Chocolate-Biscuit Meringue

Chocolate-Biscuit Meringue

The recipe makes about 18 meringue biscuits.

4 egg whites, room temperature
220g caster sugar
5ml white vinegar
250ml ladies finger biscuits, chopped (or any other plain biscuit)
250ml almond slivers
160g chocolate of your choice; I used De Villiers Nut Butter with no added sugar

Preheat your oven to 150℃ and line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whisk on high speed until medium peaks form.
Add one tablespoon of sugar at a time, with the mixer running. Wait 30 seconds before adding the next tablespoon of sugar and continue until all the sugar has been added.
Whisk on high speed for 2 more minutes.
Add the vinegar and whisk 2 minutes more.
Take the bowl from the mixer and add the biscuits and almonds. Fold through.
Add the chocolate to a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and allow to melt completely.
Spoon a tablespoon of the meringue mixture onto the prepared tray and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
Spoon a teaspoon of the melted chocolate on the meringue and swirl it into the top.
Now reduce your oven temperature to 120℃ and place the trays in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
Turn off the oven, without opening the door and leave the meringue inside for another 30 minutes.
Remove the trays from the oven and leave the meringue on it until completely cold – another hour or so.

Store the meringue biscuits in an airtight container.


Apple Crumble

Apple Crumble

This is an easy, uncomplicated apple crumble in one dish but it is full of flavour and absolutely delicious when served slightly warm with ice cream.

450g cooking apples
62ml sugar

Crumble:
40g oats
40g flour
40g butter, cubed
30g brown sugar
2,5ml cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 190℃.
Peel, core and cut the apples into quarters. Cut the quarters into chunks.
Add the apple pieces to a small saucepan with the sugar and 45ml water.
Cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
Spoon the apple into an ovenproof dish or individual ramekins. Put aside.

For the crumble:
Add the oats, flour, butter, sugar and cinnamon to a mixing bowl.
Rub the butter into the mixture with your fingers until it has an even crumb texture.
Spoon the crumb mixture onto the apple chunks.
Place in the oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream.

Self-saucing Chocolate Pudding

Self-saucing Chocolate Pudding

Not all things need to be pretty and with this recipe the proof IS in the pudding! Easy to make, not too sweet, fit for all seasons and a real crowd pleaser … give it a try, you will thank me!

250ml self-raising flour
62ml cocoa powder
125ml caster sugar
60g butter, melted
125ml milk
5ml vanilla
1 egg

125ml granulated sugar
45ml cocoa powder
500ml boiling water

Preheat your oven to 160℃.
Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl and add the caster sugar.
Stir the ingredients to combine and put aside.
Add the melted butter, milk, vanilla and egg to a separate bowl and whisk together.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until just combined into a batter.
Spoon the batter into a 25cm X 15cm ceramic dish and level the top with the spatula.
Sprinkle the granulated sugar onto the batter in an even layer.
Sift the 45ml cocoa powder onto the sugar layer and then gently pour the boiling water onto the batter.
Bake the pudding for 35 minutes.
Remove from the oven and stand for at least 10 minutes.
Serve warm.