Cheekyricho YouTube Madeleines

A sweet little lady called Joelle has asked me to make a Madeleine recipe. These delicate crisp little buttery classic french sponge cakes require the use of a Madeleine pan. Specialty kitchen stores stock them but they are expensive. I bought this one from a kitchen warehouse and had a couple of practice runs before coming up with this version. We are really happy with the result. They are very pretty and taste magnifique.  If you have a Madeleine pan or can get one , these little cakes are a definite must try recipe. Best eaten freshly made with coffee or chocolat they are traditionally dipped into the hot drink, feel free to dust them with icing sugar or simply enjoy them as they are. Either way they are a tea time treat not to be missed.

Cheekyricho artesian heated Spa trip day three Lightning Ridge

Day three and we headed off to Lightning Ridge, the home of the black opal. Richo likes to travel the back roads, he reckons there's more wild life and scenery to see. This actually was a short cut by about 50 kms but I think it took a lot longer because the road was rutted, corrugated and in a poor state of repair as a result of recent rains. We did see emus, kangaroos, red and grey varieties, wild goats and plenty of dead wild pigs. The following 2 photos depict the view from the car park of the Lightning Ridge Bore, Emus happily grazing oblivious to the Armada of motor homes and vehicles entering and exiting the car park. The facilities are new and clean with hot tiled inside showers and pool side cold showers. There is a baby pool, covered seating and picnic tables. There is no camping here but the caravan parks are close and reportedly modern, clean and first class. We didn't stay here though. We had a swim, there are plenty of good stable entry steps to the pool and you can walk around easily in the water. They are the largest so far and you could swim easily EXCEPT they are so hot. The water ranges from 41.5-46 degrees celsius. You cannot stay in for very long and the cold wind is welcome when you get out. After about an hour of immersion we both had a headache my ankle had swollen to a shiny purple skin taut football shape and I felt sick. Another bather said"are these baths supposed to make you feel good?" He was told "yes!" To which he replied "I feel bloody crook! Look at me I'm half cooked like a bloody lobster !" It was quite funny but he had a red tide mark on his body from chest height down where he had been in the hot water. He looked terrible and said he was going to have a lie down. We soaked my near splitting ankle in cold water until the swelling subsided and it was a blotchy colour of white and red and headed into town. 

We went to our favorite crazy shop that carries everything you could imagine from quality camping, hardware, cookware, clothing, beauty products, craft etc etc etc all at prices cheaper than eBay. We bought a hose reel and stainless steel bucket (because Richo took the camp bucket out to wash the car and forgot to put it back !!) have I mentioned the Doona Yet??? The aisles are so paked and crowded it was a feat negotiating the shop on my knee scooter. Then off to the new IGA where we had a complimentary cup of coffee and replenished our bread and meat supplies. Of all the places I bought 2x2kg jars or Maraschino Cherries, I have been looking for these for months and was on the verge of buying them online from overseas, yet, here they were, in this tiny town in outback Australia, so expect to see them in some cocktail and dessert recipes in the future on our YouTube channel. 

We considered having another swim and went back to the baths just on dark and it was full, there must have been 80-100 people in there, not in the water, too hot for that, just sitting around the edge in the steam. I didn't think my ankle could stand another dip so we headed off towards Walgett. In the few kilometers leaving town there were at least 100 kangaroos, great mobs of them grazing at the roadside or crossing the road. They are unpredictable and big and fast,  just this morning we clocked one doing 60kms an hour alongside the road inside a fence. You don't want to hit one in your car, it would be disastrous for the 'Roo and the  van!

So we made camp along the way and were blessed with a visit from some idiots who did a burn out around us before fish tailing off down the road. Just goes to show there are morons everywhere!

Burren Junction Bore Baths Day two of our Spa Crawl

A short distance away (about 80kms or so ) is the tiny settlement if Burren Junction. The bore baths here are quite deep about 1.8m with a concrete island in the middle. Some people camp here for 4 months around winter. There is a courtesy bus to take you the short distance to town. There is a club and people at the camp organise markets days. Cakes get delivered twice a week. You can get a haircut on site. There is a hot bore shower and flushing toilets. Animals are permitted but not in the baths area. There is lighting for night bathing and the water is cooler by a degree or two than at Pilliga. Where the bore water enters the baths the water is quite warm , however, around the far side  of the concrete island it is much cooler. Even though the baths are large and it is possible to swim around the circle, bathers tend to congregate at the steps where the water is warmest. It's depth precludes effective walking or excercises and the people huddled at the steps inhibit the ability to do laps. Entry and exit points are strong and reliable although I did find the surrounds a bit slippery to get about using crutches

The baths are not protected from the elements but there is covered seating with tables and chairs. Each camp site appears to have a water tap and camping and bathing is free. There are flushing toilets which are not in as good a state of cleanliness or repair as Pilliga baths but they are light years ahead of the disgusting pit toilets favoured by most government departments these days.

