Chocolate, strawberries and cream pudding

This dessert has three layers, and the first is a velvety chocolate pudding made with 3 egg yolks, 3 tbsp of sugar, 500 mil of full cream milk and plenty of Peruvian cooking chocolate (milk or dark, I used milk here). I didn't measure the chocolate, but you should go by taste, not everybody likes really intense chocolate! Mix the egg yolks with the sugar and beat well, then put on bain marie (double boiling) and simmer slowly, adding the milk little by little. Use top milk, otherwise use 400ml milk and 100 ml cream. Stir until the mixture thickens (it takes a long time!) then add the chocolate and melt. Pour into glasses and set aside to cool. Refrigerate for a few hours. In the meantime clean and hull the strawberries and cut into small pieces. Add a tsp of sugar and one of lemon juice and set aside for a few hours. Before serving top the chocolate with the strawberries and finally with whipped cream. Decorate with edible flowers (I used borage).

This recipe is for Sweet New Zealand, the monthly blogging event for Kiwi bloggers. Our December 2013 host is Alice in Bakingland, click here to enter. I still looking for a host for January 2014 (and the following months) so if you are a Kiwi blogger and you are keen to host please leave me a message.

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Fondant Xmas tree decorations, step by step

And the twinkle gif version, courtesy of Google (thank you!!)

These cute Xmas trees are made out of green fondant, I had a pack but I don't really use it (i.e. eat it) so I thought of making little Xmas tree decorations.

Roll the fondant, use corn flour so it doesn't stick to the table and rolling pin.

Cut using cookie cutters.

Make a hole for the ribbon/string (so that you can attach it to your tree). I made the holes using a small pastry nozzle. 

Decorate as you like. Tomorrow I will show you some more fondant decorations (white and red), my tree is looking very sweet this year!

Although this is not a recipe but an idea, it is sweet, so I am entering it in Sweet New Zealand, the monthly blogging event for Kiwi bloggers. Our December 2013 host is Alice in Bakingland, click here to enter. 

Flowers from my garden

Photos and recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©