@iconic88 Takes a Leaf from Jane Hornby’s New Cookbook

“What to Cook and How to Cook It”

Bookings for Jane’s October 27th Hands on Cooking Class can be made by clicking on the SYDNEY Fish market or  by phoning +61 2 9004 111. Places are strictly limited, so to avoid disappointment, book now!

It must be tough living with a chef. All the eating and great food you have to endure. Time and time again, amazing meals are put in front of you and it’s up to you to eat. How @iconic88 does it, I’ll never know. He has made eating an art form and between the two of us and our house mate Bruno, we have munched our way through many a satisfying supper. So much so, that we very rarely eat out, opting to eat in so I have the chance to “experiment” on them.

With all that eating 88 has been doing, it hasn’t left him much opportunity to cook. He rates himself as a professional eater rather than a cook, and he’s a dab hand at the washing up too. But, there has been more than a few times when I haven’t been around to whip up  culinary delights which has left stomachs wanting and yearning. If only there was a step by step guide on what to cook and how to cook it!

Enter Jane Hornby, Former food editor of the  BBC Good Food Magazine, with her step by step cookbook with 100 recipes and over 800 photographs! Just what the doctor ordered for the novice hungry cook.

The cookbook is a  hard cover encyclopaedia sized manual with recipes ranging from breakfast standards like French toast  and Eggs Benedict, a section dedicated to simple suppers and light lunches as well as recipes for food sharing and weekend cooking. The sweet toothed amongst you are well catered for by Chocoalte pots, Key lime pie and Panna Cotta and there’s also a section on menu planning and basic preparations.  Jane says that “this is the food that everyone likes to eat”.

The book has been written with the novice in mind, and Jane likes to think of it as your best friend in your  kitchen. With step by step photography to keep the reader on track, it’s only down fall is its shear size and the books ability to stay open  on the bench top so that you can follow each recipe carefully.

The best way to review a cookbook in my humble opinion is to test out the recipes. How well do they work? Does the dish live up to the photography and does the recipe read easily and logically.  And what better person to do the testing than @iconic88 my proffessional eater and novice home cook.

88 chooses to cook one of his favourite dishes, a Prawn and Mushroom Laksa and we sit back and watch him do it!

@iconic88 Cooks Laksa!

1. Read your recipe thoroughly to make sure there’s no little surprises half way through the cooking process.

2. Check to make sure you have all your ingredients.

3. Pour boiling water over 100gms of rice noodles to cover and allow to soften. You can use the kettle which makes it safer to pour the water.  (great thinking 88!)

4. Slice 1 small bunch of shallots or spring onions

5. Slice 150gms of shitake mushrooms

6. Check the rice noodle and give them a little stir to separate ( chopsticks are optional ~ I think someones been watching the food channel again!)

7.  Heat a pot with a bit of oil and add the mushrooms

8. Add the spring onions and saute lightly for a couple of minutes

9. Pour the mushrooms and spring onions into a bowl and set aside

10. Using the same pan, place it back on the heat and add 2 Tablespoons of laksa paste. ( 88 added 4 more tablespoons as he likes it fiery!)

11. Cook the laksa paste for 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir frequently to avoid the paste stickin to the pot and burning

12. Pour in 1 can of coconut milk and stir to combine.

13. Pour in 400mls of chicken stock

14. 88 wants more heat in the Laksa so adds a teaspoon of hot and spicy sambal olek

15. Still not content with the heat factor, 88 uses the soup to wash out the laksa jar to extract as much flavor out of the jar as possible ( Hey, aren’t you supposed to be a novice? That’s an advanced maneuver! )

16. Add the raw prawn tails to the waiting broth

17. Season well with a couple of tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar and the juice of 1 lime

18. Return the mushroom and spring onion back to the pot and stir briefly before turning off the heat

It’s time to plate!

19. Add some drained rice noodles to the bowl and top with a small handful of bean sprouts

20. Ladle over the hot soup making sure that all the bowls get a few prawns and mushrooms

21. Garnish with some wonderfully fragrant coriander leaves and

SERVE!

Well done to @iconic88! Great job, great sportsmenship and the Laksa was fabulous.  88 out of a possible 88 points in kitchen stadium! A little on the spicy side, but that… was a given : )

When asked what he thought of Jane’s cookbook, 88 was impressed with the easy to use recipes and clear and precise photographs. He liked the range of recipes contained in the book, and has decided that he just might give a few more a go. Would he recommend it to people? Absolutley! It works and it’s logical.

