Dressed and Eaten: September 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Chocolate Truffles

I love a good chocolate truffle. How could you not? Especially love the truffles at Adora Chocolates in Earlwood. Nothing like a coffee with one of their truffles. Inspired by these truffles I decided to make these back in Easter 2011. I haven't had chance to post these up. Apologies for the crappy photo.

You can really do what you like with truffles. You can seek some inspiration from the link I've posted to the Adora website for their selection of truffle flavours. Alternatively, you can choose one of the ones I've done.

Ingredients

200g good-quality milk chocolate or 70% dark chocolate

1/4 cup (60ml) thickened cream

Toppings- you could use chopped pistachio, roasted fresh shredded coconut, chopped almonds or cocoa powder

Method

1. Place chocolate in a large mixing bowl. Place cream in a saucepan and bring to the boil, then immediately pour over chocolate.

2. Mix until chocolate has melted to form the ganache. You could add flavouring like rum to the ganache if you like... I didn't. Set aside at room temperature, covered, for 1-1 1/2 hours to cool completely and until set.

3. Use a teaspoon to spoon out bite-sized pieces. Dust your hands with a little icing sugar to prevent them sticking and roll mixture into balls in the palm of your hands. Roll in whichever topping you choose and serve. I made a selection with various toppings. Store in the fridge.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Nail it...

Okay so I hate acrylic nails. Loathe it. Detest it. I'm all about simple beauty routines, nothing complicated. I've only had about 3 manicures and 1 pedicure (for my wedding). Okay I should stop counting. I know, what sort of girl am I? I can't stand the idea of sitting still and waiting for nails to dry. I'm the one with the chipped nail polish who can't be bothered removing the nail polish. I know it's very bad. To avoid that problem I avoid putting nail polish on. Although I love buying nail polish, have lots of it but rarely use it.

At the moment feeling very inspired by some of this. Check out the nail art. I would never had considered nail art but some of this has wow written all over it.
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Does anyone know anywhere in Sydney that applies the minx nail things? Dying to try these silver foiled nails!

Alexander Wang's New nail collection for Spring 2012.....ahhhh heavenly.

Chanel's nail collection for Vogue's Fashion Night

Photos via Refinery 29, They all Hate Us, Tumblr and Karla's Closet

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Time for a Kitchen Tea

My post today includes two very special kitchen teas I attended. The first was Ms MM's kitchen tea back in August. There was a lovely set up. Her backyard was beautifully decorated and the food was amazing. Here are some pics...

Desserts from Pasticceria Papa

Little vases with flowers that were given out to each guest

Goodie bags for all the guests

Another Kitchen Tea

Earlier in the year, in July I had Mrs A, my new sister-in-law's kitchen tea. We had yum cha for lunch at Fei Jai in Potts Point. Great Chinese food. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get photos of the food at Fei Jai. Afterwards, we had afternoon tea at her home. However, here some shots from the afternoon tea. Love the floral arrangements by Ms C. Stunning.

I made a lemon and raspberry cheesecake for the event. The photos I took of it are awful. The bowl had frosted up so you can't really see anything. Will do a separate post with it and with a proper photograph.

Basboussa aka. semolina slice made by my mother.... a childhood favourite.

Lemon flavoured homemade macarons. Really really good homemade ones made by Mrs P.

Ricotta Creme and Blueberry Tarts... don't ask how many of these I had. Itsy bitsy delights made by Ms C.

Trifle made by Mrs A's mother with tempered chocolate on top that she made herself. The chocolate melted beautifully in your mouth.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Print-ing It

In the past I was a big fan of prints, bright colours but something changed in the last 12 months. With the new season I'm going to try and venture into prints again. Now for some inspiration...

Shakuhachi