Thursday, August 25, 2011

Chocolate and orange pinwheels

I made these yesterday and they were so good! The recipe does have a lot of waiting time, which is needed, but it's a good time to get some cleaning done ;)

I think I got everything changed right for the American, if not the friendly google will tell you :)

Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (250g) unsalted butter
1 cup (160g) icing sugar, sifted (powdered sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
grated rind of 1 orange
1 3/4 cups (260g) plain flour, sifted
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/4 cup (25g) cocoa powder, sifted
METHOD

1. Beat butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until pale and creamy. Add vanilla essence and rind and mix well. Divide creamed mixture in half, keeping in two separate bowls.

2. Add 1 cup of flour and 1 tablespoon of orange juice to one lot of creamed mixture and mix to form dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently to form a ball. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes. Add remaining flour, orange juice and cocoa to remaining creamed mixture and mix to form dough. Knead gently to form a ball. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

3. Roll each piece of dough out separately between two sheets of baking paper to form a rectangle about 24cm x30cm (about 10in x 12in). Place orange sheet of dough onto a baking tray, leaving baking paper underneath. Lay chocolate dough directly on top. Chill for 15 minutes.

4. Starting at long edge, roll dough up very tightly, using baking paper as a guide. Chill for another 30 minutes or until very firm.

5. Meanwhile preheat oven to 180°C (350F). Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Cut roll into 4mm (0.16in) slices and arrange biscuits on prepared trays. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until pale golden. Cool on wire racks.

recipe and photo taken from:

Monday, August 22, 2011

New car


Got our new car yesterday! Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 model. In most ways it's an upgrade, no blown head gasket, cd player that works all the way (unlike the one in the Camry that worked when it wanted to) looks sporty, few less dents, and no stupid security thing that I have to worry about setting off. It is smaller, so a bit different to drive, also a it's not a V6 so less power. I already have it booked into the mechanic for a service, and to make sure there is nothing wrong with it. Over all very happy with it, and got a great deal on it which makes it even better!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Engagement Party

Saturday was Sarah and Dave's engagement party. After a day of cooking I was ready for a day of fun! So we got to play some volleyball, which made me very sore , but for once I almost got every serve over the net! Small victory I know, but for me that was very good. I was only able to get two games in, since I was helping with food, but thankfully the net is up now which means there is plenty more games to come :)

Now onto the food, here is everything that me, Sarah, and mum worked on the day before.


It all turned out really good! Even though there was hardly any left at the end!

Now here is just some shots from the party, enjoy!

The engagement cake :)

Ice cream and all the toppings.
Tiramisu cake, Key lime Cake, Cupcake (not sure what kind) and Jackie's Carrot cake.

Showing some love, I think.

The happy couple :) Along with the spread of desserts :)
All the gifts before.


My little friend, Bethany, who thought she should hold onto my legs the whole time they were unwrapping gifts.

A gift from Dave's Brothers.
They really do love each other!

The after. Which is now taking up my spare room :-p

Well that's the lot of them! Ended up being a really fun and relaxing day :)