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No-bake Flapjack

When one is without an oven, one must simply make do.

Ahh the humble flapjack. So often overlooked in favour over a double choc cookie but a brilliant companion to a good cuppa. I have always been a fan, perhaps because my mum has such a good recipe for them. 

These a not buttery baked flapjacks with a crunchy top. If you are looking for that recipe click here.

But wait! These little beauties are easy to make, sticky, sweet and nutty. And I reckon you could even call them breakfast!

Nanny's Welsh Cakes

This is the only thing I remember my Nan baking or cooking but they are divine. Now also known as 'Mum's welsh cakes' or 'Aunty Carole's welsh cakes', they are a firm family favourite all year round.

Because welsh cakes are cooked on the hob rather than baked in the oven, they are one of the few sweet treats I can make in my non-existent Thai kitchen. And so today in 38 degree heat with no bake stone, rolling pin or accurate scales, I celebrated St. David's day and a rugby victory by making my favourite cakes.

Fried Rice Parcel

It's fair to say that my fried rice intake has gone up since we moved to Thailand. Actually  I can't remember making or eating it more than a handful of times back home. Apparently I'm now making up for lost time as it has become one of our staple dinners.

Food taster no.1 thinks this is the best fried rice we've made. I obviously can't compete with our favourite street stall but for those of you who don't have the luxury of buying a 30 baht Khao Phat from a Thai woman with a magic wok, this is a cheap and easy alternative.

Pancakes three ways...

We're out of gas for our hob (we have no kitchen, just a single hob ring and a gas canister - it's a sad state of affairs) so it looks like we might not be having pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. To be fair though, pancakes are a fairly regular breakfast for us so don't feel too sorry for us!

So instead of making something I thought I'd reblog three pancake recipes that I've made in the past. They are all sweet pancakes because, well I just have a sweet tooth!

Rum 'n' Raisin Rice Pudding

This should really be 'coconut rice pudding with rum soaked raisins' but that didn't sound so catchy!

I like coconut. I like it shaved, desiccated, as coconut water, in a bounty... but most of all I love coconut milk.

And there's loads of it here in Thailand. Granted, it might also have strange balls of gloop in it but there is a lot of coconut milk around. This is great for me and I'm growing a lovely round coconut belly.

So since we don't eat enough rice I decided to make rice pudding. I feel like rice pudding has got a bad rep - too many school dinner memories perhaps. But splash a bit of rum in there and hey, this is like no school dinner I have ever had.

Vegan Banana Pancakes

When we moved to Thailand nine months ago I decided to become vegetarian. It was as easy as that, I eat delicious food and never crave meat or feel like I'm missing out by not eating it. (I'm sure it would be different back in the UK but for now I'm very happy).  Since we often eat at little vegan restaurants that use amazing meat substitutes, I figured I would try cutting out eggs and dairy for a month - how hard could it be?

Actually it's fine but I'm feeling a bit deprived of sweets and treats. I know you can make delicious vegan desserts but sometimes it feels like you need 17 types of organic nut butter, a blender, dehydrator and a space rocket. Since I have none of those things I have been going without.

But here is a vegan pancake recipe with 5 ingredients you probably already have in your cupboards. We enjoyed these as a leisurely weekend breakfast but dollop on some vegan ice cream or coconut cream and pudding's sorted!

A Christmas dinner in Thailand

How do you cook Christmas dinner for four in Thailand? Without an oven. When two of your party are vegetarian. ???!!

You get creative! Roast potatoes were obviously out of the question but we made up for it in mash and sauteed potatoes. Aunt Bessie provided the yorkshire puddings and we were stocked up on instant veggie stuffing and gravy. The meat-eaters bought a rotisserie chicken made some rather giant pigs in blankets. Us vegetarians enjoyed 'vegan duck' (don't knock it 'til you've tried it - it's awesome!) from our favourite Buddhist cult/vegan restaurant. 

Accompanied by wine, beer, and all things mulled, we didn't even have space for our Christmas pud.