Almond and cranberry muesli

8 cups oats

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup olive/ sunflower oil

1/2 cup almonds

`1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup raisins

1 cup bran (optional)

Combine the oats and nuts and bran if using.

Melt together the oil and honey on a low heat until combined.

Pour the mixture over the oats and mix until all the oats are well covered in liquid.

Bake at 150c  for about 20-30 minutes keeping an eye the whole time and mixing the muesli throughout the baking time.

Once golden brown remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Once cool add the cranberries and raisins.

Store in an air tight container and enjoy with Bulgarian yogurt and fresh fruit or just plain icy milk for breakfast or whenever really.

Back with some cake for your face!

Been awhile but im back with a little some thing Sal, another chef at work, and i made for our chefs best friends wedding.

A little while ago we were asked to start thinking about a wedding cake that we were going to make together. So we decided on all chocolate. Using only Valrohna chocolate from France we made a three tiered cake, each layer individual and different.

The first layer was a 70% dark chocolate torte with a layer of 45% milk chocolate feuilltine. We then covered this in tempered milk chocolate and then in a ganache buttercream with a dash of Grand Marnier.

The second layer was a base of 45% milk chocolate feuilltine then a hazelnut and chocolate torte and finally milk chocolate ganache all covered in the most amazing ultra shiny dark chocolate glaze.

The third and final layer, which i think might of been my favorite started with milk feuilltine, chocolate hazelnut torte and then white chocolate ganache, covered in tempered milk chocolate.

We then decorated this with hand made chocolate roses made by melting chocolate to 43 degrees and then melting liquid glucose to 43 degrees as well and mixing the two together allowing them to set. What you end with is like a chocolate putty that you can mould into almost anything.

A little party for my mom when she turned 50

    So my mom turned 50 in December and heres what i made for her.

 

                              Red velvet cupcakes

 Rare black pepper fillet with with                                   caramalised onions and watercress.

Bruchettas with buffalo style mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil      and balsamic reduction 

 Parmesan biscuits

The table

Also on the menu

                        - spicy hummmus

                        -rocket and almond pesto

             -chunky guacamole with fresh coriander

                       -marinated olives in citrus, rosemary, thyme and olive oil

      -Fresh bowls of dressed rocket

To drink

                 - Mojitos with fresh garden mint from my moms garden.

I wish it snowed at Christmas

                                            A few photos of Christmas time treats

Mince pies

 vanilla bean custard

 Christmas dinner by mom