Sunshine

After the rain, the sun shines through with the promise of warmth and hope.

Afternoon tea

My family knows how to put on a big spectacular spread. A couple of weeks ago we had a big afternoon tea for close family, visiting family, visiting inlaws, little ones and bigger ones. It spanned four generations and was a fabulous afternoon of laughter and conversation.

Portuguese custard tarts are quickly becoming my speciality. They're so delicious and are surprisingly easy to make. 

 

 

Portuguese custard tarts

• 2 egg yolks
• 1 whole egg
• ½ cup caster sugar
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• 400ml Milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• One sheet of puff pastry

1. Grease a 12-hole muffin tray with soft butter.

 

2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and continue whisking as you gradually add in the sugar then cornflour until you have a nice smooth paste. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.

3. Pour custard mixure into a pan over a medium heat and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens and comes to the boil. Remove from the heat, transfer the custard to a bowl and whisk through the vanilla extract. Cover the surface with cling wrap to prevent a skin forming and let cool.

 

4. Preheat the oven to 200C.

5. Fold the sheet of pastry in ½ and roll up tight from the short end. Cut 12 slices off the roll. On a floured surface and using a rolling pin, roll out each slice to a circle-ish shape and fit into each muffin hole.

6. Spoon in the custard and roll the pastry sides in slightly. Cook for about 20 minutes or until the custard starts to brown.

Enjoy with friends.

Buy nothing new month: over and out

This last month was surprisingly easy. Highlights included cleaning out my over-full wardrobe and donating 3 garbage bags full of clothing I no longer need to charity, not replacing old/small/wrong clothes immediately and then realising that I don't even need to; and remodelling a fascinator that I’ve had for years with some extra tuille I had stashed in the craft box to wear for the office Melbourne Cup festivities.

Buying nothing new is so much more fun with craft!