Tipsy Tart is a South African dessert from the Western Cape area that is usually eaten around Christmas. It also goes by the name of “Cape brandy pudding” or “dadelpoeding”, which means ‘date pudding’ in Afrikaans. Usually soaked in a thick brandy syrup, this cake is served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and can make a delicious substitute for the traditional English Christmas cake, the Anglo-Saxons are so fond of…
Continue reading “South African Tipsy Tart (or Cape Brandy Pudding)”
During the festive season, one is drawn to jam making, and whether it be sweet and sour chutneys, smooth fruit jellies or delicious chunky jams, there’s something about preserves that have a festive ring to them! Continue reading “Holiday Jam Tart”
When one thinks of Christmas, one inevitably thinks ‘gingerbread’. Whether it be crisp and crunchy gingerbread cookies stuffed in a stocking, soft and sticky gingerbread cake one eats on Christmas day or gingerbread flavoured hot chocolate you sip in front of a crackling log fire while you listen to Christmas carols, gingerbread has always been a holiday favourite, announcing the beginning of the festive season…
As the holiday season approaches, baking has become, for many, a frequent ritual; there is nothing more comforting than delicious smells wafting from a warm and cozy kitchen especially if it’s cold and frosty outside. Gingerbread, in all its forms, represents the perfect holiday treat: sometimes soft and sticky, sometimes deliciously crunchy and always sweet and spicy, it never ceases to delight…
In folklore, and as far back as the XVIth century, moonlight was sometimes considered to be harmful: for instance, some believed that sleeping by the light of a full moon on certain nights could transform you into a werewolf (for reference, a werewolf is a human with the ability to shape-shift into a wolf, either purposely or after having been placed under a curse)… Continue reading “Shimmering Moon-lit Sky, Coconut Cupcakes”
In mythology, religion and folklore stories, trees are often considered sacred and possess an almost magical-like nature. In many parts of the world, travelers consider certain types of trees to be wishing trees, others revere and respect them like Gods and associate them with oracles. Some are even convinced that trees and their surroundings (woods, forests and the animals that inhabit them) are haunted by spirits and that sacrifices should be made to maintain the equilibrium and peace. Over the centuries, writers have many a time used trees, woods, and forests in children’s literature and fairy tales. Such stories often feature entities such as elves, goblins, dwarfs, talking animals and use magic and enchantments. Enid Blyton, for instance, wrote the first of many children’s novels called “The Enchanted Wood” at the beginning of the XXth century. The other famous author who set his novels at the edge of a magical forest with mythical beasts and talking animals was C. S. Lewis with his famous “Chronicles of Narnia”… Continue reading “Magical Tree Stump Cake”
In a few weeks, Thanksgiving will be celebrated in the United-States and in Canada; This harvest feast goes all the way back to the XVIIth century where the settlers held (and shared with the pilgrims in later years) a harvest feast after a successful season so as to give thanks for their blessings. Traditional food such as stuffed turkey served with sweet potato and cranberry sauce is eaten during this occasion. Another all time Thanksgiving favourite is pumpkin pie, which is a pumpkin based, custard-filled dessert, often eaten during the fall and early winter as the pumpkin is a symbol of harvest time… Continue reading “Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cinnamon & Caramel Icing”
