A luscious dessert of creamy vanilla panna cotta and tart honey-poached fruit. To make the panna cotta sprinkle 4½ teaspoons of gelatine powder over 90ml (3 fl oz) of cold water in a large bowl and allow it to soak. Combine 2 cups of milk, 2 cups of cream and 100g (3½ oz) of sugar in a saucepan and heat until the…… Continue reading vanilla panna cotta with poached tamarillos and cherries
Category: desserts
semolina pudding brûlée
I love crème brûlée but it doesn’t love me. Imagine my delight at finding this recipe for a wonderful burnt and creamy dessert which doesn’t use any cream! The recipe comes from my sister’s birthday present to me: MY LITTLE FRENCH KITCHEN by Rachel Khoo. In a saucepan bring 500ml (1 pint) of milk to boil and…… Continue reading semolina pudding brûlée
grilled figs
A simple but wonderful dessert when fresh figs are in season. Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Cut fresh figs in half and lie them face-up in a baking dish. Scatter walnuts around them. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 2 tablespoons of honey. Add 1 teaspoon of orange blossom water, stir to combine and drizzle the…… Continue reading grilled figs
apples and plums baked with sour cream
A hot pudding which combines tart spiced apples and plums, a sweet vanilla custard-like layer and a brown sugar and cinnamon topping. Preheat your oven to 180ºC (360ºF). Peel and dice 2 apples and place them in a small saucepan with the zest and juice of ½ a lemon and a pinch each of nutmeg and cinnamon.…… Continue reading apples and plums baked with sour cream
the best chocolate sauce
This chocolate sauce is so easy and so much better than any you can buy. It is delicious with ice cream, on a banana split, over Pear Helene or with anything that is good with chocolate sauce! Here it’s served warm over good quality vanilla ice cream, with frozen pitted cherries (thawed) and a good…… Continue reading the best chocolate sauce
baked rice pudding
This is an old favourite with a fragrant Middle Eastern twist. Preheat the oven to 160℃ (320℉). In a saucepan heat 3 cups of milk and 1 cup of cream with a cinnamon stick, 3 strips of orange rind, ¾ of a cup of caster sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla paste and a generous grating…… Continue reading baked rice pudding
baked nectarines
Here’s a simple, stunning-looking and truly delicious dessert. Wash, pit and halve nectarines and lay them into a baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar, perhaps 1-2 teaspoons per nectarine half, drizzle with a little orange blossom water (you will find this at Middle Eastern grocers) and place a small piece of butter into each half. Bake…… Continue reading baked nectarines
ricotta dumplings with apricots and walnut crumb
These dumplings remind me a little of the Austro-Hungarian food of my childhood. Place 2 cups of fresh ricotta cheese in a bowl and add 1 large egg and ¾ of a cup of plain flour. Mix thoroughly with a fork then, with wet hands, roll the mixture into balls and place them on a plate.…… Continue reading ricotta dumplings with apricots and walnut crumb
walnut galettes with caramelised bananas and sour cream
Galette is a term used in French cuisine to designate various types of flat, round cakes. These walnut galettes are like large cookies, crunchy on the outside with a softer sticky centre. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature. Grind 60g (2oz) of shelled walnuts into a coarse meal. Add 85g (3oz) of caster sugar and 45g (1½oz) of…… Continue reading walnut galettes with caramelised bananas and sour cream
passionfruit panna cotta
This dessert is an elegant end to any meal and is perfect when you need to prepare ahead of time. In a large bowl sprinkle 4½ teaspoons of gelatine powder over 90ml (3 fl oz) of cold water and allow to soak. Combine 2 cups of cream, 2 cups of milk and 100g (3½ oz) of sugar in a saucepan and heat…… Continue reading passionfruit panna cotta
michelle picker cooks 