Let Him Eat Cake

My Boyfriend Chris turned 28 last month and I wanted him to enjoy a special day as it was his first Birthday spent upside down.

Last year, I set the bar high by organising him not one, but two surprise birthday parties.  I made him a cake (check that one out below) booked a 5 star hotel, bought him a massage and sought out his long lost loved ones from all around Blighty to come celebrate the big day.  I also managed to keep both events a surprise…not usually my strong point!  For example, my mum once decided to make Teddy Bear shaped sandwiches for my Dad as a silly treat for his packed lunch when I was a kid but for some reason even though my excited mum had said “Shhh don’t tell Dad” I still blurted it out as soon as he walked in the room!  I may have matured slightly since then but have still managed to tell a friend her boyfriend was going to send her flowers and that my brother got Chris cufflinks for Christmas!

It’s quite hard to keep things under wraps and push the boat out now we have a joint account so I decided I would make him a big fat cake so at least he had some element of surprise on his day.

Mmm cake-isn’t it great stuff?  Cakes are usually the first creation you make as a kid…although my earliest memory of cooking is making veggie samosas in my first year at school! 

I decided to use the basic Victoria sponge recipe my mum and I have always used from the sticky, discoloured 80’s M&S recipe book that I now know off by heart.  I did decide to amend it slightly however…please find the recipe below for if you’d like to give it a whirl.

Little tip for all those Hannah Stanton’s out there - please ensure you use sugar and not salt in the cake!

So the bad news is I began my day at 5am to prepare the sweet beast- the good news is Chris could sleep through a hurricane so I knew I’d be OK using the mixer!

I managed to get all three tiers of the cakes cooked in time but had to roughly wrap them in plastic bags, burning my fingers in the process, to take with me to work to get them assembled by the afternoon.

There I stood, in the Kitchen at work, with cream and jam all over my arms and clothes (and my face as I couldn’t resist the odd lick!) trying to create a sugary masterpiece.

I’ll be honest- presentations not my strong point- my food often looks more rustic than modern so this was certainly a challenge- I wanted everything to look even and had to bite my tongue from swearing loudly when it came to the fiddly job of sticking strawberry slices round the cream edges- not a task that suits butter fingers that’s for sure!

Finally I managed to get the result I was hoping for (if you looked at it from far away) and thank God I didn’t drop the blooming thing as it weighed a ton!

Walking it back from work in the Queensland sun was the final challenge as I could see the heart of icing I had drawn lovingly on top begin to melt and snails were zooming past me I was so careful with it!  Thankfully my friend Izzy was there to open the doors for me!

Finally I was home and presenting my shocked boyfriend with this ginormous sponge while Izzy threw some balloons in his face and we sang him a pitiful version of Happy Birthday!

I was so thrilled that he loved the cake so much! (Maybe a little too much- I was worried he would take that to bed instead of me)  And luckily when the monster slices were cut and the first mouthful was consumed, I breathed a sigh of relief that the sponge was fluffy and the Jam, Cream, White Chocolate Ganache and strawberries complimented it deliciously- even if it was a thousand calories a bite!

Recipe-

350g Self Raising Flour

350g Margarine

350g Caster Sugar

6 Large Eggs (beaten)

Tablespoon of Baking Soda

Drops of Vanilla Essence

Large Tub of Strawberry Jam-the best you can get

Double/Thickening Cream- for whipping

2 Punnets Ripe Strawberries

150g White Chocolate

Firstly, grease and line 3 equal size cake tins with baking paper and preheat the oven to about 150c.

Next, Cream together the Margarine and Sugar in a large bowl until pale and fluffy.

Beat in the Eggs- one at a time so the mixture doesn’t curdle- and add a few drops of the Vanilla Essence.

Fold in the Flour and Baking Soda using a wooden spoon and add a little water if necessary to create a batter with a soft dropping consistency.

Divide the mixture between the 3 cake tins and gently spread out with a spatula.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until the cakes are golden brown on top and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Remove from the oven, turn out the cakes on a wire rack and carefully remove the baking paper- shoving them in plastic bags to take with you to work is not recommended at this stage!!

Whilst cakes are cooling prepare the Chocolate Ganache by melting 100g of the White Chocolate with a quarter cup of Cream until smooth.

Remove from the heat and leave to cool, stirring the mixture occasionally until Ganache is thick and spreadable.

Take 5-6 of your best Strawberries, cut them in half, place them on a plate far apart and melt the remaining White Chocolate to “swizzle” it over them. 

Place the plate in the fridge to harden the Chocolate and ensure you lick the leftover melted Chocolate from the bowl!

Chop the remaining strawberries into small thin slices for decorating round the cake.

