Made of almond flour, egg whites, butter and sugar, friands are an Australian / New Zealand invention, a relation of the French financier. Usually small oval shaped cakes, Yotam Ottolenghi’s version, from his cookbook SIMPLE, is a further reinvention into something between a friand and a clafoutis. This one was made by Deborah with peaches,…… Continue reading peach and berry friand bake
Category: desserts
port wine trifle
David made this old-fashioned trifle using aged vintage port for the jelly. Perfect for Christmas in July! For the best result, make this trifle a day ahead. To make the jelly, place 6 sheets of gelatine in a bowl and soak in cold water. If you choose to use powdered gelatine, you will need 3…… Continue reading port wine trifle
syrniki
Russians love their dairy products. When I travelled there, breakfast tables were laden with fresh sour cream (smetana / cметана), kefir, fresh butter and soft curd cheese (tvorog / tворог). Syrniki are fried pancakes made of curd cheese simply bound together by flour and eggs. They are only slightly sweet so you can enjoy the…… Continue reading syrniki
tapioca pearls with coconut and banana
Tapioca pearls are translucent balls made of cassava starch. Originally produced as a cheaper alternative to sago they are particularly popular in bubble tea and are used in many South East Asian desserts and drinks. Although they don’t have much flavour, the texture is wonderful. To make four generous portions, bring 9 cups of water…… Continue reading tapioca pearls with coconut and banana
vanilla custard with roasted rhubarb and strawberries
For a recent celebration, Mary made this dessert. It’s another fabulous recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi, this time from SIMPLE. The custard is made with double cream and is reminiscent of a crème brûlée without the crunchy layer. And the wonderfully red and tart fruit is a perfect foil. Preheat your oven to 200ºC (390ºF). Cut 200g…… Continue reading vanilla custard with roasted rhubarb and strawberries
coconut and pandan panna cotta with palm sugar syrup
In south-east Asia pandan leaf is a staple flavouring ingredient. It has a distinctive aroma that’s a little sweet and grassy. Often used to flavour rice, the combination of pandan with coconut milk and palm sugar is particularly popular for desserts. It’s used for jellies, cakes, and all kinds of puddings, which are usually coloured…… Continue reading coconut and pandan panna cotta with palm sugar syrup
lemon panna cotta with oranges in syrup
This zingy lemon panna cotta pairs beautifully with the sweetness of orange segments in a honey and cardamom syrup. It’s an impressive dessert that can be made ahead of time. To make the panna cotta, first place 3 sheets of gelatine (15g or .53 oz) in some cold water for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, place 300ml…… Continue reading lemon panna cotta with oranges in syrup
tocinillo de cielo + almond and orange florentines
My good friend Daniel Aguera introduced me to this traditional Spanish dessert. Although similar to a crème caramel, this rich custard is non-dairy and is made with only eggs, sugar and water. In the early 20th century, the wineries of Jerez de Frontera clarified their wines with egg whites. The left-over egg yolks were donated…… Continue reading tocinillo de cielo + almond and orange florentines
sago pudding with coconut and gula melaka
Sago pearls are little balls made of starch extracted from tropical palm stems. Malaysia and Indonesia have the largest supply in the world so it’s no surprise that it’s popular in the region. Fifi made this wonderful Malaysian sago pudding served with salted coconut sauce and caramelised palm sugar syrup. Yum. In a large pot…… Continue reading sago pudding with coconut and gula melaka
honey walnut cheesecake with figs cooked in ouzo
Here’s a deconstructed cheesecake which celebrates Greek flavours. A simple and elegant way to serve cheesecake as a dessert for a dinner party. At least a few hours before or even the night before, strain 500g of Greek-style yoghurt. Place in a piece of cheesecloth or fine linen, tie together and hang over a bowl…… Continue reading honey walnut cheesecake with figs cooked in ouzo
michelle picker cooks 