Australia Day Celebrations

With Australia Day just around the corner we have created some ideas for Table Styling, Menu's and Children's Games.  I'm finding that with each passing year our supermarkets are producing some great Australian themed products that really allow you to set the scene for a great Australia Day party.

This year I've found all the styling items (except the toothpicks) from Woolworths,  this has been great as I normally travel around a number of shops before I find everything I need.  Well done Woolworths!

I've had a lot of fun styling this table and experimenting with different ways to use products.  During this post we'll detail how the look was created so you can easily do it at home.  Tomorrow we'll be posting our free Australia Day Childrens Game download which I'm sure will keep your children busy on Australia day.

And whatever you get up to on Sunday, have a fantastic Australia Day.

Enjoy.

Australia Day Table Setting

For the menu I've settled on some Aussie classics of Hamburgers, Lime Prawn Skewers and Potato Wedges accompanied by tomato sauce, BBQ sauce and aioli.

To finish the meal we have made a resplendent Mango and Passionfruit Pavlova and layered Jelly cups.

Complete with your favourite Australian Wines and Beers.

Australia Day Menu 

To create the Dining and Serving tables I've used the following techniques:  

• Plastic table cloths have been covered with Australian flags.  
• Plate setting have been created by placing Australia day plastic plates over a basic white plate, then folding a flag as a final layer.
• I've used two styles of napkins, the first was mostly white and has been folded to show the Australian flag, this has been used on the dining table.  The second napkin design was navy blue and has been used to create a cone to serve the Potato wedges.  be sure to use a sturdy paper on the inside of the napkin when forming the cone.
• A large Australian flag has been used as a backdrop for the serving table and smaller flags, sold as car flags have been attached to the dinning chairs.  
• Plastic cups with the Australian flag have been used for Jelly Cups.
• Final touches include bumper stickers over wine bottle labels and Australian stubby holders for the beer.
• Small Australian flag toothpicks have been used to highlight the Pavlova, Jelly Cups and Hamburgers. 

Tip: The Australian flags will require a good iron to look flat.

Australia Day Place Settings

You will find the recipe for our Mango and Passionfruit Pavlova on our Dessert page.

Mango and Passionfruit Pavlova

Layered Jelly cups are always a hit.  

Australia Day - Layered Jelly Cups

Australia Day Menu with Burgers, Potato Wedges, Prawn and lime Skewers, Pavlova and Jelly..

Prawn and Lime Skewers

Australia Day Dining Setting

Please join us tomorrow for our Free Australia Day Children's games.

Fruit Skewers - Perfect for summer in Australia

With the fourth day in a row of temperatures in excess of 40 degree, we find we are consuming lots and lots, did I say lots of fruit.  especially the traditional summer fruits of Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Rock melon, they are just perfect to help cool you down during this hot spell.

My children are now of the age where they like to prepare and present fruit platters, we have many a night through the Master Chef season where they compete at plating the best fruit plater.  This year when my 10 year old spotted Pop Chef on the TV it became her must have Christmas Present, and has lifted the bar for fruit presentation.

This product is just great at pressing shapes out of fruit and are just perfect for fruit skewers.   At first I was skeptical this product would be another Christmas single use gift, but it has been used on a very regular basis since Christmas day.  The best part of this device is that it is plastic and easy to use, so my children are more than capable of using it without supervision, and cleaning it after use.

Pop Chefs are available from Global Shop Direct and many retail stores.

Enjoy

Kahlua Cheesecake - Wicked Wednesday

Welcome to another Wicked Wednesday, and one of my all time favourite cheesecake recipes, Kahlua Cheesecake.  I've been making this cheesecake every summer for at least 15 years and I continue to enjoy it.  This is not one for the children as it has a good dose of Kahlua but it is absolutely delicious.  

We shared this cheesecake with good friends on a very hot Melbourne night.  It went great with iced champagne while lounging luxuriously around a swimming pool, a great way to end a 41 degree day.

Kahlua Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Crust

• 250g chocolate biscuits, crushed. (I've used Chocolate Ripple)
• 150g melted butter.

Filling

• 4 teaspoons Gelatine
• 3 tablespoons water
• 150 ml whipped cream
• 750g Cream Cheese (I've used Philadelphia cream cheese)
• 4 tablespoons caster sugar
• 1 tin condensed milk
• 120 to 180 ml Kahlua 
• 100g dark chocolate -  melted
• Fruit to garnish.

