me Life and Times of the Fireflies: October 2015

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Recipe - Panna Cotta with a Mixed Berry Coulis


There's nothing like a series of hot, sunny days to put me in the holiday spirit! Sure enough, there's a month to go before Summer vacation starts, but with the weather being far less temperamental and rather increasingly consistent, it feels like my mind is already starting to wind down with the year. Summer is practically here and I'm quite looking forward to it!
Extra hours of sun means more time outdoors, and more time outdoors obviously means less time in the kitchen, but that doesn't mean our taste buds need to suffer the brunt for our frivolousness! You'll obviously need a sweet treat to accompany your  Summer Braai, family get together, or end of year function and I have the perfect Summer treat. This dessert is so fabulous, it will have you in and out of the kitchen without breaking a sweat!
Panna Cotta is an Italian dessert which literally means "thickened cream". It is quick and easy to make and practically fool proof. When I first tasted Panna Cotta, I almost expected a laborious recipe attached to this indulgently smooth and creamy, easy on the tongue dessert. I was kind of surprised at the short list of ingredients....and even more shocked at the amount of time spent behind the stove...Never would I have guessed that a few kitchen basics could turn out this fantastic!

Ingredients (for Panna Cotta)
  • 1 cup full cream milk

  • 1 cup fresh cream

  • 1 cup coconut milk/cream

  • 1/3 cup sugar

  • 15 ml gelatine

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
  1.  Pour the milk, cream and coconut milk into the saucepan and sprinkle the powdered gelatin evenly over top. Let soften for 5 minutes or until the surface of the milk is wrinkled and the gelatin grains look wet.
  2. Dissolve the gelatin over low heat: Set the saucepan over low heat and warm the milk gently, stirring or whisking frequently. The milk should never boil or simmer; if you see steam, remove the pot from the stove and let it cool down. The milk should get hot, but not so hot that you can't leave your finger in the pot for a few seconds. The gelatin will dissolve quickly as the milk warms; it melts at body temperature so this step should go quickly.
  3. Dissolve the sugar: Stir the sugar into the milk and continue warming until it dissolves as well. It shouldn't take more than 5 minutes total to dissolve both the gelatine and sugar. Again, never let the mixture boil. Once sugar and gelatine is dissolved, add vanilla extract.
  4. Pour into the ramekins and chill: Divide the mixture evenly between either greased ramekins or moulds, or in mini shot glasses like I have done with mine and put in the refrigerator to chill. If serving straight from the cups, without unmolding, chill for 1 to 2 hours. If you want to unmold the panna cotta, chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. I personally think it's best to chill overnight either way.
* Be careful not to boil the gelatine as this destroys it's thickening power and your dessert won't set.

    There are several ways to decorate a Panna Cotta dessert, many opting for fruity flavoured toppings. I've opted for a very easy to make, fresh, summery, Mixed Berry Coulis! If I knew it was this easy, I would've made it a lot sooner!
    BERRY COULIS

    Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen berries

  • 3 Tablespoons water

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • Method
  1. Add al ingredients to a pot and cook on medium heat, stirring every now an again until sugar is dissolves. This takes about 5 minutes.
  2. Once berries start to burst, remove from heat. Cool down slightly and then blend until smooth.
  3. Pour through a sieve, using a spoon or spatula to work the syrup through with only the seeds remaining behind. Don't forget to scrape some of the yummy goodness stuck to the bottom of the sieve
  4. What you are left with is a thick, glossy Coulis!
*Any leftover Coulis can be frozen to use at another time.




 Thanks for reading!
Peace,
NAMU :)

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Baby Moon Coming Soon


Without a doubt, this has been a colossal year for our family! In some way or form, we have all had to embrace change... but perhaps the biggest adjustment is just a few weeks away. True, I've watched her body slowly transform over the past few months, but I don't think it's fully sunken in that in a few more weeks my baby sister will be a Mom! That my tomboy little sister has evolved and is soon to start her journey as a Mother!

As the due date draws closer, I guess it's not only Moon who's making room for change...we all are! Just when we thought all our babies have grown up, there's a new little bundle we are ready to welcome, nurture, embrace and protect. And just as she has always been ready with open arms for all our kids, we will be fighting over hugs and kisses and nappy changes. trips to the park! And with her still being Mom's baby herself, emotions are running high as the days pass by.