I picked up a couple of methods that could be improved on technically, which would improve the overall ‘finish’ of the dish. These methods were textural only and would not affect the overall flavor of the dish too dramatically. All and all, the recipe was solid and a great entry to the world of cooking for those less culinary wired.

Jane’s book retails for $59.99 but for those lucky enough to be in Australia for the 2010 Sydney International Food festival, Jane is visiting from the UK and will conduct a live cooking class on Wednesday 27th October.

The cooking class will be held at the Sydney Fish Market where you will get a hands on 3- hour cooking lesson with Jane herslef, a 3 course meal, wine tasting AND a copy of her cookbook all for only $120 AUD.

Bookings for Jane’s Class can be made by clicking on the SYDNEY Fish market or  by phoning +61 2 9004 111.  Places are strictly limited, so to avoid disappointment, book now!

As I gingerly negotiated my way across the slippery platform, a light rain just finished falling so the ground had turned into an ice rink for those of us wearing elevated pumps.

Monday morning commuter traffic at one of the busiest train stations in Sydney is rarely an enjoyable process, but combine that with a cold blustery winter wind and impossibly high heels and you have the recipe for disaster.

I manage to ease my way on to the train, standing room only, and settle back against the  door.  A deep sigh and I close my eyes behind my jet black sunglasses. There isn’t any sun, but for want of a peaceful moment to myself,  I wear my sunglasses at night AND inside trains.

I am smiling.

One of those smiles that broadens the face and lights up a train carriage.  Despite my surroundings and ‘mondaymorningitis’ I feel an eternal glow that has moulded that smile from ear to ear.

It wasn’t yoga,  prozac or Tony Robbins that was making me feel so chipper but a couple of days of well deserved  island life that had me so Cheshire cat.

The island in Question ~ Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays of Australia. The event in Question ~ The Great Barrier Feast.

2 days of feasting and drinking in the beautiful surroundings of the luxurious Qualia Resort with food designed by Award winning  and highly acclaimed Chef Justin North. More on what we ate in another post soon!

From the moment we landed on the runway that is Hamilton Island Airport, I felt a sense of relaxation wash over me as we are quietly ushered into the low lying airport bungalow where we are warmly met by representatives of Qualia. Island time starts early and finishes late around here!

A short 5 minute chauffer driven ride to the Northern most point of the island had us entering the  ’Jurrasic Park’ like gates of Qualia Resort.

Hmmm, no sign of man eating Dinosaurs anywhere,  only lush flora and fauna and golf carts. Lots of golf carts. In fact, golf carts are de riguer on Hamilton island. When you stay in one of the elegantly appointed bungalows at Qualia, you get your own golf buggy to drive yourself around the island.

An incredibly friendly young man called Johnny meets us with a wave and smile at the Long Pavillion at the top of the resort. The Long Pavillion is the main building that houses reception, a restaurant and bar, library,  plunge pool with views that take your breath away.

You have the option of sitting indoors with floor to ceiling bifold glass windows open to let the ocean breeze waft in or  you can choose to sit alfresco on black and white striped wooden deck chairs that flank either side of an impressive plunge pool that seemingly floats over the edge of the cliff.

Yes please, I would love a glass of champagne. I grin eagerly at my companion ”88” , ‘bubbles’ are a girls best friend.

Johnny from Monterey in Northern California, escorts us down to our private stand alone bungalow. More smiles and 88 wants to give him the first of many hi-fives as we are left to admire and take in what will be our abode for the next two days.

His and hers vanities. Check. Glorious deep free-standing tub. Check. A shower big enough to host a small island delegation. Check. Aesop bathroom gels, soaps and moisturisers. Gold star Qualia.

Our view of the ocean is somewhat obscured by trees, but lying on the cloud-like King size bed I can still see azure blue through the floor to ceiling glass doors that run along the length of the open plan bedroom living area.

Speaking of trees, Johnny informs us that there are 20 full time gardeners employed at Qualia where the hedging alone stretches for over 5 kms. Lots of places for T- Rex to hide out while he lies in wait for unsuspecting holidaying types.

Our over- sized room has all the trappings of modern day living   like wireless internet for us ‘twitterholics’ which sees me setting up  the iPhone and laptop so I can stay connected to the outside world while shutting out the outside world, and we draw ourselves the first of many long baths.

Hamilton Island sits in tropical Queensland which is on the Northern part of the east coast of Australia. Despite our arriving  Mid-winter for our island getaway, the temperature is in the early 20′s and I can feel a warm breeze flowing through the balcony doors as I type in a #GBFeast related tweet to my Twitter friends.

