I have spent many a cold winter in the states, thanks to my obsession with the cold, white stuff, and in that time I quickly developed a taste for the great campfire treat our American friends call s’mores. On many occasions, during a bonfire evening, where we were wrapped up warm and surrounded by snow, a [...]

I couldn’t place more emphasis on the importance of eating fresh, unprocessed food.  Having an awareness of the origins and make-up of the ingredients that we cook with is a very important step in the cooking process and one that shouldn’t be underestimated.  Avoiding processed foods and instead starting with fresh, unprocessed ingredients when cooking [...]

We first made this recipe two years ago, a decadent treat for Christmas day. Since then it has graced our table a number of times on auspicious occasions, when something particularly decadent is called for. We have nicknamed it Chocolate Butter.

There has been quite a buzz around beer in the office lately, but being seven months pregnant, I decided that it was only fair that I should be allowed to get in on the action even if it meant putting the beer in a cake!

Easter for me was 1 car accident, 3 swims, 1 finished book and an ‘almost’ surf (squeezed into my wetsuit, board tucked under my arm, ankles wet and then face to face with the ferocious surf I thought it was best left to the professionals – I’m just a learner, so I’m allowed to chicken [...]

This post is a wee ode to my Mum for having instilled in me the dogged determination to gift things handmade.  I remember as a young child taking a sheet of white A4 paper and carefully folding it in two, lining up each edge so that it was perfectly square.  Then out came the paints [...]

This Easter, Kate and I thought we would try our hand at making Pashka to serve alongside Kurt’s Kulich. Akin to a crust-less cheesecake, this custard based treat is a Russian Orthodox dish made with ingredients that were forbidden during the fast of lent. It is traditionally made before Easter, and taken to the church [...]

We have been working with our Italian colleagues for a few years now. The Italian factory is situated near the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa, with its historic wooden bridge over the Brenta river (pictured below).

Tiramisu’ is possibly the most well known and much loved of all ‘dolce” Italian recipes. When we think of something sweet with an Italian flavour, Tiramisu comes to mind. Every Italian’s obsession with dark and beautiful espresso, which is the key ingredient, gives this recipe a rich and beautifully rounded flavour. It can certainly help [...]

The final ‘black and white’ post and the Rugby World Cup is over! The All Blacks were triumphant (as if there was ever any doubt), New Zealand having played host to teams and tourists from 20 nations in stadiums around the country. I am a little sad the party is over, and thought a sweet [...]

When I discover a new recipe I feel as though a whole new world unfolds before me. New methods, flavours and textures all tumble forth to reveal themselves, a jumble of potential combinations waiting to take shape.

This post has been a long time coming! I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to put it up. The first time I had ever seen or tasted this cake was in Japan although its origins are German.