 Moon has been such a big part of all our kids lives, having been so actively involved in helping the rest of us raise our own; that it's kind of strange watching her prepare for her own child...and now, all these years later, the kids she so freely embraced and entertained, are ready and queuing  to do the same for her baby. From the 19 year old to the 6 year old and everyone in between; they are all eagerly waiting to welcome their little cousin!

There's no denying that this baby will be born into a fortitude of love! She has already captured all of our hearts, and we simply cannot wait to meet her, hold her and love her forever. In the meantime, as we prepare for her arrival into the world, we knew this journey would be incomplete without a baby shower of sort. Obviously not compromising on making it special for the Mom-to-be! And naturally, we involved ALL the kids. Moon has been a big part of their lives, and now they get to share in the excitement and be a part of this new journey too <3

Proud Parents- to- Be...Moonlight

 

Special Cake for a Special Occasion
 
Some Sweet Treats
 
Pretty Pink Turkish Delight Cupcakes
 
 
 
 
 
SURPRISE!!!!

 
 
 
 

 
Yummy Desserts
 
 

Each guest got to leave a special message for the baby.  (Artwork by Saafiyah Sonday)
 
 
Firefly Funnies

Dad- to- be hopeful that the next one will be a boy lol
 
Awesome Agu- Mamu Bhai

Saafiyah Appa (Twinsies lol)




Shakeel Bhai Strikes a Pose

Two Naani's having Fun

Amaarah Appa
 

 
 
 
A Baby Shower is not complete without Gifts
 
Rocky Bhaijaan

Waseem Bhaijaan and Naushaad Dada
Zee, counting down the days till he's a 'big brother'

A Firefly Family Tradition...The Countdown Calendar.   Awesome Agu makes one for every special family event.
 
 
Family Members leaving their print on the Family Tree

Artwork by Saafiyah Sonday

Didi Mummy Making her Mark
 
 
Proud Naani and Naana eagerly awaiting the new arrival.
 

Finally, the PIC OF THE DAY!... If all ANGLES else fails we have no choice BUT to take a Selfie hehehe.


Thanks for reading!
 
Peace,
 
NAMU :) 
 
 

 

Friday 16 October 2015

SS15 With Human Image & Rube's Closet

 
While tinseltown was abuzz with news of all the latest trends from the top designers on the catwalks of New York and Paris, I was sitting FROW at the Spring/Summer '15 launch of  Human Image by Ayshah Allie, as she took us through her new studio, and also her latest range of stylish and well crafted garments! I am no stranger to this brand, owning quite a few pieces from her previous collections. With Ayshah, there is no compromise in style, quality fabrics and impeccable tailoring. The Spring/Summer collection is made up of original designs, plus a few selected imported garments that are trendy and chic!

But the Human Image brand epitomises so much more than just fashion and style. It is clear that Ayshah is also very passionate about uplifting  and encouraging fellow entrepreneurs! She has a good understanding that  our own personal growth and successes is a lot dependant on how we are able to help others, and so invited fellow entrepreneurs to showcase and promote their brands at the event as well!
 
 With a little helping hand from wardrobe consultant Rushda from Rube's Closet, guests were spoilt with advice and tips on choosing and styling some of the garments on sale and she also formally launched her new wardrobe consultancy business. Rushda is another perfect example of  how, when pursuing your passion and personal growth collide, it can result in exciting and flourishing business prospects! 

The always dazzling Dr Laila was also present to talk to us about Sun protection as we enter the warmer months.  As always, keeping us well informed and abreast of the latest products available in the aesthetics industry...in this instance, the latest and more effective products in sun protection on the market, as well as a sun block that comes in a capsule form for those long days on the beach or by the poolside - which is safe for the kids to use too! (These products are available at Dr Leila's Aesthetic Clinic and not readily available at over the counter pharmaceutical stores )

All in all, an entertaining morning spent in the company of inspiring women of all ages in a vibrant and quaint garden setting! An absolutely refreshing way to spend a crisp spring morning!


Rushda and Aysha
 
Pretty garden setting

 
 
 



 
 


 
 
 
Dr Leila
A selfie with Rushda
 


Rushda getting a little emotional during her talk
 
 
What I wore...
 
For viewing of the Human Image range, contact:
 
Ayshah @ 072 371 1695
 
 
For wardrobe consultation you can contact:
 
Rushda @ 083 285 6837


Thanks for reading!

Peace,

NAMU :)