Bella Hyde, Author at Finding Feasts

Gooey Dark Chocolate Brownies

Lets be honest, not all chocolate brownies are created equal. There are brownies which can be dry and crumbly, sometimes leaving you feeling like you have just consumed a cardboard box with some sugar added to it, or brownies that are rock hard which means that are not brownies at all, rather more of a biscuit, and then there are brownies which have just the right amount of chocolate / cocoa goodness, a soft like centre and melt in your mouth yumminess. These are MY Brownies!

My gooey dark chocolate brownies are made with 70% dark chocolate, cacao, salted butter, eggs and sugar. These simple ingredients all to come together to form a gooey and decadent dessert.

They are rich but not overly sweet so you can definitely come back for more. Bake the brownies for around 40 minutes for a soft and gooey brownie centre – nothing else compares!

Enjoy! Bella

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Tim Tam & Milo Coconut Balls

Woohoo! My first post for 2016! Yikes, where does the time go to these days? It seems that one day I am packing for an exciting overseas Christmas holiday and the next I am getting ready to celebrate Australia Day.

“I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!

Dorothy Mackellar

Happy Australia Day for tomorrow everyone! A day of celebrating and paying respect to our rich and diverse culture and heritage. A day of cranking up the barbie and feasting on lamb, meat pies, sausage rolls, lamingtons, and pavlovas whilst listening to a bit of Triple J’s Hottest 100 and partaking in a game of backyard cricket. For those like me who have no backyard, it is a case of watching it on the television.

Finding Feasts - Tim Tam & Milo Coconut Balls

If you are one of many hosting an Aussie day BBQ tomorrow and have left the dessert off the list, or just plainly forgotten about it, then these Tim Tam, Milo and Coconut balls are too easy to make.

Finding Feasts - Tim Tam & Milo Coconut Balls

We celebrated Aussie Day lunch last year at Blondie’s place and from memory it was one of those typical hot and humid days. I had volunteered to make dessert and wanted to make something with an Australiana theme, other than lamingtons and something that didnt need to be baked. IGA was selling Tim Tams for half the price so the ball idea began.

No cooking, no mess no fuss but yummy!

Bella 🙂

Finding Feasts - Tim Tam & Milo Coconut Balls

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Chilli, Lemon & Smoked Paprika Flavoured Salt

Finding Feasts - Flavoured-Salt

Spice up your Christmas with this chili, lemon and smoked paprika salt rub.

I always buy store rubs and spice mixes but it never occurred to me until very recently that I could make my own. I was at our local fair in October and it was there that I came across the most divine smoked sea salt rub!

Our family eats quite a fair bit of chicken so I am forever looking at new ways of adding flavour to the Sunday roast.

I had a packet of sea salt flakes sitting in the cupboard so when the weekend came I got inventive. This rub has a beautiful smoky paprika aroma and I guarantee it will make a roast chicken taste amazing!

Bella

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Christmas Brandy Cherries

Finding Feasts - Brandy Cherries — Click image for recipe

Like Blondie I too love Christmas. I love the lights, the songs, the decorations and the FOOD!

Growing up, like most kids, Christmas for me was all about the presents. Which kid in their right mind would say that it’s about anything else but that? Miss H starts making making her Santa wish list as soon as Halloween is done and dusted.

Christmas for me as an adult is all about the food and plenty of it, and maybe the odd occasional glass of wine or champagne…OK a lot actually! The present side of things frustrates me. Everyone seems to get flustered about the perfect. You hear so many stories of gifts being re-packaged or shoved in the bottom of the draw, never to see daylight again. I too have been guilty of this!

Last year I decided to experiment a little and have a go at making my own edible gifts!

Kicking off gift No. 1 idea are these Brandy Cherries.

The cherry season is in full swing and depending on where you shop you can pick them up for about $15 per kilo.

Just in time for summer desserts and Christmas cocktails!

Bella

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A little taste of Bali – Base Genep a.k.a awesome Indonesian spice mix

Have you ever suffered from holiday envy? No? Then consider yourself lucky!

For me, it seems that EVERYONE I know has either just come back from holidays, is on holidays or is about to take off for their holiday. In the last two months I have had people taking off for trips across the USA, Disneyland, Atlantic QM2 crossing, Hawaii, Europe, a Bali diving getaway, going to the Rugby World Cup quarter finals to see the Wallabies take on Scotland! (this one annoyed me the most!) Even my own Mini Me had her own two week get away over the school holidays.

