rebatch...remill...reuse...revive....

I had made up a batch of Ylang Ylang, Bergamot and Lime olive oil soap a few weeks ago (ignore the pineapple people, it's got nothing to do with this!) - unfortunately I didn't think the aroma came across strongly enough to grab peoples attention.
So I decided to try my hand at 'remilling' the soap so I could add more essential oils.
This can be done to help 'salvage' poorly cured soaps or even on purpose (heard of triple milled soap?) to refine the texture of the soap to make it smoother and lusher.
The good news is it's pretty easy to do.... the bad news is you've got to get out the cheese grater and elbow grease!

The soap balls grated down really easily, and it was interesting to find that my right arm was a wimp compared to my left! I think I got through 3 balls with my right before it cried 'uncle' but 13 with my left and it was still raring to go! Must be my past life in hospitality coming back - all those plates I carried!

Will have to see how they turn out when I roll them (again!). For some more information about 'rebatching' check out Inner Earth Soaps blog entry here.

Wrapping things up....

Have been wanting to get around to this for awhile - especially since I started making the hand rolled Olive Oil soaps.

Thinking of the best way to present and package the soaps, I wanted to keep it in the 'rustic' theme - the soaps are not perfectly round or even, so I didn't think the packaging should be ultra 'glam' either.

Muslin..... how simple it that?!

It also means the soaps can continue to air out and customers can easily smell the fragrances as well.

Thanks goodness that muslin is really cheap to buy - the only fun is cutting out all the squares!!!

Still curing are the Orange and Sandalwood soaps and a second batch of the Ylang Ylang, Bergamot and Lime soaps.

I''ve been playing with the recipe as well and have also done up a batch using a portion of coconut oil in with the olive. That batch is another Lavender and Geranium too. Just rolled them today in lavender flowers - can't wait till I can start trying them all!

yummy, yummy, in my tummy....

Can you believe it?
Easter.... it's here...again!!!

It has come around quickly this year and hubby and I find ourselves caught out - no plans, no eggs, no sentimental easter cards with bunnies on them....

But I feel I may just have redeemed myself with these little beauties!

Called my Mum yesterday (as you do in situations like this) and asked for a recipe for some chocolate goodies - she came back with this.

Nice and easy, a one bowl recipe, my kind of cooking!

Chocolate Balls (of Joy)

375g Chocolate (I used Milk, but Dark would be yummy too!)

80g butter, cubed

1cp Fruit Mince (I'm not a fan of Fruit Mince, so I chopped up dried Apricots, Prunes and Cherries)

1/2cp Almonds, chopped (I used whole Almonds, but I think next time I will used slivered and maybe toast them too)

Coatings (I used cocoa, coconut and toasted sesame seeds)

Melt chocolate over a double boiler, add in butter one cube at a time and heat till smooth

Add in chopped nuts and fruit and mix well

Allow to cool for 1 hour

Roll into small balls and coat

Leave to cool and ENJOY!

The finished product.... I have been doing some quality testing and I can say from firsthand experience.... YUM!!!