Ramen

  Today's food experiment was Chicken ramen.  I neglected to even take a photo of the finished product.  Needless to say it didn't turn out anything like the picture,  I didn't have some of the more traditional ingredients and I refuse to taint it with an egg.  Still making it from scratch was worth the effort cause this a simple dish that is gentle on the stomach being that is compromised entirely of broth, veggies, noodles and a little meat.

Recipe

Stock - home made or seasoned stock of choice
Noodles
cooked, seasoned Chicken
Veggies of choice


Directions:

The idea with ramen is that all the items are combined after having already been cooked - ie. fry off the chicken and cook noodles before combining with stock.  Essentially you should really be putting together.

Boil your noodles, add to the hot stock and garnish with slicked chicken and veggies.

Orange Coffee soap

A long long while ago now I made an experimental soap blend using coffee grounds and orange essential oils.  Initially this soap smelled like Jaffa cakes.  It was quiet a nice scent.  However, I was disappointed when I took the well cured soap off the shelf today.  The scent had completely changed!  Instead of smelling like sweet cakes it now smelt strongly of coffee with a citrus twist.  Don't get me wrong, the new scent is not bad.  In fact it is nice on another level.  I just enjoyed the sweeter scent it had before the curing process was complete.

This highlights the true trouble with scenting soaps. No matter how the soap smells after you have taken it out of the mould a month down the line it is going to smell completely different.

Update on soapy soap

Time for an officialish update regarding the sale of soap products via eBay.  Unfortunately I will be unable to sell my soap products via eBay for the moment as eBay, in their infinite wisdom, has suspended the sales feature of my account.  This is not the result of poor customer satisfaction but rather the result of me not selling enough products in a sales month.  Therefore, anyone wishing to purchase natural products from me is free to contact me with a customised order.  For the moment my soap operation has scaled back to a hobbyist state in the mean time. So I will likely post experiments in the future. :)

Rose cutting surprise!

Now, I've never been the best with plants.  I don't have a natural green thumb, so to speak.  Half my plants either die frm neglect or too much tlc. But this little rose clipping proved the benefits of leaving well enough alone.  I looked at it the other day and found these surprising new growths.  If I'm lucky, I will have a rose bush to plant soon.

Sweet meat treat - Bacon dipped in chocolate

Bacon dipped in dark chocolate

Okay, I know this one seems the slightest be peculiar.  However these treats do actually taste really good and are ideal as an alternative dessert or unique party snack.  If you choose your chocolate and bacon wisely it is even allergen free.  It is also a really simple to make - the most complex part is trying not to burn the chocolate while melting it as it goes very bitter.  You also only need to two ingredients Chocolate of your choice and bacon.

My one suggestion would be to choose a sweeter chocolate for this recipe as bitter chocolate overrides the bacon flavor.

Directions

Crisp up small pieces if bacon in a frying pan.  Boil water in a saucepan.  After the water has boiled take it off the heat and place to a side.  While the water is still hot break chocolate into small chunks and place in a small bowl or mug.  Sit the utensil containing the chocolate in the water, being careful not get the water in the chocolate in the process.  Stir the chocolate as it melts.  When melted simply dip the bacon pieces in the chocolate and put aside to cool.

This treat is enjoyable when hot or cold.