Finally whip up the Cream in a large bowl with a mixer or by hand (ouch!) until soft peaks appear.

The cakes should have cooled by now, you can then Sandwich the Tiers with a thick layer of Strawberry Jam, a thin layer of Ganache and a thick layer of Whipped Cream.

The worst bit- you will need to stick small slices of strawberry around the cream edges of the cake so you will need to ensure your layer of Whipped Cream has height! (Please see pictures)

To decorate the top of the cake, spread on a final layer of Whipping Cream and place the refrigerated strawberry halves neatly around the edge.

You can always use Writing Icing to create your own little message in the middle if for a Birthday- you may not want to be as cheesy as me and draw a heart though!

Massive Three Tier Strawberry Cream Sponge Cake- Done!

A cake not for the faint hearted that’s for sure!

A Touch Of Salt

After being recommended to dine at this popular establishment a few too many times by my new found Townsville friends I decided to follow their advice and head there with a few girl friends before the Sex and The City premiere back in June.

Beautifully situated by water, A Touch of Salt is modern in decor, inviting and comfortable with elegant splashes of brown trimmings and low lighting.

The very friendly manager, who did not look at all phased by the already packed restaurant, greeted us and led us to a lovely table right by the open doors giving us a nice breeze throughout our visit.

I had already checked out the menu (typical me) and it really was a delight to read over and over again.  I felt my stomach rumble away as I gazed over lots of exciting flavours and combinations of international modern cuisine.

Though I adore my steak and burgers, I am more partial to Vegetarian-style dishes when given the choice so to be also offered a whole separate menu dedicated to Non-meat eaters made my evening!

After our table agreed on getting some Chorizo flatbread to share first, I decided to be a bit different and order two starters as they all sounded so beautiful.  Our bread arrived and tasted light, delicious and smoky and got all our taste buds tantalized, ready for some more thrilling flavors!

Our courses arrived quickly considering the large volume of customers there that night and we were all extremely happy with our choices.

The girls chose the Duck, Lamb and Chicken Main dishes which each looked and smelt incredible-I definitely was going back to order a few Mains!

My first starter was the Spanner Crab Lumaconi, which looked elegant and pretty and came dressed with beautiful garlic oil, which held a delicious aroma. The crab was soft, sweet, light and all the flavors of the dish worked together perfectly. I then went to work on my second course, which was the Gorgonzola and Pear Crostata-a perfect looking dish which again smelt divine. I’d never tried a Cheese tart with sultanas but it complimented it wonderfully and the Gorgonzola was strong and melted in the mouth.

Desperate for more, I made the girls get desserts with me even though they were quite full.  I could not decide but eventually went for the Licorice Parfait even though I’m not a major fan of the sweet!  When it arrived I didn’t want to eat it because it looked too stunning! The parfait was so fragrant, delicate and creamy and most refreshing after so much savory. The Tuile pastry twirl on top was crisp and sweet and the banana truffle served in an impressive caramel strand basket, heavenly.

I was sad to finish the meal, I was left feeling satisfied but not overfed-which I have a tendency to achieve when out for dinner!  Yes, I even managed a couple of choccies in the cinema too!

I was excited to discover they were developing new menu’s meaning that there would be more inventive and delicious food for us to taste in the near future.

I am happy to reveal that I’ve been back a few times since my first wonderful feast at A Touch of Salt and have generally enjoyed the range of food on the ever-changing menus- I’ve tasted delicious Gruyere and Cauliflower Tart, unusual Deconstructed Duck Lasagna and some rather entrancing cocktails.

Luckily, the owners are on a roll and have opened a second eatery in Townsville, a little Wine and Tapas Bar called Salt Cellar which we visited last month and that did not disappoint either- I advise you to head there immediately for a Vanilla Spiced Mojito!

Overall A Touch of Salt to me = A real Touch of Class!

Betty Blue and The Lemon Tart

One noticeable alteration to our new life in Australia is that we eat out for Breakfast at least twice a week!

No I’m not talking a Starbucks style coffee with a cake or a fatty fry-up at the local greasy spoon before running to the office, I’m talking fresh, delicious feasts which make you wonder why the hell we don’t have such a tradition in the UK!

The best place I used to head to for breakfast back home was “Frankie’s Caff” which was only open on a weekend and upheld by 2 chain smoking biddies who served up bangers tasting of Jiff!

Here in Townsville, the streets may be full of nothing but tumbleweed after 8pm, however as the sun rises, early morning diners gather at the popular eateries dotted about for a good feed and a natter!