@Bridget_CooKs: View from our bungalow at qualia resort … #GBfeast ahhhhh time to relax : ) http://twitpic.com/27sb9x

The bottle of Verve Clicquot is looking rather lonely in the champagne bucket, best I keep it company as the first of our multiple feast opportunites isn’t starting for a couple of hours. I contemplate taking a ride around the resort in our pimped out golf cart, but the call of the relaxation is too strong to ignore and closing my laptop I allow myself to set adrift on memory bliss.

In this photo: Katie, Mahei and Bridget.

By 630pm, guests are beginning to assemble for pre-dinner drinks and canapes on the mezzanine floor of the Long pavilion with soft ambient light provided by the plunge pool and a delightful duet serenading us through the front doors.

The welcome dinner was designed by Executive Chef in residence Jane-Therese Mulry, who was appointed Marco Pierre White’s first female Head Chef when she was working in his London kitchens.

Juggling a glass, iphone and canapé I  managed to tweet some more.

@Bridget_CooKs: Canapes of cauliflower pannacotta- stunning at #GBFeast… Let the noms begin!!!!

We were treated to a pleasurable 5 course dinner by the Qualia team with wine matching by James Halliday and our highly informative hostess MC for the weekend ~ Sarah Wilson, before we retired back to our bungalow for a surprising night cap.

@Bridget_CooKs: Chocolates on our pillow at qualia were from the x el bulli pastry chef Oriol Balaguer. Hazelnut with poprocks!!! Ooooo yeah!!! #GBFeast

Pop rocks in our chocolate had us reminiscing about when we were kids and the sensation of crackling lollies on your tongue. One more tweet and  a google or two for the Chocolate supplier online and we drift off for a blissful night’s sleep.

Tweet Tweet Tweet, and it wasn’t the birds that woke me up. I started my twitter updates early as the day is going to be huge in the Great Barrier Feast.

Breakfast down the hill on the shores of Pebble Beach before we headed to the resort side of the island for the Electrolux Masterclass with Justin North at the Hamilton Island Yacht club which was to be followed by the Moët and Chandon Lunch. (*Stay tuned for an indepth post of what we ate and how we ate it with the fabulous Justin North)

How “88″ and I managed to squeeze in a swim at the beach-side pool before the degustaion dinner is a mystery, but was an absolute highlight of my Qualia stay as it was winter and I was swimming in an outdoor pool that was perfectly heated to scare off the chills.

Another quick check of Twitter,  confirmed I wasn’t the only one who was able to get in a bit of RnR between meals. Lorraine from Not Quite Nigella, who was also in attendance for the weekend, had created her own magic!

@NotQuiteNigella: Going to watch Girl W The Dragon Tattoo before getting ready for rumoured 6-11 course dinner w Justin North at Qualia #GBFeast …

The rumors were correct and multiple courses later I had only this to say to my slightly bemused online audiance.

Oyster starter

@Bridget_CooKs: Done. Over. Finished. Degustation complete. Stomach complete : ))) #GBFeast

With 88′s arm draped ceremoniously around my shoulders we slowly cruise back to our bungalow content in the knowledge that we had fulfilled our mission.

I had passed the point of no return and even the suggestion of poprock chocolates on my pillow couldn’t entice me to eat anymore. The bed was far to comfortable and the air was sweetly free of background city noises. Sleep was a welcome necessity.

The next morning as the gates closed one last time at Qualia and on our Great Barrier Feast experience with Justin North, I couldn’t help but send off one last message to the twitterverse.

@Bridget_CooKs: its the morning after >>> still full from dinner by @justinbecasse at#GBFeast Thank you justin. INCREDIBLE experience

And that it was, an incredible experience captured and shared with thousands of friends through tweets and updates as they joined me on my Great Barrier Reef journey of culinary delights.

It was our first trip to this part of the world and two days later the genesis of our next trip were under development. There was nothing left to do but to fly on out of here.

The next Great Barrier Feast has just been announced for November 201o, and if this is anything to go by, you won’t want to miss it! Click here for details.

Cheers!

Prost!

Gan bei!

Okole maluna!

Cin cin!

Shucram!

One of my all time favorite online newspapers the ‘ Huffington Post’ has named  me as one of  “10 World Class Chefs on Twitter Who make it Sizzle” in a post by 2morrowknight on the 2nd October 2009.

To be included amongst such an auspicious group of individuals is a true honor and I feel privileged to be able to pass the above link on to you.

I’ll drink to that!

photo by Nicolas.boullosa

The increase in interest of cooking and dining has seen the humble chef lifted to elevations of celebrity status, with the hungry masses hanging off their every turn of the whisk and flip of the pan.

