Chocolate Mousse - Wicked Wednesday

Another Wednesday and another tempting chocolate dessert to help you get through the week.  This is a very rich chocolate mousse that would make a great end to any dinner party or an indulgent treat for anytime you feel like a chocolate fix.

This dessert only has only 4 ingredients and is very simple to make but also very delicious.

Enjoy  

Chocolate Mousse

Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 200g dark chocolate, the best you can find
• 4 eggs, separated
• 100 g softened butter
• 1 tablespoon caster suger
• Raspberries and icing suger to garnish

Method

1. Melt the chocolate in a heat proof bowl (I use a microwave on medium power in bursts of 30 seconds with a stir in between each 30 seconds).
2. Mix in the egg yolks.
3. Add the softened butter and ensure everything is well combined.
4. Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form.
5. Add the caster sugar to the egg whites and mix until the sugar is disolved.
6. Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and mix to combine.
7. Divide between 4 cocktail glasses and refrigerate until set.
8. Remove from the fridge slightly prior to serving and bring to almost room temperature, garnish with raspberries and icing sugar.
9. Enjoy

Valentine Cup Cakes with Free Printables - Wicked Wednesday

With Valentines Day just around the corner we've created some adorable ombre cup cakes,  topped with Valentines Day heart shaped messages.  These cute little cakes would make a great addition to any school class room or just as a special treat for lunch.  If you are lucky, a couple may be saved for the adults in the house.

These Valentine Day Printables can be downloaded for free here. Just print, cut and get creative.

Enjoy.

Valentine Day Dup Cakes

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 Vanilla cup cakes. - use your favourite recipe.
• 125g softened butter
• 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 2 Tbls milk
• Food colour - I've used a deep red 

Method:

1. Make cakes according to recipe.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together until soft and fluffy.
3. Add vanilla and 1/2 the milk
4. The mixture should be quite thick so it can be piped, add more milk if required
5. Divide the mixture into 3 bowls, to create 3 shades of icing.
6. Starting at the lightest icing, add a small amount of the red food colour and mix, adding more food colouring if required
7. Repeat step 6 on the other two bowls of icing, adding more food colour with each bowl.
8. Using a piping bag and a flat nozzle. pipe the icing starting at the outside and working into the middle.  Experiment with using the three shades of red to create an ombre effect.
9. Enjoy.

Valentines Day - Night at home

In the perfect world, Valentines Day would include a romantic night at one of our fabulous restaurants with the person you love.  It may also include a lovely box of heavenly scented long stemmed roses, a special gift or a message of love in the newspaper.  Alas, In reality the arrival of children and the routine of work, school etc (you know what I mean) often means that Valentines day is not celebrated as it once was - sigh!.

But, If like me you are staying home this year, it does not mean you can't celebrate this very romantic day.  In a busy world, a simple night in with candles, chocolate and cosmopolitan's can also be a wonderful.

enjoy.

Valentines Day - Night at home

How to make a Cosmopolitan:

• 2 parts Vodka
• 2 parts orange liqueur - I used Cointreau
• 1 part Cranberry juice
• dash of lime juice
• ice - for shaking

Place everything in a cocktail shaker and give a good shake - strain and serve.

Brownies - Wicked Wednesday

Another Wicked Wednesday and another sweet treat to entice you into the kitchen.  This week I've made another classic, the chocolate brownie. These delightful, but slightly decadent treats will certainly hit the spot if you are looking for a chocolate fix.

You can easily change this into a dessert by slightly warming the brownies and serving with a good vanilla ice-cream.

enjoy 

Brownies

Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 200g unsalted butter
• 200g the best dark chocolate you can find
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup plain flour
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• Extra Cocoa for dusting

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180c.
2. line the base and sides of an 18 cm square cake pan.
3. Melt the butter, chocolate and sugar in a saucepan over a gentle heat, then pour into a bowl and allow to slightly cool.
4. Lightly beat the eggs and vanilla and add to the chocolate mixture, stirring to combine. 
5. Slowly add the sifted flour and cocoa to the mixture and combine well.
6. Pour mixture into the lined cake pan and place in the oven for 20 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
8. Cut into squares or triangles to serve, and dust with extra cocoa
9. Enjoy.

Bruschetta - A simple way to entertain

For a simple starter on a balmy evening it is hard to look past the clean crisp flavours of a simple tomato and basil Bruschetta.  The aromatic combination of vine ripened tomatoes, spanish onion and basil are a delight to the senses.  Needless to say they go just wonderfully with a crisp white wine.

I serve Bruschetta on pane di casa, that has been sliced, oven toasted and lightly rubbed with a cut clove of garlic.  

