Caribbean Cupcakes

I had some fruit to use up (banana and pineapple) so I decided to adapt a simple banana bread recipe and add chopped pineapple and desiccated coconut. The mixture of the three tropical flavours worked really well together especially with the texture of the coconut and fruit pieces within the batter. To decorate I mixed plain yoghurt with some more coconut as I didn’t want to use sugar frosting or butter cream.

To make the cupcakes:

Mash 2 ripe bananas in a large bowl

Melt 1/3 cup of butter and add to the banana

Chop ¼ fresh pineapple or use about ½ a tin

Add the pineapple, ¾ cup of sugar and 1 cup of self-raising flour.

Combine the mixture and add about ¼ cup of desiccated coconut.

Spoon into cupcake cases and bake for 30 minutes

For the topping

Mix about ¼ cup of plain yoghurt and ¼ cup of desiccated coconut

Spread a spoonful of mixture on to each cake when they have cooled.

I have also used this idea to create an alternative Christmas cake by substituting the normal fruit like raisons, sultanas and cherries for dried guava, pineapple and coconut. additionally I substituted sherry for rum to give the cake real Caribbean flavour.  For this version I did a butter icing with coconut milk and desiccated coconut to contrast the rich, dark fruit cake.

What people wore... Solomun at Islington Mill (Manchester)

Islington Mill is a former cotton mill based just outside of Manchester. It consists of 50 artist’s studios, 2 art galleries a recording studios and a club.  On Friday 25^th November Hamburg based DJ Solomun played a 6-hour set of deep house music. The crowd reflected Manchester’s techno/house scene, which has become increasingly popular with the presence of Warehouse Project and the high number of internationally renowned artist's showcasing in Manchester. I decided to take some picture at the event, as I was interested in what people were wearing and how they managed to look effortlessly casual whilst admirably edgy.

For girls, I noticed a trend for denim shorts, cropped tops, leotards and high-waisted trousers. These looks were worn in muted colours with lots of black eye liner and red lips to equalise the balance to between grunge and glamour. 

I think in these 4 looks shorts work really well. The high waisted style is extremely flattering and currently on trend. the patterned tops also reflect the graphic/tribal trend (see post below) and the current fashion for animal prints particularly leopard. messenger bags give the looks a casual finish as so trainers or ballet pumps.

The cropped tops paired with high waisted trousers look effortlessly stylish and achieve a medium of looking sexy without trying too hard. Yhis is also achieved with a loose sheer shirt worn over a crop top with jeans.

accessories such as the head scarf give the look an edgy twist and below you can see the way a loose shirt is worn to create a casual look.

Hats were also a big trend: flat caps, beanies and trilbies featured in the crowd. They give the look a personal twist and allow the wearer to make a statement about themselves.

The boys that I picked out each had an individual look that consisted of vintage clothing (denim jackets, shirts) mixed with current items (hoodies and tshirts). These looks manage to be modern and edgy without appearing contrived. 

I like the way that shirts are worn in these looks as they allow the wearer to represent their individual style

Mara Hoffman - tribal trends 2012

New York designer Mara Hoffman launched her label in 2000; she uses graphic prints and patterns interlaced with bold colours and flattering, feminine designs. Her collections centre around beach and resort wear including: maxi dresses, play suits and bikinis. Hoffman is said to get her inspiration from nature, world travel and fantasy. The pairing of contemporary prints and dynamic designs creates truly eye-catching pieces that are very covetable.

 Hoffman’s 2012 collections clearly feature tribal and Aztec prints, which are currently on trend and said to grow even more in 2012. The look is contemporary as it uses highly original prints and colour fusions reminiscent of a range of different cultures and locations. 

For example Mexican artist Frida Kahlo inspires the collection shown above. This is evidenced in the dramatic clashing of colour and prints which paired with the models piled up hair, accessorised with woven fabrics, flowers and feathers, creates a striking resemblance to Frida Kahlo.

Hoffman’s designs reflect the current vogue for designers to synthesise fabrics, prints and inspiration from all over the world to create a contemporary and diverse new look.  Other designers are tapping into this trend and tribal prints featured heavily in a lot of spring/summer 2012 collections from designers such as Missoni, Michael Kors, Herve Leger. The look has progressed more from ethnic beads and fringing to braver, more graphic prints.

Missoni     Herve Leger   Michael Kors

In my opinion Mara Hoffman has kick started the tribal trend, which is taking both the 2012 catwalks and current high street shops by storm. This look can easily be introduced into your winter wardrobe with a pair of Aztec print leggings or a tribal patterned chunky knit. These can be found on the high street in Urban Outfitters, Topshop and American Apparel.

Almond Ice cream

I thought it was only appropriate to start off this blog with something sundae related. I invented this recipe to use up a surplus of double cream in the fridge. It is easy to make and includes ingredients usually found in the kitchen cupboards. 

Separate the eggs and whip to fluffy peaks – add the yolks

Mix in the jersey cream and add sugar until it reaches sweetness

Toast the almonds and crumble the biscuits and chuck them in

Add vanilla essence to taste

Once you are happy with the flavours, blend and freeze.

 3 eggs  - separated and whipped.

6ooml of double cream

Vanilla sugar to taste

A handful of toasted slices of almonds

3 amaretto biscuits crumbled

I teaspoon of almond essence (to taste)

 I wanted the almond flavour to come through quite strongly which is why I felt it was important that the flavour should come from an number of almond based products. The toasted almonds and crushed amaretto biscuits add some crunch, which contrasts the silky smoothness of the ice cream.

 

To serve the ice cream I put three scoops into a small bowl and sprinkled almond slivers over the top. If serving to friends I think i would also put some wrapped amaretto biscuits on the table as i love their wrapping and i think they would compliment the ice cream well.