Fail-safe dinner party puddings

lynzpower

Actually scrap that Im making this one, doesnt look that hard but looks SO yum

http://www.waitrose.com/food_drink/recipes/recipesearch/recipe/9910064-r01.asp

Debt_Free_Chick

tinselfairy wrote:

I think you can get liquid glucose in Boots.

Definitely Just ask for it at the medicine counter as it's in a drawer underneath the ibuprofen and not out on the shelves

needaspirin

Debt_Free_Chick. How do you create the neat links:

Truffle Torte

When I try I just get the long url.

Debt_Free_Chick

needaspirin wrote:

Debt_Free_Chick. How do you create the neat links:
When I try I just get the long url.

I need to put some spaces in here, otherwise I'll create a "neat link". So ignore the spaces and try this.

To display a hyperlink, you simply copy the address and paste it into your message. The full address is completely visible ... something like http : // address of the site.

To "hide" the address and show a description instead, type a square bracket like this [ immediately followed by url= then paste the normal link then type a closed bracket like this ]

Then type the description

Then type a square bracket [ followed by /url followed by a closed bracket ]

What you will see is this (with no spaces)

[ url = http : // etc etc]your description [ / url]

HTH

p.s. remember to use Preview, so you can see if it works, before you post

needaspirin

Thanks Debt_Free_Chick. I'll try it as soon as I can!

full-time-mum

elona wrote:

Ages ago someone posted a recipe for Eton Mess

Crumbled meringue (sorry about spelling) pieces with raspberry and strawberry pieces mixed with cream and rosettes of cream on top.

Oh, never put raspberries in before. We do it with just strawberries.

Word of warning - don't mix together until the last minute otherwise you end up with soggy meringue! Everything can be prepared before hand, cream whipped, strawberries chopped (not too small) and meringue crumbled.
I've never bothered with fancy piping on the top but I guess for a dinner party you might want to. If you feel like cheating on the decoration then squirty cream last thing before plonking on the table. You could also sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

Debt_Free_Chick

For Eton Mess, I like to buy extra fruit and make a puree from it. Just bung it in the processor with icing sugar, whizz, then push through a sieve.

Add this to the Mess with the cream and chopped fruit.

Again, the puree can be made in advance. I just have a bowl of meringue, a bowl of chopped fruit, a cream carton with whipped cream and a cream carton with puree. Bung the whole lot in a serving bowl immediately before you take it to the table.

In addition to choc shavings, chopped mint or lemon balm is nice too.

Meringues keep for ages in a bone-dry tin, in a cool place. At least a week .. maybe more but they never last that long in our house

My only reservation about Eton Mess at this time of the year is that you won't get English strawbs and the foreign ones are rubbish. You ought to be able to get English - or Scottish - rasperries though as Autumn Bliss are easy to grow, flavoursome and fruiting right now!

full-time-mum

Easy tiamirisu.

30ml/2 tbsp Instant coffee
30ml/2 tbsp caster sugar
45ml/3 tbsp brandy/rum/tia maria
8 trifle sponges cut into thick fingers
250g/8oz Mascarpone chess/curd cheese/quark
150ml/ 1/4 pt double cream
300ml/ 1/2 pt ready to serve custard
50g /2oz plain chocolate, grated
10ml/2 tsp cocoa powder

1 Place coffee and sugar in measuring jug
Add 45ml/3 tbsp boiling water
Add brandy and top-up with cold water to make 250ml / 8 fl oz

2. Place 1/2 sponges in shallow serving dish
Slowly pour over half coffee liquid

3. Place cheese, creas and custard in bowl and whip until soft and creamy
Spread half this mixture over sponges and sprinkle with half of chocolate.

4. Top with remaining sponges and slowly drizzle with rest of coffee
Spread over remaining cheese mixture.

5. Decorate with rest of chocolate & a sprinkling of cocoa.

You can, of course, make your own custard and sponges if you feel so inclined/want to reduce the cost.

Not sure how many this serves but I am sure that you would need to double the quantities for 9.

Hope the evening goes well - let us know what you decided to make and what response you got.

full-time-mum

Another favourite in our house

Ice cream and chocoloate sauce with shortbread is a good basic desert. Although it doesn't sound that exciting, I find always goes down well...

Ice cream - good quality vanilla and/or coffee is a good combination but anything that works with chocolate is fine. (or if really adventurous, make your own)

Shortbread - make your own if you've time and inclination otherwise choose good quality fingers or fans. If you are feeling really adventurous and to hell with the diet, make Millionaires shortbread!

Chocoloate sauce:

1/4 pint water
4oz plain choc
2oz sugar

(this is probably just enough for four but it will double or quadruple up easily, just takes a bit longer to reduce.)
Put ingredients into saucepan and slowly melt.
Reduce down until desired consistency - must be pourable but I personally like it slightly thicker so that it sort of sets and goes gooey when in contact with the ice cream.

Make in advance and reheat gently. Add a knob of butter just before serving to give it a really glossy look. Add a drop of boiling water if it is too thick when reheating. Take care not to burn - especially as you are going to be reheating whilst clearing the table and serving the rest. It is also worth warming your jugs first too.

If you want added interest, serve with chopped nuts for the adults and sugar strands for the kiddies!

Which reminds me of one a friend pointed out to me yesterday - its from a sainsbury ad.
Pour Baileys over scoops of ice-cream - apparently the liquor sets on the ice-cream to form a crust, sprinkle with choc if desired.
Not tried it but maybe you could prepare all the scoops of ice-cream before hand and put back into the freezer - if it works, you could pile all the 'balls' in a nice dish to serve. Do a trial run first!

MimiF

Eton Mess is my stand by dessert when I have no time for anything else, I often crush Amaretti biscuits too and add them too it. Yummy.

Enjoy

MimiF