Tin Bird Tiramisù

All Tin Bird biscuit baking is done for 2012. Thank you again for all your support this year. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and the most amazing 2013! My thank you gift... is my treasured Tiramisù recipe! Dead easy to make, flop proof, and certainly an impressive dessert to serve at your Christmas feast! Best of all ~ it is deliciously decadent!!! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Tiramisù - Italian Coffee Dessert

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

500g mascarpone cheese

5 eggs, separated, at room temperature

100g caster sugar

pinch salt

savoyard or sponge biscuits (I use 2 packets, there's normally some leftover)

100 ml strong espresso coffee

60ml brandy/rum/kahlua etc (optional)

unsweetened cocoa powder, to sprinkle

Method:

Beat the mascarpone in a small bowl until soft. In a separate bowl beat the egg yolks with the sugar (reserving 15ml / 1 Tbsp) until the mixutre is pale, yellow and fluffy. Gradually beat in the softened mascarpone.

Using an electric beater or wire whisk, beat the egg whites with the salt until they form stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture.

Line one large or several individual serving dishes with the biscuits. Add the reserved sugar to the coffee, and stir in the liqueur, if using.

Sprinkle the coffee over the biscuits (use a Tablespoon, I find that helps to distribute the coffee). They should be moist but not saturated. Cover with half of the egg mixture. Make another layer of biscuits moistened with coffee, and cover with the remaining egg mixture. Sprinkle with the cocoa powder. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or more, even overnight before serving.

*Pic taken from here

Longing for Lamps

I know I have been off the grid for a while... lots going on. For the moment let's just say two new puppies, plus children keep you very busy. Oh and a new business, yes that's it! I started a new little business from home which I will talk more about on another post. For now, I wish these lamps I found on Etsy would magically appear in my home! Lighting in a home can create a wonderful ambience depending on their shape, shade and of course positioning. 
*Click on pics for their links

Pair of Mid-Century Mint Green Lamps

Mid-Century Retro Lamp

Vintage 1964 Lampette Reading Lamp

Vintage Desk Lamp

Happy 100th Birthday Julia!

If you are a fan of Julia Child's you will know its her birthday today. An admirable woman and chef, who managed to inspire many women past, present and definitely in the future with her culinary skills.

A brief history of her timeline can be found here. One of my favourite movies is Julie and Julia. Based on the adaptation by Nora Ephron, of two bestselling memoirs: Powell’s Julie & Julia and My Life in France, by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme. It's combines the story of Julie who attempts to cook a recipe out of Julia Childs first cookbook 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking'. She cooks a recipe a day for 365 days and blogs about. It was life-changing for Julie to say the least; where she re-discovers herself and her passion. Along with the journey of Julia Child's life it makes for a very inspiring movie. I hope to read the books someday. Click on images for their sources.

Happy Birthday Julia!

Some of my favourite quotes from Julia Child...

1. "The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook."

2. "Cooking is like love; it should be entered into with abandon or not at all."

3. "If you're afraid of butter, use cream."

4. "The best way to execute French cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken. Bon appetit."

5. "I think every woman should have a blowtorch."

6. "Fat gives things flavor."

7. "Maybe the cat has fallen into the stew, or the lettuce has frozen, or the cake has collapsed. Eh bien, tant pis. Usually one's cooking is better than one thinks it is. And if the food is truly vile, then the cook must simply grit her teeth and bear it with a smile, and learn from her mistakes."

8. "I think one of the terrible things today is that people have this deathly fear of food: fear of eggs, say, or fear of butter. Most doctors feel that you can have a little bit of everything."

9. "I always give my bird a generous butter massage before I put it in the oven. Why? Because I think the chicken likes it -- and, more important, I like to give it."

10. "I think careful cooking is love, don't you? The loveliest thing you can cook for someone who's close to you is about as nice a Valentine as you can give."

11. "You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces -- just good food from fresh ingredients."

12. "Always remember: If you're alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who's going to know?"

13. "I just hate health food."

14. "Learn how to cook -- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all have fun."