Enjoy

Bruschetta

Receipe:

Ingredients:

• 6 vine ripened tomatoes, chopped quite small
• 1 small spanish onion chopped finely
• 2 tablespoons of a good olive oil
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 6 basil leaves sliced
• pinch salt
• ground pepper
• 1 Pane di casa bread stick 
• 2 cloves garlic, cut in half.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200c.
2. Slice the bread roughly 1 cm thick and place on a flat tray.
3. Bake Bread for about 5 - 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
4. Place the oil and vinegar in a bowl and lightly mix.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes, onion and basil and season with salt and pepper.
6. Remove the bread from the oven and lightly rub with the cut garlic cloves.
7. Spoon the tomato mixture over the bread and serve.
8. enjoy

Indian Dinner Party

I really look forward to hosting an Indian Dinner Party.  I find it very therapeutic to spend time in the kitchen making dishes that you do not make everyday.  I enjoy the smell of the spices as they pop and simmer away and I know at the end of the cooking process I will have made some amazing meals.  With an Indian Dinner party, as you guests enter the door they are greated with the wonderful aromas of exotic spices and they are left in no doubt about what is on the menu.  

I've collected a number of trinkets that I use for styling Indian dinner parties these include some loved and worn candle holders that I've toped with green pillar candles and a number of elephants that have found there way into the house.  This year I've created a printable range to compliment the table including napkin rings, name tents and a menu, these are available from our shop.

I've created a three course menu based on some of my favourite Indian recipes (I have many) that are fairly straight forward to put together.  The full recipes and some useful tips are included at the end of the post.

For now enjoy and think Indian at your next Dinner Party.

Indian Dinner Party

Indian Dinner Party

To complete the look, use a single flower such as a Freeshia within the napkin ring.

Indian Printable collection - www.chicpartyideas.com

Use simple bamboo table runners and add trinkets such as Elephants and candles.

Indian Printable Collection - www.chicpartyideas.com

When styling an Indian Table, use aged metal candle holders and team with bright candles.

Indian dinner party

Place a couple of copies of your menu at either end of the table.

This menu with text or blank is available from our store

menu printable - www.chicpartyideas.com

A starter of Cucumber and Mint Raita with pappadums is a great first course.  I've used packaged Pappadums from the supermarket that you shallow fry just before serving.

Cucumber and Mint Raita with pappadums

Butter chicken is always a hit with the children, it is a lovely sweet, creamy dish that does not carry any heat.  

Butter Chicken

Most Indian cook books have a vast range of vegetable curry.  They are a must for a dinner party.

Indian vegetable curry

Beef Dhansak translates to beef and lentils, this is a slow cooked dish that is full of flavour. 

Beef Dhansak

Mango Kulfi is a cool, refreshing and light option to end an Indian meal.  

Mango kulfi with fresh fruit

Recipes:

A good Indian dinner party does require a few hours in the kitchen, but many of the meals can be made ahead of time and then re-heated prior to serving.  Tonights menu included:

Starter:                Cucumber and Mint Raita with Pappadums

Mains:                 Butter Chicken,  Vegetable curry, Beef dhansak and Steamed basmati rice.

Dessert:              Mango kulfi and fresh fruit

How I approached the cooking!

• Prepare the Kulfi the day before.
• Marinate the butter chicken the day before.
• Prepare the Raita in the morning of the party.
• Prepare the Dhansak and Butter chicken early afternoon, soon followed by the Vegetable curry.
• I've used Basmati rice and cooked according to the package, as with the pappadums.
• I've also used a supermarket naan.  I find the refrigerated naan breads are nicer than those placed with the other breads, these are heated prior to serving.

Cucumber and Mint  Raita with Pappadums

Cucumber and Mint Raita with Pappadums.

Ingredients:

• 1 lebanese cucumber
• 1 teaspoon ghee or butter
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 clove crushed garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon mint leaves, and more to garnish
• Packet of pappadums

Method:

1. Peel cucumber, half lengthways, remove the seeds and roughly chop.
2. Heat the ghee or butter in a small pan, cook the seeds and cumin until the seeds pop, then allow to cool.
3. Combine spice mixture with the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Cover, refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
5. Just before serving, add mint and additional mint to garnish.
6. Pappadums are best made right before serving.
7. enjoy

Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken

Ingredients:

• 5 Chicken breast fillets (cut into large chunks)
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 3 teaspoons ground coriander
• 3 teaspoons garam masala
• 3 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 60 g butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 5 cardemon pods, bruised (note 1)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 can (425 g) tomato puree
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup cream

Method:

1. Combine ginger, garlic, ground spices, tomato paste and yogurt in a large bowl.  Add chicken and refrigerate overnight.
2. Heat the butter in a large pan, add onion, cinnamon and cardamon and cook stirring until the onion is lightly browned.  Add the chicken and contents of bowl and cook for approx 5 minutes.
3. Add paprika, tomato puree, salt and stock and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Stir through the cream and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. enjoy

