Fifteen Chocolate Tart

Mmmmm not very many deserts can beat a dark chocolate tart. And I have found the perfect recipe.

It's in Jaime Oliver's most recent cookbook - 'Cook with Jaime'. (For all you bachelors out there - there is nothing more seductive than a man who can cook good chocolate desserts!). Anyway I do not want to break any copyright laws so I will not be posting his recipe on this blog. However if you do in fact wish to have a look and do not intend to buy what is a magnificent cook book, I would be more than happy to 'lend' my copy to good friends. Just send me an email on FB.

Anyway I would very much recommend this tart! The filling is so delicate, and yet the dark chocolate explodes in your mouth like a glorious round of fireworks and leaves you hungry for more, and more, and more. I can guarantee you that it would be a magnificent hit at ANY dinner party! The only variation was that I added 2 tblsns of brandy to the chocolate filling (oh yum!). Oh glorious dark chocolate, how I love the sweet taste!

Go out and buy Jaime Oliver's book right now - it's an investment you won't ever regret ...

Bon Appetit!

Lemongrass Prawns w Beetroot Salad

There is a common preconception that cooking tasty meals takes time.  Well that is simply not true!  Good food does not necessarily equal many hours in the kitchen.  However, it does take a little pre-planning  and preparation.  

To make the lemongrass prawns I bought a lemongrass marinade from Santis.  If you are Australia, you can probably find it in your local supermarket!  Or if not - then just go to your local Asian grocery store (there will be one nearby regardless of where you live!).  I shelled the prawns (leaving the tails on) and then placed them in a bag with some oil and the marinade.  I also grated some fresh ginger into the marinade mix. I sealed the bag and left it in the fridge for a few hours while I was out and about.  

When I got home I wrapped some whole beetroots individually in alfoil and baked them for about an hour and a half.  After they were cool I unwrapped them and peeled off the skin (it just falls off - doesn't take very long at all), chopped them into cubes, and added a simple dressing (orange juice, balsamic vinegar, oil, and ground pepper).  

For the salad, I used a pre-prepared gourmet lettuce mix and added some capsicum and cherry tomatoes topped with a small amount of vinigarette (very small - don't drown the salad).

To give you an idea from the time I got the beetroot out of the oven and had prepared the salad it was prob 20 mins or so.  Easy stuff! 

The prawns took even less time.  I heated up the wok and threw in the marinade mixture - seven mins later - they were delicious and succulent and ready to eat.  

A wonderful meal in less than 30 mins (pre-preparation - it took me 15  mins to shell the prawns put in the marinade mix).  So if you're a busy person then remember - cooking good meals quickly can be done and it's far better than takeaway food.  It just takes a bit of forethought :)

Bon Appetit!