Chocolate Ripple Cake

Sorry I haven't posted for a while! We have been pretty busy around here and I have neglected to post, but I have some good ideas for the near future :) The next dish is going to be Mexican! One of my favorites!

This recipe is so quick and easy. I first found out about it from the Steed family. Remember her Pavlova recipe? Anyway, I found out that it is on the package of Arnotts Choc Ripple Biscuits and I had to try it. Australian's call our cookies biscuits or Bikkie's.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Chill time: 6 hours

Ingredients:

250 grams Arnott's Choc Ripple biscuits*

1 pint Whipping Cream (500 mL thickened cream)

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla

*I haven't seen Arnott's Choc Ripple biscuits in the United States so I am trying to find a substitute. I was thinking Oreo's might do the job, but I will keep you updated when I find a good cookie. Or if you know of one, let me know!

Instructions:

Place cream, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl and beat using an electric beater until stiff

Even stiffer than this... mine was too runny

Spread a little of the cream onto the base of a serving plate.

Spread one biscuit (cookie) with cream then sandwich with another. Continue to do so until you have formed a log.

My log was a little wider than I wanted it. I should have
 used a longer plate

Spread remaining cream over log to cover entirely. 

Cover loosely with foil and pace in refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours.

Take out of fridge and enjoy :)

I did what the packaged suggested and dusted it with cocoa. You can serve it with fresh berries and I have even had it with ice cream. 

Cookie Monster

You've never heard of a cookie monster? How about the term "Pizookie?" Well the term Pizookie is a combination of the words pizza and cookie. It is a wonderful dessert to share with friends and family! I grew up calling these cookie monsters and have been wanting one for a while now. We invited some friends over, played some games, and enjoyed this lovely, rich dessert.

Preparation time: 5-15 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes (depends on oven)
Preparation before serving: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

Cookie dough mix*

Ice Cream
Caramel Syrup
Chocolate Syrup
Whipped Cream

*I like to make things easy around here. I just used a packaged chocolate chip cookie mix and added butter and an egg to it. However you can make your own with your favorite cookie recipe (chocolate, white chocolate macadamia, peanut butter, chocolate chip, etc...). It's up to you :)

Instructions:

Make cookie dough and put into a greased pan.

Bake according to instructions on package or recipe, but add a little extra time. I baked ours at 375*F (190*C) for about 20 minutes.

Take out of the oven (it's ok if your cookie is a little gooey in the middle; it adds to the experience and you don't want the edges to burn)

Add ice cream, syrups, and whipped cream.

You can dig in right from the pan or can serve it up individually. Then the person is free to put more toppings on if desired.

Easy Sausage Rolls

I was introduced to these little things in Australia. However, they do originate from England. It's the epitome of finger food and it is considered a take-away (fast food) item. I love them... a lot! I have been craving them since we have gotten home, so of course I had to make them. I cheated and made them really simply. I also found this recipe that sounds like a good sausage mix that I will have to try someday. So you can choose your level of baking with this one :) Oh and just so you know, if you do use the other recipe, they call mince what we call ground i.e. beef mince = ground beef

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Baking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients: 

1 pound Sausage*

Frozen puff pastry

*I used the Jimmy Dean roll, but you can use whatever you want. I've used linked sausage before and it's even easier!

Instructions:

Thaw puff pastry (40 minutes or put it in fridge overnight).

Roll out and cut into three strips.

Arrange sausage in the puff pastry (It's easier if you arrange the sausage in the middle)

Sorry the lighting is bad in all these pictures....

Roll up.

Cut and place on baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes at 350*F (or whatever directions your puff pastry recommends).

Serve with tomato sauce AKA Ketchup

Easy and tasty! If you want to have this for more of a meal rather than finger or party food, I would cut the puff pastry in half, arrange a bit more sausage in the middle, roll it, then cut in half again (so you would get 4 sausage rolls out of one puff pastry sheet). If you choose to eat it this way, it's more the way you would get it if you went to a cafe.

Steed's World Famous Pavlova

Since Australia Day is just around the corner (January 26), I thought I would share a little piece of Australia with you. Pavlova is considered the national dessert of Australia, however, New Zealand also claims it. I am not quite sure who was the first to claim it... I guess it's one of those "did the chicken or the egg come first" questions. Anyway, while we were in Australia, we became friends with a wonderful family. The mother makes the BEST pavlova, so my husband and I call this recipe

"Steed's World Famous Pavlova"

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1 1/2 hours
Preparation time before serving: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 dessertspoon* cornflour

Half pint heavy whipping cream
Toppings (Fruit, chocolate, etc...)

*Did you know Australian cutlery includes a dessertspoon? It's specifically used to eat their dessert. If you do not own a dessertspoon, use 2 teaspoons per 1 dessertspoon.

Instructions:

Beat egg whites with electric beater, gradually adding sugar until stiff.

 So stiff it didn't move when I tilted the bowl

Fold in vanilla and vinegar and cornflour.

Preheat oven to 390*F (200*C).

Pour pavlova onto a baking sheet in the shape you want.

Put Pavlova in oven and turn it down to 250*F (120*C). Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Turn off oven, and open the door to let it cool off.

It's not perfect, but it will work

When completely cool, decorate with whipped cream and any topping you like. Usually they put passion fruit, or any other kind of fruit on it.

I used banana's and chocolate for the topping and it tasted great!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!