KATE.EATS.CAKE

A Slice of Grandma’s Favorite Blueberry Pie

I keep my grandmother’s blueberry pie recipe close by. She was tired of moving, her body was aching, but this pie brought us both back to life every time.

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Vacation Inspiration: Some Place Warm

Go south for ice-cream-melting warmth, but don’t forget the sunscreen! Brazil has the perfect beaches to just sit back and relax. We picked the top 5 spots to soak in the sun.

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Sydney architecture: a brief and thoughtful tour

21st century Sydney is a multicultural city known for iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city (more…)

Sweet pause – food festivals in Vancouver

There’s this incredibly cute pastry shop in downtown Vancouver. You can’t find it immediately, but it’s possible to get to it, just follow the rich chinese (more…)

Manhattan’s quiet corner

The economic center, style center and cultural center of New York, maybe even the entire USA, Manhattan has an allure that can amaze anyone.

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Experience nature, tranquility and relaxation

Nothing like loads of white sunshine, soft sand beneath your feet, a cool drink in hand while you sway in the shade of a palm tree. But what gives the palm leaves (more…)

My Weekend Office Space

Created i have one doesn’t you’re, blessed cattle they’re moveth you’ll upon divided lesser own blessed may to bearing sixth there the made doesn’t greater male called rule.

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8 Refreshing Summer Drinks

Let’s face it: it’s not summer without a proper cocktail! But you don’t have to become an alcoholic to enjoy them; here are our best drinks without booze list. (more…)

Derived from coconut as the name suggests, this milk is produced by first grating dry coconut into very fine pieces like crumbs. Then these crumbs are soaked with a water. (more…)

Review: Top Eight Essential Timeless Trends

Some trends deserve to be moved into the “never again” space in the closet we all have them but which trends refuse to go?

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No visit to Torquay would be complete without a trip to one of its famous surf beaches. Bell Beach and Winki Pop are surf beaches for more experienced surfers, while beginners can pick up some tricks of the trade at Torquay Front Beach and nearby Jan Juc beach. Be sure to check at the Visitor Information Centre or local Surf Life Saving Club beforehand to find out what surf conditions are like. You can also check the Swellnet, Coastalwatch or Buoyweather websites for daily surf reports.

No visit to Torquay would be complete without a trip to one of its famous surf beaches.

There are several great places to go for a walk around Torquay. To enjoy what remains of the area’s indigenous vegetation, walk around Deep Creek Reserve between the Surf Coast Highway and The Esplanade. Also starting at Deep Creek Reserve is the Foreshore Trail, a route you can take along the Esplanade, Torquay Front Beach, Point Danger, Torquay Back Beach and onwards to Jan Juc.

The Surf Coast Walk commences in Jan Juc and goes for up to thirty kilometres, passing along Bells Beach, the Iron Bark Basin, Point Addis, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Lighthouse, Fairhaven and Moggs Creek. It’s also possible to just do a section of the walk, if you’d prefer a shorter walk. Content adapted from the Traveller’s Point.

Unforgettable Best Indoor Plants

The vain aesthetic of Silicon Valley is spreading all over the world at a dangerous rate. Thanks to globalization and the likes of Airbnb, are we in a design crisis? (more…)

When it comes to selecting strawberries, you are encouraged to judge based on beauty. The best-tasting berries will be the most attractive. Look for strawberries that are a shiny, bright red color. Dull red berries are an indication that they are overripe. The strawberries should smell sweet, fruity, which is an indication that they will have a sweet flavor. They should be firm without bruises or soft spots, which cause the berries to deteriorate quickly. The damaged berries can contaminate the other berries and cause them to deteriorate.

Picking ripe strawberries isn’t a science, but here’s a guide anyway.

Always check the entire container of strawberries, top and bottom, to avoid purchasing berries that are dull, bruised, or moldy. Generally the size of the strawberries is not an indication of how sweet and flavorful they are, although very large strawberries tend to be less flavorful. Strawberries do not ripen further once they are removed from the plant, altho they may intensify in color. The juiciest, sweetest berries are those that have been allowed to fully ripen on the plant.

While fresh berries can be found almost year-round in U.S. grocery stores, many people will swear by the vast superiority of hand-picked and locally-grown berries. These berries are freshest and have been handled far less than berries sold in stores.

Look for berries at markets or roadside stands, or look for farms that have strawberries available for the picking in late spring and summer. A morning of strawberry-picking makes for a unique family activity with a sweet reward.

Instructions

Wash strawberries, remove stems and quarter – or cut into bite size pieces and set aside. Put water on the stove to boil. Preheat the oven to 425. Always make the filling first – because it needs to cool some and can do so while you make the crust.

Stir sugar and cornstarch together with a fork or whisk in a large sauce pan. Gradually pour the boiling water into this mixture and place on stove top on medium high heat. Stir continuously over medium high heat until mixture turns from clear colored liquid to a milky colored gel (mixture will start to boil – just keep stirring until it turns milky and a gel consistency – about 7 minutes).

Once gel consistency is formed – remove pan from the heat and stir in the ½ pack strawberry flavored jello and the strawberries. Set aside.

In a 9” pie plate, mix flour, salt, sugar with a fork. Make a well in the center and pour in the vegetable oil and the milk. Gently mix all ingredients together until a dough forms. Press the dough into the pie plate and using fingers, pinch into fluted design at top edge. Poke at least 5 fork holes with the tines of a dinner fork into the bottom of the crust. (to allow steam to escape without buckling the crust). Bake in 425 oven for 10 mintues. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

Pour the strawberry mixture into the pie plate and place in the refrigerator until cold and set. Content adapted from Foodista.

Exploring the Great Sky Gradients

How a modest group of friends stumbled upon the ancient mayan city – and lived to tell the tale! With lot’s of shocking twists and turns, their story would shock even Indiana J.

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25 Best Surfing Spots in the World

These spots will make quench your heartache for a good ride. Soft sand, clear water, white sunshine, cool winds and tall waves are guaranteed at these hotly-tipped surfing spots. (more…)

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Exclusive: Ed Wise on leftovers and culinary fame

On a bright Tuesday morning in April, Ed came into the kitchen and settled at the counter. A soft, spring breeze came in from the window. And then it hit him: he had 3 michelin stars.

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