crazy food combinations

Decorated cupcakes Recently I have undergone a short cooking course in Cupcake decorating and Macaroon making. A wonderful gift from my sister at Christmas. Perfect in all means. A rainy Saturday in Melbourne proves to be the perfect day to set foot in a kitchen and take part in a 6 hour short course at Carrick Institute to learn how to decorate cupcakes, and how to ultimately make macaroon's. Setting foot into a class of 20 with my sister and Mum in toe, we choose our bench and don our Aprons ready for what lies ahead. An introduction into what the course entails and we are ready to get cooking. Sorry did I say cooking?  To my disappointment, there will be no real cooking in this course, but more demonstrations on how to create. But no worry it will sure to be interesting to listen to different techniques in baking or decorating.   Chocolate Decorated Cupcakes A demonstration of how to make our chocolate ganache and lemon curd for the fillings of our macaroons, giving a more ...

I was recently invited by my sister to join her on the adventures to find the BEST ice-creameries in Melbourne, who would say no to that? Well perhaps someone who doesn't enjoy the frozen cream or ice based product because it's too cold or they get freeze head-aches....... but not I. Gelatissimo Guns blazing, list in hand we set out on our expedition for a day of ice- cream eating. First stop Gelatissimo, located on busy Lygon street, this small gelati shop is jam packed with amazing flavours of ice-cream or sorbets. When arriving the store was bare, but something must have enticed everyone to come in within moments of arriving...... maybe it was us??? A packed container of 3 scoops of Biscottini, toffee malt and creme brule I figure why not just over indulge myself and get a scoop of Hot Nutella to complete the experience. This ice-creamery had a fantastic variety and each one sure to be as delicious as each other, I do remember going there in 2011 and trying vegemite flavours...

There is nothing better in life then to enjoy a relaxing Summers afternoon eating fresh japanese and cocktails. Dining the afternoon away at Ichi Ni in St Kilda on the esplanade, overlooking the bay was the perfect way to unwind and relax. As a repetitive customer I have to boast about this restaurant, it never fails in it's service, atmosphere or food. Every time we have dinned there we have walked away with smiles and full stomachs. A royal interior of  black and red with Japanese prints on the window and in there light shades, wooded tables and an amazing decking for those hot summer days, you can only embrace what St Kilda has to offer over a cocktail. Paul and I dined and started with 'Kimpira' - burdock with soy, sesame and chilli, something which we have not had before and was amazed on the excellence of the dish. As we were unsure on what it was it only seemed to entice us more to order. Burdock it from the thistle family, and when taken from the taproot of a young ...

It's amazing how time always goes so much more quickly from mid November through to the end of December. I swear every year gets quicker, soon it will be 2012 and before you know it Christmas again. I apologise to my readers that I have not spent time blogging to you, but as this is peak time for me at work, majority of my spare time is trying to catch up on missed sleep. But I'm back here ready to talk about the festivities and the perfect season to cook our lives away. This year was the first year with out my Nan. She always involved her self in the Christmas spirit by filling us up on jam tarts, mince pies, scottish shortbread, rum balls and pudding. So when it came time for her to stay with us I'm pretty sure the car boot was filled to the rim with tins and containers from all her baking and just 1 tiny suitcase for her clothes. It would last for days, but it was never Christmas without it. So this year on her behalf I rummaged through her many pudding recipes to find o...

My Grandfathers Birthday Cake I have always found that I can make anyone happy by cooking something for someone. To watch them receive what you have created and smile with utmost pleasure that they can indulge themselves whether they were hungry or not. The joy it brings me it  peace, happiness and sometimes acceptance. The saying goes 'to get to a mans heart is through his stomach'. Although this is correct at times it sure doesn't differ to a women, just dip what ever it may be in chocolate and you have yourself a winner. The pleasure of food is the sensation of well-being that derives from the fulfillment of a natural instinct of each of us. Two essential elements are involved in this pleasure is the emotional and psychological tension created by the initial desire and the subsequent marriage of that inner need.  Recently I have enjoyed baking my Grandfathers 80th Birthday cake and my Sisters 31st Birthday cake. Although it started off to be a task I tho...

Birthday come only but once a year for each and every one of us. This year is my Pop's 80th Birthday a great milestone in life of which needs a grand celebration. Together with my Sister who celebrates the same day for her Birthday this year is going to be a triumphant day of feasting and candle blowing. I have been asked to make the Birthday cake, of which is a huge honour in my book as most of the time I get asked to just arrange a cake from my work as they are just so devine and decadent. It never seems to amaze me how my cakes from work seem to brighten up anyones day with it's outstanding design and amazing taste. 'Laurent' surely know how to bring that smile to your face. But I have taken onboard the making of not one but 2 cakes for the festivities. Being that it will be bought out towards the end of the day, I know this will be one of the last things people will take with them and remember. To design a cake that brings the same pleasure to people just like my wo...