gingerbread men.

INGREDIENTS:

• 125g butter, softened
• ⅔ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2½ cups plain flour
• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup white chocolate melts

METHOD:

1. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy with an electric mixer or food processor
2. Add maple syrup and egg, beat to combine
3. Sift flour, bicarbonate soda, ginger and cinnamon over butter mixture
4. With a wooden spoon, stir until just combined and a soft dough forms
5. Place dough on lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth
6. Shape into disc and wrap in plastic wrap, place in fridge for 1 hour or until firm
7. Preheat oven to 180˚C
8. Roll dough beween 2 sheets of baking paper until about 5mm thick
9. Cut shapes out of dough with cutters, I used a gingerbread man cutter
10. Re-roll dough scraps and continue to cut until dough is used up
11. Place shapes/men on baking trays lined with baking paper about 2cm apart
12. Bake trays separately for 20 to 25 minutes, or until firm to touch
13. Stand tray to cool for 5 minutes
14. Place melts in a heatproof/microwave safe bowl and microwave enough to melt the chocolate melts. Stir the melts until smooth consistency and decorate your gingerbread men with a skewer or pipping bag
15. VOILA! Tasty ginger treats are ready to be enjoyed!!

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the rustic pie co., top ryde.

Recently I paid a little visit to my second closest shopping Mall, Top Ryde. Although I've been to Top Ryde more times I can count on my hands and feet, I had only ever really walked around the carpark and the first two levels. However, on a whim, one day I decided to visit it on my own which meant I took public transport and upon doing so I came across the open air strand which housed a variety of cute cafes such as The Rustic Pie. A few days later I dragged my boyfriend to pay a visit to my new found food street.

I had the chicken and vegetable pie with a side of rustic chips and gravy while my boyfriend had the osso bucco beef and mushroom with a side of sweet mash potato and gravy. Both meals were a decent $8.90 and absolutely delicious and filling. The pies individually without the side would've cost $6.60 and $6.80, respectively. Any pie plus one side is $8.90 - sorry I didn't note down the prices for pie deals with more than one side.

They also had a really cute milkshake bar area which seems really promising. Will definitely have to go back and try out their milkshake!

Find them:
Located on the open air level "La Strada" at Top Ryde shopping centre, Sydney.

 

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frangelico hazelnut fresca carafe.

This recipe is perfect for parties because, let's be honest, you don't want to be caught out making cocktails for your friends all evening. So this is your solution, a 1L jug of cocktail mix ready to be enjoyed! This was definitely my favourite carafe cocktail mix from the Frangelico Master Class. And in true Maggie style, the measurements were all estimated...

This recipe makes 1.4L.

INGREDIENTS:

• 200ml Frangelico
• 200ml SKYY Vodka
• 100ml fresh lime juice
• 900ml ginger ale
• 5 lime wheels
• 5 orange wheels

METHOD:

1. Pour all ingredients into large 1L carafe
2. Put two or three scoops of ice and stir
3. Serve in glasses filled with ice and garnish with a lime and orange wheel
4. VOILA! You can now sit back and relax at your party, or just at home alone or with your loved one!

 Image courtesy of @lpmmags Instagram

 

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