modern chocolate mousse

this i came across when searching for a chocolate mousse recipe nearly 2 years ago...my eldest son wanted this instead of a cake for his birthday.....all i could think of was the disgusting thing sold as mousse in sizzler when i was about 18 or the variety from the 70's that was served up at dinner parties in the burbs....this is none of that & is sooo delicious it has been requested & done several times since. it is a cinch! do it the night before & add some booze like kahlua for a yummy adult variety. i asked the lovely swedish anne if i could link it.....so go here & do it!

of course, i use 70 percent lindt chocolate & the freshest eggs as they will not be cooked.

and use clean beaters for each mixture. it's all about volume....it is so light! go do it...

raspberry coconut slice

it has been a while since i tried a new recipe. my old faves are easy & yummy & we get by. but i have been wanting to try an old fashioned slice like this one. i found this one here after much searching. not sure why i went with this but i am sooo glad i did. this is seriously good. no baking things separately either...the base is a pain in the arse to spread but it turns out light & almost cake-like. bake this slice. you will love it. especially for afternoon tea like i just did.

use a slice tin. bake at 180 degrees or a little less for fan-forced

base:

3 tblsp butter ( i used 60g as i figured that was close enough)

125g sugar (i used castor sugar)

1 egg

vanilla

1 1/4 cups sr flour

filling:

1/2 cup raspberry jam

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

method:

• beat butter & sugar to a cream
• add egg & beat well. add vanilla
• gradually sift in flour & a pich of salt to work it into a stiff paste
• press out evenly into a lined tin
• spread jam over pastry - melt it in the microwave & this is easy!
• make the filling by beating the egg (i just whisked it a little as my mixer was long put away) then add the sugar & coconut
• sprinkle mixture over the jam (i used my fingers & dropped little clumps on top & then gently spread it with my fingers
• bake in oven until lightly brown - mine took 18 minutes & it was perfect
• cool slightly before cutting into squares 9or if you are me, cut into big slabs!)

caramel slice

i think my nan gave me this recipe...or one of her church friends. she taught me about cooking & all things homey like gardening & craft. she was an amazing woman & i felt very close to her. lets get to the slice shall we?

it is made in 3 layers which sounds time consuming but isn't at all. no mixmaster is required.
use a slice tin (lined with baking paper) approx 28cm x 18cm & preheat oven to 180 degrees (a little less for fan forced)

base:
1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup sr flour
1 cup dessicated coconut
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
100g butter

sift the flours & add the coconut.
melt the butter & sugar in a pan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
add butter mixture to flours & mix with a spoon.
press it into the tin (which is lined with baking paper).
bake for about 10 minutes.
*i don't sift anything, i just run a whisk through it. the less washing up the better.
**don't let it brown too much as it cooks again with the filling
cool slightly & start on the filling

filling:
1 tin condensed milk
2 tblsp golden syrup
30g butter

combine everything in a non-stick saucepan & stir continuously over low heat for about 10 minutes. it will thicken & go a little darker in colour.
pour mixture over your base & bake for 15-20 minutes.
**keep checking on it in the oven as it does go quite dark & you don't want it to burn.
cool completely.

topping:
melt 150g dark chocolate and spread over filling.
allow to just set & cut into portions.
**i use lindt 70% when it's on special & when the slice is for someone other than the family...otherwise the dark chocolate buttons are fine.
**it is also cuts neater if you cut it before it sets rock hard in the fridge.

now, try & resist eating more than 2 pieces in a seating!

intro & disclaimer

so, this is my second blog of half baked & half arsed ideas...only this time with a cooking theme. welcome & i hope you enjoy!

me....i am just a little cook at home who enjoys a bit of baking mostly. my man in the house is better at the mains than me. he rocks at asian & indian dishes. he has that gift for spices...and not measuring anything. me...i am more about baking cakes, tarts, slices & all things laden with calories....and i like using a recipe & i like following it...mostly.

these are not my own creations. this is the disclaimer all you lawyer savvy peeps....i am merely guiding you to sites/recipes that i love & that maybe you want to try as well. mostly i will know where i found the recipes....but sometimes i won't. i am not saying they are my own, i just don't know where i originally got them from! so call off the men in suits.

also, if i give a review of a restaurant, it is my opinion & i am entitled to it. if you don't like what i say & you own the restaurant, give me a free meal for another go & i might write a better review. ok, so no men in suits & we are all happy....

done

well, here is the next half baked idea i just dreamt up. stay tuned for more peeps.....

http://www.50percentkaz.blogspot.com/