Weekend Cookbook: Honey Apple Tarte Tatin

I really enjoy having people over for dinner and cooking yummy food for them. I don't do it to show off my cooking skills (I am not a fantastic cook I can just follow a recipe), but it is a way I show I care for my family and friends. I love making people happy by giving them food they enjoy.

As I often put lots of effort into my main,  I will either ask my guests to bring dessert, or I will whip up something really easy.

This recipe is one of my favourite quick and easy desserts and it is made of things I generally always have on hand. Because I generally have all the ingredients it is also good for those nights when I am craving something sweet.

Honey Apple Tarte Tatins

(Makes 6)

Ingredients:

Melted butter, for greasing

60g butter

3/4 cup honey

2 red apples peeled, cored and sliced into rings

2 sheets of store-bought puff pastry.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 180 degrees and grease a muffin tray. I use 12 cup tray but a larger capacity 6 cup would work better.

Step 2: Heat butter and honey in a large frypan, over a medium heat for 3 minutes until it is a light golden colour. Add the apple rings and cook for 5 mins.

Step 3: Arrange the apples in the base of the muffin tin and top with the honey mixture. Cut out six 7cm round from the pastry and place over the apple, tucking the edges under.

Step 4: Bake for 10 mins in the oven or until the pastry is golden. Allow to stand for 2 mins and then invert onto serving plates.

What have you been cooking this week? 

 

Guest Post: Admitting and Surviving PND

I have not suffered from Post Natal Depression (PND) but a have a few friends who have gone through the journey of motherhood with the dark cloud of depression hanging over them. It can be hard enough adjusting to a new person in the house but when depression is added to the experience it must be almost unbearable. 

A friend of mine recently agreed to share her story of PND on Mummy’s Undeserved Blessings in the hope that it will help others who may be suffering depression, and to give others an insight into what mums with PND go through. 

Here is her story: 

I am 27 years old. 

I have a loving & supportive husband and an energetic toddler. 

I am surrounded by family & friends. 

I am also a survivor of post natal depression. 

 

PND is not something I would have ever thought would happen to me.  I knew that my mum had struggled after my brother was born, but that had been a fairly traumatic birth and I had no history myself of any form of depression.  I figured there was no reason I would be susceptible.  My son Thomas was planned and very much wanted, but for most of my pregnancy I had a recurring feeling of dread and anxiety that I could not shake.

Once he was born things got much worse.  Apart from being very quick, Thomas’ birth was uneventful.  It didn’t feel beautiful or spiritual, there was no instant surge of love other mothers had spoken about when they first see their baby…. my first thought was actually more along the lines of get this thing off me, I need a shower!  As time went on I felt no real bond for the little person my husband and I had brought home.  I fed him and bathed him and changed his nappies, but I didn’t feel like his mother, I took no joy in holding him, and at times felt a sense of loss and resentment for all the things I had ‘given up’.  I stopped praying, not because I blamed God but because I couldn’t imagine that he’d want to listen to someone as horrible as me who couldn’t love the beautiful gift he had given me (it’s a good thing he never gives up on us!)

There were two really scary moments for me.  The first was early on, sitting on my lounge at 2.00 am, struggling to feed a sleepy 3 week old.  For a number of nights in a row I had really vivid images running through my head of letting Thomas roll off my lap onto the hard tiles, I saw his tiny head hit the floor and was struck by how simple it would be to just end this thing that I had gotten myself into.  At the time I think I put this down to sleep deprivation, it wasn’t until a few months later when I was reading Brooke Shield’s book Down Came the Rain, in which she describes similar daydreams that I began to think maybe this was not something all new mothers thought about.

The second was driving along Gunghalin drive with Thomas asleep in his carseat, and having an (almost) uncontrollable urge to ram my car into the concrete wall which runs along the AIS fields.  Even as I was thinking this and forcing my hands to stay steady on the steering wheel I remember being terrified at the lengths I was prepared to go to, to escape.  This was not me and it was not normal.  

I spent hours reading information online and although I was still not ready to admit that what I had might be post natal depression, I did agree at my husband’s persistence to speak to someone.  One of my biggest barriers to seeking help was that I did not feel as though I was justified in having PND.  According to the fact sheets I read; I had all the symptoms but none of the risk factors.  If mothers with sick babies, absent partners or money troubles could cope then what did I have to complain about? Surely I just needed to suck it up!  I held onto this for a while, I kept looking at lists of risk factors trying to find an explanation for why this had happened to me.

When I finally saw someone the overwhelming feeling was one of relief, at finally being able to tell someone my story, and also at the response I got.  The psychologist I saw (and continue to see) is fantastic, she specialises in peri-natal depression and was able to give me some of the reasons I had been looking for.  She depersonalised a lot of my thoughts and feelings, explaining them using the science of the brain and how humans are programmed to deal with stresses.  She didn’t see anything wrong with the fact that I had not fallen instantly in love with my baby, had I loved my husband the first time I had met him?  No, it took months of spending time with him and getting to know the sort of person he was – why would it be any different for anyone else in my life?  I learnt that the loss I was feeling was common, I was grieving for a life I had, in some ways, left behind.  I was in a role transition stage of my life and that always brings with it challenges and feelings of discomfort.  I learnt tools and strategies to deal with these and get myself back on track.  

