Christmas baking week - Gingerbread feast!

Here is the second part of my Christmas baking week : Gingerbread men!

What would the Christmas holiday be without the smell of delicious wintery spices of cakes and mulled wine in the house?! As I looked for the perfect recipe I realized that most recipes use molasses which I am not too fond of, therefore I use Lyle's golden syrup (previously used in this recipe). 

Gingerbread men are also a delicious treat to bring to the office and they can also make a fun decoration for your Christmas tree!

*Recipe here 

*Spices used for the gingerbread men: ground ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon*

*Make holes before cooking them if you wish to hang them on your Christmas tree*

*A perfect treat to bring to the office (labels designed by me and can also be found here)*

Exotic smoothie with Tapioca Pearls

The Tapioca Pearl drinks are conquering the world, I haven't seen much of these in Europe yet (except for London and Paris) but every time I go to L.A it is a must for me to stop at Urth Cafe for breakfast to drink my green tea Boba (Tapioca).

Needless to say that here in Asia everyone goes crazy for these little pearls that taste like less sweet gummy bears and they tend to be found in many ice-tea based drinks, smoothies and desserts.

Here is my own Tapioca Pearl drink : Mango smoothie with a dash of Passion Fruit and a sprinkle of Japanese Matcha Green Tea powder

... and you thought getting your 5 a day was not so delicious ;)  

Recipe:

*Cook the Tapioca Pearls for about 15mins in boiling water then turn the heat off, cover and leave to rest for another 15mins

*Drain the pearls and rinse under cold water, subsequently add some sugar syrup or honey and sweeten to taste ( I use Lyle's Golden Syrup)

*Blend the Mango and a little ice in a food processor until smooth

*Place the pearls in the bottom of the glass and add the mango smoothie

*Add the Passion Fruit and mix with a spoon 

*Sprinkle some Japanese Matcha Green Tea powder

Et Voilà! Enjoy ;)

*Tapioca Pearls sweetened with Lyle's Golden Syrup*

*Japanese Matcha Green Tea powder*

*Mango smoothie with a dash of Passion Fruit, a sprinkle of Matcha Green tea and Tapioca Pearls*