Twisted Christmas Bread Wreath

Rum and Raisin Fudge

Chocolate Bark

Line a 25cm x 35cm with baking paper. Place chocolate into a medium heat proof bowl; stir over a medium saucepan of simmering water until smooth (don’t let water touch base of bowl). Stir in puffed rice and coconut.

Working quickly, spread chocolate mixture onto tray as thinly as possible; sprinkle with dried fruits, nuts, remaining coconut & rice puffs.

Refrigerate until set. Break bark into pieces to serve.

Traditional Christmas Puddings

1. Combine mixed fruit, raisins, brandy and cranberry sauce in a large bowl. Cover and set aside overnight or for at least 2 hours.
2. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, beat in maple syrup. Add eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition.  Stir butter mixture, sifted self-raising flour and spices, fresh breadcrumbs and almonds into soaked fruit, mixing well.
3. Grease a 2 litre and 1 litre capacity pudding basin and a line both the bases with a double layer of baking paper.  Fill mixture into the large basin to approximately 3cm from top of basin. Spoon remainder into small basin and smooth tops. Double line each of the tops of the puddings with baking paper rounds.
4. Take a 60cm long piece of baking paper and 60cm piece of foil, layer and fold in half, make a 3cm pleat in the middle (this allows for any expansion of the pudding). Place sheets over large pudding and secure tightly with string. Repeat process for small pudding.
5. Place wire racks onto the base of a large and a medium saucepan and fill both one third with water and bring to the boil. Carefully place puddings onto wire rack in each saucepan making sure the water level comes about halfway up each pudding basin. Cover and simmer  the large pudding 6 hours and the small pudding for 4 hours. Replenish with boiling water when needed.
6. Serve with custard or cream with a dash of brandy added.

Pavlova Trifle with soaked Natural Sultanas

1. To make the Rum Custard: Soak Sunbeam Sultanas in the rum for 1-2 hours. Place milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger into a saucepan over low-medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer but below boiling for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly, removing the cinnamon and ginger pieces.
2. In a large bowl whisk together egg yolks and corn starch. Then, while whisking slowly mix in a ladle of the warm milk to temper the eggs. Continue doing this until you have mixed all the warm milk in. Clean out the saucepan and add the custard mixture back in. Heat over low heat for 20 minutes, whisking constantly, until the custard coats the back of the spoon. Remove from heat and stir through the rum-soaked Sultanas.
3. Pour into a heat safe bowl and let cool on the counter. Then, refrigerate until cold.
4. To make the Candied Pistachios: Add the sugar and honey to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Add pistachios, salt and lemon zest. Stir to combine. Turn the heat up to medium-high and cook for 2 minutes, or until the syrup coats the pistachios and is very thick. Place pistachios onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and allow to cool and set. Let cool completely before chopping and using.
5. Pour into a clean bowl the thickened cream. Add in the vanilla essence and whisk until soft peaks forms.
6. To assemble Trifle: in a large glass serving dish, layer custard, chunks of pavlova, spiced rum custard, whipped cream, honey candied chopped pistachios, strawberries and raspberries. Repeat this until your trifle bowl is full.
7. Garnish with fresh raspberries, strawberries, cream and honey candied chopped pistachios.

Serve and enjoy.

Mini Easter Panettone

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolk and vanilla.

In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Pour in the warm milk, then add the egg mixture. Stir well to combine until a dough forms. Cover with cling film, sprayed with oil, and set aside to rest in a warm place for approx. 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Place 12 cardboard patty cases on a baking tray. Alternatively, place regular cases into a muffin tin. Set aside.

Stir in the butter, sultanas and mixed fruit. Mix until combined.

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and put into prepared cases.

Cover again and let rise for a further ½ hour.

Brush the tops with milk and bake for 25 mins or until cooked through and golden.

Cool on tray.

Meanwhile, make the icing.

In a small bowl, place the icing sugar and 1 tablespoon of water. Mix until a paste forms. Add small amounts of water until desired consistency. Add a few drops of food colouring to make a pale pink icing.

Drizzle over cooled cakes and sprinkle with dried rose petal leaves or your choice of sprinkles.

Nutty Barramundi with Coconut Greens

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
2. Place macadamia nuts, almonds, ginger and rind in a food processor; pulse until mixture forms a chunky paste.
3. Place fillets on an oven tray; season with salt and pepper.
4. Press nut mixture evenly on each fillet.
5. Bake fish for 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
6. Meanwhile, place sugar snap peas and beans in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain well; refresh under cold running water.
7. Combine all coconut ingredients in a small jar. Shake.
8. Serve fillets topped with micro herbs and dressing, sugar snap peas and beans.