October and November are difficult months for me. Characteristically they are hectic & crazy office days with me running around like a chook with no head on. It’s like the world knows that I am desperate for my own holiday and keeps on throwing other peoples holidays my way.

With my own getaway in sight I went through my holiday happy snaps, Europe, Thai Land, Queensland, NZ, and Bali.

Bali is our families go-to-place to get away and really relax without feeling the need to have to do something everyday, mainly because we have been there a few times.

Going through my travel photos I came across ones of my favourite restaurant in Ubud called Indus, owned by ex-pat Australian Janet De Neefe, creator of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. Janet was born and bred in Melbourne but after falling for a Balinese man in 1984 she moved to Ubud and I guess as they say, the rest is history. She now runs Indus and Casa Luna. The cooking school at Casa luna is world renowned, being listed as one of the best cooking school in the world by ‘The Australian’ newspaper.

Indus is a short 5 minute drive from the center of town and is set overlooking awe inspiring, lush rolling green hills. I still remember my very first visit, it was October 2002, my first trip to Bali, hubby had lost count with his. We had booked three nights in Ubud and Indus was not very far from our hotel. The restaurant was recommended to us by our dear friend and tour guide extraordinaire Made Dampol.

Our experience was amazing. The atmosphere, the service and the food was fantastic. Indus overlooks the Tjampuhan river however walking into the restaurant you have absolutely no idea what beauty awaits you towards the end of the their courtyard. I highly recommend visiting around the 5pm mark to feast on their divine menu, Balinese with a modern twist whilst watching the sun cast long shadows over the lush green hills.

Indus-View

Indus-View-2

Like all good things our holiday came to an end but when I came across Janet De Neffe’s book ‘BALI’ in the store I was like a child in a candy shop! I ran home with the book in hand and studied it from page to page, drooling over which recipe I would make first, a little difficult considering they all look good!

Bali-by-Janet-De-Neefe-Cover

I settled on Base Genep. A traditional spice paste that the Balinese use to flavour many of their dishes with. It translates to the complete spice mix.

Ingredient list in hand I was off and running…until I hit a brick wall called kencur root! Yep! Absolutely no one sells it within a 30 km radius of me! I went into all sorts of Asian shops and most of the people looked at me as if I was speaking another language. Luckily Janet states that if you can’t find kencur not to worry about it.

I have to agree with Janet that “the ingredients list was a bit daunting” BUT me being the student and her being the teacher I followed her instructions to the nth degree, which included grabbing a glass of wine (a large glass) and working through everything in your mortar.

I soon found myself working up a horrible sweat pounding all the ingredients together. I did think of throwing everything into the electric mixer…but that would defeat the purpose. If my food was going to taste great I had to work at it!

About 20 minutes into it I had the most amazing, aromatic and HOT smelling paste! Be warned…it’s definitely not for the faint hearted…but it tastes awesome in a variety of recipes and forms the most amazing base.

You can keep the paste in the fridge for a week and it can be used in a variety of different dishes.

Bella 🙂

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Book Review – A Table in the Orchard, My Delicious Life + a yummy biscuit recipe!

A-Table-in-the-Orchard-My-Delicious-Life-Cover1 — Click image for recipe

A Table in the Orchard, My Delicious Life by Michelle Crawford

It’s funny how getting married and having your own family can change you completely.

I have been a city girl for most of my adult life, loving the fast paced mood that our beautiful coastal city, Sydney has to offer however since meeting the Hubby and having Mini Me my outlook on living in the city and future aspirations have changed considerably.

For a number of years I have been longing for a life in the country. A warm and cosy farmhouse overlooking expansive mountain ranges. A place where I can sit on my wooden deck sipping my favourite Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand Marlborough region of course!) whilst I ogle over the latest cook book with Blondie. Yep, her family will be on the farm next door!

So it’s no wonder that when I stumbled upon Michelle Crawford’s memoir, A Table in the Orchard, My Delicious Life I instantly knew that the book had to come home with me!

“I dreamed of a rambling old farmhouse where I could grow my own food, learn how to bake cakes and make jam. I wanted to wear gumboots. Every day”.

