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....
Read MoreI can't possibly believe that there is anyone out there who does not like Lemon Meringue Pie?
What if I was to give you one that you could fit entirely in your mouth, all in one go?
It doesn't get any better than that, does it?!
Read MoreGrowing up, I loved celebrating my birthday and I always looked forward to my actual party. Every one of them had to have a theme. The Rainbow party, The 60's hot dog and milkshake party...the list goes on.
But, what I remember most, apart from the party where all the photos show my mum still with her hair curlers in, was the cake. I loved the anticipation of opening the box that my mum would come home with from the local cake shop to see what was inside. I was never disappointed.
I guess that why I can go a little over the top for others.
Like this double chocolate cake I made for my brother's birthday recently.....
Read MoreMeet Katrina from Baking and Boys! A mother with a house full of testosterone in the shape of 4 boys and her husband. I like to think she bakes to help keep her sanity (my words). How she manages to do it all beats me as I struggle with time management and I don't have any children! I tip my hat to my blog partner for this month's Secret Recipe Club.
I loved looking through Katrina's blog as it's filled with photos of her beautiful family and little stories of her life. Of course, it's also filled with yummy recipes, but I couldn't go past this particular recipe as it had my name written all over it....
Read MoreIt's no secret that I'm obsessed with all things French. French pastries being top of the list, however it might surprise you to know that I have only ever made the humble French Éclair once in my life - way, way, way back in Home-ec class.
I'm sure you can imagine how they turned out!
I have loads of French cookbooks (some even in French) and I desperately wish for more hours in the day and days in the week to be able to practice and perfect the technical aspects of French cooking. So I did a little booty dance on the spot when I discovered that Jen of Blue Kitchen Bakes has the Classic French Challenge. This is a monthly French cooking challenge, with this month's challenge (hosted by Sarah of Maison Cupcake) being, yep you guessed it....the Éclair!
Read MoreGrowing 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.
Read MoreIt's no secret that I love soup during Winter time. Who doesn't? However, I'm really not a fan of smooth, pureed soups. Don't ask my why as I have no idea why that is.
Maybe I just don't find them hearty enough.
Or maybe it is the memory of wrapping up a friend's little sister in about 10 blankets like a baby many, many years ago, and feeding her soup until she threw up everywhere and we ran screaming from the house....?
Read MoreMy 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!
Read MoreA 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......
Read MoreMy dinner last night.
Pure comfort in the form of a super simple, quick and tasty dish.
And cooked all in the one pan too! Doesn't get any better than that for a Tuesday night.
Read MoreWhen planning the menu for my mum's Mother's Day lunch recently, I was told on the phone by my niece that in no uncertain terms, she would not be coming if there was no chocolate on offer.
Crap! I hadn't planned ANYTHING with chocolate.
I think these won her over on the day though.....
Read More