From the depths of our steamy kitchens has arisen celebrity giants that can hold their own on the fluffiest red carpets in the world.

No longer is the dark ‘dungenous’ confines of the commercial kitchen the home of toiling magicians.

They are creating stunning high gloss cookbooks, making entertaining cooking shows with prime time positioning, traveling the world conducting masterclasses and speaking engagements. Nowadays, much to the delight of the millions of tweeters globally, these chefs  have active twitter accounts.

If you love food or even like it slightly, following some..or all of these cooking geniuses will inspire salivation and give you the insider tips on what our favorite food heroes are cooking up today.

Want to follow them all at once? Clink on this link >>  TweepML lists and follow the prompts!

Antonio Carluccio

Twitter ID @CookCarluccio

Web  antonio-carluccio.com

The Godfather Of Italian Gastronomy, Antonio Carluccio is a master craftsmen, lover and fine purveyor of the beautiful cuisine of Italy. He has written 13 cookbooks including  ‘ A passion for Pasta‘ and ‘Carluccio’s Complete Italian Food‘ and has been championing Italian culinary delights for over 50 years.

As well as countless Television appearances including the wildly popular ‘Antonio Carluccio’s Sourthern Italian Feast’ Antonio was given  an Italian knighthood in 1998 and in 2007 was awarded an honorary OBE.

Rick Bayless

Twitter ID @Rick_Bayless

Web rickbayless.com

American Chef Rick Bayless’s commitment to Mexican food has been described by the New York Times as ‘ the greatest contribution to the Mexican table imaginable’

This busy chef and restaurateur has a number of restaurants in Chicago, has written several cookbooks including ‘Mexico- One plate at a time’ where the PBS show of the same name is well into its fifth season.

A committed ambassador of authentic Mexican cuisine, Rick has been awarded many prestigious awards including ‘Chef of the year’ ‘Humanitarian of the year’ and  recently he went head to head with some of the best celebrities chefs in America on Top Chef where he was awarded the grand prize of Top Chef Master in August 2009.

Jamie Oliver

Twitter ID @jamie_oliver

Web jamieoliver.com

We are all familiar with the lovely lad from Essex~ Jamie Oliver with the enduring lisp and bee stung bottom lip. When Jamie leaped on to the stage he took being a celebrity chef into a whole new stratosphere.

With a growing restaurant empire,  multiple books, television shows, live stage shows,The Jamie Magazine and a rather spiffy looking website Jamie’s presence on twitter only solidifies his place as one of the hottest and most sort after celebrity chefs on the planet.

Curtis Stone

Twitter ID @curtis_stone

Web curtisstone.com

According to People magazine, Curtis Stone is one of the sexist men alive! Hailing from Australia this celebrity chef is barnstorming his way across the US with his popular reality cooking show Take home chef.

Curtis cut his teeth as a young apprentice chef in some of the toughest cooking environments in Europe, having spent some of that time in the kitchen of the legendary Marco Pierre White.

As well as cooking shows, Stone has  written several cookbooks and has developed a Curtis Stone range of kitchen equipment.

Stephanie Alexander

Twitter ID @GrowCookEat

Web stephaniealexander.com.au

Stephanie Alexander has been at the heart of Australian cuisine since she opened her first restaurant in 1964.

A campaigner for good quality produce from small thoughtful suppliers, she has been instrumental in teaching us ‘down under’ how to eat.

Stephanie’s most popular book The Cooks Companion sits on  many a kitchen shelf as an inspirational bible of culinary terms and endearments. Stephanie is a pioneer of  good food and has been delighting the public for many years with her stylish and delicious creations.

Her latest book Kitchen Garden Companion is an A-Z encyclopedia of how to best use and cook the glorious crops that can be grown from your own kitchen garden. The book coincides with her work with the Kitchen Garden Foundation where their aim is to promote and encourage a pleasurable outdoor food education for young children.

Raymond Blanc

Twitter ID @Raymond_Blanc

Web raymondblanc.com

Master French Chef Raymond Blanc has been mesmerizing diners of his UK restaurants for over 30 years.

With a slew of Michelin stars, awards, accolades and achievements under his apron strings, Raymond has also found time to write cookery books, star in the highly successful BBC reality cooking series called The Restaurant and operate his own Cooking school.

Self taught Chef Blanc is a firm believer in striving for culinary perfection and is a campaigner for the consumption of healthy food as a core competent to family life. He was Awarded an OBE in 2007 from Her Majesty the Queen  for his services in promoting  culinary excellence.