The car park and campground is red dirt and whilst the rainfall in the area is low any rain would quickly turn this area into a quagmire, making it very difficult to move about without getting covered in mud.

It was wonderful to have a swim here and  we can understand its popularity.

Pilliga Bore Baths day one of our spa crawl

Day one of our SpaCrawl, starting off with Pilliga Bore Baths. These baths are filled with naturally heated 38 degrees celsius, mineral rich water . This water is constantly running from hundreds of metres underground where it is heated by the earth. Flows into a specially constructed pool which has steps, rails, overhead lighting and a roof. Whilst open on all sides soaking in the warm waters is supposed to be beneficial for those suffering from arthritis and various joint wear, stiffness and damage. Visits are free and open 24 hours. Some people have been camping in the free campground for months at a time. It is seriously in the middle of nowhere and I was disheartened when we approached and found the camp ground packed with campers, caravans, tents and motorhomes ranging in sizes from modest to magnificent. Last week they had 30mm(just over an inch) of rain. The dirt car park and campground bears the deep dried wheel ruts of recently departed campers, either by choice or necessity. We were told "if it rains get out quick!" Sound advice from an experienced  camper who had been stuck for days in puggy red sticky clay. No doubt a very unpleasant experience. About 1 km from the baths is the Pilliga Cafe, make sure you visit and partake in the works burger. And share a serve of chips. Then don't plan to eat anything for a couple of days. Fresh, fast and fabulous. Hats off to the friendly little girls who cooked our lunch.

Camping at Glen Innes minus 8 degrees celsius.

When we arrived last night there was already frost on the ground, that was a fair sign we were in for a cold night.

By morning our suspicions were confirmed. Ice inside the van on the windows and anything metal. The van is insulated with block our curtains and Richo and have lined most internal surfaces with headliner material (fluffy stuff, not Austin Powers fluffy but warm and comforting) its warmer inside the fridge at the moment!

Portia the chihuahua at age 14 and a half has developed a drinking problem. Frantic bursts of guzzling are quickly followed by regurgitating most of what she drank. So imagine her utter disgust when the water bowl is frozen solid, can't be replenished cos the tanks solid too.

That's not snow, too cold for that, what you see are frozen ice crystals inside and out on the front screen until about 10 am. Normally we park facing east so the rising sun melts the frost as soon as it is able. We couldn't park this way as the exit would've definitely been to icy to leave until the frost thawed. 

Yep that's -5 degrees inside, minus 8 outside. Camera, gps, phone all shut down with the cold, even the butane gas cans wouldn't light. So cold cereal with CADA, yoghurt and orange juice for breakfast. Luckily it was kept from freezing by storing in the fridge.

Finally warmed the camera in a pocket and then had ample time to take photos because the car wouldn't start. Frozen diesel seems to have been the culprit. Richo kept leaving the door open and the icy wind whistled through the van. This is the same person who thought a Doona was surplus to our needs. The requests to shut the door became less and less friendly until he was threatened with being locked out. Seems his sense of humour wasn't frozen but his reasoning ability definitely was. We sent him off fishing, he didn't catch anything and came back soon after. Door open again!!! You have got to be kidding! By now even Tilly was giving him dirty looks, At least that worked and he finally left the door shut.

On the road again

We have decided to do the Artesian Spa Tour of mid western New South Wales. Richo reckons I always pack too much gear, this time necessity dictated he do the packing. This will be a swimming trip, soaking in mineral rich warm waters heated deep within the earth and piped to the surface purported to have many therapeutic benefits for arthritis sufferers, weary travellers and people such as myself recuperating from an injury. This trip has been in the planning since before my surgery. It will be a swimming pool crawl from one 35degrees plus spa to another. I packed 3 swimming costumes for the trip Richo forgot his! It's a SWIMMING trip!

For some reason he decided a trip to the mountains, where anticipated night time temperatures were to be sub zero degrees, didn't require the inclusion of warm bedding. No Doona or warm fluffy sheets. By morning,where the temperature inside the motor home was 1 degrees Celsius, every available source of warmth was piled high on top, including beach towels. It was not just the air temp that was frosty. Looks like he has been sacked from another job, he doesn't like packing, I wonder how much  of this was planned???

