REBECCA'S WORLD: Sugar & Spice...

As an interlude in-between writing fashion blogs, I've decided to include a blog about my love of preparing and cooking food.

Ever since I was I child I've always enjoyed cooking and baking. A skill I've inherited from my parents. When I was about 12-years -old, and I'd help my mum with the grocery shopping in Tesco's, I would always head straight towards a huge board that featured all the seasonal/monthly recipes. Later, when I got home , I would study these recipes so I could work out what went into creating a nutritious wholesome meal and beautiful dessert.

From an early age I recognized the importance of eating well and staying healthy. Although, that's not to say that I don't desire treats every now and then. I do!

In fact, to date, I'm a skilled artistic cake maker. This is something I was trained in as an extracurricular activity after college. A few years ago when a huge cupcake fad took off, I created little works of art that looked too good to eat. My creativity excelled here, as I enjoyed the freedom of exploring new possibilities.

The last several years I've become really fascinated with foods that heal. Foods that are kind to the body, mind and spirit. My, "Purif Rice Pud" is just awesome! I invented it myself and, unlike my traditional rice pudding, it doesn't feature full -fat milk, butter and piles of sugar, In fact, I use ordinary brown rice for the recipe and as an added treat mixed tropical fruit, It has a rich creamy texture to it, slightly sweetened with the fruit. Sometimes I lightly drizzle honey on top. This recipe really works if you happen to be unwell, since it's designed to soothe the body, relax the mind and settle the soul. It's the combination of the ingredients, the aroma, taste and warmth of the pudding that does it. As an added bonus it's suitable for vegans.

Another invention of mine that's also a real healer for the body are my "DiaNous Cookies". The taste is irresistible and is also designed to be suitable for vegans. Dates, walnuts and mashed banana are contained in this recipe. There's no added sugar and they're wonderful with green tea.

I like to incorporate as much variety in my recipes as possible so that when it comes to preparing something, it's like a new experience.

Jamie Oliver Once said "If you can make puff pastry you should be a chef!". In that case, I should be one! And since women have the best hands for pastry making, I'm halfway there. Although, saying that, it was a complicated process and I won't be attempting it again in the near future.

Walking down any High Street in the land, one can observe for themselves that home cooking is definitely passé. Towns' have been taken over by a range of restaurants of one kind or another.

People's eating habits, behaviour, and views towards food have changed, indeed.

Sure, people like watching lots of popular cookery shows on TV, but in reality most families don't spend much quality time together over a home cooked meal. I remember my dad, proudly, as he carved the Sunday roast that he prepared. After dinner we sat down to jelly and ice cream.

I've been flirting with the idea to produce a small home-made cookbook of my own featuring 20 of my very best recipes to sell to friends. It would most likely feature quirky pen & ink drawings.

Anyway, I'll wind up this blog on a really great note by expressing my love for American Home cooked food. I've been gathering simple recipes for years now that ordinary Americans prepare and eat in their homes.

One Sunday, every month, I like to make fresh Popovers with strong fresh coffee. I took the idea when I saw the 1949 movie "Little Women" staring Elizabeth Taylor. This was the Christmas breakfast that Beth suggested should go to another family who needed it most.

Other favourites I like to make are Applesauce Bars (John Boy Walton's favourite!), Old fashioned raisin pie from Illinois, Cream Cheese Brownies from Delaware, Chocolate Drop Cookies from Montana, and Honey Curry Sauce from Illinois to baste ham, chicken, hamburgers or meatloaf.

Have a little of a lot you love!!!! :)