Julia Child making chocolate mousse

Julia Child getting to grips with her ingredients

Julia Child's famous kitchen at the Smithsonian National Museum

Julie & Julia - a fabulous movie

Woolies have done it again!

Just when you think Woolworths can't make our lives more easier or a tad more interesting they come up with some new addiction! Last night I discovered their Rosemary crackers and Wasabi cream cheese. The crackers are thin, light and moreish. Wasabi cream cheese who would've thought?!! I peeled open the foil cover and to my delight was a tub of light green cream cheese. It does have a bit of a bite, its sooo good! With a glass of red wine I was in heaven! If you try it - let me know what you think...

Saluté!

Finished batches of Tuscan and Double Choc Biscotti today. My trusty smeg oven kept my kitchen warm and toasty. Time for a fire; some port and biscotti... saluté everyone!

Button up @ Factory Cafe

Durban's well known Colombo Coffee Roastery @ 369 Gale Street has started vintage markets at their coffee shop called the Factory Cafe. Button up is on this Saturday 9 - 2pm. Grab a cuppuccino and take some freshly roasted beans home with you. One of my husbands favourite treats from Columbo are their roasted nuts done in their factory. Highly addictive!

Le Creuset Winter Warmers Competition

Oooooooh have to share this awesome Le Creuset competition they are running for the next 3 weeks. What colour would you choose?


"Enter this comp and stand the chance of winning a stunning deep heart casserole dish in the colour of your choice! What is your winter warming recipe inspiration and why is it a special recipe for you? Send a pic of your winter warming creation to comp@lecreuset.co.za and the first winner will be chosen on the 20th July 2012. Good Luck..."

Deep Heart casserole dish up for grabs!

Treats delivered

Special order delivered... nuts, crunchies, biscotti and pecan snowballs! I was quite pleased with the new biscotti I made. Instead of pistachios, I made it with almonds, white chocolate and cranberry. They are not too sweet, perfect for dunking and then you get a hint of cranberry mmm deelish!

July I ♥ Market

Love the new I ♥ Market poster! Support the creative talent of KwaZulu Natal and head down to the market this Saturday...

Marseille Le Creuset

I had to share this clever ad for Le Creuset's new blue colour tone addition - Marseille!

Spoilt by Cupcake Couture

Recently I met with lovely Nadia from Cupcake Couture. We caught up over choc pancakes and cuppacino's! Nadia is very inspiring and full of creative ideas. Its no wonder that's her field. She is a consultant with heaps of advice on blogging, marketing, special events and more!  


Nadia spoilt me with this gift - wrapped up with such special care. It also had a bunny doily tag, which I somehow misplaced. I found a retro cup with a stunning Cupcake Couture Corsage inside. Yes she also makes these corsages! Nadia had no idea but the colours she chose are my favourite! Love it so much, thank you Nadia! Its worth a visit to Cupcake Couture for more of Nadia's beautiful product range! 

How cute is the little "tin bird"?!

The flower design on the mug and the corsage colours are so me!

Custom made Corsages from Cupcake Couture 

Keepsakes Range from Cupcake Couture

*Last two pics from http://www.lovecupcakecouture.co.za

Le Crueset - You've done it again!

I would love this Garlic Keeper from Le Crueset. So handy and stylish, plus its in my favourite colour... Dune - love it!!

Le Crueset's practical yet stylish Garlic Keeper

Snowballs done & dusted

Busy baking week! Today I made some Pecan Snowballs, a big favourite... pecans in a melt-in-your mouth light shortbread and then dusted with icing snow! Delivering my treats tomorrow!

Wishing you a wonderful day!

Easy Peasy Flapjacks

Made these one morning for the family. I was hoping to freeze half for another family breakfast but not many were left. Make a stack with butter and maple syrup accompanied by ham, sausage or bacon. Call them flapjacks call them crumpets; they are simply deelish!