I went back to work (my own choice) when Thomas was 5 months old, and as I settled back into a job I have always loved I began to see that not everything had changed; there was plenty of my old life which could fit into my new role.  I do not feel guilty about going to work because I know it makes me a better mother.   My work, combined with the love of my family, lots of prayer, mild medication and regular exercise have all helped me to get back to the real me.  I am not only a mother; I am a wife, a teacher, a friend, a daughter & sister… I am also my own person and this means I do motherhood the way that works for me and my family, not necessarily the way people tell you it ‘should’ be done.  Having a baby is not my greatest accomplishment, but I have to admit that at the moment it’s pretty good.  I love watching my boy explore his world as he develops into his own little person.  He has an enormous personality and a lust for life which regularly astounds my husband and me.  It may have taken some time, but I can say with total sincerity that I love my son to bits!

I am not an expert on post natal depression.  I have gone through my own journey; I read lots and talked lots with people who are experts.  But that does not mean I have the answers, I am only an expert on my journey and my recovery.  If you are someone struggling with similar feelings and concerns the number one thing I can advise is to speak to someone.  The biggest mistake I made was pretending everything was ok; I was an expert at covering up, a lot of my friends would probably be surprised to know this was even something I struggled with.  At the risk of sounding clichéd, SPEAK UP …. Beyond Blue runs a brilliant campaign encouraging just that, check it out at http://justspeakup.com.au/

Weekend Cookbook: Crab and Ricotta Ravioli with a Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce

When I heard that Gourmet Garden was running a Blog off/ Cook off I couldn't resist and I knew that it would fit in perfectly with the Weekend Cookbook. This week is the Gourmet Garden Blog off/Cook edition of the Weekend Cookbook. I have chosen to cook one of my favourite recipes which I discovered when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter and craving crab meat.

This recipe has been made extra special with thanks to Gourmet Garden who sent me out some of their herbs to try out as part of the Blog off/Cook off challenge. In this recipe I used the Chunky Garlic, Basil and Hot Chilli. They handy tubes are really easy to use and I have been adding them to almost everything that I have been cooking lately.

I chose to make my pasta myself (because it is so much fun) but you can just use wonton wrappers and fill them with the crab filling. I have not tried this before but I have seen recipes that use them so I guess they work.

Pasta Recipe (serves 4)

Ingredients:

400g of 00 flour

4 eggs

1 teaspoon of Gourmet Garden Basil

Step 1: Place the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the centre, add eggs and mix slowly with a fork until it is well combined. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and bring together into a ball.

Knead the dough well, it should feel until it feels smooth and silky instead of rough and floury.

Once it feels right, wrap in cling wrap and place in fridge for 30 mins. Here I added the Basil because I think I am a master chef and wanted to fancy up my pasta.

Step 2: I used a pasta machine to roll out my pasta but if you don’t have one you can use a rolling pin and roll out small pieces until they are thin enough. If you are using a machine then roll it 5-6 times through the widest setting, then take it through each setting until it is thin enough.

Step 3: Using a cookie cutter, cut your pasta into your desired shape (work quickly as you don’t want the pasta to dry out).

Crab and Ricotta Filling

Ingredients:

2 cans of crab meat

½ cup of ricotta

1 teaspoon of Gourmet Garden Chunky Garlic

1 teaspoon of Gourmet Garden Basil

Ground black pepper, to taste

Step 4: Spoon teaspoonfuls of crab mixture into the centre of the ravioli and top with another ravioli piece, pressing the edges together. Set aside in a damp tea towel until ready to cook.

Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce

This can be made in advance and added to the pasta when you are ready.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon of Gourmet Garden Chunky Garlic

½ tablespoon of Gourmet Garden Basil

½ tablespoon of Hot Chilli (can be left out if you don’t like spicy food)

1 can of diced tomatoes

½ cup of chicken stock

1 tablespoon of tomato paste

150ml of cream

2 tablespoons of butter

Salt and pepper to taste

Step 5: Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and their juices. Cook for about 2 minutes, then add the chicken stock, chilli and the tomato paste. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the cream and basil and cook until reduced by half again, about 6 minutes.

Step 6: Add the butter, and when melted, puree the sauce with a stick blender. Add salt and pepper to taste, and keep warm on low heat.

Step 7: Cook the ravioli in a large stock pot of boiling water, on a low boil.  Cook until soft, about 6 minutes. Combine with sauce, and top with parmesan cheese if desired.

Tip: If you are short of time you can do what I did with the leftover filling and make cannelloni by filling sheets of pasta with the crab filling, rolling them, and topping it with the sauce and placing in the oven for 20 mins.

