An Almighty Pav!

I know I know I have been super slack on the blog front of late. Please forgive me!

To try make it up to you I am going to share what will undoubtedly be the BEST pavlova you will ever eat. Ever.

It is crunchy, gooey, and totally indulgent.

It is - the chocolate raspberry pav!

My Mum shared this Nigella Lawson ( aka kitchen goddess ) chocolate pavlova recipe with me. I was nervous at first having never made any kind of pavlova in my life let along tackle a chocolate one however I was super pleased that I did as it is relatively easy ( with some basic skills ) and provides high praise from your guests.

I made this for a Sunday lunch and it finished off what was an utterly delicious meal ( many thanks to all of the contributors! )

A couple of things to note with the recipe:

1. Follow it to the T. It will ask for peaks - make sure you get them!
2. Your pav will sink. It is ok though - once you stack on the cream and raspberries you can't tell. It is what it is meant to do!
3. When you serve it with a meal make sure you leave space for a second slice!

So, I implore you to give this a try. It is well worth the 6 egg yolks that you have to try find a recipe for once you have whipped up their white counter parts!

R
x

p.s. photo from Nigella's site - I like to think mine looked pretty close but I didn't think to take a photo of it! Sigh

The Humble Sandwich

So we can see spring around the corner. We can't feel it yet but the days are getting longer while the sun does its darndest to be seen into the evenings. Of course this means two things - picnics and picnic food! One picnic food I think is so hard to go past ( for any meal really ) is the simple salad sandwich. The essential elements though are a good bread ( I like a nutty wholemeal ), crisp lettuce, tomato, carrot and my personal favorite - beetroot! Just beautiful.

However, while it is going to start warming up enjoy the benifits of winter while they are still here - hot chocolate, friday nights on the couch with a doona and yummy stews :D.

R
x

Moo!

How beautiful are cows? They are gentle yet strong, handsome but beautiful, elegant but rough. I love them. I love the shape of their heads and their large back sides.

Last year Luke and I went to a beef door - like a cellar door but for meat! We came across it while staying in the Blue Mountains and took a drive to the Megalong Valley. A truly beautiful find. The owners of the beef store - Megalong Meats, raise Angus cattle. We came across these friendly two while winding our way down the drive way of the property.

I love these photos - I can get lost staring into those beautiful faces...

R
x

Lovely spot for a cuppa

So another tea related post my friends!

Luke and I woke on Saturday to a most beautiful day. We decided to treat ourselves to scones for breaky ( possibly Luke's favourite breakfast ).

We decided to try somewhere new so set off to explore our backyard. We came accross a very cute cafe on Coronation St, Hornsby - Busy Beez. It is a cute cafe which also happens to sell a somewhat eclectic mix of homewares and other bits and pieces. This cafe is relaxed and cute ( it even sports a courtyard along with bunting! ). It feels like you are enjoying your meal in someones lounge room which is really wonderful for a lazy Saturday.

I took the above picture whilst enjoying my tea :D Note the game of fish going on...

R
x

Excuse me miss, would you fancy a cup of tea?

It has been a busy few weeks! Work has kept me run off my feet and the wedding planning is keeping us on our toes.

Luke also had to make a last minute trip to Melbourne so left me for 10 days.

It was amongst this stress that I discovered something my 90 year old Nana as enjoyed for years - tea with honey!

I am such a fan of it - I would go as far as to say it is my favourite way to enjoy a cuppa!

While googling images to use for today's post I cam accross this very cool product made by Honibe - the Honey Drop! A super convenient way to have your tea your way on the go. Brilliant no?

R
x

WOW! Aren't we lucky!

Well could today get any more beautiful? With perfect blue blue skies and gorgeous breeze I think not! I am spending it catching up on house work then I get to go pick Luke up from the airport after 10 days away so I can't stop smiling.

Enjoy your sundays everyone!

R
x

( the photo above is the view from where I sit right now - my couch looking onto the balcony, we are pretty lucky )

Chocolate and Coconut Panna Cotta

As promised here is my chocolate and coconut panna cotta. I decided to make it when after a night out Luke came home to announce that I should make panna cotta… well ok. I always thought it was difficult so avoided it like the plague. The thing is – this recipe is too easy! It melts in your mouth but isn't too rich or sweet. A tart berry such as raspberries work really well with the dark chocolate.

Another reason I love this is that is uses so few ingredients and those that it does use can usually be found in my pantry at any given time.

I promise you it is a recipe that will impress any guest! Give it a crack!

375 mL CARNATION Light & Creamy Coconut Flavoured Evaporated Milk

200 g Dark Cooking Chocolate broken into pieces

2 tsp gelatine

2 tbsp hot water

250 g raspberries ( or any berry really )

½ Cup Shredded Coconut

1. Heat evaporated milk until hot without boiling. Add dark cooking chocolate, stir until well combined.

2. Dissolve gelatine in hot water, combine with milk and chocolate mixture. Pour mixture evenly into 6 x 1/2 cup serving dishes such as ramekins, refrigerate until set.

3. In a fry pan toast shredded coconut until golden brown.

4. Unmould panna cotta onto serving plates just before serving.

5. Decorate with raspberries and coconut.

6. Enjoy!

Tips: Do not add any oil in the fry pan when toasting the coconut. To unmould the panna cotta, dip the ramekins in warm water then run a knife around the edge of the dish. Be careful not to leave the dishes in the warm water for too long otherwise they will melt!

R

x

( sorry for the poor photo - I took it on my iphone. )