Finally...... Raspberry & Passionfruit Tarts

Finally submitted my thesis yesterday night, though it’s not completely over, awaiting viva in a few weeks.

I have no ideas what to do for the rest of the week apart from all those writing & editing.

My mind is still about writing thesis, need something to divert my mind & focus.

I think it’s a great time to start baking again & updating my blog.

The recipe I’m sharing now is from a while back in summer.

A request from my sister, I’d asked her what she’d like to have for desserts the day before we went picking raspberries.

Cheesecake was on the list but passionfruit & raspberry tart sounded wonderful, plus it wasn't difficult to make at all.

We’ve had tart passion framboise from Laduree, it’s amazingly delicious.

Although my sister has the cookbook, it’s not at hand so I simply googled the recipe for it & found a recipe from Bertha’s blog.

Crunchy tart crust, rich yet exotic passionfruit cream & tangy raspberries, just a wonderful combination.

Harmonie - closure of 2012

The dessert I've chosen for the closure of 2013: chocolate tart with caramel mousse & caramel pear compote.

One that includes all my favourite flavours over the year.

Chocolate, caramel & pear.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year & hope to see you next year.

Galette Bretonne

I'm totally in love with these classic & elegant French shortbreads.

It is originated from Bretagne (Brittany) in France.

This is not a traditional recipe which just uses butter, egg & flour.

This recipe from cakechef is much more sophisticated with a thoughtful consideration of taste & texture.

The ground almond makes it even more flakier & crunchier.

I baked this recipe once without cooking rings & the biscuits turned out so crunchy & delicious.

I couldn't resist to bake again with rings so I've bought 20 cookies rings just for these buttery cookies.

I can assure you will love these cookies. 

For a little variation, I also whipped up whipping cream with lime & orange to make the syllabub.

Serve as a simple tart with the syllabub & any fruits you like.

 Enjoy with a cup of coffee :)

Sweet Orange

I designed a cheesecake on a tart & drew it out.

I went shopping & bought all the things I needed.

At the end, I made something different.

Things don't always go as planned but it happens.

The cheesecake is great, I like the orange slices on the side & the ginger biscuit base.

I think the cake will look prettier with the cream on the tart but there was no whipping cream left when I decorated it.

It still tastes great & less calorie without cream :)

Joining Online Bake Sale for Japan

I picked up some puff pastry on my way back after college.

I thought it'll be very handy if I'd like some desserts sometimes.

I baked an apple tarte tatin later in the week, it's simple yet making a great dessert that night.

Quick Pear Tart & Coconut Truffles

I've a really relaxing weekend, spending time in reading, food & photography.

I also ordered some cookbooks online from The Book People, it always has good prices on top selling cookbooks.

The only problem I have with those cookbooks is that I have a growing list for baking.

Sometimes, I just can't decide what to make next.

I had made this tart 3 times this week, I didn't have them all as I took two for my colleagues & I received many praises.

I made the last one today so I can take some photos.

The tart was simple to make but so yummy.

I also made some coconut truffles as I had some chocolate left.

I thought it'd be great to make truffles for Valentine's day.

Once again, happy Valentine's day to all.

Matcha Mont Blanc

I wanted to join the Matcha Madness held by Catty, so I made these Matcha Mont Blanc.

Matcha Mont Blanc is the one I always like to try, I have to say I need more practice with my icing kit as I made a mess with the chestnut puree.

I realised my family don't fancy matcha flavoured desserts after I made these.

Although we drink green tea every day, I think we prefer matcha for beverage only.

It's rich in chestnut & azuki bean flavour, & also a subtle sense of matcha blended nicely with chestnut.

Apple Chocolate Crumble Tarts

This week, I was craving for apple desserts, especially tarts.

I have some low-fat sweet short pastry left in my fridge, so I was looking for a simple recipe to fulfil my urge for apple tarts then I came across this blog post (Chinese).

The apple chocolate crumble tart is a perfect combination to me as I'm a chocoholic & I love apples.

There is no need to make custard filling, just chopping apples & chocolate.

I adapted the recipe slightly mainly because I didn't have some ingredients & I didn't want to go shopping for them.

The tarts are great, I ate two soon after it's out of the oven.

I think it's best served when it is hot, a crispy tart base coupled with a melting centre, yummy!

Cream Cheese Tartelettes with Cherries in Red Wine

It is the cherry season!

I've seen baskets of cherries in Portobello market where I now routinely shop for fruits & vegetables.

Since I made my 1st jar of blueberry jam, I love the ideas of preserving fruits without additives.

So, when I came across the brilliant post (Chinese) in preserving cherries in red wine, I bookmarked it & told myself I must try this.

Although I don't drink wine, I still like the subtle & fruity taste of the cherries & red wine.

Pink Lady ~Chocolate & Raspberry~

Since I'm back to Basildon, the weather is nice & sunny.

A perfect weather to work in the kitchen & work on my jewelry.

I dug out a recipe which I always wanted to try.

The chocolate tarts are rich but it's a bit dull & plain just to be served alone.

I remember reading a magazine, there was a picture of a cheesecake on top of a tart.

I think it's great idea so I make some raspberry mousse to serve with that.

Chocolate & raspberry is a perfect combination!

With the raspberry mousse, I also try decorate with lady fingers & strawberry to make a berry charlotte.