Have fun trying out this recipe, it might look tricky but it is actually fairly easy.

Good luck to all the other Gourmet Garden Blog off/Cook entrants. I look forward to checking out your delicious creations. Please link up your recipe to the Weekend Cookbook.

Weekend Cookbook: Super Scones That Never Fail

Welcome to week three of the Weekend Cookbook. I am just loving all the recipe sharing that is happening here and I look forward to trying out some of the fabulous ideas that others have shared.

This week I decided to post my favourite scone recipe after boasting about it to a couple of friends. It is a recipe that always gets good comments and I think that is due to them being made with buttermilk which makes them light and fluffy. It is a good quick recipe that you can whip up in the morning, in time for morning tea. They can also been frozen and defrosted when unexpected guests arrive.


Please enjoy and share this Scone recipe. 

Buttermilk Scones

 

Ingredients:
2 cups SR flour
1 tbls caster sugar
pinch of salt
60g butter, chilled, chopped
3/4 cup buttermilk
extra buttermilk for brushing


Step 1: Preheat oven to  220 degrees or 200 degrees for fan forced. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Position the rack in the top half of the oven.

Step 2: Sift flour, sugar and into a bowl. Add butter and rub into flour using fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Getting messy! My girls like to help with this part

Step 3: Make a well in the centre of mixture and add buttermilk. Using a butter knife stir until a sticky dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until just smooth.

Step 4: Using a lightly floured rolling pin, gently roll dough out to 2 cm thick. Using a 6cm round cutter cut out 12 scones.

Step 5: Brush scones with buttermilk and bake for 12 - 15 mins or until scones sound hollow when tapped.


Enjoy warm with strawberry jam, a dollop of whipped cream and a cup of hot tea

Do you have a special scone recipe? What is your best scone tip?

Happy linking and cooking this week. Next week I will be sharing my entry for the Gourmet Garden  Blog Off/Cook Off. If you are entering please join me next weekend.

Introducing Alicia Cate

Just six days after our daughter Alicia was born on our bathroom floor, we had some newborn photos taken by our friend Annette. You may remember the gorgeous family photos Anette took for us in the spring. We were so pleased with the family photos and couldn't wait to see the results of the photos of Alicia.

Like any parent, I think my baby is the most gorgeous baby on the planet, but I also know that most newborns are only attractive to their parents and often resemble a combination of Yoda and E.T. I was really amazed to see these photos Annette had taken made Alicia look like a baby from a magazine...so much better than the little happy snaps I try to take of my kids. I am just so pleased with these photos and wanted to show them off to you.

So please enjoy these photos of Alicia Cate...and her family (that's my mum...in case you were wondering)

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my photos. If you are interested in seeing more of Annette's photography please visit http://annetteaudrey.wordpress.com/ 

Weekend Cookbook: Homemade Brioche

I found this recipe in a Donna Hay Magazine and have made it my own. It is light and buttery and I think it tastes like a crossiant. While I was pregnant with Alicia I think I made this almost every week. Luckily it freezes really well so we didn't need to eat it all at once.

Don't be put off by the time it takes to make as it is actually very simple. You just need to leave a bit of time and I highly recommend using an electric mixer on a stand rather than a handheld one (trust me I have tried using the hand one).

Please enjoy this recipe and feel free to share it with others.

HOME MADE BRIOCHE

Ingredients:

1x 7g sachet of dry yeast

1 tablespoon of lukewarm water

1/4 cup caster sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lukewarm milk

1 2/3 cups (250g) 00 flour

2 eggs, lightly beaten

225g butter, chopped and softened

1 egg, extra, lightly beaten

Step 1

Combine yeast and water in a small bowl and set aside for 5 mins until bubbles appear. Mix sugar, salt and milk in a seperate bowl. Put the flour, yeast mixture and egg in the bowl of an electric mixer and using a dough hook, beat for 1 minute on a low setting. Increase the speed to high, and add milk mixture and beat for 10 mins or until you see the dough coming away from the side of the bowl.

sometimes I don't see many bubbles but it still works

Step 2: Continue beating on high and add the butter cubes gradually, beating for 7 minutes or until glossy and elastic.

Step 3: Leave the dough in your mixer bowl (scrape down into a ball) and cover with clingwarp. Place in a warm place for 3 hours or until it has doubled in size.

Step 4: Preheat oven to 180 degrees and divide into 12 equal balls (or if you want to make a loaf divide into four balls). Lightly knead on a lightly floured surface and place into a muffin tin (or loaf tin) and cover with a clean damp tea towel and set aside for 1 hour.

dough can be very stick so you will need a bit of flour

Step 5: Brush with extra egg and bake for 15-20 mins (35-40 for loaf) or until gloden.

Delicious eaten hot with butter (as if it needed more butter) and jam but if you have more self control than I do place in the freezer and when ready to eat, defrost and reheat in the oven.

 

What have you been cooking this week? Link up with the Weekend Cookbook and share your favourite recipes from this week.