Cherished Christmas

What a fantastic way to end another year!

The week before Christmas was filled with many family social events which allowed us to catch up on the year that everyone had had.

We had extended family join us from Canada and since then some have joined us from Sweden which was just so fantastic and such a great experience for Sara to meet them all too. 

Christmas Eve and Day were both filled with excess wrapping paper, especially for Sara, who got very very spoilt. 

My two favourite presents that she received are:

What presents did your little ones receive this year that are your favourites?

Recipe of the week..

So this is the, non traditional version of the Italian dessert Tiramisu, that I am taking to Mum's for Christmas day! I'm making it for the first time and for 20 people, so I'm taking a huge risk. But if I can pull it off its sure going to be worth it by the look of the photo below!

White & Dark Chocolate Tiramisu (A chilled chocolate dessert...)

Serves: 8

Ingredients

    * 100g white chocolate

    * 250ml thick cream

    * 2 eggs

    * 2 tablespoons caster sugar

    * 500g mascarpone

    * 150ml strong coffee

    * 1 tablespoon caster sugar

    * 5 tablespoons Kahlua or other coffee-flavoured liqueur

    * 24 savoiardi sponge fingers

    * 1 cup glossy chocolate sauce (recipe follows)

Method

Melt white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water; make sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. As soon as it has melted, remove from heat and allow to cool a little. Whisk cream until soft peaks form, then whisk in white chocolate. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with sugar until pale, then whisk in mascarpone and gently whisk in white chocolate mixture. Mix coffee with sugar and Kalhúa in a bowl, then dip 8 savoiardi quickly into the coffee liqueur mixture for about two seconds on each side and shake off the excess. Arrange savoiardi side by side on a serving dish, spoon half of the mascarpone mixture on top, then repeat the process with another 8 savoiardi and remaining mascarpone mixture. Dip the final 8 savoiardi on the un-sugared side only and lay them, moist side down, on top of the mascarpone layer. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Pour chocolate sauce over and serve.

Glossy Chocolate Sauce

    * 250g dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa)

    * 30g butter

    * 3 teaspoons golden syrup

    * 2 tablespoons thick cream

Melt chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water; make sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. Stir in butter, syrup and cream, remove from heat and mix well to combine. To reheat, place in a microwave for a few seconds on medium. Makes 1 cup.

You can find this divine recipe at: Marie Claire

MENTAL NOTE'S TO SELF:

1. DO Soak the biscuits longer with more coffee and Kahlua!!
2. DO NOT Premake the Glossy Chocolate Sauce and then reheat it -result is a NON Glossy Sauce!! 
3. Try using a 50% Cocoa Chocolate instead of the 70% as its quite bitter and too rich!

La Dolce Vita..

Is Italian for "the sweet life" or "the good life" 

As my previous post shows I am the lucky owner of a new car.  My parents knew we were in the market for one but didn't know what sort we had bought. So we told them on Friday night that we'd bought one and what sort it was. Instead of jumping up and down with excitement, this is what happened.....

Mum: "OH, when your father bought ME a new car I ONLY got a Honda" Followed promptly by.. "Well, I guess you WON'T be getting any more presents this year then, WILL you!?"

Me: "Yes, Mum I know I am a very lucky and spoilt girl" .. "BUT we needed to get a new car anyway, we just hadn't decided on which one"

Mum: "Why, your other car was brand new?"

Me: "Yes, it was only 4 years old, BUT it had NO rear air bags to protect Sara in case of an accident"

Why is it that when good things happen to others, instead of being happy and excited for them, people automatically get jealous?

Its not like my mother hasn't been spoilt by my father for the last 45 years of their marriage. She has lived a very charmed life, never wanting for anything, shopping at will for endless clothes and shoes. If I was in her position I would be happy that my daughter had found a man that could love, support and provide a good life for her!

Wouldn't you?

Fabulous Friday..

Over the weekend we went car shopping, the lease on my current car is up and we needed to find a car with rear & side air bags as the Mazda doesn't have them.. I'm sure Rob spoilt me just a little bit more than he planned, probably to try and cheer me up, I've been quite upset over not falling pregnant, (again), and being diagnosed with "secondary infertility" hasn't helped at all.

So this is my new car...

 

Hmm.. ME LIKEY !!!

We pick it up today so that's why today is "Fabulous Friday" !