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Wednesday 21 September 2011

Apple Strudel

The kitchen undoubtably is my favourite place in the house. It is not only a sanctuary but a place of true comfort and satisfaction. Someone who will agree is my good friend Cara. She is a true wiz in the kitchen, very organised and a pleasure to cook with.
We have decided to make feta and eggplant meatballs followed by apple strudel. These are two very easy recipes which taste amazing without too much hard work.
The combination of apple, cinnamon and almond meal makes a lovely filling and fruity dessert....a wholesome treat. This must be served with lashings of cream.
Apple Strudel
6 large granny smith apples,peeled and sliced thinly
6 fresh dates, seeded and chopped
165g caster sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
150g almond meal 
8 sheets of filo pastry
100g butter,melted
40g flaked almonds

Preheat oven to 180 degrees
Place apple,dates,sugar,vanilla,cinnamon and almond meal in a large bowl toss to combine and set aside
Layer the filo sheets, brushing between each layer with melted butter
Put the apple mixture along the pastry lengthways, fold each end and roll to inclose
Brush the pastry with remaining melted butter and sprinkle flaked almonds on top
Place on a lined baking tray and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden.

Part 1- Ella & Cara's cooking day!

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Blueberry and White Chocolate New York Cheesecakes

I love catching up with friends specially when good food is involved. A gorgeous couple Vanessa and Corey had invited us for dinner. I had offered to make a desert for the occasion, I scanned my cookbooks looking for some inspiration and found the recipe for these individual blueberry and white chocolate New York cheesecakes. 
Cheesecake originated from Eastern Europe and has been adapted by many countries one of those being USA- New York. I adore the denseness of New York cheesecake and with its contrast of the fruit with the creamy white chocolate. They make a fantastic end to a dinner party.


Blueberry and White Chocolate New York Cheesecakes
Makes 24 individual or 1 large cake
Crust
300g digestive biscuits
150g butter, melted
Filling
750g cream cheese
90g caster sugar
50g cornflour
2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
3 eggs
100ml whipping cream
200g white chocolate
80g fresh or frozen blueberries

Preheat oven to 180 degrees
Put biscuits and butter in food processor till combined
Place cup cake liners in cup cake tray
Press 1 tablespoon of mixture into each liner 
Bake in oven for 10 minutes
Beat together cream cheese,sugar, cornflour and vanilla sugar
Beat in eggs one at a time and fold in cream
Melt white chocolate then stir into cheesecake mixture
Pour filling over each crust and sprinkle blueberries on top
Bake for 40 minutes. To prevent cheesecake from browning, cover with foil when they become golden brown 
Turn the oven off and leave cheesecakes to continue cooking for 30 minutes

Perfect!