More Entertaining

A glorious treat, Pistachio and Raspberry Macaroons

Here is the next batch of pictures I’ve cooked from In The Mood For Entertaining by Jo Pratt. I’m still enjoying this book a lot, and still have so many want-to-make recipes. The layout and presentation of the book is really lovely, quite calming after a trying day. Here goes, hope you enjoy.

11.Raspberry and Pistachio Macaroons
These are amazing! Little macaroons (think macarons if in the US) filled with a high quality jam and a little cream. I’ve made macaroons before, but they have been coconut filled confections. I’ve always fancied trying this type, and certainly like to eat them, but having read the trials and tribulations of many a online blogger, I became a bit scared of them. I’m glad I gave them a go though, as these were really easy and very delicious. Easily on of my very favourite recipes. There are also hazelnut macaroons in the book filled with Nutella – their time is coming. Recipe link at the foot of this post.

12.Limoncello Jellies
From the Girls’ Night In chapter. Very pretty little jellies, I thought they were too sour, although I do have an extremely sweet tooth. Hubby who doesn’t have my tooth found them sour too, maybe it was the brand of Limoncello, next time I’ll taste as I go along and add a good bit more sugar.

13.Chorizo and Manchego Tart
This was easy and very yummy, I did have the intention of making individual tarts, as in the picture in the book, but on the night I made them time was so short I just did one big one. I served them with their perfect match:

14.Broad Bean and Pepper Salad
Now this salad should have had marinated anchovies in it, but I can’t go anchovies if I can see them, so just added more peppers. Fabulous Summer salad.

15.Blackberry and Lemon Curd Fool
I managed to get some local blackberries, and made them into this fool. Top rate fool, with sweetness, fruity-ness and zing from the lemon curd. There is a bit of cassis in there too, just to up the berry flavour, which is does admirably. These pink puddings should have been garnished with fresh berries, which I duly kept aside from pureeing, then we ate them the next day when I realised I’d forgotten about them, oops sorry about that…

16. Fruity Flapjacks
I made these with Missy for Daddy for Father’s Day. Easy to make and very fruity indeed. Just the thing to make with a little one: as long as you do the chopping and hot bits. Did Daddy like them? He did indeed =)

17. Pasta with Pesto, Saffron, Feta and Beetroot Topping
We had this one Friday night. Good pasta, I couldn’t go the Feta warmed through (which is odd as I love feta cold). The beetroot topping was knockout, a really inspired touch by Jo. I’m making this one again for us, still with the Feta for Hubby, I’ll probably go for a milky Buffalo Mozarella for mine.

18.Marinated Steak with 19. Asian Coleslaw and 20. Chilli Chips
The beef part of this should be Chateaubriand, I used steak as had some to use from the freezer. The chilli chips were lovely as was in Asian coleslaw, a peanut butter, rice vinegar and Fish Sauce spiked slaw – which I’ve made a few times now.

21. Passion Fruit and Lime Cheesecakes with Coconut Crumbs
These individual puddings were the recommended finale to the steak dinner above. They were really very good indeed, just the right balance of rich cream, cream cheese, sugar, tangy passion fruit and lime. The coconut crumbs were just that, not set like a cheesecake base, and easily contained by the glass ramekin.
For the link to the Pistachio and Raspberry Macaroons click here.