Bon Jour! Alex and I have returned from France, our luggage heavier and our stomach’s full. We did return some weeks ago, but it seems once again real life has overtaken the blog! It is funny how you take some things from granted. Returning from the European sun (when it graced us with its…
Au revoir – we’re off to France!
You may have noticed we’ve been a little quiet here at t2k lately. That’s because we’ve been planning a fabulous holiday to France! Where better for t2k to roam than the land famous for it’s superb food? We will be feasting on fresh bread, pastries, cheese, chocolate, macarons, wine and champagne for 3 fabulous weeks,…
Apricot fruit loaf cake by Mary Berry
So I’m in a bit of a baking frenzy at the moment, working my way through that ever-growing list of recipes to try (of which many are from Mary Berry). Luckily I can also fundraise for a good cause with the delicious results. Two of my colleagues have paired up with friends to complete the…
Date and Walnut Traybake by Mary Berry
Despite the inclusion of dates and walnuts, this traybake does not taste anything like a sticky date pudding. While to some that could be considered a disappointment, it has a rich nutty flavour all it’s own which pairs beautifully with a smooth coffee on a chilly winter morning. The dates give a lovely sweetness and…
Marmalade Traybake from Mary Berry
A lovely, soft and fluffy traybake, this is more like a sponge cake in a tray than the usual slice. The fruit gives a lovely moisture to the finished product. Despite using the best marmalade available (from my home-made batch no less!), I was unable to taste the marmalade in it at all. Mary Berry warns against…
Banana Date Cake
This is a recipe from the archives, one from a large folder of clippings collected from newspapers and magazines over many years. According to the clipping, it was printed in The Age in 2005. Looking for something different to use up some overripe bananas, I found this recipe easy and delicious, although it did make…
Chocolate-Chestnut Cake
I noted this recipe with excitement when I first bought How to Be a Domestic Goddess; I have fond memories of peeling chestnuts hot from the open fire as a child and savouring the effort and sore fingers with delight at the nutmeat within. The recipe calls for unsweetened chestnut puree; presumably a tinned substance…
Carrot Cake
If I am ever asked for a carrot cake recipe, I just have to share this recipe. This recipe was first published by Readers Digest. I’ve recently started ordering fruit and vegetables from a supplier that delivers directly to my door. Each week, I receive a box of carrots. Having two bags of carrots in my fridge,…
Fairy Cakes from Mary Berry
These are beautiful little cakes to brighten up a gloomy Monday, such as we’ve just had in Brisbane. Mary claims these are easy enough for children to make and I can easily believe it; I could put them together in my sleep. Aside from their ease, they make a deliciously moist, plainly delicious sponge-style cupcake…
Hot Cross Bun and Butter Pudding
I know you can’t really have ‘leftover’ hot cross buns; they’re always good toasted and buttered, even a couple days old. But if you can no longer justify eating them for breakfast past Easter Monday, or perhaps if you’re looking for an Easter Sunday dessert that doesn’t involve chocolate, this might be just the thing…
Conversations in Vegetables Stock
I am usually quite good at using up vegetables before they spoil. I wish I could be more like Alex, and plan my weekly meals, but I am much more of a reactionary cook based on what ingredients are present and what inspires me. Let me tell you, this is where Stephanie Alexander’s The Cook’s Companion…
Good Friday breakfast; fresh hot cross buns
What better way to kick off a four-day weekend than with a couple of fresh, home-made hot cross buns and a tea or coffee outside in the sunshine? Plus lashings of butter of course! You can see Mr t2k’s bun is toasted while mine is freshly warm from the oven but not toasted, the soft…
