Happy Mother's Day - Issue #67

Happy Thursday!

This Sunday is Mother's Day in New Zealand - a day celebrated in so many different ways. If you're on lunch/dinner duty and want a dessert idea, maybe you might like to try the delicious cheesecake sticks from this week's new video. They're such a treat, perfect for almost any occasion, and best of all you can make them ahead of time and just pull them out of the freezer to serve!

In this newsletter there's a video throwback to plating an artistic lunch. It often only takes a little bit more thought while using the same ingredients to come up with a stunning plate. You can read more below and hopefully be inspired if you are plating a meal for someone special this weekend.

There's also an article about kitchen gadgets. Those things we often get roped into buying that fill up our kitchen draws. In our online shop, I share kitchen bits and pieces that won't fill your draws - they're items that will definitely be used. So if you're stuck for last minute Mother's Day gift ideas maybe you'll find something useful there.

In this issue:

• Fresh off the press - Check Out This Show Stopper Cheesecake Stick Dessert
• Video throwback - Creating A Masterpiece - The Art Of Food Plating
• Kitchen Gadget - Something I Find Super Useful

Fresh off the Press...(+ Recipes)

Our latest video - Check out this show stopper cheesecake stick dessert - has just been published.

In this video we're making a show stopper dessert - cheesecake sticks. They not only taste delicious, but when you put a plate of these on the table everybody says 'wow'!

One great advantage of these is that you can make them well in advance, freeing up valuable time when you're hosting a dinner party. It's a simple (slightly time consuming, but so worth it) three step process which we'll go through in the video. First we'll make the cheesecake, then we'll cut and freeze it and lastly we'll chocolate dip and decorate it.

The decorating step is my favourite step so I can't wait to show you that... They are a canvas for creativity so you can decorate these however you like! I hope you have fun making some of your own beautiful creations soon. 

Baked Cheesecake Sticks

Ingredients:

Makes 1 cheesecake or 12 slices (approximately)

• 100g (3 1/2 oz) biscuit crumbs
• 60g (2 oz) butter, melted
• 500g (1 lb) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups caster sugar
• 1 lemon zest
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1kg (2 lb) chocolate, melted for dipping
• Assortment of decorations - I used freeze dried raspberries, caramelised white chocolate, Malteser balls and chocolate finger biscuits

Method:

• Pre-heat oven on the bake function to 150 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Prepare an 8" round spring form pan with baking paper on the bottom and a light oil spray on the sides.
• Mix the melted butter and biscuit crumbs together until it resembles sand.
• Spread over the base of the pan and press flat. If you want your biscuit crumb to go up the sides of the tin, double the amounts of biscuit crumb and butter. You can use a flat bottomed glass to help get it flat near the edges.
• Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
• Add the flour and quickly mix again.
• Add the vanilla essence, sour cream, sugar and lemon zest and beat until just combined.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating in between each addition. Be careful not to over beat because you don't want to aerate the mixture. (If you aerate the mixture too much it will cause the cheesecake to crack.)
• Pour into the pan and bake for 50 minutes. The top should be ever so slightly browned and the centre should still be wobbly. Don't open the oven door though.
• Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven. Then transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely.
• Cut the cheesecake into 12 portions with a hot knife. (You can cut the portions bigger or smaller to suit your preference)
• Carefully insert a popsicle stick into each slice and freeze.
• Remove from the freezer and chocolate dip, and then decorate with your favourite toppings. 

Video Throwback - Creating A Masterpiece: The Art Of Food Plating

Plating food often seems daunting, time-consuming, or reserved for professional chefs. However, the truth is, achieving stunning meals in your own kitchen is easier than you think - and it doesn't require hours or a hefty budget!

I have been thinking about a past video where we turned a simple lunch into a culinary masterpiece using mostly the same ingredients. Thoughtful preparation of your ingredients and careful consideration about your arrangement can be your transforming power. By creatively twisting ingredients, cutting them differently, and perhaps adding an extra garnish, you can significantly enhance your plating skills.

Take a moment to watch this older video. I hope it leaves you inspired to reimagine your approach to plating and discover simple yet impactful ways to elevate your meals.

Kitchen Gadget - Something I Find Super Useful

I'm not a fan of cluttered kitchen drawers filled with gadgets (often bought on impulse!) that end up gathering dust. Often, these items take up valuable space and hardly ever get used because you can achieve similar results using basic tools you already have on hand.

I'm thinking of gadgets like egg slicers, tomato corers, pizza scissors, egg crackers etc - while they may seem convenient, a good knife often does the job just as effectively without taking up drawer space. However, amidst the clutter, there are invaluable tools that I've discovered over time, ones that I find indispensable. These are the very items I share in our online shop.

In my experience, these tools are invaluable because they either streamline tasks, improve precision, or elevate the presentation of food - making them worthy investments for any kitchen enthusiast.

If you're stuck for last minute Mother's Day gift ideas make sure to check out the things we have in our shop.

One item I wanted to share with you today is a set of circle cutters. I have this super handy tin in my kitchen draw and it's amazing how often it comes out! Whether I'm cooking eggs and want them perfectly round, shaping tuile biscuits, baking scones, plating risotto or even for simple tea sandwiches there are countless things I use these for. Having the complete set of sizes means you always have the right one for the job.

Have a lovely week.

Happy cooking,
Taryn