Chocolate, Clementine and Ginger Buns

It's nearly Christmas break. Woooooo! That means having absolutely no uni work to do (I hope), plenty of lie ins which lead into days spent doing nothing constructive whatsoever. apart from stuffing your face with chocolate and watching endless Christmas movies. Don't you just love this time of year?! 

Polish Vanilla and Raspberry Ripple Custard Slice (Karpatka)

Mille-feuille, the classic french pastry. Just the word puts a shiver down my spine.  I'm no trained pastry chef and I think others would agree with me in saying that this is one of the hardest things to perfect - looks wise! I can never quite master the uniformity aspect, some custard always manages to seep its way out the sides either in cutting or by overfilling!  

Caramelised Banana Tart

I've been feeling very uninspired recently, probably a mix of being ill multiple times (seriously though, I've never been this ill AND it came back, again and again...just wonderful) and that the weather has been bloody freezing here! 

Fig and Pistachio Frangipane Tart

I've never actually incorporated figs before into anything I've cooked or baked; I've simply just ate them raw with goats cheese and drizzled with honey. So this is my first ever attempt at baking with figs and I am impressed! There's something so striking about this humble fruit - with it's deep purple skin and vibrant pink flesh, it makes a wonderful addition the autumnal table. Figs have a naturally high sugar content, hence they make a great pairing with equally intense ingredients and flavourings like orange. 

Caramel and Maple Walnut Tart

Exam season is here (ahhh) and I'm now in full revision mode (urrghhh), this means lots and lots of reading...but unfortunately not recipes. Sad, I know. But not to worry guys because I like to plan way ahead for times like these, sorry for sounding so smug but I am pretty pleased for myself - it has to be said!  I've had this post up my sleeve for a while now and I think it's time to finally whip it out. But apologies for the lack of photos...

Filo Eclairs

This is some sort of an invention that I concocted after wanting to recreate a cannoli I had ages ago and remembering thoughts that they'd be awesome to make myself. Cannoli are Sicilian pastry desserts, the singular is cannolo, meaning "little tube" can be filled with either fresh ricotta or pastry cream ( à la American style). 

Simple Speedy Mocha Tart

I think it's fair to say that chocolate tart can be a bit blah! And as good as it can be, because yeah of course it's good...it's chocolate for goodness sake, sometimes I just want that little bit of extra something to take it to that next - not so ordinary level. (Cringe...just realised that sounds so cliche soz guys.) 

Danish Custard Pies (Linser) from Scandinavian Baking

It's embarrassing to have to say how many cookbooks I have on the subject of baking, but let me tell you, I can never have enough! I was recently in that well known bookstore just looking in the cookbook section as you do, and came across Scandinavian Baking by Trine Hahnemann, I was instantly hooked just from reading the title - never mind the beautifully styled berry-spectacular layered cake on the front cover. So of course that's why I put it onto my birthday wishlist immediately. 

Parisian Apple Tart

This is autumnal baking at it's best and is inspired by one of my most favorite places on earth - Paris! Even though I've never properly been (except for Disneyland Paris which doesn't really count does it?!)  Anyway, there is something just so mystically enticing about the streets of Paris, mainly for the fact that I adore the countless French patisserie's on every street corner (which has got to be up there as the best type of shop ever invented!!) What's not to love about a French patisserie specializing in all things sweet?! 

Rhubarb Tarts

First off, I'd like to start by saying that this week was my first time back at school (well sixth form now actually)...after what felt like a forever lasting summer holiday! Probably I would say 12 ish weeks! (OF COURSE I'M NOT COMPLAINING- I mean who doesn't love a holiday?!) But it's taking me a little while to adjust and juggle my work around baking, blogging, food styling...well you get my point!  So anyway, what I'm trying to say is that posts may be a bit more irregular until I get into the swing of things. 

Smoked Salmon, Broccoli and Cream Cheese Quiche

I'm very affected by the weather - I wish I wasn't but I am. As soon as it starts heating up outside I really can't be doing with big heavy meals (a.k.a casseroles uughh!)