Posts tagged Dessert
Coconut Flour - A Gluten Free Alternative
Coconut Flour - A Gluten Free Alternative

Coconut Flour.  

 

A pain in the arse to bake with, but when you get the combination right....oh my!

 

One of the first struggles I encountered when I took gluten from my diet was the vast array of "gluten-free" alternatives out there.  The supermarket shelves these days are packed to the brim with them and I found it hard to decipher between those that were actually nourishing and helpful to my body, and those that are synthetic, processed, bleached and potentially contain gut irritating soy products.  Clever marketing can be very persuasive.

 

I don't know about your story or reasons for going gluten free, however removing gluten from my diet was for health reasons, so I certainly didn't want to then start adding all that crap into my body, just because it didn't contain gluten.

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Recipe, Thyroid Health, Gut HealthLeighGluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, Dairy-Free, Grain-Free, Dessert, Thyroid Health 1, Paleo2
Rose + Le Labo !
Rose + Le Labo !

Rose.  

It can help regulate and balance hormone production throughout the body, and has an aroma that can keep you charged and feeling happy. It promotes circulation, takes care of the heart, reduces blood pressure and can help with asthma, dehydration and various other infections.

So when walking down Elizabeth Street in New York one fine Winter's day, our noses led us to an oasis hidden amongst the metal fire escapes.  

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Recipe, TravelChit Chat ChompNew York, Dessert
Baked Figs + Strawberries
Baked Figs + Strawberries

It's no secret that I'm a fan of the cookbook Love Bake Nourish by Amber Rose, so when she released her new book Nourish, in collaboration with 2 of her talented friends, I was first in line.

Nourish is not your typical cookbook as it's split into 3 sections.  The first section (I'm being honest) is my favourite as it's filled with gorgeous fresh recipes by Amber.  The other 2 sections cover health and nourishment for the mind, body and soul.  This book gives tips, tricks, solutions and answers for getting your health back into shape, stilling your mind and just simply maintaining a positive and happy outlook.  It's simply stunning.

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Cookbook, RecipeChit Chat ChompCookbook, Sugar-Free, Dessert, Paleo3, Vegan2
Christmas Cake !
Christmas Cake !

Plump, boozy dried fruit, glace cherries and nuts.  All the things I loved in the Christmas cakes of my past.  The denser and the darker the better.  Cake that would (and could) last for months (if I didn't eat it sooner).  And cake that stayed moist without the need for refrigeration.

My body and taste buds may no longer be able to tolerate these sweet fruit cakes of my youth, but I still have a need (and a desperate want) for a boozy, spicy and dense sliver of cake to sit proudly and lovingly alongside my cup of tea on Christmas day.

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RecipeChit Chat ChompChristmas, Gluten-Free, Dessert, Sugar-Free10, Dairy-Free1, Chocolate
WARNING: Contains Sugar!
WARNING: Contains Sugar!

I try not to push my sugar beliefs onto those around me.  However, sometimes I find it hard to keep my big mouth shut, but I do like to believe that I rant and rave out of love. 

I usually just get an eye roll in return.

So being the wonderful friend that I am, I did bring along a sweet treat loaded with the white stuff to my Annual Christmas Feast last week (see here).   Just four simple ingredients went into this bite sized Christmas treat, which was quickly snapped up by the kids and adults alike.

Packaged up, this would also make a wonderful Christmas gift for those sugar loving friends of yours out there!

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RecipeChit Chat ChompChristmas, Dessert
Where's the cheese ?
Where's the cheese ?

The cat is well and truly out of the bag.

In just over a months time, I'll be packing my bags, pocketing my passport and flying off to a little town called New York City. 

A snowy Winter wonderland awaits me in the Big Apple where I plan to ice-skate, walk aimlessly for hours discovering the best food places this town has to offer and perhaps indulge in a little New York Cheesecake....or two.

In ode to this up coming adventure and inspired by my utter love of all things French, I present to you a combination of some of my favourite ingredients and flavours in life - my petite "no-cheese" cheesecake.

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RecipeChit Chat ChompGluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Dessert, Dairy-Free, Grain-Free, Si, Summer, Spring, Paleo3, Vegan2
A Place Called Yard !
A Place Called Yard !

Far far away in a little town called Paris lives a pretty, yet unassuming restaurant called Yard.

This little Parisian gem is not interested in being amongst the hustle and bustle, but can be discovered hiding down a little back cobbled lane, away from prying tourist eyes.  An hours walk from our apartment brings us inside this oasis where you'll find me...hungrily and impatiently waiting for the seasonal (albeit limited) menu to be placed in front of me.

And each year I walk away having indulged in and subsequently voted for "the dish of the trip"

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Eateries, Recipe, TravelChit Chat ChompTravel, Eateries, Paris, Dessert, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free, Grain-Free, Chocolate, Paleo3, Vegan2
Poires Belle Helene !
Poires Belle Helene !

Poire belle Hélène, created by Auguste Escoffier (the man behind the delicious Peach Melba) and named after the operetta La belle Helene which premiered in Paris in 1864.

A gorgeous sounding name and a super simple dessert, which can be prepared in advanced and then whipped together in an instant.  Or if you’re like me, plonk all elements in front of your guests and have them serve themselves.  Voila!

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RecipeChit Chat ChompFrench Cuisine, Dessert
Glorious Custard !
Glorious Custard !

