I haven't had a particularly adventurous week in the kitchen, so sorry if the title of this post led you to think I was going to show you some MasterChef-worthy creations to drool over.

Nope, first I just stewed some apples to have in my porridge.

I wanted to get back into eating this rib-sticking winter breakfast, but in order to make it palatable, you tend to need heaps of sugar/honey/milk, which negates any health benefits.

Many years ago, I struck upon the idea of sweetening it with stewed apples.

Stewing apples is really as simple as falling over.

Step 1. Peel and core 4 granny smith apples.

Step 2. Dice (next I'll teach you how to suck eggs…)

Step 3. Put in a small saucepan. Add about 1 tablespoon of water. Place lid on, but askew to let steam escape. Or else you'll end up with a very messy stove.

Step 4. Cook over low-med heat, checking periodically, for about 10-15 minutes, until apples are soft and mushy.

I don't add sugar and I find the natural fruit sugars make this more than sweet enough for my taste. If you don't think you'd like it without sugar, just give it a go… for me? If I'm not right you can always add sugar later.

Then I just pop it in Tupperware and add about a heaped tablespoon to my porridge, and a splash of milk…. yummmmm!

***

So what else has been happening in the kitchen?

Well, today I baked some more of those evil banana choc chip mini muffins, to take as snacks to a games night tonight. But you've already seen photos of those, so I won't repost.

But I will show you the sole function of the iPad in my life.

As a recipe book.

Yep.

Could I get less excited about new technology?

Nope.

Mr K, on the other hand, still hasn't tired of his new girlfriend and spends 90% of his time loving it and ignoring me

But as a nifty electronic recipe book, it rocks my world. No more printing out recipes. I save trees.

It would be even more fantastic if there was a holder I could attach to the fridge or the wall, so it didn't take up any of our postage-stamp-sized bench space.

Inventors, go and invent!

***

I've been craving chai a lot lately, and have been going through a process of trial and error.

With lots of error.

Twinings = dishwater. Possibly even diluted dishwater.

Sorry, Twinings. I love everything else you do, but Light Flavour Strength really is overstating it.

Then I tried this Lipton's sugar packet.. I mean.. Chai Latte sample I got in the mail.

When I came to after my diabetic swoon, I carefully brushed my teeth and scratched that one off my list.

Then, upon recommendation from friends who swore they'd tried every chai blend there was and settled on Planet Organic's as the best, I bought it.

Um, S and N… I'm going to do a blind taste test with the Twinings and Planet Organic and see if you can taste the difference. No, really. That bad. I'm gifting my packet to you!

Out of desperation, I dug out an ancient unopened packet of Byron Chai that expired at the end of 2008. It's so old, I bought it back when Macro Wholefoods was fairly new. And they don't even exist anymore.

Yep, danger's my middle name.

Bajingo! We have a winner.

A three-and-a-half year old packet of chai kicks all the other's butts.

It's strong, it's spicy, it's tasty. It's not 99.9% sugar. It's everything that a chai tea blend should be.

With a drizzle of honey, I'm finally in chai heaven.

And I hope like hell they're still making it. I just couldn't face another discontinued favourite this year.

xx Kiki

You may also like: