How to Cook That, livre ebook

Introduction

The top shelf of my studio pantry is just for chocolate!  The one below has containers brimming with sweet confections, then there’s a range of flours, sugars, cocoa powder and on the bottom shelf…fondant, sprinkles, edible gold and gel food colours for cake decorating.

This may all seem rather strange for a dietician!  But I always remember my university lecturer’s advice—that if you’re going to have chocolate then make sure it’s only a small amount and top quality, rather than lots of cheap junk.  In other words, you can still enjoy good health without completely sacrificing dessert.  But because you can only have a small amount, ensure that your occasional sweet treat is truly delicious! 

That idea set me off on a quest to find the best-tasting desserts, many of which now grace the pages of this book. An unexpected bonus is that I’ve found beautiful baking also builds a sense of community, as family and friends are always excited to pop over for a slice of my latest sweet creation.  (Although in the case of a giant ice cream sandwich, you’ll probably need a party).

Sweet food and baking always interested me far more than savoury dishes.  I think they appeal to my creative side, my sweet tooth, and also the food scientist in me. Little changes in baking recipes can have a huge effect on flavour and texture.  Some people see that a difficulty but I see it as a challenge.  How much can I bend the rules, tweak the ingredients and experiment to make a better version or create something completely new?

Some time ago, I was looking through my mum’s bookshelf and found a 200 year-old cookbook.  I gently held this piece of culinary history, the pages were stained with age and the cover was falling apart.  I have since made many desserts from that book, including a fruit mince pie with meat in it and strawberry ice cream with bugs!  As I began researching old cookbooks and their authors, I found myself inspired to write my own.  Yes, I have a website and YouTube channel with hundreds of episodes but there is something special about a book. The permanency of print. A website can be hacked and YouTube may be long gone in 200 years.  But a book—this book—well, I’d love to think that it is a small slice of history to be enjoyed right now, shared with friends and eventually passed on to the next generation.

Fun Easy Desserts

• Mint Oreo Mousse
• Red Velvet Cake Shake
• Cookies & Cream Extreme Shake
• Peanut Butter Pretzel OTT Shake
• Speedy Apple Turnovers
• Watermelon Pizza

Perfect Cakes and Cupcakes

• The Best Chocolate Cake
• Cherry Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
• Light Fluffy Sponge Cake
• Lemon & Blueberry Cake
• Moist Carrot Cake
• Heart Inside Cupcakes

Craving Chocolate

• Warm Chocolate Melting Cake
• Chocolate Obsession
• Magic Chocolate Flower
• Spiral Chocolate Caramel Domes
• Melting Chocolate ‘n’ Peanut Ball
• Hazelnut Chocolate Dessert Slice
• Chocolate Pistachio Dome
• Decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake
• Chocolate Crémeux with Raspberry Jelly

Art on a Plate

• Chocolate Cheese Board
• Loco Coconut Dessert
• It’s Not an Avocado!
• Try Not to Laugh Dessert Tubes
• 3D Jelly Spiders & Flowers
• Candy Sugar Balloon Bowls
• Apple-Shaped Dessert
• Emoji Surprise Inside Dessert
• Liquid Chocolate Sphericals

Show off Pastries

• Chocolate Raspberry Tart
• Banana Cream Pie
• Sugar Snow Globe Dessert
• Rose Apple Pie
• Macaron Chocolate Tart
• Sweet Cherry Pie
• The Croquembouche
• Baked Churros with Chocolate Sauce
• Italian Cannoli
• Coffee Donut Millefeuille

We All Scream for Ice Cream

• Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
• Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream
• Dark Chocolate Gelato
• Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream
• Starburst Cherry Ice Cream
• Easy Nutella Soft Serve
• Giant Ice Cream Sandwich
• Giant Magnum Ego
• $1000 Ice Cream Sundae