Cake made of cheese (not cheesecake)

 

You may think, knowing me, I would have to have real cake for my wedding cake. Well, I'm not sure. I decorated this cake made of 3 wheels of cheese for a wedding recently and thought it was really pretty. Who doesn't love cheese?

Filo wrapped Brie with apricot and rosemary chutney

It's cheese stuffed with chutney, wrapped in pastry and baked until its hot and gooey, spread on to steamy toasted french baguette, what's not to like? Made it for friends the other night and it was gobbled up pretty quick.. making it again tomorrow for family.

My friend sent me the recipe, just make the chutney and let it cool, halve the brie sideways and spread it in, sandwich and wrap in filo pastry sheets, brushed with melted butter. You can make a rose on the top, brush with butter and chill for an hour or so. Then pop in hot oven until the pastry is all golden and crisp, about 25 mins (if the pastry is browning too quickly, pop foil over the top). Take out the oven and leave for 30-40 mins before serving.

Chutney-

12 ounces dried apricots, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
1 cup water
2/3 cup cider vinegar
2/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
3 ounces dried tart cherries (3/4 cup)
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted 

Hello Kitty Cake

Cheeky kitty!

Carrot cake

My brother always has a go at me when I make carrot cake as a loaf and not a layered cake as he thinks the ratio of icing to cake isn't big enough. So I tend to make a lot and really slather it on the top. My new addition is to sprinkle the icing with lime zest, nuts and seeds. This cake was for a yoga tea, you can tell yourself it's good for you if it's made with carrot and topped with seeds ;)

 

Chocolate torte, crushed meringue, toasted hazelnuts and white chocolate

It's Christmas for god's sake, spoon on the extra thick double creeeeaaaaaam!

This month I am...a canapé making machine

I am also making myself a promise that on Sunday I will sit down and tell you all about my foodie trip to Paris.

Foodie Illustration

I have such super talented friends. This is Nell's illustration for a competition that is running for the cover of the new Zizzi Menu. Best of luck, it's the most beautiful painting and for someone who loves cooking and sewing as much as I do, its definitely one of my favourites. 
http://eleanorpercival.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/deliciously-stylish-for-zizzi/

Antique book cake

Rich chocolate cake and chocolate ganache books. My favourite kind. This cake was fun to play with, I called the hardware shop to see if they had a wood grain rocker because I thought that would be fun to make the board look like a desk but for 11 quid I don't know when I will next need to make something that isn't wood, look like wood!

Butternut, goats cheese and chorizo empanadas

Quick post as got to be meeting friends for brunch in 20 mins and still in my PJs! Best thing about empanadas is that you can use all those leftovers in the fridge, all the above were. Sauteed onion, garlic, squash, chorizo, chicken, thyme, rosemary and crumbled goats cheese. I folded some over and make some into discs, for when you can't manage another whole one!