Andrew Zimmern

Twitter ID @andrewzimmern

Web andrewzimmern.com

Chef, traveler, writer and teacher ~ Andrew Zimmern is in search of crazy and bizarre foods.

Host of the sometimes shocking and always highly entertaining travel/cookery show ‘Bizarre Foods‘ Zimmerman is a man on a mission to track down the unusual.. and eat it. Being the  International spokesperson for Pepto-bismol also helps.

Eating what most people wouldn’t has won him fame and fortune with his first book ‘The Bizarre Truth‘   being  released in September 2009.

Rocco DiSpirito

Twitter ID @roccodispirito

Web roccodispiritio.com

Rocco is a Chef, restaurateur and author hailing from Jamaica in Queens. With a strong Italian family up bringing, Rocco injects  Italian flair into his comfort driven  food creations.

DiSpiritio shot to fame from the kitchen of his 3 star New York City restaurant and since went on to star in the reality show ‘The restaurant’ which won him international stardom.

The author of 5 cookbooks and the receiver of many prestigious awards and accolades for his exciting and genuine brand of cooking.

Cat Cora

Twitter ID @catcora

Web catcoracooks.com

Cat made television history in 2005 as the first and only female Iron Chef in kitchen stadium on the ever popular Iron Chef America after making her TV debut 6 years earlier on food networks Melting Pot.

Cora has written several cookbooks and also operates a number of restaurants with her latest acquisition being Kouzinna at Walt Disney World.

Cat  loves  sharing her culinary knowledge and was given the honor of ‘Teacher of the year’ from Bon Apetit Magazine to which she also became Executive chef for the same publication.

As well as operating and overseeing her expanding empire, Cat is the founder and president of ‘Chefs for humanity’ which is an alliance of culinary professionals giving humanitarian aid to help reduce hunger across the world.

Luke Mangan

Twitter ID @lukewmangan

Web lukemangan.com

Luke Mangan is an Australian boy with an impressive portfolio of restaurants spanning the globe from Tokyo to San Francisco. Chef, Author and television star, Mangan is one of Australia’s best known exports.

Luke is due to release his latest cookbook ‘At home and in the mood’ in November 2009 after successfully releasing his own product range- ‘Luke Managan Providores’

Luke travels constantly to meet the demands of his busy international business interests but still finds time to devote his culinary skills to several charitable organizations including The starlight foundation, The Royal Children’s Hospital and The James Beard Foundation.

Captains log… Stargate 4.

The latest installment of this great Chocolate circumnavigation of the globe finds us sweeping through uncharted skies.

Chocolate. Funky?

‘You must be kidding me’, you say. Oh, I couldn’t possibly me more excited to share these recipes with you!

After much salivation and smacking of lips, I have successfully compiled a list of 9 wonders of the chocolate universe, slightly left field, unusual and rather unique.

So to boldly go where no foodie has gone before, try one or try them all! Send the link to your friends and tempt them too with a little chocolate appreciation.

Looking for more chocolate recipes?

To have your cake and eat it too, try 21 of the best  Chocolate cake recipes.

Chocolate Cookies anyone? I have gathered for you a list of 15 fantastic chocolate cookie and biscuit recipes.

For lovers of chocolate and ice cream, you wont want to miss 12 “hot” chocolate ice cream recipes for bookmarking!

Bananas. Chocolate. BBQ. from On Food and Wine

Churro with hot chocolate from Eating Club Vancover

3 minute chocolate cake miracle from The Internet Chef

2 ingredients chocolate mousse from Just Cook It

Special Chocolate covered blueberries from 5 Star Foodie

Chunky double chocolate cheerios from Greedy Gourmet

Chocolate pasta with raspberries from Taste Buddies

Ever so yummy-Seroms inside out smores from Clumbsy Cookie

Ice-cream is exquisite – what a pity it isn’t illegal...
Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet) (1694-1778)
French philosopher.

Your timing couldn’t be better.

You have joined me on a silky chocolate journey that takes in all the beautifully glorious chocolate recipe posts that swim seductively past me in my twitter stream.

I began this Salute to the Chocolate Gods with a post I did last week entitled 21 Twitalicous Chocolate Cake Recipes You Need To Try followed smartly by the next installment so named 15 Twitarific Chocolate Cookie and Biscuit Recipes for Bookmarking

Today’s chocolate episode is a hot little favorite of mine, inspired by my significant other @iconic88 who happens to love the stuff!

Ice cream, ice cream, we all scream for ice cream and combine our love for the cool stuff with our somewhat addictive tendencies towards chocolate and you have a match made in heaven.

