Pavlova - a Christmas star



When cooked properly, the outside of the meringue shell will be crunchy, with a marshmallow-like texture on the inside.

Pavlova has become a star of Australian Christmas desserts. It was invented in the 1920s or 1930s, and is named for the Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova. Sources, however, are in dispute over whether the dessert was actually invented in Australia or in New Zealand. It can be served with whipped cream and fruit or alternatively, with custard or lemon curd made from the egg yolks.

Because pavlova is made primarily of egg whites and sugar, it is a relatively light and low-calorie dessert.
It is possible to prepare pavlova a day in advance of serving, if you leave the meringue shell overnight in the oven after turning off the heat. When the cake has been decorated with whipped cream, it can be left in the refrigerator for a day or two; however, it will lose its crunchiness as the moisture from the cream soaks into the meringue shell. The following version uses a custard creme as a topping and to join the two layers.

Pavlova Torte
Serves 10
8 egg whites
300g (11/2 cups) caster sugar
1 tbsp cornflour
2 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla essence
Fruit of choice for topping and serving on the side - strawberries, kiwifruit and passionfruit pulp are favourites but I added raspberries and blueberries for extra colour and flavour.

Preheat oven to 160 degrees C. Line 2 baking trays then draw a 22 cm disc on each piece of paper.

Using an electric beater beat egg whites in a clean dry bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1/4 cup at time until thick and glossy. Beat in the cornflour and vinegar.

Spoon the meringue evenly between the prepared discs; with the intended top one, use a small spoon to form little peaks around the edge of the pavlova. Bake for approx an hour, until pavlova is dry to the touch. swapping the trays halfway through cooking. Turn off oven, leave door ajar and leave pavlova to cool completely, overnight if desired or store in an airtight container.

Custard Creme
8 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp cornflour
2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
3/4 cup thickened cream or Greek yoghurt
Whisk egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and cornflour until smooth and creamy.
Place this mixture into a saucepan, gradually add milk, whisking until smooth. Stir over medium heat until custard thickens.
Bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Custard will be quite thick in consistency.
Remove from heat, pour into a separate bowl and cover the surface of the custard with glad wrap. Allow to cool to prevent a skin forming on the top.
Fold in cream or Greek yoghurt.
Join the two layers with custard and spread it on top layer. top with your fruit of choice.

Another star of the day!


It would be great to receive your feedback or suggestions. Click on "0 comments". You can choose 'anonomous' from the drop down menu if you don't have a google account. Or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au

Decadent Christmas Pud - just eat a small portion if you can!

 

To many, Christmas is a time for honouring tradition, but in a culinary sense, many here are abandoning the traditional fare for cooler options such as cold turkey and seafood.   I'm breaking my tradition of 'fit in your jeans fare' -  forgive the straying  -  just eat a small portion if you can! Or add a little less butter and sugar. I usually reduce sugar by 1/3 and in this case, the fruit is sweet enough. 

One dish, however, remains popular and will often sit side by side here in Australia, with our iconic pavlova. We enjoyed one such plum pud, a little early, cooked to perfection by my friend, Mary, Queen of Desserts. 

Much tradition and folklore is attached to the Christmas pudding. Traditionally each member of the family takes a turn stirring the mixture in a clockwise direction, making a secret wish as they go. Many people also bake lucky treats into their puddings. The pudding was usually made up to a year ahead, left to mature, then heated up on Christmas Day and brought to the table flaming with warm brandy and decorated with holly. it can be accompanied by custard ice-cream but it can also be served with cream, and brandy butter or hard sauce.

 

Clara





Here it is, the real thing - moist and fruity,
with a brandy haze!

This recipe is based on Margaret Fulton's rich Christmas pudding in the Margaret Fulton Cookbook, which was my 'bible' as an aspiring cook in the 60's.The fruit needs to be soaked overnight in brandy or rum.

Serves 8

Prep time 40 mins, cook 6 hrs

• 250 gm / 1/2 lb each raisins, sultanas and currants
• 100 gm / 3 oz candied orange, finely chopped
• 200 ml / 7 fl oz rum or brandy
• 250 gm / 1/2 lb  butter, plus extra for greasing
• 275 gm (1¼ cups) firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 orange and 1 lemon, finely grated rind only
• 4 eggs, lightly whisked
• 150 gm (1 cup) plain flour
• ½ tsp each salt, mixed spice, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda
• 60 gm (½ cup) almond meal
• 140 gm (2 cups) fresh breadcrumbs

Combine dried fruit and candied orange in a bowl, scatter with rum or brandy, cover and stand overnight.

Using an electric mixer, beat together butter, sugar and rinds until pale and fluffy, then slowly beat in egg. Sieve together flour, salt, spices and bi-carb soda. Add to mixture in batches, alternating with soaked fruit mixture and almond meal. Stir through breadcrumbs.

Brush a 1.8 litre-capacity pudding bowl with butter, line the base with a circle of baking paper and dust with flour. Pour pudding mixture into bowl and top with another circle of baking paper. Cover with two layers of foil and tie with string.

Place pudding into a large saucepan with a wire rack or tea towel lining the base. Fill with enough water to come halfway up the side of the bowl. Cover and simmer for 6 hours, topping up water when necessary. Pudding may be made ahead and cooled in bowl. Reheat in a large saucepan of simmering water for 2½ hours. Serve with custard, icecream or cream.

 






 

Antipasto - Food is passion and brings people together

Hi there



Are you feeling passionate or are we just friends?

I'm back !!!!!   After publishing a book about my local area of Mosman, (two years).   We.. lll .... Ok.... if you insist ...  -  "Mosman Meanders and foreshore flavours" -  walks around the Sydney foreshores, history, photographs by Christopher  and of course ...food. 
I know you live in your own beautiful part of the world and you have your own providores (new word for me, Italian for providers), but the putting together of the antipasto plate for Christmas, requires skill, research and passion. 
And yes, I know this blast of pre Xmas  recipes is not traditional fitinyourjeanscuisine  food, but it's time to bring out your guilt free  "inner gourmet -  embracing the Christmas Spirit".

Quattro Formaggi - one of our local providors in Raglan Road, Mosman,  has the mantra  "Food is passion and brings people together." 
Putting together an antipasto plate to serve with Christmas drinks is an easy matter when you have a fantastic variety of  cured meats, cheeses and accompaniments.
Quattro Formaggi




Barossa Smoked Wagyu Beef
You are traditionally cured, cold smoked and heat treated.
 

Taleggio Cheese   Proven to be addictive.
Semi-soft, washed-rind from Northern Italy

Happy Christmas

Clara

 



 

It would be great to receive your feedback or suggestions.