As much as I’m partial to soggy hash browns, cold toast and cheap meat hanging off a small, chipped plate at Tescos (I admit more so when hung-over) I can’t think of a better way to start the day than to head to Café Bambini’s for Mushrooms on Brioche or to perch by the Beautiful Briny Sea at C Bar with a giant stack of Pancakes.  It is especially wonderful to do all this before work!

Still, one place remains close to my heart (or should I say hips from all the food I’ve consumed there!)  That place is Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart.

Betty Blue, from the outside looks a bit like a dodgy estate agents and is situated awkwardly by the city’s main junction but when you walk into the hip, bustling café any feelings of slight concern evaporate.

The décor reminds me of a trendy teashop you’d find down Portobello Road in London and the Homemade Quiches, Tarts, Cakes and Bakes on display in their glass cases look tempting and characteristic.

Someone also had a genius idea to furnish the place with a few blackboard topped tables and a pot of coloured chalks which made my Breakfast experience more enjoyable…apart from when the waiter pointed out my awesome palm tree looked like something a child would draw! The audacity!

I’ve tried a few items on the menu now which have all been delicious but one dish remains the finest brunch I’ve honestly ever eaten…the  Corn Fritters with Honey Soy Bacon, Capsicum Jam, Avocado and Sour Cream- it’s fireworks in the mouth I tell thee!

The combinations of flavours just sing! You get the sweetness from the dressings, creaminess from the avocado and sour cream plus the savoury textures of fluffy fritters and salty bacon- enchanting to eat as every mouthful hits every tastebud!

I would however, make sure you put your eating hat on before entering such an establishment as their portion sizes are extremely generous and you WILL want to finish everything on your plate!

Betty Blue’s also serve a great assortment of freshly squeezed juices and creamy milkshakes plus the desserts on show mean you have a nice treat to take away with you for tea...trust me; you won’t be able to munch on anything else for a few hours!

This morning eatery is right up my street and I think if places like these were available in England, the country would be a better place…(well at least “Jiff” Sausage free!)

    

Desperately Seeking Desserts

I’ve been living in Townsville for nearly 10 months now and dine out on a regular basis but I’m sorry to say I haven’t found a dessert that’s blown my tastebuds away as yet!

One whose hungry eyes are always drawn to the sweet menu first, I’ve been disappointed to see a lack of the old puddings with custard on offer! 

I’ve tasted pleasant Parfaits, creamy Crème Brule’s and commendable chocolate mousses but I’m not a girl who shies away from sickly, calorie filled indulgence so the search for the ultimate Pud doth continue….

Back in the UK, you couldn’t beat a good pub classic like Spotted Dick, Sticky Toffee or Hot Chocolate Pudding served with rich creamy custard after a meal!  I’m also yearning for classics like Bakewell Tart, Apple Crumble and Bread and Butter Pudding with lashings of cream too!  

Here in Oz, such dishes seem absent from the party which I guess is fair enough with it being 30+ degrees outside!

But alas, I can’t help what the tummy desires and so I have decided to share with you my licentious Double Chocolate Croissant Pudding recipe with Cream for all those pudding fiends out there who concur with my sentiments above.

This sweet, gooey creation of mine should satisfy those rich dessert longings for a while!

Double Chocolate Croissant Pudding 

Serves 4

6 Small Butter Croissants sliced in half

150 ml Whole Milk

150 ml Double Cream

1 Vanilla Pod

200g White Chocolate

Small bar of Milk Chocolate

2 Free Range Egg Yolks

55g Castor Sugar

  

Pre-heat the oven to 220c/Gas 7

Grease a medium sized ovenproof dish and arrange a layer of croissants inside it-make sure there are no gaps between the slices

Arrange chunks of the Milk Chocolate over the top and then add a second layer of croissant slices

Place the milk, cream and scraped seeds from the vanilla pod into a small saucepan and simmer gently

Add all but a few chunks of the white chocolate and stir until melted

In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until fluffy

Pour the egg mixture into the saucepan and stir until a custard-like consistency has formed

Pour the chocolate custard mixture over the croissant slices

Grate the rest of the white chocolate over the top

Transfer the pudding to the oven for about 20/25 minutes until golden and crispy on top but gooey in the middle.

Serve warm with loads of Single Cream.

Famous Cambridge Cod and Crisps

On moving to funny little Townsville, I decided to enter a local Newspaper competition one afternoon for the Best Seafood Recipe.

I decided to enter my posh take on English Fish and Chips which is a Pan- fried Cod Fillet with Sweet Potato Crisps served with a Pea, Pancetta and Horseradish Cream sauce.

To my hilarious surprise, I received a call later that day letting me know I’d won!  Either my recipe blew them away or there were no other applicants…I like to think it was the former!