Listed below are 12 super star ice cream and cool things recipes from some of the webs finest food bloggers… Enjoy!

Dreamy and Creamy Chocolate Semifreddo by I Shot The Chef

Salted Choc Peanut & Pistachio Ice cream by Canelle et Vanille

Agave Choc Peanut Butter Ice cream by We (heart) Food

Super Easy and delicious Stracciatella Gelato by She Simmers

Banana and Chocolate Frozen Yogurt by Bitchin Camero

Ice Cream Resse Whoppers by Whats Cooking in the Orange Kitchen

Chocolate Spice Praline Ice Cream by Pastry Studio

Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich by One Ordinary Day

Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream Pie by Real Mom Kitchen

Dairy Free and Delicious Chocolate Sherbet by David Lebovitz

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream by The Craving Chronicles

Glorious Chocolate Ice Cream Cupcakes by The Sweetest Kitchen

Welcome to the SECOND installment of The Internet Chef’s Salute to Chocolate!

In our first post , we discovered the virtues of a good Chocolate cake with a wonderfully inspiring list of 21 Twittalicious Chocolate Cake recipes that you need  to try

Today I would like to tempt you even further with a superb collection of Chocolate Cookie, Biscuit and bar recipes that will have you positively swooning from all that Chocolate goodness.

Did I mention that there’s Chocolate in this post!

Thank you to all the wonderful food bloggers who have supplied us with such a virtual feast of Chocolate wonders, and if you like this post, don’t forget to  share the love with your followers and friends.

Chocolate Cookies, Biscuits and Bars.

Coconut Chocolate Chip Blondies from Tracey's Culinary Adventures

Browned Butter Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies from Recipe Girl

Chocolate Frangelico Crinkle Cookies from Daydreamer Desserts

Chocolate Cranberry Cinnamon Biscuits from Fisher Paykel

The Aptly Named Chocolate Wonders from Kitchenista

Moist and Delicious Fudgy Brownie Cookies from Lifes Ambrosia

Chocolate Malted Cookies from Scrumptious Photography

Bailey Irish Cream Brownies from Elizabeth Spice

Chocolate Marshmellow Whoopie Pies from Dinner with Julie

Chocolate Mousse Shortbread Cookies from Ceramic Canvas

Raspberry Macarons with Chocolate Ganache from Pastry Chef by Fire

Chocolate, Peanut butter, Oatmeal Cookies by Dinner & Dessert

Original Toll house Cookies from The Cooking Photographer

Delicious Black Forest Cookies from Taste and Tell

Jakes Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod

Twitter is still setting the airwaves ablaze with its up to the minute topicality  of news, muses and EVERYTHING in between.

You  can have twitter access to celebrities like the beautiful and talented Adventure Girl Stefanie Michaels, or read the thoughts and happenings of  Governor Schwarzenegger from California.

Keep up to date by news aggregators like  CNN or The New York Times,  join in the conversation with  social media expert Pete Cashmore of Mashable and be inspired daily by Chief Happiness Officer, the incredible  iconic88.

When only the BEST will do, Twitter can take you  places that you wouldn’t normally dream possible.

And when only the BEST IN FOOD will do, I have faithfully compiled for you a list of Food blogger stars  that epitomise the twitter philosophy of caring and sharing.

Why?

Well simply BECAUSE, and not limited to the fact that  this group of individuals are engaging and generous with their time and experiences.

They follow back, reply to tweets and are more than happy to share their extensive knowledge.

Their blogs are inspiring and the content is fresh and exciting.

These are real people who share, care and are a positive breath of fresh air with their culinary tweets.

This eclectic bunch of bloggers just make you feel good!

I look forward to a long and happy TW relationship with these fantastic foodies, and have asked Santa Claus for a Twitter foodblogger tweet up  with them ALL real soon.  IMAGINE that...

Deeba of  Passionate about Baking

Twitter ID  @vindee

Deeba sure is passionate about baking!  Her mantra that she cooks by is “Do it from scratch” . A die hard foodie from New Delhi India, she is also a die hard twitter (er) . I meet Deeba some months ago via twitter and since then have been turned on to her blog with its beautiful photography and thoughtful recipe posts.

Deeba puts a lot of energy and heart into everything she does, and our conversations always revolve around our passion for food and her beautiful homeland. Shukriya Deeba!

Jaden of Steamy kitchen

Twitter ID @steamykitchen

Jaden’s blog Steamy Kitchen is a celebration of global flavors. Originally a vehicle for stunning Asian Fare, Jaden decided to extend her blogs repertoire and explore her love of ALL things food.

