Tuesday 2 February 2010

Fudgy Chocolate Delights

100 Grams Butter 25 Milliliters Golden Syrup 200 Grams Tennis Biscuits -- lightly crushed 25 Grams Raisins 50 Grams Candied Cherries 150 Grams Baking Chocolate -- CHOPPED ****Icing**** 50 Grams Baking Chocolate 25 Milliliters Milk 25 Milligrams Butter 175 Grams Powdered Icing Sugar -- sifted Melt butter and syrup and stir in biscuit crumbs, fruit and chocolate - mix well - (chocolate should melt completely but butter not become oily). Press into a cling wrap lined 500 gram loaf tin and refrigerate overnight if possible. Turn out onto a serving plate and remove cling wrap. Place icing ingredients except icing sugar in a bowel and melt. Add icing sugar and beat in well - spread over loaf and mark with a fork - serve sliced - decorate with extra cherries if required or nuts such as pecan halves.
A tot of brandy, rum or whiskey may be added with the melted butter and syrup - this makes it an ideal end to a special meal.
You may serve it with whipped cream or even a good ice cream but be warned it is very rich.

Monday 1 February 2010

Fresh Fruit Sorbet in Seconds

This is a lovely light dessert for a hot summer's day. It can be made with almost any soft fruit and a tot of vodka, rum. brandy or whisky elevates it to a real dining experience.
4 cups fresh fruit -- see directions 1/2 cup fresh orange juice sugar to taste 1 pinch salt mint or fresh fruit -- for garnish For fresh fruit: Use 4 cups of sliced strawberries or peeled peaches, nectarines, kiwi fruit, bananas, papayas, or mangoes. Before freezing, toss peach, nectarine, or banana slices with about 2 tablespoons lemon juice to prevent browning. 1. Spread sliced fruit in one layer on a baking sheet. Freeze, uncovered, until frozen solid. 2. Place frozen fruit and orange juice in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth, stopping to scrape work bowl as necessary. If your machine struggles to process the frozen fruit, let fruit stand 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature to thaw slightly. Depending on the size of your blender or food processor, you may have to process fruit in several batches. 3. Add sugar and salt (amount of sugar will depend on the sweetness of the fruit). Makes 3 to 4 cups (about 6 servings). Sorbets can be made about an hour before serving and held in the freezer. After about an hour, the edges get icy and the mixture must be re-processed.