I recently heard on the radio a so called coffee expert and Barista exclaiming that the aroma of coffee is always so good that the taste never fails to disappoint.
As my friends will tell you I always rise to a challenge, and have been investigating this notion ever since, and think I have proved her wrong!
A long time buddy of mine bought me a Tassimo coffee maker for my birthday at the end of last year, which has totally revolutionised my life in that not only does it cut out the painful cleaning of my old coffee machine, but it makes incredible coffee too. Now you may think that this is an advertisement for the Tassimo, but I assure you it is not, I am just sharing my knowledge and excitement at this recent discovery! Tassimo have a new range of machines in fantastic colours.
The coffee and creamer comes in separate capsules and you simply slot them into the top of the machine and away you go. The milk or creamer is delivered piping hot and steaming and frothy, just the way good coffee should be. Plus the taste really does not disappoint as with so many other makes of coffee, even in established coffee shops.
I am also going to invest in one for the office, as it will cut down on the crazy prices that have evolved since the birth of trendy coffee cafes such as Starbucks and Costa. Don’t get me wrong, I will still enjoy the occasional cup of coffee at the weekend when meeting up with girl friends in our local chic café, but for the everyday, will continue to enjoy the various types of coffee available for a Tassimo coffee machine.
So far I have tried COSTA cappuccino, COSTA macchiato, breakfast coffee and COSTA latte, and all of them are really good in their own way. Of course nothing beats going into a COSTA coffee shop with friends but now I can enjoy the great taste at home as well.
There are also lots more on the market, and I won’t spoil it for you, go and explore the coffee counter in your local supermarket once you have invested in a Tassimo, and let us know which one you enjoy the best. I am betting you will find it really hard to decide. You can see the full range of drinks available at https://www.tassimo.co.uk/drinks-range/c-117/
Thanks to our sponsors you to can enjoy the Tassimo experience with the chance to win a Tassimo hot drink machine To be in with a chance of winning just enter your details into the form below
Three prizes up for grabs – Good Luck Sorry entries limited to UK & Ireland only due to postage restrictions
You may have never tried this before but we do recommend you ‘do try this at home’ as if you bake it now, it will not only be a memorable table centre for your family meal but also a huge accolade of achievement for you.
The first time I tried this recipe I was amazed how easy it actually was, and the fruit makes it moist and delightfully tasteful.
You never know, it may also inspire you to be more adventurous in the kitchen all round this party season.
DELICIOUS HOME BAKED CHRISTMAS CAKE
Ingredients
150 g dried figs
225 g soft prunes
100 g pure almonds
225 g soft butter
185 g brown sugar
250 g self-raising flour
0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
0.5 tsp ground ginger
1 good pinch of ground clove
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
225 g raisins
1 juice and zest of 1 large lemon
3 tbsp black treacle
4 tbsp dark rum
Method
Preheat the oven to 150°C, fan 130°C, gas 3. Line a 7cm-deep 20cm square tin with buttered baking paper.
Slice the figs and prunes into small pieces. Roughly chop the almonds. Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until fluffy.
Sift the flour into a bowl with the cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Add this and the beaten eggs alternately to the butter and sugar in the mixer, beating on a low setting all the time.
Stir in the fruit, almonds, lemon juice and zest, treacle and 3 tablespoons of the rum by hand. Tip into the tin and even out with a spatula.
Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes or until golden and a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin.
Once cool – make small insertions in the surface and add a little extra rum. To ice your cake, brush the cake with a little warmed apricot glaze, then cover it completely with 500g rolled-out marzipan, trimming off the excess. Brush the marzipan with cooled boiled water. Cover with 750g rolled-out white icing and trim off the excess.
If you prefer you can also bake this cake in a round 20cm tin; cook for 2-2½ hours.
I have been watching so many period dramas and movies recently, and I have been obsessing about the power of the hat.
My grandmother, whose hay day was in the fifties, would go to great lengths to ensure each outfit was perfectly co-ordinated, and her crowning glory would be the most important accessory to complete an outfit. In fact, she wouldn’t go out without a hat and matching handbag and shoes – especially when visiting the Capital.
I remember trying on a multitude of hats when playing dress-up in her bedroom, and loved every minute. Milliners were then in abundance and every department store boasted a vibrant hat department.
To endorse my debate, the word Milliner actually came from Milan, which still is the height of fashion, and this is why I am thrilled that hats are making a massive come back. You can’t beat them as a major styling accessory, and can even create an identity. But nowadays a Milliner is actually someone who designs and makes a hat, and there are some fabulous styles to choose from.
We have seen it with Meghan Markle who loves wearing a French style beret, and Jenifer Aniston recently was seen donning a Fedora.
If you want a more urban image, there has been a surge in the more masculine tweed ‘peaky blinders’ style beret but worn by women, and for Winter some gorgeous beanies to enhance your ‘cool’ whilst keeping warm.
Stunnning organic cable cashmere hat in natural white – Pure – £55
January 21, 2025 1905 Christian Dior 1924 Telly Savalas 1925 Benny Hill 1940 Jack Nicklaus 1941 Placido Domingo 1945 Martin Shaw 1950 Billy Ocean 1957 Geena Davis 1976 Emma Bunton
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