I'm hoping that I will continue to jot down my thoughts, maybe generate a little bit of debate (at this point in time, I have many observations and questions about social etiquette).
But, to start.
This week I edged a little closer to 30, but I'm probably marvelling more at the fact that I am not as keen as I used to be to announce that it's my birthday. I admit, I used it as an excuse to get some friends together, but I was not really expecting presents, cake, the whole hoo-ha. I had a lovely dinner with my husband, who also gave me a present, and received a card from my sister all the way from the UK, and a present from my parents-in-law, and was very satisfied just to have the company of friends and family (in person, over the phone, etc) without TOO much fuss.
As I wrote that last paragraph, it dawned on me that I created what must have felt like a great big fuss for my father-in-law's birthday! He must have felt like it was 'much ado' but I think he had a great time in the end.
You see, in most circumstances, my husband and I would visit his parents over the weekend and his mum would cook a birthday (or whatever the occasion is) meal while we were there. This time, I offered to host a lunch/dinner at our house for my father-in-law's birthday, which is 5 days after mine. The idea was that the in-laws could invite whoever they wanted, and we (my husband and I) would cook and clean so they would be able to enjoy an afternoon with their friends. We only had 8 people in total - one other couple who are their oldest friends, and the daughter of that couple (whom my husband grew up with) and her husband - but it was a good group.
I had heaps of fun preparing lunch and dessert, and 8 was a good number for my ability (or lack thereof) to feed a group.
I tried some new recipes for the main course and dessert, and being a lover of desserts, the latter is probably what I am proudest of: a macadamia encrusted pavlova roll.
Now, I've never actually made a pavlova or any meringue-y sort of dessert before, so I don't know whether this was a brave or stupid (or naive) move on my part. But I'm glad I did. his was the end result:
Keen to have a go? Here's how to make it:Ingredients
4 large egg whites
1 cup (or just under) castor sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
2 tsp cornflour
1 tsp vinegar
For the sprinkle mixture: 1/3 cup chopped macadamia, 1 Tbsp Castor sugar (I used raw), 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Whipped cream for spreading
Whisk egg whites until very stiff. Gradually add castor sugar, whipping continuously.
Fold in cornflour then vinegar and vanilla.
Spread mixture onto a greaseproof paper lined baking tray. The mix should be 1cm thick. Sprinkle with macadamia nut mixture.
Bake in a 180 degrees preheated oven, until just set (about 5 to 8 minutes).
When cooked remove pavlova from tray and rest on a cold bench until cool.
Dust a clean teatowel or (greaseproof sheet) with icing sugar. Invert meringue sheet onto teatowel, pull original baking sheet from back of meringue. Spread a 1/2cm layer of whipped cream onto meringue. Roll up as you would a Swiss Roll.
Slice pavlova roll into portions and serve with seasonal fruit.
(Source: http://www.abc.net.au/local/recipes/2010/02/26/2831244.htm)
Voila! As you can see, I served this pav roll with strawberries (which I'd macerated). As I was whipping the cream, realised I was serving a modified version of strawberries and cream!
It's not your typical pavlova with a crispy/crusty top, but everyone seemed to like it (or they were being polite :0) ) And I consider this birthday party great use of my time this weekend.