As well as a celebrated food writer and food photographer, you can  find Jaden on Daytime and Tampa Bay CBS as a television chef. Talented? You bet!

How she finds time to twitter with her friends and fans is incredible, as this incredible women sure is steaming up the airwaves with her brand of food tweets, fun ideas and fabulousness!

Angeli of My Caribbean Food

Twitter ID  @mycaribbeanfood

Living and cooking in London, Angeli’s blog My Caribbean Food is a twist of modern and classic Caribbean food that is spicy,  evocative and highly creative.

Chief cook, mother and  wife to “Shrek” you can read her light hearted humorous posts and outtakes on life like  How to eat Jerk chicken wraps with your whole face… being one of my  favorites.

Angeli is an engaging fellow twitter who’s always happy to chat and share her extensive knowledge on all things Caribbean.

Lorraine of Not Quite Nigella

Twitter ID  @notquitenigella

Lorraine is the creative expertise behind one of the most highly visited blogs in Australia ~ Not Quite Nigella. With a mix of tempting recipes and restaurant reviews, Lorraine is a highly sort after blogger who covers everything from the latest gourmet McDonald’s burger to keeping up with the monthly “daring baker” challenges.

Just as popular on twitter, Lorraine’s updates are always entertaining and fun to read, full of sage advice for the weary gourmand.

Meet Babette from Bakespace

Twitter ID  @bakespace

Babette is the CEO and founder of Bakespace, a recipe site/online community that  is the first  food orientated social network on the internet. With an impressive collection of awards, Babette’s backspace is a great place to read, share and discuss recipes  with other like minded individuals.

An avid tweeter, Babette can be found discussing anything from cotton candy martini’s to the possibility of pancakes on a stick.  Her community at Bakespace extends to her twitter connections where you can share a good laugh and fill up on some fantastic virtual culinary delights.

Debbie of Savory Adventures

Twitter ID  @dolcedebbie

There are many ways for you to have the pleasure of spending time with this great lady. You can join Chef Debbie on her  blog ~ Savory Adventures, watch her on Daytime Tampa Bay Television, attend one of her cooking classes  or take a trip with her and husband Barry as they host luxury culinary adventures to Italy.

If that’s not enough, you can also meet Debbie on Twitter where she still manages to indulge us with her love for food, cooking and teaching.

Rebecca of Thoughts from Becca

Twitter ID  @frombecca

Rebecca is a true foodie in every since of the word!  Her blog ~ Thoughts from Becca is a beautiful collection of her global experiences as a gourmand. With wonderful recipes, many attributed to her beloved Mother, she also peppers her posts with restaurants she has visited, food and cookery musings from a true lover of the finer things in life.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca online when I was still a fledgling tweeter. She showed me the ropes, introduced me to some great people and never fails to stop by and check how I’m going.

Rebecca’s tweets are always positive, warm the heart and feed the soul!

Joy from Gourmet’ed

Twitter ID   @gourmeted

Joy describes her blog ~ Gourmet’ed as the Adventures of two desperate foodies, a mixing of East meets West. The two foodies in question  have put together a stunning site that is full of gorgeous  recipes, food facts, stunning photography and beautiful sentiment.

On Twitter connecting with Joy is purely that, a Joy! She engages and encourages, introducing her followers to many other fabulous foodie friends. She always has a kind word to share and some great food knowledge to tantalize the taste buds.

Susan of Luna Cafe

Twitter ID  @lunacafe

The blog ~ Luna Cafe is a testament to the love and passion that its creators have for food and photography. A smart and delicious looking selection of recipes like Triple lemon doddles with its wonderful step by step photography.

Susan from Luna Cafe describes herself as an enthusiastic epicure, cooking instructor and author and is the creative juices behind what is a beautiful and tempting array of virtual goodies.

Joining Susan on Twitter will be a worthwhile journey of recipe posts, food discussions and foodie friends, where she is always willing to lend a helping hand and suggest something delicious to eat.

Amanda of Amanda’s Cookin

Twitter ID   @amandascookin

Amanda’s  skills and talents as a webmaster are evident in the blog she has created ~ Amanda’s cookin. An avid baker and self confessed cooking fanatic this Mom of 4 brings us helpings of delicious recipes to whet the appetite and inspire creation.

Amanda’s cake recipes are a tear jerky to the sweet toothed ones amongst us with creations like 4 layered Chocolate dabbled Pumpkin Cake sure to make you shed a tear.

