anzacs

Buttery and caramel sweet, crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle. Anzac's can make a cold afternoon into a warm one when served alongside a simple 'cuppa'.

Ingredients

125g butter

1/2 cup (125g) brown sugar

1/4 cup golden syrup

1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda

2 tablespoons boiling water

1 cup (150g) plain flour

1 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup coconut

a little fun

Pre-heat oven to 175˚C
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar and golden syrup; stir over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Add bicarbonate soda and water, stir until mixture starts to foam. Set aside to cool.
Combine flour, oats and coconut in a large bowl, pour in warm butter mixture and stir until well mixed.
Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and place on baking paper lined baking tray. Press down gently with a fork to flatten slightly.
Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and leave for 5 minutes on tray. Transfer to a wire cake cooling rack to cool completely.

love amie x

Sundarams villa, Bingin

Could a French  crepe be any more delicious?

Filled with grated coconut, brown sugar and slices of freshly picked banana's straight from the home banana tree then rolled and wrapped.  

This Villa in Bali's south west coast is a diamond in the rough, if you can handle the steep decent to Bingins infamous reef break it's well worth a visit. Expect to find good value accommodation with fresh home cooked fare straight from the garden.

love amie x

Alila spa and villas, Uluwatu

In search of waves a stop to Uluwatu and it's famous pumping reef break was a Bali, i to dot! 

Balancing nervously on a remote cliff edge of the spectacular Uluwatu you can find an array of kitschy Bintang drinking and Nasi Goreng eating bars squashed next to rows of Uluwatu memorabilia and 'DING' repair stores. 

Indulgence here is the view and with a Bintang in hand you can sit and watch the masses of first timers, locals and tourists surf the first Uluwatu wave. A spot to visit even if the waves elude you. Semi cold Bintang will set you back around $2 and the view is free. 

Jumping on the scooter, which is the only way to roll in this remote part of Bali we head east to a place we mostly dream longingly of. Alila spa and villas takes indulgence and luxury to new heights. Finished in December 09 Alila is uber pretentious and will send you screaming all the way to the bank for around $US750 per night.  A cheeky way to enjoy a taste of the high life without the hefty price tag is to visit one of the two restaurants for a light lunch. 

We arrive on our knock about scooter, wind swept hair and un-washed clothes straight from the beach. Ravished from our mornings adventures we are eager to try some modern Indonesian-style fare. The decision is made to dine at the Indonesian of the two restaurants, when in Rome!

The staff greet us warmly with large smiles and without a second thought take our scooter and broken helmets straight to valet parking. Ushered then through the spectacular entrance by perfectly dressed Balinese workers. Who seem happy and eager to have some customers to look after. We arrive at our table, an infinity pool to our left and an over sized lounge, which sits teasingly out over the raw Ocean. Instantly cool face towels arrive, which is common in Bali along with a fragrant face spritzer to re-vitalise our weary sun kissed faces. 

A selection of complimentary chilli's, sambals and pickled vegetables in tiny pots arrive sitting eloquently atop a long wooden plate and served with Balinese-style crackers. 

We decide to share the satay plate; fish on lemongrass skewers, beef and chicken served with a thick and luscious satay sauce, fragrant coconut salad and pieces of rice cake. A light and delicious way to enjoy a luxurious part of Bali.

YUM...

love amie x

 

spongalicious

Is there anything that screams afternoon tea more than the humble sponge cake?

ingredients

4 x 60g eggs, separated

1/2 cup (125g) caster sugar

2/3 cup self raising flour

1/3 cup cornflour

2 tablespoons water

a little fun

Preheat conventional oven to 175C. Lightly grease and line the base and sides of 2 x 20cm cake pans with baking paper.
Using a good quality bench mixer.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, add sugar and beat until thick and glossy. Add egg yolks and mix until combined.

Add flour and water alternatively*, gently folding until just combined.
Pour mixture evenly between prepared cake pans.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the cake starts to come away from the sides or springs back when gently touched. Allow to cool in pans, then invert onto a baking paper lined cooling tray.

Decorate simply with berries and jam and serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enjoy this cake at its light and airy best.

love amie x

* alternatively - Gently fold through 1/3 flour, then half the liquid, repeat with remaining ingredients.

white chocolate shards dotted with pistachios

Chocolate and nuts can make a marriage made in heaven. Silky smooth and sweet white chocolate couples perfectly with vibrant and buttery pistachios.

ingredients

2 x 200g block white chocolate, melted

1/2 cup raw pistachios

fun

Pour melted chocolate into a silicone slice tray or a baking paper lined slice tray.

Sprinkle evenly with pistachios, place in the refrigerator until set.

Break the chocolate into large pieces, uneven sized pieces.

a bit extra

Pop a few pieces of the chocolate shards into a plastic bag or box, wrapped with a special ribbon. Makes a special work or occasion treat.

love amie x