Method:

Crust

1. Combine crushed biscuits and melted butter and press into the base and sides of a 23cm spring pan. 

Filling

1. Dissolve Gelatine in water over a bain marie.
2. Whip cream and put aside.
3. Whip cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add condensed milk and Kahlua.
5. Fold in the whipped cream and gelatine.
6. Swirl in the melted chocolate (try not to completely blend the chocolate, but leave noticeable swirls)
7. Pour filling into the crumb crust and refrigerate overnight
8. Plate with berries and enjoy

Owl Birthday Cake

We recently celebrated my Mother's 70th Birthday Party, for this joyous occasion the entire family spent the weekend at a wonderful  house perched proudly in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria.  The weekend was full of Birthday celebrations and I will be posting more items in the weeks to come.

For many years my mother has collected owls, so they became the theme of the party.  To start this series of Owl inspired Birthday posts I've decided to start at the very end, the final course, the all important Birthday Cake. 

Given we were away from home, we opted to purchase an iced Angel cake and found a wonderful bakery in Gisbourne called Ferguson Plaire.  And, given the popularity of Giggle and Hoot I was able to find some fondant owls at my favourite cake supply shop West's Cake Decorations, the remainder of the decorations included Gold candles and a combination of small Owl candles and Butterflies, 70 candles in all.

Owl Birthday Cake

Now, for all of you contemplating placing 70 candles on a Birthday cake I've included a series of Photo's below to help you make up your mind.

Enjoy  Julie.

Step one - Mum is presented with the cake

Step Two - The traditional lighting of the candles

Step Three - Oh no, can't they sing any faster? 

Step Four - Please sing faster - no more hip hip hooray's

Step five - time to relax, they have stopped that song, I can finally blow these candles out.

Step six - I can now relax

Step Seven - Oh no, will these candles ever go out?

Step Eight - finally, I can relax and enjoy this cake.

Well,  while terrified at the time, mum can now laugh at her 70th Birthday cake.

Chocolate and Honey Tart - Wicked Wednesday

Chocolate and Honey Tart - Wicked Wednesday

I recently visited one my sisters who lives in central Victoria, while visiting she made this fantastic tart, what better to share for a wicked Wednesday.

It is always a pleasure to visit the country and get some fresh air.  I especially like the farmers markets where you can always find wonderful fresh produce and edible delights that you can't find locally.

This tart was made with local honey, lemons and eggs and garnished with mint from the garden, a great summer treat.

Enjoy. 

Ingredients:

• 300g Chocolate Biscuits.
• 60g melted butter.
• 3 tablespoons pure honey.
• Juice and zest of two lemons.
• 1 x 395g can condensed milk.
• 1/2 cup cream.
• 4 eggs.
• Thickened Cream, Fruit or Mint to garnish.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 170 C.
2. Crush the biscuits and combine with the melted butter.
3. Press the biscuit mixture into a 22 cm tart pan and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Place honey, lemon juice and zest, condensed milk, cream and eggs in a bowl and whisk until combined.
5. Pour into the tart case and bake for 35 minutes or until the centre is set, but still has some movement.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
7. Refrigerate for 2 hours to chill and set.
8. Serve with thickened cream and your garnish of choice.
9. enjoy.

Modern Aussie BBQ

I have very early memories of the wonderful aromas of the backyard BBQ.  Even now, it is hard to walk past the local sausage sizzle without wanting a small taste.  As time moves on I still love BBQs but have made some changes to the way I entertain.  

I've continued with the same basic menu but introduced a relaxed formal style of serving, which works wonderfully, and is a lot easier to enjoy than juggling a paper plate with a plastic knife and fork.

For this party the menu included Lamp Chump chops, BBQ sausages and BBQ sliced onions.  I then added baked potatoes with grated cheese, sour cream and coleslaw, and a simple tossed lettuce salad to round things out.  Of course you can't forget the tomato sauce, fresh bread and some good beer or wine.

Some ideas for dressing the table include a bunch of fresh native flowers, bowl of peanuts and a sauce jug for the tomato sauce.

I've finished with a classic Trifle (recipe below). which works really well for large crowds and most of the work is done the day before which is perfect for relaxed entertaining.

I'm sure I will be repeating this process many times over summer.

Enjoy

Modern Aussie BBQ

Modern Aussie BBQ

Modern Aussie BBQ

Trifle

Trifle Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 x 85g packets strawberry jelly crystals.
• 6 mini swiss rolls (more if using the bite size rolls).
• 2 tablespoon brandy.
• 2 cups custard (you can use the carton custard).
• 2 cups raspberries.
• 2 cups strawberries.
• 1/2 cup blueberries.
• 300 ml thickened cream.
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar.

Method:

1. Make the jelly according to instructions on the package and place in the fridge for one hour.
2. Slice the swiss roll and arrange in a large bowl.
3. Drizzle the swiss roll with brandy.
4. Spoon the jelly on top, then the custard.
5. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
6. Next day top with most the the fruit (reserve some fruit to decorate the top)
7. Whip the Cream and sugar and place over the fruit.
8. Place additional fruit on top to decorate.
9. lightly dust with icing sugar.
10. Enjoy

Quick and yummy Caramel Slice - Wicked Wednesday

Quick and yummy Caramel Slice

Welcome to another addition of wicked Wednesday and the first day of 2014.  Today I'm sharing a tried and tested quick and yummy caramel slice that is made on a regular basis at our house.  

