25 June 2015

Java jive - DIY bronzing bars

It's a friend's birthday coming up, so decided to try something new to give as a gift - lotion bars, a solid moisturising treat.  I used the 'recipe' from Wellness Mama which also had a bronzing effect - using coffee!!  I love that coffee has yet another use - good for daily java fix, the garden and now, in my moisturiser!  

I've made two lots - one with coffee infused oil, the other with regular coconut oil and some essential oils (carrot seed, for the colour, lavender for the lovely smell).  

To infuse the coconut oil you just put the oil you will need into a small saucepan along with about half that amount of coffee grinds.  I used a cup of oil and a half cup of coffee and fresh grinds, but I don't see why you couldn't use used coffee grounds, saved from the morning's plunger.  It's just for the pigment, after all.  Simmer together on a low heat for a long time (I left it on the stove for a good couple of hours).  Once finished, remove from heat and strain through some cheesecloth, or an old tee shirt or something.  

For the bars themselves... 

1/2 cup coconut oil 
1/3 cup beeswax
1/4 cup shea butter
15 drops essential oil (if using) 
  1. Combine all ingredients (except the essential oil) in a large jar and place in saucepan with water on stovetop (DIY double boiler).  
  2. Stir ingredients until they are melted together.  
  3. Remove from heat and add essential oil.  
  4. Pour into molds - I used silicon muffin cups.  Silicon is key, 'cause it means you can easily turn them out once completely cooled.  Once I had taken them out of the molds I put them in the fridge for a few hours, then kept them in a dark, cool cupboard until it was time to give them away/use them.    

17 June 2015

Teriyaki tastiness + miso mash

I follow a couple of food blogs myself, 'cause you never know where inspiration will come from, or when it'll strike.  Jane Rangiwahia, a family connection, writes 'Reka Food' and has some amazing meals on there.  Usually very straight forward ones too, which is key on a weeknight.  Yesterday morning I saw her idea for a teriyaki chicken with miso mash and thought, yep, that's us sorted for tonight.  

The teriyaki chicken was excellent, I really enjoyed it and will be making it again.  And again, and again.  The miso mash was nice, but to be honest I think next time I'll just have kumara, or potato/pumpkin mash unadulterated by the miso.  I added some miso into the teriyaki marinade too, so perhaps it was just a bit of overkill?  

Follow the link to Jane's Reka Food for the teriyaki marinade - I added a couple of teaspoons of miso paste, and a chopped spring onion from our garden.  Also, I swapped chia seeds for the cornstarch, and it worked well.  Didn't really get thick, but coated the chicken well and got nicely sticky in the oven.  Also, I added the sesame seeds about ten minutes before I removed the chicken from the oven, so they were lightly toasted.  Enjoy!!