Custard takes me to my happy place.  A place that is filled with fluffy white flowers and is quiet as a mouse, except for the hypnotic buzzing of the bumble bees.  It’s sunny, but not too hot in my happy place and sometimes, just sometimes, there is a pristine white claw foot bath filled with silky smooth custard. 

Have I shared too much?  Surely I’m not alone?

This recipe is not the one I grew up with.  It’s gluten and refined sugar free and it doesn’t set as thick as my mums, but it is definitely just as luxurious.  I adore it.

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RecipeChit Chat ChompGluten-Free, Dessert, Sugar-Free
Days filled with glorious custard . . .
Days filled with glorious custard . . .

Imagine how glorious your day would be if custard was part of it.  Thick, creamy custard studded with tiny sweet vanilla seeds and subtle lemonyness (look the other way if your an English nerd).  Custard that allows your shoulders to drop with each slow and deliberate stir of the wooden spoon.  Custard that contains organic and fresh ingredients and none of that naughty refined sugar, gluten or fructose.  

Mmmmm....just imagine.....

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RecipeChit Chat ChompDessert, Gluten-Free 1
Happy Birthday Big Sis!
Happy Birthday Big Sis!

December saw my brain shift into overdrive.  Yep, I'm very talented.

I had recipes, measurements, cookies and butter coming out of every pore in my body.  I had blisters on my hands from chopping like a mad woman.  Dreams (nightmares) of forgotten ingredients and missed commitments.  And there was pumpkin found in places pumpkin should not be found.

Through all this annual self-imposed mayhem, there was my sister's birthday feast.  Catered by moi.

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RecipeChit Chat ChompDessert
Time to be Good to Myself !
Time to be Good to Myself !

I know it's the beginning of a new year and I know I'm meant to feel all refreshed and motivated with my goals set for 2014, but to be completely honest, I'm stuck.  My legs are heavy and my mind is foggy.

Thankfully, there is a light at the end of the tunnel after all the changes and happenings that are currently going on in my world so I know I just need to keep ploughing on, but this morning I was thinking that it's really not an enjoyable way to live life.  To just plough through.

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RecipeChit Chat ChompDessert, Gluten-Free 1, Sugar-Free1, Grain-Free
Tea Time Treats - August
Tea Time Treats - August

Yes, it's the middle of Winter here in Melbourne and I'm making ice cream, but it's not my fault!

Blame the fact that I live on the other side of the world to the guys at Tea Time Treats over in England.  As they're experiencing lovely sunny Summer weather, the theme for this month of course is....

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RecipeChit Chat ChompDessert
The Cookbook Challenge #25
The Cookbook Challenge #25

Growing up, one of my all time favourite desserts was chocolate mousse.  If it was on the menu, it was in my tummy.  I couldn't get enough of it.

I loved it most when it was light and airy, almost like a fluffy pillow, and not too chocolaty.

I loved it so much that I remember going into the local Taco Bills with one of my girlfriends, back when we were on our "P" Plates, and ordering 2 chocolate mousse desserts to take away.  No Mexican food, just the desserts!

We were the talk of the kitchen.

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RecipeChit Chat ChompThe Cookbook Challenge, Dessert, French Cuisine1
The Cookbook Challenge #23
The Cookbook Challenge #23

My aunty, (Hi Aunty V) sent me some money for my birthday back in May, and guess what I bought?

Yep, ANOTHER cookbook!

(I know I'm not alone in the "obsessive buying of cookbooks" department, am I Miss A)

The photos alone in this little book have won me over, let alone the beautiful and delicious recipes, as well as her belief in celebrating seasonal fruits and bringing alive ancient flours, such as rye and spelt, as an alternative to all the refined sugars out there in the market place.  Bringing more depth of flavour and texture to create a healthier way to bake.

I'm sold!

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RecipeChit Chat ChompThe Cookbook Challenge, Dessert
A tough tart . . .
A tough tart . . .

A lemon and mascarpone tart, gluten free style. 

A tart I made for a lazy Sunday catch up with some girlfriends over bubbles and laughs.

I was determined to make everything edible by everyone - this included one of my girlfriends who is gluten intolerant. 

I made this tart 3 times.  Gluten free flour sucks!

My friend ended up cancelling......

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RecipeChit Chat ChompSugar-Free1, Dessert
Cookbook Challenge #8
Cookbook Challenge #8

The humble peach.  After cherries, I would consider the peach as one of my favourite stone fruits on the market.  My preference leaning towards the beautiful rose blush of the white peach, but I'll still gobble down a yellow peach just as fast.

One of my favourite ways of eating peaches (well, most fruit actually, and to be honest, I did look at the manky banana sitting in my fruit bowl wondering how it might turn out) is poached.  It really doesn't get any simpler than that!  A couple of ingredients and you can turn humble piece of fruit into something drool worthy. 

So for this weeks challenge, I give you the simple poached peach.....

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RecipeChit Chat ChompThe Cookbook Challenge, Dessert
The Cookbook Challenge #1
The Cookbook Challenge #1

Slowly but surely I'm edging my way back into the kitchen.  I can't believe what a slow process it has been for me since returning from overseas.  There are so many things I want to bake, recipes I want to make, lots of ideas swimming around in my head that I just don't know where to start, or if I'm honest, can't be bothered starting.

I know I'll eventually get there.  Patience is not a virtue of mine!

So to kick start this first little project of mine, here is my very first contribution to the 2013 Cookbook Challenge:

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RecipeChit Chat ChompThe Cookbook Challenge, Dessert