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What is a better way to use up egg whites left from making shortcrust pastries that calls for egg yolks or when making custard? I have adapted the Pistachio Biscotti Thins Recipe from Epicurious.com to my Citrusy Almond Biscotti. I have used flaked Almonds with skin on for their health benefits and handling. Reduced the amount of sugar and baking times. Continue reading Almond Citrus Biscotti Thins
This is what I did with my left overs from last year’s Christmas mince pies instead of a Mincemeat Pie Strudel. Mince Pies are a very English tradition and is normally served with brandy butter and is really a mixture of dried fruits, candied peel & suet. You can also make your own fillings with or without suet (fats). I usually go for the Robertsons … Continue reading Mincemeat (Pie) Bread Pudding
I know this should have been posted before Christmas since I used this recipe to make Mince pies. However, since this pastry can be used any time, it deserves to be posted and shared. This is a good short crust pastry for individual small pies. Ingredients: makes about 24 individual small pies 2 cups plain flour (all-purpose) 150g unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoon white … Continue reading Short Crust Pastry (Sweet) – 1
This is a different version of Cranberry sauce or jam to go with our Thanksgiving turkey. A little late in posting for Thanksgiving, still plenty of time for Christmas. My first homemade sauce was a simple process of boiling a fresh bag of cranberries with a can of frozen apple juice concentrate. Recipe, courtesy of the internet, unfortunately I do not remember who shared the … Continue reading Cranberry Sauce / Jam
We are celebrating Thanksgiving this year! The man has decided to celebrate this American tradition after a long hiatus – only for this year, I hope. Thanksgiving, a celebration in giving Thanks for the blessings of a good harvest, food on the table. Nowadays, a gathering of family and friends to give thanks for love, friendships and familial ties. Back to the stuffing, this was … Continue reading Chestnut Stuffing
Yes, this is it. In the Caribbean, the different islands (countries) have their own recipes for the making of the Black Cake which is a variation or version of the English Christmas Pudding. The first step is to prepare the dried fruit mix by pre-soaking. Some swear to soaking the fruits for a year ahead of baking, some 3 months and some overnight. My first … Continue reading Black Cake (Caribbean Rum Cake)
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups plain / all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 cup (113g or 1 stick ) butter, softened 1/2 cup soft brown sugar 1 tablespoon dark jam (optional) 2 teaspoon vanilla essence 2 eggs 1 cup fruit mix, pre-soaked overnight or at least an hour before use Pre-soaking the fruit mix: Place contents of a box of … Continue reading Fruit Cake
In my family, the fruit cake had always featured highly during Christmas and the Chinese New Year. When my daughter was still in school, we had a practise of making goodies for all of her teachers for Christmas as well as a small token gift of appreciation to them. This cupcake variation was conceived out of a wish to keep the tradition alive as well … Continue reading Christmas Fruit Cake (cupcake)
This is a variation of the Gingerbread Men & Women Recipe and the idea to stack was from Pinterest, but adapted like many recipes out there. Ingredients: 2 cups plain / all-purpose flour 1/4 cup self-raising flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup (125g) unsalted butter, softened 1/3 cup soft brown sugar 1/4 cup molasses (you can use golden syrup as a substitute) 1 tablespoon ground … Continue reading Gingerbread Stacks
The smell of baking Gingerbread is evocative of Christmas. Most of the fun, of course is in the decorating! Plastic ziplock bags are a cheap & great piping bag to use if you don’t have enough decorating tips (for the piping bag) at home. Ingredients: 2 cups plain / all-purpose flour 1/4 cup self-raising flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup (125g) unsalted butter, softened … Continue reading Gingerbread Men
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