They informed me a Photographer would be round the next day to take a picture of my finished dish so I raced around various supermarkets and fishmongers to get myself prepared.

The food was cooked, photos were taken, the food was eaten (not by the photographer though I might add who surprisingly opted out of a taste!) and the following week my face was plastered over the paper!  What a great start to living in Australia!

Well what did you win? I hear you cry! Was it a delicious meal out?  A Hamper?  Or even a Pestle and Mortar?  Nope…it was a $50 Howards Storage World voucher…not the place foodies dream of but it was still nice to win and I got myself a brand spanking new dish rack so that was good!

I have decided to post the recipe for any of you fish lovers out there to try-

Cambridge Cod and Crisps

Serves 4

4 Cod Fillets

2 Medium Sized Sweet Potatoes

Smoked Paprika (to season)
50g diced Pancetta
1 White Onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp Horseradish Cream
Dash of white wine
150ml Thickened cream
350g Frozen peas
Pinch of caster sugar
50ml thick Chicken/Vegetable stock

First you will need to make the Sweet Potato crisps by chopping the potato into thin slices.

Place slices onto a well-oiled baking tray and season-sprinkle them on both sides with a generous helping of Smoked Paprika. 

Cook them in the oven for around 25 minutes until crisp turning occasionally.

To make the Sauce, fry the Diced Pancetta in some Oil until crisp, next add the chopped Onion and crushed Garlic and cook until soft in texture.

Add the Horseradish Cream and Wine and stir to a simmer, next add the Stock and Cream.

Stir in the Peas and Sugar then season and leave to simmer.

Brush the Cod Fillets with olive oil and season then pan-fry until slightly browned.  Finish cooking them in the oven for about 10 minutes.

To serve, lay a bed of the Sweet Potato Crisps on large white plates and rest the Cod Fillet on top.

Pour the Sauce delicately around the plated crisps and there you go-munch time!

Meet The Hostess

I am a food adoring Brit who has recently relocated upside down to Queensland with her lovely boyfriend.

I have decided to hop on the Blog train to indulge more into my culinary hobby and share with fellow foodies my various invented recipes, recommended eateries , restaurant reviews and general food related chitchat!

I am quite positive I think about food more than boys are assumed to think about sex!

When it comes to reading material, I’m more fixated on menus than fiction and must admit that Dining Out will always remain to be the two most exciting words to my rather small ears.

Ever since I can remember I was enthusiastic about new and different foods- I was caught happily munching on a potted plant from the moment I began to crawl so I guess that’s saying something…

It didn’t stop from there…at the age of six, I asked a waitress for a cup of Earl Grey Tea and demanded she ensure the custard on my pudding was Devonshire custard before serving it to me- much to my poor mother’s horror!

Whilst my brother gorged on “just chips with ketchup” on Holidays as wee kiddies, my parents looked on nervously as I unrelentingly ignored the kids menu and ordered the most expensive local cuisine on offer such as Lobster, Squid and Paella.

I can’t deny there have been embarrassing incidents related to my hedonistic passion…I have shed tears over far too many meals that haven’t met my expectations, eaten a burger out of a bin which looked too delicious to waste and fell out with my school friends when they decided to scoff my piece of chocolate fudge tart when I went to get a spoon-I admit I’m still mad about that one!

On my first girls Holiday abroad, as they had their heads in the bowl from too many Sambuca shots, I was left retching with them after polishing off all the food they had left at dinner!

I won’t deny I once ate a whole Lemon Meringue pie in a school break either!

Once older, I thankfully began to pay more Interest in cooking the food as opposed to just eating it and this became more of a passion once I bagged myself a boy to live with who I could create magical, gourmet feasts for.

Although I have no Professional Kitchen experience, I pride myself on my broad palette, imaginative flare and combination of flavours in dishes which I hope you will see from this Blog.

And hey, I may be a self-confessed Food Snob but I still love a good McDonalds!

In a fairy-tale world where money is no issue I would own a Catering Business, run a Café selling Epicurean snacks or write about Food for a living but I guess here is a good place to start!

If I could be in a room with one famous person it would be red-faced,  genius Heston Blumenthal who is somewhat of a God in my eyes- yes I have been promised a meal at The Fat Duck on my return to Blighty so I expect to be able to gush more about his inconceivable creations then!

Overall, my new life in Queensland is laid-back and sun-filled and I am very much enjoying experiencing new tastes on offer here such as Custard Apples, Barramundi, Wattle seed and of course Kangaroo!

I hope you enjoy my posts anyway and take something from them, even if it is just to have a little chuckle over a gluttonous fool like me!

Happy Eating!