Yum!

Chocolate Muffins!

Today Frank and I made chocolate muffins... Because of what we used I'm going to call it Triple Chocolate Muffins. They are sweet with a subtle taste of bitterness which cuts through the chocolate and adds a new element to the desert.

Method and Ingredients:
Step 1 - In a big bowl combine 1 1/2 cup of self rising flouring, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of cocoa and 50g of chocolate chips. Mix until well combined.
Step 2 -  In another bowl combine 1/2 cup of oil, 1/2 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of yoghurt, 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence and 1 egg. Stir until well combined.
Step 3 -  Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold the two mixtures, do not stir or whisk.
Step 4 - Line two muffin trays with muffin wrappers. Heat your oven at 180°c.
Step 5 - Put one tablespoon into each muffin liner. If there is extra batter, evenly distribute it into the liners.
Step 6 - Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Step 7 - Once out of the oven put on a cooling rack.
Optional - If you want you can add chocolate syrup to your muffins.

It's Hard to be a Potato When...

You're surrounded by kumara.

Today at Tech Frank and I made Kumara Frittatas.

Ingredients:
1/2 of a big kumara
4 eggs
1 cup of milk
1/2 onion
Optional - Mixed herbs

Method:
Step 1 - Peel the kumara and grate with cheese grater.
Step 2 - Dice onion.
Step 3 - Whisk 4 eggs and 1 cup of milk together.
Step 4 - Mix vegetables and egg mixture together.
Step 5 - Prepare a lined baking tray and pour the mixture in the tray.
Step 6 - Bake at 200° for 15-20 minutes.
Step 7 - Take out and serve while hot.

Frank and I make some pretty tasty dishes!.

One, Two, Three... PADDLE!

Friday 21st of June... My class and I had made memories worth remembering. 

We went to the Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Manukau. It was very exciting because one, we knew very little about this place and two, we were travelling all the way to Manukau! Once we arrived at our destination, I was dazzled. 

My favourite part of this trip was when we had to stand up while going down stream and when we went spinning. It was thrilling and made my heart race. Overall, I enjoyed every bit of what we did. 

Mission ImPASTAble!

Today at Tech Diego and I made Spaghetti Carbonara.

Ingredients:
A handful of spaghetti
3 slices of bacon
1/2 of zucchini
1/2 an onion
1 small carrot
1 cup of grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup of cream
Dried herbs
Water

Method:
Step 1 - Boil three cups of water in a pot. 
Step 2 - Grab your pasta and snap in half. Add into the boiling water. Remove and strain when soft.
Step 3 - Heat up a pan with oil. Dice up the onion and add to the pan.
Step 4 - Peel the skin off the carrot. Scrape off bits of the carrot using the peeler.
Step 5 - Cut the zucchini in half, length wise. Scrape off bits of the zucchini.
Step 6 - Add in the remaining vegetables to the pan and stir.
Step 7 - By now your pasta should be cooked. Drain the pasta and add to the pan. Mix with tongs.
Step 8 - Turn the heat off and add the cup of cream, herbs and grated cheese.
Step 9 - Heat up the pan. When the mixture starts to bubble take it off the heat and turn the stove off.
Step 10 - Bake three slices of bacon at 200°c for about 5 minutes.
Step 11 - Take the bacon out and chop into small bite size pieces. Add and stir into the main mixture.
Step 12 - Serve the pasta mixutre in a bowl. 

S-so C-cold

It's been 3 weeks and 1 day into winter and... My gosh! Most mornings I can't feel my toes. My friends are frozen still and numb. My family... They all stay in bed for an extra 5-10 minutes or put a heater on and sit in front of it.

Temperatures are dropping all over New Zealand leaving cold, foggy mornings and in some areas and cold, snowy days in other places. According to the NZ Herald, "Temperatures are most likely to fall 3-4°C across New Zealand this week compared to the weekend." 

In Auckland temperatures will reach up to 17° and slowly drop. 

We're Surrounded by a Massive Ghost!

New Zealanders living in Auckland are experiencing paranormal activity!

This morning when I woke up and looked outside the window I was very surprised at the sight. This ghostly mist has a short, three letter name... Fog. We're surrounded by a ghost like mist that's very hard to see through. This paranormal activity is so dangerous that over 70 flights In New Zealand were delayed or cancelled. This unsuspected ghostly visitor has also made our Friday very cold and chilly.

Beef at Tech... What Went Down

Today at Tech Mrs Tuipulotu accounced that "We're making Sliver Corn Beef with Vegetables." Frank and I decided to partner up this time. Surprisingly, Frank and I make a pretty good team. 

Ingredients:
1 good chunck of silverside (beef)
3 Small potatoes
1/4 of cabbage
1 carrot
1/2 of a onion
1/4 of cauliflower
1/3 of broccoli
Salt
Pepper
Water

Step to Step Process:
1. Heat up a pan with 3 cups of water.
2. Slice and dice the Silverside, add the diced meat into the pan.
3. Dice the potatoes into small finger size pieces, add to the pan.
4. Slice the cabbage and onion, add to the pan.
5. Slice up the cauliflower and broccoli. Add into the pan.
6. Make sure to mix the ingredients every now and then.
7. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and pepper.
8. Let simmer. 
9. If the water line is lower than your vegetables add in another cup or two.
10. Take of the heat and serve.
Optional - You can eat the soup with bread.

Today was really fun working with Frank. Our food was very tasty also!

Let Term 2 Begin!

May the 1st Monday, time for term 2 to begin.
" Jess, get ready for school! "
That is what my mum said to me this morning. I looked at so tried then remembered school was starting again. It's going to be a really busy term and new things to do.

This term we started to do some science experiments. We do them on Friday's or Thursday's.  We just started learning about Tonga. I am not Tongan so I don't know much. I am so excited for term 2 to go on and for the rest of the year. School to some kids is boring but I enjoy school so, I get bored in the holidays really fast.