Wednesday 27 February 2013

Zara's Birthday Party

Zara had wanted a butterfly birthday cake, so that is what she got! I love baking but Icing is not my forte. I would love to learn some new techniques, but in the meantime I found this amazing blog by a Canadian woman. Its called Sweetapolita! fabulous! Some great ideas, I got the 3 tone colour idea from her blog. I really enjoyed baking and icing Zara's  cake, it wasn't exactly how I had planned it, but Zara was  happy with it, and that was fine by me. I think sometimes as parents we try too hard, to make everything perfect, but actually, it really doesn't matter, as long as everyone is happy.
I had a  "sweets" table with the Birthday cake, some gorgeous meringues, some lovely cupcakes and gorgeous little red velvet and creme cheese cupcakes courtesy of Victoria Irons (thanks Tori)! The girls enjoyed ice cream and marshmallows as well!


What a fabulous day to have a party outside!  I had booked a surprise face painting artist, so the girls all had butterflies.  Just lovely!


                                                         Gorgeous Cup cakes
The cakes!

Great day had by all, and one very happy 8 year old!

Enjoy!

Till next Time!

Ashia





Thursday 7 February 2013

Pistachio and Cardamom Chocolate Puds

We dont have a huge tradition of Indian Desserts in our family. We have a small number of family favourites.  My sister Nish  makes this gorgeous chocolate mousse, which I have adapted to include a cardamom flavour. You would'nt normally think of putting chocolate and cardamom together, but this  works and then with a topping of mascarpone and pistachios, these are little chocolate gems!

300 ml Fresh cream
200g Dark chocolate ( I have used milk as I ran out of dark) coarsely  chopped up
2-3 cardomum pods (or powder if you dont have pods - I would use about a 1/4 tsp or less depending on how fragrant you want it)
Pinch of cinnamon
2 Egg yolks
200g  Mascarpone ( save a small amount  for a dallop on top for decorating)
Slivers of pistachios for sprinkling

You can replace with cinnamon or nutmeg and sprinkle with orange zest (especially over christmas)

1. Gently heat the cream in a saucepan over  low heat, when it starts simmering, remove it from the heat  and the chocolate, whisk until it has all melted

2. I f you are using the cardamom pods, crush them open and grind the black seeds, add them to cream and chocolate mixture and then the cinnamon.

3. Separate the egg yolks and whisk them into the mixture and then add the mascarpone, divide between 4-6 glasses, Decorate with a dollop of cream and pistachios.
 I used traditional Turkish tea glasses that I bought when we were in Olu deniz in Turkey to drink my apple tea out of.  You can use shot glasses too.  Place in the fridge for 6 hours.

Divine!



Enjoy!

Till Next time.

Ashia