I know - I haven't blogged for awhile! Hope you guys are doing well! :) Well, it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago - and it was a lovely one! *smiles* It's amazing how fast birthdays seem to come these days! I had a couple of lovely surprises and these new cookbooks *claps* are part of them! They were from thoughtful friends who gave them to me - I'm touched! :)

For years (and I dont think Im exaggerating!) I have been waiting to get my hands on Nigella Lawson's "How to be a Domestic Goddess" book. For some reason or another, I never got around to getting it. So as eager as a child that opens a block of chocolate, so was I with this book! Pages and pages of delicious desserts, treats that will no doubt widen your hips but, provide many many moments of pure delight, lay before me.

Each recipe is written with a lot of enthusiasm and fun! Now, I just need to decide which one to try!

Another sweet friend of mine gave me the above book - it was so thoughtful - it was the perfect addition to my cooking library! Gosh, talk about varieties of cookies, this one will create jars and jars of delicious crispy treats for all ages, tastebuds and moods! I can't wait to try them out!

***Small announcement!!!***
A couple of weeks ago, my colleague enquired if I would bake a Birthday cake for his grandmother who was turning 90. I couldn't believe I was actually getting a proper order!!!

It has been so fun so far - it's going to be a square cake for about 80 serves. They requested for a fruit cake, and I'm going to cover it with fondant and decorate it with roses and ribbon :) I'll post the photos up as soon as it is ready - it won't be for another month - but stay tuned!!! :)

More High Tea Goodies!!!

I have started this post numerous number of times! I am determined to finish it tonight!

Happy Chinese New Year to you all! We are still within the 15 days of the CNY festival - so hopefully you guys all had a great CNY and lots of feasting!!! :)

For the high tea a couple of weekends ago - in addition to the cupcakes, I made pineapple tarts (above) and the durian puffs below. I dont like adding too many spices to the pineapple filling - I just used some clove. Be careful not to go crazy with this spice as a bit goes a long way! :)

Durian is a fruit that some may consider truly offensive. It is a sharp looking fruit that I am sure can do much damage should it drop on you! It is known as King of the Fruits (I think!) - the smell is rather unique - I am sure many have heard the many descriptions of its smell. It's flesh is creamy and yellow with a big brown seed.




To make the filling (outside is just choux pastry - which I made!) - just simply stir the fresh durian flesh through freshly whipped cream - and if you prefer it a little sweeter, you can swirl in some honey. Be careful not to swirl in too much honey as you dont want it to be a noticeable flavour. The star of this dessert is the durian!


Happy Chinese New Year to you all!!!

(p.s. Thanks to G for the photos!!!)

High Tea Cupcakes!

Everytime I read through my cupcake books, I am so inspired. There is something so sweet and cute about a cupcake. It is your mini cake - minus the guilt - well, limited guilt anyway!

Last weekend, I had some friends over for a "High Tea" and everyone brought a plate or two of very yummy goodies to share around. Gosh there was an overload of food! But exactly what a high tea should be like!!!

Our resident photographer, G, took this really nice photo of my cupcakes! He honestly makes food look SO much yummier!!! Before I go into the actual cupcakes as well, we have to look at the cupcake stand.

I first laid my eyes on such a cupcake stand at this cafe at Garden City. I even went up to the lady to ask her where she had bought it from. Some shop in Perth, but I couldnt seem to find such a stand. I figured, perhaps it was not to be. But it was always at the back of my mind.

Over the recent holidays, I went over to Melbourne and... yes... it was meant TO BE! :) I found it!!! It was sitting proudly on one of the shelves in the "Let's Cook" shop and it was the last one left. An 18 cupcake holder stand. It was mine. I did not think of how I would have to take it with me to Tasmania, drag it to Hobart and Lauceston and then drag it back to Melbourne and then to Perth. Heart over head. It was honestly one of those purchases where you sigh and smile with relief. It was a great purchase! I know I sound kinda obsessive and a bit over the top, but for those who have purchased something they have been eyeing for, for a long time, you know what I mean! *grin and wink*

Ok, so to the pretty little things on the stand... I made 2 types - a Coffee and Walnut Cupcake and the Butterfly Cupcakes (Vanilla cupcakes) with Margaret River Raspberry Jam and Piped Fresh cream with half a Fresh Strawberry on the top! These were from the Crabapple cupcake book.

I love these cupcakes! The texture was fine. And I mean fine. Not lumpy, not heavy but fine and light! Apparently there was not enough coffee flavour though (probably because I didnt make the coffee icing to go with it!) but other than that, I liked the texture :) This recipe is for keeps!

Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

(ps. There will be more High Tea entries happening soon....)