Cake decorating classes – Week 1

Last night I did something new for me and went to my very first cake decorating class with Julia at Cupid’s Delight. I really enjoy going to cooking classes and baking, so thought I’d give cake decorating a try. There are 11 of us in the class, with experience ranging from me with no experience with this kind of cake decorating, others who have tried it at home, a few who have done other classes as well as two chefs. It will be interesting to see how I keep up. Most of the class seem to be hoping to set up a home business in cake decorating, which was interesting. That certainly isn’t my aim. I am happy to do it for fun, and blog about it of course.

No photos yet as the first lesson was all theory (health, food and safety, how to line a tin). I am happy to report that I passed the quiz that followed with flying colours, so I am safe to be released into the kitchen! I had a great time and am looking forward to next week when we do get into the kitchen and also get our kit of tools.

I’ve never done any cake decorating with fondant, so I am really looking forward to learning some new skills. My homework for the week is to soak my fruit for the fruit cake we will be decorating (I’m currently trying to decide what fruit and alcohol to use to make mine different – I’m currently thinking of dates and pineapple for the additional fruit, possibly some coconut as well, but not sure about the alcohol at this stage. The recipe uses brandy). I also have to find a good on-line cake decorating resource to share with the class. If anyone has any recommendations please share them with me.

More recipes to come soon. But for now, it’s off to work I go.

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Berry and Almond Pies

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I freely admit I am addicted to buying cookbooks and magazines. I read them like novels. And even though I have hundreds, it doesn’t take much to have me reaching for my money to buy more. With magazines, it’s the cover photo that gets me. Usually if it’s anything to do with baking or desserts, I’m hooked and have to buy it. It doesn’t always follow that I then make the recipe however.

The latest to tempt me was the cover of the November edition of Australian Good Food with Berry & Almond Picnic Pies. I had to have them. Above is a photo of my first attempt at the recipe. I’m pretty happy with the result and they taste quite nice too. click here for the recipe

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Lazy Sunday cooking

The other week I discovered that my small freezer, which was full of lots of frozen meals I’d cooked for nights when I didn’t have time to cook, wasn’t working. The power plug had come out. All of the food had to be thrown out. What a waste! I often have nights where I am home from work with only a short time to spare before I have to head out to a rehearsal (or performance), dance class, singing lesson or, starting tomorrow, cake decorating class.

So my mission today is to start filling it up again. On the menu, cauliflower soup, my spaghetti bolognaise and I’m going to try some mini berry and almond pies.

I’ll post the recipes and photos once my day of cooking is done.

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Cupcakes

Cupcakes

Early attempt at citrus coconut and banoffee cupcakes.

A few years ago now I went to a cupcake cooking class run by the wonderful Sarah from Babycakes (http://www.babycakes.net.au/). This was my first attempt at the cupcakes and 3d chocolate butterflies from the class. Sarah’s cupcakes are delicious and I am always very popular whenever I cook and share them.

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My food my way

Food and cooking has become, over time, one of my hobbies and passions. I am addicted  to cookbooks and magazines (I am scared to count how many I own) and cooking shows on TV. I usually can’t just stick to exactly what is in a recipe though. Often when I try a new recipe, I’ll find several and take bits out of all of them. Or change it slightly to suit my preferences and tastes. Hence, my food my way. A record of the food I cook.

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