Richo insisted I use the word bulky when describing my sensible choice of bedding. I told him they dont call it a comforter for nothing!

And yes that is frost on the ground.

Scotch Eggs cheekyricho tutorial

I hate sausage mince in Scotch Eggs, it's so greasy , full of preservatives they taste terrible cold and repeat on you all day. Even the egg tastes like sausage mince when they use it. Our scotch eggs are very low in fat, containing heart smart pork mince, fresh eggs, Panko breadcrumbs and fresh oil. It's an economical family recipe that holds it's shape very well due to the technique we use and best of all they are just as yummy hot or cold, making them ideal for picnics and lunch boxes. Revisit your childhood and make some cheekyricho Scotch Eggs http://youtu/be.UQ3YxdTrbJQ

3 ingredient Baked Cheesecake

This is my mothers favourite Cheesecake sort of a modified version of our ever popular Japanese Cotton Cheesecake but a much more simplified version. Very economical serves 10 with a low carb delicious moist melt in the mouth delight. Serve it straight up or dress it some warm banana and strawberry compote. Either way this ones a keeper. Check out the simple recipe in our cheekyricho YouTube channel http://youtu.be/R39OoQtbj9U

Thermochef recipes, Thermo cookers (playlist)

We finally got around to grouping our ever growing list of thermochef recipes into one playlist. With more than 315 video recipes which is increasing all the time. We think it is the largest most comprehensive list of ThermoChef recipes from any one private channel on YouTube.  Easy step by step instructions many from scratch, tips, hints, ideas, methods and variations on your old family favorites. Something for everyone. If you ever considered buying one of these machines, the ease of use with the delicious, healthy results demonstrated here may help you with your decision. The money you will save on home made foods without the need for processed and pre packaged foods will pay for your investment in no time. Make the absolute most of fresh produce when its cheap, plentiful and in its prime. Preserve for later use, save waste and reduce your carbon footprint by shopping locally and using locally grown produce. Become a Locavore and embrace healthy living at the same time. Come join our journey, subscribe to our cheekyricho YouTube channel this is only about a third of our content, we have so much more to show. You wouldn't want to miss a single episode. In the coming weeks we have a surprise for you,  you will have to wait, we are very excited about our latest cheekyricho project. We think you will like it too.

Dirty Rice Tefal Actifry Recipe

The Tefal Actifry is designed to cook 1 kilogram of chips in a dessert spoon full of fresh oil of your choice to absolute perfection. Did you know it is so versatile you can cook entire meals in a short period of time with little or no effort on your part? This is our version of a savoury rice dish also known as Dirty Rice. Traditionally cooked with chicken livers, it is a signature dish from the southern states of America. I was unable to get chicken livers for this dish, feel free to add them with the mince if you wish. This is a hearty low fat meal that serves four people so it's really economical as well. Check out the video recipe on our cheekyricho YouTube channel.

Lactose Free Sweetened Condensed Milk made in the stovetop

One of our most popular cheekyricho YouTube video recipes is Sweetened Condensed Milk made in the Thermochef. We have received so many requests from people wanting to make this without using aThermochef. Along with requests for more Lactose Free recipes we decided to combine the 2. Check out our cheekyricho YouTube channel for how to make Lactose Free Condensed milk on the stove top. Using 25% less sugar than our regular recipe there is no reason to miss out on creamy desserts and icecreams just because Lactose and you aren't friends. Another 2 ingredient recipe.

2 ingredient Chocolate Mousse

What if I told you it was possible to make creamy, fluffy, decadently  rich chocolate Mousse using just 2 ingredients? Can't be done? What if I told you one of those ingredients was tap water? Now before you send the guys with the big white jackets that do up at the back collect me, check out the video recipe on our cheekyricho YouTube channel. It's all in the technique and it tastes great. Your next fancy dinner party dessert just got ridiculously easy.

Co-yo. How to make Coconut Yoghurt

We have had a lot of requests for Lactose free recipes. Using just 2 ingredients and no special equipment you can make this mild tasting dairy free yoghurt that can used in curries, smoothies or desserts. Full of all the good probiotic goodness found in regular dairy yoghurt. Even non yoghurt lovers enjoy this delightfully simple creamy coconut   yoghurt. Check it out on our cheekyricho YouTube channel. Your tummy and taste buds will thank you ;-))