Sometimes, when I cook, things don't go according to plan. The plan was to make chocolate pistachio meringue cookies with cranberries as Christmas gifts. With three kids underfoot, I got distracted. I turned the mixer off too early, and after adding the remaining ingredients, the normally fluffy meringue mixture ended up as a sloppy mess. I ... Read More
baking
Lime and Coconut Macaroons
Light and chewy, these lime and coconut macaroons are delicious for dessert or afternoon tea. I'm serving them for my annual ladies' lunch, together with lime and vanilla labneh, and mango slices in mango skin syrup. The syrup is a recipe from the wonderful authors of https://cornersmith.com.au/shop/use-it-all/ If you were to serve these lime ... Read More
Peach Keffir Cake
This peach keffir cake is a fabulous cake to take to a picnic. The cake is an adaptation of a much treasured recipe from Annabel Langbein https://www.annabel-langbein.com The cake is delicious just as it is, it transports well, and it can also be made a day ahead. I recently attended a workshop at Idler's Hill, a gorgeous retreat in Sydney's ... Read More
Pumpkin and Date Scones
I made pumpkin and date scones for afternoon tea with last night's leftover roast pumpkin. It's exam time in our house, so I have been practising my debriefing skills over cups of tea and homemade treats in an effort to stimulate conversation. I pureed the pumpkin, skin and all, to include in these scones. It doesn't really matter what type of ... Read More
Chocolate Chip and Peanut Cookies
I'm not sure where the recipe for these chocolate chip and peanut cookies comes from. I've been making them since I was a kid, and the recipe is very neatly handwritten in my first ever recipe collection book. I have a boy at home recovering from surgery, and this week I am making all the things that he loves, to entice him to eat. He needs the ... Read More
Pear, Date and Seed Loaf
I've been making this pear, date and seed loaf since the kids were little. It's great for lunch boxes, morning tea, cake stalls and picnics, as it transports well. The loaf is delicious toasted the next day with either cashew cream or butter smeared on top. Feel free to play around with different ingredients. The loaf works well with all sorts of ... Read More
Spelt Buttermilk Scones with Cashew Cream
Spelt buttermilk scones with jam and cream are my absolute favourite for a tea-time treat. My dear friend Domenica makes the most delicious scones, served with strawberry jam and freshly whipped cream. I confess, I usually leave with a tummy ache because I can never stop at just one scone! I love to bake with wholemeal spelt flour, and I thought ... Read More
Fig, Cardamom and Orange Brownies
Fig, orange and cardamom brownies are a sophisticated version of a much loved Bill Granger 'healthier chocolate brownie' recipe that I've been making since the kids were little. I love the texture of the dried figs and the crunchy pumpkin seeds, while the ground cardamom and orange zest deliver a beautiful aroma. The brownies don't ... Read More
Spiced Pear and Almond Cake
Spiced pear and almond cake is a lovely cake to serve for afternoon tea, warm out of the oven with a dollop of cream or Greek yoghurt. Pears are one of the oldest temperate fruits on earth. The pear (pyrus communis) was valued for both its flavour and texture in ancient times. It's believed to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains between the ... Read More
Cheesy Thyme Bread Puddings
These cheesy thyme bread puddings are made up of stale bread and leftover cheese. Did you know that bread is one of the most commonly discarded household items? I often make breadcrumbs and croutons and freeze them. However, occasionally there is a neglected baguette that is simply too hard to turn into breadcrumbs. But, if you soak the bread for ... Read More