Tweeting with Amanda is always a pleasure as she shares with her followers loads of interesting recipe posts, foodie finds and family favorites. Always engaging and happy to share a smile and a tweet, Amanda is a  true twitter superstar!

photo by lu_lu

For some of you reading this, the fact that I’m a HUMONGOUS (ie uber huge)  twitter fan will come as no great shock.

I am constantly singing its praises and tweeting about the joy that it brings to so many.

I began a couple of blog streams with twitter in mind including 5 powerful ways Twitter can help you eat better and the top 25 recipe posts on Twitter you just have to know.

I have meet some amazing people, eaten incredible food, followed some outstanding recommendations and shared some hilarious moments with other dear freinds thanks to this incredible social networking  tool.

I get real time news updates, tweet about trending world topics with people all over the globe,  and read and collect 1000′s of recipes for an outrageously good online cookbook… watch this space!

Seriously, if your not on Twitter… what are you waiting for???

One such Twitter buddy that I have been tweeting with @2morrowknight from Tacoma Washington has been a constant positive force.

An author of children’s books, community activist, college lecturer and Internet strategist for the Obama presidential campaign, he also happens to be a total foodie!

His latest blog post…10 Awesome chefs on Twitter (You need to follow) has yours truly listed amongst an awe inspiring group of Chefs.

I feel very honored and fortunate to be included with this auspicious group whom I faithfully follow and enjoy sharing the twitterverse with.

So lets keep sharing the love and spreading the twitter goodness.

In the words of one great twitter force and my source of my inspiration @iconic88-

Twitter success = sharing, caring, retweeting, being yourself, being positive with a dash of humor.

Tweet y’all soon!

The Healthy Snack

From the depths of one small metal box covered with slender calved pink fairies and wistful looking princesses, I endeavour to supply my culinarily adventurous 7  year old daughter Coco with an  appetizing array of healthy snack lunch offerings for her to take to school each day.

I have discovered that the more ambitious  we become with the daily delights, the more disappointed we end up  by whats available on our supermarket shelves.

A trip to my local supermarket, recycled canvas bag in hand, had me tripping and fumbling my way through a product list on the back of a granola bar that contained no less than 39 separate ingredients.  I thought I was buying a cereal bar not a tub of polyunsaturated  cholesterol free omega enriched low salt margarine.  Healthy snack? I think not.

As I’m not one that normally sports a scientist in my handbag when I go to the grocery store whom is able to tell me what raising agents 170  and food acid 296 are doing shacked up together in my cereal bar alongside a mountain of sugar and a truck load of fat (breathe breathe), I decided that what’s best for me and little Miss Coco is a matter of refining and simplifying the snack  process.

So in times of great inspirational need, I find myself chatting with fellow foodie friends on twitter like @dragonskitchen and @figandcherry and visiting my favourite Internet food blogs to help me collect a beautiful selection of healthy snack recipes that I can now share with you in all there wholegrain glory.

I have avoided recipes that are high in fat, sugar and anything artificial or plastic sounding, as well as trying to keep it interesting and palate exciting for who is now a mighty pleased wee scholar.

Microwave potato chips by Nooschi

Baked masala vadai- Chef In You

Baked chicken buns- Cafe Nilson

Fruited muffins- Dishing Up Delights

Bento box ideas- Soy and Pepper

Watermelon pops by The Hungry Housewife

Apples and nutella by Taste Duds

4 ingredients Granola bars- Kiss My Spatula

Peanut butter honey bars- Active Life Cooking

Nut free granola bars by Vegan Visitor

Potato chips- The Good Mood Food Blog

Healthy chocolate cake by Healthy Indulgences

Corn and black pepper crackers- NYtimes

Monkey bars by Healthy Tasty Chow

Popcorn snack mix- Latest Addictions

Oatmeal Almond Cookies- ZOMTbakes

Roasted Pepitas-The Brassica Diaries

Smoothie roll up by Veggie Wedgie

Banana choc granola bars- Bitchincamero

Roasted Chickpeas by The Sweetest Kitchen

Golden beet chips by Foodista

Multigrain energy bars- Wholegrain Gourmet

Superfood your popcorn by Veggie Wedgie

Garlic Edamame by The Cooking of Joy

Cinnamon spiced dates by Veggie Wedgie

Smoky cashew nuts by Dana Treat

Oat Fig Bars from Artsy Foodie

Granola Bars by The Sugarshop

Apple chips by Food Lovers Journal

Homemade snack bars by Food 4 Tots

If you love our posts, please Nominate Bridget Davis for a social media award in the Shorty Awards