake.
By go-to-cake I mean a cake you can whip up on short notice and that always taste great.
This chocolate cake is just that, super easy, fast and yummy.
Try it, it might become your cake as well.
The heart on top is just make with a heart cut of paper and placed on top of the cake.
Then sift some powdered sugar on top and gently remove the paper.
Great for Valentines.

Sweet Paul's easy chocolate cake
1 stick melted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons baking cocoa
3/4 cup plain flour

Pre-heat your oven to 320F, 160C.
Stir butter and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the eggs and mix well.
Stir in vanilla, cocoa and flour.
Pour the batter in a buttered cake tin and bake for about 30 minutes.
The cake is best if its a little underbaked in the middle, like a soft brownie.
Take out and let cool a little.
serve while still a little hot a la mode or with some whipped cream.
Enjoy!
Photo by Studio Dreyer Hensley

Crafty friday!

Ok guys, todays craft I don't really know what to call?
Candle heart?
Candle decor?
Any suggestions?
Its kind off a cute craft project.
All you need is some transparent paper, thin wire and some glue.
Cut out a heart in the paper and glue the wire all around the edge of the heart.
You can also use a hot glue gun.
Leave a long part of the wire at the end of the heart.
Take the long part of the wire and twirl it around the base of the candle, making sure the paper is not to close to the flame.
Could be cute as the table decorations for valentines day right?
Have a fab weekend all.
Photo by Studio Dreyer Hensley

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More knitting.

Photos by Colin Cooke

Recipe monday

I often get the question; What can I serve as a little something at a party?
My go to dish is always bruschetta.
Its so easy to make, you don't have to slave in the kitchen for hours and everyone likes it.
This version is made with pate, port wine cooked shallots and figs.
But you can make them with something as easy as chopped tomatoes and basil.
I always serve these with some sparkling wine.
I know its monday and not really a party day, but hey.....
It should be a little party everyday, right?
Enjoy!

Fig bruschetta
Serves 12 as an appetizer

1 tablespoon butter
3 large shallots, thinly sliced
1 cup ruby port wine
4 peppercorns
1 bayleaf
6 slices of good bread
200 g pate
8 figs, quartered

Melt butter in a small skillet.
Saute the shallots until soft.
Add port, peppercorns and bay leafs.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is reduced to a thick syrup.
Cool.
Toast the bread and top with pate.
Cut in half.
Serve with the shallots and figs.

Photo by Colin Cook

Crafty friday!

Never been a big flower pot person.
Im having a hard time finding ones I really like.
So what's a stylist to do.
Well, this one creates his own flower pot.
All you need is some green moss and some thin wire.
Cover the plastic pot the plant comes in with moss and use the wire to secure it in place.
Wow, must be the first craft I ever done without my trusted hot-glue-gun.
Have a fab weekend all.
Photo by Studio Dreyer Hensley

Recipe monday

When I was a kid and my mother asked me what I wanted for my school lunch the answer was more or less always egg salad.
I didn't really enjoy school to much and for me the egg salad at lunch was comforting and a little piece of home.
My mom's egg salad is really good, she always adds a little dijon to it, just to give it a little kick.
Try it, Im sure you will find it comforting to.
Enjoy!

Egg salad

8 eggs
6 tablespoons mayo
1 teaspoon Dijon
2 tablespoons chopped sprouts
salt and pepper

Hard boil the eggs.
Let them cool, peel and coarsely chop.
Place them in a bowl and add mayo, mustard and sprouts.
Mix well and taste with salt and pepper.
Serve on white bread.
Photo by Colin Cooke

Want to work for Sweet Paul Magazine?

Sweet Paul Magazine is on the lookout for a great designer to join our team of editors, and help with the production layout of the magazine.
Since we are at start-up, we can only pay you with love and our mutual respect for craft and cupcakes at this point of time.
Send your resume to resumes@sweetpaulmag.com

Crafty friday!

Knitted chair anyone?
Well, knitted is maybe stretching the truth a bit.
More like hot glue a chair.
I know this looks so complicated, but it really isn't.
What you need is a wood chair, a couple of sweaters and a hot glue gun.
Start at the top and measure out how much material you need for the top rod.
Them cut that out in sweater and glue it to the chair.
Make sure the ends meet well on the backside and that you tuck them well in before gluing them in place.
You just need to work with small parts of the chair at a time.
Once you get started you will get the hang of it.
You will end up with a very cool chair.
Good luck and have a fab weekend.
Photo by Colin Cooke

Sweet Paul Magazine

YES, my dear friends, its true.
This spring Sweet Paul Magazine will be launched.
It will be a online 90 page food, crafts and lifestyle magazine filled to the rim with great recipes, fun crafts, interesting people and much more.
I'm so excited.
You can find more info at www.sweetpaulmag.com
I will keep you all posted.
Check back next week for a great readers recipe competition.