Cook up with Donna Hay ~ Porcini and Mixed Mushroom Risotto ~Strawberry,Mascarpone and Almond Tray Tart ~ Chocolate Truffles

First of all a lovely welcome to Irina who has joined me in doing Cook Ups from Donna Hay magazine

We cook something from the latest issue of the magazine and then blog it.....easy peasy

Anyone can join so just drop me a line if you are interested

Menu from Issue 64 Aug/Sept 2012

Porcini and Mixed Mushroom Risotto ~very similar recipe over here

Strawberry, Mascarpone and Almond Tray Tart

Chocolate Butterscotch Truffles with Almond Praline

Salted Dark Chocolate Truffles......because I couldn't resist

Basic Chocolate Truffle recipe over here

The Risotto......you can't see the Mushrooms really well as I went a bit crazy with the Baby Spinach Leaves and Parmesan Cheese.......but wow, was it delicious

I used Porcini......Portobello......Swiss Brown and Baby Mushrooms

I used a Gluten Free Pastry from Rick's Pantry available at Coles

Salted Chocolate Truffles.....not as smooth looking as Donna's......but nice and salty

And the Butterscotch Truffles......delicious with a glass of Butterscotch Schnappes

A very, very tasty meal and a seal of approval for the Salted Chocolate from Mr Armchair

Till next time......Bon Appetit
~Dzintra~

Cook Up with Donna Hay No 15...Pork Belly with Garlic, Caramelized Onion and Quince Sauce

Another delicious Cook Up with Vicki  has happened here from Donna Hay magazine Issue 60 Dec/Jan 2012...

Menu tonight is:

Spiced Carrot Dip

Pork Belly with Garlic, Caramelized Onion and Quince Sauce

Roasted Baby Vegetable Salad

Mini Strawberry Tarte Tatins

Cumin and coriander seeds roasting for dip...

Add carrots, cayenne pepper, honey and chicken stock...

and the most delicious dip is ready after a little while...yummy...

The recipe called for malt vinegar (not gluten free) so after some research for a substitute I bought Red Wine Vinegar...

Pork Belly ready for oven...with our thyme on it...

And out of the oven...

Roasted vegies...beetroot, parsnip, carrot and kipfler potatoes...

There was even a heart shaped potato!!!

This meal was full of flavour...we thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

Patchwork placemats and table runner bought at my local Needlework Group...

These were made by a lady who cannot sew anymore...

Butter, sugar, water and vanilla bean for dessert...

Strawberry Tarte Tatin out of the oven...

recipe for these over here...

looks a bit of a jumble but this sure packed a punch...so very very tasty!!!

Now I'm looking forward to the next Cook Up...

Bon Appetit......Dzintra

The Mantle at TAFE...Rememberance Day 2009...11 November

Here I am catching up with end of 2009 cooking meals at TAFE (Technical and Further Education)...

this will be my last post on cooking meals at TAFE as the course is now over...

and next week I will graduate YIPPEE!!!!

Nearly 2 years worth...along with theory...

I'm so pleased to have made it!!!

Looking back I have surprised myself...

I didn't realize the work this course would entain...

Having just done our Sea Change (we were here 7 months when I thought I would do this)...

Bringing up a Daughter with a disability...

Surgery and re-cuperating in between and now finally...officially a Graduand!!!

I have now confidence in tackling recipes at home...

have bought some beautiful cook books...

and look forward to practicing more here at home...

along with Cook Ups with Vicki at my other blog Queen of the Armchair!!!

Here's a look at the board for the final time with the menu on it...

Preparation of Zucchini Moulds...

Leek and other greens...

Zucchini Moulds with Mushrooms served with a White Wine Sauce...

Salmon Fish Cakes...

Thai Beef Salad...

Steak and Kidney Pie with Garlic Mash and Vegetables...

Filled Chicken Breast with Pasties and Leek...

Trout Meuniere with Vegetables...

Apple Fritters with Apricot Sauce and Anglais...

Strawberry Bavarois...

Bread and Butter Pudding...

Sable Shortbread out of the oven...

ready for Petit Fours!!!

Meanwhile, I was given Sable Shortbread to make...

Carrot Cake...

and Australia's favourite...Anzac Biscuits!!!

This blog was set up 12 months ago...a year after my course started to record my classes...I wish I had of set it up at the start of the course...

I did post some of the course up at Queen of the Armchair...TAFE under labels (from memory)...

Not sure which direction I will go now...

perhaps record some of the food I cook at home here...

books I come across...

and aprons that I love to wear...

even food places I visit!!!

Also thinking of doing a Julie & Julia here...

Cooking from a Celebrity Chef's cook book and challenging myself and then blogging the outcome...

I'll see how I go...

Meanwhile it's off to Graduation for me on Tuesday evening...

Bon Appetit...Dzintra