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
Tag: dessert
flourless chocolate hazelnut sour cherry cake
A moist and deeply rich chocolate cake with classic hazelnut flavour and a good amount of sour cherry. Preheat the oven to 160 ℃ (320 ℉). In a small bowl blend 80g (2¾ oz) of Dutch cocoa powder with 80g (2¾ oz) of melted butter. Add ½ a cup of boiling water and mix until you have a…… Continue reading flourless chocolate hazelnut sour cherry cake
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
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
mint and honey syrup cake
Mint seems to be my theme at the moment. This cake could follow a Moroccan or Middle Eastern meal. It is of medium density, very moist and goes wonderfully well with yoghurt. Enjoy it with a glass of mint tea. Preheat the oven to 150C (300F). In a food processor beat 115g (4 oz) of softened…… Continue reading mint and honey syrup cake
lemon pudding
My sister made this wonderful lemon pudding for a special occasion. Adapted from a Jamie Oliver recipe, This pudding cooks in layers with a soft lemon custard underneath and a light cake texture on top. To make enough for 8, cream 100g (3½ oz) of butter with 230g (8 oz) of sugar and the finely…… Continue reading lemon pudding
lemon curd slice
Lemon tart has always been a favourite, especially when it’s really tangy. This slice is simply a square version. Preheat your oven to 200℃ (400℉) and grease a 23cm (9″) square cake tin. In a food processor combine 2½ cups of flour, ¾ of a cup of powdered confectioner’s sugar and 225g (8oz) of butter cut…… Continue reading lemon curd slice
rhubarb, apple and pear crumble
This crumble has the most delicious balance of fruit and spicy topping. Cut a bunch of fresh rhubarb into slices and place in a large bowl. Add 5 sweet apples (I used golden delicious) and 4 pears all peeled, cored and cut into chunks. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and the grated zest of ½ a…… Continue reading rhubarb, apple and pear crumble
chunky apple cake
Here’s a lovely cake chock full of apples. Peel 5 large apples (I used 3 granny smith and 2 red delicious) and cut into small chunks. Sift together 3 cups of plain flour, 1 generous tablespoon of ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon each of salt and bicarbonate of soda. In another bowl or electric mixer beat…… Continue reading chunky apple cake
lemon ice cream + candied lemon peel
A glut of lemons led to some experimentation and a simple recipe that’s worth repeating. There are no eggs or custard-making in this recipe. Just combine one 395g (13oz) tin of sweetened condensed milk with 1 cup of cream, some grated lemon rind and the juice of 2-3 lemons. Make sure to taste for the…… Continue reading lemon ice cream + candied lemon peel
michelle picker cooks 