The BEST Raspberry Jam & 5 Gourmet Desserts to Make with it

12 Feb 2014

My mother in law makes the BEST raspberry jam EVER! It’s so good that the entire family won’t eat any other kind, which is kind of a problem when you have a husband that always tells you: “You should make the kind my Mum makes!” I kind of despise making jam, so I procrastinated it, then one day my mother in law surprised us with enough jam to fill half our freezer, and last us the year… {or at least half a year with the way we use it!}
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Fool-Proof Raspberry Panna Cotta

29 Jan 2014

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I fell in love with Panna Cotta last summer when my husband and I stumbled upon one of the most fantastic little restaurants we have ever been to, in Skiathos, Greece. It has been in the back of my mind to learn how to re-create one like that ever since, but I think I have procrastinated the ‘challenge’ out of pure intimidation. I have watched Master Chef judge, Graham Elliot, and his contestants make them — some with great struggle, and some with such finesse, that I didn’t know which would be worse… not being able to make one as pretty and as perfect as Graham Elliot’s, or not being able to make one at all, like the contestants.

Raspberry Coconut Crumble Bars

26 Jan 2014

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Life has finally started to slow-down, to the point where I can bake during the day for FUN and not because ‘I have to,’ {for someone or some special occasion}. I wanted to find a recipe that was quick and easy enough for the kids to help out, so we could have fun baking together, and to find a new go-to recipe that the entire family would LOVE, that wasn’t chocolate chip cookies–{boring!} My husband is REALLY difficult to please when it comes to desserts–he’d take a cheese-plate over a cupcake any day– but the one thing he does go crazy for is a crumble, so I decided to make these raspberry coconut crumble bars.
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Jam & Coconut Sponge

20 Nov 2012

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My Grandad turned 80 on sunday, and I wished so badly I could have popped over to see him in England because I miss him so much, but instead I called him for a chat and we were reminiscing a little bit. He said: “do you remember when you told your mother: ‘Mum, I don’t want to eat here, I want to go to Grandad’s house for dinner, because he cooks better.” We were laughing because as a kid I had no idea how offensive that would have been to my poor Mum! But while we had good food at home, it was always fun to pop next door to my Grandads house, and sit on his knee while he fed me, especially as they always had delicious desserts after every meal! One of my favorite things that he and my Granny would make was jam and coconut sponge, which is such a delicious, classic English dessert that just reminds me of them whenever I eat it.

Chocolate Roulade

30 Dec 2011

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I know Christmas has already past, but I really wanted to make a delicious English dessert before the season is over completely! Traditionally Christmas desserts in England are strangely centered around dried fruit…. mince pies (which are made from currants, saltanas and raisins and NOT rotten meat like some Americans believe!) Christmas pudding (which is a steamed fruit cake) served with warm custard, and then iced fruit cake, are probably the three most popular desserts. I think most people eat them out of tradition though, because they’re really not that good…but there is one traditional dessert that English people make around this time of year that is purely divine.