A hugely wonderful gift - cherry plums from a friend's garden. My favourite preserves to make with these are cordial syrup, cherry plum sweet chilli sauce and jam. I don't bottle them (aka waterbath) as even with a heavy sugar syrup the skins remain bitter, (even after 2 years in the jar). So today I've … Continue reading Cherry Plums – includes recipe for cherry plum sweet chilli sauce

Bits and pieces came together in a cake to share with family and friends. I had a cupful or two of leftover ganache, 250g cream cheese that needed using before next week, ample limes from the tree and raspberries from the garden. Oh yes, and a bowl of whipped cream (probably a cup and a … Continue reading Bits and pieces = CAKE!

Almost time for apricot bottling again - hooray!! Therefore it's time to use up the last of the 2022 preserves. Pictured are three jars of stewed apricots I've had sitting on the bench for a while - in the light, so they have begun to darken, especially on the top. They are still fine to … Continue reading Apricots – old and new to come

I made this today for the Custard Club for morning tea. Not happy Nan (me). It didn't look at all like I'd planned. It consisted of a chocolate sponge flan layer, filled with rich chocolate custard, then small dollops of poached rhubarb (to add a little acidity), then was finished with a layer of whipped … Continue reading Chocolate Custard and Raspberry Flan

Gotta love Tassie weather. 32 degrees here the day before yesterday - at the same time the next day, a mere 12 degrees. That suited me just fine, I vastly prefer the cooler option. Besides, It gave me good enough reason to light the fire (Gourmet Cooker) to warm the house and cook our dinner. … Continue reading A Taste of Winter in Summer

What manner of uncomely dessert is this? Actually, this is something that has been haunting me since the ABC talkback last week A gentleman rang in and said he’d like to make a pumpkin meringue pie. As I recall, I gave him the recipe for the meringue topping he could use, but later I go … Continue reading Pumpkin Spice Meringue Tart (recipe included)

The photo that I posted of this cake a few days ago - well, I've received a great number of requests for the recipe, so here it is. HONEY CARAMEL APPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE I use a jar of diced apples (Fowlers jar size 36), drained. However, you could use diced fresh apples. However, in … Continue reading Honey Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Here are the recipes requested so far from this morning's cooking talkback on ABC radio Hobart. Leanne’s grandmother’s exceptional Christmas Cake This recipe is given in imperial weights, measures and oven temperatures, which in my opinion gives it extra charm. Thanks to Leanne for sharing this wonderful recipe. Ingredients 1 lb sultanas 1 lb raisins … Continue reading ABC talkback recipes from today – Leanne’s grandmother’s exceptional Christmas Cake, Never fail easy pavlova and glaze for Christmas Ham

Recipe for the generational family pavlova recipe - here it is. NEVER FAIL PAVLOVA 3 egg whites1½ cups castor sugar1 teaspoon white vinegar1 rounded teaspoon cornflour2 tablespoons boiling water 300ml cream and 1 teaspoon icing sugar, to decorateSeasonal fruits to decorate Preheat oven to 130 degrees C (fan forced). Grease a baking tray and line … Continue reading Pavlova Recipe of generations past with popularity that continues to this day

Special, traditional treat for visiting teenage grandchildren Saturday night - pavlova topped with an abundance of seasonal berries, including some of the gooseberries we bottled a few days ago. The recipe is one that has been handed down for generations in our family and never, ever fails. With berry season coming on apace, this is … Continue reading Pavlova perfect time of year