Vegetable Curry

Vegetable Curry

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Yogurt
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon gaman masala
• 4 cardamon pods, bruised (note 1)
• 3 tablespoons butter or ghee
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 brown onions sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and coarsely diced
• 300 g cauliflower florets
• 1 baby eggplant sliced
• 1 zucchini sliced
• 1 carrot sliced
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup coconut cream
• 200g green beans
• 1 tablespoon mint leaves

Method

1. Combine yogurt, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper and spices in a bowl and stand for 30 mins.
2. Heat butter or ghee with the oil in a large pan.
3. Add onions and cook stirring until the onions are slightly brown.
4. Add bay leaves, potatoes, carrot, cauliflower, eggplant and zucchini and cook stirring for about 5 minutes.
5. Add the yogurt mixture, water and cream and simmer, covered for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
6. Add the beans and simmer uncovered for a further 5 minutes.
7. Add the mint just before serving.
8. enjoy.

Beef Dhansak

Beef Dhansak

Ingredients

• 1 kg diced beef
• 1 eggplant (peeled and roughly chopped)
• 500g Pumpkin (peeled and roughly chopped)
• 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 onions, diced
• 3 teaspoons ground coriander
• 3 teaspoons garam masala
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 3 teaspoons cumin
• 6 curry leaves
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 litre water

Method

1. Heat the butter or ghee in a large pan, cook onions and garlic until lightly browned.  
2. Add the spices and cook, stirring until fragrant.
3. Add pumpkin, eggplant, curry leaves, lentils and water and bring to the boil - then simmer for 30 minutes
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
5. Place the mixture in a blender or food processor in batches until pureed - return to the pan.
6. Add the diced beef and bring to the boil.   
7. Simmer, covered for 1 hour, remove lid and continue to simmer for a further 30 minutes.
8. enjoy

Mangp Kulfi with fresh fruit

Mango Kulfi

Ingredients

• 2 x 375 cans evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 8 cardamon pods, bruised (note 1)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 mangoes, chopped and skin removed
• Fresh fruit for serving

Method:

1. Combine milk, sugar, cardamon and cinnamon in a saucepan.
2. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Turn off heat and stand for 30 minutes, then strain into a blender.
4. Add the mangoes to the blender and process until smooth.
5. Line the base and sides of a 23 cm square baking pan with glad wrap
6. pour in the Kulfi and cover with more wrap.
7. place in the freezer for a least 4 hours (i normally do this the day before).
8. To serve, I cut the kulfi into 4 squares, then each square into 4 triangles.
9. Serve with fresh fruit.
10. enjoy

Notes

Note 1 - To bruise a cardamon pod, place the pods on a chopping board and hit once with a meat mallet or other heavy object.

Honey Joys - Wicked Wednesday

For most children in Victoria, today marks the last day of the summer holidays before a return to school tomorrow, sigh!.  I'm really not looking forward to tomorrow.  We have had a wonderful summer of relaxing which will all end once the school routines commence.  

This morning I asked my girls what they would like as a treat in their lunch box's and they both said Honey Joys.   Well I jumped at this option as they are very simple to make and I had all the ingredients in the pantry.

So if you are looking for a quick treat for tomorrow, you can't go much past the good old Honey Joy.

Enjoy

Honey Joy's

Vendor Credits:  Kellogg's for the Honey Joy Recipe

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 90 g butter or margarine
• 1/3 cup caster Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 4 cups kellogg's cornflakes

Method

1. Preheat oven to 150c
2. Combine Butter, Honey and Sugar in a small pan and stir until butter melts and mixture is frothy
3. Place cornflakes in a large bowl, add the butter mixture and stir to combine
4. Place mixture into patty cases and bake for 10 mins.
5. Makes about 20
6. enjoy

Anzac Biscuits

To conclude our week of Australia Day posts I'm ending with another Australian Classic, the Anzac biscuit.

While I was busy baking I started to ponder how this biscuit came to be? why do we have a classic Anzac biscuit?  From what I can find they were popular with both Australian and New Zealand forces during world war 1.  But they have been through a few transformations.  The first additions were made by loved ones at home wanting to send a sweeter biscuit to friends and family posted overseas as part of a care package.  The biscuit had to survive a long trip safely, so dairy and eggs could not be included.  Around 1921, the recipe was altered to include butter and has stayed in the same basic form today.

They are quick and easy to make, so happy baking on Australia day.

Enjoy

Anzac Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup caster sugar
• 3/4 cup desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• 125g butter
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tablespoons hot water

Method:

1. Preheat over to 180 c.
2. Mix the oats, flour, sugar and coconut in a large bowl.
3. Melt the butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan.
4. Mix the Bicarb with the hot water, then add to the melted butter.
5. Add the melted butter mix to the dry ingredients and mix well.
6. Place 1 tablespoon size amounts of the mixture on a lined baking tray (leave room for spreading).
7. Bake fro 8 - 10 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the tray.
9. Enjoy.

Mango and Passionfruit Pavlova - Wicked Wednesday

Another Wednesday has arrived and another fantastic dessert has been served.  I have very early memories of my grandmother making Pavlova with lashes of cream and Passionfruit topping.  Then for a number of years I didn't eat a single Pavlova, for some reason I thought they were too hard to make.

Then, a few years ago I decided to give it a try and found they are actually quite easy and I haven't had a single flop.  Another great reason for making pavlova is that the bulk of the work can be completed hours before required.

I made this Pavlova for our Australia Day blog post, it has to be one of our classic Australian Desserts.

Enjoy.

Mango and passionfruit Pavlova

Ingredients:

• 8 eggs at room temperature
• 2 cups caster sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 400 to 600 mil cream (if the pavlova cracks at the top, it still tastes great but add more cream to even it out)
• 2 tablespoons extra caster sugar
• 2 Mangos
• 4 fresh Passion fruits.

Method:

1. Preheat over to 170 c (fan forced) or 190 c (not fan forced).
2. Separate the egg whites and place in a large bowl (be very careful to avoid any yolk in the mixture as this can stop the whites from whipping fully).
3. Whip the egg whites until firm.
4. Slowly add the caster sugar a table spoon at a time and ensure it dissolves well.
5. Line a baking tray with baking paper and draw a 22 cm circle in the centre.
6. Place the pavlova mixture in the circle, I use the back of a spoon to work around the pavlova from the tray up to get a smooth edge.
7. Reduce the oven the 130 c (fan forced) or 150 c (not fan forced).
8. Bake the Pavlova for 1 1/2 hours.
9. When cooked, turn off the oven and allow the Pavlova to cool with the oven door slightly ajar (I use a wooden spoon to stop the door from closing)
10. Just before serving, whip the cream and extra sugar and pile on the Pavlova.
11. Top with mango and passionfruit pulp.
12. Enjoy.

Australia Day Games for Children

Following on from yesterdays Australia Day post, today I have three wonderful games for Children of all ages.  This year I've created a series of games focusing on our wonderful Australian Animals, these games are great to keep children of all ages occupied while learning some new facts on some of our favourite native friends.

The games include:

• Scavenger Hunt for Australian Animals
• Australian Animal Word Search
• Australian Coat of Arms - word maker game

The above links will download the files, but keep reading for game instructions.

Enjoy

Scavenger Hunt for Australian Animals

The highlight of many of my children's parties is the scavenger hunt, and I'm sure it will work equally well for Australia Day.

For this hunt I've created 27 cards for each child to find.  Nine cards have pictures of Australian animals, nine cards have facts about a specific Australian animal and nine cards have the regular name and the scientific name for each Australian animal.  Once a child has found all 27 cards they have to group the cards so the picture, name and facts are all together for each animal.

If you have younger children I'd just use the picture cards or you could place children in a group.

Scoring: The winner of the game should be the first to collect all cards and correctly match the picture, name and facts.

Hint: If you are having trouble with the fact cards, the Animal picture, fact card and name are in the same position on each sheet.

Australian Animal Scavenger Hunt Picture cards

Australian Animals Scavenger Hunt Fact Cards

Australian Animal Scavenger Hunt Name cards

To make this game simply download the file, using the link above, cut around each card and then hide the cards around your house or garden.  I use a mixture of tapeing cards to skewers and placing at ground level, or using string to tie from trees and even blu-Tack to fix to harder items.  

Note: I have printed the cards on 200 gsm Bond paper, but normal printer paper will work.

Australian Animal Scavenger Hunt

Australian Animal Word Search

This classic word search does not require any explanation, this puzzle if full of Australian Animals to find.  It could be a bit tricky for younger children, so you may want to reduce some of the words.

Scoring: If you would like to add a competitive edge to this game you could award prizes for the first to finish, or count the most number of words found within a specified time period. 

Australian Animal Word Search

Australian Coat of Arms - Word Maker Game

We are all used to seeing the proud Kangaroo and Emu that grace the Australian coat of arms, but how many words can you make from such fine Australian Animals.  I’ve included the scientific name of each animal as Kangaroo are Emu are really tough words to work with and the scientific names have an amazing amount of letters. 

 To even out this challenge I allow younger children to make words from one letter eg: A and I.  As the ages increase set a minimum of 3 and / or 4 letter words for the older children.

Make sure you place either a time limit or the first to an agreed number of words.

 Scoring:  You could take two approaches for scoring.   You can either use the raw count of words, or the raw count of unique words.  For example if more than one person found the word menu then points do not count. 

Australian Coat of Arms - Make a Word

Prizes:  

While not necessary, I do find that children like a prize at the end.  This time of you you can find a lot of Australian products at good prices at supermarkets or discount stores, these make great prizes.