Christmas is better spent enjoying the warm weather and time with family. But if you’re anything like me, everything is left until the last minute and then becomes a mad panic. To be honest I’d actually really enjoy being super prepared for once, so this year is all about maximum impact with minimal effort. There are plenty of great products at the supermarket which have already done the work for you and only need dressing up on Christmas Day. Countdown have a great selection of Christmas staples that I believe are necessities, such as their in-house traditional fruit mince pies, self-saucing puddings and brandy snaps. I’m also a sucker for shortbread, Corinthian wafers and fresh fruit, so it’s easy to put together a platter of finger treats to cater to everyone’s cravings. If you’re actually after some more Christmas recipe inspiration or want to use some of these Countdown items as a base, jump on over to their recipe section ‘here’.…
Desserts
Mojito Cheesecake
Warmer weather calls for cool drinks and cool desserts. So when I think cool desserts, I can’t go past the classic cheesecake. And if you asked me what one of my favourite cocktails for the summer season were, I’d always say mojito! There’s something so fresh about lime and mint that gets me every time. Also don’t forget the splash of rum too!…
Orange Chocolate Tiramisu
You can feel it in the air as summer approaches, with promises of warm weather, end of year festivities and evenings outside eating until dusk. There’s nothing quite like spending this time of the year with friends and family around the barbecue, it screams out salads and cold desserts. I’m a huge fan of desserts to finish off a night, or even to get one started. So when I heard that Nespresso had joined the festive table, embracing the season of nostalgia and excitement, I was immediately inspired.…
Chocolate Mud Pie
While growing up the wheat biscuit has been a staple part of many households and has also become an amazing ingredient for baking and various other meals. So it’s clear wheat biscuits are not only enjoyed as a cereal, but can also add fibre and texture to a range of sweet and savoury recipes.…
Kānga Waru
Growing up, spending holidays on the East Coast has plenty of amazing memories for my family and I. Along with putting out crayfish pots, laying a hangi and spending hours exploring the streams near the marae, I remember the food. My gran was famous for making her fried bread, money pudding and one of my favourite Maori desserts, Kānga waru.
…Berry Crumble Cheesecake
There’s something quite kiwi about the thought of a hot fruit crumble with a side of cold vanilla ice cream or fresh cream. Growing up, fruit crumbles were a weekend staple. My mother’s go to crumble was always a hot apple, topped with lots of delicious spiced crumble. This later led to experimenting with different fruit such as feijoas or sneaking in the odd berries now and then.…
Raw Cocoa and Coconut Cheesecake
There’s always the demand to do things quicker, have more energy and live a little healthier. When it comes to baking or a little something sweet, we sometimes feel these same pressures. Luckily it doesn’t always have to be this way and occasionally we are allowed a little indulgence. …
Turkish Delight Cheesecake
Ever since I saw Turkish Delight for the first time while watching the BBC’s mini series ‘The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’ which came out in 1988, I’ve always been fascinated about how delicious and exotic it must have been. When I was old enough to finally try it, I wasn’t disappointed. There’s nothing quite like the light scent and taste of roses while your eating, it makes you feel as if you’ve been whipped away to some secret garden (or traveled through a wardrobe to a far off land).…
Raw Spiced Feijoa Cheesecake
It’s that time of the year again and feijoas are plentiful! Growing up we’ve always had feijoa trees either at our house or nearby, so there was also more than you could ever consume during a solid munch session on the back lawn. Because of this I’m very familiar with stewing feijoas so they don’t go to waste and can be enjoyed much later on cereals, desserts and thanks to my mum, served with lots of cream.…
Ambrosia Cheesecake
There is something about the creaminess and fruitiness of Ambrosia that keeps you coming back for more. In fact, it’s hard to come by anyone who would disagree with me. Growing up, Ambrosia was always such a heavenly dessert and was so popular that there would never be any left over for a second helping. Now as an adult, I can whip this dessert up whenever I like – and I do!
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