Flapjack Recipe

Ingredients:
500 ml self-raising flour
2 ml salt
10 ml sugar
3 eggs
450 ml milk
60 g melter butter



Method:
Sift flour and salt together. Add sugar.
Beat eggs with milk. Slowly add flour mix to your egg mixture.
Batter can be a little lumpy don't worry.
Lightly stir in the melter butter.
Heat a heavy, greased frying pan.
When its quite warm, using a ladle pour batter into the pan to make the flapjacks as small or as big as you want.
Cook until they are full of bubbles on top and undersides are browned.
Then turn and cook the other side.
Serve in a stack with butter in between.

Midlands Meander

Autumn in the Midlands is such a special time for me. My husband and I took a meander there this weekend and it was a wonderful break. I love the roads lined with trees with leaves of gold, rust and purple. I can highly recommend exploring the midlands; well worth discovering all it has to offer.

Waiting for our lunch by a cosy fire

Oh so cute!

I just LOVE these cushions from Smitten Home & Life. 

Orders Ready to Go

Busy baking week, Biscotti, Nuts, Kisses, Snowballs and Crunchies packed up and delivered today! Have a good weekend all!

Chocolate Surprises

Tin Bird chocolate kisses have just come out the oven. Decadent shortbread with a chocolate center surprise... salivating yet?!

Tin Bird Chocolate Kisses

Happy Easter to You

Hope your Easter is a blessed one!

Image source:
http://www.stylehive.com/browse/home/vintage/bird

Tip of the week

Some of you will know this tip already but just in case here it is... 
The floating egg test - I use it all the time! Place an egg into a jug or large glass of water. If it sinks to the bottom its fresh. If it floats to the top its a rotten egg!! Simple.

Fresh egg

Not-so-fresh floating egg

Images sourced from: http://finskis.com/how-fresh-are-your-eggs/

Toasty Bodega Nuts

Yes I've been a tad quiet. A few things have been going on. Working on a new business venture, freelance work, sick cat, sick children, car broken down and so on....


Anyhoo, got some Bodega nuts roasting in the oven. Wish this post came with a smell cam... 'cos they smell amazing!! 


I have also been working on my little office room, which will become my 'showroom'. Progress is slow as I have few ideas to renovate the room, then I change my mind. My hubby helps me but he's only free weekends. I had a gorgeous vintage light re-chromed (forgot to take a before pic), but one piece of the fitting was left behind. So frustrating... this little piece will have to go to the chrome shop when I get a gap, then only then, can the light go up.


I'm still going to continue to bake and take orders, but unfortunately I won't be able to do i heart market anymore.

Dreaming about a Conservatory

I have been dreaming about extending our verandah and enclosing it to make a conservatory. These images are simply divine. Click on images for their source.

Leek & Goat's Cheese Phyllo Parcels by Tina Bester

I've become a steadfast fan of Tina Bester Queen of Tarts. I got her book Bake last year, and I'm very keen to acquire her other recipe books. I made these leek & goat's cheese parcels for a friends Christmas party in December. They lasted I think 2 mins. I got the recipe from her book Bake. I'm super impressed by her recipes. I've only made these parcels and her cupcakes so far. Her ingredients are easy to come by; the recipes are simple to follow and the end result is delicious! I'm also a sucker for good photography, which combined with the layout is just gorgeous.

Look at the sunny egg leek!

Phyllo square sheets

Parcels before adding cream filling and being baked

Ta daaah!

Love Hamper

Coco li is a Fashion-Accessories-Gift Boutique based in Cape Town. In their own words: "We pride ourselves on stocking predominantly locally designed and sourced treasures". Wish they were in Durbs! Coco Li are giving away a love hamper to the value of R650. Check out their facebook here and their website here. Good luck!

Vintage dress rescued

I popped in at the local Hospice shop and spotted this vintage Italian dress for R38. Not the best pic I know - apologies it was late! I paid R19 for it as they were having a half price sale! Crazy! It still has its rather large, original label on it of an Italian gondola. I don't know when I will use it but I had to rescue this dusky pink dress. I couldn't believe my luck when I tried it on and it fitted me. It reminds me of a dress you would wear if you were to dance with Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire!