How To #1: Chocolate Cream Pie

In an attempt to make my blog more interactive and informative, I wish to announce the launch  of : How To

 

This is my attempt at showing you that desserts can be easily made with the aid of pictures  step by step guided methods. I would be using recipes from various blogs and baking sites and would obviously be dependant on what tasty treat I feel like...

 

To start the show, How To #1 is going to be an old time favourite, Romany Chocolate Cream Pie

What You Need:

150 g      marshmallows

250 ml    milk

200 g      milk chocolate slab

200 g      romany creams biscuits

75 g        butter

250 ml    fresh cream

1             flake

 

Step 1
-   Preparing the pie crust

Crush the biscuits finely. (It is much easier using a food processor, alternatively you could use a ziplock bag and a rolling pin)

 

Melt the butter.(I use the microwave, be sure to check at regular intervals).

 

Stir the melted butter into the biscuit crumbs.

 

Press into a greased pie-dish, or into a springform pan (with a loose bottom.).

 

 

Chill the crust for 20 minutes in the fridge.

** I used grease proof paper as a liner for the crust, you could subsitute for cling wrap or omit entirely


Step 2
-   Cream Pie Filling

Combine marshmallows and milk in a saucepan, over medium heat.

Stir until marshmallows have melted.

Dont be alarmed by the pink, the chocolate will darken the clour.

 



 

 

Add chocolate bar and stir until melted, and mixture is smooth.

 

 

 

Take off heat, and allow to cool.

 

The mixture needs to be completly cooled, so this may take a while.

 

 

Whip the cream until peaks form, and fold into cooled chocolate mixture.

 

 

 

Pour into the prepared crust.

 

 

 

Chill overnight in fridge.

 

Lastly, crumble/grate chocolate flake  on top, loosen the pie from the springform pan (if using), and chill again, until ready to serve.

 

This recipe was taken from:

http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/recipes/romany-chocolate-cream-pie-ru332237.html


See, tasty things dont have to be complex.

Enjoy !




 

Tumelo's Kaizer Chiefs Birthday Cake

Long before I even moved to Johannesburg Lebo was responsible for cutting my hair. Pren and I have become such good friends with her and she is much more than just our stylist.

Lebo's only son, Tumelo, turned 11 today.

The story is that Tumelo is a rugby player, but mum doesn't approve and opted for a Kaizer Chiefs soccer cake, because in her opinion, thats the sport he rather be playing...

Lebo asked  for a two layered vanilla cake, iced with buttercream and plastic icing motifs

The badge as well as the soccer balls are edible

 

Lebo was extremely happy with the cake this morning and said so would the birthday boy.

Happy 11th Birthday Tumelo, I hope you enjoyed the cake & have all your wishes on this special day come true.

 

Happiness !

Always remeber that happiness comes in diferent forms, it comes in the simplest of gestures and most basic acts during ones day.

Its my happiness to make those around me smile !

It's a Baby Girl

Mums are usually all too happy to admit how incredibly amazing bringing a child into the world is,  I decided that for my dear colleague and friend Zenobea, this happiness and joy needed to be properly celebrated with an equally special baby shower.

She is having a baby girl and  has told us that her colours for the little one will be soft and light shades, I used that for the theme for her party.


Her gifts included both edible and not so edible treats...

Every little girl needs a party dress, personally in my 'early days' a pretty dress (fully equiped with itchy bouffant petticoat, stockings and ofcourse jack and jill shoes was a necessity, so my frist presie was a  purple cupcake dress, with a darker ribbon around the 'waist'

I used a basic vanilla cupcake recipe with purple buttercream icing

Some treats dont need to be eaten to be enjoyed, these cakes were especially for the little one.
Nappy cakes are easy and fun to make / assemble. and best of all they dont need oven time




Step 1 
Assemble using various sized cake tins to get your shape and fasten with  string



Step 2
Decorate as desired using ribbons, wrapping paper, even fabric

In planning any event (however big or small), there is sure to be TEA, coffeee and things to eat

The cuppies are vanilla sponge and lime green
buttercream icing 

I had loads of fun planning this and had even loads more help from Pren and Cathy, so thanks you two !

More importantly, after all the fun and cake, I would like to wish Zenobea and her familyall the best in this new chapter and cherish all the happiness that her new bundle of joy  is sure to bring.

Love
Sam