This makes quit a lot of slice but keeps well in the fridge for a number of days.

Enjoy 

Ingredients:

• 1 packet Morning Coffee Biscuits (240 grams)
• 120g butter
• 90g Brown sugar
• 1 tbls Golden Syrup
• 1 can condensed milk
• Chocolate Icing
  • 120g Dairy Milk chocolate
  • 120g Copha (see notes)

Method:

1. Line the base of a 11 inch x 7 inch slice tray with whole biscuits
2. Crush the remaining biscuits and leave aside.
3. Place the butter, brown sugar, golden syrup and condensed milk in a saucepan.
4. Gradually bring to the boil, string constantly.
5. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the crushed biscuits
7. Place the mixture on top of the biscuit base and allow to cool
8. Melt the milk chocolate and Copha together and ice the slice.
9. Allow to set.
10. Enjoy.

Notes:

1. Through writing this post I've discovered that copha is only available in Australia.  This recipe will work just fine if you used 240g of melted chocolate and omitted the copha.

New Years Eve - Masquerade Dinner Party

Who can believe that New Years Eve is less than a week away.   New Years eve is another great night to gather with friends and celebrate the end of 2013 and welcome 2014.  This year I've gone darker than normal and created a black and silver based collection of printables that I've used for a Masquerade party.  This is a sophisticated look but can be easily be adapted to be more family friendly by introducing more colour.

To create this look, find a selection of black and silver table decorations and match with Candle Sticks and the must have New Year Eve Clock.  I've placed party poppers inside the New Years Eve crackers and found a great selection of black and silver masks.

This range of New Year Printable will be available in our shop from tomorrow.  Happy New Years to all and enjoy.

New Years Eve Dinner Setting

New Years Eve Dining table

New Years Eve Crackers

New Years Eve Dinner Setting

New Years Eve Dinner Setting

New Year Eve Dinning Setting

New Years eve Banner

New Years Eve Invitation

New Years Eve Sign

Flaschengeist Christmas Trees

Flaschengeist Christmas Tree

I recently attended a Flaschengeist party, this was my first Flaschengeist party and I was really impressed with the quality of the products and the beautiful presentation.  

They have a wonderful range of liqueurs and oils in delightfully shaped bottles that you could keep for years.  I could not resist this pair of Christmas tree liqueurs in vivid red (Watermelon Vodka Liqueur) and green (Melon Liqueur).  

This pair would make a wonderful Christmas gift, or just perfect to keep.  Flaschengeist have an on-line shop but it was a lot of fun at the party, and more importantly you were able to sample the wonderful products. Enjoy.

Vendor Credits

Flaschengeist - Watermelon Vodka Liqueur and Melon Liqueur

Christmas Bauble Cupcakes - Wicked Wednesday

Welcome to another wicked Wednesday, I still can't believe it is only one week to Christmas, so little time and so much to do.  This week I'm continuing the Christmas Cupcake theme with some cute Christmas Bauble Cupcakes.  These Cupcakes look fantastic and will brighten up any Christmas table.  Bauble Cupcakes allow you to test your creativity and imagination - not to mention your cake decorating skills.  Enjoy!

Christmas Bauble Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 12 Vanilla Cup Cakes - use your favourite recipe
• Ready to use soft icing, I've used orchard.
• Food colour - I've used Wilton icing colour in various colours
• Sparkle Gel - I've used Wilton in various colours 
• Sparkles - I've used Wilton cake sparkles in white
• Cachous - Silver and Blue
• Apricot Jam

Method:

1. Make the cup cakes.
2. Separate the icing into smaller sections and knead until soft.
3. Add food colour and continue to knead until well blended.
4. Roll out icing to approx 5 ml and press out circles (I use a glass and dust with plain flour)
5. Spread a small amount of apricot jam onto the cupcakes and then add the icing circle, blending the icing in at the edges.
6. Make a small hanging hook.  I've rolled a small amount of icing into a sausage shape and then formed it into a loop.  Attached to the cake with sparkle gel.
7. Time to decorate, use small shapes of soft icing (attached with sparkle gel), sparkle gel, cachous balls or what ever else you have available.
8. Enjoy

Hints:

1. I find it best to work with smaller quantities of icing and work with 6 Cupcakes at a time.
2. Always start with the lightest colour icing as this food dye is very powerful. 

Vendor Credits:

• Wilton: Cake decorating products
• Orchard: White Icing