Figs & biscotti with honey cream

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 150ml thickened cream
• 2 tbs honey
• 100ml Greek-style natural yoghurt
• 22 almond biscotti (Unibic brand)
• 6 fresh figs, cut lengthways into 5mm-thick slices

 

Method

1. Use an electric beater to whisk to the cream and honey in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Add the yoghurt and whisk until mixture thickens.
2. Place the biscotti in a plastic bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to crush the biscuits until mixture is coarsely crumbled.
3. To serve, place 1 tbs of cream mixture in each glass and top with 1 tbs of crushed biscotti then 3-4 slices of fig. Repeat layers.

Choc Ripple cake

Create an impressive cake without ever turning on the oven. Taste members adore this choc ripple refrigerator cake and for good reason. 

Preparation Time

20 - 380 minutes

Ingredients (serves 9)

• 2 cups (500ml) thickened cream
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 x 250g packet Arnott’s Choc
• Ripple biscuits
• Raspberries or seasonal berries to decorate

 

Method

1. Place cream, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and beat using an electric beater until stiff.
2. Spread a little of the cream onto the base of a serving plate. Spread one biscuit with 1 1/2 teaspoons cream then sandwich with another biscuit. Top with another 1 1/2 teaspoons cream then place biscuits on their side onto the serving plate. Repeat until all biscuits have been used and form a cake.
3. Spread remaining cream over cake to cover entirely. Cover loosely with foil, then place in refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours to set.
4. Just before serving, sprinkle cake with seasonal berries.

 

Notes

Tip: To create a beautiful stripy pattern, slice on an angle.
Variations: Peanut Brittle: Sprinkle chopped peanut brittle over chilled cake.
Scorched Almonds: Roughly chop scorched almonds and sprinkle over chilled cake.
White Choc: Fold grated white chocolate through cream mixture. Follow steps 2 and 3 of recipe. Serve Choc Ripple cake topped with white chocolate curls.
To make chocolate curls, spread melted chocolate on a marble board. Allow to set. Scrape a knife on an angle over chocolate to form curls.
Brandied Cherries: Combine halved cherries and brandy in a bowl. Stand for 10 minutes. Spoon cherry mixture over chilled cake.

Irish coffee

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

5 minutes

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 2 tbs good freshly ground coffee
• 1/4 cup whisky
• 2-4 tsp sugar
• thickened cream

 

Method

1. Place 2 tbs good freshly ground coffee in a coffee plunger and pour over 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Stir well. Set aside for 5 minutes. Plunge the coffee.
2. Pour 1/4 cup whisky into two serving glasses. Pour over the coffee and then stir in 2-4 tsp sugar, to taste.
3. Carefully pour thickened cream over the back of a spoon into the coffee. Serve the coffee immediately.

 

Notes

Try this: If you are not a whisky drinker, other great alcoholic additions are Kahlua, Baileys, rum or Tia Maria.