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Meringue with drunken strawberries & pepper

22 Dec

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This recipe is perfect for Christmas and I’ll tell you why:

It combines a few different building blocks which means you can adjust the quantity to suit numbers.

It allows you to make the elements in advance and assemble just before serving, meaning less stress and more chat.

If guests don’t like strawberries they can just have the meringue. Or vice versa.

The colours are reminiscent of Christmas.

It is easy – let’s face it, by December, when Chrissy get-togethers are in full swing, you need something that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen using every utensil you own.

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Donna Hay rum & raisin Christmas cookies

19 Dec

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These are the cookies Santa is waiting for each Christmas Eve as he frantically makes his journey across the planet on his sleigh.

Rich, chunky, chocolatey and with a hint of rum they will give Mr Claus a much needed energy fix to help him keep on keeping on. The oats will help his cholesterol levels after all those other treats he has snacked on during his journey and the rum will soothe his weary bones. Continue reading

The best custard from scratch

14 Dec

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At Christmas you NEED this recipe in your repertoire. At Easter you need it. Heck, I doubt you’ll ever regret learning how to make the easiest, most luscious vanilla-speckled custard from scratch (unless you are a custard fan and this recipe pushes you into full blown addiction).

I have tried many, many custard recipes over the years and I can say, hand on heart, that this is the easiest and best. It is true and real and the sort of finishing touch that desserts such as apple pie, crumble or even just ice-cream benefits from.

As well as tasting incredible it is faff-free and easy as 1 2 3. Continue reading

Home-made berry and meringue icecream

7 Dec

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As I’ve mentioned before, summer and I are not friends. I don’t like heat, humidity, flies, insects, sweating. Obviously I shouldn’t be living in steamy Sydney but here I am. And as much as I adore baking it is sometimes just too damn hot to turn the oven.

That’s where this beauty of a dessert comes in. I found the recipe in a back issue of the wonderful delicious magazine and had, serendipitously, made meringues a few days earlier. Continue reading

Chocolate peppermint squares

1 Dec

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I admit: chocolate peppermint is my least favourite flavour combo. I know, I know – I can hear your howls of protests from here. This unorthodox position has lead to at least two people questioning the fact that we could possibly be friends. On the plus side, I am the best person to share a box of choc with, as I will insist that you have the peppermint filling. No really – it is all yours…

These squares, or slice as we Antipodeans call it, are chock full of pepperminty pleasure. You can, of course, adjust the mintiness by adding more or less flavouring. Continue reading

Passionfruit bars

1 Oct

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Nothing says fresh and zingy like passionfruit. Those who know me know that I have a dislike of fruit bordering on the pathological but for some reason I do enjoy passionfruit in baked goods. Misses 6 and 8 are my opposite – they adore fresh fruit, but actively dislike passionfruit in baked goods. Sigh. Continue reading

Orange madeleines with Cointreau

27 Sep

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Does anything spell afternoon tea more than a madeleine? These pretty little delicacies never fail to impress, although they are embarrassingly easy to make. I’ve got a few madeleine recipes on my site as I love making them and they are always well received. To make the real McCoy you will need a traditional pan, readily available from home ware stores. Continue reading

Baked chocolate donuts with chocolate glaze

22 Sep

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I am utterly enamoured with my mini donut baking pan. The holes are teeny tiny, resulting in a fairy-sized morsel that it irresistible. Whenever the baking urge strikes I often start with the pan and work backwards, searching for a worthy recipe. I have now found my ‘go to’ recipe for mini chocolate donuts, thanks to the lovely blog mysanfranciscokitchen.com

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Rosemary chocolate chip cookies / biscuits

2 Sep

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I have written before about my wonderful rosemary bush, which thrives despite the neglect we show it. It is vibrant, green, and always happy to provide a sprig or two whenever we deign to visit it. Poor tree.

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These rosemary choc chip biscuits (as we call them) or cookies (for my American readers) are amazing: a bewitching combination of savoury and sweet. They marry perfectly with a cuppa or a glass of something stronger (don’t worry – I won’t tell anyone.) Continue reading

Rum baked donuts / doughnuts with booze

20 Aug

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