Michelle Crawford

That’s me! The little voice inside me said instantly. I echo those exact thoughts and I also happen to wear gumboots!

A-table-in-the-Orchard-My-Delicious-Life-Michelle-Crawford

Michelle’s book is beautifully written with each chapter taking you on a very special journey into her sea change.

After leaving her job with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra where she was kept busy organising fundraising events, Michelle and her family settle in Tasmania’s Huon Valley where she gives the readers an insight into her new life, a life in the country away from the hustle and bustle.

Whether it be it be setting up house and looking for a Rayburn oven, the roys royce of ovens which is now on my own wish list, to stories about apples, potatoes, lemon trees dying and being reborn, long hot summer days spent by the river, or foraging for dinner when the kitchen is a little bare, Michelle makes you feel very much apart of her journey.

Of course no country farmhouse would be complete without a few chickens that lay some farm fresh eggs and trust me Michelle get’s a little more than she bargains for with these ones!

My favourite chapter would have to be ‘Autumn’, which also happens to be my favourite time of the year.

“The leaves are turning gold, there is a distinct dampness in the air and fog has started to settle in the valley. I love this time of the year; cosy log fires and favourite woollen cardigans pulled from hibernation”.

Michelle Crawford

The book is gorgeously illustrated with picturesque images of a place that boasts beautiful local produce. It will evoke your sense of adventure and inspire the foodie within you.

A-table-in-the-Orchard-My-Delicious-Life-Michelle-Crawford1

There are 34 lovely recipes to road test from salted apple caramels, campfire roast chicken, overnight baked beans and this one for chocolate wheaty biscuits which my own Mini Me just loves. They are quick and easy and hit the spot with a warm cup of milk or hot chocolate.

A special shout out to Michelle Crawford for allowing me to use her images from her book for this post and for the encouragement to make my own sea change. If you are ever back in Sydney over autumn, come wild mushroom foraging with us!

Book details:

ISBN: 9780857983626

Published: 01/05/2015

Imprint: Ebury Australia

Extent: 320 pages

Available from all good book stores and very highly recommended!

Bella Hyde 🙂

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Nutella Puff Pastry Rolls

FinSki's Nutella Pastry Roll 1 — Click on image for recipe

Good coma! That is the only way that I can describe how I felt last night so making nutella puff pastry rolls was the last thing on my mind.

My day started yesterday with a lovely cup of my favourite Roobios and Vanilla bean tea which was enjoyed with a chocolate croissant. I really should have stopped there but three hours later it was out for lunch with work for our annual team birthday lunch at Jagos on Miller. Instead of celebrating a birthday a month, or in some cases a few birthdays in a week we take ourselves out once a year and celebrate everyone’s birthdays at the same time.

Jagos on Miller is a lovely little cafe/restaurant which does good basic meals. Their menu doesn’t really change much but why fix something when it’s not broken right? The service is quick and friendly, perfect for a work lunch, especially when you have to go back to the office. I had fish cakes with asian herb salad and sweet chilli sauce. A very substantial dish composed of two fish patties. I was adamant that it would end there but nope, the whole team was having desserts and as much as my tummy was saying no the left side of the brain took over. As soon as the waitress asked me to take my order I blurted out…yes please I will have the chocolate mousse tart which I have to say was pretty ahhhmazing!

I don’t have a photo to show you because it literally lasted only a few seconds on my plate!

Walking home at aerobic pace so that I could work off the brick in my tummy I promised myself that I would stay away from all food until the morning. I found myself however making these nutella puff pastry rolls for the teams morning tea! Sugar over load right!

I love nutella. We always keep a jar of it in the cupboard however as silly as it sounds it never occurred to me to make a dessert with nutella until a few months back when I came across these very delish but very filling nutella scrolls at our local coffee shop, Cafe Andiamo in North Sydney. They are so filling that when we get one at work, we share it amongst 4 staff members and two of them are blokes!

My nutella puff pastry rolls are what I call the lighter alternative, if there is such a thing with puff pastry and nutella! Quick and easy to make with literally only two ingredients needed. Three if you decide to count the icing sugar!

So as you can see, it definitely was a chocolate/sugar indulgent day, but as Blondie said to whilst I sipped my glass of wine…we are allowed to splurge now and again.

Bella 🙂

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